The principle fuel used as a petrol substitute for road transport vehicles is bioethanol. Bioethanol fuel is mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process. Our experts are able to supply technology for ethanol production on a farm scale and larger.

Second generation bioethanol production

Some of our projects are using technology for second generation bioethanol. Second generation ethanol, also known as cellulosic ethanol, is a biofuel produced by the transformation of non-edible raw materials like wood, switch grass, bagasse, forestry and agricultural waste. The problem that second generation biofuel processes are addressing is to extract useful feedstocks from this woody or fibrous biomass, where the useful sugars are locked in by lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. All plants contain lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. These are complex carbohydrates (molecules based on sugar). Lignocellulosic ethanol is made by freeing the sugar molecules from cellulose using enzymes, steam heating, or other pre-treatments. These sugars can then be fermented to produce ethanol in the same way as first generation bioethanol production. The by-product of this process is lignin. Lignin can be burned as a carbon neutral fuel to produce heat and power for the processing plant and possibly for surrounding homes and businesses.

Our ethanol production concept

Our team has re-developed well know technologies, with the goal of reducing the costs, improving the performance and providing maximum raw material flexibility and the possibility to use the lignin produced as an energy source. Resulting in high quality product and low operation and equipment costs.

Raw material flexibility.

High quality and productivity.

Low capital cost.
◦ No need for stainless steel.
◦ No equipment for detoxing required.

Low operating cost.
◦ Low energy consumption.
◦ Less process steps.
◦ Low water consumption.

Energy generation.
◦ From the lignin waste or a biogas plant, reducing effluents.
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Site Zuidvelde (Netherlands, combination with biogas production)

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• ~ 20.000 t/a crops
• ~ 6.000 t/a bioethanol
• ~ 900 kW biogas-CHP

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Site Zörbig (Germany)

Capacity:

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• ~250.000 – 300.000 t/a crops
• ~80.000 – 100.000 t/a bioethanol
• ~80.000 – 100.000 t/a animal feed
• ~80.000 t/a CO2

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Site Egchel(The Netherlands)

Capacity:

• ~25.000 – 50.000 t/a wood / straw / biomass
• ~5.000 – 10.000 t/a bioethanol
• biogas / energy production
• algae production

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Site Ospel(The Netherlands)

Capacity:

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• ~25.000 – 50.000 t/a wood / straw / biomass
• ~5.000 – 10.000 t/a bioethanol
• biogas / energy production
• algae production

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