Abstract: A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: A method for producing a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters: (a) providing a triglyceride including fatty acids with epoxide groups; (b) reacting the epoxide groups with carboxylic acid salts under basic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alkoxides; (c) protonating the vicinal ester/alkoxides to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alcohols; and (d) reacting the vicinal ester/alcohols with carboxylic acids under acidic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters.

Abstract: A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: Unique methods have been developed to convert polysaccharides into value-added products, such as levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates. The polysaccharides are heated in the presence of water, an alcohol, and an acid to cleave the polysaccharide, and the resulting monosacchrides or monosaccharide acetals or both are contacted with an acid in the presence of an alcohol at a higher temperature. Useful acids include Brønsted acid catalysts and Lewis acid catalysts including mineral acids, metal halides, immobilized heterogeneous catalysts functionalized with a Brønsted acid group or a Lewis acid group, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters: (a) providing a triglyceride including fatty acids with epoxide groups; (b) reacting the epoxide groups with carboxylic acid salts under basic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alkoxides; (c) protonating the vicinal ester/alkoxides to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal ester/alcohols; and (d) reacting the vicinal ester/alcohols with carboxylic acids under acidic conditions to produce a triglyceride including fatty acids with vicinal diesters.

Abstract: Unique methods have been developed to convert polysaccharides into value-added products, such as levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates. The polysaccharides are heated in the presence of water, an alcohol, and an acid to cleave the polysaccharide, and the resulting monosacchrides or monosaccharide acetals or both are contacted with an acid in the presence of an alcohol at a higher temperature. Useful acids include Brønsted acid catalysts and Lewis acid catalysts including mineral acids, metal halides, immobilized heterogeneous catalysts functionalized with a Brønsted acid group or a Lewis acid group, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ring opening method. The method includes reacting an epoxidized fatty acid ester with an alcohol to open an epoxy ring of the ester. A salt of tetrafluoroboric acid is used as a catalyst in the reaction. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of producing a polyurethane. An epoxidized fatty acid ester is reacted with an alcohol to open an epoxy ring of the ester, thereby to produce a polyol. A salt of tetrafluoroboric acid is used as a catalyst in the reaction. The polyol is then reacted with an isocyanate to produce a polyurethane. In a further embodiment, the polyol is used to produce a product selected from polyurethanes, coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and lubricants.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for upgrading a bio-oil by reaction with an olefin in the presence of a catalyst. For example, upgraded bio-oil may have improved miscibility with hydrophobic fuels.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing bio-oil polyols, alkoxylating bio-oil polyols to provide polyols, and for employing the alkoxylated bio-oil polyols for making polymers or copolymers of polyesters or polyurethanes. Compositions and methods are provided for incorporating bio-oils into phenolic resins such as phenol-formaldehyde resin and phenol-formaldehyde-urea resin, as well as hot melt adhesive compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides for new flame retardant non-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) based polyols; oligomers and polymers made from these new polyols with flame retardation properties; and methods of using them as a part or all of the flame retardation composition/material, such as foams and binders.

Abstract: Vapor phase catalytic reactors and methods for using the same for upgrade of fuels produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass are disclosed.

Abstract: Unique methods have been developed to convert saccharides into value-added products such as alkyl lactates, lactic acid, alkyl levulinates, levulinic acid, and optionally alkyl formate esters and/or hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Useful catalysts include Lewis acid catalysts and Brønsted acid catalysts including mineral acids, metal halides, immobilized heterogeneous catalysts functionalized with a Brønsted acid group or a Lewis acid group, or combinations thereof. The saccharides are contacted with the catalyst in the presence of various alcohols.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the production of mono-esters and di-esters from the reaction of HMF and a reactant selected from a diacid or a diacid derivative; typical reactants are PAN, phthaloyl dichloride, dimethyl phthalate, maleic acid, and maleic anhydride or mono-esters that can be prepared from HMF and MAN.

Abstract: The invention provides for new flame retardant non-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) based polyols; oligomers and polymers made from these new polyols with flame retardation properties; and methods of using them as a part or all of the flame retardation composition/material, such as foams and binders.

Abstract: New polyols; oligomers, and polymers made from the polyols; and binders made from the new polyols, oligomers, or polymers that can be used in binders, where the binders typically include one or more polyols, and a polyfunctional acid or a polyfunctional nitrile.

Abstract: New polyols; oligomers, and polymers made from the polyols; and binders made from the new polyols, oligomers, or polymers that can be used in binders, where the binders typically include one or more polyols, and a polyfunctional acid or a polyfunctional nitrile.

Abstract: New polyols; oligomers, and polymers made from the polyols; and binders made from the new polyols, oligomers, or polymers that can be used in binders, where the binders typically include one or more polyols, and a polyfunctional acid or a polyfunctional nitrile.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the production of mono-esters and di-esters from the reaction of HMF and a reactant selected from a diacid or a diacid derivative; typical reactants are PAN, phthaloyl dichloride, dimethyl phthalate, maleic acid, and maleic anhydride or mono-esters that can be prepared from HMF and MAN.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Absorbent hydrogels are formed by reacting a protein meal base, a radical initiator and a polymerizable monomer. Optionally, a cross-linking agent and/or a radical accelerant, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), is also added to the mixture. Preferably, the radical initiator is ammonium persulfate (APS) or potassium persulfate (KPS), and the cross-linking agent is preferably trifunctional trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) or methylene bis acrylamide (MBA). The polymerizable monomer is preferably acrylic acid, or a combination of acrylic acid and acrylamide. The as-formed hydrogel is washed in order to extract non-reactant components from the gel and then dried. The resultant absorbent and superabsorbent hydrogels have high water uptake ratios, and can be utilized for a variety of applications.