Group Led by Velocys Receives $2.7M to Fund Development of Next Gen Biofuels

A group led by Central Ohio’s Velocys Inc. has been awarded a $2.7 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture for the advancement of its microchannel hydroprocessing technology, a process which improves the economics of biorefinery operations. 

The process shrinks the chemical processing hardware utilized by biorefineries, while improving its performance.  This will make it economically feasible to operate smaller biorefineries at sites close to where biomass materials (corn stocks, switch grass, forest residue and treated sewage sludge) are collected, including in rural areas.  With the support of the grant, a proof of concept demonstration of this new reactor design could be ready in as little as two years. 

Velocys, Inc., a spinoff from Battelle, subsequently acquired by Oxford Catalysts Group Plc., currently employs 60 at its Plain City headquarters.

For more details, see the story in Business First.