Process Technology
Until now, fractionation of biomass into industrially usable products has been commercially and environmentally challenging. Through its research and development team, Bio Vision has achieved breakthroughs in alternative sustainable production methods and developed a technology that meets these two challenges. In particular, the core of Bio Vision's VLC™ technology is a uniquely designed high pressure steam fractionation bioreactor that:
- provides an integrated engineering system to fractionate biomass into its chemical components;
- overcomes traditional heat and mass transfer barriers via a highly effective thermobarometric process;
- sets the standard for environmental friendliness by using no added chemicals (other than water);
- demonstrates remarkable flexibility in its ability to treat a diverse array of biomass feedstocks (hardwoods, softwoods, straws, agriculture waste, etc.).
Bio Vision's VLC™ reactor can process various biomass inputs and produce a range of bioproducts. The four main bioproducts
- carboxylated nanocrystalline cellulose (Nanocel™)
- cellulose
- hemicellulose
- sulfur-free lignin
can be utilized directly "as is" in a number of market applications or can be converted into a wide array of valuable bioproducts which have significant commercial markets and applications.
The chart provides a graphic illustration of our process.
The VLC™ Advantage
Compared to other technologies developed by industry leaders in high pressure steam fractionation, Bio Vision sets the pace for adaptability and energy efficiency. With small scale biomass processing that emphasizes flexibility of input and output materials, the core Vertical Linear Converter (VLC)™ is a modular unit designed to match the nature of the biomass industry's economic realities. Under high pressure steam (most of which is recycled), cell walls are weakened to release hemicelluloses and lignin thereby separating the cellulose fibers. These materials are further processed, delivering highly pure materials that can be transformed into value added products. The Bio Vision pilot plant will be capable of fractionating five tonnes of dry biomass per hour using heat to generate natural acids from the biomass feedstock to cause a controlled decomposition and modification.
Solid Value Proposition
- Good energy efficiencies
- Ability to process a wide variety of input biomass feedstocks
- Decentralized production of bioproducts
- Excellent carbon footprint
- Green chemistry
- Manageable capital investment
- Intellectual property protection
- Rural renewal and sustainability
- Declining forestry industry