Conducted in partnership with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the bioliqTM pilot plant aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a process to produce high quality sulfur free fuel from residual biomass. These second generation biofuels are produced using the inedible part of plants (wood waste, straw), without any impact on the food chain, as opposed to first-generation biofuels produced from the oil, sugar or starch contained in plants such as oilseeds, beetroot or cereals.
For this project, Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions, the engineering and construction activity of Air Liquide group, provided key technologies for the pyrolysis of biomass and syngas as well as the oxygen supply needed for the gasification process. Thanks to this process now operating,approximately 7 kg of straw can produce 1 l of fuel.
These biofuels will be able to contribute to the production of quality fuels, green chemicals, and Blue hydrogen (CO2 free hydrogen). They allow a reduction of up to 90% in CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. The next step is to optimise the process in order to ramp up production and prepare for future commercialisation.
Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling