Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource - UNEP

Main Products: Cellulosic Ethanol
Operation and Maintenance Requirements:
The company is backed by an undisclosed amount from Khosla Ventures and
a $76 million federal grant from the DOE. This morning Range Fuels also said
that its $76 million grant, which it first announced in February, has been
signed and that they’ve agreed to the terms and appropriation of funds. The
first $50 million will go towards this first phase of the plant, and the remaining
$26 million will go towards the next phase of the project.
Social Considerations
The thermochemical route to biomass conversion does appear to be more
flexible in its acceptance of variable and blended feedstock. Using heat
instead of enzymes to break molecular bonds not only saves the price of
enzymes but dramatically reduces the need for water - not an insignificant
issue, particularly in the face of mounting concern about
Investments and Operating Cost
Range Fuels’ technology has been tested and proven in bench and pilot-scale
units for over 7 years. Over 8,000 hours of testing has been completed on
over 20 different non-food feedstocks with varying moisture contents and
sizes, including wood waste, olive pits, and more. This technology will be
used in our first plant planned for a site near Soperton, Georgia.
Advantages to Developing Countries
The Range Fuels process accommodates a wide range of organic feedstocks
of various types, sizes, and moisture contents. This flexibility eliminates
commercial problems related to fluctuations in feed material quality and
ensures success in the real world, far from laboratory-controlled conditions.
Disadvantages to Developing Countries
Thermo-chemical processes consume energy and use expensive materials to
withstand the temperatures and pressures necessary to convert the biomass
into cellulosic ethanol. To reduce production costs, focus will be placed on
advances in materials design and process efficiency.
Examples of Real Life Applications
Range Fuels
11101 W. 120th Avenue, Suite 200
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: 303-410-2100
Fax: 303-410-2101
General Inquiries: info@rangefuels.com.
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