FUEL 94 |
| Currently, there is an intense and increasing focus on the production of transportation fuels from biomass. Here, the opportunities for using biomass as a feedstock for chemical industry are considered in more detail, and some recent developments are highlighted. In particular, it is shown how a simple approach based on a fossil and a renewable value-chain can help identify suitable targets for such a development effort. Interestingly, it is clear that conversion of biomass into chemicals can in some cases lead to significantly higher reductions in carbon dioxide levels than what is possible by converting it into fuels. This is so because transformation of biomass (carbohydrates) into chemicals is a fundamentally different challenge than converting fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) into chemicals. In the latter case, the challenge is to add functionality to the hydrocarbon in a controlled manner whereas in the case of carbohydrates, the challenge is to remove functionality in a controlled way. Thus, the conversion of biomass to high-volume chemicals could be the area where limited biomass resources are utilized most efficiently when both economical and ecological factors are taken into account. This will require in intimate integration of chemical and biological catalytic processes. |
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Green Chemistry for Sustainable Energy Supply and Conversion
1:45 PM-4:55 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 242, Oral
Division of Fuel Chemistry |