Shell to install biofuel technology in Bangalore

India’s farmland – a source of agriculture residue

Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd (SIMPL) will proceed with the installation of a 5 tonne/day IH2 technology demonstration plant on the site of SIMPL’s new Technology Centre in Bangalore to process biofuels.

SIMPL will build, operate and own the demonstration scale IH2 plant. IH2 technology is a continuous catalytic thermo-chemical process which converts a broad range of forestry/agricultural residues and municipal wastes directly into renewable hydrocarbon transportation fuels and/or blend stocks.

The IH2 technology was developed by US-based Gas Technology Institute in 2009 and is being further developed in collaboration with CRI Catalyst Company (CRI), Shell’s Catalyst business.

CRI will supply the proprietary catalysts for the unit. The Basic Engineering Package for the plant will be provided by Zeton, Inc. of Ontario, Canada.

As the IH2 technology converts a wide range of residual biomass, the facility in Bangalore will be designed to allow for variation in feedstock. Highly relevant commercial feedstocks, such as residual woody biomass and select agricultural and municipal residues, will be within the intended feed scope. Regardless of the feedstock, the IH2 hydrocarbons produced span the gasoline, jet and diesel range.

Hydrocarbons produced from the IH2 technology using lignocellulosic biomass feed meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for road transport fuels, positioned for the US market as an E10 gasoline fully renewable product and as a 100% fully renewable on-road diesel. Testing of the neat kerosene (R100) cut indicates that the material meet specifications for global jet fuel specifications for Jet A-1/JP8 for those properties tested to date. Ongoing research indicates a high probability to achieve European Union (EN) specification fuels.

IH2 is a trademark of Gas Technology Institute (GTI).

CRI Catalyst Company is the global catalyst technology company of the Shell Group. CRI operates research laboratories, development facilities, manufacturing plants and business units throughout the world. It is dedicated to providing a broad customer base with effective and cost-efficient catalysts and technologies.

GTI is a leading research, development and training organization that has been addressing energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry and government for nearly 75 years.

Zeton helps companies bring their process technologies to market by specializing in the design and fabrication of innovative lab scale systems, pilot plants, demonstration plants, and modular production plants. fii-news.com