Twitter headlinesCellulosic ethanol
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
JBEI Researchers Develop Dynamic Visualization Technique to Assess Performance of Ionic Liquid Pretreatments of Biomass
July 11, 2009
| Fluorescence images of a stem of switchgrass treated with EmimAc ionic liquid showing the section (a) before treatment (b) 20 minutes after treatment (c) 50 minutes after treatment and (d) two hours after treatment when the organized plant cell wall structure has been completely broken down. Source: JBEI. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a US Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center led by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a technique, based on the natural auto-fluorescence of plant cell walls, that enables researchers for the first time to visualize dynamically solubilization during an ionic liquid pretreatment of a biomass sample (pristine switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, in the study).
Cellulosic biomass must be pretreated prior to adding enzymes for saccharification of cellulose or hemicelluloses to release sugars for processing into fuel as yields are too low otherwise to be economically competitive. The use of ionic liquids—salts that are liquids rather than crystals at room temperature—to dissolve lignocellulose and later help hydrolyze the resulting liquor into sugars for processing into biofuels, shows promise as a pre-treatment method (e.g., earlier post).
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Researchers Demonstrate Potential for Co-Production of Hydrogen from Cellulosic Ethanol Byproducts Via Gasification in Supercritical Water
June 20, 2009
| Concept for hydrogen gas coproduction from cellulosic ethanol byproduct streams. Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Oregon State University have demonstrated the gasification of water-soluble biomass constituents in supercritical water in a microchannel reactor under isothermal, continuous flow condition at short residence times to produce a hydrogen-rich gas. This could potentially lead to a process for the co-production of hydrogen with certain cellulosic ethanol systems.
A paper on their work, which, according to the authors, is the also the first reported study on the gasification of xylose by supercritical water, was published online 19 June in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Ceres National Switchgrass Field Trials Show Average 2008 Biomass Yields 50% Higher Than Federal Projected Yields for 2022
May 20, 2009
Yield results from energy crop company Ceres, Inc.’s nation-wide network of field trials showed that average biomass yields among switchgrass seed varieties tested last season were as much as 50% higher than the government’s projected yields for 2022.
Proprietary varieties sold under the company’s Blade Energy Crops brand were consistently the highest yielding varieties across multiple trial locations, with average yields reaching nearly 10 tons.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Mascoma Achieves Set of Research Advances with Cellulosic Biofuels; Proof of Concept for Consolidated Bioprocessing
May 08, 2009
Mascoma Corporation has made major research advances in consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP, a low-cost processing strategy for production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass. (Earlier post.) Presented by Mascoma Chief Technology Officer Dr. Mike Ladisch at the 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals in San Francisco, the advances, which provide proof of concept for CBP, include developments with both thermophilic bacteria to produce ethanol and recombinant cellulolytic yeasts to break down the cellulose.
CBP avoids the need for the costly production of cellulase enzymes by using engineered microorganisms that produce cellulases and ethanol at high yield in a single step. Pre-treatment opens up the structure of the biomass by disrupting the lignin seal and exposing cellulosic plant cell wall components. This gives the CBP microorganisms—which generate the enzymes to hydrolyze cellulose into fermentable sugars and also ferment the sugars to ethanol—access to the cellulosic constituents.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
President Obama Establishes Biofuels Interagency Working Group; Push on Biofuel Development/Commercialization and Flex-Fuel Vehicle Use
May 05, 2009
US President Barack Obama has established a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to further the research, development and commercialization of biofuels.
The announcement came in conjunction with the EPA’s release of its notice of proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuel Standard (earlier post), and the Department of Energy’s announcement of $787.5 million in funding to be awarded to advanced biofuels research and commercialization projects (earlier post).
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals; Some New Approaches for Producing Butanol
May 04, 2009
The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, a special conference of the Society for Industrial Microbiology, began yesterday in San Francisco with its largest group of conferees yet—approximately 850.
The academic conference, hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), runs through Wednesday and features a large technical program, comprising fourteen dual sessions for the presentation of papers and approximately 400 posters. Technical topics range from plant, enzyme and microbial science and technology to biomass pretreatment to biorefinery deployment and sustainability issues. A great deal of the focus of the event is on optimizing different aspects of cellulosic ethanol production.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Ceres and University of Georgia Researchers Focus on High-Yielding Switchgrass for Southeast US
April 13, 2009
Energy crop company Ceres, Inc., will work with University of Georgia researchers to develop new high-yielding switchgrass seed varieties and improved crop management techniques for the southeastern United States. Switchgrass, which can reach yields of 6 to 10 dry tons or more in the Southeast, is being widely considered as a raw material for next-generation biofuels and biopower.
The multi-year project will bring together plant breeders, agronomists and support scientists at Ceres and the University of Georgia to develop improved seed varieties.
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Analysis of Superfamily of Plant Genes Yielding Insights to Assist in Optimizing Plants for Biofuel Production
April 12, 2009
By studying a superfamily of genes in Populus and Arabidopsis, scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory are gaining insights that may assist in engineering plants to be more tractable for biofuel production. The study, published online 3 April in the journal Plant Molecular Biology, also lays a foundation for understanding these genes’ evolutionary and structural properties and for a broader exploration of their roles in plant life.
The team, led by Dr. Chang-Jun Liu, is studying the large specific protein superfamily BAHD, which comprises plant acyl-CoA dependent acyltransferases. Acyl groups attached to cell-wall fibers can act as barriers to hinder the conversion of plant biofibers to sugar. Acyl groups can also form cross-linked networks that make cell walls extra strong.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
SCOPE Biofuels Project Releases Assessment on Environmental Effects of Biofuel Technologies
April 03, 2009
The SCOPE (Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment) International Biofuels Project, has published the full proceedings of its Rapid Assessment workshop on the environmental effects of biofuel technologies, 22-25 September 2008. SCOPE is part of the International Council for Science.
