Faster Energy Independence with Electrolytic Process for Cellulosic Biofuels

Reaching Faster Energy Independence with Electrolytic Membrane Process for Cellulosic Ethanol and Butanol Production

Let us seek energy independence from foreign oil as soon as possible. A new electrolytic membrane process designed by Electrosep Inc in Corvallis, Oregon (USA) can probably accelerate the development and production of cellulosic bioethanol and biobutanol in the United States and probably make it a reality sometime around 2011. This can be made possible by quickly implementing the new Electrolytic MEMBRANE PROCESS that is being developed by Electrosep. The process uses a DuPont Nafion® perfluorosulfonic membrane to recover and recycle the alkaline catalyst that is used in the digesters in cellulosic biofuels production during the pretreatment stage. The pretreatment stage is where the lignin and the hemicellulose components of the cellulosic biomass are separated from the cellulose prior to saccharification or sugar production. The sugars are normally produced from the cellulose and the hemicellulose via enzymatic hydrolysis. The sugars are then sent to fermentation and distillation processes that render the final biofuel product at the other end of the biorefinery. The company has also designed an EL MILD PRETREATMENT PROCESS that reduces the production of acetic acid, hydroxy-methoxy-furfural, and other inhibitors that hinder the reactions in the saccharification and fermentation stages downstream. Preliminary tests show that the new EL process is capable of breaking the recalcitrant structure of the fibers even when temperatures and pressure conditions are kept low. The preliminary data shows production of about 100 gallons of ethanol per ton of cellulosic biomass with an estimated production cost of about $ 1.10 per gallon after taking into account the credit value from coproducts such as the lignin and hydrogen generated during the operation. The new EL process can be used with raw materials such as such as corn stover, softwood, hardwood, wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse, and others. The company is presently performing pilot tests at a number of sites to gather data and to finalize the design and development of a sustainable and economically viable process to be used at biorefineries. Any comments or questions regarding the new EL process can be sent to admin@electrosepinc.com and it is our hope that we all try to cooperate in bringing cellulosic biofuels into production as soon as possible in order to reap the benefits of becoming less dependent on foreign oil.

Ricardo F Caro PE
ricardo@electrosepinc.com