ADVANCED BIOFUELS BIOREFINERY AND BIO -ECONOMYfiles.abbe5.webnode.sk/200000021-a668da770f/Book of...

CEI-JRC European Workshop on

ADVANCED BIOFUELS, BIOREFINERY

AND BIO-ECONOMY

A Challenge for Central and East European Countries

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

Daniela Chmelová, Miroslav Ondrejovič

in cooperation with ICARST, Bratislava under auspices of Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and

Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic


Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery

and Bio-Economy:


BOOK OF ABSTRACTS


Trnava, 2015

in cooperation with ICARST, Bratislava under auspices of Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic and Ministry of Education, Science, Research and

Sport of the Slovak Republic

CEI-JRC European Workshop on Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy: A Challenge for Central and East European Countries organized by Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava in cooperation with ICARST, Bratislava under auspices of Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic with financial support from Central European Initiative (CEI) and Joint Research Centre (JRC).

International Advisory Board Dr. G. Rosso-Cicogna, CEI, Trieste, Italy Dr. G. De Santi, JRC, Netherlands Dr. L. Marelli, JRC, Italy Prof. M. Kaltschmitt, Hamburg University of Technology, Germany Prof. G. Centi, University of Messina, Italy Organizing committee Prof. S. Miertus (chairman), UCM, Trnava and ICARST, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Prof. D. Bakos, ICARST and STU, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Prof. S. Hostin, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic Dr. I. Psenakova, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic Dr. M. Pipiska, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic Dr. M. Ondrejovic, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic Dr. M. Beno, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic Dr. D. Chmelova, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic MSc. D. Pajtinkova, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic MSc. M. Valovciakova, UCM, Trnava, Slovak Republic © University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava © Cover Miroslav Ondrejovič

Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015 3

Foreword The CEI-JRC European Workshop on Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy: A Challenge for Central and East European Countries has been organized in 25. – 27. March 2015 by the University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia with the support of Central European Initiative, Trieste, Italy and Join Research Centre EC, Ispra, Italy, in cooperation with ICARST, Bratislava and under auspices of Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia and Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of Slovakia Within the overall objective to promote the sustainable production and use of advanced biofuels, biorefineries and bio-economy, the Workshop aims at providing a forum for discussion between multi-sectorial stakeholders to share knowledge and experience and to formulate recommendations as to possible national and regional way forward towards increasing competitiveness, environmental and social sustainability of the advanced biofuels value chains and strengthening the regional cooperation and integration. The expected outcome is to increase awareness and to share the knowledge and experience on the key issues and thus to increase the competitiveness of the advanced biofuels industry, biorefinery and bioeconomy. The goal is also to update on the sustainability issues and to share knowledge and lessons learned from other ongoing initiatives in the area of biofuels promoted by international organizations and European bodies (especially European Commission, JRC EC, CEI) targeting the synergies among various initiatives and their concentration in the CEE region. Recommendations are focused on the indications of the way forward taking into account the need of the harmonized regional approach and on the strengthening of collaboration of CEE countries and their deeper involvement within European Union space including however also the pre-accession countries of CEE region. At the Workshop more than 70 experts from 16 European countries participate, including 10 CEE countries and several international organizations (EC, CEI, JRC, UN-ECE, OSCE). More than 28 lectures are presented together with 20 posters. The present Book of Abstracts provides a brief overview of the presented contributions. The organizers would like to express their appreciation to all lecturers and participants. The special thanks are due to the cooperating and cosponsoring institutions namely to CEI and JRC EC. Trnava, 25. March 2015 Prof. Stanislav Miertus, DrSc. Chairman of the Organizing Committee

4 Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015

CONTENT KEY-NOTE LECTURES Bacovsky, D., Ludwiczek, N.

9 Overview of advanced biofuels technologies

Kaltschmitt, M. 10

Integrated bio-refineries – ambition, demands and reality

Centi, G., Perathoner, S. 11 Integrating bio- and solar-refineries to move to a low-carbon

bioeconomy

Yigitguden, H.Y. 12

Energy for a sustainable future

Canciani, P. 13 The role of the Central European Initiative in the promotion of RES

and the bioeconomy in central, east and south-east Europe Sambucini, G.

14 The role of the United Nations Economic Commission of Europe

Zivić, L. 16

Poly4emi – polymers for emerging industries

Behrendt, D. 17

Biofuels from algae: recent development, problems and prospects

Fornasiero, P. 18

Hydrogen - a fuel of future and more: challenges and problems

Bruschi, C.V., Tosato, V. 19

4th generation of biofuels based on GMOs

Rebroš, M., Rosenberg, M., Stloukal, R. 20

Immobilized cells and enzymes for biofuel production

Ferrario, V., Pellis, A., Ebert, C., Gardossi, L. 21 Biocatalysis for the integrated biorefineries: new perspectives for the

sustainable production of biobased polyesters and biofuels Lizasoain, J., Kral, I., Piringer, G., Gronauer, A., Bauer, A.

22 Agricultural residues for anaerobic digestion: technologies to open up new resources


Marelli, L. 23

Sustainability of advanced biofuels

Kaufmann, A.-K. 24 Green chemistry belt / opportunities and obstacles for biomass

logistics at the river Danube Müller, B.

26 Advanced biofuels and biorefineries: technology development and industrial scale-up. Role of the European Biofuels Technology Platform Hamje, H.

27 Challenges and opportunities for advanced biofuels: an oil industry perspective Kostík, P., Šácha, M.

28 Industrial production of biofuels in Slovakia: perspectives for advanced biofuels and biorefinery development Iriarte, L., Fritsche, U.R.

29 Sustainability challenges to boost bioeconomy

Toldi, O. 30 Biomass as a renewable resource for added value products: general

insight into the hungarian activities Kržan, A.

31 From biomass to sustainable biomaterials and bioplastics

Jelemenský, Ľ. 32 Potential of renewable energy sources, advanced biofuels and

biorefinery in Slovakia Martinov, M., Djatkov, D., Golub, M., Bojic, S., Viskovic, M.

33 Corn stover as a feedstock for advanced biofuels in Serbia

Gyalai-Korpos, M. 34 Status of bioeconomy in Hungary general introduction and insight

into climate-kic activity and projects Gál, L.

35 Czech technology biofuels platform


POSTERS Bajus, M., Šajbidor, J.

37 Biofuels and biorefinery

Chmelová, D., Ondrejovič, M. 38

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production

Covaliova, O., Covaliov, V., Bobeica, V., Nenno, V., Duca, G. 39 Production of "green energy" and useful products from agricultural

wastes Da Porto, C., Decorti, D., Natolino, A.

40 Wine waste integrated bio-refinery: Application of supercritical CO2 extraction Gageanu, P., Muraru-Ionel, C., Bracacescu, C., Ivancu, B., Zaica, A.

41 Vegetable oils, alternative energy source with wide use in various fields Ház, A., Šurina, I., Sládková, A., Jablonský, M., Peller, A., Šimon, P.

42 Lignin pyrolysis

Hodžić, M., Karamehmedović, E. 43

Electricity production using waste to syngas conversion

Jablonsky, M., Skulcova, A., Haz, A., Sladkova, A., Dubinyova, L., Surina, I. 44 Lignin as a source of biobased chemicals

Mojović, L., Djukić-Vuković, A., Pejin, J., Kocić-Tanackov, S. 45 Biorefinery concept in valorization of distillery stillage from

bioethanol production Musiol, M., Rydz, J., Sobota, M., Jurczyk, S., Jiang, G., Kowalczuk, M.

46 Biocomposities for sustainable economically friendly packages

Ondrejovič, M., Chmelová, D. 47 Production of bioplastics – polyhydroxyalkanoates from industrial

wastes Pejin, J., Mojović, L., Radosavljević, M., Kocić-Tanackov, S., Djukić-Vuković, A. 48 Brewers´ spent grain as a raw material in lactic acid fermentation

Sikorska, W., Adamus, G., Musiol, M., Sobota, M., Rydz, J., Radecka, I., Kowalczuk, M. 49 Sustainable bioplastics: economic, environmental and social aspects


Sládková, A., Dubinyová, L., Ház, A., Jablonský, M., Sekretár, S., Škulcová, A., Vrška, M., Šurina, I. 50 Extractives from wood bark - source of chemicals and biofuels Škulcová, A., Jablonský, M., Ház, A., Sládková, A., Dubinyová, L., Šurina, I. 52 Deep eutetics solvents - new type of technology for biorefinery

Šurina, I., Dubaj, T., Dubinyová, L., Ház, A., Jablonský, M., Kirschnerová, S., Kreps, F., Schmidt, Š., Sekretár, S., Sládková, A., Stopka, J., Šimon, P., Škulcová, A., Šutý, Š., Tiňo, R., Tmáková, L., Vrbiková, L., Vrška, M.

53

Biomass - source of chemicals and biofuels

Šurina, I., Ház, A., Sládková, A., Škulcová, A., Dubínyová, L., Provazníková, J., Čížová, K., Jablonský, M., Katuščák, S., Vrška, M., Kirschnerová, S., Šutý, Š., Tiňo, R., Vizárová, K. 55 Research of biofuels and bioenergy from renewable resources at Slovak University of Technology Tirsu, M.

57 Opportunities of the Republic of Moldova in bio-energy

Vodička, P. 60

Specialist for double wall storage tanks for hazardous liquids

SUPPLEMENT Calikowski, T.

S1 European bioeconomy: Biorefinery and bio-based industries – EC initiatives


KEY -NOTE LECTURES


OVERVIEW OF ADVANCED BIOFUELS TECHNOLOGIES

DINA BACOVSKY, NIKOLAUS LUDWICZEK

BIOENERGY 2020+

Abstract: Around the world a number of companies pursue projects to develop and deploy advanced technologies for the production of biofuels. A broad variety of raw materials is suitable, multiple conversion technologies are being developed and a range of different fuel products can be marketed. With so many different options, it is hard to keep track of the development of the sector. One of those that give a good overview but also provide some level of technology detail, is IEA Bioenergy Task 39 “Commercializing Liquid Biofuels”. Task 39 has gathered data on more than 100 projects from the technology developers, and provides this data through an online interactive map (http://demoplants.bioenergy2020.eu) and a summary report. Between 2010 and 2012, biofuels technologies have developed significantly. Hydrotreatment as pursued by e.g. Neste Oil has been commercialized and accounted for app. 2.4% of biofuels production worldwide in 2012. Fermentation of lignocellulosic raw material to ethanol has also seen a strong development, and several large scale facilities have come online in Europe and North America in 2013 and 2014. As for thermochemical processes, the development has turned to the production of mixed alcohols rather than BtL-Diesel. Economic reasons drove this development, and concepts like the integration into existing industries and the production of several products instead of biofuel only (biorefinery concept) receive increased attention. The production capacity for biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstock (i.e. advanced biofuels technologies excluding hydrotreatment) accounted for some 140 000 tons per year in 2012, while hydrotreatment capacity reached 2 190 000 tons per year. But, this development has also seen some drawbacks, and some of the projects for advanced biofuel production have failed. Choren, Range Fuels and Terrabon closed their companies; others have stopped their planned activities relating to specific advanced biofuels technologies. Several large-scale projects have been postponed, some even though public funding would have been granted. It is important to learn the lessons from these drawbacks. The advanced biofuels sector is expected to further increase dynamically, especially for the production of biofuels from lignocellulosic raw material. Based on the announcements for further demonstration plants and commercial facilities, the production capacity for biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstock is expected to triple between 2012 and 2015. Yet, the contribution made to the total production of biofuels is small, and a much faster development is required until significant amounts of lignocellulosic biofuels can be produced. Keywords: advanced biofuels, technology, production capacity


INTEGRATED BIO-REFINERIES – AMBITION, DEMANDS AND REALITY

MARTIN KALTSCHMITT

Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany

Abstract: Biomass is a renewable raw material produced globally and sold to competing markets on local as well as global scale. Within these markets this biogenic primary material is used for the provision of food (i.e. directly as plant material and indirectly via animal feed), as a raw material for industrial activities (e.g. furniture, clothing, paper, building components, chemistry, and pharmacy) and for energy (e.g. solid fuels, liquid fuels, and gaseous fuels). Thereby plant biomass can sometimes be sold to one or more markets depending on the type of biomass as well as the current market conditions and needs. But due the fact that biomass is a renewable raw material these different markets do not ultimately compete for the organic material itself. They compete for a certain share related to the overall available agricultural area because globally fertile land is limited and can hardly be increased under the given environmental and economic constraints. Additionally, it is expected that the volume of these three competing markets for biomass will significantly increase in the years to come primarily due to an increasing world population. In parallel the fertile land will be reduced due to strongly extension of urban areas on a global scale (i.e. more people move to urban areas and require increasingly more space in the future). Thus there will be the increasing necessity to use the limited available biomass even more efficient in the future. Within this context the term "Bio-refinery" has become a buzzword for all options using biomass for the combined provision of food & feed, of raw material for commerce and industry as well as of energy in an efficient way. Thus this option is presented often as an all purpose option for the technical efficient, economic viable and environmental sound biomass use for the future. Against this background the goal of this presentation is it to assess the historical development of the three biomass markets mentioned above during the last five decades on a global scale. Additionally the expected developments within these markets for the years to come are presented and analysed. Based on this, the need for a more efficient use of biomass becomes very obvious and this issue is addressed in detail. In this context the integrated bio-refinery approach, as one possible option to contribute to this overarching goal, is presented with its pros and cons due to given technical, economic and environmental constraints. Then the degree of realization of this concept within the overall economy is assessed for Europe. Based on this an outlook is given on the role of bio-refineries within a bio-economy to be expected with an increasing contribution in the years to come in Europe. Based on these discussions from a research point of view it is outlined which focal points should be set to support the implementation of integrated bio-refineries. Keywords: bio-refinery, biomass, competition, bio-economy


