On the thermochemical side, this is a process that breaks down the solid material into a synthesis gas that is composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process then uses catalysts to convert that syngas into a liquid.
In our process, we first convert this syngas into methanol. Then, through carbonylation and hydrogenolysis, we convert that methanol into ethanol. From the solid waste to the ethanol, our process takes four minutes. The biological process will be a bit longer, as it involves enzymes.
Biological or thermochemical are the two main pathways that you find around the world for second-generation biofuels.