Eco-Friendly Catalytic Processes for Production of Renewable and Fungible Liquid Fuels and Chemicals

Moti Herskowitz, Department Of Chemical Engineering, Ben-gurion University Of The Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel

Synthetic liquid fuels and chemicals produced from renewable and alternative feedstocks are essential components of the future transportation and commodities outlook. The potential feedstocks for large-scale production of synthetic fuels are divided into three groups: fossil (natural gas and coal), biomass and carbon dioxide combined with a hydrogen source, mainly water or natural gas. Conversion of natural gas and coal is mostly practiced through a combination of catalytic gasification and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Biomass is converted to liquid fuels by thermal, catalytic and biological processes. The most abundant raw materials – carbon dioxide and water – are definitely attractive eco-alternatives.

The Blechner Center (http://www.bgu.ac.il/indcat/) has developed, over the past two decades, a wide variety of technologies in the area of alternative fuels and chemicals. Integrated catalytic technologies for conversion of CO2/CO/H2 mixtures to fuels and chemicals are ready for demonstration and commercialization.

The keynote lecture will focus on existing and foreseeing catalytic processes for converting alternative and renewable feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals.