Full Steam Ahead: Largest Cellulosic Biorefinery Begins Production in Kansas
Last week, Abengoa Bioenergy officially opened the world’s largest cellulosic biorefinery in Hugoton, Kansas.
This second-generation cellulosic ethanol plant, finished construction in mid-August and began producing cellulosic ethanol at the end of September with the capacity to produce up to 25 million gallons per year.
The plant utilizes corn stover, wheat straw and switchgrass that do not compete with food or feed grain. The state-of-the-art facility also features an electricity cogeneration component, allowing it to operate as a self-sufficient renewable energy producer. By utilizing residual biomass solids from the ethanol conversion process, the plant generates 21 megawatts (MW) of electricity. DuPont is expected to open an even larger plant in Iowa next year. [Read more]