University of Kentucky researchers seek solutions to sulfur challenges in biofuel production

In Kentucky, sulfur found in biofuel feedstock poses serious problems to the industry, because it causes pollution, is toxic to the catalyst and corrosive to biorefinery equipment. A national group of scientists and industry partners led by researchers at the University of Kentucky is studying ways to reduce sulfur levels in pine byproducts used to produce biofuels.

Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the research team will work to identify the reasons behind the sulfur variability in pine feedstocks by studying byproducts collected from across the nation.