(Technical University Munich/Phys.Org) Zeolites are extremely porous materials: Ten grams can have an internal surface area the size of a soccer field. Their cavities make them useful in catalyzing chemical reactions and thus saving energy. An international research team has now
catalysts
Back TO HOMEKeysight’s Test Solutions Selected by Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells to Understand the Behavior and Characteristics of Biofuel Cells
(Keysight Technologies/Business Wire) -Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced that Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BeFC), and innovator of bio enzymatic fuel cells,
June 24, 2021 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Helps Create Biofuel from Waste Food Materials
(AZoCleantech) A student from the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at South Ural State University (SUSU) and the winner of the UMNIK competition is working on a project to produce a fundamentally new catalyst that will help generate affordable biodiesel fuel
June 14, 2021 Read Full Article
Novel Composite Catalyst Holds Promise for Cost-Effective Ethanol-to-Jet-Fuel Conversion
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) ... The well-established, cost-competitive ethanol market provides an opportunity to shift the composition of jet fuel and other fuel products away from petroleum. The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies
June 07, 2021 Read Full Article
RUDN University Chemists Created Cheap Catalysts for Ethanol Conversion
(RUDN University/EurekAlert) RUDN University chemists proposed a new way to synthesize catalysts for the conversion of ethyl alcohol. The obtained materials are promising catalysts for the selective conversion of ethanol, which is an important stage in the development of an alternative
June 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzyme System for the Hydrogen Economy
(Ruhr University in Bochum) An enzyme could make a dream of the energy industry come true: it can efficiently generate hydrogen from electricity as well as convert hydrogen into electricity. Both fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity, and electrolysers, which
May 24, 2021 Read Full Article
A Stable Copper Catalyst for CO 2 Conversion
(Ruhr University Bochum) CO 2 can be converted electrochemically into raw materials for industry. So far, however, there is a lack of catalysts that are stable over a long period. A few tricks might solve the problem. Researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum and the
March 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Biocrude Passes the 2,000-hour Catalyst Stability Test
by Karyn Hede (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Sewage and food waste biocrude conversion process reaches major milestone -- A large-scale demonstration converting biocrude to renewable diesel fuel has passed a significant test, operating for more than 2,000 hours continuously without
March 26, 2021 Read Full Article
New Clean Energy Process Converts Methane to Hydrogen with Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions
by Lynne Roeder (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Novel bimetallic catalyst also yields valuable solid carbon co-products for manufacturing industries -- ... Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and West Virginia University (WVU), in collaboration with industry partners Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
March 22, 2021 Read Full Article
How to Utilise CO2? The Nominees for the Innovation Award “Best CO2 Utilisation 2021” Have the Answers!
(nova-Institute) Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) is one of the most obvious solutions to further reduce CO2 emissions, but it is yet still hardly exploited. However, these six nominated technologies turn CO2 into value: ethanol, methanol, polyols, surfactants or syngas – the
February 26, 2021 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Renewable Hydrogen Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to SBI BioEnergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Started in 1998 as SBI Fine Chemicals, then in 2009 SBI BioEnergy to commercialize renewable liquid fuel tech to just last year pivoting to gölu H2 to commercialize renewable hydrogen tech, check out this illuminating
February 17, 2021 Read Full Article
New Synthetic Route for Biofuel Production
(Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum/Phys.Org) A German-Chinese research team has found a new synthetic route to produce biofuel from biomass. The chemists converted the substance 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) produced from biomass into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which could be suitable as a biofuel. Compared to previous methods, they
February 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Boosting the Efficiency of Carbon Capture and Conversion Systems
by David L. Chandler (Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Phys.org) Systems for capturing and converting carbon dioxide from power plant emissions could be important tools for curbing climate change, but most are relatively inefficient and expensive. Now, researchers at MIT have developed a
January 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Biofuels Need Cost-Effective Separations Tech: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Bioprocessing Separations Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four critical challenges in biochemical and thermochemical processing were addressed in the just released “Bioprocessing Separations Consortium Three-Year Overview” U.S. BETO report, including targeting the fractionation of lignin to enable valorization; Developing technologies to enable
January 05, 2021 Read Full Article
Transforming Carbon Dioxide into Jet Fuel Using an Organic Combustion-Synthesized Fe-Mn-K Catalyst
Benzhen Yao, Tiancun Xiao, Ofentse A. Makgae, Xiangyu Jie, Sergio Gonzalez-Cortes, Shaoliang Guan, Angus I. Kirkland, Jonathan R. Dilworth, Hamid A. Al-Megren, Saeed M. Alshihri, Peter J. Dobson, Gari P. Owen, John M. Thomas & Peter P. Edwards (Nature Communications)
January 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Modern Alchemy: University of North Dakota Aims to Turn Corn Stalks, Stems and Leaves into Jet Fuel
(University of North Dakota/News Wise) One of the significant challenges for renewable alternative fuels could be solved if a consortium of research laboratories led by the University of North Dakota can turn corn waste into jet fuel. Wayne Seames, Chester Fritz Distinguished
November 25, 2020 Read Full Article
Catalytic Conversion of Ethanol into Renewable Chemicals: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalyxx
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The world is awash in low-cost ethanol thanks to bioeconomy technology, but we’re not yet awash in high-value renewable chemicals — now, with new technology, we can make those high-value chemicals from ethanol. If you
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Utilizing CO2, as the Cause of Global Warming, as the Source for Fuel and Energy? Green Science Alliance Confirmed Artificial Photosynthesis with their Original Catalyst
