BioPro first to explore new biofuels quandary

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The U.S. Renewable Fuels Mandate ... "Ethanol Will Not Get Us There"

The U.S. doesn't have the infrastructure to consume more fuel ethanol. Significant increases in cellulosic and next-generation "drop-in" biofuels may be the only route forward.

In a special session at BioPro Expo on Tuesday, March 15, in Atlanta, Ga., 9 to 10 a.m., representatives from Purdue University and Auburn University, together with other biofuels experts, will explore why and how this infrastructure dilemma has happened, and what we can and must do to get over the blending wall and make real progress toward our national renewable fuels goals.

Surprising new studies done by research teams at Purdue University and other institutions clearly show that the U.S. is now at the "blending wall" or saturation point for ethanol use. Even with the national ethanol blending percentage in gasoline increased to 15 percent, together with projections for increased flex-fuel vehicle production and E85 fuel pumps, the country will not be able to consume more ethanol than is being currently produced, based on analyses using the latest DOE and EPA data.

One of the more promising technologies according to session speakers, thermochemical biofuels could quickly become the favored approach to meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard. These fuels are similar enough to gasoline to allow unlimited blending and would increase the amount of biofuel that could be used. These "drop-in" biofuels could be directly absorbed into the existing transportation fuels infrastructure, directly replacing petroleum crude oil and/or refined petroleum fuels and products.

"Producing the hydrocarbons directly doesn't have the infrastructure problems of ethanol, and there is no blend wall because you're producing gasoline," Professor Wally Tyner of Purdue University says. "If that comes on and works, then we get there. There is significant potential to produce drop-in hydrocarbons from cellulosic feedstocks."

The "ethanol quandary" will be further explored during the Business Leaders Forum, being conducted together with BioPro Expo. At this unique forum, biofuels technology developers, producers, consultants and leading bioenergy equipment and systems suppliers will explore hurdles, opportunities, progress and routes forward in the global bioenergy arena.