The first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration farm devoted to biomass production and processing
The first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration farm devoted to biomass production and processing opens of business following its dedication in September.
Larry Johnson, farm director, speaks during the dedication program.
View more Pictures
View the video of the dedication of the BioCentury Research Farm
View the Ames Tribune Insert
ISU Dedicates 'Field of Dreams' - Ames Tribune
BioCentury Facility will Search for Alternative to Petrol Products - ISU Daily
The BioCentury Research Farm provides researchers with the opportunity to integrate harvesting, transportation, storage and processing, while offering facilities for outreach programming and industry collaboration. The BioCentury Research Farm was called the New Century Farm in initial planning.
Overview
- Located 10 miles west of Ames on Highway 30 at the Iowa State Agronomy and Agricultural and Biosystems Research Farm
- Biomass crops destined for use as biofuels and bioproducts will be grown onsite and at other area Iowa State research farms
- The facilities will link new discoveries, integration of science and real-world situations and scale-up for commercialization
- Researchers will be able to study systems to turn a variety of biomass feedstocks into bio-oil or synthetic gas using thermochemical technologies, ethanol and industrial chemicals by fermentation or integrated systems using thermochemical and fermentation technologies
- The facility will allow Iowa State researchers and industry partners to test and demonstrate processing system technologies before going to commercial scale
Key Components
- Research that brings together scientific expertise to address biomass cropping systems, biofuel and bioproduct processing, logistics of biomass supply and positive environmental effects such as nutrient recycling back to the land
- Facilities for educating future scientists, producers and extension experts
- Extension that demonstrates economic, social and environmental viability of biorenewable energy and bioproducts production to producers, policymakers and the public
- Outreach with companies that will work with Iowa State in collaborative research and development
Biomass Processing Facility
- Will address some of the most critical questions facing the biorenewables industry
- Contains pilot plant processes, laboratories and offices, including areas for grinding and chemical pretreatment
- Pilot plant areas include three major processing trains: biochemical, thermochemical and bioprocessing
Contact:
Larry Johnson, director
(515) 294-4365
ljohnson@iastate.edu
