Novel Biomass Conversion Process for Production of Butylenes

The United States is currently faced with unprecedented energy challenge. Petroleum prices have skyrocketed due to rising competition for energy resources from emerging economies. There is a significant need for processes that can produce hydrocarbons from renewable resources rather than petroleum. The use of renewable resources ensures a long-term supply of hydrocarbons, even after easily extractable petroleum reserves are depleted. It also aids national security because domestic resources are used rather than petroleum. Biomass offers the potential for large-scale production of hydrocarbons. Technology Holding LLC in collaboration with Kansas State University proposes a novel process for biomass conversion to butylenes. The proposed process combines two synergistic innovations of biochemical processing to 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD) and further catalytic conversion to butylenes without separating 2,3-BD. The process utilizes a robust microbial culture for fermentation to 2,3-BD followed by dual stage bifunctional catalyst to enable 2,3-BD conversion to butylenes. During phase I, the proposing team will demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility of the proposed approach.