Methanol from Biomass — An Option for Switzerland?
The Paul Scherrer Institute has started a project with the goal to demonstrate the production of methanol from a variety of biomass feedstocks such as wood, scrap wood and waste paper. The objective of the project is the full scale demonstration of all aspects of the process - i.e. from the feedstock availability and pretreatment to the utilization of the product methanol in transportation, within this decade. The combination of biomass gasification with water electrolysis using off-peak power will also be studied.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF CO2 SEQUESTRATION TECHNOLOGIES TASK 4, BIOMASS GASIFICATION-BASED PROCESSING
Biomass derived energy currently accounts for about 3 quads of total primary energy use in the United States. Of this amount, about 0.8 quads are used for power generation. Several biomass energy production technologies exist today which contribute to this energy mix. Biomass combustion technologies have been the dominant source of biomass energy production, both historically and during the past two decades of expansion of modern biomass energy in the U. S. and Europe. As a research and development activity, biomass gasification has usually been the major emphasis as a method of more efficiently utilizing the energy potential of biomass, particularly wood. Numerous biomass gasification technologies exist today in various stages of development. Some are simple systems, while others employ a high degree of integration for maximum energy utilization. The purpose of this study is to conduct a technical and economic comparison of up to three biomass gasification technologies, including the carbon dioxide emissions reduction potential of each. To accomplish this, a literature search was first conducted to determine which technologies were most promising based on a specific set of criteria. The technical and economic performances of the selected processes were evaluated using computer models and available literature. Using thesemore » results, the carbon sequestration potential of the three technologies was then evaluated. The results of these evaluations are given in this final report.« less
The Handbook of Nanotechnology: Business, Policy, and Intellectual Property Law
Acknowledgments. Foreword. Introduction. Part I: Introduction to Nanotechnology. Chapter 1: Understanding Nanotechnology. Chapter 2: The Industrial Structure Giving Rise to Nanotechnology. Part II: Nanotechnology Policy and Regulation. Chapter 3: Societal and Ethical Implications. Chapter 4: Environmental Regulation. Chapter 5: The Patent and Trademark Office. Chapter 6: FDA Regulation. Chapter 7: National Security and Export Controls. Chapter 8: Federal Funding. Chapter 9: Conclusions. Part III: Nanotechnology Business. Chapter 10: Starting a Nanotech Company. Chapter 11: Business Plans and Strategy. Chapter 12: Early Stage Financing. Chapter 13: Intellectual Property. Chapter 14: Corporate Partnering and Globalization. Chapter 15: Consolidation and Standardization. Chapter 16: Exit Opportunities. Chapter 17: Conclusions. Notes. About the Authors. Index.