Development of next-generation technologies to produce clean and renewable transportation fuels

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Undoubtedly, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector like marine and aviation plays a critical role in the transition into a cleaner and more prosperous economy. One promising solution is to develop clean and renewable fuels from various types of high water-containing biomass (e.g., seaweed, cyanobacterial, agri-food waste, and sewage sludge). Whereas, the current biofuels production technologies developed for wet biomass suffer from high energy consumption, low product yield and quality, and lacking a deep understanding of kinetics and mechanisms. Thus, the ultimate goal of the proposed research program is to develop novel and energy-efficient conversion technologies for producing clean transportation fuels from high water-containing biomass, which can either substitute or blend with petroleum-based fuels. To achieve this objective, the first proposed research theme will focus on the development of microwave heating (MW)-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) for bio-oil production from wet biomass. The fundamentals including (i) the interaction between biomass and microwave and (ii) kinetics and mechanisms of MW-HTL will be elucidated. The second proposed research theme will be the use of supercritical fluid (SCF) to upgrade bio-oil into transportation fuels. The investigation of catalytic activity, stability, and reducibility in SCF will be carried out, along with the understanding of the kinetics and underlying reaction pathways of SCF. The third proposed research theme will be the evaluation of the techno-economic feasibility of "wet biomass to transportation fuels" by MW-HTL followed by SCF. The technologies that will be developed as a result of the research program can not only be helpful for reducing the reliance on fossil fuels but can also be easily expanded and utilized in the petrochemical industry, which can strengthen Canada's position as a global leader in the clean technology and renewable energy sectors. Furthermore, this research program will provide an invaluable training opportunity to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for their future careers. Overall, the proposed research program will serve as the foundation for Canadian society to reduce GHG emissions and consequently reach the target of zero emission by 2050.