ClearFuels Technology Inc’s mission is simply stated in its name; to produce clear clean renewable fuels such as ethanol, methanol, hydrogen and synthetic gas from sustainable cellulosic biomass using advanced thermochemical technologies. ClearFuels focus is on the sugarcane platform, the source of over half the world’s ethanol. Clearfuels Technology is integrating its highly efficient thermochemical production of cellulosic ethanol from bagasse and cane trash with the established fermentation processes of producing ethanol from sugarcane. Lester Brown of the Earth Policy Institute explains that sugarcane ethanol has an energy ratio of 1 to 8. This means that for each unit of energy required to transform sugarcane into ethanol, 8 times as much energy is created. For corn this ratio is 1 to 1.3 and for cellulose it is 1 to 4. By integrating thermochemical production of ethanol and syngas from cellulose in the form of bagasse and cane trash, with existing sugar mills and sugar fermentation facilities, ClearFuels’ biorefineries are expected to produce more ethanol per acre of sugarcane with lower carbon dioxide emissions per gallon. The resulting integrated facilities also retain the flexibility to vary the production of ethanol, sugar and power to optimize economic returns in response to market conditions. ClearFuels executives have been evaluating technologies for the production of ethanol from bagasse and cane trash since 1993. ClearFuels was subsequently formed in 1998 and has continually updated its knowledge base of biomass to ethanol conversion technologies, searching for the best technologies to synergistically integrate with sugar mill and fermentation facilities. In 2004 ClearFuels initiated testing of thermochemical conversion of bagasse to syngas at the 5 ton per day pilot scale in conjunction with Hawaii Natural Energy Institute. Successful trials were completed in 2006 and engineering commenced for a 120 ton per day demonstration facility. ClearFuels first demonstration facility is scheduled for operation in late 2008 at the Gay & Robinson sugar mill on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Capabilities ClearFuels' capabilities and understanding of all facets of sugar cane production, harvesting, milling, refining, fermentation to ethanol, bagasse-fired power production and thermochemical conversion of bagasse to energy products are based on the long experience record of its management, advisors, strategic partners and investors. ClearFuels offices are located at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, formerly the Hawaii Sugar Planters Association, with access to information and experience from over 150 years of sugarcane production. Objective ClearFuels objective is to develop over two dozen integrated biorefineries at existing sugar mill facilities specifically identified by ClearFuels and its strategic partners, for production of syngas, power and ethanol from cane trash and bagasse.
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