(508b) De-Risking Technology Development and Scale-up Efforts Effectively in Fuel and Chemical Processes

The sequential pathway for de-risking new technologies includes bench scale testing, pilot programs, demonstration plants and finally commercial plant construction. In the past, hastening, or eliminating any of the above steps would increase the risk to novel technologies, and to the companies that invest in them. Unfortunately, this pathway requires significant time and financial investment. In the past few years, in response to increased pressure to speed up the pathway, engineers have developed many tools and strategies for mitigating that risk. Modern process simulation, targeted piloting programs, toll processors, directional technology development plans and modular strategies can all help companies achieve commercial success from technology development through scale-up to commercialization. When employed properly, these, and other tools can decrease project risk, shorten the time to commercialization, and limit the overall cost of developing innovative technologies. This presentation will discuss how to utilize these, and other tools to quickly and effectively de-risk process technology development. Using case studies of past projects, it will also review the process of developing technologies from bench scale through pilot and demonstration scale to full commercialization within the framework of these de-risking tools. Case studies include next-generation biodiesel development, conversion of natural gas liquids into valuable chemicals and marine fuel, and production of high purity alumina from waste streams.