Catalytic Processing of Biomass to Liquid Fuels

A pressing need exists for the development alternatives to crude oil as a feedstock for producing transportation fuels such as gasoline. This project aims to create a complete, sustainable, and cost-effective catalytic technology that converts unused lignocellulosic biomass to BioGasoline. The proposed technology represents a fundamental shift in the process chemistry and overall approach to creating biofuels. It combines fast reaction rates, which cannot be achieved with biological processes, with mild, liquid-phase processing to obtain energy efficiencies that far exceed conventional approaches such as gasification and pyrolysis. The approach will involve the application of novel reaction and reactor concepts with environmentally benign homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in a multi-step process that deconstructs and stabilizes biomass before conversion to a high-octane gasoline substitute. The proposed process will be designed to be competitive with existing liquid motor fuels made from oil. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new biofuel would be expected to compete directly in the marketplace on the basis of price and performance, rather than relying on subsidies and legislative directives. The low cost of production for BioGasoline would encourage adoption by fuel producers and speed the introduction of this process to the market. Consumers would benefit from low, stable fuel prices. Society would benefit from reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and from a reduced reliance on imported oil