Missouri Biomass-to-Energy Facility Scaling Up

A joint venture biomass to energy facility in St. Joseph, Mo., has reached a key milestone toward commercial scale production.

The demonstration-scale facility now is producing 100 barrels, or 4,200 gallons, per day of biofuel, has completed commissioning and begun 24/7 system operation, according to a news release. The project is a venture of Golden, Colo.-based Blue Sun Energy, Albuquerque, N.M.-based ARA Inc. and Richmond, Calif.-based Chevron Lummus Global CLG.

The facility’s biofuels iso conversion (BIC) process uses renewable feedstocks such as plant oils, tallow and waste vegetable oil into 100-percent drop-in diesel and jet fuels that meet petroleum specs without blending. It also makes naphtha that can be used as a gasoline blend stock.

“This is a key milestone toward commercial scale production, with initial results showing comparable system performance in the scale-up from our 4 barrel per day pilot system in Panama City, Fla.,” said Rob Sues, CEO of ARA.

The team will continue to test the system with various feedstocks through the end of this year.