It has previously not been possible to produce completely pure biogas from biomass without generating impurities of hydrocarbons. This has been a problem for both producers and users of biogas.

”With a synthesis gas, free of hydrocarbons from biomass gasification, new opportunities open to produce bio-based chemicals and fuels in conventional synthesis processes with a much simpler, and therefore cheaper, initial gas-cleaning system,” says Klas Engvall, professor in Chemical Engineering at KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

”Our test results are extremely encouraging. Producing syngas from biomass without any traces of hydrocarbons, even methane, is unique. We have shown that the process can deliver the gas composition that has previously only been seen in theory. This is great news,” says Rolf Ljunggren, CEO of Cortus AB.

Tests have been conducted by gasification of industrial charcoal at 1120 degrees Celsius.

Rolf Ljunggren says that the work in the Swedish city Köping, in close cooperation with Nordkalk, a leading limestone producer, and local partners, has turned out well and with their combined efforts, succeeded in overcoming difficulties and challenges that existed.

”With a continued focus on the process and our ability to meet the challenges, the latest development is very exciting for us,” says Rolf Ljunggren.

”Cortus’ patented gasification process has potential both nationally and internationally. It is in line with our pilot efforts in the area Environment Driven Export”, says Tony Meurke, at the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

”The support from Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth enables us to thoroughly research our most attractive export markets, something that definitely will facilitate and accelerate our international expansion”, says Cortus CEO Rolf Ljunggren.

The project’s objective in 2012 is to develop a thorough and systematic model for increasing the competitiveness of the WoodRoll ® process. The result will be used as the platform for Cortus’ offer to the renewable energy market. The project also aims at formalizing partnerships for sales channels, networks and partners in target markets. Cortus will also use the results in the continued work in responding to requests from the EU, U.S., South America, India and China.

The project scope is to develop an open market place, where innovation, intellectual capital and property rights can be brokered, and to test the theories of Open Innovation.

Cortus submitted a challenge on char upgrading, which will further improve the efficiency of our WoodRoll® technology.

Cortus would like to thank the Nordic Council for the opportunity to participate in this project and also the Masters students from St. Petersburg University(SPU) in Russia that submitted creative and innovative solutions to our challenge.

Among others, the 2011 Sweden Report by SCMP  features Cortus and also other interesting start-ups and companies from Sweden.

Below is the except from the publication, featuring Cortus CEO Rolf Ljunggren.