Bio-Polymers Processing Facility Hires Plant Manager, Prepares for Start-up

Shannon Schroeder, assistant scientist in chemical and biological engineering (CBE), was hired in February as the new Bio-Polymers Processing Facility plant manager. She has spent the last two months learning the process and chemistry associated with the facility's projects.

The facility's research team conducted maintenance early this spring prior to receiving chemicals. In May, they plan to focus primarily on monomer production, followed by polymer production throughout the summer and fall. By the end of the operation season, they expect to produce four tons of PS-PAESO diblock copolymer. This material will be used in paving demonstration projects in Iowa, and also distributed to compounders for evaluation in adhesive applications.

The Bio-Polymers Processing Facility is directed by BCRF affiliates Eric Cochran, associate professor of CBE, and Chris Williams, the Gerald and Audrey Olson Professor in Civil Engineering.

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New Client Uses 500-liter Fermentor to Grow Single-cell Microbe

In February, an industrial client made use of the 500-liter Applikon fermentor to grow a single-cell microbe that can be used to produce a nutritional supplement. The client sent a team of researchers from several corporate locations to monitor the fermentation 24 hours/day. The biomass was collected using two CEPA Z-41 centrifuges and sent to the Center for Crops Utilization Research wet processing pilot plant where it underwent further processing. The client has scheduled a follow-up run in April.

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Red Oak Prepared Using Fully Automated Belt Dryer and Hammermill

BCRF student employees and Bioeconomy Initiative (BEI) researchers prepared three tons of red oak using the fully automated belt dryer and hammermill. During the single-pass drying and sizing process, red oak chips started at 50 percent moisture, were dried to 10 percent moisture and and milled to 1/8". BEI processed the material for an external research institution working in the area of thermochemical conversion of biomass and plans to process an additional three tons of material for internal use. View video of the drying process on BCRF’s YouTube page.

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ABE 469 Students Use Hammermill to Analyze Corn Moisture Contents

ABE 469—Grain Handling and Processing students Craig Blass, Luke Hanke and Katlyn DeVoe used the pilot-scale hammermill to mill three 30-pound samples of yellow dent corn of different moisture contents in order to analyze the resulting corn flour. The students were looking at the flour's resulting moisture content, the average particle size for each sample and the bulk density of each sample. Equipment that was used included the hammermill, an oven, an Ohaus scale and a row-tap machine. BCRF affiliate Kurt Rosentrater, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, was the instructor for ABE 469.

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Student Employees Assist CCUR with Equipment Repairs and Lab Remodeling

BCRF student employees spent time at the Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) designing and installing safety guards on equipment, repairing equipment, and remodeling lab and office space. Over a span of several weeks, the students dismantled the pilot-scale brewery system in the wet processing pilot plant. They salvaged and cleaned up any parts from the brewery that could be used for other purposes. The students also have been working on light duty remodeling of lab and office space in the Food Sciences Building. The students painted and resurfaced the floors and countertops. Bart Dobson, Facilities Planning and Management construction manager, oversaw the installation of new carpeting and LED light fixtures. CCUR’s industry clients and affiliates will use the labs and offices.

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2015 Progress Report Available Now

The 2015 BCRF Progress Report is now available. The report is distributed by the ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, and provides a yearlong overview of all the activities that happened at the BCRF. 

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Visitors Tour BCRF

The BCRF had the following visitors: ABE 110 students, Biova, Boone Chamber of Commerce Leadership Group, Deere & Company, Department of Agronomy graduate students, Dreamfield Ventures, farmers from Australia, General Mills, KWQC-TV, Nationwide Insurance, Quaker Oats Company, Waterloo West High School students, and University of Michigan.