Thermochemical Biofuels Production from Biomass Waste Materials

This project will develop and evaluate a new process for converting biomass waste into diesel fuel. The diesel made from biomass will be a direct substitute for ultra low-sulfur diesel (defined by ASTM D 975). The biomass waste will first be converted into pyrolysis oil and then upgraded to diesel. The process uses a new approach to upgrading pyrolysis bio oil and does not produce excessive by-products. Essentially any biomass material or solid waste (e.g., food waste, shipping materials, etc.) can be converted to fuel in high yield in the proposed process. The project will develop, test, and evaluate a new process for producing diesel from biomass pyrolysis oil. The bio oil (pyrolysis oil) can be produced from any biomass source including, but not limited to, forest wood biomass, grassland biomass, organic non-recyclable components of municipal solid waste, and cellulosic waste material. The environmental benefits include reduced GHG emissions from on-road diesel vehicles, and converting waste materials into useful fuel products. The anticipated results of the Phase I project are the performance data for the process and the engineering and economic feasibility study. Phase I will first determine if the proposed process for biofuel (diesel) production using waste biomass is technically feasible. The profitability of the overall process will be estimated. Phase I will culminate with a detailed analysis, which will be used to determine if a Phase II project is justified. Supplemental Keywords: