Idaho researchers pioneer new superyield process for cellulosic ethanol

In Idaho, researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory have developed a new technology to produce cellulosic ethanol. The researchers describe the process as bio-syntrolysis; it uses multiple technical steps, including the use of electrolysis to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, and combining this with a carbon-free electric source to convert up to 90 percent of carbon from biomass into liquid biofuel. Existing processes convert only up to 35 percent of carbon.

The researchers said that the process requires 1000 MW of power to produce 1 million gallons of fuel per day – the amount of power from a full-scale nuclear reactor, but far more than a conventional solar or wind power source can provide. In their process, oxygen is introduced with biomass to produce a syngas, while the remaining hydrogen is combined with the syngas is converted into liquid fuel.

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