CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ACETATE AT LOWER PRODUCTION COST: PRODUCTION OF CMA DEICER FROM BIOMASS

The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of producing Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) from solid waste by gasification/fermentation. Bench-scale fermentation experiments were conducted with synthesis gases typical of those from gasification of various residues. Fast reaction rates and high yields were obtained, and phase contaminants, such as chlorides, metals, and sulfur gases in concentrations expected in syngas, were not found to affect the fermentation. The production of CMA by reacting lime and magnesium oxide with acetic acid extracted from the fermentation broth was optimized in bench-scale experiments. Procedures for using cheap grades of lime and magnesium oxide were developed. Ice melting and penetration tests, as well as analytical results, showed the laboratory CMA to be comparable (or better) quality to the industry product. Process design and economic projections for a commercial-scale facility were developed. The cost of CMA from this plant is projected to be less than $200/ton ($220/tonne). A market analysis showed that CMA usage could be expanded to as much as 1 million lb/yr (453,600 kg/yr) if prices can be significantly reduced. Earnings from a large plant at reduced CMA prices show excellent returns that would justify rapid commercialization of this technology.

• Record URL:
  https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/21000/21800/21807/PB99142747.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Bioengineering Resources, Incorporated

  1650 Emmaus Road
  Fayetteville, AR  United States  72701

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Basu, R
  • Breshears, J S
  • Clausen, E C
  • Gaddy, J L
  • Gaines, L D
  • Ko, C W
  • Murphy, R
  • Wikstrom, C V
• Publication Date: 1999-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 160 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biomass; Calcium magnesium acetate; Costs; Feasibility analysis; Fermentation; Gasification; Market assessment; Production methods; Rate of return; Solid wastes
• Subject Areas: Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00760484
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-98-055,, Final Report,, 3E6B
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-93-C-00094
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 17 1999 12:00AM