INTEGRATING BIO- AND SOLAR-REFINERIES TO MOVE TO A LOW-CARBON BIOECONOMY

GABRIELE CENTI, SIGLINDA PERATHONER

Department of Electrical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Engineering

(DIECII), Section Industrial Chemistry, University of Messina, ERIC aisbl and CASPE/INSTM, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontras 31, 98166 Messina, Italy, e-mail:

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract: There is an evolution of current biorefinery concepts to new models based on a tight integration between energy and chemical production and a drastic reduction of the impact on GHG emissions and water system [1]. The integration of bio- and solar-refineries is an effective new option to move in the direction of future scenario for sustainable (low-carbon) chemical and energy production, based on the right combination of elements such as biomass utilization, (re)use of CO2, waste valorization and use of renewable energy [2,3]. The current challenge is how to realize this optimal integration. While new drivers are moving the scenario for biorefineries towards the concept of biofactories [4,5], it is also necessary from one side exploit and valorize the CO2 produced in biorefineries and from the other side to integrate renewable energy sources in biorefinery production (solar biorefineries). Achieve these two objectives is of fundamental relevance to make a real progress in moving to a renewable economy based on the drastic reduction of the use of fossil fuels and of greenhouse gas emissions [6]. The lecture will first introduce the moving scenario from biorefineries to biofactories, introducing some aspects of the new related models such as olefin biorefineries and biorefineries for sustainable chemical production [2,4]. Some aspects of the status of catalysis research to enable the development of these biorefinery models will be discussed, together with an analysis of the industrial developments in the field and some elements of assessment of the different routes. The lecture will be then dedicated to discuss the motivations, the opportunities and needs for research, to address the challenge of integrating bio- and solar-refineries. Aspects discussed regard the use of micro-algae, and different possibilities for CO2 valorization in biorefineries, either by chemo- or bio-catalysis, including possibilities for their synergetic cooperation. [1] S Zinoviev, F Müller‐Langer, P Das, N Bertero, P Fornasiero, M Kaltschmitt, G Centi, S

Miertus, ChemSusChem 2010, 3, 1089-1089 [2] P Lanzafame, G Centi, S.Perathoner, Chem. Soc. Reviews 2014, 43, 7562-7580 [3] S Perathoner, G Centi, ChemSusChem 2014, 7, 1274-1282 [4] P Lanzafame, G Centi, S Perathoner, Catal Today 2014, 234, 2-12 [5] G Centi, P Lanzafame, S Perathoner, Catal Today 2011, 167, 14-30 [6] G Centi, S Perathoner, Green Carbon Dioxide: Advances in CO2 Utilization. John Wiley

& Sons, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-118-59088-1 Keywords: bioeconomy, solar energy integration, CO2, industrial symbiosis, solar biorefinery


ENERGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

HALIL YURDAKUL YIGITGUDEN

Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Abstract: Dr. Halil Yurdukal Yigitguden is the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization. In his presentation entitled “Energy for a Sustainable Future”, Dr Yigitguden will introduce the recent activities of the organization related to energy security, especially focusing on the promotion of sustainable energy. Activities of the OSCE in the field of energy security include i.a. facilitating the exchange of best practices and building capacity in the area of renewable energy in order to strengthen the energy sector resilience to climate change. Keywords: OSCE, energy security, sustainable energy, intergovernmental co-operation


THE ROLE OF THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE IN THE PROMOTION OF RES AND THE BIOECONOMY IN CENTRAL, EAST AND

SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

PETER CANCIANI

Central European Initiative Abstract: Central and South-East Europe are alleged of extensive sustainable biomass reserves. Untapping these potentials would give a powerful impulse to economic growth through investments in innovation, and represent an important socio-economic driver. The Central European Initiative, an International Organization of 18 Countries from the region, is committed to promoting the development of the Bioeconomy in its member countries, with particular regards to strengthening sustainable biomass value chains. This is achieved through extensive awareness raising at policy level. Moreover, CEI is committed to supporting leading actors in research, innovation and the industry to streamline efforts and capitalize their and strong industrial and scientific tradition. The CEI participates to several EU funded projects (e.g. S2BIOM, EBTP-SABS and Danube-INCO.NET) with the aim to promote sustainable use of biomass in the relevant region, also supporting technical assistance and know-how exchange with own funds. The presentation will provide an overview of the state-of-the art in the region and of on-going activities aiming at supporting the development of the sector, focusing in particular on the quantification of available biomass, the development of strategies and adequate legislative frameworks, and the strengthening of public awareness and political commitment to achieving the goals of EU 2020. Keywords: Central European Initiative, bioeconomy, biomass, policy, strategy


THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

GIANLUCA SAMBUCINI

Secretary of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy (GERE), United Nations

Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Abstract: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) member States mandated the newly established Group of Experts on Renewable Energy (GERE) to carry out action-oriented, practical activities to significantly increase the uptake of renewable energy (RE), in line with the United Nations Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. The region’s 56 member countries of western, central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Israel, Turkey, and North America have significant economic, cultural, and energy diversity, and play a large role in the current and future global energy architecture. The First session of the Group of Experts on Renewable Energy (GERE) took place at the Palais des Nations on 18 and 19 of November 2014 under the umbrella of the Sustainable Energy Week and the twenty-third session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy and pointed out key features of the status of renewable energy in the ECE region including evident data gap and inconsistencies. For information on GERE visit: http://www.unece.org/energy/se/gere.html. In the entire ECE region, the renewable energy potential is assessed as high to deploy any kind of renewable energy technology. However, market conditions may be improved with adequate long-term policy measures and an effective normative framework. The Group of Experts focused its first session on what is the right way to develop and deploy renewables, on how those communities with no access to energy can be supported in the ECE region and on how to render a market environment more suitable for investments through the exchange of know-how and best practices with the possible view of developing and establishing UNECE standards for renewable energy in the near future. The Group of Experts agreed on its work plan with the intention to play a key role to increase the uptake of renewable energy with the cooperation of other international actors already active in the region. During the first GERE session, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UNECE and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). UNECE and REN21 will closely cooperate to collect and disseminate data, information, know-how and best practices for the deployment of renewable energy through the reliable data collection process established by REN21. A status report on renewable energy in the UNECE region will be produced and will include data collection and vetting, sharing of know-how and best practices and exploring policy options for the accelerated and successful deployment of renewable energy technologies. The UNECE intends to close the data and information gap which exists today in our region on renewables in order to effectively encourage the uptake of renewable energy. Describing the current status of renewable energy in all sectors (power, heating & cooling, transport, distributed solutions), the status report aims to provide an overview of policy trends and regulatory frameworks in the region, review the latest market developments, describe activities undertaken to accelerate the uptake of renewables in the region, and discuss opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and resource mobilization, exchange information on best practice policies and identify a menu of policy options. It thus represents a comprehensive overview of the region’s renewable energy infrastructure, industry, policy, regulations, market development and potential growth rates.


The UNECE is cooperating also with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in this process of supporting the increase of the renewable energy uptake through specific GERE work. UNECE is also contributing to develop a common assessment methodology for renewable energy projects taking advantage of the ongoing activities of the UNECE Task Force on the Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC) to Renewables, including the current work towards delivering commodity-specific specifications for different renewable energy resources. The UNFC is a universally acceptable and internationally applicable scheme for the classification and reporting of fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources and is currently the only classification in the world to do so. For information on the UNFC visit: www.unece.org/energy/se/reserves.html. Why classify renewable energy projects? Resource volumes, and their associated classification, are commonly used for non-renewable energy; resources being recoverable, commercial and remaining, and at various states of maturity (in terms of both social-economic and technical feasibility criteria). Who will benefit? Governments, international organizations, industry, investors, professional societies, academia and other key stakeholders engaged in activities related to the classification and reporting of energy resources will all benefit from a common and transparent framework applicable at project level, as well as at regional and global level. From a strategic point of view, a universal energy classification framework will help compare energy resources in terms of technical and commercial maturities and uncertainty, and facilitate choices for providing optimal responses to energy demands. More specifically related to this workshop in Bratislava, the UNFC Renewables Task Force and the Bioenergy Working Group are working at the Bioenergy Specification to provide rules and guidance on the assessment and classification of renewable resources from bioenergy routes. This will offer an opportunity to significantly improve insight into and understanding of the bioenergy outlook at both a country and company level, as long as the methodologies used to estimate the scale and potential of each resource are comparable and objective. Keywords: The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe


POLY4EMI – POLYMERS FOR EMERGING INDUSTRIES

LUKA ŽIVI Ć

Project Poly4EmI (Polymers for Emerging Industries) is co-funded by the European

Union under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) Abstract: The Poly4EmI project addresses the challenges of Slovenia's innovation policy through developing a new policy model for a more systemic approach to stimulating the transformation of the industrial structure, based on cross-cutting technologies. The aim of the project is to develop a joint platform of existing regional clusters to promote entrepreneurship and the application of new business solutions. The platform will be based on the use of advanced polymer materials and technologies as they hold great potential to fundamentally change the industrial structure and lead to globally competitive industries in Europe. The platform will be designed to promote cross-sectoral spill overs that foster the development of emerging industries and will provide opportunities for mutual, national and international learning. The strategic objective of the project is to reshape existing and create new value chains based on the transformative power of advanced polymer materials. By strengthening the competitiveness of the industry and promoting the creation and growth of innovative SMEs, the project will contribute to job creation, higher resource efficiency and a better quality of life. The transformative power of cross-cutting biopolymers material and technologies shall be put in focus since they proved to have a potential to be at the forefront of managing structural change from polymer to biopolymer based industry and strong contribution to the development of bio-based industry in Europe. Specific objectives of the project are to: - enforce mutual transnational policy learning on how to better execute regional policy and implement instruments to support entrepreneurship in the emerging biopolymer industry in Slovenia through clusters; - enhance cluster collaboration and networking to stimulate cross-sectoral and transnational cooperation as a driver for radical innovation based on cross-cutting issues; - strengthening entrepreneurial support activities to shape a fertile environment that will support implementation of new business opportunities and help further develop and strengthen the biopolymer industry. In order to meet the project objectives, three key action lines have been identified, namely: - elaboration of a regional strategy and master plan to transform existing polymer industrial structures by creating better linkages among key stakeholders from the academia, industry and policy towards a systemic approach; - facilitation of cross-sectoral cooperation to create new opportunities and business; - testing and application of new policies and tools to strengthen the biopolymer industry. Poly4EmI project has five partners from Slovenia and Austria and is coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia. Other partners include Automotive Cluster of Slovenia (ACS), Center of Excellence PoliMaT (CE PoliMaT), Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (CCIS) and Polymer Competence Center Leoben, Austria. Keywords: (bio)polymers, industrial transformation, new value chains, policy development


BIOFUELS FROM ALGAE: RECENT DEVELOPMENT, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

DOMINIK BEHRENDT, CHRISTINA SCHREIBER, LADISLAV

NEDBAL, CHRISTIAN PFAFF

Institute for Plant Sciences IBG-2, Forschungzentrum Jülich, Germany [email protected]

Abstract: Algae have the highest known grow rates of photosynthetic active organisms and they can contain more than 60% (dry weight) oil. However, today the major value creation of algae is in natural algae products, e.g. carotenoids (astaxanthin), poly unsaturated fatty acids (EPA), sugars (alginate) or proteins (phycocyanin) as well as food or feed applications. In the near future, these products will remain and may extend to further products. An energetic usage of algae is consequently competing with these existing high value products; alternatively, synergies are used to combine the extraction of valuable compounds with an energetic usage of the remaining biomass. The project AUFWIND, funded by the German government, investigates the large scale production of algae, the conversion into bio-kerosene and the impact covering the whole value-chain. Focus is laid on several aspects: Algae production (1), best method for cell-disruption and extraction (2), highest conversion- and refinement rates (3), identification and analysis of by-products (4), and a complete system analysis - including economic and ecological aspects. 1,500m² (0.37 acres) of algae Photobioreactors (PBRs) were built in Jülich representing three different concepts for algae cultivation. Currently AUFWIND is the largest facility in Germany to produce algae-fuel. It is contributing as a first facility to analyze and evaluate the technical production of algae-fuel. The project aims to meet the demands for renewable energy supply of aviation by algae-kerosene. It’s the first step out of the research lab towards a commercial production of algae-fuel. Keywords: green algae, biofuel, biokerosene, photo-bio-reactor, high value compounds


