Conversion of Biomass to Biofuel Additive Ethyl Levulinate

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Industry partner, Les Enterprises HDJS Gascon Ltée., operates a large biomass recycling facility in Alfred,Ontario targeted primarily at the fertilizer market. With consumer product developers' growing interest inbio-based chemicals, HDJS aims to assess the suitability of its biomass feedstock for the production ofhigh-value fuel additive, ethyl levulinate. This additive has been demonstrated to lower the workingtemperature of seed oil-derived biodiesel, improving its utility for colder climates. In this project, PI Baker'sexpertise in biomass conversion and cataysis will be combined with the world class facilities at the Universityof Ottawa's Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation (CCRI) to train three students from La Cité college.The project takes advantage of recent findings on the suitability of chloromethylfurfural as an intermediate forthe catalyzed formation of ethyl levulinate. Initial work on the HDJS pulp mill biomass will assess itssuitability for obtaining economically viable quantities of ethyl levulinate for immediate use as a biodieseladditive.