(Green Science Alliance Co./CISION/PR Newswire) ... Artificial photosynthesis is one of the innovative technologies to clean up our atmosphere. Just like plants, this technology utilizes the energy of sun light and from CO2 and water, they can produce organic substances including
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop Catalyst to Convert Ethanol into High-Value Chemicals and Fuels
by Christina Nunez (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Though we usually think of ethanol as fuel for the gas tank, it can also be transformed into valuable chemicals that could help replace a variety of petroleum-based products beyond just gasoline. However, evolving
November 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Biodiesel from Dirty Old Cooking Oil Just Got Way Easier
(RMIT University/EurekAlert!) New ultra-efficient catalyst can recycle old cooking oil into biodiesel and turn food scraps into high-value complex molecules -- Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food
October 27, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Technology for Fulfilling the Promise of Advanced Bioethanol --- October 15, 2020
Demand for the sustainable production of biofuels and in particular bioethanol is growing rapidly, and its use in fuels can help reduce CO2 emissions significantly and help mitigate climate change. Transportation is its largest end-use industry segment and is keen
September 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Enzymes Fit for Industrial Applications
(Ruhr University Bochum) Bacterial enzymes are often powerful but also very sensitive catalysts. They therefore need a special environment in order to access their performance. Researchers at RUB have developed new techniques with which bacterial enzymes can be efficiently coupled
August 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Non-Top500 Argonne System Helps Find Method to Convert CO2 into Ethanol
(Inside HPC/Northern Illinois University) By supercomputing standards, Argonne National Lab’s Bebop (stood up in 2017, 1.75 teraflops, bumped off the Top500 list after the June 2019 ranking) seems something of a second-tier player. But non-Top500 systems like Bebop can still take a star
August 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Transitioning to the New BioRefining Era & Future Vision for Ethanol Plants
by Joel Stone (ConVergInce Advisers/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... A unique and affordable bolt on technology offered by Catalyxx (www.catalyxxinc.com) is available now and can offer options and opportunities to the present and post Covid ethanol infrastructure to expand and create new
July 29, 2020 Read Full Article
New Process Turns Carbon into Cleaner, High-Performance Diesel Biofuel Blendstock
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Phys.org) A new single-phase catalyst that enables the conversion of renewable and waste carbon into sustainable diesel fuels has been developed through a unique collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and two U.S. Department of Energy
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Selects Three Projects to Increase Industry Access to High-Performance Computing Capabilities
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected three projects to receive approximately $1 million in funding to leverage the unique computational capabilities at DOE’s National Laboratories. The projects will address technical challenges in bioenergy feedstock
July 17, 2020 Read Full Article
What Is Needed for Green Liquid Fuels
by Jens Kehlet Nørskov (Technical University of Denmark) In 2019, the EU project Energy-X brought together around 150 leading catalysis and energy researchers to map out how to achieve fossil-free production of fuels and chemicals. Professor Jens Kehlet Nørskov from
July 16, 2020 Read Full Article
E-Fuels Can Replace Fossil Fuels
by Ib Chorkendorff (Technical University of Denmark) The aircraft, ships, and lorries of the future must be powered by e-fuels—fuels produced partly from captured CO2—and partly from hydrogen produced by the splitting of water. ... According to the physics professor’s vision,
July 16, 2020 Read Full Article
5 Ways to Reduce Costs in Integrated Biorefineries: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Enabling Lower-Cost Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) just released a new report that outlines five specific, yet broadly applicable, areas of focus to reduce costs in an integrated biorefinery. This analysis builds upon ongoing R&D strategies to lower
July 13, 2020 Read Full Article
An Innovative Catalyst with Pt, Re and SnO2 Nanoparticles as Anode Material in Ethanol Fuel Cells
(Polish Academy of Sciences/EurekAlert!) Scientists working at the Department for Functional Nanomaterials at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences designed and synthesized a functional ternary Pt/Re/SnO2/C catalyst as an anode material in a direct ethanol fuel
June 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Commodity Chemicals Requires Fossil Fuels. New Devices Could Do It with Renewables
by Robert F. Service (Science Magazine) As windmills and solar panels multiply, the supply of renewable electricity sometimes exceeds demand. Chemists would like to put the excess to work making commodity chemicals, such as the raw materials for fertilizer and plastics,
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel for Ships: Diesel and Gasoline Sourced from Renewables
by Iris Kumpmann (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft/Tech Xplore) ... Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen have been looking into alternative climate-friendly fuels. They are now able to produce a renewable biofuel that can be converted
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Yale-NUS College Scientists Find Bisulphates that Curb Efficacy of Diesel Engine Catalysts
(Yale/National University of Singapore College/EurekAlert!) A team of researchers from Yale-NUS College, in collaboration with scientists in Sweden, has found that bisulphate species in the exhaust stream are strongly connected to decreasing the effectiveness of exhaust remediation catalysts in diesel
April 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Catalysts, Climate, Camaraderie: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Haldor Topsoe’s Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Haldor Topsoe had a great 2019. A leader in high-performance catalysts and proprietary technologies for the chemical and refining industries, their R&D spend is 8% of revenue and have developed more than 150 different catalysts.
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Water Splitting Advance Holds Promise for Affordable Renewable Energy
(Science Daily/Washington State University) A team has developed a less expensive water electrolysis system that works under alkaline conditions but still produces hydrogen at comparable rates to the currently used system that works under acidic conditions and requires precious metals.