HYDROGEN - A FUEL OF FUTURE AND MORE: CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS

PAOLO FORNASIERO

Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, ICCOM Trieste Research

Unit, University of Trieste via L. Giorgieri , 34127 Trieste, Italy, e-mail [email protected]

Abstract: The transition from a conventional fossil-fuel based economy to a renewable based economy is a key medium / long-term goal of many nations, that can potentially confer energy security, along with environmental and economic benefits. In this scenario, great expectations has accompanied the beginning of the so called hydrogen economy. However, this new development has faced many uncertainties, such as the large-scale development of efficient fuel-cell technologies, problems in hydrogen production and its distribution infrastructure, and the response of petroleum markets. The parallel advances in technological biomasses exploitation, both as biofuels and biofeedstocks, is putting in a new perspectives the role of hydrogen, both as an energy vector and key chemical. The challenging in the areas involves its sustainable production from water splitting and biomass photoreforming, is use as energy storage system and in green synthesis. Attention is also dedicated to its fugitive emission and its potential interaction with the environment. Keywords: hydrogen, energy vector, photoreforming, green synthesis


4TH GENERATION OF BIOFUELS BASED ON GMOs

CARLO V. BRUSCHI, VALENTINA TOSATO

Yeast Molecular Genetics Group, ICGEB, Area Science Park - W, Padriciano 99, I-34149 Trieste, Italy

Abstract: Renewable and sustainable energies have become a pivotal topic for the future of World energy and its technological development because of oil reserves diminishing, global warming and expensive fossil oil prices. Altogether, these facts have increased the attention for the production of biofuels as alternative fuels. At the beginning of the biofuels era, the most prominent type of biofuel, bioethanol, was produced from crops like sugar cane juice and corn starch. This first system of biofuel production, based upon the utilization of otherwise edible crops, was called first generation biofuels. In spite of its advantages, it brought forward many sustainability issues as it represented a limitation to the food production by increasing the competition with crops for food in agricultural lands. All of this debate induced to look for alternative feedstocks as substrate for biofuel production and the second-generation biofuels came into development. Lignocellulosic materials found in agricultural remains and wood decays, which are abundant, represented a renewable and cheap source for second generation biofuels not in competition with crops for food. However, another type of biofuel oil, easily refinable into diesel and some component of gasoline, could be extracted from algae and came into play as an important addition to the second generation biofuels. When it became apparent that algae are capable of much higher yields with lower resource inputs than other feedstock, this system achieved its own category, the third generation of biofuels in which it was also included the improvement of the feedstock for easier bioethanol production. Designing oilier crops, for example, could greatly boost yield. Scientists have designed poplar trees with lower lignin content to make them easier to process. The fourth-generation biofuels rely on a technology that combines genetically optimized feedstocks, which are designed to capture large amounts of carbon, with genomically synthesized microbes, which are taylor-made to efficiently make fuels. Key to the process is the capture and sequestration of CO2, a process that renders fourth-generation biofuels a carbon negative source of fuel. These new biofuels are generated using petroleum-like hydroprocessing technologies, and advanced bio-chemistry and biotechnology. The ease of manipulation and customization of microorganisms, brought about by the tremendous advances in molecular genetics, i.e. genomics, allows the constant creation of a broad array of GMOs for custom-like transformation of new substrates into valuable biofules, at the same time utilizing CO2 in the process. Some aspects of the production of this last generation of biofuels will be broadly presented and discussed. Keywords: biofuels, genomics, GMO, lignocellulose


IMMOBILIZED CELLS AND ENZYMES FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

MARTIN REBROŠ1, MICHAL ROSENBERG1, RADEK

STLOUKAL2

1Department of Biochemical Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic,

e-mail: [email protected] 2LentiKat's a.s, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract: Immobilized living cells and enzymes offer several important advantages compared to conventional free cell/enzyme processes. Higher reaction rates at increased cell/enzyme concentrations, higher process yields and possible continuous operation at high dilution rates with no wash out danger are just few advantages of this technology. Application of both, enzymes and cells immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol lens shaped polyvinyl alcohol particles will be demonstrated on biofuel production. This work was supported by GRAIL (Grant agreement no: 613667), project co-financed by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme. This work was co-funded by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. DO7RP-0045-12. Keywords: immobilization, cells, enzymes


BIOCATALYSIS FOR THE INTEGRATED BIOREFINERIES: NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR THE

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF BIOBASED POLYESTERS AND BIOFUELS.

VALERIO FERRARIO1, ALESSANDRO PELLIS1,2, CYNTHIA

EBERT1, LUCIA GARDOSSI1

1Laboratory of Applied and Computational Biocatalysis, Department of Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1,

34127, Trieste (TS), Italy 2University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department for

Agrobiotechnology IFA-Tulln, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, A-3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria

Abstract: Enzymes are efficient and sustainable biocatalysts that finds wide applications in the novel bio-based chemistry and in the production of biofuels. They are alternatives to toxic catalysts and improve reaction efficiency due to their high catalytic activity and selectivity. One of the major challenges in biobased-chemistry and biorefineries is the conversion of protein enzymes into efficient industrial biocatalysts, applicable at reactor scale. Integrated chemical, engineering and enzymology studies are required for reaching optimal solutions and compete with highly optimized classical chemical processes. Examples will be illustrated addressing the optimization of lipases for polycondensation of bio-based polyols and diacids in the synthesis of renewable polyesters. Polycondensation of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids in solvent-free systems is efficiently catalyzed by enzymes that because of their selectivity minimize branching and enable the synthesis of functionalized polyesters with low polydispersity. On the other hand, enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel will be described by using immobilized robust biocatalysts that catalyzed the transesterification of oils extracted from spent coffee ground. The perspectives for the transfer of these technologies at industrial scale and the economic and environmental implications will be commented. Keywords: biocatalysis, Lipase B from Candida antarctica, biobased polyesters, biodiesel, renewable monomers, solvent-free systems, bioeconomy


AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES FOR ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: TECHNOLOGIES TO OPEN UP NEW

RESOURCES

JAVIER LIZASOAIN, IRIS KRAL, GERHARD PIRINGER, ANDREAS GRONAUER, ALEXANDER BAUER

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Sustainable

Agricultural Systems, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430 Tulln, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural residues represents an unutilized (or at least under-utilized) but promising resource for biogas production. The lignocellulosic complex that dominates the residue composition creates a protective barrier that limits its utilization in anaerobic digestion processes. Thus, efficient biomass conversion requires the implementation of a pretreatment step. Amongst the many different pretreatment options, appropriate selection depends on the chemical composition of the original biomass as well as the specific requirements of biogas plants, including reactor design and size, applied retention times, and economic factors. For biomass with a soft lignocellulosic complex (e.g. maize straw or hay) a simple process such as mechanical pretreatment can be an appropriate solution that does not create any inhibiting substances for microorganisms. On the other hand, highly lignocellulosic biomass (e.g. miscanthus, willow, wheat straw or biomass from protected areas) requires harsher pretreatment processes such as steam explosion. The utilization of steam explosion with strong lignocellulosic biomass has been reported to improve the digestion process as well as to substantially increase the specific methane yield in comparison to untreated biomass. Moreover, increasing the severity of the steam explosion pretreatment leads to greater disruption and defibrillation of the biomass structure and a substantial decrease in hemicellulose content. In some cases, substantial production of pseudo lignin has been reported. However, the pretreatment’s effect on chemical composition depends to a greater extent on the composition of the biomass. With regard to environmental sustainability, two recent case studies demonstrate benefits of residue utilization for biogas with steam explosion treatment in several critical environmental impact categories. Further development of more cost-efficient and energy-efficient pretreatment technologies is still needed. Special focus should be put on decreasing the formation of inhibitors as well as on improving the energy efficiency of the pretreatment step. Overall, estimates by the authors indicate the potential availability in Europe of large amounts of agricultural residual biomass, dominated by barley, wheat, and maize straw. Research into the further development and sustainable implementation of appropriate pretreatment technologies could play a critical role in developing this valuable energy resource over the next decades. Keywords: agricultural residues, pretreatment, steam explosion, anaerobic digestion


SUSTAINABILITY OF ADVANCED BIOFUELS

LUISA MARELLI

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Energy and Transport,

Sustainable Transport Unit Abstract: There are high expectations for advanced biofuels based on biomass residues (such as manures, straws, forest logging residues) and lignocellulosic materials in terms of resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. As a result, these advanced biofuels will play an increasing role in the EU post-2020 policy framework for energy and climate change mitigation. However, promotion of biofuels from residues and lignocellulosic material needs a clear and comprehensive analysis of the associated upstream GHG emissions, environmental and climate impacts and technological challenges. Moreover, many materials considered as suitable feedstocks for advanced biofuels (including woody materials), have an existing use, and the full implications of diverting these to biofuels and bioenergy need to be investigated carefully to avoid unintended consequences. Therefore, for a complete picture of the actual impacts of the biofuels produced, it is necessary to expand the system boundaries of the analysis to include alternative uses of the biomass and land use. The following elements need to be carefully assessed before drawing policy conclusions: 1. Current uses of biomass wastes and residues considered for bioenergy (baseline use). 2. Effects of increased removal from the place of growth (removal effects). 3. Effects of displacement from other industries (displacement effects). This presentation focuses on the challenges associated with the various feedstocks which are forecasted to become very relevant to the bioenergy mix in the EU: straw, manure, pruning residues and residues from forestry logging operations. Considerations on the increasing use of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) and animal fats (waste-grade tallows) which can be used for biofuel production or directly combusted as a process fuel during animal rendering, will also be included. Furthermore, current status of algae (of both macro and micro-algae species) as potential sources of advanced biofuels will be discussed. There is still large uncertainty about the long-term impact of removal of residues from agricultural and forest soils. These effects are largely site- and feedstock-specific, and as such should be analysed and monitored on a case by case basis. Our review shows that GHG from these advanced biofuels are generally lower than fossil fuels; however, the magnitude of the savings may vary significantly depending on the feedstock considered, on site specific conditions, material properties and time horizon considered. Other bioenergy-induced environmental impacts would appear to present medium to high potential risks, especially related to biodiversity losses and the decrease (or reduced increase) of organic matter content of soils. Finally, while an attributional approach can be helpful in identifying potential environmental risks, market-mediated impacts should not be forgotten and consequential modelling is required to obtain a meaningful overview of potential policy decisions. Keywords: bioenergy, feedstocks, biofuels


GREEN CHEMISTRY BELT / OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES FOR BIOMASS LOGISTICS AT THE

RIVER DANUBE

ANN-KATHRIN KAUFMANN

BioCampus Straubing GmbH Abstract: A central challenge of the 21st century is the sustainable supply of feedstock for the industry to substitute conventional fossil based feedstock. Favourable infrastructure enabling cost-efficient and competitively viable logistic chains have always influenced the decision regarding placements of industries reliant on large amounts of feedstock. Companies turning towards renewable resources as their main feedstock will place themselves close to agricultural or forest industry dominated regions or in the vicinity of seaports and along navigable rivers. Thus, the region Straubing initialized the establishment of a European macro region with a focus on technologies using biobased renewable raw and secondary materials in the Danube region. Significant potential for innovation is found not only in the utilization of biogenic resources for energy, but also for material utilization. The Danube, connecting European regions with high biomass potentials and locations with bio-based industries constitutes a transnational transport axis which is ideal for the reliable supply of renewable feedstock. In this context the BioCampus Straubing GmbH developed the concept of the “Green Chemistry Belt” in order to strengthen the Danube Region by installing a bio-based biorefinery cluster in the context of supplying, processing and characterizing biogenic raw materials and the eco-efficient transport via the Danube – making the river a transnational sustainable transport axis as well as the backbone for eco-efficient, cascading biomass value chains for the chemical industries, biotechnology, bio-based materials, and the bioenergy sector. For biomass to substitute fossil resources in general, as well as for biomass logistics on the river Danube, there are several opportunities and obstacles identifiable. Opportunities regarding biomass use shape around availability, quality, quantity and potential of biomass production along the fertile river basin, presence and density of up- and downstream biomass-producing and processing industries, and geographical and nautical connection to potential demand-side industries. Obstacles are: lacking competitiveness, lack of infrastructure/technology investment, insufficient availability of succinct LCAs and sustainability assessment, lack of public acceptance and awareness, tank vs. plate discussions. Opportunities regarding inland waterway biomass logistics are: high number of ports equipped for biomass-handling, economical cargo prices especially for bulk goods, around-the-clock transport, free capacities, eco-friendly and fuel-saving way of transportation, comparatively low infrastructure costs (cf. viadonau, 2015). Obstacles for inland waterway biomass logistics are: speed, dependency on weather conditions, nautical and infrastructural bottle-necks, heterogeneous and complex actor structure, partial lack of will for innovation within actor sphere, slow modernization processes, lack of coherent information availability regarding aspects such as water level, port capacities, depth, etc.; lack of efficient coordination and cooperation between actors along the value and logistic chains. Viadonau (2015), Arbeitsinitiative “Nachwachsende Rohstoffe mit dem Binnnenschiff” - Argumentarium 2012-2014. Available:


http://www.donauschifffahrt.info/fileadmin/group_upload/5/Schifffahrt/Argumentarium_NAWARO.pdf (last accessed: 2.3.2015). Keywords: biomass, Danube, chances, obstacles, Green Chemistry Belt


