DF Cast: Turning Garbage into Ethanol

John Davis

df-logoIt’s like the scene in Back to the Future II, where the crazy old professor stuffs garbage into his flux capacitor in the back of the DeLorean and flies off to the future (or is that the past?).

bluefireCalifornia-based BlueFire Ethanol Fuels has developed a process called Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology that expands the amount of feedstocks that can be easily converted into ethanol, opening the door to cellulosic sources, such as garbage.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk to Arnie Klann, President and CEO of BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, and let him explain how this unique process works… and the future that it holds.

It’s a pretty interesting conversation, and you can listen to it here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/domesticfuel/DFCast-11-06-09.mp3]

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

Audio, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

New Report Offers Algae Ethanol, Biodiesel Markets Info

John Davis

Algae might be the feedstock of the future for biodiesel and ethanol… if you know how to use it right.

This press release posted on Reuters.com says a new report from Research and Markets entitled “Algae For Fuel, Algal Oil, Biofuels, Ethanol, Biodiesel And The Future Of Petroleum And Green Energy: Global Markets, Technologies, And Opportunities: 2009-2020 Analysis and Forecasts” could offer the insight you need in the algae biofuels game:

This research provides an overview on what could become one of the most significant technological and economic events of the early 21st century: turning algae into fuel, i.e. algal oil, on a commercial scale. If this feat is accomplished, and it’s not certain it will be, it will have dramatic, disruptive consequences to oil producers, oil refiners, ethanol, biodiesel and other biofuels producers, biotechnology companies, agricultural producers, consumers, motor vehicle makers, regulators, R&D activities and investors, among others.

The report, due out in December, will offer a review of algae and an analysis of the algal oil market in terms of how it fits in the biofuels arena. You’ll be able to read for yourself profiles of 56 major players in the algal oil market, as well as information on 175 biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel companies and organizations.

Check out more information here.

algae, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Pennsylvania Biodiesel Maker Gets $1.6 Mil Grant

John Davis

herobxlogoA $1.6 million grant from the state of Pennsylvania is helping a big biodiesel producer get even bigger.

HERO BX picked up the $1,640,250 million grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority and will use nearly $3.3 million of its own money to expand its operations from 45 million gallons to 55 million gallons a year:

“It is imperative that biofuels companies that are producing fuel today continue to receive financial support,” said Leonard Kosar, CEO of HERO BX. “The state of Pennsylvania is setting a precedent apart from the federal government and many other states – it has recognized the economic, environmental and security value of supporting biofuels companies that are already in production. We cannot and will not be able to produce the next generation of biodiesel and ethanol if we abandon first generation biofuels producers such as HERO BX.”

The grant was awarded as part of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s goal to increase alternative energy opportunities within the state. The funds, which will be distributed through Green Energy Works!, is part of the federal funding that the state will receive under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Stimulus Bill). The program goal is to invest more than $99.6 million of federal funding to supplement the state’s Alternative Energy Investment Fund.

The company says Pennsylvania is ideal for its future plans as HERO BX is working with Penn State researchers to pioneer the use of camelina: a more sustainable oilseed than soybeans that can grow in sub-optimum soils, doesn’t need water or fertilizer and produces seven times more oil than soybeans. It also can be used in poultry feed. About 200,000 acres of old strip mines might be perfect for the weed feedstock.

Biodiesel

Termites Could Help Produce Cellulosic Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

The ability of termites to digest wood may hold a key to advancing the production of cellulosic ethanol from woody biomass.

Researchers at the University of Florida have been working on genetic sequencing to harness the insects’ ability to churn wood into fuel. That ability involves a mixture of enzymes from symbiotic bacteria and other single-celled organisms living in termites’ guts, as well as enzymes from the termites themselves, which could ultimately improve the production of cellulosic ethanol.

“Termites are very unique creatures, and this research helps give the most complete picture of how their systems collaborate to, very efficiently, break down really tough biological compounds to release fermentable sugars,” said UF entomologist Mike Scharf, who leads the research.

The team has identified nearly 200 associated enzymes that help break down the problematic plant compound lignocellulose. This compound is the most costly barrier to wide-scale production of cellulosic ethanol because it must be broken down by intense heat or caustic chemicals. Termites, however, are able to almost completely break down lignocellulose through simple digestion.

Once the genetic sequence that produces the enzymes can be isolated, it could be transferred into genetically modified fungi or bacteria, or possibly into other insects, such as caterpillars, to produce the enzymes on an industrial scale.

Cellulosic, Research

Lawmakers to Close Paper Biofuels Loophole

John Davis

USCapitolPaper companies that have been cashing in on an alternative fuels tax credit could soon see that loophole close.

This story from Reuters says lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives say they will end those paper companies’ ability to collect a $1-a-gallon tax credit that the companies have getting by adding black liquor, a by-product of producing paper, to a small amount of diesel to claim the money:

Democrats on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee propose to close one version of an alternative fuel credit in which companies can claim about a $1 credit per gallon for producing biofuel. By limiting eligibility for the credit, the provision would raise $24 billion over a decade…

The credit used by most companies now expires at the end of this year. The provision closes a more lucrative credit that companies are expected to turn to after the currently used credit expires.

The credits are intended to spur development of biofuels and are being improperly used by paper companies, critics say. So-called black liquor — a byproduct of paper production — is blended with a small amount of diesel fuel to claim the credit, according to Democrats.

