Speaker: Prof Jay J Cheng from North Carolina State University, USA
Title: Conversion of Coastal Bermuda Grass to Fuel Ethanol
Time:9:00-11:00a.m., Oct. 15th, 2011
Location : DongTang hall, Light industry and food college (13# Building), SCUT North Campus

Abstract
Ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials provides an alternative energy production system. Coastal Bermuda grass has been identified as a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for bioethanol production in Southern United States where it is widely grown for nutrient management in concentrated animal farming operations and as a source of hay. It has a relative high cellulose and hemicellulose content. Dilute sulfuric acid, alkaline, and microwave pretreatments of coastal Bermuda grass was investigated before enzymatic hydrolysis for sugar release. The parameters such as temperature, chemical concentration, and residence time have been optimized for the maximal sugar production. The prehydrolyzate liquor from the acid pretreatment was analyzed for inhibitory compounds (furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)) in order to assess potential risk for inhibition during fermentation. A total sugar yield of over 90% could be achieved during the enzymatic hydrolysis after the pretreatment.

Brief introduction to Prof Jay J Cheng
Jay J Cheng is Professor for Biological & Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University, USA.
Education
Ph.D. (1996) Environmental Engineering University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
M.S. (1987) Biological Engineering St. Cyril & Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia
B.S. (1982) Chemical Engineering Jiangxi Institute of Technology, Nanchang, China
Professional Experience
2006–present Professor, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University
2005 – 2006 Fulbright Scholar, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria
2008 – present Professor; 2003– 2008 Associate Professor; 1997– 2003 Assistant Professor. Dept. of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, USA.
Research
• Bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials for ethanol production
• Growing duckweed for wastewater treatment and starch production
• Modeling nutrient recovery from wastewater by growing duckweed
• Anaerobic digestion of animal waste for biogas production
• Intermittent aeration for nutrient removal from swine wastewater
• Reclamation of treated animal wastewater for value-added products