Larry P. Walker, PhD, Professor, Cornell University
Multiple
choice
questions
Perspectives
on Biofuels
Development
The
Energy -Independence
and
Security
Actfuture
(EISA):
Overview
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help more The
thancombination
triple the world’s
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government
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Listen
to noted Cornell Professor and
B. establishes goals to help more than triple United States biofuel use in the future.
national leader Dr. Larry Walker provide an assessment of the state of biofuel development and where we
C. was developed by the National Biodiesel Board.
need to go in order to achieve greater sustainability, energy independence and widespread
D. was developed by the World Bioenergy Association.
commercialization.
E. protects the use of biofuel by major companies in the bioenergy sector.
Include
alternative
energy,
agricultural biomass,
policy,
forest resources,
Which
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sequestration
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instructions
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A.Viewing
Complexity
and diversity
in bioenergy
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B. Uncertainty over the over “scalability” of bioenergy systems.
this Audio/Visual
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Inadequate
data, models,
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D. Bioenergy is a major risk to the environment and agriculture.
LarryinWalker,
Ph.D.:
E.About
Evolution
technical,
economic, and environmental performance of material transformation, transport, and storage
technology.
During Larry’s 25 years at Cornell he has been involved in a number of biomass to energy and chemical
projects including an assessment of New York State biomass resources available for ethanol production, farmOut
of methane
the following
choices,and
which
describe thethe
bioconversion
Dr. Walker
scale
production
co-generation,
applicationchallenge
of nanotechnology
to discusses?
characterizing and
studying important biocatalysts for industrial biotechnology, and optimization of solid-state fermentation for
A. Improvements in strain performance through genetic engineering
production
of biocontrol
products.
is the
Director
of the Northeast Sun Grant Institute of Excellence.
B.theAddresses
solvent
toxicity problems
to He
allow
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C. Improvements in solvent in situation recovery
to Larryfermentation
Walker’s Biography
, Institution,
Publications
and Resources
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process effectively
with
saacharification
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E.Cornell
All ofBiomass
the above
Conversion Lab.
F. None of the above
Oil, water, food, and greenhouse gas are all drivers that lead him to believe we have to rework which system if we
want to sustain human development?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Energy system
Mechanical system
Organic system
Water system
None of the above
Which of the following renewable energies reduces our dependency on liquid fuels?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Oil
Solar Power
Biomass
Ethanol
Coal
How much of the petroleum imported into the US is for transportation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
20%
35%
45%
60%
70%
An important method used for cutting the cost of biodegrading the biomass is to:
A.
B.
C.
F.
D.
Ship the enzymes from centralized location.
Collect the enzymes from cesspool.
Improve science and technology.
Licensing technology to bio-refineries and producing the enzymes onsite.
Extract the enzymes from pig and horse waste.
1. To break down the biomass and produce energy we can use :
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Yeast
Micro-organisms
Algae
Bacteria
All of the above
EISA establishes ambitious goals to more than triple overall U.S. biofuel use to _____ billion gallons by 2022.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
50
36
200
150
42
Which of the following is NOT used to produce Ethanol? (B)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Corn Starch
Oil Crops
Cane Sugar
Beet Sugar
Microorganisms
How many million gallons of cellulosic ethanol did we have in 2010?
A. 1.3
B. 23
C. 10.3
D. 77.3
E. 46
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a type of?
A. Biodiesel
B. Sugar
C. Ethanol
D. Yeast
E. Corn ethanol
Which biofuel has the highest motor octane number?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Unleaded Gasoline
Methanol
Ethanol
Butanol
None of the above
Which of the following is the reason that Brazil had such a successful sugarcane ethanol industry?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
They made a major commitment to bioethanol from sugarcane
They were lead by a military dictatorship
They stuck with renewable energy when other countries backed away from it
They have adjusted their energy infrastructure to accommodate biofuels
All of the above
Corn starch, cane sugar, and beet sugar all undergo ___________________ in order to transform into ethanol
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Mechanical Extraction
Industrial Biotechnology
Mechanical biotechnology
Industrial engineering
Thermochemical engineering
None of the above
Which country found a bio-fuel alternative, sugarcane ethanol, to oil during the Arab Oil Embargo in 1973 and
1979?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
The United States
Brazil
Germany
China
Japan
1)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Multiple Choice: How much ethanol does the United States produce from corn?
