Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass in biobutanol by a NOVEL thermal process

Maricelly Martinez , Xavier Duret (1) , Ange Nzihou (2) , Doan Pham Minh (2) , Jean-Michel Lavoie (2)

1 CRITT Bois
2 RAPSODEE - Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement

This work aims at demonstrating the possibility of producing 2-butanol from lignocellulosic biomass through a new thermochemical approach. The production of biobutanol was carried out using different lignocellulosic feedstock through a 3-step process: first the whole lignocellulosic biomass is hydrolyzed under acid catalyst to produce levulinates, then the levulinates go through decarboxylation to produce 2-butanone which is, in a final step, reduced to produce of 2-butanol. The experimental conditions for the first two steps of the process were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM). The latter could represent an opportunity for the production of economical second-generation butanol without having to go through the classical pathway requiring the production of sugar prior to microbial conversion.

Keywords: levulinates; platform chemicals; pyrolysis; 2-butanol; biofuel; Lignocellulosic biomass; homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst

Domains: Engineering Sciences [physics]

Maricelly Martinez, Xavier Duret, Ange Nzihou, Doan Pham Minh, Jean-Michel Lavoie. Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass in biobutanol by a NOVEL thermal process. International Journal of Energy Production and Management, 2019, 4 (4), pp.298-310. ⟨10.2495/EQ-V4-N4-298-310⟩. ⟨hal-02397519v2⟩