Iowa State University Research Foundation Inc

Patrick H Hall

Robert C Brown

Ryan G Smith

Marjorie Rover

The present application discloses low temperature, low pressure methods (LTLP) for upgrading and/or stabilizing bio-oil or a bio-oil fraction. One method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and hydrogen, which are reacted in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of less than 150&#xb0; C. and a pressure of less than 100 bar (absolute) to produce a hydrogenated liquid oil at a carbon yield of over 75%. Another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction, providing oxygen reducing reaction conditions, and reacting the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction under the oxygen reducing reaction conditions at LTLP to produce an upgraded bio-oil product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction. Yet another method comprises providing a bio-oil or bio-oil fraction and a solution comprising one or more fermentation organisms and a sugar source. The solution and bio-oil or bio-oil fraction are combined to obtain a fermentation mixture, which is incubated at 15&#xb0; C. to 30&#xb0; C. for 16 to 72 hours to produce an upgraded bio-oil fermentation product containing fewer carbonyls than the bio-oil or bio-oil fraction.

Growing community of inventors

Ames, IA, United States of America

Patrick H Hall