Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development / State of Israel

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).
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
Energy Crop
R&D

Farming
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 110C).
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 CO2 reduction per year (3 CER)
for every ton of petroleum replaced.

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

:of total biodiesel production belong to 4 corporations 75%
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Cargill, Bunge & Saipol

US Existing BD Plants

US Biodiesel Market
US Biodiesel
Consumption

:US Biodiesel Plants

)operating plants (capacity: 400M gal/yr 65
)construction (capacity: 700M gal/yr - 50
)Source: National Biodiesel Board, Apr. 2006(

US Biodiesel
Production

The EU Biodiesel Market

Total European Biodiesel Market: Unit Shipment and Revenue Forecasts (Europe), 1997-2007
Revenues ($ Million)

Units (Million Tonnes)

3000

5
4.5

2500

Revenues ($ Million)

3
1500

2.5
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)

3.5

2000

: Projections
5B L/yr 2006
2010 12B L/yr
2020 25B L/yr

World Production of Biodiesel

2005 - 2010

38%

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

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)

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
Harvest & Post Harvest
IP Protection
Complete Field Support
-------Seeds
Growth
Yield
Harvest ...

Genetics & Breeding

-------Seed / Tissues
Water & Soil
Technologies
-------Growth (cultivation)
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