10 million gallons
20 billon gallons
12 billion gallons
12 million gallons
16 billion gallons
Which one these will contribute in providing the raw materials and energy needed to drive our transition to a
sustainable world?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Argricultire
Horticulture
Aquaculture
Pig Farming
Oneology
The United States uses what kind of ethanol?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Sugarcane
Cellulosic
Corn
wheat
cotton
In what year did the number of tractors outnumber horses and mules on farms?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
1990
1780
1897
1954
1989
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA):
A. establishes goals to help more than triple the world’s biofuel use in the future.
B. establishes goals to help more than triple United States biofuel use in the future.
C. was developed by the National Biodiesel Board.
D. was developed by the World Bioenergy Association.
E. protects the use of biofuel by major companies in the bioenergy sector.
Which of the following is not a root of disagreement in regard to carbon sequestration and net energy:
A. Complexity and diversity in bioenergy systems.
B. Uncertainty over the over “scalability” of bioenergy systems.
C. Inadequate data, models, and experience base to drive sustainability analyses.
D. Bioenergy is a major risk to the environment and agriculture.
E. Evolution in technical, economic, and environmental performance of material transformation, transport, and storage
technology.
Fill in the blank questions
___________ is the most energy dense biofuel.
A. Butanol
B. Methanol
C. Unleaded gasoline
D. Carbon monoxide
E. Ethanol
F. Diesel
Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) establishes ambitious goals to more than triple overall U.S. biofuel use to
36 billion gallons by 2022, with cellulosic biofuels making up 16 billion gallons on a trajectory to surpass corn-based
ethanol use.
Dr. Walker states that there is/are a lot of _________ going into the commercial ethanol industry.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Carbon dioxide
Biofuels
Feedstock logistics
Conversion technology
Antibiotics
Biomass production
_________________ and ___________________ are evolving to economically convert plants to bioenergy.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
People and Technology.
The Government and Technology
Science and People
Science and Technology
The Government and People
The Government and Science
.______________ is an efficient method for producing energy from biomass.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Composting
Fermentation
Recycling
Regeneration
Mortification
Fractionation
A good example of renewable cellulosic fuel is __________.
A. Coal
B. Natural gas
C. Ethanol
D. Petroleum
E. Propane
F. Whale oil
Oil crops are turned into Bio-diesel through what process? (Mechanical Extraction)
Fill in the Blank: ________, _________, ________ are three factors that drive sustainable human development.
abcde-
Oil
Fuel
Food
Agriculture
Water
According Professor Walker ___________ is probably the major biofuel conversion technology used globally?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Gasification
Combustion
Mechanical extraction
Pyrolisis
Simplification
Conversion of enzymes
_______ is the only renewable energy source that directly reduces our dependency on liquid fuels.
Ans: Biomass
True/False questions
Agriculture will eventually become obsolete in our transition to a sustainable world. False
The number of tractors on farms today does not exceed the number of horses and mules used in the past.
False: The number of tractors on farms exceeds the number of horses and mules for the first time in 1954.
EISA, stands for Energy Intelligence and Sensibility Act.
False: Energy Independence and Security Act.
Biomass is a renewable energy source that can directly reduce our dependence on liquid fossil fuels. (True)
Cellulosic ethanol is a bio-fuel produced from wood, grasses, or the non-edible parts of plants. (True)
Disturbance in global peace will cause a drop in the cost of energy prices. (False)
Correct Answer: Disturbance in global peace will disrupt the transportation of oil or natural gas and cause energy prices to
rise.
The idea of using renewable energy from potatoes and corn emerged as far back as the early 1900’s. (True)
Natural gas is a good example of renewable energy generated from biomass. (False)
Correct Answer: Natural gas is extracted from wells by a process called hydraulic fracking or fracturing.
Improvements in strain performance through genetic engineering are one of the challenges of Bioconversion.
(True)
Biomass is the only renewable energy that directly reduces our dependency on liquid fuels. True
Agriculture will increasingly provide the raw materials and energy needed to drive our transition to a sustainable
world. True
Biomass is the only renewable energy that directly reduces our dependency on liquid fuels. True: The driver is
transportation
Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the first eukaryote to be fully sequenced, annoted, and made publically available.
True
Are plants and trees renewable resourses? True
Short answer questions
Discuss why evolutionary processes do not produce optimum outcomes when it comes to bioenergy.
