LU's first Ph.D. graduate details regional biofuel potential

Aditi Singh believes biofuels made from biomass, such as rice straw, could become an affordable, renewable—and profitable—resource in the region, and she has research to prove it.

This summer, Singh became the first student ever to receive a Ph.D. from Lamar University .

Beyond establishing her historic place at Lamar, Singh's dissertation may have far reaching implications in the search for affordable, renewable energy resources. Her dissertation, “Multi-Objective Decision Making in Design for Sustainability,” focuses on the methodology she developed for sustainable engineering and industrial applications. Singh, who received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering May 12, focused her work on the biofuel biobutanol.

Biobutanol's long hydrocarbon chains make it more similar to gasoline than ethanol, and it has significantly higher energy than ethanol, making it a candidate both as a fuel additive or as a potential replacement for gasoline with little or no modification to current engines or fuel systems. Biobutanol can be produced by fermentation of biomass including a wide array of organic feedstocks. Biobutanol made from rice straw holds promise in this area because Jefferson County is the largest producer of rice in Texas .

Singh's objective was to determine the sustainability of biofuel in Southeast Texas . Sustainability considers the balance between economy and environment and how they co-exist within our ecosystem. Her findings conclude that biobutanol could benefit the Southeast Texas economy and the industries involved in creating affordable, renewable energy sources to operate automobiles and other gasolinepowered machines.

Her timely research emphasizes local, regional and global uses and flows of material and energy from biofuels. It takes into account the role of industry in reducing environmental burdens throughout the product's life cycle. Currently, the worldwide manufacturing industry is developing new strategies, calling for an integrated manufacturing model that is environmentally sustainable. “The goal is to perform at optimum levels in all areas,” Singh said.

Helen Lou, associate professor of chemical engineering and Singh's advisor for the dissertation, said rice straw is abundant in Jefferson County . Currently, rice farmers leave the rice straw in the fields, burn it or thrown away, Lou said. But, if it is converted into a biofuel, it could eventually help provide an affordable, renewable energy resource.

Singh's multi-objective approach is used to make sure all three areas – economy, environment and society – work at an optimal and sustainable level. Research like Singh's projects the impact a project will have on an area and investigates its feasibility by analyzing data before companies or governments make huge investments.

In April, DuPont and BP reported that biobutanol had proven to perform similarly to unleaded gasoline on key parameters, based on ongoing laboratorybased engine testing and limited fleet testing. BP and DuPont created a partnership in 2006 to develop biofuel. The global companies plan to create advanced biofuels that will provide improved options for expanding energy supplies and accelerate the move to renewable transportation fuels, which lower overall greenhouse gas emissions. The companies plan to introduce biobutanol by the end of the year.

In her research, Singh explored how production of biobutanol might impact the gasoline market. “It looks like biofuel is a good idea for the industry. It's a good idea for the region as well,” Singh said. In addition, developing biofuels would diversify the local economy.

As part of her thesis, she had to determine what the impact on industry would be if local refineries start producing biobutanol, she said. The thesis involved the many interrelated aspects of development, production and distribution of the product.

Reviewing Singh's research, Lou said it showed that money invested in the biobutanol industry would have a positive impact on society and benefit many areas including agriculture, utilities, construction, healthcare, education and more. The total economic impact within the region would be $74 million for every $1 million invested in biobutanol, resulting in earnings of more than $8 million and creating an estimated 322 jobs.

A conservative calculation showed that a plant could make more than $255 million annually from biobutanol product locally. That doesn't include byproducts of production, including ethanol and acetone, which could conservatively generate another $269 million for a biobutanol plant. That would require an initial total capital investment of about $37.5 million, with total direct expenses estimated at $57.7 million and total indirect expenses at $7.8 million.

Singh worked on her thesis for three years. “It gives you a great sense of achievement when you come up with your own algorithms and your own solution. It is very satisfying,” she said. By early June, she had already received several job offers and has accepted a job with a Houston consulting firm.

Singh, a 26-year-old from Mumbai , India , was president of the Lamar Student Research Organization from 2005 to 2006. She earned her master's degree in chemical engineering at Lamar in 2004, then began work toward the doctorate.

Singh obtained a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology of Mumbai. There, one of her instructors suggested Lamar University as a place to pursue a master's because he knew of Professor Carl Yaws, noted for his writings and research in thermodynamics. Yaws teaches chemical engineering

and served on the advisory committee that reviewed Singh's 250-page thesis. A prolific author and noted researcher, Yaws has written 25 books, including a number of go-to chemical engineering reference works, holds several patents and has published more than 350 scientific papers.

Making the adjustment to America wasn't difficult for Singh, she said, because she received a lot of help from members of the Friends of India, a student organization at Lamar. The group helped her with accommodations and become acquainted to American customs. Overall, it was a smooth transition, she said.

“I didn't feel alone. They had a welcome party, so we could get to know other students,” Singh said. The group also helped keep homesickness at bay. “They were always there any time of the day or night.”

During her time at Lamar, she served as vice president and later public relations officer for the Friends of India.

Singh's graduate research has appeared in four publications, and she has presented her findings at several conferences. Obtaining a Ph.D. was part of her long-range plan, she said. Being the first at LU to do so is a plus. “I am so happy. Not only am I the first person to get a Ph.D. (from Lamar), but I am also the first woman to get a Ph.D.,” she said. “I am proud of that fact.”