The process of "CaSH" biorefining was developed via joint venture in China. Sun Pharmaceuticals, Inc. owns 30% shares of the joint venture, and is the co-applicant of all related patents.
Based on "CoDOP" technology, the process of "CaSH" biorefining was developed and demonstrated to products of small molecular aromatics and small carboxylic acids, in a pilot plant of one-thousand ton biomass annually (scheme is shown below). The conversion of small molecular aromtics into alkyled benzene, separation of lactic acid and formic acid, are only demonstrated in kilo-scale.
Cost estimation using data from the pilot plant is promising. It is cheaper, or at least comparable, with that of the products from petrochemical method or fermentation method at the scale of annual capacity of 200,000 tons biomass. This result was calculated based on the fossil oil $80/barrel or higher. If the 3rd generation CoDOPA is used as the catalyst, CaSH process is profitable even if the fossil oil price dropped below $40/barrel. The IP of the 3rd generation CoDOPA is owned solely by Sun Pharmaceuticals.
All biomass are suitable raw materials for CaSH biorefining, such as grass, tree leaves, agricultural residues, wood, etc. For example, fresh wheat straw can be used for CaSH biorefining. All components of wheat straw are hydrolyzed into two kinds of small organics in a one-pot reaction: small molecular aromatics and small carboxylic acids. Lactic acid is the major one of small carboxylic acid. Lactic acid has the potential to be able to replace all PVC, PE, PP, etc. that are being used today.
Alkylated benzenes are the important componenet of diesel and gasoline. It is also important starting material for aromatics such as toluene, xylenes, etc. Up to today, almost all alkylated benzenes are made from fosssil oil or coal.
Catalytic Simultaneous Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose (CaSH)
