| abstract |
The present invention generally relates to the conversion of sugars and/or other biomass to produce hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other related compounds. In one aspect, the invention includes fermenting biomass to produce one or more organic intermediates, for example, a carboxylic acid, and optionally, hydrogen. The carboxylic acid may then be decarboxylated to produce CO2 and one or more hydrocarbon compounds, for example, an alkane or an alkene, such as propane or ethylene. Such reactions can occur, in some cases, under hydrothermal conditions, and in some instances, without the use of or need for electrolysis of the reactants. In some cases, for example, if the carboxylic acid (or other organic intermediate) includes a hydroxide moiety, the carboxylic acid may be dehydrated, i.e., reacted such that the hydroxide moiety is removed from the molecule as H2O. In certain embodiments, a hydrocarbon compound may then be further reacted to produce other compounds, for example, hydrocarbons having at least 4 carbon atoms (e.g., gasoline), polymers such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or the like. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices for performing such reactions, methods of promoting the making or use of such reactions, or the like. |