DuPont and BP Disclose Advanced Biofuels Partnership Targeting Multiple Butanol Molecules
Release date:
13 January 2008
Partnership Sees Value in 1-Butanol and Other Higher Octane Isomers
HAMBURG, Germany, Feb. 13, 2008 – DuPont and BP jointly announced this week the partnership to develop and commercialize biobutanol is targeting the development of advanced metabolic pathways not just for 1-butanol but also as well as other higher octane biobutanol isomers and that fuel testing of these advanced biofuels is demonstrating that the use of biobutanol can increase the blending of biofuels in gasoline beyond the current 10 percent limit for ethanol without compromising performance.
Speaking at the Next Generation Biofuels conference this week, DuPont Biofuels Venture Manager David Anton and BP Biofuels Business Technology Manager Ian Dobson disclosed that the partnership is developing biocatalysts to produce 1-butanol as well as 2-butanol and iso-butanol – higher octane biobutanol isomers that are of increased interest and utility from a fuels perspective. Fuel testing conducted over the last 12 months by BP demonstrates high octane biobutanol can deliver the exceptional performance characteristics the partnership has previously communicated (including improved energy density/fuel economy compared to current biofuel blends and use in existing fuels infrastructure) at fuel blends greater than the current 10 percent ethanol blend limit.
“DuPont and BP were the first players in the area of advanced biofuels to announce our intent to not only improve the bio-process to produce commercial volumes of biobutanol but to also pursue an integrated commercialization strategy that has us designing the process in the labs as we build the pilot and commercial scale facilities and complete a full fuel evaluation as well as a full environmental life cycle analysis,” Anton said.
“DuPont and BP were the first players in the area of advanced biofuels to announce our intent to not only improve the bio-process to produce commercial volumes of biobutanol but to also pursue an integrated commercialization strategy that has us designing the process in the labs as we build the pilot and commercial scale facilities and complete a full fuel evaluation as well as a full environmental life cycle analysis,” Anton said.
Under the partnership, there are currently 53 patent applications in the areas of biology, fermentation processing, chemistry and end uses that are designed to deliver by 2010 a superior biobutanol manufacturing process with economics equivalent to ethanol. DuPont disclosed today that those patents cover the higher octane isomers as well as the previously announced 1-butanol . “We believe this places the BP/DuPont partnership in a primary intellectual property position in the butanol areas which are of greatest interest,” Anton said.
Ian Dobson shared new BP engine and vehicle testing data that demonstrated high octane biobutanol at concentrations of 16 percent delivers similar fuel performance compared with current 10 percent ethanol blend gasoline fuels. BP has recently carried out a testing program of 16 percent high octane butanol covering fuel formulation, short term engine performance impacts and long term no harm and durability vehicle fleet trials.
Laboratory and vehicle assessment of butanol blends greater than 16 percent have also produced favorable test results. The results also show that 16 percent high octane butanol blends have the added advantages of vapor pressure behavior and distillation curves comparable to regular gasoline and, unlike 10 percent ethanol, do not phase separate in the presence of water.
Ian Dobson shared new BP engine and vehicle testing data that demonstrated high octane biobutanol at concentrations of 16 percent delivers similar fuel performance compared with current 10 percent ethanol blend gasoline fuels. BP has recently carried out a testing program of 16 percent high octane butanol covering fuel formulation, short term engine performance impacts and long term no harm and durability vehicle fleet trials.
Laboratory and vehicle assessment of butanol blends greater than 16 percent have also produced favorable test results. The results also show that 16 percent high octane butanol blends have the added advantages of vapor pressure behavior and distillation curves comparable to regular gasoline and, unlike 10 percent ethanol, do not phase separate in the presence of water.
DuPont and BP have commissioned a full environmental life cycle analysis of the proposed biobutanol process that will utilize actual manufacturing design models to guide the process design.
“On the basis of the vehicle test results we are now sharing, we believe that high octane butanol offers a way to break through the 10 percent constraint with ethanol in the current vehicle fleet,” said Dobson.
BP is of one of the world's largest energy companies, providing its customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services and petrochemicals products for everyday items. It is the largest oil and gas producer in the U.S. and one of the largest refiners. BP also has a global network of around 25,000 service stations.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
“On the basis of the vehicle test results we are now sharing, we believe that high octane butanol offers a way to break through the 10 percent constraint with ethanol in the current vehicle fleet,” said Dobson.
BP is of one of the world's largest energy companies, providing its customers with fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services and petrochemicals products for everyday items. It is the largest oil and gas producer in the U.S. and one of the largest refiners. BP also has a global network of around 25,000 service stations.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
Contacts
Michelle Reardon
302-774-7447
michelle.s.reardon@usa.dupont.com
Valerie Corr - BP
630-821-3206
Valerie.corr@bp.com
Michelle Reardon
302-774-7447
michelle.s.reardon@usa.dupont.com
Valerie Corr - BP
630-821-3206
Valerie.corr@bp.com
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