Sunil Kumar Maity

These biofuels are composed of pure hydrocarbons, making them compatible with existing infrastructure and combustion engines. Currently, our research focuses on (i) hydrodeoxygenation of vegetable oil and fatty acids to produce green diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), (ii) hydrodeoxygenation of cycloalkane-rich natural oils to obtain high-density SAF, and (iii) hydroxyalkylation-alkylation of furanic molecules, followed by hydrodeoxygenation of fuel precursors to obtain isoparaffin and cycloparaffin-rich SAF.

Our research focuses on producing various platform chemicals and drop-in chemicals. Currently, we are working on the production of (i) value-added chemicals from butanediols, including 1,3-butadiene, methyl ethyl ketone, etc., (ii) 1,3-butadiene from bioethanol, (iii) cyclopentanone from furfural, and (iv) steam reforming of bio-based intermediates to produce synthesis gas.

Techno-economic analysis (TEA) is essential for assessing the commercial viability of a process. Currently, we are conducting extensive research on TEA related to the production of biofuels, platform chemicals, and drop-in chemicals from biomass. TEA involves several key components: (i) process design using Aspen Plus, (ii) process integration through Pinch analysis to enhance thermal efficiency, (iii) economic analysis, and (iv) profitability assessment.

Our research focuses on an extensive range of heterogeneous catalysts, including supported metal/bimetallic catalysts, metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, zeolites, silica-alumina, cation/anion exchange resins, and sulfonic acid-functionalized materials.