Technology – Net Zero H2

PROPRIETARY TECH: A PROVEN, PATENTED SOLUTION

CONVERTING BIOWASTE TO GREEN MOLECULES FOR A POST-CARBON ECONOMY

Informed by 15 years of research and development, our breakthrough technology converts non-recyclable, regionally sourced waste wood into tar-free “syngas.” We convert this syngas to molecules like hydrogen, methane, and methanol that have multiple critical applications in the green economy. With this approach, we not only address the soaring demand for advanced biofuels but also prevent the planet-warming pollution released by the incineration of waste wood, with the ability to achieve negative emissions through carbon-capture innovations.

OUR PROPRIETARY SYSTEM

WE CONVERT WASTE WOOD TO HYDROGEN, METHANE, AND METHANOL, WITH COMPLETE CARBON CAPTURE

We use thermochemical conversion to generate syngas from biowaste. A significant advance over legacy gasifiers designed to break down coal yet poorly suited to biowaste, our patented approach modifies a traditional “downdraft” gasifier to boost both uptime and profitability.

In low-oxygen conditions, the feedstock—in the form of chips or chunks—is partially oxidated and converted to charcoal, which exits through the bottom of the simple, low-cost reactor. As the syngas travels through the bed of char, complex molecules are retained in the char, so the syngas emerging from the reactor is extremely clean. Particulate matter and other impurities are removed using venturi water scrubbing. The residual “biochar” stores carbon and, when added to soil, can boost plant growth and enhance crop yields.

We’ve collaborated with leading engineering firms and catalyst companies to develop processes by which the primary components of the syngas we generate —hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane—can be converted to more hydrogen, methane, methanol, and captured carbon dioxide.

CARBON CAPTURE

WE HAVE TO GO NEGATIVE TO GET TO NET ZERO

According to a 2021 United Nations report, reaching the climate goals set forth in the Paris Agreement will require a concerted and accelerated effort to capture carbon emissions. We’ve focused our R&D to develop technology that is optimally suited for complete carbon capture. We can store the CO2 permanently and safely in depleted oil and gas wells, resulting in negative emissions. We can also provide the captured CO2 to partners that need CO2 for their core processes, such as e-fuels, greenhouses, cold storage, and of course breweries. By 2030, we plan to capture 3 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

END PRODUCTS

HYDROGEN

Much of heavy transport like aviation, shipping, and trucking will run on hydrogen, not batteries. Large heavy industries like steel and fertilizer production will need clean hydrogen to decarbonize.

METHANE

Methane is the primary molecule in natural gas. Our bioLNG will power big cargo ships and long-haul heavy duty trucks.

METHANOL

Methanol is a versatile molecule with numerous modern applications. Some cargo ships will go green via biomethanol. Methanol is also a key input into biodiesel and fuel blending.

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL

Decarbonizing aviation is one of the biggest challenges in the energy transition. Our hydrogen and carbon dioxide can serve as the foundation for sustainable aviation fuels that work with existing planes.

ONGOING INNOVATION

WE VIEW INNOVATION AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AS CORE TO WHO WE ARE

The applications for our technology in a net-zero world are as vast as today’s decarbonization challenges. For example, with the ability to produce pure hydrogen and pure carbon dioxide, we have the opportunity to combine them into sustainable aviation fuel. Airbus plans to power planes using hydrogen by 2035. “We don’t need to change the laws of physics to go with hydrogen,” Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has said. “Hydrogen has an energy density three times that of kerosene—it is made for aviation.” As we continue to develop our technology and expand its applications, we are focusing on developing our own Fischer-Tropsch reactor that can produce the full complement of carbohydrates, including synthetic aviation fuel. We are also collaborating with major catalyst companies to produce advanced biofuels that can be “dropped in” as an easy substitute for fossil fuels.