PetroAlgae partners with CRI Catalyst to optimize conversion of biomass to renewable drop-in fuels using IH2 technology
12 July 2011
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| Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion process. Source: GTI. Click to enlarge. |
PetroAlgae Inc., a provider of licensable commercial micro-crop technology globally, has entered into an agreement with CRI Catalyst Company LP (CRI) to use Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion technology (IH2) for the conversion of PetroAlgae’s micro-crop residues into renewable fuels. CRI signed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) for the IH2 technology earlier this year. (Earlier post.)
Successful combination of the two technologies results in an integrated system that can produce drop-in cellulosic gasoline, diesel, and jet hydrocarbon fuels and/or premium blend stocks.
IH2 is an advanced pyrolysis technology which utilizes low pressure hydrogen together with a proprietary catalyst to remove virtually all of the oxygen present in the starting biomass. GTI says that renewable gasoline (RG) produced by the IH2 process results in more than 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum-based fuels.
The technology is highly flexible and is economical for both small- and large-scale applications, according to CRI.
GTI received funding support from the US Department of Energy (EERE Office of Biomass Program) under the integrated biorefinery initiative. Participants in GTI’s project include Cargill, Johnston Timber, Aquaflow, Blue Marble Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Michigan Technological University.
CRI is a provider of catalyst and environmental systems technology to the global petrochemical producing community. PetroAlgae’s micro-crop technology employs indigenous, aquatic micro-organisms suitable to local climates and is designed to enable its licensees to produce a high-value protein product and residual biomass which may be converted to cellulosic hydrocarbon fuels and/or blend stocks via the IH2 technology at commercial scale.
This agreement is a direct result of successful tests converting PetroAlgae’s micro-crop residue into cellulosic hydrocarbon fuels and/or blend stocks using the IH2 technology provided by CRI. The two firms have agreed to continue to optimize the combined capability of their respective biomass production and conversion processes.
Commercial collaboration has already begun and is expected to result in a joint marketing agreement between the two firms in which PetroAlgae and its licensees will hold exclusive rights to IH2 technology for conversion of lemna (duckweed) biomass.
Based on the joint work so far, we believe our mutual solutions are ready to work together in an integrated conversion process for the direct conversion of biomass to green fuels at commercial scale. It is all very exciting, our licensees will soon have the option to produce renewable transportation fuels in a refinery or at a PetroAlgae micro-crop farm as a self-contained renewable fuel production facility.
—Anthony Tiarks, CEO of PetroAlgae
We need more of this to support the longer range vehicle fleet, if the leccy (EV) fleet is truggling with range issues and rare earth resources.
Posted by: Scott | 12 July 2011 at 08:32 AM
State the cost per gallon and an honest ballpark retail price at scale.
Otherwise, it just sounds like more stock price stroking..
Posted by: kelly | 12 July 2011 at 08:53 AM
Cost per gallon is claimed to be $2.00.
If it is so good, why not build a few thousand small plants across the country?
Could domestic, agricultural, industrial wastes be use as feed stock or be mixed with other feed stocks?
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 July 2011 at 09:59 AM
This is what I have been saying for a long time, but few listen.
Posted by: SJC | 12 July 2011 at 10:12 AM
Their best product will be for jet fuels if they can make it economically. Even the presence of very low cost electricity will not end the needs of aircraft. Algal oils etc. converted to drop in fuel could be very lucrative. If it can be made to work.
There will also be a transitional market in light transport for FFV fuels. These biogasoline liquids might be effective.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 12 July 2011 at 03:02 PM