Anellotech biomass pre-treatment technology reduces ash content

Pearl River, N.Y.-based Anellotech has successfully demonstrated that its MinFree technology – an innovative, patent-pending biomass pretreatment process – significantly reduces the mineral (ash) content of loblolly pine at a 20 metric ton/day scale. Month-long trials converting this MinFree-treated, low-mineral pine into aromatics (BTX) at Anellotech’s Bio-TCat process TCat-8 pilot plant showed extended, economic catalyst life.

MinFree is expected to provide similar results with other woody biomass like eucalyptus and hard woods, and agricultural residues, like cotton straw, sugarcane bagasse and corn stover. Anellotech is in discussions with feedstock suppliers and other participants in the supply chain to select the next feedstock for development and commercialization with the MinFree process.

“We have successfully validated loblolly pine and with our partner Axens have begun engineering work for a commercial plant,” Anellotech president and CEO David Sudolsky said. “We now want to move forward to develop the next feedstock(s) for use in the Bio-TCat process. We look forward to working with other feedstock growers as partners to assess and commercialize abundant feedstocks for conversion to valuable chemicals and fuels.”

MinFree also has application in the bioenergy sector. The MinFree process removes high levels of mineral elements from agricultural residues which could cause fouling, erosion and corrosion, enabling the use of residues as economical feedstocks in addition to wood pellets.