Our biorefinery research aims to develop sustainable and profitable technologies for the conversion of biomass and industry wastes into a spectrum of bio-based fuels and chemicals to meet net zero decarbonisation targets.
Core research
- biomass pretreatment and fractionation
- enzyme and fermentation technology
- design of catalysts and catalytic conversion
- thermochemical conversion – fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction
- lignin valorization
- product separation and refining – supercritical CO2
- process scale-up and pilot-scale demonstration
- techno-economic analysis and life cycle analysis
We have demonstrated our capabilities in:
Fuels and biofuels
- bioethanol
- biogas
- hydrocarbon fuels
Building block chemicals
- levulinic acid
- furfural
- methyl furfurals (MF, HMF, CMF etc)
- furancarboxylic acids (FDCA, FFCA etc)
QUT’s biorefinery research provides strong support to the development of new biomass-based new manufacturing industries and contributing to a low-carbon economy in Australia and globally.
Commercial research
We have completed research on:
- the development and optimisation of a commercial biomass to fuels and chemicals 5-chloromethyl furfural process through furan intermediates
- pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse and other agricultural biomass residues for improved biogas production
- hydrothermal liquefaction processing and co-processing of agricultural biomass residues, pulping residues, algae, wastewater sludge, digestate and MSW
- Feedstock, supply chain, technoeconomic and lifecycle assessment of various biomass derived liquid and gaseous fuel production processes
Research projects
