A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A fuel or fuel blending agent for an internal combustion engine includes a ketone compound that is a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 branched acyclic ketone, cyclopentanone, or a derivative of cyclopentanone. The ketone compound may be blended with a majority portion of a fuel selected from the group consisting of: gasoline, diesel, alcohol fuel, biofuel, renewable fuel, Fischer-Tropsch fuel, or combinations thereof. The ketone compound may be derived from biological sources. A method for powering an internal combustion engine with a fuel comprising the ketone compound is also provided.

The present invention relates to methods of producing industrial products from plant lipids, particularly from vegetative parts of plants. In particular, the present invention provides oil products such as biodiesel and synthetic diesel and processes for producing these, as well as plants having an increased level of one or more non-polar lipids such as triacylglycerols and an increased total non-polar lipid content. In one particular embodiment, the present invention relates to combinations of modifications in two or more of lipid handling enzymes, oil body proteins, decreased lipid catabolic enzymes and/or transcription factors regulating lipid biosynthesis to increase the level of one or more non-polar lipids and/or the total non-polar lipid content and/or mono-unsaturated fatty acid content in plants or any part thereof. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for extracting lipids. In another embodiment, the lipid is converted to one or more hydrocarbon products in harvested plant vegetative parts to produce alkyl esters of the fatty acids which are suitable for use as a renewable biodiesel fuel.

Methods and compositions for producing fatty acid derivatives, for example, fatty esters, and commercial fuel compositions comprising fatty acid derivatives are described.

A method of reducing a C—O bond to the corresponding C—H bond in a substrate, which could be a benzylic alcohol, allylic alcohol, ester or an ether bond beta to a hydroxyl group or alpha to a carbonyl group using a recyclable metal catalyst system. The recyclable catalyst system is also applicable to reducing a C═O bond to the corresponding C—OH bond and then C—H bond. These methodologies can be linked in one-pot to selective oxidation and depolymerizations of aromatic polyols such as lignin.

A method of reducing a C—O bond to the corresponding C—H bond in a substrate, which could be a benzylic alcohol, allylic alcohol, ester or an ether bond beta to a hydroxyl group or alpha to a carbonyl group using a recyclable metal catalyst system. The recyclable catalyst system is also applicable to reducing a C═O bond to the corresponding C—OH bond and then C—H bond. These methodologies can be linked in one-pot to selective oxidation and depolymerizations of aromatic polyols such as lignin.

Provided herein are methods for producing ketone(s) from the condensation of methyl ketone(s) and alcohol(s) in the presence of an amine catalyst and a metal catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketone(s) and/or alcohol(s) may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by fermentation of biomass.

Provided herein are methods for producing ketone(s) from the condensation of methyl ketone(s) and alcohol(s) in the presence of an amine catalyst and a metal catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketone(s) and/or alcohol(s) may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by fermentation of biomass.

Processes for converting lignocellulose to feedstock and downstream products are disclosed. The processes may include acid treatment of lignocellulose to produce a fermentation feedstock. In various instances, the processes include recovery or recycling of acid, such as recovery of hydrochloric acid from concentrated and/or dilute streams. Downstream products may include acrylic acid-based products such as diapers, paper and paper-based products, ethanol, biofuels such as biodiesel and fuel additives, and detergents.