CleanTech's Biomass Yield to be Measured in GeoSynFuels' Ethanol Process
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. (OTCBB:CLTH), an early-stage provider of technology to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into sustainable biomass for renewable energy production, has announced a joint research agreement with GeoSynFuels, LLC of Golden, Co. The research will measure ethanol yields from CleanTech's biomass using GeoSynFuels' proprietary enzymatic hydrolysis process. Under the agreement, CleanTech initially will provide approximately 10 kilograms of biomass feedstock derived from MSW from the city of Chicago for use in GeoSynFuels' biofuel process.
"Ethanol yields from our biomass in previous tests have been very positive and we are continuing to measure our renewable fuel output using various conversion technologies," said Ed Hennessey, CleanTech CEO. "Together, CleanTech and GeoSynFuels believe that we can turn garbage into renewable energy and capture recyclables at the same time. In the face of rising energy demand and increasing solid waste disposal issues, the use of CleanTech's biomass in GeoSynFuels' biofuel process is intended to solve numerous economic and environmental challenges facing cities, solid waste haulers, landfill operators and material recovery facilities. Our joint research will document the benefits both companies offer their customers."
According to GeoSynFuels CEO Dr. J. Todd Harvey, demand for high-quality biomass is increasing rapidly, raising questions about future sources for biofuel feedstock. "Landfill waste is an ideal non-food biomass source for producing renewable energy, reducing green house gasses, increasing energy security and creating American 'green collar' jobs," Harvey said.
A primary biomass demand driver is the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires the amount of biofuels added to U.S. gasoline to increase from 4.7 billion gallons in 2007 to 36 billion gallons by 2022. The Energy Act also requires 21 billion gallons of the biofuel to be derived from non-cornstarch products, and 16 billion gallons of biofuel must be derived from cellulose. Biomass is also projected by the Department of Energy to account for about one-half of the projected growth in renewable electricity sources by 2030, exceeding solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy sources combined. These requirements place high demand on cost-effective biomass sources and conversion technologies that reduce environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.
On April 28, 2009, CleanTech announced that a test vessel had demonstrated the operational capability of its technology to process municipal solid waste into biomass for renewable energy production.