ADVANCED BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERIES: TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL SCALE-UP. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN BIOFUELS

TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

BRITTA MÜLLER

European Biofuels Technology Platform/FNR e.V. Abstract: Different bio-energy pathways are at various stages of maturity. For many advanced and innovative technologies, the most pressing issue is to demonstrate the technology at the appropriate scale – pilot plants, pre-commercial demonstration or full industrial scale. The European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative (EIBI) estimates that up to 30 such plants will be needed across Europe for the most promising technologies to take full account of differing geographical and climatic conditions and logistical constraints. Last year the first cellulosic ethanol facility opened in Italy, producing 50 million liters of ethanol annually from agricultural waste and dedicated non-food crops. More plants, using biochemical or thermochemical conversion technologies are in the pipeline around Europe. Technologies for the conversion of biomass are evolving rapidly, and their deployment on commercial scale is crucial for triggering a sustainable advanced biofuels industry that would bring substantial environmental and socio-economic gains. Notwithstanding the many (potential) benefits, the implementation of commercial scale projects is slowed down by factors that are not only directly connected with the global crisis or national economic trends. At the same time where technological barriers are removed or significantly mitigated, new obstacles are jeopardizing the deployment of advanced biofuels industries. The main weaknesses are a frail biomass market where value chains needs to be strengthened in the context of a growing competition between different end-uses and resulting variability of prices as well as an uncertain political framework, with a lack of coherent strategies and action plans on European and national level. Unmistakably, both factors are deterring investors, so that the whole sector is facing a go-slow. Investment in biofuels projects, including serving debt over 10-12 years and equity over 20 years is not possible without guarantees of regulatory stability. These non-technological barriers can be reduced by appropriate legislation, but also soft measures in the financial sector and coordinated actions. Established in 2006, the European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP) brings together the knowledge and expertise of stakeholders from industry, biomass production, research & technology development, engine and vehicle manufacture, fuel distribution, government and NGOs in a public private partnership. The EBTP aims to contribute to the development of cost-competitive world-class biofuels value chains and the creation of a healthy biofuels industry, and to accelerate the sustainable deployment of biofuels in the European Union, through a process of guidance, prioritisation and promotion of research, technology development and demonstration. Keywords: advanced biofuels, European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP), conversion technologies, deployment, investment


CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS: AN OIL INDUSTRY

PERSPECTIVE

HEATHER HAMJE

Concawe, Brussels

Abstract: In the last six years there has been increasing pressure to use renewable fuels in the form of the renewable energy directive (RED) which says that 10 % of energy from transport must come from renewable sources by 2020 and the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) advocating 6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity in the same timeframe. Both of these directives have meant increased use of biofuels as additional blend components in the fossil fuel pool. Questions on the sustainability of first generation biofuels has meant that increasingly biofuels are being made from renewable non-food sources. There are ongoing discussions in Brussels around the amounts of first and advanced generation biofuels in amendments to the directives but there is no doubt that there are limited supplies of second generation feed stocks and the fuels made from them and different technologies are competing to use them. Furthermore even second generation biofuels can give a wide range of well to wheels CO2 emissions and the energy used in making them also needs to be taken into consideration. From an oil industry and vehicle manufacturer perspective, one of the main issues around the use of biofuels is the quality of the finished fuels. Specifications have been developed to address this. The existing fossil fuel specifications have also been adapted to allow for levels of biofuels up to B7 with higher levels being developed for niche markets and E10 in the case of ethanol. This paper discusses product quality implications of biofuels use as well as predictions of advanced biofuels availability and well to wheels analysis of various biofuel and vehicle pathways. Keywords: biofuels, well-to-wheels, renewables


INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF BIOFUELS IN SLOVAKIA: PERSPECTIVES FOR ADVANCED

BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERY DEVELOPMENT

PETER KOSTÍK, MARTIN ŠÁCHA

Enviral a.s., Trnavska cesta, 920 41 Leopoldov, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Biofuels industry in Europe experienced steep development in last 10-15 years. This industry had overcome the pioneers’ challenges in the early times, first few facilities were constructed and full scale production was started there. International biofuels market was established, and later - in last few years biofuels became mature industry with biofuels market being standard commodity market with defined standard quality, huge availability and the only competing element being the price. Meanwhile the political pressure (partly supported by the social activism) have started thinking about defining the cap for the usage of first generation biofuels and promoting the next generation of biofuels which is supposed to be produced form non-food materials (so called 2nd generation biofuels or advanced biofuels) or at least introducing some additional measurements on reducing the green-house gas emission savings and other environmental impacts of biofuels. This is creating new challenges for the industry which are creating new round of uncertain developments and investments in the industry as well as introducing additional parameters other than the price for the standardized quality on the market. Existing traditional biofuels producers have to adopt to these new market conditions, they are being forced to undertake another round of strategic decisions concerning their future business development. Technologies for the production of 2nd generation biofuels are almost developed, even though they are not fully proved in the industrial scale yet and the utilization or sustainable disposal of the by-products is not investigated in full yet. This is one of the concerns limiting the availability of the standard bank financing for these investments. Moreover the economical utilization of these by-products is key prerequisite for reaching the economical profitability of the advanced biofuels. In case of cellulosic ethanol, one of the advanced biofuels, considered as one of the most perspective in European terms, the by-product lignin most probably needs to be converted to energy, but the generated energy will exceed the needs of cellulosic ethanol production itself. Utilization of the excessive energy is one of the challenges, which is in the economic conditions of economic downturn not easy to mitigate. Other challenge lies in the by-product containing the inorganic residues (salts) from the agricultural waste, where the utilization is still not clear as the very strict environmental and agricultural regulations in Europe are seriously limiting and complicating the utilizations. Furthermore, construction of these technologies requires huge investments, bigger than had been required for constructing the existing facilities. Last, but not least, the legal regulation of advanced biofuels is still not clear yet and the preliminary indications are still very unclear making the expectations very hard to be formulated. This is putting additional big uncertainty for the biofuels producers about their strategic development in the advanced biofuels segment and it is serious complication for acquiring financing too. Keywords: advanced biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, second generation biofuels


SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES TO BOOST BIOECONOMY

LEIRE IRIARTE, UWE R. FRITSCHE

IINAS, International Institute for Sustainability Analysis and Strategy

Abstract: Bioenergy and bio-based materials are the foundations of the bioeconomy. Given the expected increase in demand of respective feedstocks and anticipated demands from other sectors (e.g., food/feed, biodiversity and climate protection etc.), a sound and coherent approach to sustainability challenges is needed. This requires not only environmental criteria and indicators, but also social and economic ones. This work will review the state-of-the-art with regard to key sustainability schemes and regulations, mainly in Europe. We will discuss various angles to be considered when sustainability is addressed. A proposal on criteria and indicators will be also presented. Keywords: sustainability, criteria and indicators, biomass, bioenergy, bioeconomy


BIOMASS AS A RENEWABLE RESOURCE FOR ADDED VALUE PRODUCTS: GENERAL INSIGHT

INTO THE HUNGARIAN ACTIVITIES

OTTO TOLDI

Szent István University, Institute of Genetics & Biotechnology, H-2100 Gödöllő, Páter K.u.1., [email protected]

Abstract: Hungary has a better than average biomass-based energy production potential in a European comparison. Based on the aggregate net energy gain of oil crops, first-generation energy crops and second-generation energy crops Hungary ranks second among European countries. Since it seems Hungary is unable to market its excess agricultural products in the EU, this good potential in biomass production has to be utilized in alternative ways. The biomass is not only a raw material for production of food, feed, paper, wood, textiles and bioenergy, but a wide assortment of industrial raw materials – bioactive compounds, bio-herbicides, bio-pesticides, antimicrobial and antifungal agents - can be identified and commercialized from it. This offers a double benefit (i) producing less agrochemicals means less pollution and CO2 emission, (ii) substitution of agrochemicals with bio-products using renewable organic as raw material compounds (biomass, communal-, forestry- and agricultural waste) even can improve CO2 balance and reduce the loading of environment. The necessity of the cost effective utilization of the Hungarian biomass production potential and the European tendency in reduction of the use of agrochemicals gave a new dynamism in the development of innovative concepts towards the establishment of a more sustainable agriculture. Some examples: Closed Loop Energy Farm Concept: The price and the availability of energy is a determinative part of economic manufacturing of agricultural products. After a technological re-organisation each farm posses the ability of being self-supplier of different forms of clean energy (electricity, biogas, heat, warm water, etc.), green fertilizers, biopesticides and compost that allows a variegation of activities. A model energy farm is fully functional (Abony Closed Loop Energyfarm Ltd). Production of Green Chemicals: To increase the economic benefit of bioenergy production, valuable by products can be identified and purified from the biomass. The most economic and environmental friendly production of chemicals possessing pharmaceutical or other industrial importance is done by the mother nature at room temperature not requiring industrial energy input. Immobilisation of CO2 in bio-concrete, bio-block and bio-plastic: instead of the use as bioenergy that release the fixed CO2, biomass can be used to produce building materials and bio-plastic by which CO2 can be immobilised for long term. Keywords: renewable energy, biomass, bioactive compounds, CO2 immobilisation, bio building material


FROM BIOMASS TO SUSTAINABLE BIOMATERIALS AND BIOPLASTICS

ANDREJ KRŽAN

Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry,

Ljubljana, Slovenia, [email protected] Abstract: Plastics have become a ubiquitous material group that de-facto represents one of the material foundations of a modern lifestyle and welfare. This is reflected in the large quantities produced and used that are in the proximity of 300 million tons annually on the global scale and the industrial importance of plastics industries. The existing trend in plastics use growth is also expected to continue, at least in the near future. The large quantities of plastics produced and the fact that they are almost exclusively based on non-renewable, fossil resources makes them an attractive and significant target for efforts to raise their sustainability, mainly by switching to biobased production or otherwise integrating these man-made materials into natural material cycles. This trend is represented by bioplastics – biobased and/or biodegradable plastics that aim to improve the sustainability of plastics. However the transition of bioplastics into commercial life remains a significant challenge. Central Europe (CE) is in an interesting position regarding bioplastics: it has a well established, high-quality and recently updated polymer science community working in this field, however the transfer of scientific knowledge into industrial use and into market demand is less successful than in western Europe. On the side of resources CE has potentials ready for exploitation in agriculture and forestry however the transformation of the biomass into suitable building blocks, especially in biorefineries is a limiting factor. Connected to this, bioplastics production has not been a focus in the region, partially due to the character of the industry and an unreliable and weak (regional) market. The region is however very strong in plastics converting where a lack of end-consumers and readily available information seems to be a limitation. In a recently concluded project: Innovative Value Chain Development for Sustainable Plastics in Central Europe (acronym: PLASTiCE, www.plastice.org) carried out within the Central Europe programme we explored various aspects of the bioplastics and carried out several market supporting actions. Conclusions from the project and suggestions on measures for supporting a regional development of the biobased materials and bioplastics sector will be presented. Keywords: bioplastics, Central Europe


POTENTIAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, ADVANCED BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERY IN

SLOVAKIA

ĽUDOVÍT JELEMENSKÝ

Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, STU in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The target imposed within the European Union of doubling the share of renewable energy sources shall be achieved mainly by higher utilisation of biomass. The European Union announced the Biomass Action Plan defining measures at all the levels from the regional to pan-European stage. The Plan aims to establish effective coordination of European policies in the areas of power engineering, agriculture and forestry, industry and rural and environmental development. According to the strategy for higher utilisation of renewable energy and material sources, technically utilisable potential of renewable sources in Slovakia is estimated at 116,816 TJ annually. This potential can be utilised through implementation of available technologies, with legislative, administrative and environmental limits and restrictions applicable. The source with highest utilisation potential of bioenergy in Slovakia from is biomass followed by solar energy, geothermal energy, large and small hydroelectric plants and wind energy.7 Compared to the old member countries of the EU, Slovakia lags significantly in the utilisation of biomass as a renewable bioenergy and materials source and also in the implementation of biomass potentials. Annual utilisable biomass potential in Slovakia according to the data of the Slovak Ministry of Economy amounts to 40 453 TJ annually which is almost 35 % of total technically utilisable potential for all renewable sources. Approximately 47 % of the utilisable biomass potential is various wastes from the wood-processing industry. At the same time of the total potential of biomass in Slovakia, at present 75 % is utilised for energy a heat production and only 11 % for is utilized for 1nd Generation biofuels production. According to projections in Slovak climatic conditions, the real achievable share of biomass is even as much as 6 to 12 % of total energy consumption mainly at the regional and local levels. Advanced bioenergy, including advanced biofuels of 2nd Generation, has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs, stimulate rural development and generate wealth within the growing Slovak bioeconomy. They contribute significantly to energy security in the transport sector, reduce GHG emissions and provide a long-term sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in Slovakia. For example, the V4 group of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia has its own capacity to produce and supply to the EU an additional 8 billion liters of biofuel per year. This amount accounts for 1 percent of the continent’s total transport-aimed fuel needs. Keywords: advanced biofuel, biorafinery, biomass