April 03, 2020 Read Full Article
GasTechno and INFRA to Commercialize Integrated Gas-to-Liquides Production System
(GasTechn0/EIN Presswire) Gas Technologies LLC and INFRA Synthetic Fuels, Inc combine technologies to convert natural gas and renewable natural gas into low carbon renewable fuels. -- Gas Technologies LLC ("GasTechno"), and INFRA Synthetic Fuels, Inc., ("INFRA"), have invested $USD 100MM
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
The Secret Sauce: Industry Partnerships Key to Advancing Bio-Based Chemicals and Fuels
by Asanga Padmaperuma (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) ... Today, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories study the development of chemicals and fuels with the use of cost-effective, renewable carbon sources, while working closely with the bioenergy industry. In support of the
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
The Competitive Edge: Vertimass LLC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass seeks to commercialize novel catalytic technology for low cost conversion of ethanol into hydrocarbon fuels to overcome obstacles that limit ethanol use in gasoline for light duty vehicles and open up new ethanol markets for
March 20, 2020 Read Full Article
A Year of Accomplishments: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Haldor Topsoe’s Results
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out this latest annual report section from Haldor Topsoe on their Accomplishments and Results from 2019, including a five-year financial summary to see their growth over the years. Find out how their catalysts, which
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Recycles Greenhouse Gases into Fuel and Hydrogen Gas
(Science Daily/The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)) Scientists have taken a major step toward a circular carbon economy by developing a long-lasting, economical catalyst that recycles greenhouse gases into ingredients that can be used in fuel, hydrogen
March 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Chemistry Finding Could Make Solar Energy More Efficient
by Laura Arenschield (Ohio State News) Researchers have found a way to harness the entire spectrum of sunlight -- Scientists for the first time have developed a single molecule that can absorb sunlight efficiently and also act as a catalyst to
February 19, 2020 Read Full Article
'Reverse Fuel Cell' Converts Waste Carbon to Valuable Products at Record Rates
(University of Toronto/EurekAlert!) Researchers develop enhanced device to transform CO2 into valuable chemicals 10 times faster than previous versions -- Fuel cells turn chemicals into electricity. Now, a University of Toronto Engineering team has adapted technology from fuel cells to do
February 11, 2020 Read Full Article
From a By-Product of the Biodiesel Industry to Sustainable Production of a Valuable Chemical
(Tokyo Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) ... However, biodiesel synthesis produces excessive amounts of glycerol (C3H8O3); it is estimated than the biodiesel industry in Europe alone produces a surplus of 1.4 million tons of glycerol, which cannot be sold to other industries. If glycerol
January 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Innovations in Biodiesel Technology
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) New biodiesel process technologies continue to emerge, promising optimization of production through greater efficiencies and lower costs. -- Crown Iron Works: ... The global Minnesota-based firm has built 50 biodiesel plants around the world. Like
January 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Forest Service Grants License for Biomass Conversion Technology
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Forest Service announced in November its intent to grant a license for technology that can efficiently fractionate lignocellulosic biomass to a Canadian company, Whispering Green Energy. And that license has now been granted,
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Find Out Why Sodium Methoxide Solution as a Biodiesel Catalyst Market is Thriving Worldwide by Top Key Players Like Evonik Industries AG,BASF SE
(Guru Focus) According to the Chemical And Materials market industry research into Global Sodium Methoxide Solution As A Biodiesel Catalyst market, worldwide industry analysis, trend, size, share, development in the database. This industrial research report exhibits all the important information identified
December 31, 2019 Read Full Article
One-Step Process: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ETB’s Butadiene from Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ETB Catalytic Technologies developed a unique technology of producing butadiene from ethanol production. But the big question is how do they commercialize the technology? Just ask Vladimir Trembovolsky, CEO of ETB Catalytic Technologies who shared this presentation
December 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Convert Plastics into Useful Chemicals Using Sunlight
(Nanyang Technological University/Science Daily) ... Chemists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have discovered a method that could turn plastic waste into valuable chemicals by using sunlight. In lab experiments, the research team mixed plastics with their catalyst in a
December 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Neutrons Optimize High Efficiency Catalyst for Greener Approach to Biofuel Synthesis
(U.S. Department of Energy/Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Science Daily) Researchers used neutron scattering in the development of a catalyst that converts biomass into liquid fuel with remarkably high efficiency and provides new possibilities for manufacturing renewable energy-related materials. Researchers led by the
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
INSIGHT: Rise of HVO to Be the Downfall of Traditional Biodiesel in Europe
by Samantha Wright (Independent Commodity Intelligence Service) As hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) use grows in Europe, with more expansions anticipated in the next few years, questions are arising as to its impact on the traditional biodiesel market and the wider oleochemicals
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Evonik to Expand Sodium Methylate Capacity in Rosario, Argentina
(Evonik) -Output of sodium methylate production plant in Rosario will be increased by 50 percent in two stages; -Expansion is response to increasing market demand for biodiesel; -Investment strengthens market leadership position for alkoxides; -Evonik plans to increase its capacity
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Verdict’s in for Vertimass: Yep, It’s Commercially Viable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California the jury’s come in for Vertimass. We received word of a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, which summarizes key attributes of Vertimass’ unique technology
November 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Velocys Fulfils Order for Biorefinery Project in Japan
(Velocys) Velocys plc (VLS.L) is pleased to announce that it has constructed and now delivered Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactors and catalyst to Toyo Engineering Corporation (Toyo) for use in a biomass-to-jet fuel demonstration facility in Nagoya, Japan. Toyo is currently constructing the bio-jet
November 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Better Biofuels with Biomass: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens and the BioTfueL Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BioTfueL, originally launched by Total, is a project to produce biofuels via thermochemical conversion and includes several partners that work together on this. Axens Solutions recently spoke at ABLC NEXT about the project, how biomass
November 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Hollywood Sends Materials to Anaerobic Digester, Poop to Paper, Hydrogen from Seawater, Kanye’s algae foam kicks, Hellman’s seaweedSsachets, and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 15th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Even Hollywood is going green these days with the latest Bond movie sending 30 tons of food and biodegradable materials to anaerobic digester to generate electricity! And elephant poop is getting turned into upscale stationary paper.
