Posted August 11, 2009

Swedish biofirm Chemrec AB announced on Aug. 11 that its bio dimethyl ether (BioDME) demonstration project, intergrated into a pulp mill, will break ground in September in Pite?•, Sweden. The company expects the demo plant to be producing fuel by mid-year 2010. DME is typically used today as a liquefied petroleum gas substitute but is also a high-cetane, alternative fuel for diesel engines.

The project will demonstrate production of DME from forest biomass in a black liquor gasification process. Part of the project will also demonstrate use of the fuel in heavy-duty vehicles.

In June, Chemrec announced that its DP-1 black liquor gasification development plant in the same town where its new demo plant will be built reached the milestone of 10,000 accumulated operating hours. Chemrec stated that this plant is the only gasification plant in the world producing high-quality synthesis gas and subsequent various fuels from woody biomass.

CEO of Chemrec, Richard J. LeBlanc, said, "The Chemrec BioDME project will not only be a technical demonstration but will also showcase the opportunity for the pulp and paper industry to play a major role in the production of high-value, high-performance biofuels from low quality forest and agricultural residues."

The company stated this demonstration plant will produce "green liquor" from black liquor and upgrade the organic part of the black liquor to synthesis gas, which will be cleaned and cooled using the DP-1 gasifier plant. Chemrec says since the tar and methane content from the syngas is low, there will be no need for secondary tar and methanol reforming.

Chemrec is looking for federal and state grants and loan guarantees to assist with this project.