The present invention discloses a novel transition metal(s) catalyst supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon and a process for the preparation of the same. Further, the present invention discloses use of transition metal(s) supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon catalyst in catalytic transfer hydrogenation reaction. The invention also discloses an improved process for the synthesis of 2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) and 2-Methylfuran (MF) from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural respectively, using alcohols as hydrogen donor over a transition metal supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon, especially ruthenium supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon without using any co-catalysts.

A method to generate dioxolanes from renewable feedstocks, and more specifically, these oxygenated hydrocarbons can be used as gasoline-range fuels and diesel additives.

An on the fly fuel reformer device to produce variations in the autoignition and burning rate properties of a fuel by appropriate processing of some or all of a single fuel supply in its liquid form. The system includes a non-thermal plasma generator and/or a UV radiation source in contact with a fuel line so as to contact a multi-phase fuel in the line and dynamically modify the fuel to exhibit desired autoignition characteristics and burn rate such that the engine can operate with increased efficiency and lower emissions.

Materials (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems equipment, and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, using an array of vaults.

An aviation gasoline composition comprising an impure iso-octane fraction, at least one xylene and at least one C.sub.4 or C.sub.5 alkane, wherein the impure iso-octane fraction in said composition is a fraction comprising at least 90 mol % iso-octane and having a final boiling point of at least 180 C. and is present in the composition in an amount in the range of from 30 to 80 vol. % based on the composition, the composition is substantially free of any lead compounds, the composition has a motor octane number of at least 94 and the composition has a final boiling point of at most 170 C. The composition of the present invention may be made by blending together an impure iso-octane fraction, xylene, at least one C.sub.4 or C.sub.5 alkane, optionally ethyl tertiary butyl ether, and optionally methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl and may be used in a spark ignition aviation engine, either alone or in combination with methanol or a methanol and water mixture.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and/or other renewable chemicals is provided wherein the process utilises one or more of the group comprising by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as draff, pot ale and/or spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process comprises treating a substrate to hydrolyse it and fermenting the treated substrate at an initial pH in the range of 5.0 to 6.0. Also provided is a biofuel comprising butanol manufactured according to the process of the invention.

The invention relates to a method for producing ethanol comprising providing biomass, supplying yeast to the biomass, reducing the size of the biomass, fermentation of the biomass at a solid content of above 20%, and distilling the fermented biomass. It also relates to an ethanol producing system comprising biomass providing arrangement, a yeast supplying device for supplying yeast to the biomass, a biomass size reducing device configured to reduce the size of the biomass, a fermentation device configured to ferment the biomass at a solid content of above 20% and a distilling device.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. Systems, methods and equipment are described for upgrading process streams using electrodialysis or electrodialysis reversal.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a selective hydrogenation unit producing a second process stream; passing the second process stream through an isomerization unit producing a third process stream; and passing the third process stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a recycle stream.

A process for the manufacture of butanol, acetone and other renewable chemicals utilizes one or more of by-products of the manufacture of malt whisky, such as pot ale and spent lees, biomass substrates, such as paper, sludge from paper manufacture and spent grains from distillers and brewers, and diluents, such as water and spent liquid from other fermentations. The process includes treating a substrate to hydrolyze it and fermenting the treated. Also provided is a biofuel including butanol manufactured according to the process.