NREL researchers develop process for diesel and jet fuel intermediate from biomass

In Colorado, scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a fully integrated process to produce a promising precursor for diesel and jet fuel from lignocellulosic biomass, and for less expense than the selling price of the same material from petroleum. 

The process established by NREL researchers is energy-efficient and results in a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional biological production routes. 

The precursor, butyric acid, is normally derived from petroleum-derived propylene. Globally, approximately 80,000 tons are produced each year and sold at a price of about $1.80 a kilogram. The scientists estimated their biomass-derived butyric acid can be sold at 55% of the current selling price of petroleum-derived butyric acid.