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Lignin and Carbon Dioxide Turned into Ethanol
by Becky Webb (Chemistry World) Process generates bulk chemical from two renewable carbon sources -- Scientists in China have developed a method to produce ethanol using the renewable resources lignin and carbon dioxide for the first time. The process uses a
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop Efficient Methods to Turn Woody Biomass into Fuels
by Brian Wallheimer (Purdue University) ... Lignin, a complex compound in cell walls, blocks access to plant carbohydrates that could be cleaved into sugars and then fermented into biofuels. The compounds that hold plant cells together, as well as their
October 25, 2019 Read Full Article
‘Artificial Leaf’ Successfully Produces Clean Gas
(University of Cambridge) A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and which could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Convert CO2 into Raw Materials Using Nanoparticles
(Ruhr University Bochum (Google Translation)) Enzymes use cascade reactions to produce complex molecules from comparatively simple raw materials. The principle was copied by researchers. An international research team has converted carbon dioxide into raw materials using nanoparticles. The scientists at
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Hopes High Red and White Catalyst Will Boost Biofuel Production
(The Jakarta Post/Portal Macaúba) Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has urged researchers to complete a study on a new chemical catalyst expected to become a key ingredient in ramping up domestic biofuel production. Pertamina Research and Technology Center – owned state-owned oil
September 11, 2019 Read Full Article
SoCalGas and Electrochaea Announce Commissioning of New Biomethanation Reactor System Pilot Project
(Southern California Gas Co./PR Newswire) Innovative project with U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory converts renewable electricity into renewable methane for storage in existing natural gas pipelines -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and Electrochaea today announced the commissioning of the nation's
August 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Promising New Solar-Powered Path to Hydrogen Fuel Production
(Lehigh News) A team at Lehigh is the first to use a single enzyme biomineralization process to create a solar-driven water splitting catalyst that produces hydrogen with the potential to be manufactured sustainably, cheaply and abundantly. -- Engineers at Lehigh University
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Here Comes the Sun – Sunliquid Tech: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant, a Switzerland based specialty chemicals company, has four business areas: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings. While the first half of the year has been challenging, Clariant was able to increase sales
July 29, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Hydrogen: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to SBI BioEnergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today’s top story talks about the value of hydrogen so what better Multi-Slide Guide than SBI BioEnergy and their renewable fuel process including their new venture of what they call bio-hydrogen using a proprietary catalytic technology.
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Negatonnes: Beyond the ZEV, the Negative Emission Vehicle and Its Amazing Hydrogen Fuel and Electric Drive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s the technically tougher path, which is to split ethanol and make CO2 and hydrogen. The point source, high-grade CO2 has value. The bio-based hydrogen has even more value than the ethanol. Conceptually, the recipe is
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Researchers Build Catalyst to Generate Electrical Energy From Ethanol
(University of Arkansas) Jingyi Chen, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arkansas, worked with scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory to develop a highly efficient catalyst for generating electrical energy from ethanol. Ethanol is
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop a Chemocatalytic Approach for One-Pot Reaction of Cellulosic Ethanol
(Chinese Academy of Sciences/Phys.Org) Scientists at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a chemocatalytic approach to convert cellulose into ethanol in a one-pot process by using a multifunctional Mo/Pt/WOx catalyst. This approach
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
New Core-Shell Catalyst for Ethanol Fuel Cells
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) Greatly boosts efficiency of ethanol electro-oxidation, offering promise for liquid-fuel-cell-powered drones -- Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and the University of Arkansas have developed a highly efficient catalyst for extracting electrical energy from
June 11, 2019 Read Full Article
MicroNiche Engineering: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Microvi
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Microvi has a vision of safe water, sustainable chemicals and a clean environment for all. How they do this is through their exclusive MicroNiche Engineering platform which combines material science and microbiology to provide novel, fit-for-process biocatalyst
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
A Laser Focus on Finding Better Ways to Make Renewable Fuels
by Whitney Clavin (California Institute of Technology/Phys.org) ... Researchers have for decades made strides in using sunlight to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, wherein the resulting hydrogen gas can be used as stored fuel. But the method is still
April 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Surrey Catalyst IP Set to Ignite Innovation in Modern Bio-Refineries
(University of Surrey) The University of Surrey has developed a new, cost-effective type of catalyst that it hopes will ignite innovation in bio-derived added value chemicals and bring about the next generation of bio-refineries. As the world is looking to combat the
March 26, 2019 Read Full Article
January 2019 PyNe43 Newsletter Available
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) It (January 2019 PyNe43 Newsletter) contains contributions on Electrocatalytic upgrading to stabilize pyrolysis oil Progress towards commercialization at pilot and demonstration scale Pyrolysis of forestry and fishery residue for rural applications. Overview on catalysts to upgrade pyrolysis oils.
