BIOMASS REFINING
Technology is driving down the cost of producing biofuels
To economically produce fuel from plant biomass, two types of refineries are being developed: 1) Biochemical (with enzymes) and 2) Thermochemical.
The biochemical approach in the U.S. builds upon existing corn ethanol technologies, which uses enzymes to break down starch into sugars, which, in turn, are fermented to ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Enzyme companies have made great strides using biotechnology. The cost of new enzymes that turn cellulose into sugar has been driven down in just a few years from about $5.50 per gallon of ethanol produced to as low as $0.10. Other innovations are occurring at equal speed.
Thermochemical methods envision a process more akin to petroleum refining, where plant biomass is broken down under controlled conditions, such as high pressure and temperature. Improvements are being made to gasification technology, catalyst design and capital utilization to make commercial-scale facilities feasible.
Our energy crops can be tailored to maximize the efficiency and fuel yields in both of these approaches.
Costs are being driven down by concurrent technology improvements at every stage of the production process
