SBIR Phase I: Chemical Conversion of Cellulosic Matters to Biofuel

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will validate a novel single-chemical process called decarbonation of carbohydrates, which converts ligno-cellulosic carbohydrates to liquid biofuels as a drop-in transportation fuel. This novel process, proposed in this work, selectively removes CO2 from carbohydrates with a chemical that preferably bonds with CO2 while suppressing dehydration and pyrolysis. The feasibility of using simpler carbohydrates was recently demonstrated in a liquid-phase-solid-state reaction at small lab scale. Common sucrose was directly converted to organic liquids that contained methanol, ethanol, acetone, propone hydroxyl, furans, HM furfural, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, etc. However, ligno-cellulosic matter is a polymer and thus has limited reactivity. In Phase I, this project will directly address this issue by systematically selecting cellulosic solvents, including ionic liquids, and optimizing their ability to be used in decarbonation. In Phase II, this project will seek to achieve a higher conversion yield capable of reaching 100 gallons of biofuel per ton of cellulosic matter, all at a low production cost of less than $2 per gallon. Successful demonstrations of Phase I and II milestones will allow the commercial development of cellulosic matter to biofuel as a direct drop-in fuel. The broad impact/commercial potential of this project is potentially very significant. Carbohydrates (saccharides) are the most abundant form of biomass on earth, comprising more than 60% of total known plant mass. In the US over 1 billion tons of forest and agricultural resources are available each year, and could provide 30% of all domestic transportation fuel needs. Converting cellulosic carbohydrates to renewable biofuel is a technological holy grail with enormous societal benefits. The federal revised Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) mandate presents a direct market driving force. By 2022, the market for advanced biofuels produced from ligno-cellulosic matter will reach 20 billion gallons and $50 billion. The Biofuel proposed in this work carries significant advantages over contemporary biofuel approaches such as ethanol and bio-diesel with several broad potential benefits for sustainability as well as being competitive with non-renewable fuels currently in use.