CARBO Analytics wins DOE grant to improve biofuels fermentable sugar analysis

A New Method to Assess Biofuel Raw Material Value

In Colorado, Carbo Analytics announced that it has been awarded a $150,000 DOE Small Business InnovationResearch grant for FY 2013. For “Simple and Rapid Determination of Total Accessible C5 and C6 Content of Biomass Samples”, Carbo Analytics has partnered with CEM Corporation, the worldwide leader in microwave digestion systems, to prepare biomass samples. This combined solution will give biofuel operators increased visibility into feedstock quality.  A simple and fast method for sugar measurement allows raw material value to be readily

assessed. It also allows biofuel operators to flag potential feedstock problems and facilitate suppliers in developing and supplying the highest value products.  Biomass contains the C6 sugars (e.g. glucose, fructose and mannose), primarily from cellulose, and C5 sugars (e.g. xylose, and arabinose) from the hemicellulose part of the plant material. Fast measurement of these sugars is the key indicator of feedstock value and the potential production of a biofuel plant.