Advances in cellulosic ethanol technology were a key topic at the recent American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference, including a collaboration between Syngenta and Iowa-based Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies.
In a session discussing how corn kernel fiber is leading the way to the development of cellulosic fuels, Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) Head Engineer Travis Brotherson reported a 26 percent increase in ethanol production after a recently-completed trial using a combination of Cellerate™ process technology and Enogen® corn.
Brotherson said this dramatic increase was achieved by realizing an additional 6 percent yield per bushel from converting kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol, plus a 20 percent throughput increase by combining Cellerate with Enogen. “These results, and our experience of the past two years, confirm the consistent performance benefits available through Cellerate enhanced by Enogen – and we believe the potential could be even greater,” Brotherson said. “Cellerate can help plants produce more ethanol from an existing asset base, increase total yield of distillers grains corn oil and improve the protein content of feed co-products.”
In 2014, Syngenta announced an agreement with Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of QCCP, to be the exclusive marketer of Cellerate process technology to ethanol plants in North America. QCCP was honored with the Renewable Fuels Association 2015 Industry Award at the 20th Annual National Ethanol Conference for its achievements in advancing the use of cellulosic ethanol technology.
On a webinar hosted by Ethanol Producer Magazine at 2 p.m. Central today (August 17) Brotherson and Dr. Miloud Araba, Head of Enogen Technical Services at Syngenta, will discuss the potential of corn kernel fiber and how new technologies can help ethanol producers achieve significant production and efficiency benefits.