Qi BioEnergy

A gasifier differs from a combustor in that the amount of air or oxygen available inside the gasifier is carefully controlled so that only a relatively small portion of the fuel burns completely. This “partial oxidation” process provides the heat. Rather than burning, most of the carbon-containing feedstock is chemically broken apart by the gasifier’s heat and pressure, setting into motion chemical reactions that produce “syngas.” Syngas is primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other gaseous constituents; the composition of which can vary depending upon the conditions in the gasifier and the type of feedstock.

Each year, the EPM staff compiles the most comprehensive list of proposed ethanol projects—those between conception and construction—that we can verify. Over the years, some of these projects have disappeared, some have been on the list several times and others are producing ethanol. In 2008, the list’s fifth year, EPM offers updates on 118 projects representing nearly 8 billion gallons of annual capacity.

This year’s list comes at a time when many in the industry are dealing with an uncertain economic landscape and possibly an uncertain future. Raising equity has been a large concern for future producers, and a number of the projects listed here reported significant delays and challenges associated with funding their respective plants. There are indications that with the passing of the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, investors and bankers may begin to view the market with optimism instead of skepticism.

The increasing cost of building materials is another major concern for future producers. Steel and copper prices are rising, and some contractors are receiving letters from steel suppliers announcing increased prices for structural and reinforcing steel. “AK Steel (Corp.) has upped its spot selling price for hot-rolled coil $30 per net ton, effective immediately, thereby bringing prices to $700 for April shipments,” according to Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. Price increases are blamed on increases in the cost of raw materials and energy.

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E3 BioFuels‘ patented technology brings together three proven components into a single, closed-loop system, with astonishing results for the environment and the ethanol business.

1. A large cattle feedlot or dairy that produces large quantities of cow manure needing treatment.
2. An anaerobic digester that transforms the cow manure into biogas.
3. An ethanol plant that runs on the biogas instead of natural gas or coal, and whose leftover wet grain is fed back to the cattle.

The result is an energy-efficient, low-cost solution to America’s energy needs. Not only that, but the process of creating this ethanol doesn’t contribute to global warming and actually reduces air and water pollution.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday called on the Bush administration, congressional leaders and other officials to do more to foster alternative energy research in Colorado and the West, in part by extending tax credits for investors and producers.

“We can do all sorts of things,” Ritter said, referring to efforts by his administration, private businesses and local groups in Colorado and other states to advance alternative energy technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But, he continued, “We need help at the federal level. If we don’t alter the conversation at the national levels, all our efforts will be for naught.”

Agricultural residues are the biomass materials remaining after harvesting agricultural crops. These residues include wheat straw, corn stover (leaves, stalks, and cobs), orchard trimmings, rice straw and husks, and bagasse (sugar cane residue). Due to the high costs for recovering most agricultural residues, they are not yet widely used for energy purposes; however, they can offer a sizeable biomass resource if supply infrastructures are developed to economically recover and deliver them to energy facilities. An estimated 2,524,000 dry tons per year is available from corn stover and wheat straw in Colorado.

Great resource of maps on production of crops

Pulp and paper mills, many of which were built in the 1800s, haven’t changed much in their many decades of operation. Of Course, product improvements and process efficiencies have been developed and implemented, but the basic infrastructure and purpose of the mills remain the same. All this is about to change as pulp and paper mills are positioned to become the next biorefineries.

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• It is a very rapid, single-stage gasification process with low reactor volume
• It minimizes the need for raw syngas clean-up as the Chemrec process directly provides a raw syngas of excellent quality with
• Complete carbon conversion
• No tar formation
• Low methane content

Chopping corn silage, baling straw, and growing hay and alfalfa aren’t unfamiliar processes. Farmers have long supplied feed and bedding for livestock operations. However, transforming that system to supply biorefineries is challenging considering the sheer size and breadth of a facility’s biomass appetite.

A study led by the Straw Value Add Committee in Idaho and funded through a USDA value-added grant, looked at existing straw baling equipment and considered what a scaled-up system might look like. “A biomass refinery in our case would require 800,000 tons of biomass annually,” says Duane Grant, the committee’s project manager and an Idaho grower who produces 18,000 acres of irrigated crops. “That would require the harvestable biomass from 400,000 to 500,000 acres in Idaho, just for one plant.” Grant estimates that more than 1,000 growers would be required to supply the needed tonnage, all within a 100-mile radius. “It requires that we capture 70 [percent] to 80 percent of available feedstock from all the acres in that 100-mile circle.” Engineering report of this project.

Nebraska is truly right-in-the-middle-of-it-all offering an endless array of advantages that make living, working, and doing business here a wonderful and rewarding experience. Nebraska is a state that balances and blends economic opportunity with lifestyle; offers a wide variety of employment opportunities; has minimal commute times, safe communities and life-long learning prospects; provides variety and accessibility to natural, recreational and lifestyle amenities; has a great sense of place offering authenticity and realness featuring interesting older structures with new; blends a range of public space with commercial and personal spaces; has a bustle and buzz of varied activities; boasts exceptional environmental air and water quality, diverse populations, progressive thinking, and innovative and inclusive attitudes. It is this high quality of life that has created an environment where the possibilities for prosperity and happiness are endless.