State of Israel / Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
ARO – Agricultural Research Organization
Breeding and engineering nonfood crops for biodiesel
Yedidya Gafni – Institute of Plant Sciences
Agricultural Research Organization (VOLCANI Center)
P.O.B. 6, Bet-Dagan, 50250 Israel
Tel: +972-3-9683111 / Fax: +972-3-9665327
Using biomass for energy
Bio-Fuels
• Type of Renewable Energy (derived from the Sun).
• Biofuels are liquid fuels made from esters, alcohols, ethers,
and other biomass chemicals (Source: US Dept. of Energy).
• Common biofuels include: ethanol and biodiesel.
• Ethanol is made from starches / sugars.
• Biodiesel is an ester made from vegetable oils, animal fats
or other types of biomass.
Biodiesel
(bio-petroleum diesel)
• B100 = 100% biodiesel / B20 = 20% / B5 = 5% / B2 = 2%
• Production process: Transesterification (of oil)
• Main crops used for producing biodiesel:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rapeseed (Europe)
Soybean (US)
Jatropha (Africa, India)
Castor Bean (Africa, China, S. America)
Palm Oil (Tropical areas)
More
• Other oil-enriched crops: Coconut, Brazil nuts, Jojoba, Peanuts,
Cotton seed, Sunflower, and many more.
Schematic of the Transesterification process
BIODIESEL – Final Product
Biodiesel 100%
Glycerin
BioDiesel is here
From the Farmer to the Fuel Tank
Oilseed
Meal
Farming
Energy Crop
R&D
Crushing
Biodiesel
Biodiesel Production
Glycerin
Market
Crop Oil
BioDiesel – A better fuel vs. Diesel
Features
 Higher cetane
 Greater lubricity
 Superior detergency
 Higher flash point
Benefits
 More mileage
 Greater horsepower
 Less smoke
 Smoother running engines
 Quicker starts
 Longer engine life
 Reduced maintenance
Biodiesel Advantages
• Produced from renewable materials – eco friendly / closed CO2 cycle.
• Local & self production – less reliance on foreign oil.
• Contains practically no sulfur (0.001%) – non toxic.
• Considerably decreases emissions (up to 50%).
• Easily decomposes – does not harm soil or ground water.
• Biodiesel is not hazardous material (flashpoint above 110°C).
• Eligible as fuels under international standards & specifications (world-wide).
• Eligible for CDM (Clean Development Mechanism - Kyoto Treaty).
• More…
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) –
Carbon Credits (CER)
“.. the mechanism of the Kyoto Treaty (CDM) is now in force to
reduce industrial & commercial greenhouse gas emissions –
planting of bio-fuel crops may well create carbon sinks that
can earn cash through their sale of emissions credits to
polluting industries in developed countries.”
The potential of acquiring GHG reductions, in the form of CER,
for bio-diesel projects is about 3 tons of CO reduction per year (3
CER) for every ton of petroleum replaced.
2
Current price for 1 CER is about US$ 5 - 7.
Biodiesel Drawbacks
• Biodiesel can be corrosive to rubber materials.
• Biodiesel is not necessarily more economic than
regular diesel. Depend on the plants, their
related processes and, other incentives.
• Biodiesel can last up to 6 months. In 6-12
months need to be treated.
Biodiesel Refineries / Plants (EU)
75% of total biodiesel production belong to 4 corporations:
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Bunge & Saipol
US – Existing BD Plants
US Biodiesel Market
US Biodiesel
Consumption
US Biodiesel Plants:
65 operating plants (capacity: 400M gal/yr)
50 - construction (capacity: 700M gal/yr)
US Biodiesel Production
US Biodiesel
Production
Gallons (millions)
(Source: National Biodiesel Board, Apr. 2006)
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Proj Proj
The EU Biodiesel Market
Total European Biodiesel Market: Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts (Europe), 1997-2007
Units (Million Tonnes)
Revenues ($ Million)
5
3000
4.5
2500
4
3
2.5
1500
2
1000
1.5
1
500
0.5
0
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Year
Source: European Biodiesel Board, 2006
2005
2006
2007
Units (Million Tonnes)
Revenues ($ Million)
3.5
2000
Projections:
2006 – 5B L/yr
2010 – 12B L/yr
2020 – 25B L/yr
World Production of Biodiesel
2005 - 2010
US –
18%
75%
Source:
Biodiesel
2020
Global
Market
Survey,
Oct. 2006
2005
Western Europe (D, FR, IT, UK, etc.) –
main producers and consumers – 75% of
world
Eastern Europe & N. America – 2nd
largest markets
Asia – although significant market yet,
relatively small
38%
30%
2010
Western Europe (D, FR, IT, UK) – main
producers and consumers – 38% of world
Asia – will become the 2nd largest market
(China, India – consumption & production)
Eastern Europe & N. America – 3rd largest
markets, with US as the single largest
consumer – 18% of world
Biodiesel – Crops & Yields
Crop
Kg
oil/ha
Liters
oil/ha
US
gal/acre
Oil Content
Castor beans
1188
1413
151
50% - 55%
Coconut
2260
2689
287
70%
Corn (maize)
145
172
18
12%
Cotton
273
325
35
13% - 15%
Jatropha
1590
1892
202
30% - 35%
Palm oil
5000
5950
635
35%
Peanuts
890
1059
113
36%
Rapeseed
1000
1190
127
37%
Soybean
375
446
48
15%
Sunflower
800
952
102
32%
Source: www.journeyforever.com – Jan. 2007 – This data is compiled from a wide variety of sources.
