ClearFlame’s genset technology progresses through phase-one trials
A power generator genset capable of running on ethanol, relying on novel engine technologies patented by ClearFlame Engine Technologies, has successfully progressed through phase-one trials. The trial was conducted by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in partnership with ClearFlame and Duke Energy. In addition to a series of other tests, the genset completed a successful 24-hour continuous power test.

“The pilot demo marked the first ever genset demonstration for our company,” said Robert Schanz, ClearFlame vice president, research and development, adding that the trials were performed at the Battery Innovation Center in Newberry, Indiana. “We're pleased to report that the feedback was very positive overall. All eyes now focus on the second pilot, where our engine will power a real customer with a renewable low-carbon fuel.”

Phase two testing in conjunction with ComEd, an Exelon company in Illinois, will be the next step in the product development process.

“There’s a clear need in the power generation market for reliable clean power to supplement and complement EV grids, whether during episodic black-outs, daily peak power periods or when a rapid recharge is required,” said Kevin Cellucci, ClearFlame’s director of strategy. “ClearFlame’s engine allows the genset unit to run on clean, widely available ethanol, reducing carbon, cutting costs and offering a sustainable mobile power source that we are developing to work in nearly all weather and terrain conditions. It’s exciting to see this new product continue to prove its value and efficacy.”

Gevo signs services agreement with McDermott for SAF plants
Gevo Inc. has entered into a master services agreement (MSA) with a subsidiary of McDermott International Ltd. to provide front-end engineering and early planning services for Gevo’s development of multiple sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities in North America. The first facility, Net-Zero 1, is expected to be located near Lake Preston, South Dakota. The Net-Zero 1 plant is expected to produce up to 65 million gallons of SAF, diesel and renewable gasoline that, when consumed, is designed to have a lifecycle net-zero greenhouse gas footprint.

Under the scope of the MSA, McDermott will provide engineering, execution planning and pricing for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase of Gevo’s Net-Zero 1 project. The MSA is expected to lead to a final EPC agreement with Gevo for its Net-Zero 1 project to be finalized in coordination with the timing of Gevo’s financing activities for the project.
 

Blue Biofuels pursues scaling objectives with DOE grant 
Florida-based Blue Biofuels Inc. has received a U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 grant. The grant, valued at $206,500, will further propel Blue Biofuels' mission to create sustainable transportation and aviation fuel.

The DOE grant will enable Blue Biofuels to advance its efforts to scale and optimize its patented cellulose-to-sugar (CTS) process. The funding will support the company’s team of scientists and engineers as they complete Phase 1 scaling objectives and continue to refine cutting-edge fuel technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.

"We are honored to be awarded the DOE SBIR grant, which recognizes our commitment to developing clean and sustainable fuels,” said CEO Benjamin Slager. “This grant not only validates our ongoing efforts but also provides us with the resources needed to accelerate our research and move closer to commercialization."

United’s Sustainable Flight Fund grows to nearly $200 million
The United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund—a way for companies and consumers to come together and increase the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the support of start-ups—has increased its investment power to nearly $200 million and added eight new corporate partners, five months after its initial launch.
American Express Global Business Travel, Aramco Ventures, Aviation Capital Group, Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, Groupe ADP, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue Ventures, will join inaugural fund partners Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell.

United customers also have the option to contribute to supplement the airline's investment in the Sustainable Flight Fund when they book flights. Since the fund launched, more than 60,000 United customers have contributed a total of more than $200,000.

To date, United has invested in the future production of over 5 billion gallons of SAF—the most of any airline in the world.
 

Green Plains, Equilon Enterprises launch technology collaboration
Green Plains Inc. has entered into a technology collaboration with Equilon Enterprises LLC, a subsidiary of Shell. This collaboration allows for Green Plains Inc., via Fluid Quip Technologies’ precision separation and processing technology (MSC), to be used with Shell Fiber Conversion Technology (SFCT). The two technologies will combine fermentation, mechanical separation and processing, and fiber conversion into one platform. Their joint objective is to create a new process to liberate all available distillers corn oil currently bound in the fiber fraction of the corn kernel, generate cellulosic sugars for production of low-carbon ethanol, and enhance and expand available high protein. 
Green Plains’ biorefinery in York, Nebraska, is the location for both the MSC pilot plant and the SFCT demonstration facility, which will demonstrate the scalability of this technology. Commissioning is expected in 2024.  
 

Ethanol groups join American Carbon Alliance
The newly formed American Carbon Alliance announced it has added the nation’s three most preeminent ethanol organizations to its ever-growing coalition. The American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association have recently joined the ACA to bring attention to the benefits that carbon capture technology will have on rural communities, the nation’s economy, and the ethanol industry.

“These three powerhouse organizations are a force when it comes to leading the charge for America’s farmers, producers, corn growers, and ethanol plants,” said Tom Buis, CEO of the American Carbon Alliance. “We’re thrilled to add them to our coalition and look forward to working with them to bring about a new energy future in America.”
“There’s no doubt that carbon capture and sequestration puts ethanol on a unique trajectory to reach both net-zero and net-negative emissions,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. 
 

HYCO1, Kansas Ethanol collaborate on CO2 utilization facility
HYCO1 Inc. has entered into a 20-year carbon dioxide supply agreement with Kansas Ethanol, located in Lyons, Kansas, for the planned construction of the world's largest biogenic carbon dioxide utilization facility, Green Carbon Synthetics Kansas LLC. 

HYCO1 is a Houston, Texas-based technology company that has created a disruptive CO2 conversion catalyst and related low-cost CO2 process technology. HYCO1 CUBE Technology (carbon utilization, best efficiency) cost-effectively utilizes carbon dioxide and various methane source feedstocks to create low-cost, low-carbon, chemical-grade syngas in a single pass. The syngas produced is used to produce low carbon intensity downstream products at a competitive cost to fossil-based feedstocks.

The new HYCO1 project will be co-located with Kansas Ethanol, utilizing all of the plant’s 800 tons per day of CO2 to produce approximately 60 million gallons per year of low-carbon and zero-carbon products. 

Allotrope, Axens, SCOA partner on wood-to-ethanol project
Allotrope Partners LLC, Axens North America, and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas have announced the signing of an agreement to develop a joint study for a commercial plant producing cellulosic ethanol utilizing the Axens Futurol process. The biofuel will be produced from woody biomass through Allotrope Cellulosic Development Co. LLC, a project development company based in California.

The project will use feedstock based on local Californian forest thinning materials and agricultural residues. These feedstocks, in part, come from the waste generated in large forest fire prevention activities to reduce risk of wildfires that have become a critical challenge in California in recent years. This project will produce a commercial-grade ethanol, while at the same time contributing to the reduction of carbon released into the atmosphere from the massive wildfires that have severely impacted the environment and residents in California.

Published in the 2023 September issue of Ethanol Producer Magazine