Future Applications

Dynamotive is currently researching other product applications as well as higher value derivative products, including mobile fuels.

BioOil

BioOil/Alcohol Blends

BioOil is fully miscible in alcohols such as ethanol and methanol. Blending of BioOil with a small amount of alcohol significantly improves fuel handling quality by reducing viscosity and increasing stability. Utilizing wet or “off-spec” ethanol has the added advantage of being obtained at a significantly lower price than commercial grade ethanol. These blended products retain their favorable environmental/emissions profile.

Emulsions

BioOil is not miscible in diesel, but it can be emulsified with diesel. Two programs, one in Canada (CANMET) and the other in Italy, are focused on commercializing BioOil/diesel emulsions using surfactants. Emulsions of 10% to 30% BioOil in diesel would improve fuel stability and viscosity, reduce corrosiveness, and provide a cetane value similar to neat diesel.

Catalytic Reforming

A highly desirable method of upgrading BioOil is to convert it to a premium fuel that is fully compatible with existing petroleum fuels. BioOil may be gasified and converted into synthesis gas, bio-based synthetic diesel fuel or bio-methanol via commercial processes. Synthesis gases and/or bio-methanol may be applied directly to SO or PEM fuel cells. Synthetic diesel may be used in conventional petroleum engines. The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is also developing a steam gasification process to generate hydrogen from BioOil.

Char

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is used in a wide variety of purification and filtration systems such as municipal and industrial water treatment systems. Dynamotive has successfully demonstrated activating pyrolysis char using conventional processes at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Dynamotive estimates that it will require further 9-12 months to bring this technology to commercial implementation.

Steel/Metallurgical Coal

Char may be an appropriate substitute for high value anthracite coal, which is typically used in metallurgical applications such as steel production. The char must be refined or conditioned to meet the critical physical properties of metallurgical coal. Further investigation of this application is required.