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What is the context of this research?

The goal of this research project is to produce gasoline and jet fuels from lignin biomass using catalytic fast pyrolysis.

Lignin is the glue that helps keep plants and trees limber and protects their structure against biological decay and the environment. Lignin is typically separated from cellulose in current second generation biofuel production in order to better utilize cellulose for conversion of bioethanol. Fast pyrolysis is the thermal, anaerobic degradation of biomass that will produce a reddish-brown bio-oil. However, bio-oil from lignin is very corrosive and highly oxygenated, which leads to a low performing fuel.

We want to take advantage of natural lignin chemistry, implement novel catalysts, and use clever engineering to help reach this goal of producing fuels from lignin biomass.

What is the significance of this project?

*. However, no processes, either biological or thermochemical, have been able to fully utilize this resource so research has shifted away from using lignin.*= refer to the Van Krevelen diagram below

Supply and Demand

By 2050, demand and consumption of transportation fuels is expected to increase by 100%2. At the same time, fossil fuel reserves are limited and are expected to run out within the next century 3. This looming fuel shortage has pressed the United States Department of Defense and the European Union into setting mandates on industrial production of biobased fuels by 2020; 570 million gallons of jet fuel and 10% of fuel from each European member state must come from biofuels, respectively2,4.



Green Fuels

Biofuels are considered carbon neutral. This means that the carbon dioxide that is produced from biofuels returns to the plants and trees that were used in the process, leading to a natural recycling flow of carbon. This is very important for the environment as this will help prevent global warming.



The Pacific Northwest is becoming a major player in second generation biofuel production because of the high population of hybrid poplar in the region. These trees are expected to play a major role in future fuel production, and it is necessary to be able to convert the cellulose, hemicellulose, and the lignin from these feedstocks to improve their economic viability. The Resende research group at the University of Washington is looking at unique thermochemical approaches to help contribute to this global and environmental cause.

What are the goals of the project?

This funding will be dedicated to purchasing miniature laboratory scale batch reactors from Parr Instruments and analytical equipment.

[1] T. Nimmanwudipong, “Catalytic Conversion of Lignin-Derived Compounds to Fuels and Chemicals,” UC Davis. 2012.[2] D. A. Bulushev and J. R. H. Ross, “Catalysis for conversion of biomass to fuels via pyrolysis and gasification: A review,” Catalysis Today, vol. 171, no. 1, pp. 1–13, Aug. 2011.[3] D. A. Simonetti and J. A. Dumesic, “Catalytic strategies for changing the energy content and achieving C–C coupling in biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons.,” ChemSusChem, vol. 1, pp. 725–33, Jan. 2008.[4] "Opportunities for DOD Use of Alternative and Renewable Fuels". Department of Defense, July 2011