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Comstock Announces Strategic Partnership with EFT
Comstock has recently revealed a significant strategic partnership between its subsidiary, Comstock IP Holdings LLC, and Oklahoma-based Emerging Fuels Technology, Inc. (EFT). This partnership is aimed at enhancing the production of renewable fuels, particularly sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), through the integration of EFT’s gas-to-liquids (GTL) process into Comstock’s existing renewable fuel solutions. The collaboration is formalized through a Technology Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the goal of creating a more efficient and sustainable system.
Combining Advanced Technologies for Enhanced Production
The core of this partnership lies in the synergy between Comstock’s advanced lignocellulosic biomass refining process and EFT’s expertise in GTL technology. Comstock’s current process has already demonstrated impressive yields of up to 125 gallons of renewable fuel per dry ton of feedstock through solvolytic digestion, bioconversion, and esterification.
Increasing Yields and Efficiency
By integrating EFT’s GTL process, the system aims to capture and convert process emissions into “emissions derived renewable fuels” (EDF), further increasing yields to over 140 gallons per dry ton. This approach is expected to approach 70% of the theoretical maximum yield from woody biomass, representing a significant step towards maximizing resource utilization and minimizing waste.
Phased Approach to Technology Integration
The companies are adopting a phased approach to technology integration, utilizing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale. Comstock’s existing processes leverage TRL 9 components in innovative ways, validated at TRL 6. The focus is on achieving TRL 7 with the recently announced 75,000-ton-per-year demonstration facility, and subsequently moving towards TRL 8 in planned 1 million-ton-per-year commercial facilities. The partnership with EFT will concentrate on scaling up the EFT process from TRL 7 in a demonstration facility to TRL 8 in commercial facilities.
Leadership’s Perspective on the Partnership
David Winsness, president of Comstock Fuels, emphasized the long-standing relationship with EFT and the synergistic nature of the partnership. He expressed confidence that integrating EFT’s process would significantly boost SAF production while further reducing carbon intensity. Kenneth Agee, founder and president of EFT, echoed this sentiment and praised Comstock’s impressive yields. He highlighted the potential of woody biomass in producing circular fuels and expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration’s shared ambition of accelerating renewable fuel production with low or negative carbon intensity at a competitive cost.
Addressing Challenges in Biomass Refining
One key challenge in biomass refining is the loss of feedstock value through process emissions. Kevin Kreisler, Comstock’s chief technology officer, explained that up to 20% of feedstock value can be lost in this manner. By leveraging EFT’s proven technology to convert these emissions into additional yield, the partnership aims to enhance commercial impact and accelerate market adoption of their combined offering. This approach is expected to result in the production of globally significant quantities of new energy.
