(37f) Production of Chemical Intermediates By Hydrolysis and Dehydration of Lignocellulosic B]Biomass Using Catalytic Membranes: Fundamental Research to Commercialization

Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis and dehydration has been conducted using a synthetic polymeric solid acid catalyst consisting of dual polymer chains grated from the surface of a ceramic membrane. The acidic polymeric chain, poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) catalyzes biomass hydrolysis as well as dehydration. A neighboring poly(vinyl imidazolium chloride) (PIL) chain helps solubilize lignocellulosic biomass and enhance the catalytic activity. Hydrolysis was conducted for crystalline cellulose and acid, base or steam pretreated corn stover samples in ionic liquids (IL) and mixtures of IL with water or γ-valerolactone (GVL). Near quantitative total reducing sugar (TRS) yields for cellulose hydrolysis as well as pretreated corn stover biomass were achieved at mild conditions and in less than 12 h. Other lignocellulosic biomass residues have also been tested as feed streams.

Our novel, patented, polymeric solid acid catalysts are superior to cellulases as they can be operated at a higher temperature and at a much higher hydrolysis rate. These catalysts are stable and maintain high catalytic activity after repeated runs. Moreover, they can be easily regenerated and are environmentally friendly. These polymeric solid acid catalysts can be used not only for hydrolysis but also dehydration of cellulose leading to the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) or levulinic acid. A number of different biomass feed streams have bene investigated including corn stover, wheat straw, food waste, almond shells and corn fiber. Results for these different feed streams will be presented.

Recently a startup company, SIEV Technologies, was founded in October 2020 to focus on commercializing these catalytic membranes for the production of platform chemical intermediates and sugars which could be further processed into bio-plastics and biofuels. Recent initial advances towards commercialization will also be described.