Assessment of Conversion Technologies for Bioalcohol Fuel ...

could be converted to glucose, then fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. The
Hemicellulose fraction can be converted to xylose, then fermented and distilled to
produce ethanol. Finally, the lignin can be used to create industrial chemicals or
energy in the form of process steam and electricity.
Development Status–From 2003 to present the Pure Vision team has been working
on their Process Development Unit (PDU). The PDU was developed as a proof of
concept endeavor. During 2005 Pure Vision was able to demonstrate continuous
operation of the fractionation technology on a scale of 200 pounds of biomass per
hour.
Future Plans–A larger three to five ton per day system, Engineering Development
Unit (EDU), is currently under development. The Company expects to have the EDU
operational during the first quarter of 2007.
Figure A17. PureVision Process
RITE/Honda R&D Co., Kyoto, Japan
PureVision, all rights reserved
Organizational Background–The Research Institute of Innovative Technology for
the Earth (RITE) was established in 1990 as a joint-venture between the Japanese
government and private companies to conduct research on climate change
stabilization/mitigation technologies. RITE has been conducting biochemical-related
research on a number of different fronts since its inception. Honda R&D Co. is the
research and development subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., the world’s number four
automaker. RITE and Honda R&D have formed a cooperative venture to develop and
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