US-based renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer, Gevo Inc., has announced that it has developed proprietary, breakthrough processes that convert either low-carbon isobutanol or low-value “fusel oils,” a mixture of alcohols that are byproducts from fermentation processes such as alcohol production, into renewable diesel.
Furthermore, Gevo says that this renewable diesel is expected to compete head-to-head on price with natural and petroleum-based equivalents while reducing particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Low-carbon renewable diesel is biomass-derived transportation fuel suitable for use in diesel engines and has increased in demand since the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) went into effect.
Additionally, the marine sector will have to reduce sulphur emissions to meet new international water regulations beginning in 2020. Gevo expects this to open yet another door for the company’s products.
Not only are we going after the whole gallon to replace fossil-based fuels, but we are also going after the whole slate of renewable low-carbon liquid fuel products. In addition to being a low-carbon intensity fuel, our product has no sulphur or particulates. This technology leverages off our platform of low-carbon alcohols and I give credit to our catalytic chemistry team, led by Jonathan Smith, for this breakthrough, said Dr Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo.
