Week of August 18, 2008 |
Editor: C.V. Clute editor@epoverviews.com Ethanol plant on hold in Wyoming (Ind. Report) Following up on a project last mentioned in our Dec. 3, '07 issue, Big Horn Basin Ethanol is delaying the development of a corn ethanol plant in Greybull, Wyoming. The 25 million gpy project is being halted due to high corn prices and rapidly shifting technology. The company is evaluating a switch from ethanol-only production to a mix of ethanol and food products. (Source: Wyoming Business Report, Aug. 19, '08)
Ethanol production Catalyst identified (R&D) The following provides an update on a project that was identified as receiving $945,899 US in funding in our Mar. 24, '08 issue. Iowa State University researcher Victor Lin has found that carbon monoxide molecules that yield ethanol can be "activated" in the presence of a catalyst with a unique structural feature. "If we can increase this 'activated' CO adsorption on the surface of the catalyst, it improves the opportunity for the formation of ethanol molecules," Lin said. "And if we can increase the amount of surface area for the catalyst, we can increase the amount of ethanol produced." Lin's group has looked at using a metal alloy as the catalyst with nano-scale catalyst particles dispersed widely within the structure of mesoporous nanospheres increasing the total surface area by 100 imes that available with the same quantity of catalyst material in larger, macro-scale particles. (Source: Energy Current, Aug. 19, '08)
Sweet potatoes as a Biofuel source? (R&D) Agricultural Research Service scientists are reporting that experiments with sweet potatoes grown in Maryland and Alabama yielded two to three times as much carbohydrate for fuel ethanol production as field corn grown in those states. Tropical cassava performed equally well in Alabama. For sweet potatoes, carbohydrate production was 4,692 tons an acre in Alabama and 6,353 tons an acre in Maryland. Carbohydrate production for cassava in Alabama was 4,940 tons an acre, compared to 1,434 tons an acre in Maryland. For corn, carbohydrate production was 1,692 tons an acre in Alabama and 2,760 tons an acre in Maryland. If economical harvesting and processing techniques could be developed, the data suggests that sweet potato in Maryland and sweet potato and cassava in Alabama have greater potential han corn as ethanol sources. Although further studies are needed to gather data on inputs of fertilizer, water, pesticides and estimates of energy efficiency, the data suggests it would be worthwhile to start pilot programs to study growing cassava and sweet potato for ethanol, especially on marginal lands. (Source: ARS, Aug. 20, '08)
Northern Ethanol plant in Barrie, Ontario, Canada on hold (Reg. & Leg.) There is still no decision from the Ontario Ministry of Environment on a proposed ethanol plant in Barrie, Ontario, last mentioned in our Apr. 9, '07 issue. Northern Ethanol's application for a 105 million gpy production facility has been placed on hold, pending a review by the city which recently passed a comprehensive zoning bylaw allowing the production of "noxious products" on heavy-industrial land only - products that include asbestos, asphalt, vinegar or "similar substances." The city is not modifying that definition until it has completed its study of ethanol production according to Barrie's planning director Jim Taylor. The plant would be located in a former brewery, which is located in an urban area. An appeal of the interim control bylaw by Northern thanol is proceeding through the Ontario Municipal Board process. (Source: Barrie Advance, Aug. 19, '08)
$3.38 million US for Louisiana sugarcane Biomass project (Funding) Raceland Raw Sugar of Raceland, La. has received a $1.48 million US federal grant to process waste from sugarcane production into energy. The company is matching federal funding with $1.9 million US. Raceland's plant manager, Neville Dolan, expects that the company will be ready to produce sugarcane waste "briquettes" that will be burned in a biomass boiler to produce electricity, or converted in a gasifier and be turned into ethanol by next year. (Source: Louisiana Weekly, Aug. 18,'08)
Nexterra ready for Biomass technology demonstration (New Prod. & Tech.) Nexterra Energy indicates that after two years of biomass gasification testing at the company's Product Development Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia, syngas produced by its gasifier has the ability to displace at least 60% of fossil fuels used in lime kilns. Depending on the biomass feedstock and existing equipment configurations, 95% substitution may be possible at many pulp mills, and up to 100% in certain types of boilers. The system could be used in multiple industrial applications including pulp mill lime kilns, power boilers, rotary dryers and calciners commonly found in mineral processing, mining, cement and ethanol production industries. "Nexterra's direct fire biomass gasification system is now ready for demonstration at commercial scale," said Neterra's President and CEO, Jonathan Rhone. (Source: PR Newswire, Aug. 18, '08)
One VeraSun Ethanol plant up, another one on the way (Ind. Report) Following up on projects last mentioned in our June 18, '08 issue, VeraSun Energy has opened their 110 million gpy ethanol plant in Hartley, Iowa and indicates they plan to start ethanol production at their similar sized plant in Welcome, Minnesota by the end of September. Both plants had been delayed in opening due to unfavorable market conditions. The Hartley plant brings VeraSun's ethanol production to more than 1.3 billion gpy. VeraSun's VP, Danny Herron, said falling corn prices have made it profitable for the company to produce ethanol at these facilities. (Source: KTIV, Aug. 15, '08)
First United Ethanol plant to open in Georgia (Ind. Report) First United Ethanol expects to open Georgia's first corn-based ethanol plant in Oct. '08. The 100 million gpy plant will be located near Albany. The company recently raised $75 million US in financing for the project. (Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle, Aug. 18, '08)
GM and PTT to develop Renewable Fuels in Thailand (Int'l - G&C)
General Motors has signed a deal with Thailand's top energy firm, PTT PCL to collaborate on alternative fuels research. "The strategy will focus on alternative energy that is socially responsible, economic, environment-friendly and with practical technology," said GM CEO Richard Wagoner. According to GM, the cooperation will include research in cellulosic ethanol and other non-food crops, expansion of biodiesel sources, development of CNG bi-fuel and dual-fuel, as well as the development of low-cost hybrid, fuel cell and diesel engine technology for Thailand and Southeast Asian countries. According to Wagner the companies will "cooperate to study possible markets as well as the infrastructure needed to realise benefits from increased use of alternative energy." (Source: AFP, Aug. 14, '08)
Proposed $260 million US POET plant in Indiana receives approval (Ind. Report) The Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals have approved a special exception to landowners north of West Lebanon, Indiana to clear the way for a proposed $260 million US ethanol plant to be built by POET LLC. The 115 million gpy facility "would be our largest so far," said POET director of site development, Bob Berens. The facility would be constructed on approximately 250 acres. According to Steve Eberly, Director of the Warren County Local Economic Development Organization, the facility details are still being worked out, however construction could begin in '09. (Source: Journal Courier (Lafayette, Ind.) Aug. 14, '08)
Other noteworthy Biofuels news Five sugarcane Ethanol plants planned for California (Ind. Report) California Ethanol & Power, LLC (CE&P) is contracting with Fagen Inc. to act as the lead contractor for CE&P's five sugarcane-to-ethanol ad electricity plants in the Imperial Valley of California. Each plant would have a 60 million gpy ethanol production capacity and produce 50 MW of power, 15 MW of which will be used to replace the natural gas used in the ethanol production process and the remainder will be sold. Fagen is currently performing initial engineering and permitting services with construction expected to commence by the end of '09. CE&P is currently growing over 650 acres of more than ten varieties of sugarcane to serve as feedstock for the initial plant. The timeline for the other four plants has not yet been identified. (Source: Western Farm Press, Aug. 19, '08)
Other Noteworthy News Atlantec BioEnergy considers Beet Ethanol plant in Nova Scotia (Ind. Report) Following up on a project last mentioned in our July 31, '08 publication, 550 acres of energy beets have been planted in Nova Scotia to serve as feedstock for Atlantec BioEnergy's ethanol demonstration and research operations. The beets will be used to test equipment for the company's proposed $80-$85 million CDN ($75-$80 million US) ethanol plant at a yet to be determined location. The company is considering a former railcar manufacturing plant in Trenton, Nova Scotia, and needs to have 5000 acres of energy beets planted by next spring. (Source: Chronicle Herald, Aug. 20, '08)
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