While noting that most recent studies based on lifecycle analysis show that even first generation biofuels can result in “a substantial reduction” in net greenhouse gas emissions (80% to greater than 100% for sugarcane ethanol, 30% to 50% for corn ethanol), papers in the study express concerns over what they contend are potentially undercalculated N2O greenhouse gas effects; the exacerbation of hypoxia from run-off; the need for inclusion of indirect land use effects in greenhouse gas assessments; water use and quality; and other environmental and social effects.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Caltech Researchers Create Group of Synthetic, Thermostable Enzymes for Cellulosic Biofuel Production
March 24, 2009
| Portions of three natural fungal cellulase enzymes that have been recombined to produce a synthetic, thermostable cellulase are denoted by blue, green and red coloring. The recombined cellulase enzyme modeled here functions at higher temperatures than any of the three parents. Source: Caltech. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) led by Frances H. Arnold, the Dick and Barbara Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry at Caltech, and gene-synthesis company DNA2.0 have developed a new group of 15 highly stable fungal enzyme catalysts that efficiently break down cellulose into sugars at high temperatures for conversion into a variety of renewable fuels and chemicals.
Previously, fewer than 10 such fungal cellobiohydrolase II (CBH II) enzymes were known. In addition to their remarkable stabilities, Arnold’s enzymes degrade cellulose over a wide range of conditions. A paper on the work was published 23 March in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
New JBEI Methodology Speeds Search for Cellulosic Biofuel Microbes
March 20, 2009
A new analytical technique developed by researchers at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) promises to speed up greatly the search for microbes that can ferment complex cellulosic sugars under the harsh conditions of biofuels production, such as high temperature, and do not become inhibited by the fuel being produced.
One potential candidate—Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius—has already emerged and JBEI researchers have made important determinations about its metabolism via the novel experimental route.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
DOE to Award Up to $15M for High-Tonnage Supply Systems for Biomass Feedstocks for Cellulosic Biofuels
March 19, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award up to $15 million to stimulate the design and demonstration of a comprehensive system to handle the harvesting, collection, preprocessing, transport and storage of sufficient volumes of high-impact feedstocks required to achieve the rapid expansion of the commercial domestic cellulosic biofuels industry.
For the purposes of awards under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0000060), high-impact feedstocks must have the ultimate sustainable potential of providing at least 100 million dry metric tonnes per year.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Shell and Codexis Expand Collaboration to Hasten Commercialization of Iogen Cellulosic Ethanol Process; Work on Biohydrocarbons Continues
March 10, 2009
Royal Dutch Shell plc and Codexis, Inc. have expanded their collaboration to develop better biocatalysts that could accelerate commercialization of next-generation biofuels. Shell also increased its equity stake in Codexis and will take an additional seat on the company’s board.
As part of the agreement, Codexis will work closely with Shell and Iogen Energy Corporation to enhance the efficiency of biocatalysts used in the Iogen cellulosic ethanol production process. The Iogen demonstration plant in Ottawa, Canada currently produces hundreds of thousands of liters of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residue, such as wheat straw. In 2008, Shell increased its stake in Iogen to 50%. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds Integrated Biorefinery Processes Could Be Highly Competitive With Petroleum Fuels on Efficiency and Costs, While Offering Substantial Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
March 08, 2009
 |
| Processing efficiencies for biorefinery scenarios (energy out as percent of feedstock lower heating value). Laser et al. (2009) Click to enlarge. |
Biomass refining technologies integrating biological and thermochemical processing to produce biofuels and/or power could offer similar, if not lower, efficiencies and costs and very large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum-derived fuel, according to a comparative analysis of 14 mature technology biomass refining scenarios.
The paper results from the “The Role of Biomass in America’s Energy Future (RBAEF)” project and is published in a special issue of the journal Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining which presents a collection of papers with technology-oriented analysis resulting from the RBAEF project.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
EU Awards €1.6M Contract to Novozymes to Support Development of Cellulosic Ethanol from Sugarcane Bagasse
March 02, 2009
The European Commission is supporting a Novozymes project to convert sugarcane by-products into bioethanol with a €1.6 million (US$2 million), 2-year contract. Sugarcane is already used to make bioethanol in Brazil, but the residue material from the crushed sugarcane (bagasse) has so far only been used for generating steam for heating or distillation internally in the sugar production.
In connection with this project (earlier post), Novozymes is establishing a research unit in Curitiba, Brazil, supported by research colleagues in both the US and Denmark. Novozymes has been working to develop enzymes to convert agricultural by-products into bioethanol since 2001. The research effort is the largest in Novozymes’ history, with about 150 employees working towards the conversion of biomass to ethanol on different projects throughout the world.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Study Concludes That Large-Scale Transport of Ethanol Could Negate Its Economic and Environmental Benefits Compared to Gasoline
February 26, 2009
 |
| Emissions from ethanol transport in the CMU study applied to ethanol life cycle emissions from other studies. Emissions from transport are recalculated using the CMU results. Click to enlarge. |
A new study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) concludes that the emissions associated with the transport of ethanol could negate its potential economic and environmental benefits compared to gasoline. Emissions from ethanol transport estimated in the new work are up to two times those for ethanol transport in previous life cycle analysis studies.
To reduce economic and environmental costs, the CMU team recommends regional concentration of E85 blends for future ethanol production and use. An open-access paper on the study was appeared online 25 February in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.
More... | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Honda to Build New Cellulosic Ethanol R&D Facility to Accelerate Commercialization
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will build a new research facility to work toward the establishment and practical application of bioethanol production technology from non-edible cellulosic material such as the stems and leaves of plants.
Honda is continuing its collaborative research on bioethanol production technology with RITE (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth) which began in 2006 (earlier post). Honda has been conducting research on the bio-ethanol conversion process using an experimental plant built within the Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Fundamental Technology Research Center (Wako, Saitama) since April 2007.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Study Concludes That an Aggressive Global Cellulosic Biofuels Program Could Have Unintended Consequences
February 24, 2009
 |
| Carbon balance associated with all land use change and that directly associated with biofuels over the period 2000-2050 as simulated by the deforestation (a) and intensification (b) scenarios. Melillo et al. (2009) Click to enlarge. |
An aggressive global cellulosic biofuels program could contribute substantially to future global-scale energy needs, but could have significant unintended environmental consequences, according to a recent report by the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.
Using simulation modeling, the researchers explored two scenarios for cellulosic biofuels production: the clearing of large swathes of natural forest, or the intensification of agricultural operations worldwide. The greenhouse gas implications of land-use conversion differ substantially between the two scenarios, but in both, numerous biodiversity hotspots suffer from serious habitat loss, the study found.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Genetically Modified Yeast Can Ferment 5-carbon Sugars from Biomass to Ethanol
February 20, 2009
Professor Eckhard Boles at the Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany and his colleagues have genetically modified the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to express a newly identified enzyme to enable the fermentation of xylose (a 5-carbon sugar) as well 6-carbon sugars (e.g., glucose). A paper on their work appeared online 13 February in the journal Applied Environmental Microbiology.
Cellulosic biomass, when treated, releases a mixture of hexose (6-carbon) and pentose (5-carbon) sugars, including glucose, galactose, mannose, D-xylose and L-arabinose. S. cerevisiae, the standard industrial yeast, offer fast sugar consumption, high yields and ethanol tolerance&mash;but is unable to ferment pentose sugars.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
BP and Verenium Form Cellulosic Ethanol Venture to Deliver Advanced Biofuels
February 18, 2009
BP and Verenium Corporation have formed a 50-50 joint venture to develop and commercialize cellulosic ethanol from non-food feedstocks such as energy cane and energy grasses. The joint venture company will act as the commercial entity for the deployment of cellulosic ethanol technology being developed and proven under the first phase of the BP-Verenium partnership, announced last August. (Earlier post.)
Together the companies have agreed to commit $45 million in funding and assets to the joint venture company. This collaboration is intended to progress the development of one of the nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facilities, located in Highlands County, Florida and to create future opportunities for leveraging cellulosic ethanol technologies. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Sandia Labs/GM Biofuels Systems Study Concludes Large-Scale Production of Advanced Biofuels is Achievable and Sustainable
February 10, 2009
 |
| Among the study’s findings is that the capex required for developing 60 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol is equivalent to or less than that required for new long-term petroleum production. Source: Sandia. Click to enlarge. |
A joint biofuels systems analysis project conducted over nine months last year by Sandia National Laboratories and GM’s R&D Center concluded that the large-scale production of advanced biofuels produced from plant and forestry waste and dedicated energy crops in volumes well beyond the level required by the Renewable Fuel Standard is achievable and sustainable by 2030.
The study, said Robert Carling, Director, Transportation Energy Center at Sandia, represents the first true value-chain approach to assessing the feasibility, implications, limitations, and enablers of large-scale production of biofuels in the United States.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (2)
Genetic Analysis of Brown Rot Fungus Reveals Unique Enzyme Systems for Breaking Down Cellulose; Possible Application for More Efficient Cellulosic Biofuels Processes
February 05, 2009
|
| Scanning electron micrograph showing the thread-like fungus ramifying through wood cells. Photo: Tom Kuster (FPL). Click to enlarge. |
An international team led by scientists from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) has analyzed the genome, transcriptome, and secretome of Postia placenta, a brown rot fungus, and found unique extracellular enzyme systems, including an unusual repertoire of extracellular glycoside hydrolases.
P. placenta rapidly deconstructs the cellulose in wood, but does so using different mechanisms than used by cellulolytic microbes; the genes encoding exocellobiohydrolases and cellulose-binding domains, which are typical of cellulolytic microbes, are absent in Postia. The research, conducted by more than 50 authors, is reported in the 4 February online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
University of Minnesota Study Finds Cellulosic Ethanol Carries Lower Human Health Economic Costs Than Gasoline or Corn Ethanol
February 03, 2009
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota finds that cellulosic ethanol has fewer negative effects on human health because it emits smaller amounts of fine particulate matter. Other earlier work has shown that cellulosic ethanol and other next-generation biofuels also emit lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The study will be published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in February and will be posted online this week.
The study is the first to estimate the economic costs to human health and well-being from gasoline, corn-based ethanol and cellulosic ethanol made from biomass. The authors found that depending on the materials and technology used in production, cellulosic ethanol’s environmental and health costs are less than half the costs of gasoline, while corn-based ethanol’s costs range from roughly equal to about double that of gasoline.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Novozymes, COFCO and Sinopec to Partner on Cellulosic Ethanol from Corn Stover in China
February 02, 2009
Novozymes and its Chinese partner COFCO have entered a new partnership with major Chinese oil and energy company Sinopec to develop a commercial-scale process for producing cellulosic bioethanol from corn stover.
Together, the three partners cover the entire value chain of bioethanol production and distribution.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Scientists Publish Complete Genetic Blueprint of Sorghum
January 29, 2009
Scientists at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and several partner institutions have published the sequence and analysis of the complete genome of sorghum, a major food and fodder plant with high potential as a bioenergy crop. The genome data will aid scientists in optimizing sorghum and other crops not only for food and fodder use, but also for biofuels production. The comparative analysis of the sorghum genome appears in the 29 January edition of the journal Nature.
Prized for its drought resistance and high productivity, sorghum is currently the second most prevalent biofuels crop in the United States, behind corn. Grain sorghum produces the same amount of ethanol per bushel as corn while utilizing one-third less water.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
UK Launches £27M Bioenergy Research Center
January 28, 2009
 |
| The Gribble, a marine wood borer with efficient gut enzymes for breaking down woody material, is the focus of one of the research hubs in the new Bioenergy Center. Source: BBSRC. Click to enlarge. |
The UK&rsauo;s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched the £27-million (US$38.5 million) BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre, marking the biggest yet single UK public investment in bioenergy research.
The BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre is focussed on six research hubs of academic and industrial partners, based at each of the Universities of Cambridge, Dundee and York and Rothamsted Research and two at the University of Nottingham. Another 7 universities and institutes are involved and 15 industrial partners across the hubs are contributing around £7 million of the funding.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
USDA to Advance Development of Advanced Biofuels and Other Renewables; Provide Support for Struggling Corn-Ethanol Industry
January 26, 2009
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will advance R&D and pursue opportunities to support the development of advanced biofuels, wind power, and other renewable energy sources, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack was discussing his priorities as Secretary of Agriculture during a teleconference call with the media.
Vilsack said that the USDA needs to make sure that the existing biofuels industry has the necessary support to survive the current challenging market. For example, the USDA will research, develop and promote best practices to improve the efficiency of corn ethanol plants, Vilsack said. USDA also will promote policies to accelerate the development of next-generation biofuels.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
AFEX Pre-treatment Process Can Reduce Cost of Cellulosic Ethanol
January 21, 2009
 |
| The AFEX process. Click to enlarge. |
A patented pre-treatment process developed by Michigan State University professor Bruce Dale can reduce the cost of fermenting cellulosic biomass to ethanol by reducing pre-treatment processing steps and eliminating the need to add additional nutrients to support fermentation. A paper on the work is published in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The AFEX (ammonia fiber expansion) pretreatment process uses ammonia to make the breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose in plants 75% more efficient than when conventional enzymes alone are used. Cellulose in plants must be broken down into fermentable sugars before they can be turned into biofuel.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
USDA Awards $80M Loan Guarantee to Range Fuels; First Loan Guarantee to a Commercial-Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
January 19, 2009
 |
| Overview of the Range Fuels two-step process. Source: Range Fuels. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Range Fuels, Inc. a conditional commitment for an $80 million loan guarantee to assist construction of Range Fuels’ commercial cellulosic ethanol plant near Soperton, Georgia, the first phase of which is under construction and on track to begin production in 2010.
This is the first loan guarantee to a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. The $80 million loan comes from the Section 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides loan guarantees for commercial-scale biorefineries and grants for demonstration-scale biorefineries that produce advanced biofuels—defined as fuels that are not produced from food sources.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Protéus and Syngenta to Collaborate to Develop Enzymes for Cellulosic Biofuel Production
January 16, 2009
 |
| Directed evolution through gene shuffling. Source: Protéus. Click to enlarge. |
Protéus, a France-based biotechnology company, will collaborate with global agribusiness company Syngenta on the development of novel high-performance enzymes for cellulosic biofuel production.
Both diversity screening and directed evolution methods will be used for the discovery and the optimization of such targeted enzymes for the conversion of biomass into biofuels. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Verenium Announces First Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol Project; 36M Gallons per Year
January 15, 2009
 |
| Overview of the Verenium production process. Source: Verenium. Click to enlarge. |
Verenium Corporation will build its first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Highlands County, Florida. The Company has entered into long-term agreements with Lykes Bros. Inc., a multi-generation Florida agri-business to provide the agricultural biomass for conversion to fuel. Verenium also announced that the Highlands Ethanol project has been awarded a $7 million grant as part of Florida“s “Farm to Fuel” initiative.
Verenium’s planned commercial facility will be the first in the State of Florida to use next-generation cellulosic ethanol technology to convert renewable grasses to fuel, rather than processing food crops. The plant will be constructed on fallow land, and is expected to produce up to 36 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
BioGasol Boosts Cellulosic Ethanol Yield by 7.5%
January 09, 2009
BioGasol, a spin-off from Danish Technical University (DTU) in Lyngby, Denmark (earlier post), has improved the C5 sugar processing capability of the thermophilic anaerobic bacterium used in its cellulosic ethanol production process, thereby increasing the ethanol yield by 7.5%.
The BioGasol process focuses on the full consumption of available carbohydrates in the biomass feedstock to produce a range of products and thus make the entire process much more cost-effective. The primary product is cellulosic bioethanol, but the process also delivers bio-methane via anaerobic digestion and hydrogen (from xylose fermentation) as well as other valuable by-products from the parts of biomass not suitable for ethanol production.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
ZeaChem Raises $34M for Indirect Ethanol Process Biorefinery
January 08, 2009
 |
| Elements of the ZeaChem process. Click to enlarge. |
ZeaChem Inc., the developer of an indirect process for the production of cellulosic ethanol, raised $34 million in initial Series B financing. The funding round was co-led by venture capital investors Globespan Capital Partners and PrairieGold Venture Partners with follow-on investment by MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures, Firelake Capital and Valero Energy Corporation, the largest petroleum refiner in the United States.
ZeaChem’s process combines the outputs of two traditional ethanol production pathways (fermentation of sugars and gasification of biomass) into a third catalytically-driven step—hydrogenation—to produce ethanol. (Earlier post.) Zeachem now says that it can produce 40% more ethanol per ton of biomass over any known competitor. The company will use the new funds to build its first cellulosic biorefinery this year.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Researchers Modifying Poplar Tree Lignin Structure to Facilitate Processing for Cellulosic Biofuels
December 23, 2008
Researchers at Penn State University are modifying the structure of lignin—a polymer that is a major component of woody plant material—in poplar trees to facilitate its degradation for the subsequent processing of the woody biomass into liquid fuels. Lignin is woven in with cellulose and provides plants with the strength to withstand strong gusts of wind and microbial attack. However, this protective barrier also limits hydrolytic enzyme access to the cellulose and hemicellulose.
Researchers have previously tried to get around the problem by methods including treatment with lignin-degrading fungi and genetically decreasing the lignin content in plants. The first is at an early stage of development, and the second can lead to a variety of problems such as limp plants unable to stay upright, and plants more susceptible to pests.
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Swedish Research Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize Cellulosic Ethanol Process
November 24, 2008
Researchers at Lund, Sweden-based Taurus Energy, Swedish ethanol company SEKAB, Chalmers Technical University and Lund University (Lunds Tekniska Högskola, LTH) have signed an agreement on development and large scale implementation of an improved process for production of ethanol from lignocellulose feedstocks. The development is based on Taurus’ yeast technology for fermentation of both six- (hexose) and five-carbon (pentose) sugars.
The cooperation is to verify that Taurus’ pentose technology, a field in which the company already has several patents and patent applications, works in an industrial environment.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
US Sugar to Explore Building 100M Gallon Coskata Cellulosic Ethanol Facility Using Sugar Cane Waste
November 17, 2008
US Sugar Corp. has entered into an agreement with Coskata, Inc to explore building a 100-million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol facility in Clewiston, Florida. The facility, which would be the world’s largest second-generation ethanol facility, would convert left-over sugar cane material into ethanol.
Coskata uses a thermo-biochemical process—it gasifies biomass feedstock or waste to syngas, which is then fermented by microbes to ethanol. (Earlier post.) Using proprietary microorganisms and bioreactor designs, Coskata says that it can produce ethanol for less than US$1.00 per gallon (manufacturing cost) almost anywhere in the world.
More... | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
Oklahoma EPSCoR Receives $20.5M for Cellulosic Biofuels Research
The Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) has received $15 million in new funding over five years from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) for cellulosic biofuels research. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will provide an annual $1.1 million match, for a total of 20.5 million.
The NSF award is to support a multi-institutional collaborative project that includes researchers from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
DOE Awards $1.75M for Hydrogen and Ethanol from Cellulosic Biomass Project
November 13, 2008
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded University of Rochester Professor David Wu a $1.75 million grant to investigate a way to turn waste biomass, such as grass clippings, cornstalks, and wood chips, into usable hydrogen or ethanol.
Wu has been studying Clostridium thermocellum—an anaerobic, thermophilic, cellulolytic, and ethanologenic bacterium. (Earlier post.) Coupled with its preference to grow at high temperature, the microorganism promises distinct advantages as a candidate for developing industrial hydrogen and ethanol production processes from cellulosic biomass.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
GM and Coskata Highlight Cellulosic Biofuels Opportunity in China; Estimates of 45-49 BGPY Market by 2030
October 25, 2008
 |
| China biofuel potential: technical, economic and business-as-usual scenarios. Click to enlarge. Source: GM, Tsinghua University |
China has the potential to produce about 45-49 billion gallons per year (BGPY) of cellulosic biofuels by 2030, given appropriate supporting economic incentives, according to presentations by both General Motors and Coskata at the 4th World Biofuels Symposium at Tsinghua University in Beijing, 19 - 21 October, 2008, organized by BBI International and with COFCO as the title sponsor.
Coskata, a thermo-biochemical cellulosic ethanol company (and a strategic partner of GM, earlier post) based a 49 MGPY estimate on data from the USDA, UN FAO and its own production experience, said Wes Bolsen, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Business Development. The 49 billion gallon number does not include landfill gas, municipal waste, steel mill gas, or any coal gasification that could add billions more, Bolsen added.
More... | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
Lignol and Suncor Sign Cellulosic Ethanol Project Development Agreement; Negotiating a JV
October 23, 2008
Canada-based companies Lignol Energy Corporation (LEC) and Suncor Energy Products Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suncor Energy Inc., are extending their earlier announced collaboration on a US Department of Energy (DOE)-funded commercial demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility (earlier post) with a new cellulosic ethanol project development agreement.
Suncor will assist Lignol with certain preliminary development work for the commercial demonstration facility to be located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The two will also negotiate a comprehensive joint venture arrangement to progress the development of Lignol’s technology from the pilot plant stage to the commercial demonstration plant stage through to the ultimate commercial deployment of the technology.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
DuPont-Danisco JV Breaks Ground for Biofuels Facility; Corn Residue and Switchgrass for Feedstock
October 15, 2008
The DuPont-Danisco cellulosic ethanol joint venture (earlier post), DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC (DDCE), has broken ground for its first pilot-scale biorefinery and state-of-the-art biofuels research and development facility in Vonore, Tenn.