January 28, 2019 Read Full Article
India Makes Breakthrough in Biofuel Development
by Haley Zaremba (OilPrice.com) ... The latest headline to come from efforts of scientists around the globe is a new discovery by a team of scientists based in the west Indian city of Pune at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), which offers
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
They Develop Biosensors to Optimize Biodiesel Production
(Uniradio Informa/Notimex (Google Translation)) They develop biosensors to optimize biodiesel production -- The Institute of Engineering of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) developed biosensors in this border city, with the aim of optimizing the biodisel production process. The UABC researcher, Margarita
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Catalysis Rocking: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to ChemCatBio
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, we work with industry to rapidly transition R&D discoveries
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Improved Catalyst Can Speed up Conversion of Industrial Biomass into Biofuel
by Monika Kundu Srivastava (TechExplorist) ... Scientists at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, have developed a faster, environment-friendly method for conversion of industrial biomass into biodiesel. An organic compound called furfural is produced from agricultural waste biomass like bagasse, cottonseed hulls, sawdust, oat
December 19, 2018 Read Full Article
The 40 Hottest Technologies of 2018 – As Voting Gets Underway, the Nominees in Depth
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All through this month, Digest subscribers have been voting on the 40 Hottest Transformative Technologies in the Advanced Bioeconomy. While the Hot 50 concentrates on organizations — this set of rankings could include a complete process, a
October 12, 2018 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0001951: Request for Inforamtion (RFI): Understanding Catalyst Production and Development Needs at National Laboratories DEADLINE: October 22, 2018
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting input from industry (including but not limited to contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations, catalyst manufacturers,
October 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Chemists Develop Nanocatalysts for Continuous Biofuel Synthesis
(RUDN University/Phys.Org) A chemist from RUDN synthesized new catalysts with ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles for producing biofuel from organic biowaste. Nanocatalysts support more intensive and sustained reactions than the compounds currently available in the market. The results of the study were published
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Proteins and Synthetic Biology: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Request for Information (RFI): Understanding Catalyst Production and Development Needs at National Laboratories RFI Released RESPONSES DUE: September 14, 2018
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office issued a request for information (RFI) titled, Understanding Catalyst Production and Development Needs at National Laboratories. Catalysts increase the rate of a chemical reaction and are used in
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
WSU Researchers Creating Catalyst to Improve Jet Biofuel Production
by Maegan Murray (Washington State University-Tri-Cities) Efforts to create an environmentally friendly catalyst that will lower the cost and increase the efficiency in producing bio-based jet fuels has netted Washington State University researchers a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
June 29, 2018 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Upgrades Carbon Dioxide to Fuels Found by USTC
(EurekAlert!/University of Science and Technology of China) Liquid multi-carbon alcohols such as ethanol and n-propanol are desired as renewable transportation fuels. They offer high energy densities, ease of long-range transport, and direct drop-in usage in existing internal combustion engines. Engineering catalysts
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Secretary Perry Announces Up to $78 Million for Bioenergy Research Funding Opportunities LOI due May 30, 2018
Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced four funding opportunities totaling up to $78 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office. “The Department of Energy is focused
May 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Isobutanol’s Horizons: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo has two proprietary technologies that combine to make it possible to retrofit existing ethanol plants to produce isobutanol, a four carbon alcohol which serves as a hydrocarbon platform molecule. They have developed an industrial scale
April 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Lumber’s Lure: Thanks to Physics, Viable Biofuel May Grow in the Woods
by Chris Lee (Ars Technica) Future biofuel production requires new catalysts—or better training for stubborn enzymes. ... I thought New Zealand would offer some chemistry-minded contrast. The country makes a lot of money on timber exports, but this profit is generally not from primary forest.
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Enerkem Makes a Major Breakthrough by Producing a New High-Octane Biofuel
(Enerkem/Oil and Gas 360/PR Newswire) Enerkem Inc., a world-leading waste-to-biofuels and chemicals producer, announced today during the 255th American Chemical Society national meeting being held in New Orleans, that it had succeeded in producing a new high-performance biofuel that could improve the octane rating
March 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Rennovia’s Demise, the Triple Rule, and the Pursuit of Sustainable Nylon in a World of Low Oil Prices
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Rennovia has ceased operations, after the company failed to raise sufficient financing from investors and/or strategic partners to advance its pilot-scale technology to first commercial production. The bulk of the IP assets have been
March 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Catalyst Collaboration: Argonne Accelerates Biofuel Production Technology
by Meltem Urgun-Demirtas (U.S. Department of Energy) ... With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) totaling nearly $1.3 million since 2013, ANL researchers are using X-ray spectroscopy to move the nation closer to achieving cost-effective production
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Off-Road Engines, Aftertreatment Systems Perform Well on B100
(AGQM/Biodiesel Magazine) The University of Rostock demonstrates in current research results that off-road engines conforming to exhaust emission category EU Stage IV are suitable for operation with pure biodiesel. The German government’s climate protection plan 2050 intends a reduction of the greenhouse
February 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Hotties: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Engineering Thermophiles for Syngas-to-Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy is supporting a Kiverdi-led project to develop microbial biocatalysts to convert syngas into monoterpenes. Syngas feedstocks are relatively inexpensive and diverse, and thermophiles have several unique advantages; Meanwhile, end products have value
February 19, 2018 Read Full Article
New Cat in Town: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Catalyst Synthesis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Deliver high performing, cost-effective catalytic materials that meet the needs of the ChemCatBio catalysis projects? That’s the ambitious goal of a project led by researchers from Argonne National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab and the National
