Pioneer BioPilot (MRBPP)

Queensland University of Technology

Formerly known as Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant

Back to directory

Biofuel researcher with bagasse and biofuel sample

Powered by QUT's world-class research expertise, the scale-up facility is at the forefront of real-world innovation, enabling the path to scale and produce high-value functional ingredients and industrial products that are safe, ethical and sustainable. The plant develops and demonstrates a wide range of technologies at the pilot scale and is available for use by industry and research partners.

Website
https://www.qut.edu.au/research/why-qut/infrastructure/bioinnovation-research-facility/qut-pioneer-biopilot
Organisation type
  • University Research Centre
Number of research staff
Up to 20 research staff
Address
Racecourse Mill Site, Mackay Sugar Limited, Peak Downs Highway, Racecourse via Mackay QLD 4741

Strengths and capabilities

  • Precision fermentation and downstream processing
  • Industrial biotechnology
  • Biomass handling and preparation
  • Biomass pre-treatment and conversion (chemical, pressure, steam explosion)
  • Thermochemical processing
  • High value product and process development
  • Biomass harvesting, transportation, storage, processing
  • Analytical expertise

Facilities and major equipment

  • Fermentation (100, 1200, 2400L working volume)
  • Tangential flow filtration
  • Centrifugation
  • Homogenisation
  • Chromatography
  • Drying (freeze dryer, electrostatic spray dryer, microwave vacuum dryer)
  • Unique biomass reactor constructed from corrosion|resistant alloys
  • Equipment for product separation, purification and recovery
  • Biomass drying and size reduction (various milling technologies)
  • Mettler Toledo RCe1 reaction calorimeter with in-situ infrared probe
  • Parr, sand-bath and microwave reactors
  • Supercritical CO2 process development unit

Lead researchers

  • Professor Ian O'Hara—Member of the Queensland Government Biofutures Industry Reference Group
  • Dr James Behrendorf
  • Prof Mark Harrision
  • A/Prof Kameron Dunn
  • A/Prof Darryn Rackemann
  • Prof Jan Zhang
  • Dr Jerome Ramirez

Achievements of the centre

  • Unique biorefining pilot research facility in Australia for developing technologies for the manufacture of biofuels and bioproducts
  • Blocktex. QUT assisted through pilot scale development of proprietary process to recovery polyester and cellulosic powder.
  • RDA Biomass biogranules as a coal replacement. QUT assisted in process development.
  • Mercurius biorefining. QUT provided a site for the REACH pilot plant and assisted in installation, safety and operational aspects of the plant.
  • Biogas from biomass. QUT develped and demonstrated biomass pre-treatment, anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading technologies produce biogas for use in sugarcane production and transportation.
  • Animal probiotics. Worked with Ridley to new and effective probiotics

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

Update details

Is this your centre? See any issues? Send a request to update your listing.