Assessment of Conversion Technologies for Bioalcohol Fuel ...

Technology Characteristics–The Swan technology is an advanced form of
enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of biomass to produce fuel ethanol. Swan has
utilized the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s research and development
facilities for testing of its process. The company has also worked with Purdue
University on a modified yeast applicable to ethanol production. The Swan technology
is said to be able to accommodate a variety of biomass feedstocks.
Development Status–The company reports that the technology is currently ready for
commercial deployment. Emissions of some criteria air pollutants (particulates, NOx,
SOx, CO, HC ’s, VOC’s, toxics) are said to have been measured; emissions of others
are being determined. Net energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions analysis
have also reportedly been completed for the technology. In its currently preferred
configuration waste biomass will be imported to balance energy requirements.
Detailed technical data results for the process are being held confidential by Swan.
Future Development Plans–Swan is part of a venture being undertaken in the
Imperial Valley of California to produce ethanol from sugarcane. Known as Imperial
Valley Biorefining LLC, this project intends to apply the Swan technology to convert all
of the sugarcane plant, including the cellulosic components, to ethanol at an initial
scale of approximately 30 million gallons per year. Expanded applications, including
other projects in Imperial Valley and elsewhere are also planned. Additional
feedstocks are also being investigated, including other agricultural wastes and
residues and wood. Swan’s business plan is to license its technology for multiple
project developers and act as a project facilitator, rather than construct or operate
projects of its own.
Mascoma Corp., Cambridge, Massachusetts
Organizational Background–The Mascoma Corporation was founded in 2005
based on many years of cellulosic ethanol research and development by Dartmouth
College laboratories. Mascoma maintains corporate offices in Cambridge, MA and
research and development labs in Lebanon, NH. In 2006 Mascoma secured Series A
funding in the amount of $4 million from Flagship Ventures and Khosla Ventures. In
November 2006 the company raised an additional $30 million in Series B funding from
General Catalyst Partners, with additional participation from Kleiner Perkins Caufield &
Byers, Vantage Point Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, and Pinnacle Ventures, as well
as existing investors Khosla Ventures and Flagship Ventures.
Technology Characteristics–The Mascoma thermophilic Simultaneous
Saccharifcation and Fermentation (tSSF) technology is based on the modification of
thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum. This strain has demonstrated the ability to
produce ethanol from xylose at elevated fermentation temperatures. This innovation
substantially reduces the cellulase required in the production of ethanol. The
Mascoma technology has been tested at the laboratory scale level.
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