Frontline BioEnergy Delivers Plant Modules to Stine Seed Farms in Joint Pyrolysis Project
In Iowa, Frontline BioEnergy delivered the final module of the Stine pyrolysis plant to the project site in Redfield, Iowa.
The Stine pyrolysis project, a collaboration between Stine Seed Farms and Frontline BioEnergy, will transform biomass into biochar and bio-oil. Frontline took the project from conception through detailed engineering and fabrication. Work on the 9-module pyrolysis plant took place at Frontline’s headquarters in Nevada, Iowa. Stine Seed Farms is currently installing the equipment at their site. Frontline and Stine will partner to commission and start-up the plant during the summer of 2021.
Autothermal pyrolysis (ATP) is a process developed and patented by Iowa State University researchers, including Frontline’s own Joseph Polin, Ph.D. It can be used to convert agricultural and forest waste into usable products without the combustion required by many conversion facilities.
The pyrolysis plant will produce a multitude of valuable products, including:
• biochar, which will be used as a soil amendment for farmland
• bio-oil, which can be used to produce bio-asphalt or refined to create diesel and jet fuel
• thermal energy, which can be used for process heat or electrical generation
“The ATP technology overcomes the scaling limitations that have plagued most pyrolysis technologies,” noted Frontline CEO Jerod Smeenk. “The Stine Seed Farm 50-tpd project is the next step to demonstrate the scalability and operability of this unique process. Frontline is pleased to partner with Stine and ISU on this cutting-edge innovation.”
Meanwhile, Frontline signed an agreement with the Iowa State University Research Foundation to license autothermal pyrolysis technology developed by Iowa State University (ISU) researchers. This comprehensive license will allow Frontline to employ ATP technology in its own projects and in partnership with companies to unlock the value of waste biomass. After ISU researchers developed this technology, Frontline leveraged the operational data and findings from ISU’s pilot plant to engineer and fabricate the 50-tpd demonstration plant. The licensing agreement enables Frontline to bring more value to Iowa’s biomass and greater profitability to local farmers.
Category: Fuels
