The development plant, DP-1, has a capacity of 20 metric tons of solids per day, is oxygen-blown and has an operating pressure of 30 bar(g). It gasifies black liquor, a by-product in the kraft process, using the Chemrec entrained-flow, high temperature technology. This technology is differentiated in that from a renewable feedstock in a single step it achieves full char conversion and produces a gas which is very low in methane and tars&mash;important characteristics of synthesis gas for production of synthetic motor fuels or chemicals.

The results achieved in DP-1 are being used in the current scale-up of the technology to full commercial size gasifier units for 500 metric tons of solids per day. The full-scale technology has in several independent evaluations been shown to provide high greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy efficiency and provide an opportunity for a substantial second generation biofuels production.

In a separate activity—the BioDME project (earlier post)—Chemrec together with partners is adding a technical demonstration plant for production of dimethyl ether (DME), to the DP-1 facility. The DME will be used in fleet trials with heavy truck by AB Volvo.

Chemrec AB is a Swedish company providing technology for black liquor gasification which when integrated in pulp mills provides the opportunity to produce large quantities of renewable motor fuels or electricity from biomass. The technology has potential to globally provide motor fuels equivalent to more than 45 billion liters/year of gasoline (11.9 billion gallons US/year). Chemrec owners are VantagePoint Venture Partners, Volvo Technology Transfer, Environmental Technologies Fund and Nykomb Synergetics.