The joint venture has partnered with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, through Genera Energy LLC, to develop the pilot facility and the agronomic supply chain for switchgrass in Tennessee. The facility design will incorporate the flexibility to operate on two different non-food biomass feedstocks—corn stover, cobs and fiber; and switchgrass—for production into ethanol. It is expected to be operational in 2009.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
GM Developing Global Advanced Biofuels Program
October 13, 2008
|
| A portion of the current biofuels component of GM’s roadmap to improved energy diversity and reduced emissions. Click to enlarge. |
GM has been steadily building a global advanced biofuels program as one element of its efforts to reduce the use of petroleum and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
The company’s approach goes beyond simply trying to generate support for flex-fuel vehicles (“Live Green, Go Yellow”, earlier post) and fostering an E85 refueling infrastructure in the US. The more aggressive focus on advanced biofuels has resulted in its investment in two emergent lignocellulosic ethanol companies—Coskata (earlier post) and Mascoma (earlier post)—as well as the establishment of a collaborative bioenergy research center based at Tsinghua University in China as part of its larger Global Energy System Center work.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
BP: Biofuels Could Potentially Account for up to 30% of Global Transportation Fuel by 2030
October 09, 2008
Based on announced targets and pending regulations, BP’s assessment is that biofuels could account for between 11 and 19% of the transport fuel market by 2030. The company also thinks there is a possibility, if the industry can address some of the land, feedstock and technology issues that exist today, for up to 30% biofuels penetration into transportation by 2030, according to Susan Ellerbusch, VP Global Biofuels for BP.
Delivering that aggressive quantity of more than 600 billion liters (158.5 billion gallons US) of biofuels by 2030 would require progress particularly in the area of cellulosic biofuels, Ellerbusch said in a talk at Platts 3rd Annual Cellulosic Ethanol and Biofuels conference in Chicago (9-10 October).
More... | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
New Life Cycle Study Concludes That Biomass for Ethanol Is Not the Most Advantageous Energy and Emissions Use of the Feedstock
October 08, 2008
A new life cycle study assessing the benefit of cellulosic ethanol in the context of projected feedstock constraints concludes that in terms of reducing greenhouse emissions and fossil fuel dependency, more is lost than gained when prioritizing biomass or land for bioethanol, rather than for use in technology pathways involving heat and power production and/or biogas, or natural gas and electricity for transport. The study was published online in the journal Environmental Science & Technology on 4 October.
The study by researchers in Denmark begins with the conclusion that toward 2030, the amount of biomass which can become available for bioethanol or other energy uses will be physically and economically constrained, regardless of whether of global or a European perspective is applied. This implies that the use of biomass or land for bioethanol production will most likely happen at the expense of alternative uses.
More... | Comments (79) | TrackBack (0)
DOE Awards Novozymes $12.3M to Increase Efficiency of Enzymes for Cellulosic Ethanol Production 2x
 |
| Novozymes is seeking to decrease the dosage of enzymes required for the hydrolysis stage of cellulosic ethanol production. Click to enlarge. Credit: Novozymes |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Novozymes a $12.3 million contract to improve the enzymes necessary to produce cellulosic ethanol. Novozymes’ project DECREASE (Development of a Commercial-Ready Enzyme Application System for Ethanol) aims to improve the performance of Novozymes’ most advanced enzyme system by decreasing the dosage of enzyme required to hydrolyze biomass into fermentable sugars suitable for cellulosic ethanol production. (Earlier post.)
Under the terms of the 2.5-year contract, Novozymes has committed to increase the efficiency of the enzymes used in the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol by two-fold. In combination with internally funded research and development to reduce enzyme production costs, this work will enable Novozymes to supply new and even more cost-efficient commercial cellulases in pilot, demonstration, and commercial plants by 2012. Novozymes will match the DOE funding, bringing the total investment of the research project to $25 million.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
USDA & DOE Release National Biofuels Action Plan; UN FAO Report Calls For Review of Biofuels Policies
October 07, 2008
 |
| NBAP top-level advanced biofuels commercialization timeline. Click to enlarge. |
The US Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) released the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP), an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts of Federal agencies to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.
Separately, in a new edition of its annual publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for an urgent review of biofuel policies and subsidies to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
New Process Combines Ionic Liquids and Solid Catalysts for Mild Pre-Treatment of Biomass
September 30, 2008
 |
| Main product and byproducts from the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose. Click to enlarge. Credit: Angewandte Chemie. |
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (MPI für Kohlenforschung) at Mülheim, Germany, have combined ionic liquids and solid catalysts in a new mild pre-treatment process for cellulosic biomass.
With this process, cellulose undergoes selective depolymerization, yielding cellulose oligomers (cellooligomers) and subsequently sugars without any substantial formation of side products. Even wood, a lignocellulosic material, is hydrolyzed using this methodology.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Lignol and Weyerhaeuser to Collaborate on Commercial Development of Cellulose-based Products and Biochemicals
Lignol Energy Corporation, a cellulosic ethanol and biochemical company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Weyerhaeuser Company to explore the development of commercial applications of biochemical outputs from Lignol’s proprietary biorefining technology.
The parties have also agreed to evaluate the development of a commercial-scale Lignol biorefinery plant at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site. The MOU excludes applications for transportation fuel. The initial scope of the MOU involves the testing of certain biomass feedstocks within Lignol’s facilities, including the company’s integrated industrial-scale biorefinery pilot plant located in Burnaby, British Columbia.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Edenspace Systems Licenses MSU Technology for Endoplant Enzymes to Optimize Cellulosic Ethanol Production
September 12, 2008
Edenspace Systems Corp., a Kansas plant biotechnology company that develops new crops for biofuels and environmental cleanup, has licensed Michigan State University (MSU) technology that modifies the corn genome to express enzymes (endoplant, or “in-plant” enzymes) within the corn biomass needed to convert cellulose into fermentable sugar. (Earlier post.)
The transgenic corn plants produce these enzymes only in their leaves and stalk, and store them in sub-cellular compartments (the vacuoles).
