“If the transportation sector is to transition away from fossil fuels to using to lower-carbon emitting fuels
“If the transportation sector is to transition away from fossil fuels to using to lower-carbon
emitting fuels and potentially reaching a net-zero future, the United States must dramatically
increase sustainable transportation fuel production and use. Sustainable fuels are made from
renewable biomass and waste resources and have the potential to deliver the performance of
petroleum-based jet fuel with a fraction of its carbon footprint. However, the use of sustainable
transportation fuels has been limited by lack of supply and high production costs. Addressing
these challenges will require a collaborative effort from industry and government to study the
biomass-to-bioenergy supply chain and apply innovative solutions.
For sustainable transportation fuels to play a major role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions,
the production of biofuels will need to be dramatically scaled up. Orchid Bioenergy is a pioneer
in making low-carbon, low-cost, transportation fuels and will enlist the help of a team of
researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to study regional feedstocks and the bioenergy
supply chain. Orchid Bioenergy needs to reduce production costs and carbon emissions, while
increasing the quality of the fuel composite. They plan to scale up operations by building a new
biorefinery to meet the demand for transportation biofuels and maximize profits. Through a
collaboration between industry and national laboratories, Orchid Bioenergy and INL scientists
will be studying biomass harvest to conversion. You will be part of a team of interns, challenged
by your mentors to research which regional feedstock is best suited for producing the lowest
moisture and highest quality product for the lowest cost. In addition, your team must also
determine the best location for the next biorefinery to help offset production costs and carbon
footprint.
Your final project is to produce an infographic mapping a viable bioenergy value chain from
biomass harvest to conversion to share with DOE and the board of directors for Orchid
Bioenergy.”
Challenge: Develop a viable bioenergy value chain for Orchid Bioenergy to produce low-carbon transportation fuels.
Project Goals:
- Identify the most suitable regional feedstock with the lowest moisture content and highest quality for cost-effective fuel production.
- Determine the optimal location for a new biorefinery to minimize production costs and carbon footprint.
- Create an infographic mapping the bioenergy value chain for clear communication with stakeholders.
- Leverage expertise from mentors to guide research and decision-making.
- Collaborate as a team to analyze data and identify the most promising solutions.
- Feedstock Selection:
- Research potential regional feedstocks (e.g., corn stover, switchgrass, woody biomass).
- Analyze factors like moisture content, energy yield, and cost per ton.
- Identify the feedstock with the lowest moisture content and highest energy output for efficient conversion.
- Feedstock Transportation:
- Consider transportation logistics and distances from potential feedstock sources to the biorefinery.
- Aim to minimize transportation costs and associated emissions.
- Pre-processing:
- Evaluate methods for preparing the chosen feedstock (e.g., chopping, drying) for efficient conversion.
- Optimize pre-processing techniques to minimize moisture content and maximize energy output.
- Bioconversion:
- Research and evaluate conversion technologies (e.g., gasification, fermentation) suitable for the chosen feedstock.
- Select the most efficient conversion process that maximizes biofuel yield and minimizes waste.
- Product Upgrading:
- Analyze methods for purifying and upgrading the biofuel product to meet transportation fuel quality standards.
- Ensure the final product has low carbon emissions and meets performance requirements.
- Co-product Management:
- Explore potential uses for co-products generated during biofuel production (e.g., biochar, heat).
- Develop strategies to utilize co-products for additional revenue streams or environmental benefits.
- Identify potential locations for the new biorefinery considering factors like:
- Proximity to feedstock sources to minimize transportation costs and emissions.
- Availability of infrastructure (e.g., water, transportation networks).
- Regulatory environment and government incentives for biofuel production.
- Access to a skilled workforce.
- Create a visually appealing infographic that clearly maps the bioenergy value chain.
- Include key stages from feedstock selection to biofuel production and co-product management.
- Highlight the chosen feedstock, bioconversion method, and biorefinery location.
- Emphasize the positive environmental impact (low carbon footprint) and economic benefits.
- Present the infographic to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Orchid Bioenergy's board of directors.
- Explain the rationale behind feedstock selection, biorefinery location, and value chain optimization.
- Be prepared to answer questions and discuss potential next steps for project implementation.