We demonstrate production and separation of coproducts through catalytic fast pyrolysis using well-described and scalable operations achieving 97 wt% purity.
Renewable electricity can be leveraged to produce fuels and chemicals from CO2, offering sustainable routes to reduce the carbon intensity of our energy and products-driven economy.
Advances in heterogeneous catalysis are driven by the structure–function relationships that define catalyst performance (i.e., activity, selectivity, lifetime). To understand these relationships, cooperative research is required: prediction and analysis using computational models, development of new synthetic methods to prepare specific solid-state compositions and structures, and identification of catalytically active site(s), surface-bound intermediates, and mechanistic pathways. In the application of deoxygenating and upgrading biomass pyrolysis vapors, a fundamental understanding of the factors that favor C–O bond cleavage and C–C bond formation is still needed. In this review, we focus on recent advances in heterogeneous catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation of biomass pyrolysis products. Focus is placed on studies that made use of model compounds for comparisons of catalysts and the reaction networks they promote. Applications of transition metal sulfide catalysts for deoxygenation processes are highlighted, and compared to the performances of noble metal and metal carbide, nitride, and phosphide catalysts. In general, it is found that bifunctional catalysts are required for deoxygenation in a single reactor, with bifunctionality achieved on the catalyst or in conjunction with the catalyst support. Catalysts that activate hydrogen well will be preferred for ex situ catalytic pyrolysis conditions (upgrading downstream of pyrolysis reactor prior to condensation of bio-oil, pressures near atmospheric, temperatures between 350–500 °C). Supports that limit chemisorption of large reactants (leading to blockage of catalyst sites) should be employed. Finally, the stability of the catalyst and support in high-steam and low hydrogen-to-carbon environments will be critical.
This study analyzes catalytic fast pyrolysis as a conversion technology for mixed plastic waste, highlighting key economic and environmental drivers and potential opportunities for process improvements.
The efficacy, economics, and sustainability of a bio-based insecticide produced from the catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass is reported. This synergistic approach to fuels and agrochemical production can improve both energy and food sectors.
Abstract This work describes in detail one potential conversion process for the production of high‐octane gasoline blendstock via indirect liquefaction of biomass. The processing steps of this pathway include the conversion of biomass to synthesis gas via indirect gasification, gas clean‐up via reforming of tars and other hydrocarbons, catalytic conversion of syngas to methanol, methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether ( DME ), and the homologation of DME over a zeolite catalyst to high‐octane gasoline‐range hydrocarbon products. The current process configuration has similarities to conventional methanol‐to‐gasoline ( MTG ) technologies, but there are key distinctions, specifically regarding the product slate, catalysts, and reactor conditions. A techno‐economic analysis is performed to investigate the production of high‐octane gasoline blendstock. The design features a processing daily capacity of 2000 tonnes (2205 short tons) of dry biomass. The process yields 271 liters of liquid fuel per dry tonne of biomass (65 gal/dry ton), for an annual fuel production rate of 178 million liters (47 MM gal) at 90% on‐stream time. The estimated total capital investment for an n th ‐plant is $438 million. The resulting minimum fuel selling price ( MFSP ) is $0.86 per liter or $3.25 per gallon in 2011 US dollars. A rigorous sensitivity analysis captures uncertainties in costs and plant performance. Sustainability metrics for the conversion process are quantified and assessed. The potential premium value of the high‐octane gasoline blendstock is examined and found to be at least as competitive as fossil‐derived blendstocks. A simple blending strategy is proposed to demonstrate the potential for blending the biomass‐derived blendstock with petroleum‐derived intermediates. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA . Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The use of carbon dioxide as a feedstock for a broad range of products can help mitigate the effects of climate change through long‐term removal of carbon or as part of a circular carbon economy. Research on capture and conversion technologies has intensified in recent years, and the interest in deploying these technologies is growing fast. However, sound understanding of the environmental and economic impacts of these technologies is required to drive fast deployment and avoid unintended consequences. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) and techno‐economic assessments (TEAs) are useful tools to quantify environmental and economic metrics; however, these tools can be very flexible in how they are applied, with the potential to produce significantly different results depending on how the boundaries and assumptions are defined. Built on ISO standards for generic LCAs, several guidance documents have emerged recently from the Global CO 2 Initiative, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that further define assessment specifications for carbon capture and utilization. Overall agreement in the approaches is noted with differences largely based on the intended use cases. However, further guidance is needed for assessments of early‐stage technologies, reporting details, and reporting for policymakers and nontechnical decision‐makers.
Improve overall economics and sustainability of biofuels production by making the best use of byproducts from biomass pyrolytic processes towards energy utilities by leveraging locational consumers and available infrastructure.
