Research
The overarching theme of AC-PABE's multidisciplinary research program is the realization of the highest possible sustainable value from our nation's forest-based biomass. The emphasis is on advanced fuels and materials development, energy efficiency enhancement, environmental engineering, fiber recycling, alternative fiber resources, process simulation and control, and product quality improvement. The objective is to give US industry information and technology that will ensure its international competitiveness while providing a maximum return to society.
AC-PABE's research and development programs in biorefining are focused on the deployment of thermochemical, biochemical and advanced biomass fractionation/depolymerization technologies to help create the forest biorefinery of tomorrow. Active research projects cover Fischer-Tropsch catalysis for biofuels production; lignocellulosic pretreatment and SSCF technologies for ethanol and butanol production; biomass fractionation process development; supercritical water processing of biomass for bio-crude production and anaerobic digestion for biogas generation. AC-PABE has a number of industrial partners including Masada Resource Group, PureVision Technology, ThermoChem Recovery International, NeoSources International, Fiberight, LLC and the Gas Technology Institute. These companies are partners in various commercial demonstration projects including pulp mill sludge to ethanol, pulp mill waste gasification to liquid fuels, pulp mill waste to bio-crude, forest residues to hydrocarbon fuels and algae to biodiesel or biogas. Funding is being provided by Auburn University, Masada, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Parsons and Whittemore, Packaging Corporation of America, DOE and NSF.
