Converting Biomass into Renewable Fuels & Chemicals
Co-evolution of Biofuels and Engines
The co-evolution of biofuels and powertrain engines has the potential to cut the time required to bring new sustainable transportation solutions to market. Sandia, in partnership with stakeholders from industry and other national labs, is beginning research into an adaptable framework that will develop biofuels for advanced engines.
Partnerships Drive Technology Maturation
The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) establishes a clear target for biofuels: 36 billion gallons/year (BGY) by 2022. RFS2 includes a cap of 15 BGY on corn ethanol—leaving a 21 BGY gap that must be met through advanced biofuels generated by converting nonfood biomass, e.g., lignocellulose and algae. Several approaches for converting biomass into advanced, renewable transportation fuels are more compatible than ethanol with today’s existing petroleum-based infrastructure. Sandia has several ongoing internal and external programs in bio- and thermochemically converting lignocellulosic biomass into advanced biofuels.
Joint BioEnergy Institute
Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation
Sandia Research to Be Featured on Upcoming Cover of Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Several Sandia Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) researchers, in collaboration with others in Kentucky and India, have published, “Theoretical insights into the role of water in the dissolution of cellulose using IL/water mixed solvent systems,” which the [...]
JBEI Featured in Chemical & Engineering News Cover Article
Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) are working to transform biomass into energy-rich fuel molecules. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is now a member of the elite “100/ 500 [...]
Sandia’s Algae Nutrient Recycling Project Is a Triple Win
Nitrogen and phosphate nutrients are among the largest costs in cultivating algae for biofuel production. Sandia molecular biologists (in Sandia’s Systems Biology Dept.) and Ryan Davis (in Sandia’s Biomass Science and Conversion Technology Dept.) have [...]
“Bionic” Liquids from Lignin: Joint BioEnergy Institute Results Pave the Way for Closed-Loop Biofuel Refineries
While ionic liquids (paired-ions salts that are liquid at room temperature) show great promise for liberating fermentable sugars from lignocellulose and improving advanced-biofuel economics, an even more promising candidate is now on the horizon—“bionic” liquids. [...]
- Transitioning the Transportation Sector: Exploring the Intersection of Biofuels and Electric Vehicles (October 5, 2010)
- Next Generation Biofuels and Advanced Engines for Tomorrow’s Transportation Needs (November 17-18, 2009)
- 90-Billion Gallon Biofuel Deployment Study (Executive Summary)