Process for Converting Waste Biomass
- Technology Benefits
- More efficient than conventional ethanol production Direct utilization of cellulose, a prevalent and available source of carbon Derived biofuels are hydrophobic, non-toxic, non-volatile, non-corrosive, clean-burning, and biodegradable Method can be used to derive either biofuels or value added materials from biomass
- Technology Application
- High yield process for the development and manufacture of renewable alternative fuels
- Detailed Technology Description
- A researcher at the University of California, Davis has developed a process for converting waste biomass (agricultural, municipal forestry) into 5-chlorofurfural (CMF) in yields approaching 90% of the theoretical. Thus far no other method of biomass deconstruction gives such a high conversion to a simple organic product. The process is completely chemical in nature and inexpensive. Conditions are mild (T< 100 °C) and reaction times are short (< 4 h). By reaction with ethanol or hydrogen, the CMF product is converted into 5-ethoxymethyl furfural and 5-methylfurfural, respectively, both of which are promising biofuel candidates, and the former of which is currently being commercialized in Europe as a diesel additive. By reaction with water, the CMF product is converted into levulinic acid, an industrially important value-added chemical. A secondary product of this process is furfural itself, which derives from the hemicellulose content of plant biomass. Furfural is currently traded as a commercial commodity.
- Supplementary Information
- Patent Number: US7829732B2
Application Number: US2009404828A
Inventor: Mascal, Mark
Priority Date: 17 Mar 2008
Priority Number: US7829732B2
Application Date: 16 Mar 2009
Publication Date: 9 Nov 2010
IPC Current: C07D030748
US Class: 549483
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: High-yield conversion of cellulosic biomass into furanic biofuels and value-added products
Usefulness: High-yield conversion of cellulosic biomass into furanic biofuels and value-added products
Summary: The method is useful for preparing CMF or its derivative, and also useful for preparing furfural, 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), 2-(2-hydroxyacetyl) furan (HAF) and levulinic acid (LA) such that the total yield of CMF, HMF, HAF and LA is at least 75% based on the saccharide (all claimed).
Novelty: Preparing 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, comprises contacting saccharide, aqueous acid, inorganic salt and organic solvent in reaction vessel, removing the solvent to isolation vessel and adding additional organic solvent to the vessel
- Industry
- Chemical/Material
- Sub Category
- Chemical/Material Application
- Application No.
- 7829732
- Others
-
Related Materials
Mascal M and Nikitin EB. 2008. Direct, high-yield conversion of cellulose into biofuel. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 47(41):7924-6.
Mascal M and Nikitin EB. 2009. Towards the Efficient, Total Glycan Utilization of Biomass. ChemSusChem. 2(5):423-426. [Epub ahead of print]Additional Technologies by these Inventors
Tech ID/UC Case
18696/2008-516-0
Related Cases
2008-516-0
- *Abstract
-
A researcher at the University of California, Davis has developed a chemical approach for the total conversion of plant carbohydrates to biofuels and value-added products.
- *IP Issue Date
- Nov 9, 2010
- *Principal Investigator
-
Name: Mark Mascal
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
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