Abstract: Methods of separating and utilizing char produced by the catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass are described. In a preferred method, a portion of the char from a catalytic pyrolysis reactor is recovered and treated and combusted to provide heat to the catalytic pyrolysis reactor. A novel char and methods of amending soil with a char composition are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a process for selectively removing polyene compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. The process comprises the steps of contacting the polyene compounds with sulfuric acid at ambient temperature and sufficient time to form two phases. The phases consist of a hydrocarbon phase with substantially no loss in octane number and a spent acid phase. The hydrocarbon phase can then be sent to an optimized desulfurization process.