The plant, with a capacity of 70,000 proof gallons per year, uses wine and beer feedstocks from outside sources, to convert waste to ethanol to generate data used for customer pilot studies for beverage industry customers.
GRC plans to use the plant to conduct third party feasibility studies for customers including food and beverage waste generators, waste management companies, cellulosic enzyme developers, universities and other organic waste producers.
DEC pilot plant plans to test a variety of organic wastes beginning 2011 with its processing equipment capable of processing any feedstock and is versatile with the load-in set-up allowing for varied physical requirements and source material.
Following the completion of the beverage waste study, the plant can also be used to conduct pilot studies on cellulosic feedstocks like switchgrass or sorghum, starch-rich grains and fruits and vegetables leading to information for scaling-up processing capacity.
