LanzaTech secures USD-3m US govt grant for alcohol-to-jet-fuel project

Dec 1, 2011 - New Zealand green energy firm LanzaTech said Thursday it had nabbed a USD-3-million (EUR 2.2m) grant from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to speed up the commercialisation of alcohol to jet fuel.

LanzaTech has developed a technology that allows the low-cost production of sustainable alcohols and chemicals from waste gas resources. These alcohols are converted into jet fuel, using a technology developed by Swedish Biofuels. That fuel can substitute petroleum jet fuel or be blended with it, LanzaTech said.

The FAA grant will allow the company to obtain critical fuel data, while its partners Imperium and Battelle will asses production opportunities in the US. As part of the project, new fuel feedstock will also be evaluated, to help military and civilian aviation industries meet their carbon and cost reduction targets.

LanzaTech said it would use heavy industry gases and synthesis gas derived from lignin, a byproduct of cellulosic ethanol. One of the project's ultimate goals is to produce over 100 gallons (378.5 litres) of alternative jet fuel to be tested by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. Test data are necessary for the certification process for alcohol to jet fuels.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.742)

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