Abstract:
A method of producing fatty acid esters in situ from microbial biomass such as algae is provided by treating microbial biomass with a solution containing an alcohol and at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid. Fatty acid ester can be directly recovered from the treated microbial biomass. The α-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the treated microbial biomass and recycled.
Abstract:
A novel method of separating bio oil (pyrolysis oil) into oxygenated rich species and lignin/phenolic based species in a highly efficient manner is provided. Lignin and phenolic fractions can be separated from light oxygenates from bio oil by use of reversible α-hydroxysulfonic acid.
Abstract:
Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a method for producing glycols from an anhydrosugar feed. The method may include contacting, in a reactor under hydrogenolysis conditions, the anhydrosugar feed with a bi-functional catalyst system. The bi-functional catalyst system may include a retro-Aldol catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst. A product stream may be obtained from the first reactor including ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.
Abstract:
A method of obtaining lipids from microbial biomass such as algae is provided by treating microbial biomass with a solution containing at least one α-hydroxysulfonic acid to extract and recover liposoluble components. The α-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the product containing liposoluble compoenents and recycled.