Crop Conversion Science and Engineering

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Crop Conversion Science and Engineering Research Unit

Photo of K.Hicks Dr. Kevin B. Hicks
Research Leader

Voice: 215-233-6580/6579
Fax:  215-233-6406
e-mail:  khicks@errc.ars.usda.gov

Secretarial Staff:

Jacqueline F. Kenny
Voice:  215-233-6580
e-mail:  jkenny@errc.ars.usda.gov

Topics of Research

Aqueous Enzymatic Extraction of Corn Oil and Value-Added Products from Corn Germ Produced in New Generation Dry-Grind Ethanol Processes
Robert Moreau, Lead Scientist

Economic Competitiveness of Renewable Fuels Derived from Grains and Related Biomass
Kevin Hicks, Lead Scientist

Enzyme-Based Technologies for Milling Grains and Producing Biobased Products and Fuels
David Johnston, Lead Scientist

Valuable Polysaccharide-Based Products from Sugar Beet Pulp and Citrus Peel
Marshall Fishman, Lead Scientist

Engineering Scale-Up, Process and Economics
Research Support Group

K.Hicks, Lead Scientist

  • Pilot Plants
  • Mechanical Equipment Design
  • Process and Cost Analysis
  Multi-disciplinary research is conducted to develop fundamental knowledge and novel processes for the conversion of agricultural crops and their processing byproducts into value-added food, fuel, and non-food biobased products. Enzymatic, chemical, physical, fermentation and other environmentally sustainable processes are developed to convert surplus crops into value-added functional food ingredients, industrial gums, biodegradable materials, renewable fuels and health-promoting nutraceuticals. The Unit has the Agency's only process engineering unit with the facilities and expertise to do pilot plant research involving basic theoretical investigations, process development, scale-up, simulation and economic feasibility studies. Processes are developed at the bench and pilot scale to make the technology directly transferable to a broad range of end-users and bridging the gap between laboratory and industry. The Unit conducts research with true multi-disciplinary teams made up of Chemists, Food Technologists, Plant Physiologists, and Chemical, Mechanical, Biochemical, Cost, and Food Engineers. To facilitate technology transfer, CRADA's and other research agreements are developed with industry and trade association partners.
 

Updated: September 12, 2005