Biorefineries using waste – production of energy and chemicals from biomasses by micro-organisms - Biomass as Energy Source: Resources, Systems and Applications - page 254

and phosphorus cycles. All these reaction sequences require interactions between organic and
inorganic compartments. One example of the global scale of the microbial life are the gigantic
giruses, or giruses, of the photosynthetic ocean algae. The giruses as a group were found only
recently due to the fact that they were filtered out of the girus suspensions by the standard 0.2 µ m
filter (Raoult and Forterre, 2008). That is the reason why these creatures were not detected by the
virologists. Nevertheless, in the Pacific Ocean they have shown to participate in the circulation of
matter by an interesting success of events (Van Etten, 2011). The giruses dissociate huge blooming
algal carpets thus liberating lots of organic biomass for the degradation by other microorganisms.
Their action, in turn, causes emissions of an organic sulfur compound DMS (dimethylsulfoxide),
which causes huge rains. This example shows the affectivity of the natural circulation of matter
in a marine ecosystem.
13.12.2 Multiple uses of the production equipment
In fermentation industries, it is a common principle that such basic solutions as the CSTR
(Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor) is functional in a wide variety of processes. Variable raw
materials can be used in the production of multiple products. The production and the product
recovery can be adjusted according to the desired process. Therefore, seasonal variations and raw
material costs, as well as market demands can be taken into account within a framework plan of
the unit.
13.12.3 Plant nutrition and agriculture connected with bioindustries
As already discussed, the biorefinery could be an industrial field where process wastes are com-
bined to new raw materials. This requires efficient substrate flow control and management. By
exploiting various energy generating means from or within the biomass, the power requirements
of the plant itself can be met and the entire biorefinery becomes an energy field. This goal
is achievable by taking into use more effective multistrain production reactions combined with
simultaneous downstream processing, implementation of fuel cell technologies, creative exploit-
ments of the photosynthesis as well as material flow management and logistics. Reactor design is
serving these goals offering facilities for variable process solutions. After the production of fuels
and chemicals, a residual biomass will remain in the plant. One alternative is to refine for use in
plant nutrition use after bioremediation, the removal of harmful chemicals on their transformation
into harmless form.
The wastes and side products of the food industries can readily be exploited in the biorefineries
(EuropaBio and ESAB, 2006). This process design generates positive environmental impacts,
such as lowered water pollution. The materials left over from bioprocesses can be directed into
the fields after biorefinery processes in the form of plant nutrients.
In Eastern Finland, Biokymppi Oy's business concept is material efficiency via versatile waste
reception possibilities to be able to broadly serve region's organicwaste handling needs. Electricity
production is only one branch in Biokymppi Oy's business, others being handling of organic waste
streams and recycling of nutrients. Feed materials are hence refined into safe, organic fertilizers
for farmers nearby. The plant has two process lines. One line is for raw materials, which are
accepted for organic fertilizers such as manure and separately collected biowaste and the other
line is for municipal sewage treatment sludge and other materials, which are not accepted for
organic fertilizers. The digestion residue from the latter can be utilized, after hygienization, both
as solid and liquid recycled fertilizer, also for garden and seedling production. For this product,
Biokymppi Oy has received organic fertilizer status, which is the first case among biogas plants in
Finland. Overall, with the estimated production rates fertilizers will be produced for 1000-1500
hectares. As its future visions Biokymppi Oy has established the productions of concentrated
fertilizer (liquid) and granulated fertilizer (solid) as well as biogas for vehicle use (Juvonen,
2010).