IH2 is designed to have low environmental impact. Since the process produces its own hydrogen and a surplus of water to be self-sufficient, it can operate in a stand-alone configuration anywhere there is sufficient biomass feed for conversion. A broad range of non-food source feedstocks can be used with the process, which mitigates concerns about seasonality, regionality, availability, and cost and does not interfere with the food chain. Work is also underway to determine the suitability of municipal waste as a potential feedstock.
The process is unique in that it directly produces either blending stocks or finished liquid hydrocarbon fuels like gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, known as drop-in products. This is unlike many other biofuels technologies that produce a crude intermediate that requires substantial further upgrading.
The process is based on mature components that are integrated and operated in the IH2 mode. IH2 technology is highly flexible and is economical for both small- and large-scale applications. It is based upon integrating existing process equipment, which would be engineered and made available through traditional routes, so no new manufacturing channels need to be established.
Therefore, the technology risks have been minimized, and the scaleup requirements are well understood.
The cost of product from IH2 as determined by an independent government laboratory is significantly lower than what has been reported for other advanced biofuels processes.
Yields of product fuels have ranged from 26% to 46% depending on feedstock. This is over 70% efficient energy conversion, and the production of exportable steam can raise the overall process efficiency even higher.
Produced fuels have been analyzed by GTI's technology licensee, CRI. First generation products have had excellent traits: oxygen content is less than 1%, it contains the same molecules as refined petroleum products, and the gasoline octane number is around 85. Second generation products using improved catalysts have demonstrated that product quality can be managed effectively.
The overall greenhouse gas reduction for the products, relative to petroleum counterparts, has been calculated to be over 94%.
GTI has received funding support for R&D and preliminary engineering for this novel process from the U.S. Department of Energy (EERE Office of Biomass Program) under the integrated biorefinery initiative. Participants in GTI's project include Cargill, Johnson Timber, Aquaflow, Blue Marble Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Michigan Technological University.
The timeline to market is short, and commercial introduction is expected in 2014.
GTI is continuing to conduct pilot testing, and a new second-generation facility capable of continually processing 50 kilograms of dry biomass per day, will demonstrate biomass handling and conveyance for multiple feedstocks and produce product in sufficient quantities for fuels certification and engine testing. It will serve as the platform for process optimization and detailed characterization through continuous operations, allowing the IH2 team to validate the economics, including catalyst consumption, and provide product valuation. CRI provided much of the funding for the new pilot plant.
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