183
7
Biofine Hydrolysis
Process and Derivative
Product Upgrading
Technologies
7.1 intrOdUCtiOn
Cellulose is the most abundant raw material on the Earth exceeding at any given
time known fossil fuel reserves. Its annual production is estimated to be around
100 billion tons [1–8] (Fitzpatrick, 2011, pers. comm.). Unlike fossil fuels, cellulose
is renewable: Using modern forestry techniques to grow short-rotation hybrid tree
species such as willow or poplar, sustainable wood yields up to 10 dry tons per
acre per year have been predicted [2–5]. Furthermore, in the United States, about
250 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year is discarded, 50% of
which is cellulosic in nature. Globally, this number will shortly exceed one billion
tons per year. Thus, the biomass could be a primary source of energy, chemicals, and
materials for the United States and the rest of the world. It is estimated that using
the current one-third of forest and marginally arable land for the production of shortrotation hybrid species or grassy energy crops such as switchgrass, it would be possible to supply all transportation needs and a large fraction of petrochemical needs
from woody biomass sources [5–7] (Fitzpatrick, 2011, pers. comm.). Replacing fossil
fuels by these sources will also have enormous environmental benefits because the
use of biomass is carbon dioxide neutral and will be favorable to the issue of global
warming. Also, the cellulosic fraction of MSW is most difficult to recycle, and making its use for energy and products will also help the environment (Fitzpatrick, 2011,
pers. comm.).
In this chapter, we outline a novel aqueous-phase “Biofine process,” which is
an acid hydrolysis process to convert cellulose to levulinic acid (LA), a platform
chemical with dozens of known potential use for both fuels and chemicals. Formic
acid is a coproduct of the LA. Furfural is also produced if the feedstock contains
hemicellulose pentosan polymer. The basic features of the Biofine process are as
follows [8–11]:
1. Biofine is a simple thermochemical process allowing the conversion of
cellulose and hemicellulose from a wide variety of sources.
2. Biofine is an acid hydrolysis process, which can be used for the feedstock
containing up to 50% water without significantly affecting the overall
7
Biofine Hydrolysis
Process and Derivative
Product Upgrading
Technologies
7.1 intrOdUCtiOn
Cellulose is the most abundant raw material on the Earth exceeding at any given
time known fossil fuel reserves. Its annual production is estimated to be around
100 billion tons [1–8] (Fitzpatrick, 2011, pers. comm.). Unlike fossil fuels, cellulose
is renewable: Using modern forestry techniques to grow short-rotation hybrid tree
species such as willow or poplar, sustainable wood yields up to 10 dry tons per
acre per year have been predicted [2–5]. Furthermore, in the United States, about
250 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year is discarded, 50% of
which is cellulosic in nature. Globally, this number will shortly exceed one billion
tons per year. Thus, the biomass could be a primary source of energy, chemicals, and
materials for the United States and the rest of the world. It is estimated that using
the current one-third of forest and marginally arable land for the production of shortrotation hybrid species or grassy energy crops such as switchgrass, it would be possible to supply all transportation needs and a large fraction of petrochemical needs
from woody biomass sources [5–7] (Fitzpatrick, 2011, pers. comm.). Replacing fossil
fuels by these sources will also have enormous environmental benefits because the
use of biomass is carbon dioxide neutral and will be favorable to the issue of global
warming. Also, the cellulosic fraction of MSW is most difficult to recycle, and making its use for energy and products will also help the environment (Fitzpatrick, 2011,
pers. comm.).
In this chapter, we outline a novel aqueous-phase “Biofine process,” which is
an acid hydrolysis process to convert cellulose to levulinic acid (LA), a platform
chemical with dozens of known potential use for both fuels and chemicals. Formic
acid is a coproduct of the LA. Furfural is also produced if the feedstock contains
hemicellulose pentosan polymer. The basic features of the Biofine process are as
follows [8–11]:
1. Biofine is a simple thermochemical process allowing the conversion of
cellulose and hemicellulose from a wide variety of sources.
2. Biofine is an acid hydrolysis process, which can be used for the feedstock
containing up to 50% water without significantly affecting the overall