Catalytic Upgrading of Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol (ABE): A Step Ahead for the Production of Added Value Chemicals in Bio-refineries

Ketabchi, Elham, Pastor Perez, Laura, Ramirez Reina, Tomas and Arellano-Garcia, Harvey (2020) Catalytic Upgrading of Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol (ABE): A Step Ahead for the Production of Added Value Chemicals in Bio-refineries Renewable Energy, 156. pp. 1065-1075.

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Abstract

With the aim of moving towards sustainability and renewable energy sources, we have studied the production of long chain hydrocarbons from a renewable source of biomass to reduce negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions while providing a suitable alternative for fossil fuel-based processes. Herein we report a catalytic strategy for Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol (ABE) upgrading using economically viable catalysts with potential impact in modern bio-refineries. Our catalysts based on transition metals such as Ni, Fe and Cu supported on MgO-Al2O3 have been proven to perform exceptionally with outstanding conversions towards the production of a broad range of added value chemicals from C2 to C15. Although all catalysts displayed meritorious performance, the Fe catalyst has shown the best results in terms conversion (89%). Interestingly, the Cu catalyst displays the highest selectivity towards long chain hydrocarbons (14%). Very importantly, our approach suppresses the utilization of solvents and additives resulting directly in upgraded hydrocarbons that are of use in the chemical and/ or the transportation industry. Overall, this seminal work opens the possibility to consider ABE upgrading as a viable route in bio-refineries to produce renewably sourced added value products in an economically favorable way. In addition, the described process can be envisaged as a cross-link stream among bio and traditional refineries aiming to reduce fossil fuel sources involved and incorporate “greener” solutions.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions :	Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences > Chemical and Process Engineering
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Ketabchi, Elham e.ketabchi@surrey.ac.uk Pastor Perez, Laura Ramirez Reina, Tomas t.ramirezreina@surrey.ac.uk Arellano-Garcia, Harvey
Date :	4 May 2020
Funders :	Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, FEPS, University of Surrey, EPSRC, Royal Society
DOI :	10.1016/j.renene.2020.04.152
Grant Title :	EPSRC Grant
Copyright Disclaimer :	©2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords :	ABE Upgrading, Renewable energy, Biomass, Bio-refinery, Heterogeneous catalysis, Sustainable Chemistry
Depositing User :	James Marshall
Date Deposited :	28 May 2020 13:44
Last Modified :	28 May 2020 13:44
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/856991

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