Technology
LANDFILL LOGISTICS: Bio-Thermal-Energy Inc. is in early talks with the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for an installation of its landfill gas-to-ethanol plant at a city landfill. PHOTO: STOCK PHOTO
Landfill Gas to Ethanol Mixed with steam, run through a reformer and fermented, landfill gas proves an economic and environmentally beneficial feedstock for ethanol production. By Gary C. Young A patented technology to convert landfill gas to ethanol has been garnering attention, most notably from the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Plans are in the works to contract an independent engineering firm to conduct a technical, economic feasibility study for the technology at one of the city’s landfill sites. The process was developed and patented by Bio-Thermal-Energy Inc. of Cedar Rapids, specifically to improve economics and reduce environmental impacts of landfills. Studies suggest the new process generates a net annual revenue, without a subsidy, and reduces carbon emissions from the landfill by more than 50%. Landfill gas is generally composed of carbon dioxide and methane. If the feasibility study at the Cedar Rapids landfill demonstrates environmental benefits and profitability, the next step will be a pilot or commercial project.
The Process
Landfill gas, typically 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide with some impurities, is cleaned up before entering the catalytic reformer with steam for conversion to syngas. After syngas cleanup, the syngas is fermented to ethanol using an existing commercial process similar to corn ethanol
In short, B-T-E’s process combines landfill gas and steam in a reformer. The syngas produced, composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, goes into a fermenter. The result is ethanol.
SYNGAS (CO & H2)
B-T-E’s CO2 Conversion Technology (Catalytic Reformer)
SYNGAS Cleanup
Landfill Gas (CO & CH4) Steam (H2O)
Clean SYNGAS (CO & H2)
Landfill
Fermentation Ethanol to Ethanol
PROVEN PROCESS: Bio-Thermal-Energy Inc.’s landfill gas-to-ethanol process produces a syngas that is fermented into ethanol. SOURCE: BIO-THERMAL-ENERGY INC.
32 | ETHANOL PRODUCER MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021
