Solvent Reduces Cost of Biofuel Production

Solvent Reduces Cost of Biofuel Production
Jan-17-20
A solvent able to quickly turn plant fibers into sugars at room temperature could drastically improve the process of manufacturing biofuels.

The process, created by a team led by Rutgers, relies on an ammonia-salt based solvent pre-treatment that reduces the use of enzymes by almost 50 times. Because enzymes can account for up to 20 percent of biofuel production costs, the solvent offers significant savings. The solvent is also able to extract more than 80 percent of the lignin found in plant waste, which can be used to upgrade aromatic chemicals.

According to lead author and assistant professor Shishir P. S. Chundawat, “Similar processes could greatly reduce the cost of producing biofuels from waste biomass like corn stalks and leaves.”

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