(141b) Lessons Learned from De-Risking the Production of Fuel Intermediates from Forest Residues

The Forest Bioproduct Research Institute (FBRI) at the University of Maine has been demonstrated the acid hydration and dehydration (AHDH) of lignocellulosic biomass to fuel intermediates at a one-ton-per-day pre-commercial pilot plant. In the AHDH process, cellulose is converted to levulinic, and formic acids and hemicelluloses are converted to furfural. The integrated AHDH process consists of sawdust preprocessing, conversion of sawdust to organic acids (levulinic and formic acids), biochar separation, and separation of organic acids. For the last few years, the FBRI has experienced a wide number of challenges while demonstrating the unit processes in each process area. The FBRI has successfully addressed some challenges and is working towards addressing remaining challenges. Looking back at these exciting last few years, we would like to share the FBRI’s perspectives on the lessons learned during the pilot scale demonstration of AHDH process in each process area.