Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksVLS.L Regulatory News (VLS)

  • There is currently no data for VLS

G?ssing FT Demonstration Update

16 Aug 2010 07:00

RNS Number : 0976R
Oxford Catalysts Group PLC
16 August 2010
 



16th August 2010

 

OXFORD CATALYSTS GROUP PLC

("Oxford Catalysts" or "the Group")

 

Güssing FT Demonstration Update

 

Oxford Catalysts Group PLC, the leading technology innovator for clean synthetic fuels, is pleased to announce that its Fischer-Tropsch ("FT") pilot unit is achieving good performance in phase one of the demonstration at Güssing.

 

The Group's preferred partner SGC Energia, SGPS, S.A. ("SGCE") is 'very pleased' with the results obtained, and on this basis has confirmed that the Group remains on track to secure a commercial order upon completion of the technical milestones.

 

The FT demonstration, which is being managed by SGCE, has been fully operational for a month, with the Group's FT unit working at its full capacity of more than 900 commercial-length microchannels, and with the Güssing gasifier, the gas conditioning unit and Group's FT unit all operating smoothly together. Significant achievements include:

 

·; Near isothermal reactor temperature profile;

·; Pressure drop as expected;

·; High quality synthetic fuel is being produced (alpha value >0.9);

·; Robust responsiveness to shutdowns and start-ups.

 

Operations are demonstrating the very significant process intensification potential of the Group's FT technology, as the unit is already producing over 0.75 Kg of FT liquids per litre of catalyst per hour − some 4 to 8 times greater productivity than conventional systems. Performance will improve further after the steam superheating section of the plant is debottlenecked at the next scheduled shutdown. Going forward, the demonstration will be operated over a wide range of conditions, as well as for an extended steady-state run of some three months.

 

Roy Lipski, CEO of Oxford Catalysts Group said:

 

"Successful testing of our FT demonstration is an important step closer to validation of our technology in the field, paving the way for commercial roll out with our partner SGCE."

 

Vianney Vales, CEO, SGCE said:

 

"As the managing company in charge of the Güssing demonstration, SGCE is very pleased with the initial performance. We remain on track to place a commercial order upon completion of the technical milestones, initiating worldwide commercialisation of the Group's FT technology."

 

- Ends -

 

For further information, please contact:

Roy Lipski, CEO, Oxford Catalysts

01235 841 700

Dan Harris, KBC Peel Hunt (Nomad and Broker)

020 7418 8900

Billy Clegg / Alex Beagley, Financial Dynamics

020 7831 3113

 

Notes to Editors

 

Oxford Catalysts designs and develops technology for the production of clean synthetic fuels from both conventional fossil fuels and renewable sources such as biowaste. The Group is primarily focused on the emerging market for distributed smaller scale production of synthetic fuels via Fischer-Tropsch ("FT") synthesis − a market that has the potential of producing as much as 25 million barrels of fuel a day.

 

The FT reaction is used when converting natural gas, coal or bio-mass into clean high-performance liquid synthetic fuels, processes known as GTL, CTL and BTL respectively. The Group is the recognised world leader in the design and development of high-activity catalysts and associated novel chemical reactors for the small scale production of synthetic fuels. (The Group's reactor technology − known as microchannel process technology − is marketed under the brand name of Velocys).

 

Oxford Catalysts Group PLC is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE: OCG). The Group has some 90 employees with facilities near Oxford, UK and Columbus, Ohio, USA.

 

www.oxfordcatalysts.com

www.velocys.com

 

About SGCE

SGC Energia, SGPS, S.A. ("SGCE") is the Group's preferred partner in the synthetic fuels market for applications involving solid feedstock such as biomass. The Group's FT demonstration at Güssing is being operated in conjunction with SGCE, who is responsible for the overall project management and demonstration plant activities, as well as the full costs.

 

SGCE is a Portuguese incorporated holding company that acts as the investment arm of João Pereira Coutinho, a well known Portuguese entrepreneur, in the renewable energy sector. Mr Coutinho, through his holdings, is involved in the production of conventional biofuels and the development of next generation bio and synthetic fuel technologies, as well as the supply of complex integrated solutions for the production of alternative energy. Mr Coutinho's activities in the sector include the operation of a 125,000 ton/yr biodiesel production facility, the establishing of over 30,000 ha of biomass energy crops in Africa, and, with partners, the development and demonstration of gasification, syngas cleanup, and syngas-to-liquids technologies. His staff participate in the engineering and operation of facilities, as well as the business aspects of projects. SGCE is owned by João Pereira Coutinho and his SGC Group. SGC Group is active in 13 countries and has an annual turnover of over €1 billion.

