TRI, Rentech Inc?, Velocys?, Choren?, Flambeau River Biofuels, Johnson Timber?, AP Fuels? and World GTL? among other companies have formed the Low Carbon Synthetic Fuels Association to represent the biomass to liquid fuel industry using the Fischer-Tropsch process to produce advanced synthetic renewable fuels such as diesel and renewable jet fuel.

The association will focus on lobbying for advanced biofuels, and have received support from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute?, Auburn University?, Audi America?, Chemrec AB, Mercedes Benz USA?, Pacific Renewable Fuels?, Renewable Energy Institute International?, and Volkswagen?. This list of supporters was provided in comments delivered to the EPA¹ on the importance of advanced drop-in biofuels?.

Specifically, the LCSFA represents the Biomass-to-Liquids? or BtL? industry. One of the cleanest and most proven advanced biofuels, BtL? is produced through the gasification of renewable biomass and the subsequent conversion of the gasified biomass using the Fischer-Tropsch or F-T synthesis process. The renewable fuels produced are predominantly synthetic diesel? and synthetic jet fuel?, which are nearly identical to current crude oil-derived fuels, although significantly cleaner. These technologies use thermochemical conversion processes to convert biomass to liquid fuels.

BtL fuels rely on an established synthesis technology (F-T) which the LCSFA says can be brought to market quickly, unlike many other advanced biofuels, which it says remains in the research and development or “pre-commercial” stages. BtL fuels can be produced from abundant, non-food organic materials such as wood waste from urban recycling programs, paper mills or forestry residues, without increasing land use. Moreover, BtL? fuels are fully compatible with the existing fuels infrastructure, enhance engine performance, and reduce emissions.

The LCSFA says it will bring together participants along the whole value chain from biomass feedstock producers, gasification and F-T technology providers, and project developers, to consumers of the product and manufacturers of affected engines, vehicles and equipment. By so doing, it says these groups can address needed improvements and incentives.

Citations

¹ In response to the EPA's request for comments on the RFS2 Proposal.

External Links

A website for the LCSFA apparently does not yet exist. When one is created, please update.