Biotech Updates

Researchers Develop a More Efficient Method of Producing Butanol from Ethanol

December 9, 2015
http://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/more-efficient-way-of-converting-ethanol-leads-to-better-alternative-fuel-130872/

Ethanol is commonly-used as an additive in engine fuel. However, since ethanol is an oxygenated fuel, its use results in a lower energy output as well as damages to engines. Butanol is a much better additive to gasoline as it yields more energy, is less volatile, and doesn't cause damage to engines.

A research team, led by William Jones of the University of Rochester, developed a series of reactions that results in the selective conversion of ethanol to butanol, without producing unwanted by-products. They were also able to increase the amount of butanol converted from ethanol over currently used methods.

A method of converting the ethanol is the three-step Guerbet reaction. However, it also creates unwanted molecules. The team modified the Guerbet reaction by using iridium as the catalyst in the first step and nickel or copper hydroxide in the second step. By modifying their catalysts, no undesirable by-products were produced. The process currently terminates after one day because one or more of the catalysts has broken down.