News
The latest issue of Biofuels Journal included a six-page feature on the thermochemical conversion research happening at the BioCentury Research Farm, installation began on the soil removal equipment, and four student teams completed capstone projects at the BCRF.
From Biofuels Journal, Fourth Quarter 2016 — Researchers at Iowa State University are pursuing three thermochemical technologies that can produce biofuels, renewable chemicals, and a carbon-rich residue known as biochar.
A German research organization visited the BioCentury Research Farm to explore possible collaborations with Iowa State University. The BCRF also provided biomass feedstock preparation services to two clients, which included processing 8 tons of corn stover and 4 tons of switchgrass.
Iowa State engineers are working with Chevron U.S.A. to develop a pilot plant and study an advanced biorenewables technology called solvent liquefaction. The technology converts biomass such as quarter-inch wood chips into a bio-oil that can be processed into fuels or chemicals and a biochar that can enrich soils. The project is supported by a four-year, $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Two types of biochar were applied to a mini sorghum field plot in the BioCentury Research Farm Plant Demonstration Plots, the Biofuels Science and Sustainability Tour stopped at the BCRF to learn about various research projects and BCRF student employees developed a new QR code system to track the BCRF's biomass feedstock supply.
From Iowa Farm Bureau — At Iowa State University’s (ISU) BioCentury Research Farm, a line-up of biomass and alternative energy projects has processing Facility Manager Andy Suby excited about moving from bench-scale research into pilot plants and commercial scale processing, as well as and cellulosic work to support the POET plant in Emmetsburg and the DuPont plant in Nevada is just part of the story.
The BioCentury Research Farm received soil removal equipment donated by DuPont. The equipment, valued at approximately $219,000, will expand the BCRF's current biomass preparation and conditioning capabilities. The BCRFcontinued to provide support to various on- and off-campus clients. Corn, soybeans, switchgrass and oats were planted in the Plant Zoo.
The Bio-Polymers Processing Facility hired a plant manager and also prepared for start-up this spring, a new industry client used the 500-liter fermentor to grow a single-cell microbe and red oak was prepared using the fully automated belt dryer and hammermill.
From Forward, Iowa State University Foundation, Spring 2016, page 12 — ISU Foundation's Forward magazine featured an article about the Bio-Polymers Processing Facility located at the BioCentury Research Farm, and discussed the plant-based polymers research done by affiliates Chris Williams and Eric Cochran.
New Holland Agriculture, represented by Scott Wangsgard, has generously provided several pieces of equipment on loan to the BioCentury Research Farm for biomass crop research projects. The loan includes three tractors, a disc mower and a round baler. The equipment will be used to support research on several crops including corn stover, switchgrass and Miscanthus.
In a recent Des Moines Register article, BCRF affiliate Emily Heaton says perennial grasses can reduce the carbon pollution that causes climate change. Here's how: As miscanthus, switchgrass and other perennials grow, they pull from the air the carbon that contributes to climate change.
From Des Moines Register, January 9, 2016 — BCRF affiliates Emily Heaton and Robert C. Brown were featured in a recent Des Moines Register article on finding the next generation of energy.
Iowa State and industry partner Argo Genesis Chemical LLC will dedicate a new, $5.3 million Bio-Polymer Processing Facility on Aug. 26. The plant will allow Iowa State engineers to research and develop their process for producing bio-polymers from soybean oil.
The industrial-scale pilot biopolymers plant being built at the BioCentury Research Farm for use in several different industries nears its completion.
Plans are underway to build a pilot plant for a fast-pyrolysis process that will convert 10 ton/d of biomass into bio-oil and bio-char. Chemical Engineering magazine’s Scott Jenkins provides an overview of the Bioeconomy Institute’s intent to build the plant at Iowa State’s Bio
Iowa State University Destination 2050 - Office of the President
BCRF affiliate R. Christopher Williams is part of a team of Iowa State researchers that has developed a method to create bioasphalt.
BCRF affiliate Emily Heaton was featured in the the latest entry in a series about Iowa State University faculty who are using science to change the world for the better.
In the cornfields of central Iowa, employees of newly created, small, local businesses are preparing and collecting corn stover — the stalks, leaves and cobs left after grain harvest — as feedstock for the DuPont Biofuels Solutions cellulosic ethanol facility in Nevada, Iowa, which is expected to
Crops take time to establish. Not only do proper planting and harvesting practices need instituting, but an end market must exist. Southeast-Asia originated Miscanthus x giganteus serves as one among a variety of energy crops studied in Iowa. From Biomass Magazine
CCUR faculty affiliates are working to prove that adhesives made from a byproduct of biodiesel production can offer consumers a cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative to the acrylic adhesives currently on the market.
ExxonMobil Corporation is establishing an advanced biofuels research program at Iowa State University.
An industrial-scale pilot plant will be constructed at the BioCentury Research Farm to develop a family of new biobased polymers derived from vegetable oils.
Robert Brown talks about how Iowa State and the BioCentury Research Farm is working to create biofuels from biomasses to eventually replace the use of fossil fuels. From Big 12 Digital Network/YouTube Channel for Big 12 Conference.
On the Aug. 4 Agribusiness Report on WHO TV, Matt Darr, agricultural and biosystems engineering, said about two-thirds of every dollar spent on agriculture is focused on decisions of seed selection, fertility and land access. Mass amounts of data could have an influence on those decisions.
Pages