February 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop Process to Produce Higher Quality Fuel from Biowaste
(Phys.Org/University of Calgary) Researchers have found a way to produce a higher quality, more stable fuel from biowaste, such as sewage, that is simpler and cleaner than existing methods. "This puts biofuel closer to being a good substitute for fossil fuels," said Hua
January 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Valley of the Diols: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Producing PDO and HDO from Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can you build a catalytic process to produce alpha, omega diols from lignocellulosic biomass? Such a process, using inorganic catalysts for conversion of biomass into 1.5 pentanediol (PDO) and 1,6 hexanediols could reduce the cost of
January 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Researchers Reveal High Performance CNT Catalyst Relating to Its Electroconductivity
(Phys.Org/World Scientific Publishing) Recent research published in a report in Nano showed biofuels were obtained from Jatropha Oil using carbon nanotube (CNT) catalyst, which showed efficient cracking activity. The performance was activated by the high stability, metal sites, acid sites, electroconductivity, and coking
January 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Forging New Sources for Biodiesel and Hydrocarbon-Based Products
by Cheryl Croucher (Troy Media) Part 3 of a 10-part series: Forge Hydrocarbons, a U of A spinoff, turns low-grade fats and oils into valuable fuel -- New technology employed by Forge Hydrocarbons Corp., a University of Alberta spinoff company, proves you
January 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Make Haste Slowly: The Story of Anellotech’s Journey towards a Bio-BTX Breakthrough
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In it, we are reminded that innovation is a never-ending war between two brothers named Urgency and Diligence — and the conflict comes roaring back to life when we consider the news that occasionally seeps out of that mysterious
January 05, 2018 Read Full Article
A New Catalyst to Produce the Biodiesel of the Future
(FGUSAL/DICYT) Researchers at the University of Salamanca test a catalyst to produce biodiesel more efficiently and economically in accordance with the requirements imposed by the regulations for the coming years -- ... However, the problem is that nowadays it is only possible
December 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Projects Named as Semi-Finalists in Ontario Competition
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Ontario Centres of Excellence have announced 20 semi-finalists for Ontario’s Solutions 2030 Challenge, which calls on innovators to propose solutions to help the province’s industry reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. Several of the finalists
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Affordable, Renewable Hydrocarbons Made from Ethanol: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Vertimass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where scientists discovered novel catalysts that convert a wide range of alcohols into various hydrocarbon blend stocks which can be used in existing gasoline, diesel and jet
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 10 Asia Bioeconomy Trends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With apologies to every other region around the world. we continue to see Asia as the epicenter of the biobased revolution over the next 20 years. The reasons are three and relatively straightforward: 1. Continued and robust
December 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Scientists Turn Beer into Fuel
(Phys.Org/University of Bristol) Chemists at the University of Bristol have made the first steps towards making sustainable petrol using beer as a key ingredient. ... Scientists from the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry have been working for several years to develop technology that will
December 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Global Biofuels Catalysts Market by Manufacturers, Types, Regions and Application Research Report Forecast to 2022
(MarketersMedia/SNJ Today) Global Biofuels Catalysts Industry 2017 Market Research Report provides the details about Industry Overview, Manufacturing Cost Structure, Capacity, Growth Rate, Gross Margin, Major Manufacturers, Development Trends and Forecast Analysis. ... The Global Biofuels Catalysts Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional
December 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Welcome to the Protein Revolution: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer
December 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Advanced Bioeconomy Horizons: The 5 Top R&D Trends Right Now
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Catalytic reaction rates, microcrystalline cellulose, cyanobacteria working in teams, vertical farming, vegan products & markets. The 5 top disruptive techs we’ve seen in recent weeks are attacking these fronts. Here’s what we see. 1. Breakthrough on (microcrystalline) cellulose
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Top Cat: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to ChemCatBio’s Progress and Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, we work with industry to rapidly transition R&D discoveries
October 05, 2017 Read Full Article
8 Fast Flyers Chosen for Top Cat: The Big Attack on Biomass Catalysis Begins
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Somewhere in the files of the Department of Energy it is called the Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy Consortium. Inside the halls of National Labs, they call it ChemCatBio. ... They’re on a mission to bring forward commercial bioenergy applications two
October 05, 2017 Read Full Article
The Protein Engineers: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Crossing the Valley of NLACM with Alcohol-to-Hydrocarbon Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s one crossing worse than the Valley of Death and that is the Valley of NLACM. Although it sounds more like a goose trying to say “You’ll like him” — it’s the Natural Law of Alternative Commodity
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Solar-to-Fuel System Recycles CO2 to Make Ethanol and Ethylene
(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Solar-to-Fuel System Recycles CO2 to Make Ethanol and Ethylene -- Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have harnessed the power of photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into fuels and alcohols
September 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Building Blocks from Biocrude: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to High Value Methoxyphenols
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy is supporting a project to develop and optimize a hybrid separation method to recover high-value methoxyphenols to improve the process economics and environmental impact for the production of advanced biofuels from
September 21, 2017 Read Full Article
How Two Microbes Joined Forces to Produce Bio-diesel from Carbon Waste
by Tv Jayan (The Hindu) JNU researchers discover bacteria from Rajasthan, Ladakh, use them as catalysts -- Using microbes growing in two diverse climatic conditions, Indian scientists have found a way to convert carbon-rich waste materials into bio-fuel. A team of
September 15, 2017 Read Full Article
