1-64: Microbial converstion of biomass to hydrocarbon compatible fuels

Biomass is a unique source of carbon for renewable and sustainable liquid transportation fuels. In the near term, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Biomass Program has a 2012 goal of cost competitive cellulosic ethanol. However, beyond 2012, there will be an increasing need to provide liquid transportation fuels that are more compatible with the existing infrastructure, and that can supply fuel into all transportation sectors, including aviation and heavy road transport.

Microbial organisms are capable of producing a wide variety of molecules, which can be utilized as potential infrastructure compatible fuels and fuel precursors. These products include higher alcohols, ethers, esters, fatty acids, alkenes and alkanes. Understanding the basic elements of microbial conversion to hydrocarbon fuels and fuel precursors is the first step towards identifying a basis for future research directions in this field. Specifically, research presented here focuses on identifying biochemical synthesis pathways to higher alcohols, fatty acids, isoprenoids, and polyketides, which can be used in production of desired fuels such as jet, diesel and gasoline.  Besides biochemical pathways identification, energy and mass balance evaluation and preliminary technoeconomic analyses is presented to provide a better understanding of the path to commercialization. Commercial production of such molecules is in preliminary stages with more research needed to understand the technical and economical impacts of the processes involved.