As Dr. Walker discusses in his lecture, evolutionary processes do not produce optimum outcomes, but he states that “it
works” and that these bioenergy processes produce satisfactory outcomes. He explains that in our capitalistic society the
need to balance public good with the need of major companies to make money must be taken into account when analyzing
the evolutionary process of bioenergy. This opportunistic process spans into social, cultural, political, and economic
realms and is affected by the current states of these aspects of society. Efficiency is the key to driving change in these
processes. For example, different plants get more reliable and efficient as time goes on, but it takes time for things to
change, which is why evolutionary processes do not produce the most desired outcomes.
Dr. Walker states that innovation is not just science, but it is also how people envision and address a certain need.
Write a short essay on whether you agree with this, and use a key example.
I agree with this statement because I think that innovations in science and other areas need to address a certain need in
order to be successful. For example, cell phones are a fairly recent form of technology that has drastically changed
throughout the years. Innovations for cell phones were not made just because of science, but because there was a demand
for newer technology and better performance. I think that technology based on communication is based on science and
addresses a need. In today’s society it is important for people to stay in contact with loved ones, friends, and even
business partners. The changing cultures needed updated technology, and science is the main way to improve it. I think
that innovations are made because of peoples’ beliefs and demands; and that science is an aid in making these innovations
even better.
Explain three points of why there is a disagreement over renewable energy.
First off this is a new technology catering to a newer crisis. There are inadequate models, data, and experience to ensure
its success, and drive sustainability analysis. Secondly, there is an uncertainty over the scalability. Individuals are unsure
if plants can create enough fuel through renewable energy to service our global population. And lastly, there is an intense
complexity in structuring the bioenergy systems that are needed for our world. While this is ultimately the solution to the
energy crisis it is a solution that will come with time and great care.
What is renewable energy? Compare or contrast fossil fuels with renewable energy. Give at least two comparisons.
Answer 1:
Humans are known to utilize renewable energy sources since their existence. Renewable energy is derived from natural
resources, which are easily replenished by nature. Solar energy using solar cells, hydroelectricity from flowing waters,
ethanol from corn, electricity from wind using turbines, geothermal heat, and bio-fuels from biomass such as grass, wood
chips and corn stovers are all examples of renewable energy.
Renewable energy is necessary because currently excessive usage of fossil and nuclear fuels has created stressful
problems for planet earth and its habitats.
1. Fossil fuels such as oil and coal are extracted from under the earth’s surface and transported. The process causes
spills and leakages. Solid, liquid and air-born wastes pollute the earth’s surface and natural resources. They harm
several habitats. Damages to water, land and air over time has created diseases and deaths.
On the other hand, renewable energy is produced from biomass such as wood chips, grass, and corn stovers, and
from natural energy sources such as sunlight, wind and water. Hence, it does not produce pollution.
2. Carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels causes the greenhouse effect and is responsible for global
warming.
Renewable energy is clean energy and it does not produce carbon dioxide when used, hence it does not contribute
to global warming.
3. Mining of coal causes destruction of land and pollution of the surrounding habitats. Diseases such as cancer in the
lungs and digestive system are caused by pollution of air, land and water from coal dust, gases and slurry. Miners
have to dig deeper and deeper for coal because it not replenish.
Renewable energy does not pollute land or water resources and it is not destructive. We can repeatedly use it
without running out of it. Moreover, it does not have hidden cost related to health.
4. Emission of sulfur dioxide is responsible for acid rain.
There will be no harmful acid rains if we use renewable energy.
5. Hydraulic fracking or pressure fracturing is a process for extraction of natural gas. Each fracking requires 80 to
300 tons of highly toxic and hazardous chemicals that are poured up to a depth of 8000 feet. The water aquifers
are at a depth of mere 1000 feet. Once the natural gas is extracted, these wells are repeatedly fractured to remove
natural gas and they can then go further deeper and continue fracturing. Hence, natural gas and chemicals leaks
into water wells.
However, renewable energy sources are replenished easily and they do not contaminate water resources.
6. Nuclear waste is very harmful to all lives and nuclear pollution via leaks or breakdowns has permanent long-term
effects on habitats.
If we use renewable energy, we can eliminate the need of nuclear usage and save our planet from destruction.
7. Natural gas comes up wet and has to be separated from waste-water. The wastewater is toxic and contains
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), which are evaporated into the atmosphere using evaporators.
Renewal energy does not contain volatile organic compounds and hence secondary cost of clean up of air, land
and water does not occur. The cost of maintaining quality of the environment and good health and is very low.
