Optimizing one-pot biomass conversion to Ethyl Levulinate

乙酰丙酸乙酯（EL）是一种潜在的有价值的生物燃料添加剂，可以很容易地从非食品木质纤维素生物质的水解-酯化中获得。我们的行业合作伙伴，Les Graprises HDJS**Gascon Ltée，是一家重型设备运输的家族企业，自1985年以来在安大略的 ** 阿尔弗雷德设有回收设施。从他们的回收业务中，他们产生了大量的生物质（超过100，000吨/年）和超过100，000吨/年的生物固体。他们还与 ** 两家当地造纸厂（加蒂诺的Papier Masson和Résolu Produits Forestiers）签订了生物质起飞合同。该公司计划在阿尔弗雷德现有的150英亩工业用地上建立一个生物精炼厂，用他们的生物质生产EL。在我们最初的ENGAGE项目中，我们展示了一种从 ** 木材废料衍生的生物质生产EL的一步法。两相（水+有机溶剂+乙醇）酸催化过程涉及 ** 将生物质的纤维素组分转化为乙酰丙酸，乙酰丙酸通过乙醇原位酯化，** 将EL产物萃取到有机溶剂层中。在这个ENGAGE PLUS项目中，我们将优化生物质：有机溶剂：酸：乙醇的 ** 比例，并研究一系列更环保，更实惠的溶剂。最后，将开发 ** 动力学数据和初步分离方案，以协助独立的工程 ** 工艺设计，使我们的行业合作伙伴能够进入完整的中试工厂阶段。* * 拟议工作的成功执行将推动加拿大的生物经济，目前预计将大大减少我们的 ** 碳足迹，并在未来十年创造数千个就业机会。

Ethyl levulinate (EL) is a potentially valuable biofuel additive that can be readily obtained from**hydrolysis-esterification of non-food lignocellulosic biomass. Our industry partner, Les Entreprises HDJS**Gascon Ltée, is a family-owned business of heavy equipment transport with a recycling facility since 1985 in**Alfred, Ontario. From their recycling operations they generate massive quantities (more than 100,000**tons/year) of biomass and over 100,000 tons/year of biosolids. They also have biomass take-off contracts with**two local paper mill facilities (Papier Masson and Résolu Produits Forestiers in Gatineau). The company plans**to establish a biorefinery on 150 acres of currently owned industrial property in Alfred to produce EL from**their biomass. In our initial ENGAGE project we demonstrated a one-step process for production of EL from**wood waste-derived biomass. The biphasic (water + organic solvent + ethanol) acid-catalyzed process involves**conversion of the cellulose component of biomass into levulinic acid that is esterified in situ by ethanol,**extracting the EL product into the organic solvent layer. In this ENGAGE PLUS project we will optimize the**ratio of biomass:organic solvent:acid:ethanol and investigate a series of greener, affordable solvents. Finally,**kinetic data and preliminary separation protocols will be developed to assist an independent engineering**process design, allowing our industry partner to move to the full pilot plant stage. Successful execution of the**proposed work will advance the bio-based economy in Canada, currently projected to significantly reduce our**carbon footprint and create thousands of jobs over the next decade.