The yield figures are most useful as comparative estimates, crop yields vary widely.
ARO & Biodiesel
The ARO (also known as ‘The VOLCANI Center‘)
aims at becoming the 'ultimate knowledge base'
regarding complete Seed – to – Harvest processes
of two selected plant types:
Jatropha curcas and Castor bean
• Jatropha curcas small shrub native of
C. America and a
member of the
Euphorbia family, it is
a drought-resistant
perennial, living up to
50 years and growing
on marginal soils.
• Oil content: ~35%
• Oil: Not Edible.
• Other oil uses: None
• Castor bean - droughtresistant, annual plant of
tropical origin with
immense spread-out. The
plant can grow between 2
to 5 m.
• Oil: soluble in alcohol (no
heat) – fit for biodiesel
• Oil content: ~55%
• Oil: Not Edible (high level
of Ricinoleic Acid – 85%).
• Other oil uses: Over 700
The Research Team
Prof. Yedidya Gafni – Head of Team.
In charge of developing tissue culture & transformation
protocols.
Dr. Yiftach Vaknin – In charge of the Jatropha curcas
project.
Dr. Oren Ostersetzer – In charge of the Castor bean
project.
Dr. Samuel Gan-Mor – In charge of developing
mechanical harvesting machines.
Prof. Dani Shteinberg – In charge of the studies of plant
diseases.
Dr. Asher Bar-Tal – In charge of the studies of soil
chemistry and plant nutrition and fertilization.
ARO's 'Biodiesel Plants – Package of Knowledge' include ICM
(Integrated Crop Management) & complete research on the following process:
Jatropha curcas
Superior Varieties
Development
Complete Cultivation Process
Genetics & Breeding
-------Seed / Tissues
Water & Soil
Technologies
-------Growth (cultivation)
Harvest & Post Harvest
IP Protection
Complete Field Support
-------Seeds
Growth
Yield
Harvest ...
Phytopathology &
Entomology
-------Growth (cultivation)
Mechanization
Engineering
-------Harvest, Collection &
Post-Harvest
Castor bean
Superior Varieties
Development
Complete Cultivation Process
Harvest & Post Harvest
IP Protection
Complete Field Support
-------Seeds
Growth
Yield
Harvest ...
ARO – Advantages for BD Crops
• Unique & patented (PBR) varieties with superior characteristics for:
– Fast growth rate.
– Better yields.
– Increased oil content (in the seeds).
– Regulated fruition and harvest (opposed to wild, un-regulated fruition).
– Lower toxicity of Castor bean plants (the oil is non-toxic).
– Complete match to various climates, soil type & composition, water, etc.
– Pre-determined plant's shape & size – suitable for mechanical harvesting.
– High resistance to pests & diseases.
• Development of mechanical harvesting machinery.
• Complete professional support and guidance in cultivation of Pilot
Plantation – at any location of potential project.
Jatropha as living hedge in
Ethiopia
158.987296
Castor varieties in our collection
Ornamental
Castor plant
What can genetic engineering
contribute?
• Make plants give higher oil yields for making biodiesel
• Enhance the oxidative stability of the oil
• Render plants resistant to biotic stress
• Resistance to viruses (ACMV?), fungi, bacterial
diseases, nematodes and insects and more.
• Render plants resistant to abiotic stress
• Salinity, drought, heat, cold marginal soils and more.
•Control plants height for mechanical harvesting
Regeneration of Jatropha
curcas in tissue culture
Thank You
158.987296