Breeding and engineering Breeding and engineering non-food crops for non-food crops for

biodieselbiodiesel

Agricultural Research Organization (VOLCANI Center)P.O.B. 6, Bet-Dagan, 50250 Israel

Tel: +972-3-9683111 / Fax: +972-3-9665327

State of Israel / Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

ARO – Agricultural Research Organization

Yedidya Gafni – Institute of Plant Sciences

Using biomass for energy

Bio-FuelsBio-Fuels

• Type of Renewable Energy (derived from the Sun).

• Biofuels are liquid fuels made from esters, alcohols, ethers, and other biomass chemicals (Source: US Dept. of EnergySource: US Dept. of Energy).

• Common biofuels include: ethanol and biodiesel.

• Ethanol is made from starches / sugars.

• Biodiesel is an ester made from vegetable oils, animal fats or other types of biomass.

BiodieselBiodiesel (bio-petroleum diesel)(bio-petroleum diesel)

• B100 = 100% biodiesel / B20 = 20% / B5 = 5% / B2 = 2%

• Production process: Transesterification (of oil)• Main crops used for producing biodiesel:

• Rapeseed (Europe)• Soybean (US)• Jatropha (Africa, India)• Castor Bean (Africa, China, S. America)• Palm Oil (Tropical areas)• More

• Other oil-enriched crops: Coconut, Brazil nuts, Jojoba, Peanuts, Cotton seed, Sunflower, and many more.

Schematic of the Schematic of the Transesterification processTransesterification process

BIODIESEL – Final ProductBIODIESEL – Final Product

Biodiesel 100%

Glycerin

BioDiesel is here

Energy CropR&D

Farming

Oilseed

Meal

Crushing Crop Oil

Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel

MarketGlycerin

From the Farmer to the Fuel Tank

Higher cetane Greater lubricity Superior detergency Higher flash point

More mileage Greater horsepower Less smoke Smoother running engines Quicker starts Longer engine life Reduced maintenance

BenefitsFeatures

BioDiesel – A better fuel vs. Diesel

Biodiesel AdvantagesBiodiesel Advantages

• Produced from renewable materials – eco friendly /

closed CO cycle.

• Local & self production – less reliance on foreign oil.

• Contains practically no sulfur (0.001%) – non toxic.

• Considerably decreases emissions (up to 50%).

• Easily decomposes – does not harm soil or ground water.

• Biodiesel is not hazardous material (flashpoint above

110°C).

• Eligible as fuels under international standards &

specifications (world-wide).

• Eligible for CDM (Clean Development Mechanism - Kyoto

Treaty).

• More…

2

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) –Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) – Carbon Credits (CER)Carbon Credits (CER)

“.. the mechanism of the Kyoto TreatyKyoto Treaty (CDM) is now in force to reduce industrial & commercial greenhouse gas emissions – planting of bio-fuel crops may well create carbon sinks that can earn cash through their sale of emissions credits to polluting industries in developed countries.”

The potential of acquiring GHG reductions, in the form of CER, for bio-diesel projects is about 3 tons of CO reduction per year (3 CER) for every ton of petroleum replaced.

Current price for 1 CER is about US$ 5 - 7.

2

Biodiesel DrawbacksBiodiesel Drawbacks

• Biodiesel can be corrosive to rubber materials.

• Biodiesel is not necessarily more economic than regular diesel. Depend Depend on the plants, their related on the plants, their related processes and, other incentives.processes and, other incentives.

• Biodiesel can last up to 6 months. In 6-12 months need to be treated.

Biodiesel Refineries / Plants (EU)Biodiesel Refineries / Plants (EU)

75% of total biodiesel production belong to 4 corporations:

ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Bunge & Saipol

US – Existing BD PlantsUS – Existing BD Plants

US Biodiesel MarketUS Biodiesel Market

US Biodiesel Production

US Biodiesel Consumptio

n

US Biodiesel Plants:

65 operating plants (capacity: 400M gal/yr)

50 - construction (capacity: 700M gal/yr)

)Source: National Biodiesel Board, Apr. 2006(

The EU Biodiesel MarketThe EU Biodiesel Market

Total European Biodiesel Market: Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts (Europe), 1997-2007

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Rev

enu

es (

$ M

illi

on

)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

Un

its

(Mil

lio

n T

on

nes

)

Revenues ($ Million) Units (Million Tonnes)

Source: European Biodiesel Board, 2006

ProjectionsProjections : :

20062006 – – 5B L/yr 5B L/yr 2010 – 12B 2010 – 12B L/yr 2020 – L/yr 2020 – 25B L/yr25B L/yr

World Production of Biodiesel2005 - 2010

2005

Western Europe (D, FR, IT, UK, etc.) – main producers and consumers – 75% of world

Eastern Europe & N. America – 2nd largest markets

Asia – although significant market yet, relatively small

2010

Western Europe (D, FR, IT, UK) – main producers and consumers – 38% of world

Asia – will become the 2nd largest market (China, India – consumption & production)

