The Direct Conversion of Biomass Carbohydrates to Platform Molecules

My project is entitled the Direct Conversion of Biomass Carbohydrates into promising platform molecules. My project focuses on converting functionalized sugars from the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass into high energy density biofuels. Untreated feedstock (eg) (maize cobs or wood poplar)is used as the source of biomass. The reaction is Lewis acid catalysed; the catalysts being aluminium chloride and hydrochloric acid.The catalysts maximise the HMF yields. An organic solvent is used to suppress side reactions that produce unnecessary products. Reaction conditions of 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes using 8 millimolar Aluminium chloride and 33 millimolar Hydrochloric Acid were found to be the most conducive for the direct dehydration of glucagon and hemicellulose present in feedstocks. The reaction takes places in a microwave reactor. HMF would have been obtained. The Hydroxymethylfurfural is then undergoes certain processes to obtain hydrocarbon fuels such as 2-5 dimethylfuran.