A strong technical team has been assembled to accomplish the specific tasks of this project which include the definition of the best feedstock conditions and gasifier temperatures, as well as enriched oxygen concentration, fermentation of the stover syngas, emissions measurement for permitting and by-product utilization; and the preparation of a detailed design and energy balance for projection of the economics of the combined stover / corn plants. Included in this team are: Chippewa Valley Ethanol, KATZEN International, Inc., Burns and McDonnell and Bioengineering Resources, Inc.

It is estimated that in the U.S., farms produce 120 million tons of unused corn stover annually, which could supply two quads of energy. Recent research has led to the successful development of various gasifier designs to convert agricultural residues into useful energy. Some of these units have been commercialized, but few have been economically successful, primarily because the product of gasification, heat, has a low value.

This CORN STOVER PROJECT will investigate the production of higher value liquid fuel, ethanol, and by-product power from corn stover. The stover is gasified and the CO, H 2 and C0 2 in the synthesis gas is fermented into ethanol. A single fermentation product, ethanol, is produced and high theoretical yields (140 gallons per ton) are possible since all biomass components, except the ash, are utilized. The purpose of this project is to develop and demonstrate at pilot scale an optimal gasification / fermentation process to utilize corn stover.

A major emphasis will be placed on the integration of a stover ethanol facility with a conventional grain alcohol plant in the Corn Belt. The corn plant can utilize waste heat from the stover plant. Other synergies include the use of common ethanol storage and load out facilities, utilities, waste treatment, maintenance shops, laboratories, roads, fire protection, offices, etc. The economy of these commonalities will be quantified to define an optimal corn / stover plant that can serve as a model for the industry.

Utilization of the available U.S. corn stover would produce about 1-0 billion gallons of ethanol per year, reducing oil imports by five percent and improving our balance of payments by $350 million per year. Additionally, 4000 MW of power would be produced, reducing natural gas imports by 85 billion CF per year. The full exploitation of this technology would create 40,000 direct high-level jobs in rural farm areas and contribute about $10 billion annually to local economies.

Perhaps the greatest benefit to the economy is the added income to the farmer from sale of corn stover. Based upon $30 per dry ton, the additional income to the farmer would be $60 per acre, increasing farm income by $3.5 billion annually. Beyond these economic benefits are the improvements to the environment through the use of renewable and clean burning fuel

This technology can lead the nation to energy independence through the use of its agriculture and other residues. The DOE funds will be used to catalyze these developments.

KATZEN International Inc. 2300 Wall Street Suite K Cincinnati,Ohio 45212
(v) 513.351.7500 (f) 513.351.0810 info@katzen.com