A Journey Into the Emotions of Software Developers
Frances Arnold at Opportunity Green 2009
1. Gevo: an ‘advanced biofuels’ start-up Founded 2005, based in Englewood, Colorado Experienced & successful management team-over 150 years of experience in large scale industrial bioprocessing and renewable chemicals, fuels, plastics 1 million gallon per year demo plant in St. Joseph, MO with ICM >169 patents & applications including exclusive licenses from Caltech, UCLA (isobutanol pathway) and Cargill (cellulosic sugars) St. Joseph, MO Englewood, CO
3. A “biorefinery”: renewable fuels and chemicals Biology Corn Fuels & Blendstocks Octene Octane Av Gas Gasoline Jet Diesel Fermentation & Purification Chemical Processing Sugar Feedstock Bioprocessing Ag Residues Wood Isobutanol Isobutylene Energy Crops Chemicals PET Acrylic Rubber Lubricants Additives Fuel Blendstocks Chemicals Solvents
4. Biomass to Hydrocabons gevo Grain Fermentation & Bioprocessing Hydrocarbon Processing Sugar Feedstock Blendstocks & Fuels Ag Residues Wood Chemical Processing Isobutanol Isobutylene Energy Crops Chemicals and Materials Solvents Chemicals Gevo’s Integrated Fementation Technology GIFT®
5. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (Well to Wheels) gevo 1st generation cellulose to Gevo fuel Optimized cellulose or grain Gevo fuel Values based on GREET model by Argonne National Laboratory except for “Grain to Isobutanol with Biomass Heat/Energy “ based on Econergy Study for ICM. Ethanol values converted to Gevo hydrocarbon basis using the energy requirement for Gevo hydrocarbon manufacture compared to the energy requirement for ethanol.
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7. The benefits of Isobutanol as an oxygenate gevo Isobutanol Lowers RVP in Gasoline E10 Benefits: Lower RVP = easier to meet clean air act Higher Energy Density= greater miles/gallon Lower oxygen content = possibility for higher add’n rates Lower water solubility = add at the refiner or blender
Isobutanol is already used in the chemical industry and the food and beverage industry. It occurs naturally in Food (Grapes, Apples, Coffee, Bread)Isobutanol is An oxygenate with hydrocarbon-like properties. Easily converted into HYDROCARBONS for FUELSWe start with any carbohydrate. Currently the fermentation technology takes starches, but we are developing our next generation technology to accept mixed sugars, like those obtained from biomass feedstocks. We are collaborating with other companies developing biomass collection and processing capabilities. When ready, we will bring them together to utilize whichever feedstock makes the most sense.The biggest breakthrough Gevo has made is in the fermentation and purification process for isobutanol. We have utilized the best biotechnology tools and most experienced people to deliver a fermentation technology that delivers isobutanol as a single product. We have developed a novel separation process that works together with fermentation to provide isobutanol in high purity using low energy and low cost. What’s more, this technology fits into ethanol assets with little capital investment! Providing a lower capital cost, lower risk means of growing our business.Process produces a highly pure isobutanol, which is used today in the chemical industry and is a superior fuel oxygenate.This allows for a highly pure isobutylene and a capability to build up molecules as needed by the market. While not complete control, much more so than an oil refinery which is breaking down molecules. This results in lower capital and far fewer coproducts per unit of desired product.Utilizing known unit operations and catalysts from the refinery industry, we have developed hydrocarbon production processes for a variety of hydrocarbon types.Using this approach we will tailor products for the markets, enable options for ethanol producers, enable routes for meeting RFS without compromising air quality, provide greater options for refiners and others in the fuel value chain --- and deliver avgas!
Addition of ethanol increases RVP. In order to meet RVP standard of the clean air act, refiners have to change the formulation in their BOB to include more expensive ingredients to counteract ethanol—this is one reason why refiners oppose it. Isobutanol on the other hand, lowers RVP. Moreover the oxygen content of 3.4%--the E10 blend wall, would be equate to a B16. In other words, a 16% butanol in gasoline would equate to 3.4% oxygen. 3.4% oxygen is 10 Ethanol. (Butanol has more carbons per oxygen, hence one can gets more fuel per oxygen). The green line is Butanol added to E10. Notice the RVP decrease.
Chemically, Gevo Avgas is nearly identical to existingPreliminary Static Engine Test Results: Plane built from Van’s Aircraft RV-6 kit with Superior Air Parts, Inc. SL360 engine Engine temperature and pressure monitored with JP Instruments EDM-700 Low and high RPM with plane wheels lockedPerformance of Gevo AvGas was indistinguishable from purchased 100 LL