US Tight Oils

Abstract

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Chemical conversion pathways for carbohydrates

“…168 In another study, Yang also used a ruthenium catalyst, RuCl 3 , in the presence of hydriodic acid and hydrogen gas, to convert sugars (xylose, glucose, fructose) into tetrahydrofuran derivatives (2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran), which can be used as biofuels. [170][171][172] In an indepth study of the mechanism, Yang and Grochowski found that both the acid (HI) and the catalyst (rhodium chloride) play important roles in the dehydration and hydrogenation of fructose. 173 Additional processes which yield biofuels from sugars and carbohydrates have been covered in a recent publication by Dutta et al 174 Heterogeneous processes.…”

“…Under mild temperature (<115 °C) and moderate hydrogen pressure (300 psi H 2 ), product yields of 61% and 41% were retained from inulin and corn stover, respectively. [170][171][172] Mineral acidsnon-catalytic conversion mediahave also very effectively been used to directly convert raw biomass into levulinic acid in commercialized processes. Researchers have had significant success as yields range between 50-80%.…”