Democrats say they will use the money to pay for health care reforms. Paper companies say they can’t collect the second credit anyway, so this is just a way for the Dems to make a money grab for those health care bucks.

biofuels, Government, Legislation

2010 FFV Purchasing Guide Now Available

Cindy Zimmerman

2010 Purchasing Guide coverThe 2010 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Purchasing Guide is now available through Growth Energy. The 16-page, full color guide contains detailed information regarding which vehicles are offered to run high level blends of ethanol by automobile manufacturers.

The FFV Purchasing Guide has been available since 2003, offering frequently asked questions regarding high level blends of ethanol and the availability of FFVs. This issue provides all the latest information about 2010 Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota trucks and cars with E85 compatible engines.

The Purchasing Guides are available in bulk for giveaway items at trade shows or blender pump/E85 station grand opening events. They can be ordered on-line here.

E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Growth Energy

TN Legislators May Discontinue Biofuels Project

tn-govAs first reported in the Tennessean.com, state lawmakers say they may remove funding from a project dedicated to the University of Tennessee that will produce ethanol from switchgrass. This news came about after legislators were informed that the school will be doing business with DuPont (a corn based ethanol producer) and scaling down ethanol production. Cost for the government for these changes would increase the project an additional $11 million through June 30, 2013.

“The state is subsidizing DuPont to do all this research. It’s all they’re doing,” said Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville. “It’s a sad commentary that we were led down this road by the governor, UT and whoever else was involved in it.”

Originally, as part of the 2007-2008 budget, Tennessee’s Gov. Bredesen asked the legislature to approve a plan to study switchgrass for biofuel production as a way to get Tennessee into the ethanol industry and find a way to produce fuel ethanol cheaper than using corn. The plan also called for paying farmers in the region $1.75 million to grow enough switchgrass to produce as much as 5 million gallons of ethanol annually and create a surplus of jobs in the state.

biofuels, Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Highlights from World Ethanol 2009

Cindy Zimmerman

World ethanol supplies may hit a surplus next year, Brazil’s ethanol production and exports will be off due to wet weather, and biobutanol may be in the pipeline by 2013.

That’s just a few of the highlights from F.O. Licht’s World Ethanol 2009 12th annual conference held this week in Paris, France.

F.O. Licht managing director Christoph Berg told attendees at the conference that they are forecasting that global ethanol consumption next year will total 76.4 billion litres, compared to an estimated supply of 77.1 billion. “This would result in a surplus of around 700 million litres which is urgently needed to maintain the supply chain,” he said. However, Berg says global ethanol manufacturing capacity will only increase four percent this year, compared to last year’s increase over 2007 of 33 percent.

There was lots of discussion at the conference about the situation in Brazil, with wet weather crippling sugar cane production this year. UNICA President Marcos Jank reported that Brazilian ethanol production will be down six percent this year and ethanol exports will fall 34 percent.

Philip New, CEO of BP Biofuels, addressed the role of advanced biofuels and how soon we might get there. He noted that BP is working with Verenium on the development commercial production of cellulosic ethanol in the United States, while at the same time planning to produce biobutanol with DuPont in the UK by 2013. “Biobutanol can provide a door through the blend wall which I would argue is the key structural barrier to the growth of this industry over the next five to 10 years,” he told the conference.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen urged global leaders at the conference to work together for the future of biofuels. “The world ethanol industry must reject all the differences, divisions and diversions. We must come together behind our common agenda, take on our common threats, and put forward our common vision of producing energy, preserving the environment, and promoting economic opportunity for all the people on this planet,” Dinneen said.

Dinneen encouraged the industry to continue fighting the misinformation campaign against ethanol. “The only thing as noxious as the greenhouse gases that are the byproducts of burning petroleum products is the miasma of misinformation that the adversaries of ethanol are emitting. The two most common attacks on ethanol are shameless, senseless, implausible, and illogical,” he said.

World Ethanol 2009 concluded yesterday.

Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, International, RFA

Ride Along With The Cob Harvest

Chuck Zimmerman

I wasn’t the only one shooting video at the POET Project LIBERTY Field Day in Emmetsburg, IA. POET was too for POET TV. POET does a great job of using new media channels to communicate their activities. You can also learn more about the event by seeing their photos online and following along with their Project LIBERTY Blog.

In this video clip you’ll find:

Sitting inside a Claas Lexion 595 Combine as it goes through a corn field collecting corn and corn cobs. The cobs were carried in a Redekop H165 cob collection device towed behind the combine.

biofuels, biomass, corn, Equipment, Ethanol, POET, Video

John Deere Developing Corn Cob Harvest Options

Chuck Zimmerman

POET Project LIBERTY EquipmentThere were 16 different equipment manufacturers involved with POET’s Project LIBERTY Field Day. One of them was John Deere, represented by Dean Acheson, Manager, Solutions Development. Dean says that what they’re working on is completely customer based. He says they don’t want to be slowed down during harvest and they want to keep up a high level of productivity.

The prototype equipment they had on display was a one pass, two stream cob collection system. On the back of their combine they have a new prototype piece of equipment that allows the grain to follow a normal path and the cobs then flow out of an attachment on the back of the combine. He says the equipment allows you some flexibility in how you choose or handle what is being harvested. A wagon is pulled by a tractor alongside the combine to collect the cobs. They’re currently not endorsing the towing of equipment behind their combines but this is equipment that is in development for the future.

You can listen to my interview with Dean below and watch a video clip of their equipment in action.

POET Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, biomass, Cellulosic, corn, Equipment, Ethanol, John Deere, POET, Video