1. Breeding and engineering non-Breeding and engineering non-
food crops for biodieselfood crops for biodiesel
Agricultural Research Organization (VOLCANI Center)
P.O.B. 6, Bet-Dagan, 50250 Israel
Tel: +972-3-9683111 / Fax: +972-3-9665327
State of Israel/Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
ARO – Agricultural Research Organization
Yedidya Gafni – Institute of Plant Sciences
3. Bio-FuelsBio-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 EnergySource: 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.
4. BiodieselBiodiesel (bio-petroleum diesel(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.
5. Schematic of the Transesterification processSchematic of the Transesterification process
6. BIODIESEL – Final ProductBIODIESEL – Final Product
Biodiesel 100%
Glycerin
10. Higher cetane
Greater lubricity
Superior detergency
Higher flash point
More mileage
Greater horsepower
Less smoke
Smoother running engines
Quicker starts
Longer engine life
Reduced maintenance
BenefitsFeatures
BioDiesel – A better fuel vs. Diesel
11. Biodiesel AdvantagesBiodiesel Advantages
• Produced from renewable materials – eco friendly / closed CO 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…
2
12. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) –Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) –
Carbon Credits (CERCarbon Credits (CER((
“.. the mechanism of the Kyoto TreatyKyoto 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.
Current price for 1 CER is about US$ 5 - 7.
2
13. Biodiesel DrawbacksBiodiesel Drawbacks
• Biodiesel can be corrosive to rubber materials.
• Biodiesel is not necessarily more economic than
regular diesel. Depend on the plants, theirDepend on the plants, their
related processes and, other incentives.related processes and, other incentives.
• Biodiesel can last up to 6 months. In 6-12
months need to be treated.
14. Biodiesel Refineries / Plants (EUBiodiesel Refineries / Plants (EU((
75%of total biodiesel production belong to 4 corporations:
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Bunge & Saipol
16. US Biodiesel MarketUS Biodiesel Market
US Biodiesel
Production
US Biodiesel
Consumption
US Biodiesel Plants:
65operating plants (capacity: 400M gal/yr(
50-construction (capacity: 700M gal/yr(
(Source: National Biodiesel Board, Apr. 2006)
17. The EU Biodiesel MarketThe EU Biodiesel Market
Total European Biodiesel Market: Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts (Europe(, 1997-2007
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Year
Revenues($Million(
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Units(MillionTonnes(
Revenues ($ Million( Units (Million Tonnes(
Source: European Biodiesel Board, 2006
19. World Production of Biodiesel
2005 - 2010
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
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
75%
38%
30%
US –
18%
Source:
BiodieselBiodiesel
20202020
Global
Market
Survey,
Oct. 2006
20. Biodiesel – Crops & YieldsBiodiesel – 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.
21. ARO & BiodieselARO & Biodiesel
The ARO (also known as ‘The VOLCANI Center‘The VOLCANI Center‘)
aims at becoming the 'ultimate knowledge base'
regarding complete Seed – to – Harvest processes
of two selected plant types:
Jatropha curcasJatropha curcas and Castor beanCastor bean
22. • 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 - drought-
resistant, 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
23. The Research TeamThe Research Team
Prof. Yedidya GafniProf. Yedidya Gafni – Head of TeamHead of Team..
In charge of developing tissue culture & transformation
protocols.
Dr. Yiftach VakninDr. Yiftach Vaknin – In charge of the Jatropha curcas
project..
Dr. Oren OstersetzerDr. Oren Ostersetzer – In charge of the Castor bean
project..
Dr. Samuel Gan-MorDr. Samuel Gan-Mor – In charge of developing
mechanical harvesting machines.
Prof. Dani ShteinbergProf. Dani Shteinberg – In charge of the studies of plant
diseases.
Dr. Asher Bar-TalDr. Asher Bar-Tal – In charge of the studies of soil
chemistry and plant nutrition and fertilization.
24. ARO'sARO's 'Biodiesel Plants – Package of Knowledge''Biodiesel Plants – Package of Knowledge' include ICMinclude ICM
(Integrated Crop Management) & complete research on the following process(Integrated Crop Management) & complete research on the following process::
Jatropha curcas
Superior Varieties
Development
Complete Cultivation Process
Harvest & Post Harvest
IP Protection
Complete Field Support
--------
Seeds
Growth
Yield
Harvest ...
Castor bean
Superior Varieties
Development
Complete Cultivation Process
Harvest & Post Harvest
IP Protection
Complete Field Support
--------
Seeds
Growth
Yield
Harvest ...
Genetics & BreedingGenetics & Breeding
--------
Seed / Tissues
Water & SoilWater & Soil
TechnologiesTechnologies
--------
Growth (cultivation)
Phytopathology &Phytopathology &
EntomologyEntomology
--------
Growth (cultivation)
MechanizationMechanization
EngineeringEngineering
--------
Harvest, Collection &
Post-Harvest
25. ARO – Advantages for BD CropsARO – 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 locationat any location of potential project.
36. What can genetic engineeringWhat can genetic engineering
contribute?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
