TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: Develop a bioengineering route for the selective formation and isolation of high density fuel precursors.

DESCRIPTION: Liquid, high density tactical fuels (e.g. JP-10, RJ-5) are composed of multicyclic, or cagelike molecules that allow for high density mixtures while maintaining good cold flow properties. Although a considerable amount of research is currently devoted to the development of renewable fuels as gasoline, diesel, or JP-8 replacements, virtually no research is being conducted on the development of high density fuels for missile propulsion, or as components of other renewable fuel mixtures to improve key performance characteristics. Bioengineering provides an elegant route for the isolation of high density fuel precursors as it has the potential to convert low value feedstocks such as cellulose into complex, high value molecules with specific properties.

The proposed approach must utilize bioengineered microorganisms to efficiently produce dense liquid hydrocarbons from cellulose or cellulose hydrolysis products. The hydrocarbons should have a density greater than 0.94 g/mL when fully saturated or must have the potential to be chemically converted to molecules with this density. Examples of promising targets for fuel precursors are molecules such as a- and ß-pinene, and cyclooctatetraene, but any molecule that can be directly converted into a liquid, high density fuel will be considered. Final fuel mixtures must contain only carbon and hydrogen, have net heats of combustion >142,000 btu/gal, and have freezing/pour points < -30 �C. The approach should be scalable, require modest energy inputs, and have the ability to be run in a continuous or semi-continuous fashion with concomitant separation of the product stream. The isolated product must be relatively pure (>90%) and require minimal processing prior to conversion to a fuel mixture.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of a biological route to produce high density hydrocarbons from cellulose or cellulose surrogates. Characterize overall efficiency of the biomass conversion process with an emphasis on energy balance. Provide samples (ca. 1 mL) for the Navy to confirm that the product stream is suitable for conversion to a high density fuel mixture.

PHASE II: Optimize the process and extend feedstock to waste biomass. Scale-up the laboratory approach to pilot plant scale (20-100 gal). Provide samples to the Navy for evaluation.

PHASE III: Develop a commercial process for the conversion of waste biomass to high density fuel.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: In addition to its military market, high density fuel precursors would have applications in the fine chemical, perfume, and pharmaceutical industries.

REFERENCES:
1. Harvey, B. G., Wright, M. E., Quintana, R. L. (2010). High Density Renewable Fuels Based on the Selective Dimerization of Pinenes. Energy Fuels, 24(1), 267-273.

2. Stinson, M., Ezra, D., Hess, W. M., Sears, J., Strobel, G. (2003, October). An Endophytic Gliocladium sp. of Eucryphia Cordifolia Producing Selective Volatile Antimicrobial Compounds. Plant Science, 165(4), 913-922.

3. Burdette, G. W., Lander, H. R., McCoy, J. R. (1978). High-Energy Fuels for Cruise Missiles. Energy, 2, 289.

KEYWORDS: High Density Fuel; Bioengineering; Pinenes; Cyclooctatetraene; Bioreactor; Renewable Fuel

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