First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Begins Production; Will Fuel Sebring Race
February 04, 2008

By Bill Visnic

Ethanol derived from cellulosic “waste” sources –- rather than the corn-based stock that produces almost all of the ethanol used today –- takes a big step this week, as the nation’s first cellulosic ethanol plant begins production.

The cellulosic ethanol plant, engineered and operated by KL Process Design Group of Rapid City, S.D., is located near Upton, Wyo. The plant processes soft waste wood into ethanol and is the result of a 6-year cooperation between KL and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Cellulose is the primary structural component in all green plants.

A KL spokesman tells AutoObserver the new plant, which KL describes as a small-scale commercial operation, is designed to annually produce 1.5 million gallons of the renewable fuel.

The company said the facility also has successfully tested the process with wood-source waste materials such as cardboard and paper. KL said it employs proprietary technologies and newly developed enzymes that break down the cellulosic materials into the alcohol-based ethanol.

“In our experience with enzymes and ethanol production, we have incorporated proven technologies that have been utilized for years in other industries,” said Dave Litzen, VP of process engineering for KL Process Design Group, in a release. “Through these processes, we are releasing fermentable sugars hidden within the wood, without the use of environmentally unfriendly acids.”

The ethanol from KL’s new Wyoming plant also will be part of another history-making event: E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) fuel will be officially sanctioned in racing competition by the American Le Mans Series. The Corvette Racing team will be first to use racing E85 at the Le Mans Series’ first event, the 12 Hours of Sebring, March 15.

It is the first time any racing series has made a commitment to use E85, said the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. The ALMS said at least one other team, Aston Martin Racing, will use the KL-supplied ethanol during the 2008 racing season.

“This is a groundbreaking achievement not only in motorsports, but also in the drive to relevant fuel technologies,” said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series.

“The American Le Mans Series was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the only motorsports entity to meet the criteria for ‘green racing,'” Atherton added.

The shift to cellulosic ethanol is gaining political and auto-industry momentum as many interested entities engage in the effort to eventually shift ethanol production away from corn, which has manifest economic liabilities. General Motors Corp. recently provided a giant boost for cellulosic ethanol supporters when it announced it is engaged in a significant joint venture to build a plant capable of annually producing 50 to 100 million gallons of cellulose-derived ethanol by 2011.

Photo by General Motors

Chevrolet’s E85-fueled Corvette ALMS racer, as shown at the recent Detroit auto show.

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