The microbial production of anaerobic acids followed by catalytic coupling offers a flexible route to produce renewable fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. Of note, acetic and butyric acid represent C2 and C4 monocarboxylic acids, respectively, that can be produced biologically in high yields and catalytically coupled via staged ketonization and condensation reactions. While recent studies point to the promise of this catalytic coupling strategy, to our knowledge there is a dearth of information regarding (i) the influence of mixed C2/C4 acids on the carbon balance and product distribution when sequentially linking both coupling chemistries, and (ii) the potential to transition C3-C7 ketone condensation chemistry from dilute batch reactions to continuous process conditions under industrially relevant space velocities. Therefore, this talk will cover recent efforts at NREL to investigate the staged catalytic coupling of mixed C2/C4 acids under continuous process conditions. Results will be presented on the overall C2/C4 coupling carbon balance, product distribution, and initial catalyst stability during the ketonization and subsequent condensation to generate diesel and aviation fuel precursors. <br/>

Catalytic coupling of short chain microbial acids to biofuel precursors

255th National Meeting (2018)

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