Direct Conversion of Corn-Derived Carbohydrates to Ether-Based Products

The proposed one-year research study aims to assess the potential of a chemical process to convert corn to dimethyl-ether (DME), a clean-burning diesel fuel that can be used in diesel engines. The process utilizes a hydrogenolysis catalyst to break apart the carbon-carbon bonds of corn-derived carbohydrates, ultimately yielding methanol which can be readily dehydrated to dimethyl ether. Research will evaluate two general strategies for catalyst design including discrete catalyst compositions and a continuously tunable catalyst surface. Finally, experimental data will be used within an economic model to determine the potential of a future corn-to-DME diesel process and the path forward for a future multi-year project to design and patent the entire process technology.
This research will pursue three parallel objectives that evaluate catalytic performance towards converting polyols (carbohydrate surrogates) to methanol with varying catalyst properties. The potential of this process will be assessed by an economic analysis of the costs of processing corn to dimethyl ether. Should the initial year of research prove promising in the catalyst performance and economic potential, a multi-year proposal will be developed for the second year and beyond.