A California-based company has filed a patent for technology that could turn carbon dioxide into fuel. According to a press release, Carbon Sciences, developer of a breakthrough technology to recycle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into gasoline and other portable fuels, today announced the filing of a patent application for a highly efficient nano-scale CO2 to fuel reactor, which is the …
Cellulosic Ethanol Could be Made from Wastewater
A cellulose product made from wastewater holds the potential of being used to make ethanol. Qteros and Applied CleanTech have announced a joint development project for making Recyllose™, a recycled solids-based material produced from municipal wastewater, into fuel for cars. Qteros has entered into a joint development project with Applied CleanTech (ACT), a commodities recycling company based in Israel, to …
Company Retrofitting Ethanol Plants for Biobutanol
A Colorado-based company is working to develop a fleet of biorefineries based on retrofitting existing ethanol plants to produce biobutanol. Last week, Gevo, Inc. announced the start up of the first biobutanol demonstration plant designed from retrofitting an existing demonstration scale ethanol plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. The company is using the plant to demonstrate the viability of its technology …
Registration Open for National Ethanol Conference
Registration is officially opened for the Renewable Fuels Association’s 15th Annual National Ethanol Conference “Climate of Opportunity” which will be held February 15-17, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Speakers and sessions will focus on the historic opportunities facing our industry. As a renewable fuel, as an industry continuing to reduce energy inputs, and an industry diversifying into new feedstocks, ethanol is …
Biomass Feedstocks Research
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is studying the use of plant residues for biofuels. At the University of Minnesota-Morris Biomass Gasification Facility, for example, gasification researcher Jim Barbour and ARS soil scientist Jane Johnson (pictured) are evaluating potential biomass feedstocks, including pressed corn stover. The Agricultural Research Service has scientists in 18 states involved in the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) …
Ethanol Issues Addressed at South Dakota Forum
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) hosted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Monday for a Rural Issues Forum in Bath, South Dakota which was attended by an estimated 300 people who were able to ask questions about issues impacting the rural economy. South Dakota’s contribution to biofuels production was discussed during the forum. Rep. Herseth Sandlin joined 28 members of …
Study Finds Ethanol Enhances Vehicle Efficiency
A new University of Nebraska study finds that higher ethanol blends increase engine efficiency. The study, which was funded by the Nebraska Corn Board, found that high ethanol blends provide better energy conversion within an engine than other fuels, meaning less energy to travel further. The report says that e85 improved energy conversion by 13, 9 and 14 percent, respectively …
Verenium to Offer Shares of Common Stock
Verenium Corporation has announced a proposed public offering of common stock, subject to market and regulatory conditions. According to the company, the offering is expected to price before 9:30 am EDT on Tuesday, October 6. Lazard Capital Markets LLC is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. This action follows a 1:12 reverse stock split of the company’s …
Ethanol Production Up in July
U.S. ethanol producers continue to set new production records. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), American ethanol facilities produced 728,000 barrels per day in July 2009. That is up 114,000 barrels from a year ago. EIA also reports fuel ethanol imports of 42.4 million gallons in July. Ethanol demand, as calculated by the Renewable Fuels Association, continues to outpace …
Renewable Fuels Association Elects 2010 Officers
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced the officers and Board of Directors who will lead the association and the ethanol industry in 2010 during its annual meeting last week in Washington, DC. Chris Standlee, Executive Vice President of Abengoa Bioenergy, was reelected Chairman of the Board for a third term. Chris was first elected chair in October 2007. Joining Standlee …