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Title: STATUS OF BIOREFINERY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AT USDA-ARS

Author
item Saha, Badal

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2005
Publication Date: 2/28/2005
Citation: Saha, B.C. 2005. Status of biorefinery research and development at USDA-ARS [abstract]. International Biomass Forum: The Leading Edge of Biomass Research. Paper No. 4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biorefining refers to the conversion of biomass feedstock into a variety of products for the food, feed, chemical, and energy industries with minimal waste and emission. The biorefinery concept is similar to petroleum refineries which generate multiple products from petroleum. The Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives National Program (NP 307) at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has undertaken a wide variety of innovative biorefinery research projects. The lignocellulosic sugar platform-based research projects deal with various aspects of feedstock development, bioconversion, and coproducts utilization. The mission of NP 307 is to develop technology for alternate energy systems and increase the sustainable use of agricultural feedstocks for biofuels that will create jobs and economic activity in America, reduce the Nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and improve the environment. ARS has the multidisciplinary research team to develop the technology needed for a successful biorefinery system. It also cultivates appropriate partnerships with other government agencies, universities, and industries in order to use resources more efficiently and achieve significant progress in a more effective way. ARS has the capability to scale-up, perform economic analysis and transfer the technology to private sectors for commercialization. The ARS funded, National Corn-to-Ethanol Pilot Plant at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois, will help to evaluate ARS technology in a simulated commercial environment. In this presentation, the objectives, progress to date, and future prospects of ARS sugar platform-based biorefinery research and development will be highlighted.