Here’s another interesting video explaining Anellotech’s bio-based aromatics production technology called Bio-TCat. Last month, Anellotech announced the proven viability of its process after achieving commercially-targeted yields ints its TCat-8 pilot plant in Silsbee, Texas, during six months of continuous process operations.
The Bio-TCat™ reactor produces a liquid product containing over 98% C6+ aromatic chemicals directly from the MinFree™-pretreated feedstock. After mild hydro-treating and purification, AnelloMate™ products – the family of liquid products made through Bio-TCat™ – reportedly meet all specifications for sale as chemicals or fuel blendstocks.
Process yields of 22-24% by weight of liquid products from loblolly pine feedstock were demonstrated. Supplemental carbon monoxide (CO) output provides the potential for an additional 3-5% yield by weight of cellulosic ethanol via third-party technologies or production of renewable electricity.
Anellotech is now planning the construction of its first commercial plant and is engaging in partnership and funding discussions with existing and new strategic partners. Engineering work is expected to begin this summer and once funding is secured, the next phase of construction will begin in the second half of 2020. The first plant will be capable of processing 500 bone dry tonnes/day of loblolly pine wood into 40,000 tonnes/year of products including benzene, toluene, xylenes, and C9+ aromatics to use as fuels or for making bio-based plastics for packaging and consumer products.
30,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide (CO) and other by-product gases will also be produced, for use in generating renewable electricity or used for chemical feedstock.
Anellotech and its partner Axens are looking forward to licensing much larger plants following this first commercialization. These would be five-times bigger, producing 200-250,000 tonnes/year of aromatics and 150,000 tonnes of CO. This rapidly expands the availability of bio-aromatics for chemicals and fuels, providing cost-competitive solutions needed by refiners and brand owners looking to make a difference in their carbon footprints.