You Wascaly Lignocellulose, Deconstruct: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Hydrocarbon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy is supporting a project led by Pacific Northwest National Lab to develop a new deconstruction technology to provide low ash and low impurity sugars and sugar-derived intermediates from lignocellulosic feeds for use in
September 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Ruthenium-Based Catalyst Could Be Biomass Game-Changer
(Biofuels International) Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new catalyst to improve the synthesis of primary amines (derivatives of ammonia). It is claimed that in the future the newly developed ruthenium based catalyst could also impact the development
September 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Plastic Stretches Towards the New: Top 10 Trendlines in Bioplastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Plant Bottle has generated so much goodwill and publicity for its 30% renewable, sustainable content (and that biobased MEG) that it’s easy to forget that there are several paths being chased to 100% renewable
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Gettin’ a New Cat: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalyst Costs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy is supporting a project to develop a catalyst cost estimation tool that would enable rapid and informed cost-based decisions in research and commercialization of catalysts. As the research team notes, “Nearly all biomass
September 01, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass and Catalytic Conversion into Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE established and funded a project to develop a novel Multistage Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of biomass and integrate with Virent’s Catalytic BioForming Process to efficiently produce cost effective “drop‐in” fuels from woody biomass and
August 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Researchers Identify Cheaper, Greener Biofuels Processing Catalyst
(Phys.Org/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Fuels that are produced from nonpetroleum-based biological sources may become greener and more affordable, thanks to research performed at the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute that examines the use of a processing catalyst made
August 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Scientists Closer to Refining Biodiesel for a Standard Diesel Engine
(Biofuels International) Scientists in Germany have found a way to refine biodiesel so that it works in standard diesel car engines, according to an article appearing on Live Science. Differences in molecular structure mean that biodiesel made from plant material burns at
August 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Queen's Researcher Turning Dirty Tinfoil into Biofuel Catalyst
(Queen's University Belfast) A researcher at Queen’s University Belfast has discovered a way to convert dirty aluminium foil into a biofuel catalyst, which could help to solve global waste and energy problems. In the UK, around 20,000 tonnes of aluminium foil
August 10, 2017 Read Full Article
From Sugars to Affordable Hydrocarbon Fuels: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalytic Upgrading R&D
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy has set a goal to “Select and develop at least one route for catalytic upgrading of sugars/related intermediates and/or biologically derived intermediates into fuel blendstockswith conversion performance than can achieve
August 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Catalysis on a Hot Tin Roof: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to the ChemCatBio Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, the consortium works “with industry to rapidly transition R&D
August 03, 2017 Read Full Article
ChemCatBio Launches 2017 Directed Funding Assistance Opportunity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, ChemCatBio announced a new 2017 directed funding assistance opportunity. It’s an opportunity for industry and academia to engage with ChemCatBio to tackle challenges associated with these core research themes, to leverage our capabilities and expertise to overcome any
July 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels beyond Corn: The Pathway from CO2, Water and Electricity to Liquid Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s been the cellulosic wave, then waste — and alongside there has been steady progress in what are known as the electrofuels. These are fuels made directly from CO2, water and either sunlight or electricity.
July 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Green Synthesized Biofuel Meets Auto Standards
by Stu Borman (Chemical & Engineering News) Low-energy and waste-free reaction produces biofuel that meets regulatory vaporization standards -- Researchers in Germany have developed chemical reactions that convert rapeseed oil and ethylene to a diesel fuel that could power conventional
June 29, 2017 Read Full Article
And No Extra Hydrogen: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to One-Step, High-Yield, Drop-In Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass’ John Hannon gave this illuminating overview of one-step, high-yield production of drop-in fuels without added hydrogen, at the 2017 DOE Project Peer Review sessions. READ MORE
June 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Stanford Discovery Could Lead to Sustainable Source of the Fuel Additive Ethanol
by Mark Schwartz (Stanford News) Most of the fuel additive ethanol used in the U.S. is made from corn. But new research reveals that copper can turn carbon dioxide into ethanol without using corn or other plants. ... A recent discovery by
June 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Anellotech Confidential: Pilot Running, New Mystery Investor as Catpyro Begins to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Anellotech’s Bio-TCat process is designed to produce cost-competitive renewable aromatic (BTX) chemicals (benzene, toluene and xylenes) from non-food biomass for use in making plastics such as polyester, nylon, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or for renewable transportation
May 31, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Researchers Find Better Way to Split Hydrogen from Water
(CleanTech Canada) In a discovery that could help jump-start the hydrogen economy, a team of physicists at the University of Houston have found a catalyst that can divide water using low-cost materials -- Hydrogen gas may be an entirely clean-burning
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
How Gold Can Recycle Biofuel Waste into Useful Additive
(Phys.Org/Tomsk Polytechnic University) Gold nanoparticles serve as catalysts for obtaining valuable chemical products based on glycerol. Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University and their international colleagues are developing gold catalysts to recycle one of the main byproducts of biofuel production. The
May 23, 2017 Read Full Article
New Insights into 3rd Method of Microbial Energy Production
(Bioenergy Insight) Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the workings of the ‘third’ method of microbial production, known as ‘flavin-based electron bifurcation’ (FBEB). Their findings could be hugely significant for the world of microbial energy and biofuels. The discovery of
May 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Researchers Find More Efficient Way to Make Oil from Dead Trees
(University of Washington/Biomass Magazine) The mountain pine beetle has destroyed more than 40 million acres of forest in the western United States. That amounts to an area the size of Washington state that is strewn with conifers left for dead. The
