Fossil energy biotechnology: A research needs assessment. [Report recommends biocatalyst approaches]

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7258216

Finnerty, W R ^[1]

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1. Consultec Scientific, Inc., Knoxville, TN (United States)

The Office of Program Analysis of the US Department of Energy commissioned this study to evaluate and prioritize research needs in fossil energy biotechnology. The objectives were to identify research initiatives in biotechnology that offer timely and strategic options for the more efficient and effective uses of the Nation's fossil resource base, particularly the early identification of new and novel applications of biotechnology for the use or conversion of domestic fossil fuels. Fossil energy biotechnology consists of a number of diverse and distinct technologies, all related by the common denominator -- biocatalysis. The expert panel organized 14 technical subjects into three interrelated biotechnology programs: (1) upgrading the fuel value of fossil fuels; (2) bioconversion of fossil feedstocks and refined products to added value chemicals; and, (3) the development of environmental management strategies to minimize and mitigate the release of toxic and hazardous petrochemical wastes. The integration of these programs as viable bioprocessing initiatives proposes an innovative and conceptual principle for the development of a new'' approach to fossil energy biotechnology. This unifying principle is NON-AQUEOUS BIOCATALYSIS. Biocatalysis coupled to conventional chemical catalysis in organic-based media offers bioprocessing options uniquely characterized by the selectivity of biocatalysts plus fast reaction rates and specificity of chemical catalysts.

• Research Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Program Analysis; Consultec Scientific, Inc., Knoxville, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC01-91ER30156
• OSTI ID: 7258216
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/30156-T1; ON: DE92040592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
02 PETROLEUM
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BIOTECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION NEEDS
RECOMMENDATIONS
COAL
BIOCONVERSION
FOSSIL FUELS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
DESULFURIZATION
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
GENETIC ENGINEERING
MICROORGANISMS
MITIGATION
PETROLEUM
PROGRESS REPORT
SHALE OIL
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
HYDROLYSIS
LYSIS
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SOLVOLYSIS
010402* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Purification & Upgrading
020400 - Petroleum- Processing
040400 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Oil Production
Recovery
& Refining
100200 - Synthetic Fuels- Production- (1990-)
550200 - Biochemistry
290500 - Energy Planning & Policy- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Fossil Fuels