Production of Home Heating Oils and Upgraded Bio-oils by Aqueous-Phase Catalytic Processing of Bio-oils Produced from Fast Pyrolysis of Woody Biomass

Bio-oils produced from fast pyrolysis of cellulosic biomass are a promising option to produce renewable liquid fuels from sustainable, domestically produced biomass-resources. However, bio-oils must be upgraded if they are to be used as home heating oil, or as replacements for gasoline and diesel fuel. This project will develop technology for upgrading bio-oils by aqueous-phase hydrogenation and aqueous-phase processing. In Phase I, the bio-oils will be characterized by NMR, GC, GCMS, and viscosity measurements. Preliminary combustion studies for mixtures of bio-oils with home heating oil will be performed. A preliminary economic analysis of aqueous-phase hydrogenation will be conducted. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The upgraded bio-oils would be sent to a petroleum refinery or mixed with home heating oil. Upgraded bio-oil products should be able to replace petroleum-derived products such as home heating oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel.