PNNL

Abstract

Bicycloalkanes are promising candidates as replacements for aromatics in conventional jet fuel (CJF) due to their high energy density and lower freezing point. Most studies focus on synthesizing bicycloalkanes using model compounds or individual sugar components from lignocellulose. In this work, we utilize all lignocellulosic sugars from corn stover (CS) to produce bicycloalkanes. Furfural (FFR) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) are first produced through acid-catalyzed dehydration, achieving combined furfural molar yields ranging from 65% to 73%. These furfurals are then converted into cyclopentanones with yields ranging from 57% to 63% via hydrogenation and a Piancatelli rearrangement. Aldol condensation of cyclopentanones yields C10–C12 oxygenates with an 80% yield. These oxygenates are hydrodeoxygenated directly to bicycloalkanes with a yield of 83.8 mol%. The resulting bicycloalkanes meet Tier a fuel properties and exhibit blend compatibility with conventional jet fuel at a 37% volumetric ratio.