Evaluation of Energy Cane and Sweet Sorghum As Feedstocks for Conversion Into Fuels and Chemicals.

Evaluation of Energy Cane and Sweet Sorghum as Feedstocks for Conversion into Fuels and Chemicals Presented By: Dr. Vadim Kochergin A regional multidisciplinary consortium of agricultural scientists, biotechnologists, technology and engineering providers, economists and educators has been created to facilitate conversion of energy cane and sweet sorghum crops into a portfolio of bio-based fuels and chemicals. Selected crops and improvement in their production are being evaluated through utilization of low-input, sustainable systems to ensure an uninterrupted supply of carbohydrates and fiber to biofuel production facilities. A training and demonstration facility is being expanded to support research, education and extension goals for the emerging biorefining industry. The facility that simulates the front end of a proposed biorefinery includes equipment to extract convertible sugars and process selected feedstocks into storable syrups. Raw and purified syrups obtained from both liquid ad lignocellulosic portions of the plants will be evaluated by conversion partners to demonstrate production of butanol, additives for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and bio-isoprene. Pathways have been generated linking regional agricultural production scenarios with different processing scenarios. Regionally appropriate business-marketing models that integrate bio-based fuels and products into existing logistics and supply chain infrastructures are being developed based on inputs from agricultural research and techno-economic analyses. The team of agricultural economists will analyze and model the business scenarios throughout the Southeastern Region of the United States. Educational programs at the consortium universities are being expanded and coordinated to support a practical training center in biofuel processing linked to an extension/outreach program targeting supply chain participants.