CBTL starts with transforming raw material into feedstock through a gasification process. The feedstock is then turned to fuel using a liquefaction process that requires thermal and catalytic reactions.
Accelergy claimed that its CBTL process provides 20% lower CO2 emissions than conventional refining methods, resulting in cleaner burning fuel and more efficient engines. The technology has been tested at laboratory and on small scale pilot projects.
Through this agreement, Accelergy said that it will create a fully synthetic jet fuel otherwise indistinguishable from standard petroleum fuel, by blending its liquefied coal with Great Plains Camelina oil.
Sam Huttenbauer, CEO of Great Plains Oil & Exploration, said: “This teaming gives Great Plains the ability to significantly impact the jet fuel market with domestically sourced biojet fuel. It will help fill the gap in low-cost biofuel availability from domestic sources as we expand the production of Camelina in North America.”
Rocco Fiato, vice president of business development and planning at Accelergy, said: “To date, there has been limited construction of facilities capable of producing these synthetic fuels in commercial quantities.The slow adoption and construction of these facilities is the result of the need for technological improvements in synthetic fuel production processes.
“Using Camelina will not only prove-out the technology on a commercial scale, but also provide meaningful quantities of the end-product biojet fuel for Air Force use.”
