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Butanol as Fuel View From the Field

2. Agenda . What is Butanol? Brief History ABE Process Today's Butanol From Petroleum The Future of Butanol Fuels Questions. 3. What is Butanol?. Family of 4 Carbon Alcohols Most common forms are normal butanol (n-buoh) and iso-butanol (i-buoh)? n-buoh primarily used to make butyl acrylates for coatings and adhesives Both n-buoh and iso-buoh have good fuel properties.

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Butanol as Fuel View From the Field

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    1. Thank you for having me here. I’m Sam Nejame and my company is Promotum, a consulting firm focused on commercialization of next gen biofuels and green routes to chemicals. We provide business development, corporate development, due diligence, strategic planning and other services that help grow companies and markets. Poll: Know your audience. Show of hands. How many policy? Commercialization? Scientists?Thank you for having me here. I’m Sam Nejame and my company is Promotum, a consulting firm focused on commercialization of next gen biofuels and green routes to chemicals. We provide business development, corporate development, due diligence, strategic planning and other services that help grow companies and markets. Poll: Know your audience. Show of hands. How many policy? Commercialization? Scientists?

    4. This is a good time to distinguish between n-buoh and iso-buoh. Both have similar energy content and vapor pressure and solubility characteristics, but iso has a higher octane number (R+M/2) and is a better choice for blending w/gasoline. n-buoh has higher a higher cetane number and is a better choice for blending with diesel.This is a good time to distinguish between n-buoh and iso-buoh. Both have similar energy content and vapor pressure and solubility characteristics, but iso has a higher octane number (R+M/2) and is a better choice for blending w/gasoline. n-buoh has higher a higher cetane number and is a better choice for blending with diesel.

    5. Compatibility w/oil infrastructure. Butanols are not corrosive to aluminum (etoh is). Butanols are much less hydrophilic and can be transported through existing pipelines. Reduction in blend vapor pressure means fewer VOC emissions and lower cost formulations can be used in EPA non attainment areas.Compatibility w/oil infrastructure. Butanols are not corrosive to aluminum (etoh is). Butanols are much less hydrophilic and can be transported through existing pipelines. Reduction in blend vapor pressure means fewer VOC emissions and lower cost formulations can be used in EPA non attainment areas.

    6. Fermentation of Clostridium for the production of acetone, n-buoh and etoh is the oldest industrial fermentative process. Originally utilized for the production of acetone and smokeless gunpowder. In the 1930s butanol’s value for paints and coatings was realized. Production of butanol via ABE continued up until the 1950s when the modern petro-chemical industry was born. China continues to use traditional ABE fermentation.Fermentation of Clostridium for the production of acetone, n-buoh and etoh is the oldest industrial fermentative process. Originally utilized for the production of acetone and smokeless gunpowder. In the 1930s butanol’s value for paints and coatings was realized. Production of butanol via ABE continued up until the 1950s when the modern petro-chemical industry was born. China continues to use traditional ABE fermentation.

    7. Although ABE is no longer current technology it forms the basis of many new bio routes to butanol. Actually half a mixed acid fermentation: acetic, propionic, butyric. Metabolic shift conversion to acetone, butanol, etoh. Traditionally in a 3:6:1 ratio A:B:EAlthough ABE is no longer current technology it forms the basis of many new bio routes to butanol. Actually half a mixed acid fermentation: acetic, propionic, butyric. Metabolic shift conversion to acetone, butanol, etoh. Traditionally in a 3:6:1 ratio A:B:E

    8. Toxicity to the organism (~1% concentration) impedes growth and product formation. Low product concentrations mean high water separation costs, Low yields increase size of all up front materials handlingToxicity to the organism (~1% concentration) impedes growth and product formation. Low product concentrations mean high water separation costs, Low yields increase size of all up front materials handling

    9. So what replaced ABE? The creation of the modern petro-chemical industry created a new cost effective route to butanol. So what replaced ABE? The creation of the modern petro-chemical industry created a new cost effective route to butanol.

    10. At a refinery naptha is cracked to propylene Propylene is the primary raw material and cost driver of n-buoh production. The oxo process produces ~90% n-buoh and ~10% iso-buoh.At a refinery naptha is cracked to propylene Propylene is the primary raw material and cost driver of n-buoh production. The oxo process produces ~90% n-buoh and ~10% iso-buoh.

    11. Biggest producers are German giant BASF and Dow Chemical.Biggest producers are German giant BASF and Dow Chemical.

    12. Cost curve shows every butanol facility manufacturing capacity and cost of production. Each bar is a facility. Width is capacity. Height is cost. Least competitive plants (far right) are eastern European and Japanese plants.Cost curve shows every butanol facility manufacturing capacity and cost of production. Each bar is a facility. Width is capacity. Height is cost. Least competitive plants (far right) are eastern European and Japanese plants.

    14. Price of butanol is typically 2X-3X the price gasoline and ethanol.Price of butanol is typically 2X-3X the price gasoline and ethanol.

    15. So, who thinks there’s a business in butanol?So, who thinks there’s a business in butanol?

    16. What’s changed to make biological processes competitive again?What’s changed to make biological processes competitive again?

    19. An optimistic projection for the future of butanol manufacture and acceptance. Some predict the entire petro chemical butanol market will be replaced with bio-butanol in 5 years. Highly unlikely.An optimistic projection for the future of butanol manufacture and acceptance. Some predict the entire petro chemical butanol market will be replaced with bio-butanol in 5 years. Highly unlikely.

    20. We are likely to see some ethanol facilities retrofitted by Gevo, Butamax and Cobalt. It is very possible we will see 4 or 5 (80MM gallon plants) go online They will initially sell into the chemicals market for isobutanol (and possibly n-buoh)? If the facilities are economical we will see them enter the fuels market within 10 yearsWe are likely to see some ethanol facilities retrofitted by Gevo, Butamax and Cobalt. It is very possible we will see 4 or 5 (80MM gallon plants) go online They will initially sell into the chemicals market for isobutanol (and possibly n-buoh)? If the facilities are economical we will see them enter the fuels market within 10 years

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