Bolt-on technology test improves bioethanol yield

Renewable energy and agriculture technology provider ICM has completed a test of its 1.5 generation integrated fibre to cellulosic ethanol technology.

ICM engineered a 1,000 hour test run at its pilot plant in Missouri, US and believes it can now save on both operating costs and expenditure over traditional cellulosic ethanol production. Feedstocks used in the test included corn stover and fibre, wheat and barley fibre, switchgrass, energy sorghum and bagasse.

Results included an additional 7 to 10% increase in ethanol yield per bushel and more than 90% and 80% conversion of C6 and C5 sugars respectively, which could lead to a pathway for second generation production.

ICM claims the technology is a bolt-on product that can be added to existing corn and sorghum ethanol plants.

‘We are grateful for the efforts that our employees performed to make the 1,000-hour run a remarkable success,’ says ICM principle scientist Jeremy Javers. ‘We also extend thanks to the US Department of Energy Biomass Programme, which provided us with sound guidance and support.’