Catalytic production of long-chain hydrocarbons suitable for aviation turbine fuel from biomass-derived levulinic acid and furfural

Catalytic conversion of biomass to liquid fuel is one of critical part to ease dependence on fossil fuel. Herein, a route of transformation of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid into long-chain hydrocarbon fuels was developed. A C20 oxygenate with 95 % mol yield was firstly synthesized through condensation-polymerization reactions catalyzed by NaOH. Various techniques were employed to verify the chemical structure of the C20 oxygenate. The condensation mixture was then directly subjected to hydrodeoxygenation reaction to prepare long-chain hydrocarbons with a catalytic system of Pd/C and H3PO4 in aqueous phase. A 57.1 % weight yield of liquid fuel was obtained with main products of C12, C14, and C18 hydrocarbons. The mass percent of carbon and hydrogen in fuel was significant improved to 95.91 %, as well as the high heat value was increased to 47.04 MJ/kg.

Automated summary

A method for converting biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid into long-chain hydrocarbon fuels was developed. A C20 oxygenate with 95% mol yield was synthesized through condensation-polymerization reactions catalyzed by NaOH. Various techniques were used to verify the chemical structure of the C20 oxygenate. The condensation mixture was then subjected to hydrodeoxygenation reaction using a catalytic system of Pd/C and H3PO4 in aqueous phase, resulting in a 57.1% weight yield of liquid fuel with main products of C12, C14, and C18 hydrocarbons. The carbon and hydrogen mass percent in the fuel were significantly improved to 95.91%, and the high heat value increased to 47.04 MJ/kg.