(293a) Electrochemical Hydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis of Furanics Parameter Influences on Kinetics, Side Products and Carbon Footprint

There are significant opportunities to drive chemical reactions with electricity rather than heat as the increase in renewable electricity both reduces costs and decarbonizes the grid. Electrochemical reactions are amenable for this transition to electrically-driven systems and also offer opportunities to re-evaluate feedstocks and production scenarios. For example, electrochemical conversion of biomass-derived species at distributed biorefineries becomes more viable. There is still much that needs to be learned about the electrochemical reactions of biomass-derived species. For example, in the electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis (ECH) of furanics the reaction parameters have a significant influence on the kinetics, selectivity and side product formation. The reactions are highly pH sensitive, with very low pHs required for hydrogenolysis to occur. However, at very low pH, undesired homogeneous side reactions also occur that consume the products. By pairing reaction mechanism and kinetics that we developed with homogeneous side reaction kinetics, models can be developed to better understand how the reactions compete in the reactors. These reaction rates can also be incorporated into larger carbon footprint models to better understand the influence of the reaction parameters. While highly dilute reaction streams minimize side reactions, the carbon footprint becomes very significant because of the separation needs downstream. Balancing reaction performance with separation needs becomes very important.