To alleviate our strong depenence on depleting fossil fuels, more research efforts have been devoted to the conversion and utilization of renewable biomass and its derivatives. Biomass can be converted to fuels/chemicals either via biological or thermochemical approaches. Although biological approach is very selective, it has the disadvantages of producing limited types of alcohols and being less efficient in utilizing non-grain feedstocks. Thermochemical conversion approach, on the other hand, is less specific to the types of feedstocks and provides a high space-time-yield to products. Thermochemical approach involves direct and indirect processes. Indirect process via gasification followed by syngas conversion is commercially practiced, and the main challenge is to realize larger scale economics at smaller capacities especially for biomass conversion. Direct process such as pyrolysis is simpler in process configuration, but the upgrading of the intermediates such as pyrolysis oil presents major challenges to catalysis. In this talk, our recent work in the thermochemical conversion of biomass intermediates including ethanol, syngas, sugars, and pyrolysis oils will be presented.

Conversion of biomass derivatives to fuels/chemicals

246th National Meeting (2013)

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