Microchannel reactors provide the key to intensifying the Fischer-Tropsch
(FT) reaction, opening up the possibility of economical and environmentally
friendly distributed production of third generation transportation biofuels. A
$5 million grant awarded to Velocys Inc, a subsidiary of the Oxford Catalysts Group,
from the Ohio-based Third Frontier Research Commercialization Program will help
to bring the advantages of microchannel reactors to alternative fuel production
facilities to make it possible to convert small quantities of FT materials to
meet diesel and jet fuel specifications. The grant is part of the $1.6 billion,
10-year Third Frontier Program initiative designed to support the development of
a world-class research capacity in Ohio.
In the grant-funded research, Velocys will apply its microchannel technology
to intensify the hydrocracking of heavy waxes produced via FT for the production
of diesel fuels. Successful extension of the microchannel technology platform
will result in modular, less capital-intensive hydrocracking units. These, in
turn, will improve plant economics. It will also help to maximise the production
of transportation fuels from the heavy waxes produced via FT in biomass to
liquid (BTL) and gas to liquid (GTL) plants.
Tom Hickey, Velocys president and managing director said: "Economic
hydrocracking of FT waxes is an essential element of an integrated
biomass-to-liquids facility. Velocys microchannel technology greatly improves
this process step and will speed the development of third generation
biofuels."
Roy Lipski, CEO of Oxford Catalysts Group said: "The world is beginning to
depend on alternative fuels. These FT fuels must be substantially upgraded
before they can be used as transportation fuels. Velocys hydroprocessing
technology will allow this to be done economically and in a distributed
manner."
