Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology that can convert common seaweeds, such as Kkosiraegi, into high-quality sources for both bio-aviation fuels and energy storage devices. This revolutionary process, detailed in the Chemical Engineering Journal, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pave the way for a more sustainable future in the aviation and pharmaceutical industries.
From Seaweed to Biofuel
Korean research team Dr. Kyoungseon Min, Gwangju Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research (Nam-gu, Gwangju), Dr. Kyoungseon Min from the Korea Institute of Energy Research’s Gwangju Clean Energy Technology Laboratory and Kangwon National University jointly developed a technology to produce enantioselective bio-aviation fuel precursors-R)-gamma-valerolactone from seaweed. correlations
The traditional methods for generating bio-aviation fuels often require some type of pre-treatment to break down the biomass or sugar into components for microbial fermentation, which is a time-consuming and costly process. The new method developed by the team instead uses a mild acid treatment to convert seaweed directly into levulinic acid and an enzymatic reaction for the production of the high-value (R)-gamma-valerolactone (GVL) precursor.
This new process promises to produce 10-fold more precursor from the same amount of biomass, compared to conventional processes. In addition, the (R)-GVL produced is suitable not only for bio-aviation fuel but also as an intermediate product for biopharmaceuticals e.g. anti-hypertensive agents.
Seaweed’s Untapped Potential
It is not only the natural environment, but Korea also has a strategic advantage in that seaweed operates as a raw material in the ocean surrounding land from three sides. We just developed a process to produce value-added materials from seaweed that can be used in a variety of different industries, and the remaining biomass can then be converted into electrode material. That’s worth it when you consider reducing CO2 as an important factor,”, Dr Kyoungseon Min, the lead study author wrote. This can play a big role in accelerating the carbon neutrality we are moving towards”.
This technology has more than just bio-aviation fuel production. In addition to this, the unreacted Kkosiraegi residue from making levulinic acid can also be carbonized and used as anode material for a lithium-ion battery. However, the researchers have justified this hard carbon anode material has been potentially available for practical application based on its capacity, output, and lifespan.
The capability to recover multiple high-value products from the same seaweed and reduce waste showcases the integrated work that underpins this groundbreaking research. By optimizing the use of seaweed, we can take steps in the right direction for sustainable energy production as well as pharmaceutical development.
Creating the Pathway for a More Sustainable Tomorrow
This technology has been developed particularly at a time when the bio-aviation fuel market is expected to hold the maximum share of 35% in terms of the total aviation fuel market by the year 2070. The use of seaweed may help lower the greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional aviation fuel by as much as 82 percent.
It is further a critical finding that the form (R)-GVL can be made selectively, which is important for bio-pharmaceutical applications. Until now, the absence of this technology has been a barrier to using GVL in the biopharmaceutical industry. Engineered by the research team, this new or improved process could turn levulinic acid to (R)-GVL at more than 99.999% ee, opening up possibilities for future applications in hypertension medicine and other biopharmaceuticals.
The integrated nature of the research, which uses a single source of seaweed both to generate precursors for bio-aviation fuel production and as sustainable materials for energy storage applications, underlines the huge potential value marine biomass could provide. As the world works to decrease carbon emissions and find more sustainable ways to produce energy, seaweed-based technologies such as this could be key to creating a cleaner, more secure future.