CORN STOVER AS A FEEDSTOCK FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS IN SERBIA

MILAN MARTINOV, DJORDJE DJATKOV, MARKO GOLUB,

SAVO BOJIC, MIODRAG VISKOVIC

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Serbia Abstract: Corn stover (maize straw) is the crop residue of tremendous potential worldwide and many European countries. The use of it as energy source, for combustion, is already practiced, but this can be suitable feedstock for other conversion processes, including production of biofuels, like lignocellulosic bioethanol (LCB) and biomethane. However, there are many issues related to corn stover offtake and consequences on soil fertility that should be taken into consideration. The main objective of the investigation was to define backgrounds for defining potential, supply security, soil fertility preservation, and backgrounds for storage, logistic and potential use as energy and feedstock for biofuels in Serbia. The harvest and storage possibilities have been reviewed and evaluated, and possibilities of stover use for biofuels considered. Here are presented excerpts of results of potential and supply security, comparison for dry and extreme dry season for three harvest procedures. It was found out that the harvestable mass is, due to drought, reduced 35 to 45 %. In all cases on field remained biomass, after removal of harvestable, can ensure wind erosion protection until spring drill with application of adequate tillage. The desirable characteristics of corn stover harvest procedures were defined, and storage methods evaluated. Potential conversion processes have been considered, which could be applicable in Serbia, for production of LCB or biomethane defined as possible in near future. Future investigation should focus logistic costs and criteria for defining of potential processing plant location, for biofuels production. Keywords: corn stover, bioethanol, biomethane, biofuels


STATUS OF BIOECONOMY IN HUNGARY: GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND INSIGHT INTO

CLIMATE-KIC ACTIVITY AND PROJECTS

MIKLÓS GYALAI-KORPOS

EIT Climate-KIC Central Hungary, H-1365 Budapest P.O.Box 162, [email protected]

Abstract: EIT Climate-KIC is the EU’s main climate innovation initiative. It is Europe’s largest public-private innovation partnership focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change. Among other activities Climate-KIC funds projects that either identify innovation opportunities or translate those into self-sustaining outcomes. One of those projects called Biohorizons identifies gaps that need to be overcome in the context of taking the bioeconomy to the next stage. The project aimed to map the current European bioeconomy landscape by quantifying and characterizing existing bio-based businesses and supply chains. This made it possible to identify barriers to growth and areas where innovation would have a high chance of success. In order to complete this analysis, Biohorizons developed a pan-European network of research centers, business and development hubs, and industrial partners. The Biohorizons project is the first business and market data assessment of the bioeconomy landscape in Europe. The speaker will highlight the results of this project with the related implications to the Central European region. These outcomes point out some important development directions for this region having comparatively high biomass potential in forms of different forestry and agricultural residues, according to many studies. However, in order to exploit this resource considerable investments are needed to build biorefineries, reveal market demand for biobased products and guarantee the security and sustainability of the long term biomass supply requiring active involvement of farmers. These challenges are sizeable and call for a holistic approach, a transition period and harmonized policy support. In order to realize the transition, raise industry awareness as well as to stimulate the market for biobased products, the more effective involvement of current biomass processing industry (for example agro-food processing, paper industry and forestry based industry, fibers, feed, and cosmetics sectors) is inevitable. By-product streams can be the basis for processes and added value products available on-site and guaranteeing constant feedstock supply. Hence, advanced technologies could be integrated into existing infrastructures and value chains utilizing by-products and entering niche markets. This approach could facilitate the bioeconomy transition by involving current stakeholders and merging novel technologies into working value chains. This is the perfect opportunity to include innovation into existing industries and business models. Hence, a biorefinery concept can guarantee an additional revenue stream for facilities and thus making steps towards market based operation. In his presentation, the speaker will introduce a circular economy approach that builds on industry involvement in order to obtain working business models using the outcomes of Biohorizons project. Keywords: climate-KIC, biomass, bioeconomy, industry involvement, climate change


CZECH TECHNOLOGY BIOFUELS PLATFORM

LEOŠ GÁL

Czech technology biofuel platform, Rubeška 393/7, 190 00 Praha, Czech Republic

Abstract: Czech Technology Biofuels platform (CBTP) has been established in 2006. Nowadays the Platform associates with 25 Czech organizations who contribute their knowledge into development of second generation biofuels (B2G). Currently biofuels of first generation (B1G) – FAME and EtOH are available at the markets in small mandatory blending form. However a lot of negative consequences had been identified as: iLUC, GLADA, EIA, SIA, Food-Feed overlap, biodiversity, etc. Therefore no other B1G intensification is desired and R&D into less controversial feedstock is orientated and more effective environmental impact is desired. But also B2G issue has a lot of conflicts on feedstock side and end usage side, where the strong competition between heat, power and biofuels exist. “Biofuels” future became unclear as also the power is alternative source of transportation. Due to European Union support of power green production ETS-Allowances, residues are primarily directed into combustion (cogeneration). Organic matter is also directed into biogas station, but even the energy transfer is not efficient enough. In national Action biomass plan in Czech Republic, biomass is the most promising source of green energy to fulfil EU 2030 goals. But there is soil degradation threat which could cause serious soil damage with negative impact for long term food productivity. CTPB initiated comprehensive revision in this conflicts and created new methodology based on regional – specific conditions and needs to avoid threats, resp. to keep the threats under control. RESTEP – Regional Sustainable Energy Policy and Regional Sources Assessment is result of Czech National project, where more than 110 data sources has been implemented and this new instrument enables RES regional planning to take all related local specific facts into consideration. RESTEP helps regional planning to intensify RES usage and highlights possible negative impact of chosen RES scenario. Methodology RSA (Regional Sources Assessment) should be considered and used as a foundation for the switch from fossil courses to RES. That RSA approach insures minimization of negative impacts with long term effects. Instead of current unified applications (known yellow rape seed fields, solar fields, etc.) specific regional approach is much less controversial perspective. There are two other Czech unique solutions towards green economy. SWCG – Supercritical water gasification - the process destroying any organic wet matter into hydrogen rich gases. In the last decade seems to be promising way as water is as positive agent on reaction. That project is in R&D phase only. But the HEDVIGA GROUP process Slow Thermal Decomposition is now in commercial phase and 200 kW units are available. Very variable kinds of input are advantage. Output is power, heat and also fuel (oil). Keywords: RES, regional energy policy, biofuels, biodiversity, supercritical water gasification


POSTERS


BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERY

MARTIN BAJUŠ, JÁN ŠAJBIDOR

Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract:

• Wide variety of reactor configurations. The „best“ method is not yet established. • Fluid beds offer robust and scalable reactors, but the problem of heat transfer at large-

scales is not yet proven. Circulating fluid beds and transported bed may overcome the heat transfer problem but scaling is not yet proven and there is an added problem of char attrition.

• Mechanical devices such as ablative, rotating cone and screw reactors offer advantages of compactness and absence of fluidizing gas, but may suffer from scaling problems and always the problems associated with moving parts at high temperature.

• The liquid bio-oil product has the considerable advantage of being storable and transportable as well as the potential to supply a number of valuable chemicals.

• There are specific challenges facing pyrolysis products that relate to technology, product and applications including:

o Cost of bio-oil, which is 10 % to 100 % more than fossil fuel o Availability: there are limited supplies for testing and development of

applications o Lack of standards for use and distribution of bio-oil and inconsistent quality

inhibits wider usage o Incompatibility with conventional fuels o Users are unfamiliar with bio-oils, and dedicated fuel handling systems are

needed Keywords: pyrolysis, biomass, biofuels, biorefinery, bioreactor


PRETREATMENT OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION

DANIELA CHMELOVÁ, MIROSLAV ONDREJOVIČ

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Nám. J. Herdu 2, SK-91701 Trnava, Slovak Republic; e-mail:

[email protected]

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass has potential as one of the sustainable substrates for biofuel production. Lignocellulosic materials such as agricultural by-products, forest residues, hard- or softwood or municipal solid wastes are cheap, renewable and abundant sources for second generation of biofuels. However, their recalcitrant structure makes the conversion more difficult. Lignocelluloses are composed from heterogeneous complex of polymers (cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin) to cross linking via ester and ether linkages. Pretreatment of lignocelluloses increases the enzyme accessibility to the materials and yields of fermentable sugars. Each pretreatment has a specific effect on the cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin thus selection of pretreatment depends on choice of final products. Pretreatments of lignocellulosic materials may be decrease cellulose crystallinity, increase biomass surface area, remove hemicelluloses and break lignin barrier. In this work, pretreatment methods (physical, chemical, physicochemical, biological and their combinations), their mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages for biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials are summarized. Keywords: pretreatment, lignocellulose, biofuels


PRODUCTION OF “GREEN ENERGY” AND USEFUL PRODUCTS FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTES

OLGA COVALIOVA, VICTOR COVALIOV, VALENTIN

BOBEICA, VLADIMIR NENNO, GHEORGHE DUCA

State University of Moldova, Research Center of Applied and Ecological Chemistry, Chisinau, MD 2009, 60 Mateevici Street, Republic of Moldova, tel/fax: +373 33

577556 Abstract: Energy production from agro-industrial wastes via anaerobic digestion processes provides a renewable alternative to fossil fuel. Our research aims to develop a new, advanced and improved technology for biogas production through the valorisation of agro-industrial wastes and to manufacture and test an integrated bioreactor for high caloricity biogas production and biomass conversion, with elevated purity of treated water. Our studies revealed the new efficient approach of methanogenic stimulation of anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial waste waters, and demonstrated that by application of biologically active micro-additives (10-3-10-5 mass.%) of natural phyto-catalysts it became possible to reduce the lag-phase and significantly enhance biogas production at the initial stages of methanogenesis. Tested phyto-catalysts include compounds of isoprenoid nature and hydrocarbons of triterpene series of natural origin. Intensification of anaerobic digestion in the presence of these micro-additives may be connected with their antioxidant, antihypoxant and antimutagenic activity. As a feedstock for biochemical digestion a post-distillery vinasse in a mixture with cattle manure was used, to ensure rapid initiation and development of methanogenic process, due to the high contents in methanogenic microorganisms in manure. This approach to methanogenesis stimulation may become a novel trend in biogas technology, as compared to the existing methods that use costly enzyme applications A process and reactor developed are universal, easy to operate, allowing to treat the industry wastes and by-products, producing the valuable products: biogas with high contents in methane, sludge to be used either as organic fertilizer, and treated water to be used for irrigation. The biomass digestion time in bioreactor was 1,7-2 times shortened, as compared to the control test without microadditives, and made 2-2,5 days. Biomethane contents in biogas reached in average 89-93%, whereas under the control conditions, without microadditives, it only made 65%. The innovational anaerobic biomass treatment for biogas production is economically and environmentally successful due to the combination of physico-chemical, microbiological and hydrodynamic factors outlined in the proposed Concept: application of micro-additives of phyto-catalysts; application of membrane microfiltration for phase separation, which makes it possible to obtain, along with biomethane, a sludge to be used as organic fertilizer or as forage supplement and purified water to be used for irrigation; increase of the heat-exchange and mass-transfer intensity; automatic control of biochemical process, etc. This research has been performed under the STCU Projects #5832 and #5998. Keywords: anaerobic digestion, methanogenesis, stimulation, phyto-catalysts


WINE WASTE INTEGRATED BIO-REFINERY: APPLICATION OF SUPERCRITICAL CO 2

EXTRACTION

CARLA DA PORTO, DEBORHA DECORTI, ANDREA NATOLINO

Department of Food Science, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/A, 33100 Udine,

