Advancing sustainable aviation fuel with high-energy-density bicycloalkanes production from corn stover mixed sugars

Kumar, Adarsh; Katahira, Rui; Yang, Zhibin; Bayles, Aaron; Kumar, Abhishek; Ruddy, Dan; Bell, David C.; Heyne, Joshua S.; Johnson, David K.; Mittal, Ashutosh

doi:10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102692

Advancing sustainable aviation fuel with high-energy-density bicycloalkanes production from corn stover mixed sugars

Journal Article · Mon Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Cell Reports Physical Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102692· OSTI ID:2574763

^[1]; Katahira, Rui ^[1]; Yang, Zhibin ^[2]; ^[1]; Kumar, Abhishek ^[3]; ^[1]; Bell, David C. ^[2]; Heyne, Joshua S. ^[2]; ^[1]; ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Bicycloalkanes stand out as a replacement for aromatics from conventional jet fuel (CJF) because of their high energy density and lower freezing point. Most reports to date have focused on synthesizing bicycloalkanes using model compounds or single sugar components of lignocellulose. Here, we utilize all lignocellulosic sugars of corn stover (CS) to produce bicycloalkanes. First, furfural (FFR) and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF) are produced via acid-catalyzed dehydration, achieving combined FFRs molar yields ranging from 65% to 73%, respectively. The resulting FFRs are converted to cyclopentanones with molar yields within the range of 57%–63% via hydrogenation and Piancatelli rearrangement. Further aldol condensation of cyclopentanones yields C₁₀-C₁₂ oxygenates with 80 mol %. Lastly, these oxygenates are directly hydrodeoxygenated to bicycloalkanes in a yield of 83.8 mol %. The resulting bicycloalkanes exhibit tier α fuel properties consistent with Jet A fuel (CJF) specifications and blend compatibility with CJF at a 37% volumetric ratio.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830; AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2574763

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2575688
OSTI ID: 2584085

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--2800-93366; PNNL-SA--213040

Journal Information:: Cell Reports Physical Science, Journal Name: Cell Reports Physical Science Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 6; ISSN 2666-3864

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Advancing sustainable aviation fuel with high-energy-density bicycloalkanes production from corn stover mixed sugars

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