U.S. DOE funds bio-oil stabilization projects

Web exclusive posted Oct. 10, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. CST

The U.S. DOE will provide up to $7 million in funding to five separate projects to develop a technology that can be used to reduce the oxygen and char content in bio-oil derived from biomass through pyrolysis. Reducing oxygen and char from bio-oil will help to stabilize the product, according to the DOE. Bio-oil can be further refined to produce bio-based gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels, among other products.

Funding will be provided to UOP LLC, an Illinois-based Honeywell subsidiary, and its partner, Ontario-based Ensyn Corp. The companies are working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., and the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Virginia Polytechnic Institute with its partner Rutgers University will also receive funding, as well as Iowa State University and its partner ConocoPhillips Co. RTI International of Research Triangle Park, N.C., and its partner Archer Daniels Midland Co. will be funded, as well as the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and its partner Renewable Oil International of Florence, Ala.