BRI Energy - another approach to cellulosic ethanol production

A new gasification/fermentation process developed for BRI Energy, Inc. (“BRI”) by a team led by Dr. James L. Gaddy of Fayetteville, Arkansas, makes possible the production of electricity and ethanol from any carbon-based materials, including:

• Municipal Solid Waste
• Biosolids
• Corn Stover and other agricultural residues
• Timber and Wood Waste
• Used Tires or Plastics
• Coal, natural gas and other hydrocarbons


"Efficient and highly profitable, the BRI process utilizes an enzyme from patented
bacteria, which ingests synthesis gas (gasified wastes) and emits pure ethanol at a yield of 75 gallons or more per dry ton of biomass. From used tires or hydrocarbons it can yield 150 gallons or more per ton."

This brief description is obtained from a useful company document , "The Co-Production of Ethanol and Electricity From Carbon-based Wastes A Report from BRI Energy, Inc.Regarding a New Technology that Addresses Multiple Energy and Waste Disposal Solutions" which is accessible here

Essential reading if you wish to understand both the process and how it fits into the current work being undertaken on cellulosic / waste ethanol production.

Two operating companies hold exclusive licenses to market and commercialize the gasification/biocatalytic technology developed by Dr. James L. Gaddy and his research and development organization, Bioengineering Resources, Inc. of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

1. BRI Energy, LLC (a Delaware Limited Liability Company) represents the technology within the United States and its territories.

2. BRI Energy International, Ltd. (a Bermuda company), is responsible for implementing the technology elsewhere worldwide.

Bioengineering Resources, Inc.

Developers of the BRI Ethanol Process, providers of the patented bacteria, enzymes and nutrients required for the operation of the Process, and consultants in plant design, construction and operation.

Key Technologists

James L. Gaddy, Ph.D
Chemical Engineering (President of Bioengineering Resources, Inc.)
Formerly Head / Prof. of Arkansas U. Chemical Engineering Department Authroity on annaerobic fermentations, immobilized cell technology, biomass hydrolysis, gas fermentations, as well as process synthesis, design and optimization. Author of over 500 technical publications and presentations.


Ching W. Ko, Ph.D
Chemical Engineering (Director of Technology and Pilot Operations)
Chemical engineer and an expert in elevated pressure gaseous fermentations.

Rahul Basu, Ph.D
Chemical Engineering (Vice President for Development)
A graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Basu has directed pilot plant operations and international technology transfer for one of the world’s largest nutraceutical companies. His areas of expertise include fermentation, membrane filtration and separation processes.

Dinesh K. Arora, Ph.D
Biochemical Engineering (Laboratory Director)
Research interests and expertise are in the areas of microbial transformations, fermenter design and operation, immobilized cell cuture, microbial physiology, culture storage, microbial kinetics and recombinant DNA techniques.

J.R. “Randy” Phillips, M.S.
Chemical Engineering (Director of Engineering)
Graduate of University of Arkansas. He worked for S&B Engineers, Houston, Texas as a process design engineer in petrochemicals for six years. He has worked with the ethanol fermentation process for the past fifteen years.

The company have received funding (US$2.4 Mn.) to develop their 3 stage process from the Department of Energy to develop and demonstrate the process and have a small unit operating 24/7.

Useful links

Green Car Congress
Co-Production of Ethanol and Electricity from Waste
9 June 2005

Reno Gazette Journal 26/6/2005
New technology turns waste into fuel, but will it ever get out of the lab?

This process is of course a US based research project.