First Generation Biofuels Projects

Feasibility Study for Ethanol Production from Sugar Cane

NEAtech principals where engaged to conduct the feasibility of establishing a sugar cane plantation and ethanol production facility in Northern Ghana, in the Makango region. The Makango location was a central location relative to the primary sugar cane production areas which had access to the national electrical grid, navigable waterways, community support services, and a large local labor pool. The plant is to produce 150,000 cubic meters of fuel ethanol per year, the Regency fuel ethanol project will require approximately 2,150,000 tonnes of mill-able cane annually, based on ~26,900 hectares of production with a yield of 80 tonnes of mill-able cane/ha, and 66 liters of ethanol per mill-able tonne). Financial analysis showed the project to have a Return on Investment of 35%.
   

Second Generation Biofuels and Biomass Power

Sweet Sorghum Ethanol and Power Production Feasibility Study

NEAtech LLC was selected by PT MEDCO Downstream Indonesia (MEDCO) to conduct an economic feasibility of a 90 million liter per year sweet sorghum ethanol production facility in the District of Merauke in the Province of Papua, Indonesia. The purpose of the Study was to determine the economic and financial viability of an integrated sweet sorghum plantation, ethanol facility and a biomass power generating facility. Sweet sorghum is considered a non-food crop applicable for biofuels production. MEDCO is one of four major companies established under its parent company PT MEDCO Energy International, a diversified oil and gas exploration firm. MEDCO is evaluating the development of the sweet sorghum project to increase its current ethanol production capacity.

Feasibility Study for Ethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum

NEAtech evaluated fuel ethanol production of 40 million gallons of annual fuel ethanol production in the Los Aztecas area of the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. The purpose of the Study was to determine the economic and financial viability of an integrated sweet sorghum plantation, ethanol facility and a biomass power generating facility.
    

Bio-Ethanol Production Development in Armenia

NEAtech as a subcontractor performed a country-wide study in Armenia to evaluate the best alternatives for in-country production of bioethanol. In conjunction with national experts NEAtech spent numerous weeks evaluating the agricultural potential by visiting a number of plant sites around the country. NEAtech held meetings with various government and non-government stakeholders to gather data, understand the national policies and sensitivities as well as engage them to garner as much insight for the project as possible.

The project’s outcome produced a complete technical and environmental analysis which indicated that bioethanol feedstocks could be grown on land that was currently not suitable for food crop production. Jerusalem artichoke (a non-food crop) was identified as a crop with great potential as a feedstock for bio-ethanol production in Armenia in the near to mid-term. It could be cultivated on land that was currently fallow. Moreover, it possesses relatively high carbohydrate content, especially in its root tuber, thereby making it extremely suitable for bio-ethanol production in the region. The recommended capacity size of the plant was 7,000 tonnes per annum based on the based on the assumption that the Government of Armenia would mandate 5 percent blending of bio-ethanol by volume with petrol by the year 2014.
    

Biomass Power

Rural Biomass Power

NEAtech was hired by a rural electric cooperative in Kentucky to determine the economic and financial feasibility of a 5 and 50 megawatt biomass power generating facility in the electric cooperative’s region of service. Analysis included a full biomass resource assessment, supply and demand analysis, competitive analysis, regional biomass policy evaluation, technology review and a 10-year financial and economic proforma for the project.
    

Anaerobic Digestion

Waste-to Energy Project

The primary scope for the study was to assess local biodegradable feedstock (municipal solid waste and other organic matter) that would be suitable for the production of biogas by an anaerobic digestion process. The biogas would be used to produce energy to satisfy on-site demands and to offset the use of natural gas in an existing KH Tebis district heating boiler station in the Czech Republic. Subsequently, a conceptual plant design was developed in sufficient detail to prepare a cost basis and financing plan for implementation.

Viability of Compressed Biogas for Truck Fleet Application

NEAtech was retained to perform the economic viability of integration of compressed biogas as a transportation fuel for a large milk company. The objective was to evaluate the financial costs and return of an integrated biogas scrubbing and compression technology to utilize compressed biogas for an existing truck fleet.
    

Engineering

Review of Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant Modifications

NEAtech performed a third party review of the National Corn Ethanol Research Center facility for potential future manufacturing processes in the production of advanced biofuels from cellulosic materials. The purpose was to place the NCERC in a position to conduct pilot-scale research projects for the advanced biofuels market.

Ethanol Plant Inspection and Evaluation

NEAtech was hired by an investment client to inspect, evaluate and provide a report on the condition of an existing 55 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in California. The report included an evaluation of the existing equipment, modifications required, review of the project schedule, and budget and cash flow projections for retrofitting of the plant. It provided a full report on the cost benefits and returns of the retrofit investment.
    

Technology Assessment

Hydrogen Fuel Production Technology

NEAtech was retained to conduct a Fatal Flaw Analysis for a hydrogen fuel enhancement project for rail applications. The study included regulatory limitations and drivers, restrictions and limitations on material handling and storage, technology import regulations as well as a preliminary patent technology review.
    

Market Analysis

Cellulosic Biorefinery Market Analysis

NEAtech performed a market analysis for a 480,000 ton per year cellulosic biorefinery’s products and co-products. The evaluation established the current and planned markets for ethanol, 5-carbon sugar streams, and lignin residue.

Ethanol Market Analysis

NEAtech provided a fuel ethanol market analysis for a cellulosic biorefinery in the Northwest US. The market analysis provided an ethanol market overview, existing and projected fuel ethanol pricing, RIN values, policy impacts and fuel distribution and logistics.
    

State Renewable Biofuels Assessment

State of Texas

NEAtech was tasked with performing a state-wide evaluation of the State of Texas’ current biofuels assets within its private sector and the research being performed in its State university system. NEAtech provided a thorough assessment and recommendations for improving and increasing the States’ biofuels presence, assets and integrating their university R&D efforts.

State of Mississippi

NEAtech was retained to perform a state-wide analysis of the State of Mississippi’s biofuels infrastructure, its current and future economic impacts and the required workforce to stay ahead of current and planned expansion as the industry develops.