Description:
Reference #: 01019
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for novel catalyst technology for biofuel production.
Invention Description:
The subject invention is a catalyst technology that combines the traditional method of removing oxygen from carbohydrates required for liquid fuels and the traditional method for forming long-chain molecules present in gasoline and diesel fuels into a single process that does not require liquid phase operations.
Potential Applications:
Biofuel production (e.g. liquid carbon production)
Advantages and Benefits:
1. Scalable, single step approach
2. Requires less capital and is energy efficient
3. Environmentally friendly since it does not require liquid acids
Background:
Acid catalysis and hydrodeoxygenation are two major steps in upgrading biomass and biomass-derived chemicals to liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels. These operations need to be performed with maximum carbon and energy efficiency to be economically and environmentally viable.