Robust and Sustainable Utilization of Biofuel Co-products to Increase Biorefinery Diversification

In this project, researchers will evaluate the potential for utilizing biofuel co-products for high value biobased materials. The two key biobased materials that will be investigated are glycerol carbonate and sucrose esters. The goal of the project is to develop commercially viable, energy efficient routes for these biobased materials using enzymatic catalysis and solvent free conditions. Glycerol carbonate (GC) is a new platform chemical that can be produced from glycerol and can replace petroleum-based chemicals. Many commercial uses for glycerol carbonate have been presented and patented globally. Examples of uses are as a solvent in personal care products and in paints and coatings, as a moisturizing agent in cosmetics, as a CO2 absorption solvent, as a monomer for polycarbonate production and as a reactive solvent in polyurethane coatings. Researchers will evaluate the conversion of biodiesel co-product glycerol to glycerol carbonate using lipases in comparison to the current chemical pathway using dimethyl carbonate. In addition, investigators will assess the potential for simultaneous conversion of biodiesel and glycerol carbonate using lipases. GC production has not reached large-scale commercial usage due to the high cost of production when compared to alternate biobased and petroleum based compounds used for similar means.