Wisconsin researchers develop new method to create cellulosic biofuel using chemical solvents, additives

In Wisconsin, researchers at the University of Wisconsin reported a new, two step process for conversion of raw cellulose to biofuel. The researchers said that they have successfully converted biomass to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a single step, using a patent-pending blend of solvents and additives to dissolve the ong-chain cellulosic molecules.

The research team said that the process bypasses problems with lignin (the glue that binds cellulose) by using chemicals that are small enough to pass between lignin molecules. The process is “not corrosive, dangerous, expensive or stinky.” according to the team, which reported that they have subsequently converted HMF into the biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), but said that the second step had not yet been optimized for yield. Current yields are at 9 percent, or around 30 gallons per ton of biomass.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

German researchers develop room-temperature cellulosic ethanol process

In Germany, researchers at the Max Planck Institute published a new method to break down cellulose into sugar molecules, which can then be fermented into ethanol. The twp-step process breaks down cell...

Researchers discover low-energy membrane system to replace distillation in ethanol, butanol production

In Minnesota, a research team from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology has published a new, energy-efficient method for replacing distillation with a new separation process based on ...

Dover Chemical adds PIBSA capacity – intermediate for biofuels additives

In Ohio, Dover Chemical announced that it has added polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) and derivative products in commercial production at its Hammond, IN, facility. PIBSA is a versatile chemi...

Researchers target anti-fungi-bacteria system to unlock secrets of cellulosic conversion to sugars

In Wisconsin, researchers from the University of Wisconsin, the Joint Genome Institute and Emory University are sequencing the genomes of 17 different ants, fungi and bacteria- the goal, says an artic...

New Generation Biofuels, First Florida Biofuels partner for Florida development projects

In Florida, New Generation Biofuels Holdings and First Florida Biofuels announced a Memorandum of Understanding for Florida biofuels development. Under the proposed agreement, the two companies would ...

Cornell researchers pioneer method to rapidly screen fungi species for biofuels-friendly properties

Researchers from Cornell have developed a new method to rapidly screen species of fungi for attributes that can produce biofuels on a sustainable basis. Biotechnology and Bioengineering has published ...