Italy, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: In 2014, according to the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine), world production of wine was about 271 million hectoliters, 44.4 produced in Italy. Winemaking process produces a considerable mass of solid residues that approximately represents 20% of the dry matter of the grape harvest. The reform of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) for wine, which resulted in the enactment of the Regulation 479/2008/CE, outlined for winemaking by-products a scenario that involves the progressively decrease, until the disappearance, of the aid to sector by distillation. In addition, the general EU legislation on waste (Directive 2006/12/EC) provides that Member States should take the necessary measures to ensure that waste is disposed of or recovered without endangering human health and without using processes or methods harmful for the environment. Nowadays, the traditional disposal of winemaking residues gives environmental and social problems that need of a new methodological solution. In this context it is essential to create an integrated, sustainable and standardized system which would be able to contribute not only to the problem of these waste’s disposal but also to provide their optimization and valorization in different industrial sectors. In this perspective, the application to wine industry of biorefinery 'philosophy' is a winning strategy. In agreement with the modern concept of "biorefinery", the best possible approach to valorize the organic waste is their transformation by industrial chains formed by different processes connected together in series, thus the waste of the upstream process constitutes the raw material of the downstream one. This allows both the optimum exploitation of the organic matter and the obtaining of products for different markets (food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, biopolymers, and energy production), resulting in a greatest guarantee of stability of the industrial plan applicable to the winemaking by-products. The biorefinery applied to winemaking residues provides three integrated lines: a) recovery of bioactive compounds using ‘green’ technologies, such as supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of bio-active compounds, which are environmentally friendly and sustainable; b) production of biopolymers; c) production of biogas. This approach is not only able to provide a significant increase of the added value of the entire agro-industrial chain in economic and environmental terms, but fulfills measures provided by the general law of the European Union on waste (Directive 2006/12/EC ). The adoption of the concept of "bio-refinery" is part of a new philosophy of sustainable agriculture, which is surely closer to the ancient "rural" practices. Keywords: wine-waste, biorefinery, Sc-CO2 extraction


VEGETABLE OILS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE WITH WIDE USE IN VARIOUS FIELDS

PAUL GAGEANU, CORNELIA MURARU-IONEL, CARMEN BRACACESCU, BOGDAN IVANCU, ALEXANDRU ZAICA

INMA, Ion Ionescu de la Brad Blv. No. 6, District 1, 013813, Bucharest, Romania,

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract: The development of alternative fuel production using new non-biomass and non-fossil resources represents a basic concern for promoting new renewable energy sources in order to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse effect. Knowing the physical characteristics of vegetable oils in general, and those of rapeseed and camelina seeds in particular is useful for specialists and workers in the field, both for assessing the technological and functional parameters of the equipment, which ensures obtaining them by cold pressing and to establish the technological parameters of the purification process. This paper presents the importance of obtaining and using vegetable oils as biofuels. From the start, in any moment, does not arise the problem of using oilseeds, necessary to obtain food oil, for biofuels. Romania has a sufficient land fund for cultivation of agricultural areas with specific oilseeds for obtaining biofuels, particularly rapeseeds and more recently camelina seeds (bio-kerosene). The condition to have success and a considerable benefit is that the oil should be obtained from own production and by own means, in this way it can capitalize very well the by-products represented by the resulting pellets and oil yeast (impurities loaded with oil recovered from filters or from settling tanks), which represent an excellent protein feed for cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, or top quality solid fuel which has the advantage that it can be used in thermal plants with automatic feeding.

Keywords: vegetable oils, biofuels, cold pressing, renewable energy


LIGNIN PYROLYSIS

ALEŠ HÁZ, IGOR ŠURINA, ALEXANDRA SLÁDKOVÁ, MICHAL JABLONSKÝ, ANDRÁŠ PELLER, PETER ŠIMON

Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers,

Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, [email protected]

Abstract: Lignocellulosic materials (biomass) are mainly formed by the two most widely find polymers in the world: cellulose and lignin. The presented paper is devoted to the study of processes of thermal degradation of lignin, to the analysis of their degradation products and subsequently to the study of mechanisms of pyrolysis decomposition at selected temperatures. Lignins, whose thermal degradation was studied in this paper, were isolated from the liquors obtained by delignification of annual plants, softwood and hardwood trees. Lignin preparates differed in the method of their preparation and isolation from the original industrial liquors. In this paper lignin behavior at elevated temperatures by thermal analysis methods in the temperature range 30-800°C was initially examined. As the first output of the study of thermoanalytical lignin degradation was the kinetics of pyrolysis. As a part of the second output of the thermoanalytical study of lignin degradation was the determination of significant temperatures for pyrolysis from the first derivative curve (DTG). Based on these values analytical pyrolysis was carried out at the selected temperatures. The formed products were identified by GC-MS. Based on their structure and quantity development of these products is justified and an appropriate mechanism of lignin degradation is suggested. The presented paper aims to contribute to the ever topical issue of thermal degradation of plant biomass. By thermal decomposition of this material, it is possible to gain valuable bio-chemicals, bio-fuels and bio-energy. Optimal upgrading of lignins can only be achieved if we know the detailed chemistry of these decomposition reactions and if we can influence them in the desired direction. This publication was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-0850-11 and by the project VEGA 1/0775/13. This publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic within the Research and Development Operational Program for the project "University Science Park of STU Bratislava", ITMS 26240220084, and by the project of National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120016, and by the project Finalization of Infrastructure of the National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120028, and by the project Competence centre for new materials, advanced technologies and energetic, ITMS: 26240220073, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Keywords: lignin, thermal analysis, pyrolysis, GC-MS analysis, products


ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION USING WASTE TO SYNGAS CONVERSION

MIGDAT HODŽIĆ, EMIR KARAMEHMEDOVIĆ

International University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences,

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Abstract: We present an innovative technology – Skygas, for gasification of carbonaceous wastes such as woodchips, biological waste from agriculture, food or even textile industries or municipal solid waste (MSW). It is a relatively newly developed electric plasma arc conversion process that converts solid and semi-solid waste into clean, medium BTU synthesis gas, that can be used for production of heat, electrical energy or even synthetic diesel. In conventional process, a chemical reaction of oxygen (or air) and steam with feed under high temperature produces H2 and CO. Plasma arc gasification, on the other hand, induces breakdown of molecular structures of feed by extremely high temperature (using burner or plasma arc driven by high electric current). Skygas gasification is decomposition of organic molecules by hydroxylic radicals formed by breakdown of water molecules. It produces no stack emissions, process can be turned on and off easily making it suitable for limited shift operations and small modular skid-mounted plants, moisture in feeds of up to 55% causes no problem. Skygas gasification produces clean ash in small volumes, no dioxins even with added chlorine (test on feed spiked with PVC showed no trace of dioxins in either gas or ash), and feed contaminants, such as chlorine and sulphur, are reduced to their acid forms. The gasification system consists of MSW feed which is compressed and as such it enters the gasifier which houses plasma torches. The feed material is molecularly broke down, incinerated, producing syngas – any remaining slag material is collected in the slag tray at the bottom of the gasifier chamber. This is followed by a cycle of syngas cleaning and filtering between the filter and the gasifier chamber. In this area we propose a new method where the syngas is cleaned within the chamber itself, including UV cleaning block, for energy saving. Once clean enough, syngas goes through a quench to a turbine to produce electricity. We note that some initial costs of the Skygas process are less than those of classic incineration e.g. there is no need for air pollution control equipment. Still, overall initial costs are comparable with incinerators. Running costs, however, pose a more significant problem since plasma gasification requires high electrical currents to run the plasma torches. Hence the efficiency of the process is paramount. Optimizations of the process, mostly control of current to plasma torches, resulted in positive balance of invested and gained energy. Further development may lead to feasible plasma-based waste to energy treatment. In conclusion, gasification is the alternative to replacing or supplementing natural gas for power production. Gasification will be the key solution to the world’s waste disposal problems – it is the question how to arrange the process to optimally obtain useful energy while minimizing risks of pollution and toxication. Skygas process, when further refined and optimized, may be the answer. Keywords: syngas, skygas, incineration, pyrolysis, feasibility


LIGNIN AS A SOURCE OF BIOBASED CHEMICALS

MICHAL JABLONSKY, ANDREA SKULCOVA, ALES HAZ, ALEXANDRA SLADKOVA, LENKA DUBINYOVA, IGOR

SURINA

Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in

Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, [email protected]

Abstract: Biomass, in addition to its traditional treatment methods, can be transformed into a number of other resources which can be used for biofuels and biochemical production. This upgrading of biomass can be achieved in particular by modernizing existing technologies and developing new processes of biorefinery. Modern processes include essentially fractionation of biomass, processing (delignification) and new technologies that enable effective using of the ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents and additives with a low transition temperature within a biorefinery. Useful processes are pressing, extraction, liquefaction, combustion, pyrolysis, hydrolysis, calcination, gasification, anaerobic digestion and fermentation. Lignin valorisation is a key factor for an economic lignocellulosic biorefinery. Many possible chemical structures could be derived from the guaiacyl and syringyl units present in lignin. Most of this lignins or ligno-sulfonates is actually only burned as fuel. Just a small portion of lignin is applied as carriers for fertilisers and pesticides, carbon fibers, blends with thermoplastic polymers, ion-exchange resins, activated carbons, and chemicals compounds such as apocynol, guaiacol, creosol, vanillin, and other their derivate, syringic and sinapic acid, sinapaldehyde, syringeugenol, syringyl alcohol, syringaldehyde, hydroxylated aromatics, quinones, aldehydes, and aliphatic acids, production of phenolic resins, animal nutrition, dispersants, new polymers, particleboards, detergents, glues, binders and resins, adhesives, feeds, and cement additives. One goal of research is to devise methods for incorporating lignin into bio-based chemicals and materials. Due to the rising prices of various types especially aromatic hydrocarbons can be expected in the near future a sharp increase in the deployment of technologies for the conversion of lignin preparations for chemicals with added value. Based on these assumptions it can be expected that the introduction of new innovative technologies for the extraction and conversion of lignin to value-added chemicals has an open door. This publication was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-0850-11 and by the project VEGA 1/0775/13. This publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic within the Research and Development Operational Program for the project "University Science Key words: lignin, delignification, biorefinery


BIOREFINERY CONCEPT IN VALORIZATION OF DISTILLERY STILLAGE FROM BIOETHANOL

PRODUCTION

LJILJANA MOJOVIĆ1, ALEKSANDRA DJUKIĆ-VUKOVIĆ1, JELENA PEJIN2, SUNČICA KOCIĆ-TANACKOV2

1University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, 11000 Belgrade,

Karnegijeva 4, Serbia, e-mail:[email protected] 2University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technology, 21000 Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara

Lazara 1, Serbia Abstract: The cost of distillery wastewater treatment is an important issue in overall economy of bioethanol production. Besides traditional utilization of distillery wastewater or stillage in animal nutrition, its chemical complexity is offering other possibilities such as production of lactic acid and microbial biomass. Lactic acid represents a valuable chemical with a broad range of applications in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and polymer industries. Currently, its world consumption is continually increasing, mostly due to expansion of the application range of poly-lactides – biodegradabile polymers based on lactic acid. In this study the possibilities of utilization of industrial stillage from bioethanol production on wasted bread obtained from Serbian plant ″Reahem″ were considered. The liquid stillage was studied as a substrate for lactic acid fermentation by Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 for parallel production of lactic acid, probiotic biomass and feed. The lactic acid concentration, number of viable cells and reducing sugar concentration were followed during the fermentations. Optimal conditions for the lactic acid and biomass production such as temperature, shaking rate, concentration of inoculum, concentration of sugar and the addition of neutralizing agent were determined in simple batch system. Further improvement of the process productivity was attained in repeated batch fermentation with zeolite immobilized biocatalyst. The process productivity of up to 1.80 g h-1L-1 were achieved with zeolite immobilized biocatalyst In addition, this process allowed easy separation and recirculation of the biomass suitable for animal nutrition. Also, chemical composition of the remains after lactic acid fermentation has been determined suggesting that it could be used as a high quality feed for monogastric animals. Generally, the study has shown that the stillage was good and nutrient rich substrate for lactic acid fermentation since there was no need for its supplementation with mineral or expensive nitrogen sources. Keywords: lactic acid fermentation, stillage, animal feed, probiotics, biorefinery


BIOCOMPOSITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICALLY FRIENDLY PACKAGES

MARTA MUSIOL1, JOANNA RYDZ1,2, MICHAL SOBOTA1,

SEBASTIAN JURCZYK3, GUOZHAN JIANG4, MAREK KOWALCZUK1,4

1Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, PASci., Zabrze, Poland

2Institute of Polymers, BASci., Sofia, Bulgaria 3Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes, Paint and Plastics Gliwice,

Poland 4Department of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of

Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Abstract: Currently, there are still challenges to design biodegradable composites for packaging applications that are of acceptable stability and subsequent susceptibility to microbial attack during organic recycling. The combination of biodegradable polymers and natural fibres is of great potential to the success. A number of research groups have confirmed the usefulness of the composites. Natural fibres have significant effect on the mechanical properties and degradability of the composites due to their hygroscopic ability. Moreover, the addition of natural fibers can lower the cost of the more expensive biodegradable polymers. This study investigated the influence of the content and types of natural fibers on the compositing behaviour of their aliphatic polyester composites, which is relevant to the assessment of the life cycle of the packaging material obtained therefrom. In this work, the composting behaviour of the composites was assessed under industrial composting conditions using composite samples in the form of shaped articles. The biodegradable polymers and the natural fibres were compounded using a minilab extruder and subsequently moulded using an injection moulding machines (MINI miniature composite JET II). The (bio)degradation of the articles was conducted in a Biodegma system at the Station of Mechanical-Biological Waste Treatment in Zabrze, which consists of modules made of roofed ferroconcrete tunnels. In the system the municipal waste, solid waste, sewage sludge and organic waste was processed. The effect of the addition of natural fibers was examined on the degradation of the biocomposites. This work was supported by the National Science Centre (NCN SONATA 3 project no. 2012/05/D/ST5/03384, and by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme (POLINNOVA project no. 316086). This work was supported by the European Regional DevelopmentFund (project no. POIG.01.03.01-00-018/08,) in the framework of the Innovative Economy OperationalProgramme (IE OP). Keywords: biopolyesters, natural fibers, (bio)degradation, biocomposites


