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Conversion of Algal Biomass to Drop-In Fuels

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-13ER90496
Agency Tracking Number: 87877
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 02a
Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0000715
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-02-19
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
12345 W. 52nd Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO -
United States
DUNS: 181947730
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Brian Elliott
 Dr.
 (303) 940-2341
 belliott@tda.com
Business Contact
 John Wright
Title: Mr.
Phone: (303) 940-2300
Email: jdwright@tda.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This project will develop and evaluate a new process for converting algal biomass into renewable drop-in fuels. Renewable fuels are liquid fuels made from biomass that are a direct substitute for the standard, petroleum- derived fuels. For example, renewable diesel has a higher heat of combustion and a lower molecular weight than biodiesel (which is a methyl ester of fatty acids) and better cold flow properties. Of all available biomass, lipids (from oil seeds plants or algae) are the most chemically similar to diesel fuel (both are primarily long chain hydrocarbons). Therefore, lipids are the most efficient feedstock from which to produce renewable diesel. Another good feedstock is the bio-crude made during the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of total algal biomass. This uses all of the algae, not just the lipids, but makes a crude feedstock that is more heterogeneous and has a smaller average molecular weight than algal oil. Bio-crude can be converted to a mixture of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel. The difference between lipids (or bio-crude) and diesel fuel is that lipids contain about 10% oxygen and diesel contains no oxygen. The key is to develop the most efficient method of removing the oxygen content from lipids (and removing oxygen and nitrogen from bio-crude) and to produce a hydrocarbon fractions that are indistinguishable from standard diesel (and naphtha). In this SBIR Phase I project we will demonstrate and evaluate a new catalytic process for converting lipids and bio-crude (algal biomass processed with hydrothermal liquefaction) into renewable diesel in a bench scale unit. The process uses a new approach to deoxygenation that is not dependant on co-processing with sulfur-rich fossil feedstocks and that can use a broad spectrum of natural algal feedstocks while producing a 100% renewable fuel. The liquid fuel will be analyzed by gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis to determine the degree of oxygen removal and the product distribution. Lastly, an economic analysis will determine the profitability of the process. The commercial application is a new process for converting algal lipids and bio-crude into renewable diesel, jet fuel and gasoline. Renewable, drop-in fuels can be used in standard engines for on-road transportation. The benefits of using renewable fuels such as diesel include reduced CO2 emissions, reduced sulfur emissions and a reduced dependence on petroleum. Renewable diesel (not co-processed with petroleum) helps to meet the requirements of the federal renewable fuels standard.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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