In this talk, an overview of the research thrusts of the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation (CCEI), one of the Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) will be given. Modern catalytic-based technologies will be presented that may overcome challenges of traditional methods in converting biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals. The first is based on catalytic fast pyrolysis whereby biomass is heated at extremely fast rates in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, such as ZSM5, to impart shape selectivity in the product distribution. The technology leads to reduced char formation and a product distribution containing mainly aromatics. The second technology relies on biomass degradation to simple derivatives, such as sugars, followed by aldol condensation using suitable catalysts to produce hydrocarbons for add-on fuels or acid-based chemistry to convert sugars to valuable intermediates, such as furans.

Modern catalytic technologies for converting biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals

241st National Meeting (2011)

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