Zika and GTL | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
In previous posts I have talked about the overabundance of natural gas on the domestic market as a consequence of the shale revolution. This surplus gas has predictably led to low prices, which has in turn led operators to search for new markets. Pipeline sales to Northeast Canada and Mexico, liquefied natural gas exports, renewed interest in gas to liquid technologies (GTL) have all been a result.
GTL is nothing new. The technology was pioneered by Nazi Germany in an effort to convert gas to diesel. Recently, strides have been made in reconfiguring methane (natural gas) molecules into liquid fuels through chemical processes. “Rigzone” reports that Intrexon is using synthetic biology, or genetic engineering, to convert methane into isobutanol, an alcohol which is blended with gasoline.
Intrexon is best known for creating a biologically engineered mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which does not bite or carry disease, but mates with Zika-carrying mosquitoes. The synthetically created mosquito carries a gene that causes their offspring to die prematurely.
Now, Intrexon has turned its core competency, genetic engineering, to the energy sector. Currently, the ethanol industry is using bacteria contained in yeast to convert the sugar in corn into alcohol, which is blended with gasoline. Alternatively, Intrexon, in partnership with Dominion Energy, has developed a bacteria which converts methane into isobutanol on a commercial scale.
In an interview with “Rigzone”, Intrexon’s Sr. VP, Bob Walsh, enumerated the advantages of isobutanol over ethanol. Isobutanol has 98% of the energy density of gasoline, so it can be blended at a 16% rate without any modifications to storage or transport facilities, or engines. It is cleaner burning, less polluting, and less corrosive than ethanol. Perhaps, even more importantly, methane is a much cheaper feedstock than corn, and requires no subsidies to be commercially viable. As a collateral benefit, the use of methane could reduce pressure on food prices.
According to Walsh, isobutanol is just the beginning. By tweaking the genetically engineered bacteria, a wealth of potential products (including lubricants, intermediate chemicals, and solvents) could be developed from methane.
Intrexon’s process was first developed in 2013. With its partner, Dominion Energy, the company contracted with Amec Foster Wheeler to design a full-scale plant. Then, in an effort to further refine the process outside the lab, the design was scaled down to a pilot that is already operational. Currently, the partners are focusing on increasing yields and plan to begin commercial operations in 2018.
To read the article in its entirety, please go to http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/145957/ZikaFighting_Mosquito_Inspires_GastoLiquids_Technology/?all=HG2 .
Russell T. Rudy Energy, LLC buys oil, gas and mineral interests nationwide. Please call (800-880-0940), or write (info@rudyenergy.com ) to let us know if you agree, disagree or would just like to comment on this, or any of our posts.
