From biomass to clean-burning fuel

Dr. Andrew Daugulis is the inventor of a patented novel extractive fermentation technology that allows for more efficient production of ethanol, a clean-burning renewable fuel used in gasoline blends to improve vehicle performance. Created by the fermentation of sugars, ethanol has been difficult to produce efficiently because once produced, it inhibits further fermentation. Dr. Daugulis discovered that the addition of a non-toxic solvent to the fermenter allowed for simultaneous fermentation and removal of ethanol, and recovery and re-use of the solvent, reducing overall processing time and costs. His technology has been exclusively licensed to Xethanol Corp. of New York, where it will advance the company’s mission to extract and convert sugars from biomass into ethanol and other valuable co-products.

Photo: Michael Lea/Whig-Standard

Dr. Daugulis's research page