 

SGCE has already secured the host site and initiated engineering activities for its first commercial synthetic fuels facility. Following successful demonstration at Güssing and completion of the technical milestones, SGCE intends to place its first commercial order with the Group.

 

About Güssing

Güssing, in South Burgenland, Austria, is arguably the prime location globally for demonstrating bio-conversion technologies such as Biomass-to-Liquid ("BTL"). It is a pioneering "eco-town" of around 10,000 people that is completely self-sufficient in terms of energy, producing its entire heat, power and fuel requirement from local renewable materials, such as wood, sourced from within a 5 km radius. Since 2005, a power station based on gasification of wood chips has operated in the town, with an output of 4.5 MW heat and 2 MW electricity, for domestic and industrial consumers. The biomass gasifier at this facility will also be used to supply synthesis gas for conversion to fuels via the Group's Fischer-Tropsch ("FT") demonstration unit.

 

www.renet.at/english/sites/guessing.php

www.eee-info.net/cms

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCUVOARRKAWAUR
Date   Source Headline
16th Apr 20135:30 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Apr 201311:05 amRNSGrant of Options
10th Apr 20137:00 amRNSVentech Order
27th Mar 20132:38 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
26th Mar 20137:00 amRNSFinal Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2012
22nd Mar 20133:20 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Mar 20137:00 amRNSNotice of Results
4th Mar 20137:00 amRNSIHS CERAWeek 2103 Presentation
20th Feb 20133:09 pmRNSCalumet Project Update
20th Feb 201311:15 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Feb 20131:05 pmRNSChange of Registered Office
31st Jan 20133:03 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
14th Jan 20135:06 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
10th Jan 201312:37 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th Jan 201311:45 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
3rd Jan 201312:29 pmRNSResult of General Meeting
27th Dec 20121:22 pmRNSBlocklisting Application
11th Dec 20121:15 pmRNS£30.6 million Share Placing
5th Dec 20123:00 pmRNSBlock Listing Update
30th Nov 201211:07 amRNSGreenSky London Progress Update
19th Nov 20127:00 amRNSReactor Order, Share Purchase and Access Agreement
5th Nov 20127:00 amRNSMourik Agreement for Commercial Catalyst Handling
23rd Oct 20125:31 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
12th Oct 20122:33 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
2nd Oct 20127:00 amRNSBoard Appointment
2nd Oct 20127:00 amRNSBoard Member Appointment to Oxford Catalysts Group
21st Sep 20127:00 amRNSInterim Results
7th Sep 20123:45 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
7th Sep 20127:00 amRNSSupplier to 1,000 bpd Commercial GTL Plant
6th Sep 201210:30 amRNSNotice of Results
30th Jul 20127:00 amRNSOxford Reactors Selected for California Demo Plant
13th Jul 20124:32 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Jul 20124:39 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
3rd Jul 20127:00 amRNSOxford Catalysts Selected for GreenSky London
19th Jun 20123:32 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
8th Jun 20122:09 pmRNSResult of AGM
23rd May 20127:00 amRNSSuccessful Start-up of Commercial Scale FT Reactor
16th May 20125:54 pmRNSNotice of AGM
11th May 20127:00 amRNSRosneft GTL Demo Plant to Include Oxford Reactors
23rd Apr 20127:00 amRNSGrant of Options
17th Apr 20127:00 amRNSNew experimental facility opens at PTT R&D site
4th Apr 201211:10 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
29th Mar 20127:00 amRNSFinal Results
23rd Mar 20127:00 amRNSOffshore GTL Partnership
14th Mar 20127:00 amRNSNotice of Results
23rd Feb 20123:17 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Feb 20127:00 amRNSTrading Update
14th Feb 20127:00 amRNSGTL Engineering Study Update
9th Jan 20127:00 amRNSCommercial Order
3rd Jan 201210:42 amRNSTotal Voting Rights

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.