LanzaTech and PNNL announce breakthrough

LanzaTech and PNNL to convert syngas to drop in jet fuel Auckland

November 17, 2010:

LanzaTech is to work with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) on converting some of LanzaTech's products to drop in jet fuel.

Lanzatech's clean energy technology can produce 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), an oxygenate which can be used to make hydrocarbon fuels - true drop in fuels that can replace diesel, jet fuel and gasoline - and high value chemicals.

Drop in fuel is a key enabler in the biofuel industry says Dr Jennifer Holmgren, LanzaTech's chief executive.

"The US has spent billions on its existing petroleum infrastructure and to redesign airline jet engines costs in the realm of hundreds of millions of dollars," Dr Holmgren says. "The biofuels that will succeed must be compatible with existing engines, pipelines and refineries. LanzaTech's integration of the fuels and chemicals value chain enables economic viability, as well as being environmentally sound."

The cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between LanzaTech and PNNL has been given final approval by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The first phase of the CRDA work will be done over one year, with the DOE funding PNNL and LanzaTech making an "in-kind" contribution.

Existing LanzaTech and PNNL collaborations with teams at Tsinghua University and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which are performing techno-economic and life cycle evaluations, will also contribute to the work.

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