innovation
Syntroleum and Tyson’s joint venture, Dynamic Fuels, will start with Step 3 where the F-T products are upgraded in the Synfining process, or animal fats in the slightly modified Biofining process, into synthetic diesel or jet fuel. Once Step 3 is operational, the plan is to add a biomass gasifier and F-T reactor.
gas from any biomass source can be cleaned adequately. “We consider coal the worst case scenario,” Agee says. Once it’s cleaned the syngas is piped to the F-T reactor. One of Agee’s breakthroughs was developing a catalyst that would not be killed by nitrogen. In the case of gas-to-liquids, the innovation permits the use of compressed air and eliminates the need for oxygen purification, thus reducing
capital costs and boosting safety. Another unique feature of the Syntroleum F-T technology is its ability to remove a stream of the catalyst to be regenerated while the plant is running. The Syntroleum process uses a slurry-phase reactor. Clean syngas is introduced at the bottom of the reactor and bubbles up through the catalyst and wax. The catalyst facilitates a chemical reaction which reorganizes the carbon and hydrogen mole-
THE FUNDING EXPERIENCE AND CONNECTIONS TO GET YOUR PROJECT OFF THE GROUND.
cules into long carbon chains of paraffinic waxes along with light oils and water. After auto-thermal reforming and the F-T reactor, the liquids enter the final process which Syntroleum has patented and trademarked as Synfining. This last step uses hydrocracking and hydroisomerization to break the long chains in the waxes into the desired fuels—diesel or jet fuel. When processing synthetic diesel, the coproduct is 20
Agri-Energy Funding Solutions works with lenders and private investors nationally and internationally to secure financing for new or expanding biodiesel, ethanol and biomass plants. Agri-Energy Funding Solutions provides: • Construction/permanent financing • Mezzanine & equity funding • Working capital line of credit • USDA financing
8090 South 84th Street, LaVista, NE 68128 | T: [402] 895-5067 | F: [402] 891-5702 www.agri-energyfs.com | agrienergy@tconl.com
34 BIOMASS MAGAZINE 12|2007