Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.08.008

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 86 ›› Issue (10): 177-185.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.08.008

Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol

Baohong Liu^1,2, Xianlong Liu^1,2, Ruijing Yang^1,2, Chengxiang Shi^1,2, Gewei Zhang^1,2, Zhensheng Shen^1,2, Lun Pan^1,2,3, Zhenfeng Huang^1,2, Xiangwen Zhang^1,2,3, Jijun Zou^1,2,3

1. Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
2. Collaborative Innovative Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China;
3. Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China

Received:2025-01-06 Revised:2025-03-20 Accepted:2025-08-22 Online:2025-09-05 Published:2025-10-28
Contact: Chengxiang Shi,E-mail:cxshi@tju.edu.cn;Jijun Zou,E-mail:jj_zou@tju.edu.cn
Supported by:
The authors appreciate the support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFB4103000), the Joint Fund of Ministry of Education for Equipment Pre-research (8091B03052304) and the Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations for financial support.

Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol

Baohong Liu^1,2, Xianlong Liu^1,2, Ruijing Yang^1,2, Chengxiang Shi^1,2, Gewei Zhang^1,2, Zhensheng Shen^1,2, Lun Pan^1,2,3, Zhenfeng Huang^1,2, Xiangwen Zhang^1,2,3, Jijun Zou^1,2,3

1. Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
2. Collaborative Innovative Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China;
3. Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China

通讯作者: Chengxiang Shi,E-mail:cxshi@tju.edu.cn;Jijun Zou,E-mail:jj_zou@tju.edu.cn
基金资助:
The authors appreciate the support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFB4103000), the Joint Fund of Ministry of Education for Equipment Pre-research (8091B03052304) and the Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations for financial support.

Abstract

Abstract: Nowadays, the utilization of renewable biomass as a substitute for petroleum-based feedstock in the synthesis of aerospace fuel has garnered significant attention. In this work, we use molecular sieve to catalyze the controllable oligomerization of lignocellulose platform molecule furfuryl alcohol, which is prone to polymerize and generate furfuryl alcohol resin and other macromolecular substances. In order to reduce the formation of macromolecule polymers and enhance the yield of oligomers within the C9-C15 range, the reactive extraction strategy was implemented. Utilizing a low polar solvent, increasing the extraction phase content, employing a hydrophilic and weakly acidic molecular sieve are all beneficial for enhancing the yield of the target products. Finally, under the optimal conditions, the conversion of furfuryl alcohol reaches 84.7% and the yield of the target products is improved from 10%-15% to 41.4%. After hydrodeoxygenation, a liquid fuel with paraffin as the main component was obtained. Moreover, the effect of substituents on the polymerization activity of furan derivatives was compared, the alkyl side chains as substituents can enhance both reactant activity and yield of target products. This study presents a viable approach for the efficient synthesis of aviation fuel directly from bio-based furfuryl alcohol.

Key words: Aviation fuel, Furfuryl alcohol, Oligomerization reaction, Reactive extraction

摘要： Nowadays, the utilization of renewable biomass as a substitute for petroleum-based feedstock in the synthesis of aerospace fuel has garnered significant attention. In this work, we use molecular sieve to catalyze the controllable oligomerization of lignocellulose platform molecule furfuryl alcohol, which is prone to polymerize and generate furfuryl alcohol resin and other macromolecular substances. In order to reduce the formation of macromolecule polymers and enhance the yield of oligomers within the C9-C15 range, the reactive extraction strategy was implemented. Utilizing a low polar solvent, increasing the extraction phase content, employing a hydrophilic and weakly acidic molecular sieve are all beneficial for enhancing the yield of the target products. Finally, under the optimal conditions, the conversion of furfuryl alcohol reaches 84.7% and the yield of the target products is improved from 10%-15% to 41.4%. After hydrodeoxygenation, a liquid fuel with paraffin as the main component was obtained. Moreover, the effect of substituents on the polymerization activity of furan derivatives was compared, the alkyl side chains as substituents can enhance both reactant activity and yield of target products. This study presents a viable approach for the efficient synthesis of aviation fuel directly from bio-based furfuryl alcohol.

关键词: Aviation fuel, Furfuryl alcohol, Oligomerization reaction, Reactive extraction

Baohong Liu, Xianlong Liu, Ruijing Yang, Chengxiang Shi, Gewei Zhang, Zhensheng Shen, Lun Pan, Zhenfeng Huang, Xiangwen Zhang, Jijun Zou. Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 86(10): 177-185.

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Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol

Synthesis of aviation fuel by controllable oligomerization of furfuryl alcohol

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