Waste to Biofuel

PROCESS 3 – Catalytic Conversion: Waste to Biofuel (wBiofuel™)

Catalytic Conversion

Conversion of syngas to fuel through a catalyst reaction unit.

Fischer Tropsch Process

• Dr. Calvin Bartholomew of BYU has developed a catalyst for the conversion of syngas to synthetic diesel fuel as a primary product.  ICC has signed an agreement to join the BYU Fischer-Tropsch Consortium.  
• ICC has contracted Dr. Bartholomew to consult on the development of ICC’s proprietary catalysts for synthetic diesel, aviation fuel and ethanol.
• The gasification process converts carbon-containing biomaterial into syngas, composed primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be used as a basic chemical building block for the production of synthetic biodiesel. 
• The syngas produced through gasification is pressurized and pushed over a catalytic converter to produce a mix consisting of about 70% synthetic biodiesel fuel with a high octane number, 15% aviation fuel and 15% heavier lubricants. 
• ICC’s catalysts have reached near commercial parameters for performance in converting syngas to fuel. 
• The first commercial catalysts are targeted to produce 80 gallons of synthetic fuel (biodiesel & jet fuel) per bone dry tonne (BDT) of SSO input. 
• Technically speaking, the ICC Biofuel Process is a biomass to liquid conversion path quite similar to modern day methanol or gas to liquid production processes used commercially by companies such as Methanex, Shell, and Sasol.  
• The key differentiating factors are the feedstocks, catalysts and operating parameters.  
• In December 2009, ICC received confirmation of funding from the BC Government for $4,000,000.00 of development funding to build a pilot scale facility to process organic waste into synthetic diesel and aviation fuel.
• In 2011, ICC was short-listed for a federal government support of $3 million.
• ICC expects its first bio-fuel facility to be commercial by 2014.