The Commercial Development of Lignocellulosic Ethanol Mark D. Stowers, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Science and Technology F.O. Lichts Developing and Commercialising Next Generation Biofuels London, UK 9-11 February 2010 © POET LLC
Jan 20, 2015
The Commercial Development of Lignocellulosic Ethanol
Mark D. Stowers, Ph.D.Senior Vice President of Science and Technology
F.O. Lichts Developing and Commercialising Next Generation BiofuelsLondon, UK
9-11 February 2010
© POET LLC
• Ethanol Background• Corn Ethanol and POET’s Approach• POET’s Cellulosic Ethanol Activities• Biomass Strategy• Process Technology• Corn-Cellulose Ethanol Integration• Criteria for Success• Vision for the Future
Outline
Ethanol – Past, Present and Future
100 years ago
Tomorrow
Today
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• Product Attributes– Adaptability– Burning Attributes– Octane
• Product Challenges– Energy Density– Current Engine Technology
• New Applications– E100 – proven fuel in Indy Cars
Ethanol Technology• Ricardo’s EBDI Engine – the future
– Ethanol Boost, Direct Injection– 3.2 L engine to replace 6.6 -7 L CI engine to
deliver peak power 450+ hp, 663 lb-ft torque at 3000 rpm More horsepower and torque than
gasoline Diesel engine replacement Closes the gap in fuel economy Meets new US EPA emissions stds
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• US Market Biofuels– 36 Billion Potential– >25% volumetric replacement
• National Security– Cost of Oil (USD)
• Environment– Total GHG Reduction
• Rural Development (Jobs)– Green Jobs Waiver (E15)– 136,000 new jobs– US$24 billion/year to GDP– One Time GDP Impact
• US$37 billion in capital projects• 260,000 jobs
Ethanol
Source: BESS version 2008.3.0, Liska and Cassman, 2009 GREET, Wang et al, 2007.
0.1 0.25 0.5 1 1.75 3 4.25 5.5 7 8.5 10.513.5
16
0.6 0.85 1.1 1.5 1.75 22.5
33.5
44.5
4.54.5
5
911.1
12.95 13.95 15.216.55
18.1520.5
22.2524
2628
30
33
36
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Years
bgy
Cellulosic Biofuel Advanced Biofuels RFS schedule
RFS2
GHG Reduction
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Branded DDGS
Corn Ethanol Process
Raw Starch Hydrolysis
Corn Fractionation
Biomass and LFG (Energy Supply)
Reduced Water Usage
High Gravity Fermentation
Branded DDGS
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Implemented at 26 plants producing over 1.5 billion gallons and 4 million tons of distillers’ grains
Cellulosic Ethanol Activity in the US
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• Project BELL (Scotland, South Dakota)– 1-2 tonnes biomass/day– Biochemical Process– Dilute Acid Pretreatment– Anaerobic Digester for Waste Stream Processing
• Project LIBERTY (Emmetsburg, Iowa)– 700 tonnes Loose and Baled Cobs/day– Biochemical Process– Co-located on Corn Ethanol Plant Site– Significant Energy Supply to Corn Ethanol Plant
POET’s Cellulosic Ethanol Plans
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Biomass Availability
Worldwide385-472 MM ha of idled cropland
(Campbell et al, 2008)
US1+ billion tons of available biomass
(Perlack et al, 2005)
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Biomass Collection: Challenges and Solutions
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• Available Biomass– 90+ million acres of corn– Corn Stover (enriched with cobs)
• Multiple Models– Loose and Baled Cobs
• Total Price Target– US$30-60/ton delivered
• POET Strategies– Leverage our existing footprint– Work with our existing farmer
investor group– Created procurement and
logistics entity– Partnered with DOE and USDA– Collaborate with National Labs
and Universities
Biomass: Field to Plant
Year Systems* Acres Tons Collected
2009 14 20,000 12,000
2010 100 100,000 70,000
2011 400 280,000 210,000
2012 450 315,000 252,000
ANNUAL LIBERTY TONS REQUIRED
*estimated
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Cellulosic Ethanol Process
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Pretreatment• Multiple Models• Adaptable to Multiple Feedstocks• Optimize Solids Loading• Minimize Catalyst Costs• Minimize Energy Usage
Low Solids High Solids
$0.00
$0.05
$0.10
$0.15
$0.20
$0.25
$0.30
$0.35
$0.40
$0.45
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Ener
gy C
ost (
$/ga
l EtO
H)
Pretreatment Solids Loading
Pretreatment Energy Cost
Solids Loading
Ener
gy c
osts
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Enzymes and Saccharification Process
Multiple StrategiesHighly Dependent on Pretreatment SystemEnzyme Availability Largely Limited to CellulasesCost Reduction Requires a Close Collaboration with Enzyme Suppliers
$0.00
$0.20
$0.40
$0.60
$0.80
$1.00
$1.20
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Enzy
me
Cost
($/
gal)
Etha
nol Y
ield
(ga
l/to
n)
Enzyme Loading (mg protein/g glucan)
Enzyme Performance
Enzyme Loading
Etha
nol Y
ield
Enz
yme
Cost
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• Multiple Options• Feedstock Implications• Biocatalysts• Multiple Process Scenarios
Fermentation
Yeast cell photo credit: http://www.sciencenews.net.au/
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• Process Improvements Achieved– Streamlined Unit Operations– Effective Lignin Removal
• Cost Reductions Realized– Chemical Raw Materials– Lower Energy Usage– Energy Offset to Corn Ethanol Plant– Enzyme Use– Plant, Property and Equipment
• Continuing Challenges– Enzyme Use– Fermentation Efficiency– Pretreatment Effectiveness
POET’s Cellulosic Ethanol Process Today
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• Co-Location with Existing Corn Ethanol Plant• Shared Infrastructure• Common Feedstock Suppliers• Synergistic Energy and Natural Resources Strategies
Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol Integration
POET Biorefining -- Emmetsburg© POET LLC
• Ethanol Market– Continued Product Performance– RFS2 Volumes– E15, FFVs, New Engines
• Consistent Governmental Policies• Feedstock Supply and Logistics System• Cost Effective Cellulose Conversion Technology• Value Capture Mechanism for Waste Streams
Criteria for Success
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• Roll out– RFS2 -- Achievable in the US– 90 billion gallons by 2030
(Sandia & GM, 2009)– Potential for 100% Domestic Fuel
• Drivers– National Security– Environment– Economic Development
• Global Impact– Benefits are translatable.– All biomass is local.– Technology is transferrable.
Vision for the Future
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