May 04, 2017 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Industrial 5C and 6C sugars
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest had a well-received webinar on C5 and C6 sugars, featuring in-demand industry consultant David Dodds and Fluid Quip exec Jeffrey Robert — looking at transformative approaches to making sugars and the chemistry that we can
May 03, 2017 Read Full Article
KiOR – In Hindsight
by KSL (E2IG Solutions Pvt Ltd / Biofuels Digest) ... The overall failure of KiOR can essentially be narrowed down to three text-book cases: I. Utilizing (Incorrect/Underdeveloped) Catalyst Systems for Upgrading Biomass, II. Disregarding Inherent Oxygen Content in Biomass, III. Diseconomies of Scale. ... Whilst
April 27, 2017 Read Full Article
The King of Biofuels: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Pyrolysis’ Progress and Prospects, Pt 1
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Not long ago, George Huber and Robert Brown wrote in a special issue of Energy Technology of their desire to “highlight recent advances in pyrolysis technologies and to discuss the critical research needs of this
April 24, 2017 Read Full Article
BETO Announces Launch of Consortium of National Laboratories To Overcome Catalysis Challenges
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announces the launch of its Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy Consortium (ChemCatBio), a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion
February 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Commercial Proving Grounds
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) With help from investors, Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. plans to fast-track deployment of its renewable diesel technology at a shuttered, gutted biodiesel plant in Alberta. -- ... CWS has been developing its technology, designed to
February 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol to Drop-In Fuels: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Oak Ridge’s Catalytic Ethanol Upgrade Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The program objective seen in these slides is to take a technology from Technical Readiness Level 2 to TRL 3/4 — a technology that directly upgrades ethanol to a drop-in hydrocarbon fuel at a high
February 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Makin’ Hydrocarbons: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Catalytic Upgrading of Thermochemical Intermediates
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To demonstrate an advanced biofuels technology that integrates a catalytic biomass pyrolysis step and a hydroprocessing step to produce infrastructure compatible biofuels, here’s the basic recipe, according to a research team led by David Dayton at RTI
February 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Global Biofuels to Rise to 67 Billion Gallons in 2022 as Next-Generation Technologies Take Over
(Lux Research, Inc.) Advanced biofuels will nearly double in five years to 9.6 billion gallons per year as first-generation fuels like traditional biodiesel lose out to newer low-carbon fuels, says Lux Research -- New biofuel technology is finally starting to
February 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Researchers Produce Renewable Car Tires from Trees, Grass
(University of Minnesota/Biomass Magazine) A team of researchers, led by the University of Minnesota, has invented a new technology to produce automobile tires from trees and grasses in a process that could shift the tire production industry toward using renewable
February 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Bioconversion of Lignin Derivatives to Biofuels: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Value from Lignin
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The goal? Develop microbial biocatalysts to convert lignin-rich streams into value-added products. That’s subject which this project — “Synthetic Metabolic Pathways for Bioconversion of Lignin Derivatives to Biofuels,” led by Oak Ridge National Lab’s Adam Guss
February 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Bio-Oil and Beyond: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to RTI’s Catalytic Upgrading tech for Thermochemical Intermediates to Hydrocarbons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To “Demonstrate an advanced biofuels technology that integrates a catalytic biomass pyrolysis step and a hydroprocessing step to produce infrastructure compatible biofuels,” that’s the ratuional behind a DOE project with RTI in the lead, aimed
February 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Catalyst for Green Biodiesel Production from Unrefined Feedstock
(South China Morning Post/sponsored) ... This new Catalyst for Green Biodiesel can be synthesized in one step from low-grade unrefined feedstock such as waste cooking oil, with no aqueous treatment steps required. Ethanol or propanol extracted from plants can also be
February 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Butadiene from Ethanol in One Step: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to ETB Catalytic Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ETB Catalytic Technologies has developed a one-step process for producing butadiene from ethanol – and attracted investment in March 2016 from Zavkom Group and grant funding from Skolkovo for Pilot testing. Low energy consumption and
February 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Sugars to Drop-In Fuels & Chemicals: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Virent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Virent is in the business of replacing crude oil by applying clever chemistry to create the fuels and chemicals the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable resources. Virent’s patented technology features catalytic
January 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Iowa State Engineer Helps Journal Highlight How Pyrolysis Can Advance the Bioeconomy
(Iowa State University) A special issue of the journal Energy Technology details the latest advances in pyrolysis technologies for converting biomass into fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Two pyrolysis experts are guest editors of the issue: Robert C. Brown, the director of
January 16, 2017 Read Full Article
New Path to Ethylene via Ethanol: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Technip’s Hummingbird Tech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last June, we reported that Technip completed the acquisition of Hummingbird ethanol to ethylene technology from BP Chemicals Ltd. Utilizing a proprietary catalyst operating under mild operating conditions, the technology converts ethanol to ethylene through dehydration. The technology
January 04, 2017 Read Full Article
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In: Anellotech, Edeniq, Novvi
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... For Anellotech, a new technology to extend catalyst life by reducing catalyst poisons that cause catalyst and product cost to soar. For Novvi, a signature investment from Chevron. From Edeniq, word that their technology is
December 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Scientists Trace ‘Poisoning’ in Chemical Reactions to the Atomic Scale
by Glenn Roberts Jr. (Berkeley National Laboratory) Research team combines X-ray source at Berkeley Lab with other tools -- Researchers have revealed new atomic-scale details about pesky deposits that can stop or slow chemical reactions vital to fuel production and
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
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