Demonstration scale challenges of integrated feedstock logistics and pretreatment operations

Integration of feedstock logistics and pretreatment operations have often been the most troublesome operations in a Generation 2.0 cellulose to ethanol platform.  Over the past five years, ICM has developed a system that has proven reliable in fully integrated process operations multiple campaigns lasting over 1,000 hours each at 10 tons/day of feedstock throughput.  The path to success, however, has not been an easy one.  In arriving at a working solution, ICM chose to depart from conventional wisdom and pursue a low solids approach to processing energy crop biomass to produce fermentable sugars to fuel ethanol and co-products.