PRODUCTION OF BIOPLASTICS - POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES FROM NDUSTRIAL

WASTES

MIROSLAV ONDREJOVIČ, DANIELA CHMELOVÁ

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Nám. J. Herdu 2, SK-91701 Trnava, Slovak Republic; e-mail:

[email protected]

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have been considered as a future alternative of traditional plastics which can be completely biodegraded within a year by different microorganisms to form carbon dioxide and water. PHAs are produced by various microorganisms and are accumulated as storage materials in microbial cells under stress conditions. Production of PHAs is usually performed in two-stages – cell growth phase and PHA production phase. Currently, the major disadvantage for commercial production is price of PHAs. This will be reduced by the use of inexpensive carbon sources. Suitable inexpensive carbon sources are industrial wastes and by-products as milk whey, molasses, wheat bran or lignocellulosic materials. Keywords: polyhydroxyalkanoates, bacteria, wastes, whey


BREWERS’ SPENT GRAIN AS A RAW MATERIAL IN LACTIC ACID FERMENTATION

JELENA PEJIN1, LJILJANA MOJOVIĆ2, MILOŠ

RADOSAVLJEVIĆ1, SUNČICA KOCIĆ-TANACKOV1, ALEKSANDRA DJUKIĆ-VUKOVIĆ2

1Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21 000 Novi

Sad, Serbia 2Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11 000

Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract: In the brewing industry, the major by-products are brewers' spent grain and brewers’ spent yeast. Large quantities of brewers’ spent yeast are obtained after beer fermentation. In general, since spent yeast in the brewing industry is relatively inexpensive, it is utilized largely in the production of extracts to meet the needs of food industry. Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant brewing by-product, corresponding to around 85% of the total by-products generated. BSG is considered as a lignocellulosic material rich in protein and fibre, which account for around 20 and 70% of its composition, respectively. Lactic acid (LA) is a versatile chemical with a wide range of applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, textile and polymer industries. The demand for LA has been estimated to grow yearly at 5–8%. The annual world market for LA production was expected to reach 367,300 metric tons by the year 2017. LA is industrially produced either by chemical synthesis or by microbial fermentation. Fermentation is a dominant route for LA production in industrial facilities and implementation of the processes on renewable and cheap substrates is a base for cost-effective production. In this study BSG hydrolysate was produced using optimal conditions. Hydrolysates were used for lactic acid fermentation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dry brewers’ yeast and reducing sugars content in hydrolysate on lactic acid fermentation parameters (L-(+)-lactic acid and reducing sugars content and number of viable cells-viability). As neutralising agents during fermentation NaOH was used. L. rhamnosus produced mostly L-(+)-lactic acid. High Lactobacillus cells viability was achieved in all fermentations. With the increase in brewers' yeast content in hydrolysate L-(+)-lactic acid content increased. The highest L-(+)-lactic acid content was obtained in fermentation of hydrolysate with 5% of yeast extract and 5% of reducing sugars. In the same fermentation the highest L-(+)-lactic acid yield (91.29%) and volumetric productivity (1.69 g⋅L-

1⋅h-1) were achieved. Keywords: lactic acid fermentation, brewers’ spent grain


SUSTAINABLE BIOPLASTICS: ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

WANDA SIKORSKA1, GRAZYNA ADAMUS1, MARTA MUSIOL1, MICHAL SOBOTA1, JOANNA RYDZ1,2, IZA RADECKA3, MAREK

KOWALCZUK1,3

1Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, PASci., Zabrze, Poland 2Institute of Polymers, BASci., Sofia, Bulgaria

3Department of Biology, Chemistry and Forensic Science, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1SB, United Kingdom

Abstract: Plastics are used almost everywhere and the demand for them rises year by year. There are few aspects under which the consumer can decides on the choice of bioplastics –economic/commercial, environmental or social. Although this aspects cannot always be treated separately, in practice the most significant factor is the final price of the product. The advantage of bioplastics is their (bio)degradation, under the influence of biological systems, into substances naturally present in the nature and without any harmful effects on the environment. In addition to this waste from biodegradable plastics does not require any additional segregation and separation, and can be collected together with other organic waste from households and then subjected to recycling under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. However, from the environmental point of view, the disposal of plastics still raises of major concern among European policy makers. If we want to control and reduce the negative impacts on the environment, it is essential that we move to the production and use of plastics with a higher level of sustainability, particularly biodegradable and biobased plastics – i.e. sustainable bioplastics. The ability to distribute the innovation in the field of biodegradable polymers among manufacturers as well as retailers depends largely on the knowledge / awareness of bioplastics by the end users [1, 2]. On the positive side, in Central Europe there is a strong scientific base in the field of biodegradable polymers. Thanks to the support of the international project PLASTiCE, the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials PASci. has been able to investigate (bio)degradation processes of packaging made from bioplastics under industrial composting conditions. In the city of Zabrze, where the system of waste segregation at source was introduced, the necessary infrastructure was created to segregate collected waste, raw materials for recycling, and selected organic waste for composting. The city of Zabrze started a program of collecting kitchen waste from households using fully biodegradable bags made of maize starch. In this program collected waste was composted along with other organic material (such as branches, leaves, grass etc.) in a KNEER container and in the ‘Biodegma’ system. The studies performed included the segregation of waste from fruit and vegetable material at the source (directly from shops), their composting process, the testing of markers for easy identification of bioplastics in the waste stream, as well as composting of sachets for cosmetics. The outcomes of this research was used in implement the PLASTiCE project (3CE368P1, “Innovation value chain development for sustainable plastics in Central Europe”, co-financed by ERDF). Keywords: sustainable bioplastics, environmental aspect, biodegradation, waste management


EXTRACTIVES FROM WOOD BARK - SOURCE OF CHEMICALS AND BIOFUELS

ALEXANDRA SLÁDKOVÁ, LENKA DUBINYOVÁ, ALEŠ HÁZ,

MICHAL JABLONSKÝ, STANISLAV SEKRETÁR, ANDREA ŠKULCOVÁ, MILAN VRŠKA, IGOR ŠURINA


Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37 Bratislava, Slovak Republic,

[email protected] Abstract: Extractives is a class of compounds which is present in wood at small concentration compared to main wood components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) but chemically are extractives significant for each of wood species. Many of extractive compounds have a specific chemical, biological activity and therapeutic effect and not only on human health. The following list of extractives could not be considered as complete, because extractive compounds represent more than 50 different types of compounds: A. Lignans and neolignans (phenylpropanoids), B. Norlignans (diphenylpentanes), C. Flavonoids (diphenylpropanes), D. Stilbenes (bibenzyls, phenantrenes), E. Isoprenoids (tropolones, sesquiterpenes), F. Tannins (condensed catechins, hydrostilbenes; hydrolysable gallotannins, ellagotannins), G. Other compounds (saccharides, triglycerides, waxes, phenols, alkaloids). There are a number of considerations that can be given to the obtaining and using of extractives. The quality and quantity of isolated extractive compounds depends mainly on the method of their isolation. In this work will be compared various extraction methods used for this purpose. They differ principally in their condition, duration of extraction and in used solvent: - Soxhlet and Soxtec extraction, - accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), - ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), - supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), - extraction with supercritical CO2 (sCO2), - pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), - microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The tree bark is a suitable raw material for the obtaining of different valuable compounds, which can be used as pharmaceuticals, bioactive chemicals, and in treatment of wood for interior and exterior using and ultimately as a source of solid or liquid biofuel. This publication was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-0850-11 and by the project VEGA 1/0775/13. This publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic within the Research and Development Operational Program for the project "University Science Park of STU Bratislava", ITMS 26240220084, and by the project of National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120016, and by the project Finalization of Infrastructure of the National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120028, and by the project Competence centre for new materials, advanced technologies and energetic, ITMS:


26240220073, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Web page of the project: Biomass - Source of chemicals and biofuels https://sites.google.com/site/biorefineryslovakia. Keywords: biomass, extractives, biorefinery, biochemicals, green chemistry


DEEP EUTETICS SOLVENTS - NEW TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR BIOREFINERY

ANDREA ŠKULCOVÁ, MICHAL JABLONSKÝ, ALEŠ HÁZ, ALEXANDRA SLÁDKOVÁ, LENKA DUBINYOVÁ, IGOR

ŠURINA

Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper,

Radlinského 9, 831 07 Bratislava, Slovak Republic Abstract: Biomass plays an important role in future energy infrastructure to produce electricity and heat, but also for the production of materials, chemicals and fuels. Fractionation on raw materials is an essential operation for almost all processes acquiring other products. A simple and clean fractionation of the main components of biomass represents a very important step in the "clean", renewable carbon economy. If we can easily separate the different components, we gain a significant source of raw material. These can be further used as a starting material for new composites, fibres, biopolymers, but also value-added chemicals as well as fuels. The important group of new advanced solvents that can be used to dissolve lignocellulosic biomass and its processing is the next generation of ionic liquids known as deep eutectic solvents (DES). Other mixtures with similar properties but without eutectic transformation are known as low transition temperature mixture (LTTM). The deep eutectic solvents are breakthrough discovery and open the way to the pulp production at low temperatures and at atmospheric pressure. In general it is possible to predict effect of DES to the biomass, but still lack basic scientific research studies focused on the effects on wood or other plants. It is believed that the methods of fractionation using the DES should be more efficient fractionation methods ligno-cellulosic material, or could replace today's delignification hydrolysis processes. These processes would require less energy consumption, simpler devices with low impact on environmental pollution. The advantage of using the proposed selective fractionation process is the possibility of separating the various components of lignocellulosic matrix: first extractives, followed by extraction of lignin and polysaccharides. Depending on the choice of DES it can be selectively fractionated individual components of biomass. In this work, we present a survey of the DES and LTTM applied in pretreatment of biomass. Up to 2015 (January) were published more than 57 000 scientific articles about ionic liquids according to isi web of knowledge database and 564 works were focused on deep eutectic solvents. Deep eutectic mixtures have a great potential as the new green technology in biorefinery concept. Keywords: biomass, deep eutectic solvents, green chemistry


BIOMASS - SOURCE OF CHEMICALS AND BIOFUELS

IGOR ŠURINA, TIBOR DUBAJ, LENKA DUBINYOVÁ, ALEŠ

HÁZ, MICHAL JABLONSKÝ, ĽUDOVÍT JELEMENSKÝ, SVETOZÁR KATUŠČÁK, SOŇA KIRSCHNEROVÁ, FRANTIŠEK

KREPS, ŠTEFAN SCHMIDT, STANISLAV SEKRETÁR, ALEXANDRA SLÁDKOVÁ, JÁN STOPKA, PETER ŠIMON,

ANDREA ŠKULCOVÁ, ŠTEFAN ŠUTÝ, RADKO TIŇO, LENKA TMÁKOVÁ, LENKA VRBIKOVÁ, MILAN VRŠKA



Abstract: The project “Biomass - Source of chemicals and biofuels” has as objective basic research of upgrading waste plant biomass to valuable compounds with high added value and to biofuels. As a waste plant biomass we understand mainly forest and land biomass, as well as biomass waste from industrial processing of vegetable raw materials (e.g. from food, wood and paper industry). Primary condition for optimal solution is the understanding the mechanisms of biomass chemical degradation which can lead to the formation of compounds with higher added value. After such degradation, the remaining part of biomass is used for the preparation of biofuels of second generation, especially by thermochemical way (preparation of liquid biofuels from wastes). The aims and results of the project are: - study and understanding of the chemistry of degradation reactions of macromolecular

compounds, - characterization of resulting degradation fractions, - suggestion of methods for refining the modified lignins, - suggestion of methods for acquiring chemical compounds with higher added value, - proposing of ways to obtaining the second-generation liquid biofuels. The objective of this project is thus highly relevant, i.e. replacement of fossil sources by renewable raw material sources. All biomass components are focused in this project as the source of valuable compounds and biofuels with emphasis on lignin and extractives compounds. The research results of the project have also high potential for subsequent application projects which are of great interest for industry. This publication was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-0850-11 and by the project VEGA 1/0775/13. This publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic within the Research and Development Operational Program for the project "University Science Park of STU Bratislava", ITMS 26240220084, and by the project of National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS:

54 Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015 26240120016, and by the project Finalization of Infrastructure of the National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120028, and by the project Competence centre for new materials, advanced technologies and energetic, ITMS: 26240220073, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Web page of the project: Biomass - Source of chemicals and biofuels https://sites.google.com/site/biorefineryslovakia Keywords: Biomass, extractives, biorefinery, biochemicals, biofuels