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Euro Parliament Maintains Target of 10% Renewables in Road Transport Fuel by 2020; 40% of That From Non-Food Biofuels, Electricity or H2
September 11, 2008
The European Parliament’s Industry Committee has approved a co-decision report that maintains a 10% renewables component in transportation fuels by 2020, but specifies that at least 40% of this overall share must be met by non-food second-generation biofuels, electricity or hydrogen.
The decision came in the context of growing pressure to reduce the biofuels obligation given concerns of rising food prices and sustainability.
More... | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Researchers Engineer Thermophilic Bacterium to Produce Ethanol at High Yield
September 09, 2008
A team of researchers from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering and Mascoma Corporation in Lebanon, N.H., have genetically engineered Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum, a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium that ferments xylan and biomass-derived sugars, to produce ethanol at high yield as its only fermentation product. A paper on their work was published online during the week of 8 September in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
The knockout of genes involved in organic acid formation (acetate kinase, phosphate acetyltransferase, and L-lactate dehydrogenase) resulted in an engineered strain (ALK2) able to produce ethanol as the only detectable organic product and substantial changes in electron flow relative to the wild type.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
New Solid Catalyst for Hydrolysis of Cellulose Performs as Well as Sulfuric Acid
September 08, 2008
Researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a solid carbon-based catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose, with performance comparable to that of sulfuric acid, but with lower environmental and financial costs. A paper on their work was published online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on 29 August.
Converting cellulose to sugars (saccharides) is a critical step in most processes for the production of cellulosic ethanol via fermentation. A variety of approaches have been developed to hydrolyze cellulose to saccharides, including catalysis using mineral acids, enzyme-driven reactions, the use of supercritical water, and solid catalysts for hydrogenolysis. The Tokyo Tech team, lead by Professor Michikazu Hara, notes that sulfuric acid catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulose has received considerable attention and has been implemented on relatively large scales.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Lignol Confirms Site for its Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant
August 27, 2008
 |
| Lignol’s biorefinery technology. Click to enlarge. |
Lignol Innovations Inc., the US subsidiary of Canada-based Lignol Energy Corp., will build its cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in Grand Junction, Colorado—an approved change from the originally proposed site adjacent to Suncor Energy (USA) Inc.’s refinery in Commerce City, Colorado.
In January 2008, the DOE approved Lignol’s funding application for a proposed cellulosic ethanol plant, including up to US$30 million in funding to construct the facility. Lignol continues to negotiate the final details of the DOE funding agreement and related party agreements. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
ADM, Deere, Monsanto to Collaborate on Corn Stover Research
August 26, 2008
 |
| Current availability of biomass from croplands, under current crop yields, tillage practices and average 40% recovery potential. About one-fifth of this 194 million dry/tons per year is currently used. Click to enlarge. Source: DOE, USDA (2005) |
Archer Daniels Midland Company, Deere &Company and Monsanto Company will collaborate on research to explore technologies and processes to turn crop residues into feed and bioenergy products.
The companies will work together to identify environmentally and economically sustainable methods for the harvest, storage and transport of corn stover—the stalks, leaves and cobs of corn plants. Corn stover can be used in feed for animals, as biomass to generate steam and electricity or as a cellulosic feedstock for biofuel production.
More... | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
MSU to Create Genomic Clearinghouse for Cellulosic Ethanol Energy Crops
August 14, 2008
Michigan State University (MSU) scientists, supported with a $540,000 Federal grant, are creating a Web-based genomic database of information on energy crops that can be used to make cellulosic ethanol. Genomic databases contain information on the molecular biology and genetics of a particular species.
C. Robin Buell, associate professor of plant biology and project leader and Kevin Childs, a postdoctoral researcher in her lab, will use the joint grant from the US Departments of Agriculture and Energy (USDA and DOE) to centralize the genomic databases, create uniform annotations (notes or descriptions of the genomes), provide data-mining and search tools, and provide a Web site for scientists from around the world to access the databases. They also will regularly update the information.
More... | Comments (11) | TrackBack (1)
BP and Verenium Form Strategic Alliance on Cellulosic Ethanol
August 06, 2008
BP and Verenium Corporation have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. The partnership combines a broad technology platform and operational capabilities in an effort to advance the development of a portfolio of low-cost, environmentally-sound cellulosic ethanol production facilities in the United States, and potentially throughout the world.
Under the initial phase of the strategic alliance, Verenium is to receive $90 million in total funding from BP over the next 18 months for rights to current and future technology held within the partnership.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Ceres Readying First Optimized Seeds for Bioenergy Crops; Yield is the Goal
August 03, 2008
 |
| Ceres is readying a number of different switchgrass varieties for Spring 2009 sowing, optimized for different regions in the US. Click to enlarge. |
Ceres, Inc. is preparing to introduce its first commercial offering of energy crop seeds this fall under the trade name Blade to be ready for Spring 2009 sowing. The seeds—including variants of high-biomass sorghum, sweet-sorghum and switchgrass—are optimized for different growing zones, or agroecoregions. Other energy crops in the Ceres pipeline include: miscanthus, energycane and short-rotation woody species.
Ceres is focused on using its biotechnology to maximize yield. The region-appropriate Ceres switchgrass cultivar would deliver about twice the biomass of the switchgrass cultivar (Cave Rock) used in large-scale University of Illinois field trials, according to Ceres CEO Richard Hamilton. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)
New Enzymatic Hydrolysis Technology Boosts Cellulosic Ethanol Yield More than 50% from Fermentation
August 01, 2008
Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) have developed a new enzymatic hydrolysis technology for cellulosic biomass such as Bermudagrass, switchgrass, Napiergrass and yard waste that can deliver an increase in ethanol yield from fermentation of more than 50%.
