BIOMASS HUB

Researchers at USF pioneer technology to convert biomass to jet fuel, including sawdust. Key advantages include transportability and feedstock flexibility.

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) official comment period ends today, with over 20,000 submissions counted according to USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.  For those looking to capitalize on the program, here’s another use for that sawdust…jet fuel.

Jane Meinhardt writing for the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that a startup formed out of University of South Florida research involving the transformation of sawdust into aviation biofuels is now taking off.

The research centers around a patent-pending catalytic process that can transform any type of biomass — horse manure, demolition debris, or kudzu vines — into fuel in an environmentally clean process using a reactor.

John T. Wolan, a USF chemical engineering professor involved in the project, explains:

The catalyst changes biomass into liquid fuel.  It can be tuned to the fuel you want — diesel, gas or aviation fuel.  It is totally sulphur clear and very clean.

The initial reactor resembles a foot-long stainless steel pipe that withstands certain temperatures and pressure, writes Meinhardt.  The researchers so far have produced a liter of aviation fuel from sawdust, but its potential is great, Wolan said.

A pilot plant using the catalytic process already has been designed to present to potential investors.  Wolan said it would cost roughly $2 million to build and would have the capacity to produce 300 gallons a day.

Wolan adds:

Once the pilot plant is optimized, we can scale up to whatever size we want.  We’re targeting aviation fuel and the commercial and military markets.

Supply chain issues are a big concern for aviation biofuels, with many feedstocks grown in remote locations far away from population centers where the largest airports are located.  An advantage of the project’s biomass reactor and catalyst technology is that the footprint is small enough that it can be airlifted and dropped to a site where it is needed to produce fuel, using biowaste available at the site, Wolak explains.

The team is also targeting the military as a key end market.  According to the team’s research, U.S. Department of Defense’s annual bill for Air Force jet fuel runs $60 million to $74 million.

More on jet fuel from sawdust.

Check out Camelina Aviation Biofuels: A Market Opportunity and Renewable Energy Report.

Images: Flickr/Away until inspiration comes; Kathleen Cabble