Virent Energy Systems has taken a major step in the certification process of its biofuel. Virent's much-like-gas biofuel successfully completed road tests organized and executed by Virent's collaborator, Shell. The tests found Virent's biofuel caused "no harm" to vehicles when compared to Shell's pump gas.
For testing purposes, Shell used five identical pairs of late-model European vehicles. Five of the vehicles were fueled with Shell gas, and the other five burned an undisclosed blend of gas and Virent's biofuel. Each vehicle was then driven 6,000 miles, after which the engines were dismantled and inspected. All ten automobiles, regardless of fuel used, were found to be in the same condition.
This road trial is one of several necessary steps in Virent's journey towards fuel certification. At the end of its three-year-long project, Virent, using its proprietary near-zero-outside energy BioForming process, expects to deliver a fuel that can replace gasoline.
For testing purposes, Shell used five identical pairs of late-model European vehicles. Five of the vehicles were fueled with Shell gas, and the other five burned an undisclosed blend of gas and Virent's biofuel. Each vehicle was then driven 6,000 miles, after which the engines were dismantled and inspected. All ten automobiles, regardless of fuel used, were found to be in the same condition.
This road trial is one of several necessary steps in Virent's journey towards fuel certification. At the end of its three-year-long project, Virent, using its proprietary near-zero-outside energy BioForming process, expects to deliver a fuel that can replace gasoline.
Virent's Biogasoline Passes First Test In European Auto Fleet Trial
Virent's Biofuel Satisfies "No Harms" Criteria in Shell Road Trial
Madison, Wisconsin August 23, 2011 – Virent has taken another step in the gasoline
certification process, successfully completing its first road fleet test organized and executed by Virent collaborator, Royal Dutch Shell. Virent's biogasoline was found to cause "no harm" to
vehicles in comparison to Shell's baseline fuel.
Shell used five identical pairs of late-model European cars for the road trial. Five cars used a
baseline Shell gasoline, and the other five cars used Shell gasoline blended with Virent's
biogasoline. Each car was driven 10,000 km (~6,000 miles) over the course of 2010, after which
the engines were dismantled and inspected. All ten cars, regardless of the gasoline used, were
found to be in the same condition.
"The Shell road trial results are encouraging and an important step forward in the
commercialization of the BioForming process," said Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent. "Our objective
is to replace gasoline made from crude oil with gasoline made from plant sugars, and the fact
that the Virent fueled cars performed the same shows we're off to a good start." The road trial is one of many steps in Virent's journey towards fuel certification.
The Virent process uses continuous catalytic chemistry to convert plant sugars directly into a
premium gasoline blendstock, with molecular composition identical to fuel made at a petroleum
refinery. The sugars can be sourced from conventional biofuel feedstocks such as sugar beets,
corn and sugar cane, or as proven recently, from cellulosic biomass like corn stover and pine
residuals.
Virent's fuels and chemicals are considered "drop-in," meaning they can be blended seamlessly
into other fuels at high percentages and without any changes to today's fuel infrastructure. The
company's patented process creates industry-ready molecules that can utilize existing
refineries, pipelines, tanks, trucks, stations and pumps, safely powering the engines of cars,
trucks, motorcycles, watercraft and other gasoline powered small engines.
About Virent
Virent is in the business of replacing crude oil by applying clever chemistry to create the
chemicals and fuels the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable
resources. Our patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based sugars
into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum, including gasoline, diesel,
jet fuel, and chemicals for plastics and fibers. Our products are "drop-in" replacements that
enable full utilization of existing logistics infrastructure without blending limitations.
The development of Virent's BioForming® technology platform is supported through strategic
investors including Cargill, Shell and Honda, as well as 115 employees based in Madison,
Wisconsin. The company has received several grants from the U.S. Departments of Commerce,
Energy and Agriculture, and has been recognized with many honors, including the World
Economic Forum Technology Pioneer award and the EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Award.
Virent's Biofuel Satisfies "No Harms" Criteria in Shell Road Trial
Madison, Wisconsin August 23, 2011 – Virent has taken another step in the gasoline
certification process, successfully completing its first road fleet test organized and executed by Virent collaborator, Royal Dutch Shell. Virent's biogasoline was found to cause "no harm" to
vehicles in comparison to Shell's baseline fuel.
Shell used five identical pairs of late-model European cars for the road trial. Five cars used a
baseline Shell gasoline, and the other five cars used Shell gasoline blended with Virent's
biogasoline. Each car was driven 10,000 km (~6,000 miles) over the course of 2010, after which
the engines were dismantled and inspected. All ten cars, regardless of the gasoline used, were
found to be in the same condition.
"The Shell road trial results are encouraging and an important step forward in the
commercialization of the BioForming process," said Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent. "Our objective
is to replace gasoline made from crude oil with gasoline made from plant sugars, and the fact
that the Virent fueled cars performed the same shows we're off to a good start." The road trial is one of many steps in Virent's journey towards fuel certification.
The Virent process uses continuous catalytic chemistry to convert plant sugars directly into a
premium gasoline blendstock, with molecular composition identical to fuel made at a petroleum
refinery. The sugars can be sourced from conventional biofuel feedstocks such as sugar beets,
corn and sugar cane, or as proven recently, from cellulosic biomass like corn stover and pine
residuals.
Virent's fuels and chemicals are considered "drop-in," meaning they can be blended seamlessly
into other fuels at high percentages and without any changes to today's fuel infrastructure. The
company's patented process creates industry-ready molecules that can utilize existing
refineries, pipelines, tanks, trucks, stations and pumps, safely powering the engines of cars,
trucks, motorcycles, watercraft and other gasoline powered small engines.
About Virent
Virent is in the business of replacing crude oil by applying clever chemistry to create the
chemicals and fuels the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable
resources. Our patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based sugars
into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum, including gasoline, diesel,
jet fuel, and chemicals for plastics and fibers. Our products are "drop-in" replacements that
enable full utilization of existing logistics infrastructure without blending limitations.
The development of Virent's BioForming® technology platform is supported through strategic
investors including Cargill, Shell and Honda, as well as 115 employees based in Madison,
Wisconsin. The company has received several grants from the U.S. Departments of Commerce,
Energy and Agriculture, and has been recognized with many honors, including the World
Economic Forum Technology Pioneer award and the EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Award.
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