***MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM FOR UTILIZATION OF
BIOMASS***

**Introduction**

The earth contains a wide variety of carbon reservoirs that can be
harnessed to meet societal power requirements. By far, the most common
source of carbon-based energy used today is petroleum. Unfortunately,
the earth has a finite amount of this valuable energy source. Biomass,
on the other hand, represents a truly renewable source of energy that
can be used to produce fuels that are relatively amenable to today's
machinery. The total energy potential of the earth's current production
of biomass is estimated to be 2,740 quads (1 quad equates to 10^16^
BTUs), while the current global energy requirement is only 340 quads,
making biomass an excellent long-term source of energy. Additionally,
the use of biomass for meeting our nation's energy requirements provides
the opportunity for the US to develop itself once again into a country
that is fully independent of foreign energy policies. This has
significant military and commercial implications.

Ethanol is widely considered to be the energetic bio-based fuel (and
additive) that is most promising and of critical industrial importance.
Numerous techniques for producing ethanol from biomass appear promising,
with the most promising being at the developmental stage. Unfortunately,
these techniques, although technically viable at this stage of
development, are borderline economically feasible because of key
technical shortcomings impacting production costs and long-term process
stability.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has taken a strong leadership role in
the development of ethanol from biomass. Recently, under the DOE's 2000
EPSCoR program, a group of four Mississippi universities (Mississippi
State University, Jackson State University, University of Southern
Mississippi, and University of Mississippi) submitted a proposal to form
the "Mississippi University Research Consortium for the Utilization of
Biomass". This proposal was approved for funding during the Spring of
2000 with a total of \$3, 600,000 of funds being allocated by DOE and
the member universities to support this exciting 3 year venture (
\$1,800,000 coming from DOE with the balance being provided by the four
universities).

**Implications to Mississippi**

Mississippi is a state rich in biomass, that is either cultivated or
produced as a waste product from agricultural or manufacturing sources.
The objective of this research consortium is to direct the research and
development capabilities of the four member universities toward the
beneficial utilization of Mississippi's untapped waste biomass reserves,
while potentially developing new and innovative uses of cultured crops
and forests grown in Mississippi. Given the extent of DOE and State
support and the timeliness of this endeavor, Mississippi is poised to be
a technological leader in this very promising area. Numerous existing
and potential industries within the State of Mississippi focusing on
biomass-based commodity chemical will benefit from the expertise to be
further developed under this consortium. It is important to note that
the planned research efforts of the Consortium falls directly in line
with the scientific objectives of the Mississippi's Science and
Technology Plan. Additionally, numerous students within Mississippi will
be given the opportunity to study under this exciting funding umbrella,
which in the future will provide the state with scientists and engineers
experienced in the area of biotechnology. An innovative
"multi-university research team" approach has been developed to provide
these students with an unique educational experience by forcing the
students to interact with students from other universities and
disciplines. This will greatly enhance the team building skills of each
student, which is a highly sought-after characteristic for employees in
today's workforce. In summary, all of these efforts will surely yield
new technological, economical, and educational benefits for Mississippi.

**Summary of Research Activities**

Two ethanol production techniques will be further developed under the
mission of the Consortium. These processes are fermentation of synthesis
gas and acid hydrolysis of cellulosic materials. Each project to be
performed under the Consortium R&D Program addresses key technological
impediments that have been documented to hinder commercialization of
these processes. Projects to be performed under the fermentation of
syngas initiative include further development of new and improved
bacterial isolates, optimization of fermentor design and operation,
development of new membranes for improved product recovery and/or
biomass retention, evaluation of methane generation from waste products
for recovery as secondary production fuel, and assessment of various
waste management techniques. Research projects to be undertaken that
address the acid hydrolysis process includes development of improved
processing equipment, development of improved acid separation
techniques, evaluation of gene manipulation techniques for development
of acid-tolerant organisms (extremophiles), and evaluation of
fermentation processing of hydrolyzates derived from the new processing
techniques.

**Advisory Board**

A technical advisory board has been organized that brings together known
experts from DOE, TVA, DoD, The Mississippi Department of Economic and
Community Development, industry, and academia to provide external
technical input. These experts will provide periodic input that will be
invaluable to Consortium researchers, while allowing Consortium members
to highlight their very recent successes to these influential
individuals.

**Consortium Point of Contact**

Dr. Mark E. Zappi, P.E., of the Dave C, Swalm School of Chemical
Engineering will serve as the first Director of the Consortium. His term
will run for a period of three years, upon which a new director will be
selected by the R&D Board of the Consortium with approval from the State
EPSCoR Committee. Dr. Zappi may be reached at 662-325-7203 or
zappi@che.msstate.edu.