Abstract:
Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons to aromatics and gasonline range hydrocarbons where the oxygenated hydrocarbons are derived from biomass.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycal and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for producing polyols, ketones, carboxylic acids, aldehydes and alcohols from biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, saccharides and the like, using catalysts containing platinum, ruthenium and tin. The methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated compounds without the need for hydrogen from an external source. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful as industrial chemicals or chemical intermediates for liquid fuels production.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycal and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e.g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.
Abstract:
Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
Abstract:
A method for catalytically reducing the carboxylic acid group of hydroxycarboxylic acids to a hydroxyl group is disclosed. An organic compound having an &agr;-hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group is contacted with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to yield a reduced product having at least two hydroxyl groups, the carboxylic acid group having been converted into one of the hydroxyl groups. The catalytic process may be conducted at hydrogen pressures of less than about 50 atm and is particularly suited for converting &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, to 1,2-dihydroxy alkanes, such as 1,2-propanediol or ethylene glycol, using zero valent copper. The catalyst may be supported on silica, and the hydroxyl groups on the silica may be capped with hydrophobic groups including alkyl groups and silanes, such as trialkylsilanes.