(603c) Challenges and Progress in Catalytic Upgrading of Liquefaction Intermediates from Biomass and Waste

Production of renewable fuels and chemicals, which can directly replace petroleum-derived counterparts compatible with today’s infrastructure, from abundant domestic biomass and waste resources offers us an opportunity to meet our energy needs in an economically, environmentally, and socially beneficial manner. Various routes for transforming plant biomass and waste to biofuels and biochemicals involving thermochemical and biological conversions have been established and well-studied. Liquefaction, such as fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction, followed by upgrading, such as catalytic hydrotreating, is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective approach. However, some unique properties of liquefaction intermediates are causing significant challenges for hydrotreating, either in a stand-alone hydrotreater or in co-processing with petroleum stream in existing refinery. This presentation will give an overview of our recent efforts on advancing hydrotreating technology for upgrading various liquid intermediates from different feedstocks (biomass and sewage sludge) and liquefaction process (fast pyrolysis, catalytic fast pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction). Specifically, it will highlight the improvement of performance and reduction of fuel production cost through improved catalyst and catalytic process and process intensification.