LAUSR

The production of bio-hydrocarbons is a challenging task, which stimulated research and the development of different approaches to introduce biomass into the standard refinery. However, they present drawbacks that demonstrate the need for continuous research. Our recent efforts in this area culminated in the development of a new biocrude derived from carbohydrate-derived isospropylidene ketals obtained from lignicelullosic biomass. Such biocrude could be easily stored, and its components could be converted into hydrocarbons under standard catalytic cracking conditions. In the present work, we report the proof of concept in the synthesis of such biocrude from non-lignocellulosic biomass. The biomass from Kappaphycus alvarezii was used as a source for the production of a biocrude enriched in carbohydrate-derived isopropylidene ketals. For such, a two-step procedure was developed, i.e., acid hydrolysis of K. alvarezii biomass yielding a carbohydrate-rich extract, followed by its acid-catalyzed ketalization w...