The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is developing process technologies for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. Harris Group has supported this effort in multiple areas.

Feed Handling, Emissions Management, Reactor Materials, Design Optimization
Harris Group provided engineering services that improved the NREL biomass-to-ethanol process design and accuracy of the cost estimate in five specific areas:

• Ethanol plant emissions
• Baled feedstock handling
• Materials of construction for pretreatment reactor
• Process energy balance
• Data requirements for process or equipment guarantees

Process Design and Cost Estimate of Critical Equipment
Harris Group worked with equipment vendors to develop the design and produce cost estimates and specifications for critical equipment in the NREL process. This included the feed handling, acid hydrolysis reactors, and liquid/solid separation equipment. Harris Group also coordinated corrosion testing to determine adequate metallurgy for the processes being considered.

Lignin Process Design Confirmation and Capital Cost Evaluation
NREL has investigated a process to turn lignin, a byproduct in the biomass-to-
ethanol process, into a high-octane automobile fuel additive. Harris Group verified the conceptual process design. In addition, Harris Group determined the capital and operating costs for the major unit operations in the process.

Alternate Process Designs for Biomass Pretreatment
Harris Group has developed alternate process concepts for pretreatment of biomass prior to saccharification and fermentation. These process concepts build upon laboratory studies and include detailed equipment specifications and costs for comparison amongst pretreatment concepts.