Lignocellulose to transportation fuels - historical perspectives and status of worldwide facilities in 2011-2012.

Abstract

The U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), located in Madison, Wisconsin, celebrated its centennial in 2010, and one of the lab’s signature research areas during this century of achievement has been lignocellulosic transportation fuels. Many of these research advances have occurred either during wartime emergencies or times of economic crisis. Although great progress has been made, commercial production of lignocellulosic fuels has been limited. In this paper, the authors take an in depth look at advances, breakthroughs, and motivating factors in liquid fuels research both at the FPL and in the private sector. The authors examine the current status of lignocellulosic transportation fuels as well as near-term prospects for commercialization. The authors then summarize leading efforts at lignocellulosic fuel production in a comprehensive table. The authors consider the role that the FPL might have in developing lignocellulosic fuels during its second century as well as the commercial potential for private sector firms.