You are here

Buhl Idaho Ethanol Project: Integrating low value starch feed stocks with energy efficient starch hydrolysis

Award Information
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Branch: N/A
Contract: 2007-33610-17952
Agency Tracking Number: 2007-00241
Amount: $79,884.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
510 E. Kent Ave.
Missoula, MT 59801
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Robert Kearns
 (406) 599-7090
 kearns@3rivers.net
Business Contact
 Clifford Bradley
Title: Partner
Phone: (406) 544-1176
Email: cbradley@montana.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

"This renewable energy project will complete the first phase of developing an innovative approach to a commercial ethanol plant in Buhl Idaho. The plant will use barley as a feedstock, supplemented by available sources of low value starch. Barley is the best crop for ethanol production in local agronomic systems and the use of low value and waste materials will significantly reduce feedstock cost. The project will also reduce waste treatment costs for the city of Buhl. Montana Microbial Products will design a process integrating barley and low value starch sources combined with the use of an innovative process developed by the company for enzymatic hydrolysis of raw starch. This process eliminates mash cooking reducing capital and operating costs.
MMP will work with a local group to complete 5 specific tasks: assess local feedstock resources; design the process for hydrolysis and fermentation of mixed feedstocks; assess markets; assess cost benefits to Buhl infrastructure; and estimate economic feasibility. Process development and market assessment will also include analysis of distillers grains for potential use in local dairy feed markets.
Phase 1 research will result in an energy efficient process for utilizing mixed starch feedstocks. Reduced operating costs for feedstock and energy and reduced capital cost from eliminating mash cooking will enable ethanol production at a scale that fits locally available resources and local capacity to finance and own the ethanol plant."

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government