Catalytic conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks utilizing aqueous-phase reforming

PETR 52

Randy D. Cortright, randy_cortright@virent.com, Virent Energy Systems, INC, 3571 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704
Virent Energy Systems, Inc. is commercializing its patented Aqueous-Phase Reforming Process (BioFormingTM ) technology platform that allows the generation of variety of products such as hydrogen, liquid fuels, and chemicals from biomass-derived compounds. The BioForming process provides a pathway to generate proven liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel from renewable biomass-derived feedstocks. Utilizing a simple catalytic reactor system, the BioForming technology is capable of reforming a variety of carbohydrates feedstocks into a variety of hydrocarbons products. In addition, by fully accessing the carbohydrates in both cellulose and hemicellulose, the technology can achieve substantial yields of carbon from cellulosic biomass. This presentation will cover the technical background of the Bioforming process and will provide current results from pilot plants studies for the production of hydrogen, gasoline, and chemicals. Also discussed will be the economics of generating conventional fuels and chemicals from biomass via Bioforming process.