Gevo selling renewable isooctane to Total for formulation into F1 racing fuel

21 October 2014

Gevo, Inc., the commercial producer of renewable isobutanol, is selling renewable isooctane (earlier post) to Total for formulation into Formula 1 racing fuel. The Total racing fuel incorporating Gevo’s renewable isooctane is being used by the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team and has achieved Grand Prix victories in Canada, Hungary and Belgium. Gevo worked closely with the teams from Total Additives Special Fuels (Total ACS) and Total RD.

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Isooctane is a valuable gasoline additive, used to increase knock resistance, improve energy density, and lower the RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) of the finished fuels. Gevo’s renewable isobutanol from Luverne, MN, is being converted into bio-isooctane at its biorefinery at South Hampton Resources, where Gevo also produces its renewable jet fuel and para-xylene.

By using a renewable bio-hydrocarbon and designing new formulations, we have been able to maximize the energy content from the 100 kg of fuel that the Renault Energy 2014-F1 power unit is allowed to use in each race. Innovation is at the core of our strategy and partnering with innovative companies is a rapid and efficient way to bring more value to our customers, Gevo demonstrates this with their pioneering approach that leverages both fermentation and chemistry to produce products that move the industry forward. Total ACS and Gevo are looking forward to building on this success to include future formulations and product offerings.

Gevo developed the technology to convert its bio-isobutanol into aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons using known chemistry and existing refinery infrastructure. Isobutylene is produced by the dehydration of isobutanol over an acidic catalyst and then further reacted to product mixtures of longer chain aliphatic hydrocarbons.

A portion of this material is reacted separately to form high density aromatic compounds. Hydrogen gas, a byproduct of the aromatization reaction, is used to remove unsaturated bonds in the aliphatic material. The hydrocarbons then are blended in proportions that can meet all ASTM standards for fuels.

Isooctane is a dimer of dehydrated isobutanol and is a major component of the premium value alkylates, a key gasoline component. A trimer of the isobutylene (dehydrated isobutanol) is a jet fuel blend stock. A polymer of four and five isobutylenes can make a diesel blend stock.