Biological and Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels and Chemicals

Jingguang ChenChemical Engineering

200 nm200 nm

McCann et al. 1990 McCann et al. 1990 J. Cell Sci.J. Cell Sci. 96 96, , 323-334323-334

Molecular Architecture of Plant Cell Walls Molecular Architecture of Plant Cell Walls (lignocellulosic biomass)(lignocellulosic biomass)

Lignin and Cellulose Molecules

3

• Average molecular composition, soft maple lignin: CH1.2O0.27

– Cellulose composition: CH1.7 O0.83

• Up to 30% of the mass of wood, and 40% of the energy content

• Wood processing plants produce 50 million tons of lignin waste annually

Holladay et al. “Top Value-Added Chemicals from Biomass: Volume II- Results of Screening Potential Candidates from Biorefinery Lignin.” Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. October 2007.

Converting Biomass Using Biorefinery Concept

R. Agrawal and N. Singh, AIChE Journal, R. Agrawal and N. Singh, AIChE Journal, 5555, 1898 (2009) , 1898 (2009)

Biological Conversion of Cellulose to BiofuelBiological Conversion of Cellulose to Biofuel

McCann et al.McCann et al.

Chemistry of Biodiesel

Source: Gerpen, J. V. (2005). "Biodiesel Processing and Production." Fuel Processing Technology 86: 1097-1107.

Hierarchical Multiscale Materials

Multiscale Modeling

Characterization techniques

Chemicals Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Direct Carbon FCsTechnological

Platform

Crosscutting Research

Thrust

Reaction Pathways, Kinetics, Structure-Property RelationshipsScience

Process Innovation, OptimizationProcessing

ChemicalsChemicals FuelsFuels ElectricityElectricity

UD Energy Frontier Research CenterUD Energy Frontier Research Center

Reforming

HH22

Thermal Conversion of Lignin to Jet Fuel

9

Huber, GW. “Catalysis for Production of JP-8 Range Molecules from Lignocellulosic Biomass.” 12 March 2009.

UD collaborators: Prof. Lobo, Chemical Engineering

Thermochemical Transformation of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Traditional paths entail high temperatures and suffer from carbon CPOX forms no carbon

Biomass

PyrolysisHigh T

OilCharTar

Fuel

Cat. upgrade

SyngasChar

GasificationMethanolSynfuel

CPOX SyngasVery high T

3 mm

CPOX of Cellulose

Dauenhauer (UMass) and Schmidt (UMN)

Sorbitol

HOO

HO OH

OH

OH

Glucose Mannitol

Hydrolysis

isomerization

H2

Hydrogenation

OH

OH

Ethylene glycol

+other

polyols

OH

HO

OO

HO OH

O

OH

n

Cellulose

O

H2O

Fructose

CH2OH

OCH2OH

OH

OH

HO

H2

Hydrogenation

OHOH

OH

OH OH

OH

OHOH

OH

OH OH

OH

-H2O

Dehydration

H2

Hydrogenation

H2

HydrogenolysisLight alkanes

CO2, etc.

H+

C-C cleavage+oxdationOrganic acids (unidentified)

OOH O

OOH OH

HMF DHM-THF

OH

Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose to Chemicals

Conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol on Ni-WC & Ni-W2C:Na et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2008); Catalysis Today (2009)