Bio-Refining

Bio-Process has integrated the best available process technologies in the development & design of efficient bio-processing facilities (bio-refineries) for the profitable conversion of biomass materials (cellulose, starch, sugars, oils) into a variety of higher value bio-products (fuels, chemicals, feeds, & foods). In developing a bio-refinery project it is important to evaluate the different process options and technologies available, the market and value of different bio-products, and the local availability and market for feedstocks.

Bio-Refinery Products & Chemicals:

  • Renewable Fuels: Ethanol, Biodiesel, Butanol, Hydrogen,
  • Chemicals: Acetone, Furfurol, Propanediol, Ketones,
  • Organic Acids: Acetic, Lactic, Succinic, Gluconic, Butyric,
  • Bio-Energy: Lignate, Methane, Bio-Gas, Heat, Electricity,
  • Food & Feed: Single Cell Protein, Fat / Fiber / Sugar,

Bio-Refinery Biomass Feedstocks:

Bio-Refinery Design Elements: In addition to the choice of the biomass feedstock and the bio-products to be produced there are a number of other important design elements involved with the development of a bio-refining project. Bio-Process has run studies and analysis to identify a number of project design elements that are important to the development of profitable and efficient biomass processing:

Production Scale Based on Feedstock Availability: To control feedstock costs, the production capacity of the biorefining facility should be designed to take advantage of site specific feedstock abundance without creating an excess demand on the local market or requiring that biomass be transported long distances. (Bio-Refinery Capacity.pdf)

Facility Wide Technology & Process Integration: The choice of technologies and process systems should be carried out in a holistic, system wide, approach to ensure proper process integration, technology synergism, and facility wide process for maximum efficiency.

Modular Equipment & Process Systems: In designing production capacity around local biomass availability it is likely that smaller, more distributed, bio-refining systems will be more profitable. Smaller bio-refining systems (5 – 15 mmgy) are able to utilize modular components fabricated in controlled conditions to reduce capital cost and construction time relative to field constructed equipment and tanks.

Combined Unit Processing: The combination of unit processes in the processing of biomass can reduce capital and operating costs and improve process efficiencies. Bio-Process has developed a bio-reactor system that combines hdyrolysis, fermentation, and product separation to improve fermentation rates and decrease energy usage (SSF-CRS.PDF).

Co-Product Variability & Process Flexibility: In conventional biofuel production, a single feedstock is converted into a single bio-product, making the process highly sensitive to price changes in both markets. To ameliorate market swings and effects it is important to produce a variety of high value co-products and be able to adjust production to better compete in a diversity of market conditions and price ranges.

Please contact us to learn more about Bio-Process bio-refining systems, process technologies, project development, and design elements of improved systems.