NREL Biorefinery Development Activities
The NREL Biomass Program is involved with six major biorefinery development projects that are focused on new technologies for integrating the production of biomass-derived fuels and other products in a single facility. The emphasis is on using new or improved processes to derive products such as ethanol, 1,3 propandiol, polylactic acid, isosorbide, and various other chemicals.
Second Generation Dry Mill Refinery (Broin and Associates, Inc.) This project will enhance the economics of existing ethanol dry mills by increasing ethanol yields and creating additional co-products.
Integrated Corn-based Biorefinery (E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.) This project will build a bio-based production facility to convert corn and stover into fermentable sugars for production of value-added chemicals.
Making Industrial Biorefining Happen (Cargill Dow LLC National) This project will develop and validate process technology and sustainable agricultural systems to economically produce sugars and chemicals such as lactic acid and ethanol.
Advanced Biorefining of Distiller's Grain and Corn Stover Blends (High Plains Corp.) This project will develop a novel biomass technology to utilize distiller's grain and corn stover blends to achieve significantly higher ethanol yields while maintaining the protein feed value.
MBI/USDA (John Ashworth)
DOE Biorefinery Development Activities
New Biorefinery Platform Intermediate (Cargill, Inc.) This project will develop a biobased technology to produce a wide variety of products based on 3-HP acid, which is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates.
Separation of Corn Fiber and Conversion to Fuels and Chemicals (National Corn Growers Association) This project will develop an integrated process for recovery of the hemicellulose, protein, and oil components from corn fiber for conversion into value-added products.