RESEARCH OF BIOFUELS AND BIOENERGY FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES AT SLOVAK

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

IGOR ŠURINA, ALEŠ HÁZ, ALEXANDRA SLÁDKOVÁ, ANDREA ŠKULCOVÁ, LENKA DUBÍNYOVÁ, JANA

PROVAZNÍKOVÁ, KATARÍNA ČÍŽOVÁ, MICHAL JABLONSKÝ, SVETOZÁR KATUŠČÁK, MILAN VRŠKA, SOŇA

KIRSCHNEROVÁ, ŠTEFAN ŠUTÝ, RADKO TIŇO, KATARÍNA VIZÁROVÁ



Abstract: One of the conditions for a continuously developing society is its self-sufficiency in renewable resources. Slovakia is a country with rich natural heritage consisting of 41% forest coverage and of sustainable flow of renewable raw materials. Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava already in its founding documents since 1939 declares the development of science and education for a society based on renewable raw material sources. Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper (DWPP) has more than 70 years tradition in education and research on this field of study. Investigation, exploitation, conservation of this heritage is covered with science, research and technologies lectured and developed on DWPP such as Wood Science, Cellulose Science, Paper Science, Forest Products Sci., Conservation Sci., Eco Science, etc. Research and education are still focused on the chemical technology of pulp and paper, but not only on that. Currently, our research is intensively focused also on the trends in improved material, chemical and energetical recovery of the plant lignocellulosic (LC) materials and on the development of concepts of converting traditional pulp and paper technology into modern LC biorefinery. New modern technologies for ecological coatings of LC material surfaces are being developed too. Bio-based, mainly lignocellulosic materials are an important part of cultural heritage, which should be permanently protected; DWPP educates and develops research with application of interdisciplinarity in conservation science, technology and industry too. The research in the “Biomass Treatment and Upgrading” depends not only on personal capacities, but also on availability of disposable laboratory, technical and analytical infrastructure. Without suitable equipment it is not possible to resolve all necessary tasks in the research of upgrading waste plant biomass to the compounds with higher added value as well as to biofuels. In the biofuels and bioenergy research DWPP is since 2009 member of “National Centre of excellence for Research and Application of Renewable Energy“. Department itself, as well as the center of excellence and of course Slovak University of Technology owns all the necessary infrastructure for disintegration, treatment, conversion and analysis of all states of biomass materials, chemicals and products. As a result of our research, technological solutions developed at DWPP covers: - Bio-fuel METO (Methyl Esters of Tall Oil) preparation from black liquor, - Isolation of lignin from black liquor by ultrafiltration,

56 Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015 - Microwave degradation of lignin and preparation of biofuels, - Microwave assisted extraction of bark components, - Accelerated solvent extraction of valuable compounds from tree bark, - Supercritical extraction of valuable compounds from wood waste with CO2. Slovak University of Technology and especially Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper and National center of excellence for Research and Application of Renewable Energy are ready to participate on the research projects aimed on the study biomass and its products from the chemical as well as the technological point of view. DWPP offers participation in the research the chemical degradation reactions of macromolecular compounds and in characterization of resulting degradation fractions. We are ready to prepare suggestions for methods for acquiring chemical compounds with higher added value, and to propose ways of acquiring second-generation liquid biofuels. This publication was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-0850-11 and by the VEGA project contract No. 1/0775/13. This publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic within the Research and Development Operational Program for the project "University Science Park of STU Bratislava", ITMS 26240220084, and by the project of National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120016, and by the project Finalization of Infrastructure of the National Centre for Research and Application of Renewable Energy Sources, ITMS: 26240120028, and by the project Competence center for new materials, advanced technologies and energetic, ITMS: 26240220073, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Keywords: biomass, extractives, biorefinery, biochemicals, biofuels


OPPORTUNITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA IN BIO-ENERGY

MIHAI TIRSU

Institute of Power Engineering of Academy of Sciences of Moldova

Abstract: The Republic of Moldova (RM) is a country which has no own fossil energy resources that is a reason to import over 95% of consumed energy. The leader in the structure of energy resources import by energy value (MJ) is the natural gas with 36%, followed by liquid fuels with 30% and after electricity with 12% (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Structure of energy consumption for 2013.

Due to high level of import the RM energy security is very vulnerable and has a negative influence on the socio-economic development. The documents approved by authorities of RM in energy sector aims to increase the share of local energy resources in energy balance, including RES. The Renewable Energy Law (no.160-XVI from 12.07.2007) states that by the 2020 the share of renewable energy should reach 20% in energy balance and the volume of bioethanol-gasoline mixture respectively of biodiesel-disel should reach 20% of commercialized gasoline and disel. But according to draft of law on “Promotion of energy use from renewable sources” these targets were changed a little: 17% share of renewable energy, including 10% of renewable energy in transport. Mentioned objectives are intended not only to reduce dependence from energy resources import, but also to reduce impact on the climate change and stopping of global warming effect. The RM total energy consumption is above 2300 ktoe (Fig. 2).


Fig. 2. Distribution of energy consumption in RM by type of fuel in ktoe (2013). Source: NBS

of Moldova. In the RM next RES are available: biomass, hydro energy, solar and wind energy and geothermal energy. The estimated potential of RES (Fig. 3), excluding geothermal energy, may cover above 500ktoe of energy consumption from renewable sources. Mainly biomass should be used. From this source can be covered about 20% of energy consumption that is very important then import is higher 95%.

Fig. 3. Estimated RES potential in Moldova

During 2010-2014 RES consumption had increase from 7% to 11%. A high influence on the process had projects “Energy&Biomass” and MoSEFF financed by EBRD. As result 144 public institutions replaced their inefficient boiler houses on the biomass ones with installed capacity 29,6MW, were constructed about 1MW of PV installations, 500kW of geothermal pumps, 2MWe installation working on biogas, solar collectors with capacity about 500kW. In 2013 was adopted Energy Strategy of Moldova by 2030 which preview construction of 400MW wind installations. Currently we have only about 1MW installed. Our researches show


that at this stage our power system is capable to get only about 50MW. Above this value we will face problems with balancing of the power system. It is worth mentioned that grant component (up to 20%) in all projects which are implementing in Moldova has had an important role in acceleration of renewable energy use. Keywords: biomass, RES, biofuel


SPECIALIST FOR DOUBLE WALL STORAGE TANKS FOR HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS

PETER VODIČKA

IDOPS, družstvo, Hyrošova 3, 811 04 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The company Division “SPECIAL WORKS” offers a complex solution for building and revitalization of the storage tanks and delivers inside lining with or without permanent monitoring system based on the created vacuum. The company offers complete maintenance and service worldwide. All system offering by the company are REACH approved. The company offers the most modern system appreciated in the year 2011 with the Price of the Innovation in Czech Republic by the Association of Innovative Enterprising with the cooperation of the Czech Senate Parliament and according the patronage of the Czech Republic Prime Minister. Tanks for hazardous liquids with the DOPA 1 leak protection system actively contribute to underground water conservation. The IDOPS solutions guarantee high corrosion resistance, a long service life and low operating costs. DOPA protection linings offers the greatest possible safety in industrial facilities, tank farms, airports, governmental facilities, sewage treatment plants, agricultural facilities, residential developments, hospitals and schools. ADVANTAGES double walls storage tanks based on concrete with DOPA system:

- The DOPA system was developed to fulfil the exacting EU norms and legislation to protect the environment in the area of dangerous staffs; mainly to protect the underground water resources, the health of the people and reduce the CO2 emissions;

- Designed for the new, or for damaged concrete and steel tanks - System can be used to store oil, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, fuel oil, hazard class

grade I - IV (EN 92 0800:2002), but also the pure ethanol (see the remark for hazard classes)

SCOPE OF THE WORKS - Build and repairs of underground and aboveground one wall storage tanks from

concrete or steel with the second wall – DOPA1 - Types of the storage tanks: tanks for oils, biodergradable oils and heating oils, tanks

for drinking water and water for general use, containers for acid, alkalics, urea and other chemicals, sewage tanks reservoirs,

- Technologies: corrosion protection of storage tanks, leakage control system (EN 13160 – Class 1), special lining for concrete of steel structures, handling are insulation, insulation of emergency collectors.

- Works: tank cleaning, tank inspection, remediation of dome shafts, remediation of the concrete, remediation of large diameter sewers systems (internal surfaces) outer paint of tanks and technological structures.

REFERENCES - 20 years experiences. - IDOPS has realized more than 100.000 m2 of DOPA 1 system. - The application experiences and references of company IDOPS with DOPA system is

used to store a volume more than 200 million liters in total. - The second walls area was installed in the amount more than 60 000 m2 of vacuum

monitorial lining. Keywords: double wall storage tanks, hazardous liquids, IDOPS


Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy:


Supplement of Book of Abstracts

Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015 SI

EUROPEAN BIOECONOMY: BIOREFINERY AND BIO-BASED INDUSTRIES – EC INITIATIVES

TOMASZ CALIKOWSKI

European Commission, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: Bioeconomy is not just a sector but it encompasses a number of sectors including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food, pulp & paper, and parts of the chemical, biotechnological and energy industries. It is a new way of organising the economy which stimulates new opportunities, cross sector partnerships, and the creation of new value chains. Cross border collaboration is equally essential to ensure regional Bioeconomy strategies complement each other, building on their respective expertise and resources (agriculture, forest, waste etc.). The European Bioeconomy Strategy, adopted in Feb. 2012, identified Bio-based industries as key drivers in the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based society, with research and innovation as the motor. Even a nascent sector, their annual turnover is about 57 billion € and offer 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. The growth figures and projections are impressive:. For instance, bioplastics are growing at an annual rate of about 20% and are being used in an increasing number of markets, ranging from agriculture, automotive and packaging to toys and textiles. Biochemical production is projected to grow from 2% in 2005 to 30% by 2030. Bio-based Industries represent the new wave of industrialisation and are critical to maintain and reinforce the industrial base of EU, thus contributing to bring industry’s weight in the EU’s GDP back to 20% by 2020, from less than 16% today. Bio-based Industries can create a large number of jobs, many of which will be in rural areas. Furthermore, they limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our dependency on imported oil. The huge potential of bio-based industries is attracting investments all around the world. Almost 1800 biorefineries are planned to be commissioned globally until 2022. $1.4 billion of public funding was allocated to the development of advanced biofuels in the US in 2011. The concept of the bioeconomy is clearly embedded in EU policy-making and a vision of Europe's future. The European Bioeconomy Strategy mentioned above is built on 3 pillars: investments in research, innovation and skills; improving stakeholder dialogue and interactions between related policy areas; creating the right conditions for competitiveness and the development of new markets. This strategy proposes a comprehensive approach to address the ecological, environmental, energy, food supply and natural resource challenges that Europe and indeed the world are facing already today. Advancements in bioeconomy research and innovation uptake will allow Europe to improve the management of its renewable biological, including from waste, and to open new and diversified markets in food and bio-based products. A specific achievement to be noted is a package of over 4 billion euro for bioeconomy-related research and innovation available under the Horizon 2020 programme - doubling the amount that was available under the 7th Framework Programme for Research. In July 2014 the new Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking was set up – a public private partnership between the European Commission and private sector, comprising more than 70

S2 Advanced Biofuels, Biorefinery and Bio-Economy 2015 companies. The Commission will make available up to 1 billion euro in EU funding, and industry will contribute a further 2.7 billion euro. It will focus on the development of new value chains based on lignocellulosic feedstocks and biomass from forests, agriculture and organic waste. First projects under this initiative will start in early 2015 already. There is a strong regional dimension of European Bioeconomy: the European Commission encourages authorities and organisations at regional level to explore the potential of the bioeconomy, also by including a category on the bioeconomy in the 2014 Regiostars awards, a scheme that recognises excellence and innovation in regional development projects. The success of Europe's bioeconomy will ultimately depend on uptake by private and public players at national, regional and local level. It is extremely important to receive feedback from the public and private sector on the role of EU regulation (legislation and financing) to facilitate the development of Bioeconomy in order to help regions, cities and companies that intend to take, or have already done concrete actions into the sector and foster co-investments opportunities. This will be the opportunity not only to share views and best practices but, also, to develop a joint strategy. To develop and better exploit these complementarities, it is necessary to look at how it is possible to match existing initiatives (e.g. European Structural and Investment Funds and Horizon 2020), finding the gaps and reflecting on what is it needed to better develop the potential of Bioeconomy. Keywords: bioeconomy, biorefinery, bio-based products



and Bio-Economy:


BOOK OF ABSTRACTS


Cover design by Miroslav Ondrejovič

This book of abstracts was carefully produced. Nevertheless, editors do not warrant the information contained therein to be free of errors.

Publisher University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava

ISBN 978-80-8105-656-7

CEI-JRC European Workshop


and Bio-Economy:


25th – 27th March 2015

Hotel Park Inn Danube

Bratislava, Slovakia

ISBN 978−−−−80−−−−8105−656−7−656−7−656−7−656−7

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