Purdue University Chemical Engineering professor Rakesh Agrawal said the researchers have demonstrated the concept, known as fast-hydropyrolysis-hydrodeoxygenation, in laboratory experiments.
"The demonstration is a step toward commercialization.
"Because the process can produce hydrocarbons in a single tandem step, it clearly has a potential to have a positive impact on the biofuels sector."
The new method, which shortened moniker of H2Bioil (pronounced H Two Bio Oil), involves adding hydrogen into the biomass-processing reactor.
The process was tested by researchers with cellulose and poplar wood, showing potentially practical new biofuels technology.
"The successful lab-scale demonstration of the H2Bioil concept paves the way for rapid conversion of biomass species to liquid fuel and chemicals," Agrawal said.
"Furthermore, we envision that the process can be built on a distributed scale for widespread use. Ultimately, with proper design, this concept is amenable to providing mobile plants that could be transported from one biomass-available site to another."
The National Science Foundation and the Center for Direct Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels (C3Bio), Energy Frontier Research Center in Purdue’s Discovery Park, Office of Science have funded the research.
