Overview
The development of efficient hydroprocessing technologies to upgrade bio-oils would go far toward meeting the need for a clean and renewable source of transportation fuel. We have invented an integrated thermochemical process, also known as a looped-oxide catalysis, which produces an upgraded biofuel from biomass-derived feedstock.
Market Opportunity
Instabilities in the price of petroleum and the environmental impact of fossil fuel combustion are key factors in the need for a clean and renewable source of transportation fuel, particularly one that does not require major changes to the existing fuel consumption infrastructure. Given their high energy density, liquid hydrocarbon fuels are likely to play a dominant role in the foreseeable future, particularly in the ever-expanding transportation industry. Solar energy is the largest exploitable renewable resource by far, but the energy available from terrestrial insolation (the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth’s surface) far exceeds the needs of human consumption. Bio-oils offer potential as feedstock for the production of renewable fuels, but without significant upgrading, their direct use as a fuel is extremely limited. Thus, the development of efficient hydroprocessing technologies for upgrading bio-oils is extremely important.
Innovation and Meaningful Advantages
We have invented an integrated thermochemical process, also known as a looped-oxide catalysis, which produces an upgraded biofuel from biomass-derived feedstock. The feedstock is deoxygenated through a reaction with a low-valence oxide or zero-valent metal, to yield a deoxygenated biofuel composition and high-valence metal oxide. The low-valence metal oxide is then regenerated by reducing the high-valence metal oxide through the use of solar thermal energy. The net effect of this looped-oxide catalysis is the transfer of solar energy obtained during thermal reduction into the bioliquid feedstock in an hydrodeoxygenation (HDO)-like upgrading reaction.
Collaboration Opportunity
We are interested in exploring 1) startup opportunities with investors; 2) collaborations with leading research companies; and 3) licensing opportunities with research companies.
Principal Investigator
Andrew A. Peterson, PhD
Associate Professor of Engineering
Brown University
IP Information
US Utility US9834490B1, Publication December 5, 2017
Contact
Victoria Campbell, PhD
Director of Business Development
Brown Tech ID 2206