Energy Dept Picks Iowa Firms to Develop Biofuels for Military
April 23, 2013Iowa Energy Center’s Spotlight: Frontline Finds Success at BECON
February 17, 2014Frontline BioEnergy Selected as DOE Grant Recipient
A team led by Frontline BioEnergy has been selected by the US Department of Energy for a grant of up to $4.2 million to demonstrate integrated pilot-scale production of military-spec fuel products. The project will leverage Frontline prior gasification experiences at lab, pilot and commercial scale in demonstrating an innovative new gasification technology, TarFreeGas®. The project will also incorporate existing Fischer-Tropsch (“FT”) syngas conversion and products finishing units and operational expertise from Frontline partner, SGC Energia.
Frontline will lead a strong team that includes its business, technology, and commercial development partner, SGC Energia – a leader in carbonaceous feedstock-to-transportation fuels solutions; Stanley Consultants, a worldwide provider of engineering, environmental and construction services; and Delphi Engineering and Construction LLC, a veteran-owned small business that specializes in program management.
Frontline CEO William Lee said, “We are pleased and honored to have been selected by the Department of Energy for this grant. Our team looks forward to working with the DOE on this project to accelerate the commercial deployment of advanced biofuels for military, aviation and other applications.”
SGC Energia CEO Vianney Vales said “We are looking forward to supporting our partner Frontline in this project with the DOE. The project fits perfectly with our company goal, which is to lead by example the development and operation of integrated refineries producing clean fuels for transportation. “
The DOE grant funding will be made on a minimum 50 percent matching funds basis. The Frontline team was one of four organizations that were announced on April 22 as part of a $17.7 million grant program for pilot and demonstration-scaled projects to facilitate the development of commercial biofuels capability for the US military.
Frontline and its project partners will integrate a pilot-scale TarFreeGas® gasifier with SGC Energia’s FT and finishing unit at a Frontline facility. This integrated bio-refinery will produce products that will be upgraded to produce representative JP-5, JP-8 and F-76 fuels conforming to military specifications. The project will develop performance data for production of these products from woody biomass and separately from feedstocks derived from municipal solid waste.