Eastern Europe & N. America – 3rd largest markets, with US as the single largest consumer – 18% of world

75%

38%

30%

US – 18%

Source:BiodieselBiodiesel 20202020Global Market Survey,Oct. 2006

Biodiesel – Crops & YieldsBiodiesel – Crops & Yields

CropKg

oil/haLiters oil/ha

US gal/acre

Oil Content

Castor beans1188141315150% - 55%

Coconut2260268928770%

Corn (maize)1451721812%

Cotton2733253513% - 15%

Jatropha1590 1892 202 30% - 35%

Palm oil5000595063535%

Peanuts890105911336%

Rapeseed1000119012737%

Soybean3754464815%

Sunflower80095210232%

Source: www.journeyforever.com – Jan. 2007 – This data is compiled from a wide variety of sources. The yield figures are most useful as comparative estimates, crop yields vary widely.

ARO & BiodieselARO & Biodiesel

The ARO (also known as ‘The VOLCANI Center‘The VOLCANI Center‘) aims at becoming the 'ultimate knowledge base' regarding complete Seed – to – Harvest processes of two selected plant types:

Jatropha curcasJatropha curcas and Castor beanCastor bean

• Jatropha curcas - small shrub native of C. America and a member of the Euphorbia family, it is a drought-resistant perennial, living up to 50 years and growing on marginal soils.

• Oil content: ~35%• Oil: Not Edible.• Other oil uses:

None

• Castor bean - drought-resistant, annual plant of tropical origin with immense spread-out. The plant can grow between 2 to 5 m.

• Oil: soluble in alcohol (no heat) – fit for biodiesel

• Oil content: ~55%• Oil: Not Edible (high

level of Ricinoleic Acid – 85%).

• Other oil uses: Over 700

The Research TeamThe Research Team

Prof. Yedidya Gafni Prof. Yedidya Gafni – Head of TeamHead of Team..In charge of developing tissue culture & transformation protocols. Dr. Yiftach Vaknin Dr. Yiftach Vaknin – In charge of the Jatropha curcas project..Dr. Oren Ostersetzer Dr. Oren Ostersetzer – In charge of the Castor bean project..Dr. Samuel Gan-Mor Dr. Samuel Gan-Mor – In charge of developing mechanical harvesting machines. Prof. Dani Shteinberg Prof. Dani Shteinberg – In charge of the studies of plant diseases.Dr. Asher Bar-Tal Dr. Asher Bar-Tal – In charge of the studies of soil chemistry and plant nutrition and fertilization.

ARO's ARO's 'Biodiesel Plants – Package of 'Biodiesel Plants – Package of Knowledge'Knowledge' include ICM (Integrated Crop Management) include ICM (Integrated Crop Management)

& complete research on the following process& complete research on the following process::

Jatropha curcas

Superior Varieties Development

Complete Cultivation Process

Harvest & Post Harvest

IP Protection

Complete Field Support

--------Seeds Growth

Yield Harvest ...

Castor bean

Superior Varieties Development

Complete Cultivation Process

Harvest & Post Harvest

IP Protection

Complete Field Support

--------Seeds Growth

Yield Harvest ...

Genetics & BreedingGenetics & Breeding--------

Seed / Tissues

Water & Soil Water & Soil TechnologiesTechnologies

--------Growth (cultivation)

Phytopathology & Phytopathology & EntomologyEntomology

--------Growth (cultivation)

Mechanization Mechanization EngineeringEngineering

--------Harvest, Collection &

Post-Harvest

ARO – Advantages for BD CropsARO – Advantages for BD Crops

• Unique & patented (PBR) varieties with superior characteristics for:– Fast growth rate.

– Better yields.

– Increased oil content (in the seeds).

– Regulated fruition and harvest (opposed to wild, un-regulated fruition).

– Lower toxicity of Castor bean plants (the oil is non-toxic).

– Complete match to various climates, soil type & composition, water, etc.

– Pre-determined plant's shape & size – suitable for mechanical harvesting.

– High resistance to pests & diseases.

• Development of mechanical harvesting machinery.

• Complete professional support and guidance in cultivation of Pilot Plantation – at any locationat any location of potential project.

Jatropha as living hedge in Ethiopia

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Castor varieties in our collection

Ornamental Castor plant

What can genetic What can genetic engineering contribute?engineering contribute?

• Make plants give higher oil yields for making biodiesel • Enhance the oxidative stability of the oil • Render plants resistant to biotic stress

• Resistance to viruses (ACMV?), fungi, bacterial diseases, nematodes and insects and more.

• Render plants resistant to abiotic stress• Salinity, drought, heat, cold marginal soils and more.

•Control plants height for mechanical harvesting

Regeneration of Jatropha curcas in tissue culture

Thank YouThank You

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