The Cave Hill Campus Bioenergy & Biofuel Research & Development Project
The Cave Hill Campus Bioenergy & Biofuel Research & Development Project focuses on biochemically producing various types of biofuel. The program has a heavy focus in biochemistry (particularly microbial biochemistry) and investigates the use of biochemical conversions for biofuel production.
Fossil fuels are our main energy source. We use them to produce electricity, for transport, cooking and for all other aspects that comprise livelihoods and economies. However, the non-renewable nature of these fuels has caused several problems for the planet, such as the production of CO2 at rates faster than it can be reconverted into fossil fuels, and the depletion of the fuel reserves.
While most renewable energy technologies focus on producing electricity from renewable energy sources, there are limitations with respect to storage and use of this electricity. The advantage that biofuel has is that the solar energy captured (via photosynthesis) is automatically stored as solid biomass. This biomass can then be biochemically converted to fluid biofuels. These biofuels can then be incorporated into pre-existing infrastructure that uses fossil fuels, reducing the cost and technical challenges of conversion from non-renewable to renewable energy systems. This project explores the biochemistry of biofuel production and improves the efficiencies of the process. The most optimal conditions are then implemented on a functional scale for the green transformation of the island, the region, and possibly the wider world.
The most progressive aspect of the research is associated with biomethanation, more commonly known as anaerobic digestion. This involves understanding and investigating the interactions between various forms of biomass and the microorganisms associated with methane gas production. Numerous conditions are varied to optimise the process and then these optimal conditions are employed on a larger scale. We have successfully produced biogas from numerous local substrates and have made several ground breaking advancements in anaerobic digestion technology so far.
Bioethanol and biobutanol production are also being investigated. Ethanol is a well-known 2-carbon alcohol and significant progress has been made in improving the efficiency of conversion of many types of biomass to ethanol. This molecule has significant potential as a biofuel, or even in the manufacture of higher biofuels. Butanol is a 4-carbon alcohol, and unlike the more popular ethanol, it is more energy dense, and can be used directly by gasoline engines. This fuel can be produced from some of the same materials used to produce methane, such as grasses, Sargassum seaweed, etc. If significant progress is made with respect to this research, a feasible gasoline replacement fuel can be readily produced. At the time of writing, this research is currently in its infancy but is progressing rapidly.
Biodiesel is an interesting biofuel. It is produced chemically via transesterification of plant lipids and a primary alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol. Production of this fuel is more of a chemical process than a biochemical one, but the production of the lipids is biochemical, and the management of waste oil from cooking, the feedstock for biodiesel production, has been a problem for some time. Advances in this research can help to provide methods of managing one of the main waste streams from the restaurant and hotel industries.
Carbon capture is a major element of biofuel production and climate change mitigation. Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms, that can be used to sequester CO2 from exhaust streams and biochemically convert it to biomass for fuel production. With advances in algal biofuel technology research and development, we can improve our renewable production of the fuels we need.
This project is helping to transform the campus by reducing the green waste output and converting it to biofuel for use as either cooking gas, or for electricity generation.