This activity provided the client with a database field structure for technical, economic, mass balance and energy balance concerning biological conversion of plant materials (biomass) to ethanol and biodiesel for use as liquid transport fuel. It was part of a larger project that also covered the production and harvesting of energy crops, as well as thermochemical conversion of biomass to liquid fuels. The field structure, that was reported in a related study covering bioconversion options, is outlined below. In addition the client was provided with a list of people and organisations involved in bioconversion of biomass, as well as much of the data required to fill the database. This included the nature, origin and composition of raw materials as well as processing options and details of major research activities being carried out. The groups of data fields covered:

Raw materials

Name

Availability

Physical properties

Chemical properties

Price

Transport costs

Composition

Pre-treatments

Feedstock description

Product description

Energy cost of production

Economic cost of production

Yields, conversion factors

Process

Inputs and outputs

Equations and yields

Reactors

Process

Feedstock

Reactor type

Process plant characteristics

Services required

Performance (yields of products and by-products)

Net energy and fuel used

Properties of products and by-products

Product

Composition and properties

Economic parameters

Equipment costs

Product values

Energy aspects

Energy ratios

Carbon dioxide saving

Enzymes and microorganisms

Identity

Source

Key references

Scientific references