Projects
Projects: Summary of Projects by Funding SourceProjects awarded by BBSRC involving University of Nottingham : BB/L011492/1 |
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| Reference Number | BB/L011492/1 | |
| Title | 13TSB_CRD: HIGH PRODUCTIVITY HOMOFERMENTATIVE PROCESS for BUTANOL (HIPHOP) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes)) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Chemical Engineering) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Professor G Stephens Chemical and Environmental Engineering University of Nottingham |
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| Award Type | Research Grant | |
| Funding Source | BBSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 November 2013 | |
| End Date | 30 April 2015 | |
| Duration | 18 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £148,576 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Transport Systems and Vehicles | |
| Region | East Midlands | |
| Programme | Technology Strategy Board (TSB) | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor G Stephens , Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham |
| Other Investigator | Dr AK Croft , Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | The primary impact of this project will be within the chemicals and fuels industry, and will result in revenue generation for the UK. Biobutanol is an attractive biofuel due to its high energy density and excellent blending characteristics with both diesel and gasoline, and the scope for upgrading to drop-in jet fuel. Biobutanol could also provide an alternative to synthetic, oil-derived butanol, as a valuable platform chemical for a variety of intermediates, polymers, coatings, plastics and solvents. The fermentation feedstocks are renewable and the biological process results in lower energy use and green house gas (GHG) emissions than the petrochemical process. Not surprisingly, biobutanol has been targeted by the UK Industrial Biotech Leadership Forum as a strategically important renewable chemical for the UK. Virtually all 1-butanol today is synthetic and produced from petroleum derived propylene, with a current price of $1800/t. An advanced fermentation route to produce biobutanol is an attractive option since it offers significantly lower production costs; for example, GBL's current production costs are approximately $1500/t on a molasses based feedstock. Success in this project would reduce the costs to <$1200/t, whilst also decreasing the capital costs and financing required to service debt on a plant. The route to commercialisation will be via GBL, with IP sharing between GBL and UoN, and revenue sharing based on royalties. GBL has the skills and experience to deliver competitive, capital efficient production of biobutanol and other C4 chemicals. GBL maintains offices and laboratories for molecular biology, microbiology and fermentation in the UK and has a pilot plant facility, labs and offices in Columbus, Ohio, US. GBL has developed proprietary fermentation technology using solventogenic Clostridia for the production of biobutanol from a variety of renewable feedstocks including cellulosics such as forest and crop residues. GBL operates globally in China, North America, India and Brazil. Therefore, it is eminently sensible for the industrial partner to take full responsibility for commercialising the results of the project. In addition to economic impact, the link between Nottingham and GBL will result in the output of trained people, directly from the project and the associated CASE student who will start in year 2. The work at Nottingham will also provide benefit for wider undergraduate, masters and PhD training programmes in the form of case studies for lectures, topics for engineering design projects and subjects for research projects. There is also scope for GBL to deliver lectures and to co-supervise undergraduate design and research projects. Therefore, the project will have a significant impact on training the next generation of development scientists and plant operators. The project will result in environmental benefits, via significant reductions in both energy and GHG emissions (>85%) compared with synthetic butanol manufacturing, and the ability to use cellulosic feedstocks. The delivery of an economic and sustainable cellulosic biofuel fermentation process is strategically important for the UK and Europe. Production of low-cost and sustainable biofuels and renewable chemicals will create jobs and help meet our renewable obligations and GHG reduction targets. In addition, alternative uses of wood and woody residues will make a significant contribution to the new clean tech economy. | |
| Abstract | Please see summary section as per pdf instructions | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 24/11/14 | |
