Novel Process for Biomass Conversion to 5 Carbon Alcohols

Recent climate change conference of parties concluded the urgency of arresting the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. It is imperative that everyday fuels and products be renewable to keep the temperature of the planet below 2 °C at the turn of the century. In addition, it is important to reduce US dependence on foreign petroleum imports and create rural jobs. Production of fuels and chemicals offers unique opportunity to accomplish environmental benefits while reducing imports and creating rural jobs. Technology Holding LLC proposes to commercialize a novel method for the production of 5-carbon alcohol (methyl butenol, 5-CA) and isoprene from agricultural residue and forestry biomass. The product of proposed innovation, 5-CA has a number of applications. It forms a building block for materials in a number of industries including bulk and specialty chemical industries. 5-CA can be directly blended in gasoline pool as it carries 36% higher energy density than cellulosic ethanol. Phase I and II work has established technical and economic feasibility of producing 5-CA as well as chemical and biological conversion to isoprene. The team will further demonstrate scale up to 1000L fermentation, collection of isoprene, and initial productization during Phase IIB producing consumer products and renewable jet fuel blend. Substantial interest from domestic corporations has been garnered with in-kind and direct cash contributions to significantly exceed the cost of the award. The overall approach continues to use an engineered production strain of Escherichia coli and utilization of sugars derived from biomass hydrolysate to improve overall economics. The proposed innovation, upon commercialization, will enable domestic manufacturing of renewable jet fuel, renewable rubbers, reduction in imports, reduction in greenhouse gas impact and creation of jobs.