An Efficient Biomass Conversion via Y-valerolactone

Abstract

With people realizing the effects of global warming and the greenhouse gas effect, people are trying to find a new way to power the world without sacrificing our health and the health of the earth. As the use of fossil fuels increases, it greatens the risk of climate change and other by-products of pollution into the ozone layer. When the forest grows, it absorbs the CO2. Of course, this is only plausible if society is able to sustainably manage the process of harvesting and regrowth. If society can do that, biomass can be continued indefinitely, which makes biomass a renewable source of energy capable of causing far less damage than the traditional fuels society uses today. Y-valerolactone (GVL) was chosen as a solvent due to its properties. First off, GVL is able to be recycled which makes it better for the environment than the fossil fuel alternative or any previous solvent used. Most previous solvents were toxic, and therefore terrible and not eco-friendly. Therefore, GVL provides engineers and scientists hope for creating biofuels and chemicals that can enhance the production of biofuels and biomass.