Hence, by using renewable energy we can protect our earth and its habitats from suffering and destruction.
Why is an understanding of applied sciences such as System Biology and Plant Molecular Biology important in
order to improve Biofuels & Industrial Chemical Systems?
Existing knowledge associated with other simpler biological processes (i.e. fermentation to produce alcohol) can be used
in a more complex manner in order to create comprehensive biofuels and industrial chemical systems.
Dr. Walker mentioned that scientists can essentially “mix and match” existing scientific processes in order to refine
organic materials into more useful forms. The continued integration of applied sciences will help produce new or improve
existing technologies in both Biofuels and Industrial Chemical Systems. (See slide titled: “Integrating Knowledge from
Basic and Applied Sciences for a Mission)
Professor Walker says there are a list of things to produce a “beautiful” new technology. It requires integration of
good science, good technology and good business to make this work. Do you think it is a network type of system, if
so name something we could do to help?
I agree with Professor Walker that we need a broad and interactive network, and that biorefiniers are not very green.
Instead we need to look at our industrial ecology, and see how things such as growing crops can have an
advantageous effect on biofuels and our earth in general. This greater system will be beneficial to biofuel
development if people realize how science and technology can happen. By changing the business model we improve
the economics of enzymes, this will drive cost down which includes the business community in making change. I
also believe that we need to think about the cars we drive since the carbon dioxide contributes to green house gases
that cause global warming. Plants absorb the carbon dioxide and they are the ingredient to biofuel production, this
cycle does two things at once because while they absorb carbon dioxide they can be grown for biofuel which is a
renewable resource and we can continue to grow more. By working together with the whole community-politician,
business, scientist, engineers we can figure out how to use the cellulose to make biofuels will greatly help in the
future with sustainable development.
Discuss the factors that currently prevent renewable energy sources such as biomass from contributing a
greater percentage of primary energy consumption.
Mainly people use nonrenewable fossil fuels—coal, petroleum, and natural gas—provide more than 85% of the
energy used around the world. In the United States, fossil fuels comprise 81.6% of the total energy supply,
nuclear power provides 7.7%, and all renewable energy sources provide 7.3%. People are very comfortable
using nonrenewable fossil fuels since it has been around for much longer. It is what is in our homes and
workplace. It is hard to switch over to biomass when all of our appliances use fossil fuels. We are slowly
converting to biomass but it might take longer than wanted since the recession is deterring people from
spending more money on their homes and transportation.
Professor argues that we need to understand that the nature of technology evolves. What is his argument and how
does he support it?
Professor quotes W. Brian Arthur and says, “all technology are combination of elements, these elements themselves are
technology, and technologies use phenomena to some purpose”. Professor believes that society, too often, thinks of
technology as static. However, we see in everyday life with televisions, cars, and cell phones that this is not the case.
Technology evolves. There are multiple, radically different technologies for all types of science and engineering. He also
argues that technology is evolving because it continually combines technologies to keep up with science today. He
argues that we need to be innovative in order to advance science and technology. He says that no matter how important
science is, it will only get better if we can think outside of the box concerning how we understand and handle science.
What are some issues we need to keep in mind before completely switching over to bio-fuels?
One reason the United States has not switched over to bio-fuels yet is the bio-fuel carbon debt problem.
Planting corn in fields that are already tilled is fine but when farmers start to plant in fields that have not yet
been used for farming they can release 17 to 400 times more carbon dioxide than the fossil fuels they will be
replacing. Another issue is that we need to irrigate the corn or other crops being turned into bio-fuel. We
would not only need to set aside fields just for growing bio-fuels and compete with planting food for human
and livestock consumption; but we would also have to set aside large quantities of freshwater for irrigation.
The U.S. is not in a water crisis like much of the world but we are walking a fine line and bio-fuels may be the
demise of potable water in the United States, causing competition between bio-fuel growers, farmers, and the
public water supply. Another issue to think about is soil quality. Farmers already must let fields lay fallow and
grapple with the challenges of rotating crops and planting. We must take into consideration the challenges of
soil quality. If the soil becomes depleted of nutrients nothing will be able to grow there and we will once
again have to rely on foreign energy or food.
Who were the early proponents mentioned in the video, that tried to evolutionize alternative energy sources?
Some early proponents were Henry Ford who worked with ethanol, and Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel who worked with
vegetable oil.