Rentech, which developed the Fischer-Tropsch process for the conversion of syngas derived from biomass and fossil resources into synthetic fuels, has taken a 25 per cent stake in ClearFuels Technology.
The companies will work together to integrate ClearFuels’ biomass to syngas technology platform with the Fischer-Tropsch process. This will be used to produce certified renewable synthetic jet and diesel fuels at commercial scale facilities.
The partnership also expands ClearFuels’ capabilities for development of advanced cellulosic biofuels facilities that includes renewable synthetic diesel as well as jet fuels.
The company has signed an exclusive worldwide license with Rentech to use the patented Fischer-Tropsch technology for the production of renewable advanced biofuels from sugarcane bagasse. It has also licensed the use of the process for the production of renewable synthetic fuels from virgin wood waste at as many as 12 US-based projects. The wood projects alone are estimated to have an annual capacity of more than 100million gallons of renewable synthetic fuels and 30MW of renewable power.
To achieve this, ClearFuels will install a demonstration-scale biomass gasifier at Rentech’s product demonstration unit in Commerce City, Colorado. This will produce syngas from bagasse, virgin wood waste and other cellulosic feedstocks. It will then be integrated into the Fischer-Tropsch process to produce high quality fuels.