The technology comprises a mild, acid-free pretreatment method; an enzymatic digestion process; and a suitable novel pretreatment reactor for the highly-efficient extraction of simple sugars from readily available cellulosic biomass. This is an effective, gentle (low pressures and temperatures) and fast (2 - 10 minutes) treatment resulting in greater enzymatic digestibility of grasses. The technology increases the post-digestion yield of simple sugars available for fermentation by as much as 10-fold compared with samples that did not undergo pretreatment.
More... | Comments (42) | TrackBack (0)
Large Field Trial Shows Miscanthus Could Meet US Biofuels Goals With Less Land
July 31, 2008
|
| In field trials in Illinois, researchers grew Miscanthus x giganteus and switchgrass in adjoining plots. Click to enlarge. Credit: University of Illinois |
Researchers at the University of Illinois have concluded that the perennial grass Miscanthus×giganteus could produce enough ethanol to offset 20% of current US gasoline use, while requiring 9.3% of current agricultural acreage. By contrast, using corn or switchgrass to produce the same amount would require 25% of current US cropland.
The findings come from side-by-side trials of Miscanthus and switchgrass established for the first time along a latitudinal gradient in Illinois. The results of the trials appear this month in the journal Global Change Biology.
More... | Comments (42) | TrackBack (0)
Researchers Suggest Changes to Biofuels Incentives Rather Than Rollbacks or Moratoria
July 30, 2008
Over the last six months, the focus of the biofuel debate in Europe and the United States has shifted from emphasizing the potential contribution of biofuels to increase energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to concern about the impact on food prices, possible increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of forests and biodiversity.
A report from reserachers at Harvard Kennedy School concludes that despite growing pressure from biofuels critics, governments should avoid simplistic and precipitous changes in course such as rollback or moratoria on existing biofuels mandates or incentives. Instead, the report urges governments to initiate an orderly, “innovation-enhancing” transition towards incentives targeted on multi-dimensional goals for biofuels development.
More... | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
New Zealand Awards NZ$45.6M for Alternative- and Bio-Fuel Research; LanzaTech NZ$12M Low-Carbon Gasoline Project Leads
July 27, 2008
New Zealand’s Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) recently approved NZ$45.6 million (US$33.8M) in contracts for alternative- and bio-fuels research as part of a record NZ$785 million (US$582 million) in funding with more than two dozen research organizations in the foundation’s main 2008 investment round.
At the top of the awards for fuels contracts is a three-year, NZ$12-million (US$8.9 million) project by LanzaTech to develop a low-carbon biofuel that can be used with gasoline in blend ratios of up to 90% in older cars. LanzaTech is the developer of a process using bacterial fermentation to convert carbon monoxide into ethanol, and has backing from Khosla Ventures, among others. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
INEOS Bio to Commercialize BRI Thermochemical/Biochemical Waste-to-Ethanol Process
July 21, 2008
 |
| The INEOS Bio waste-to-ethanol process. Click to enlarge. |
INEOS, the world’s third largest chemical company, has formed INEOS Bio to commercialize and license a thermochemical and biochemical process from Bioengineering Resources, Inc. (BRI) (earlier post) for the production of biofuel, renewable power and chemical intermediates from a wide range of low-cost carbon materials.
INEOS Bio’s initial focus will be the production of commercial quantities of bioethanol fuel from biodegradable municipal solid waste (MSW), organic commercial waste and agricultural residues. INEOS Bio expects the first commercial plant will be operational in late 2010 or early 2011.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Fulcrum BioEnergy to Build First Municipal Solid Waste-to-Ethanol Plant in Nevada
July 18, 2008
Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. plans to build its first commercial-scale thermochemical plant for converting municipal solid waste (MSW) to ethanol at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Storey County, Nevada. The project is expected to cost approximately $120 million and is set to enter construction by the end of this year. When it begins operations in early 2010, the Sierra BioFuels plant is expected to produce approximately 10.5 million gallons of ethanol per year, and to process nearly 90,000 tons per year of MSW.
The plant will utilize gasification technology licensed from InEnTec (previously Integrated Environmental Technologies) and a licensed proprietary catalytic technology jointly developed by Nipawin Biomass Ethanol New Generation Co-operative Ltd. and Saskatchewan Research Council for the conversion of the resulting syngas to fuels.
More... | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
Dow and NREL Partner on Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Ethanol and Other Chemical Building Blocks
July 16, 2008
 |
| Process flow diagram with research barriers for cost-competitive thermochemical ethanol production. Click to enlarge. Source: NREL |
The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are jointly developing and evaluating a thermochemical process that will convert biomass to ethanol and other chemical building blocks.
The process will gasify non-food biomass feedstock to produce a synthesis gas, which Dow’s catalyst technology will then convert into a mixture of alcohols—predominantly ethanol—that can be used as transportation fuels or chemical building blocks. The joint evaluation program will focus on improving the mixed alcohol catalyst, as well as demonstrating pilot scale performance and the commercial relevance of an integrated facility.
More... | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
DOE to Provide up to $40 Million in Funding for Two Additional Small-Scale Biorefinery Projects
July 14, 2008
 |
| Locations of DOE major biofuels projects as of 14 July 2008. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected two additional small-scale cellulosic biorefinery projects in Park Falls, Wis. and Jennings, La. for federal funding of up to $40 million over five years.
These two biorefinery projects are the final round of selections for DOE’s competitive small-scale biorefinery solicitation. Earlier this year, DOE selected seven other projects, comparable in size and scope, to receive up to a total of $200 million. (Earlier post.)
