industry
NEWS
DOE offers fourth cellulosic ethanol research funding opportunity The U.S. DOE announced in late August that another round of funding totaling $33.8 million will be made available for cellulosic ethanol research and development. These grants are intended to support the development and commercialization of enzyme systems for the hydrolysis and saccharification of lignocellulose. This step in cellulosic ethanol production is essential for releasing the sugars trapped in agricultural waste such as corn stover, other grain straws, bagasse, soybean matter and wood residue— sugars that are subsequently fermented to ethanol. However, the enzymatic treatment of cellulosic biomass is costly and time consuming, preventing the cost-competitive production of this biofuel. The latest DOE funding opportunity is designed to finance the development of effective enzyme systems that are stable and affordable. “These enzyme projects will serve as catalysts to the commercial-scale viability of cellulosic ethanol,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner. “Ethanol from new feedstocks will not only give America more efficient fuel options to help transform our transportation sector, but increasing its use will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The awards will provide funding for projects expected to begin in fiscal year 2008, and continue through fiscal year 2011. Applications were due Oct. 30, and recipients of the awards are expected to be announced in the late spring of 2008. -Jessica Ebert
The NewPage Corp. pulp and paper mill in Escanaba, Mich., will integrate Chemrec's unique BLG technology into its paper pulping process to create syngas that can be converted into various types of biofuels.
Chemrec, NewPage form biomass-to-biofuels venture Sweden-based Chemrec AB and Ohiobased NewPage Corp. have formed a partnership to explore the feasibility of developing a facility that would produce renewable biomass-based fuels at NewPage’s paper mill in Escanaba, Mich. According to NewPage spokesman Kel Smyth, both parties are currently in the “prefeasibility” stage of the project that would employ Chemrec’s black liquor gasification (BLG) technology, which converts the black liquor waste stream from the paper pulping process into synthesis gas, or syngas. The syngas could then be processed into a variety of fuels such as dimethyl ether and methanol. Fuels such as Fischer-Tropsch diesel, synthetic natural gas and hydrogen are also being considered. Once the feasibility stage identifies standards set by both companies, the project would begin an approximately twoyear construction phase at NewPage’s mill site. Smyth noted that both parties would know whether the project would officially be moving forward by late next year. “Part of what we’re doing is figuring out both what we
can make and what we can market [using Chemrec’s BLG technology],” he said. The basic Chemrec approach is to replace (or supplement in small installations) a pulp mill recovery boiler with a high-temperature gasifier. The syngas can be used for power generation or, with additional processing units, be converted to biofuels. The new project is expected to produce about 13 MMgy of liquid biofuels, according to Smyth. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the Chemrec/NewPage partnership in Sweden in August, following a reception with company and government leaders celebrating the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two companies. Earlier this year, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and NextEnergy, Michigan’s alternative energy accelerator in Detroit, established a cellulosic biofuels working group dedicated to crafting a strategy for the development of the industry in the state. -Bryan Sims
12|2007 BIOMASS MAGAZINE 15