Innovative Dual Pathway System by Atlantic Biomass Revolutionizes Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
In a significant breakthrough for sustainable energy, Atlantic Biomass, LLC has unveiled an innovative Dual Pathway System designed to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) effectively and affordably. This development addresses one of the major challenges facing the aviation industry today — the high costs associated with renewable biofuels. Recently, the company's President, Bob Kozak, elaborated on the difficulties currently hampering widespread adoption of biofuels in both passenger and freight aviation. He noted, "Converting stems and leaves from sustainable biomass into high-energy liquid fuels is not easy, and right now, it's expensive."
To combat these issues, Atlantic Biomass has collaborated with The Ohio State University and Hood College, with support from the Department of Energy’s Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program and the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEII). Together, they've restructured the biomass-to-biofuel system to seek out an affordable way forward. Kozak explained, "We took a deep dive into each process step to identify limits and hidden benefits, looking at biofuel production as a complex system rather than a series of disconnected steps."
The newly established Dual Pathway System enhances the production of SAF by integrating biomass into the ethanol and syngas production processes. This innovative approach nearly doubles the biomass-to-SAF yield from about 42% to an impressive 79% by eliminating the need for costly cleaning and processing operations. The key discoveries powering this system include:
The potential impact of this system is substantial. According to the US Department of Energy's 2023 Billion Ton Report, the U.S. alone could produce 284 to 535 million tons of biofuel-ready biomass annually from perennial grasses. By integrating the Dual Pathway System with existing ethanol and syngas SAF facilities, Atlantic Biomass estimates it could generate over 1 million barrels of renewable jet fuel per day—sufficient to fuel every commercial flight in the nation with domestically produced biofuels.
Moreover, the Dual Pathway System can be deployed in various regions globally to foster local economies by producing ethanol and syngas for European or Asian SAF production facilities. Kozak highlighted the potential for this system to stimulate sustainable economic growth and environmental benefits in countries across the Pacific and in Central Europe and Asia.
When discussing the economic advantages of their system, Kozak explained how this approach merges both ethanol-to-SAF and syngas-to-SAF production pathways, providing vertical integration capabilities that enhance profit margins. This arrangement maximizes efficiency by allowing scientists and engineers to adjust enzyme loads and processing parameters without the delays usually associated with bureaucratic processes.
Atlantic Biomass has provided a production cost table comparing their Dual Pathway system against traditional models, elucidating the significant revenue benefits this pioneering innovation offers on a per-acre basis, emphasizing improved financial viability. The combining of two essential renewable energy sources exemplifies a forward-thinking strategy for building a more sustainable future. This strong push towards renewable biofuels could lead to transformative shifts within the aviation industry and beyond, making aviation greener and more affordable in the coming years.
Through ongoing efforts and innovations, Atlantic Biomass, LLC stands at the forefront of sustainable fuel production, dedicated to developing processes that leverage available non-food biomass, thereby contributing to a greener planet and a more resilient energy infrastructure.
To combat these issues, Atlantic Biomass has collaborated with The Ohio State University and Hood College, with support from the Department of Energy’s Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program and the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEII). Together, they've restructured the biomass-to-biofuel system to seek out an affordable way forward. Kozak explained, "We took a deep dive into each process step to identify limits and hidden benefits, looking at biofuel production as a complex system rather than a series of disconnected steps."
The newly established Dual Pathway System enhances the production of SAF by integrating biomass into the ethanol and syngas production processes. This innovative approach nearly doubles the biomass-to-SAF yield from about 42% to an impressive 79% by eliminating the need for costly cleaning and processing operations. The key discoveries powering this system include:
- - Simultaneous Ball Milling and Enzyme Hydrolysis: This method removes the necessity for expensive thermal and chemical pretreatments required for converting carbohydrates into sugars.
- - Continuously Active Enzymes: The enzymes that kickstart during ball milling maintain their efficiency downstream, working with fermentation processes to avoid inhibitions that hinder the conversion of cellobiose to fermentable glucose without raising costs.
- - Low Impurity Syngas Production: The methods employed cater to the production of a cleaner syngas feedstock, addressing current economic limitations related to biomass harvesting.
- - Optimal Processing Ratios: Adjusting the proportions of machinery used to convert biomass ensures maximum output of fermentable sugars within a swift 24-hour cycle.
The potential impact of this system is substantial. According to the US Department of Energy's 2023 Billion Ton Report, the U.S. alone could produce 284 to 535 million tons of biofuel-ready biomass annually from perennial grasses. By integrating the Dual Pathway System with existing ethanol and syngas SAF facilities, Atlantic Biomass estimates it could generate over 1 million barrels of renewable jet fuel per day—sufficient to fuel every commercial flight in the nation with domestically produced biofuels.
Moreover, the Dual Pathway System can be deployed in various regions globally to foster local economies by producing ethanol and syngas for European or Asian SAF production facilities. Kozak highlighted the potential for this system to stimulate sustainable economic growth and environmental benefits in countries across the Pacific and in Central Europe and Asia.
When discussing the economic advantages of their system, Kozak explained how this approach merges both ethanol-to-SAF and syngas-to-SAF production pathways, providing vertical integration capabilities that enhance profit margins. This arrangement maximizes efficiency by allowing scientists and engineers to adjust enzyme loads and processing parameters without the delays usually associated with bureaucratic processes.
Atlantic Biomass has provided a production cost table comparing their Dual Pathway system against traditional models, elucidating the significant revenue benefits this pioneering innovation offers on a per-acre basis, emphasizing improved financial viability. The combining of two essential renewable energy sources exemplifies a forward-thinking strategy for building a more sustainable future. This strong push towards renewable biofuels could lead to transformative shifts within the aviation industry and beyond, making aviation greener and more affordable in the coming years.
Through ongoing efforts and innovations, Atlantic Biomass, LLC stands at the forefront of sustainable fuel production, dedicated to developing processes that leverage available non-food biomass, thereby contributing to a greener planet and a more resilient energy infrastructure.
Topics Energy）
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