In response to the needs for the improvement of biorefinery efficiency and the environmental benefits realized from the treatment of agricultural residues, a novel integrated farm-based biorefining concept is being developed to co-produce alcohols, methane, and other value-added products on a combined feedstock stream of different agricultural residues. The concept integrates anaerobic digestion (AD), algal cultivation, and value-added chemical/fuel production. The AD process pre-treats the fiber in agricultural residues for feedstock preparation. The algal cultivation on AD effluent further reduces the environmental impacts of odor and excess nutrients associated with anaerobic digestion, and generate a starch and protein rich biomass. Finally, advanced bioprocesses utilize the carbohydrates in AD treated fiber and algal biomass to produce alcohols, fatty acids, and other intermediates for chemical and fuel production. This integrated biological process for agricultural residue utilization leads to reducing our reliance on fossil fuel while simultaneously maximizing the farmers’ interests and minimizing environmental impacts.

Integrated Farm-Based Biorefining Concept

Related Publications:

1. Zhong, Y., Frost, H., Bustamante, M., Li, S., Liu, Y., Liao, W. 2020. A mechano-biocatalytic one-pot approach to release sugars from lignocellulosic materials. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 121, 109675.

2. Zhong Y., Liu, Z., Isaguirre, C., Liu, Y., Liao, W. 2016. Fungal fermentation on anaerobic digestate for lipid-based biofuel production. Biotechnology for Biofuels 9, 253

3. Zanotti, M., Ruan, Z., Bustamante-Roman, M., Liu, Y., Liao, W. 2016. A sustainable lignocellulosic biodiesel production integrating solar- and bio-power generation. Green Chemistry 18, 5059-5068.

4. MacLellan, J., Chen, R., Kraemer, R., Zhong, Y., Liu, Y., Liao, W. 2013. Anaerobic treatment of lignocellulosic material to co-produce methane and digested fiber for ethanol biorefining. Bioresource Technology 130, 418-423.

5. Ruan, Z. H., Zanotti, M., Ducey, C., Liao, W., Liu, Y. 2013. Co-hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass for microbial lipid accumulation. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 110(4), 1039-1049. (Spotlight of the journal)

6. Yue, Z., Teater, C., Liu, Y., MacLellan, J., Liao, W. 2010. A sustainable pathway of cellulosic ethanol production integrating anaerobic digestion with biorefining. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 105(6) 1031-1039.