HDA is a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to hydrocarbon fuels under moderate reaction conditions. The process starts with real biomass without any pretreatment and saccharification using halide salt and mineral acid as catalysts. The process integrates hydrolysis of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) to monosaccharides, dehydration of the monosaccharides to furans (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural), and aldol condensation of the furans with acetone for chain extension to furan-based precursors in a single step. The resultant precursors and low-molecular fraction of the HDA lignin can be easily converted into fuel-grade hydrocarbons by hydrogenation.In this study, the reaction conditions of HDA process including catalysts (halide salt and acid) loading, reaction temperature, and reaction time were optimized for efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to furan-based precursors. System mass balance was established for optimal yield. The catalyst (halide salt) recycling was investigated as well. The HDA lignin was preliminarily characterized for potential co-products development.

Optimization of one-pot HDA process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to drop-in liquid fuel

245th National Meeting (2013)

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