G. Peter van Walsum

Chair of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering

Education

• B.A., Geology – Williams College, 1985
• B.Eng., Chemical Engineering – McGill University (Canada), 1988
• M.Eng., Chemical Engineering – McGill University (Canada), 1992
• Ph.D., Biochemical Engineering – Dartmouth College, 1998

Research Interests

Biomass processing • Biorefining • Renewable energy, fuels, and chemicals • Process engineering

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Current Research

Developing Value-Added Products and Biofuels from Marine Macroalgae
There is growing interest in cultivating marine macroalgae in Maine and New England. Increased production and consumption of marine algae benefit the working waterfront economy while supporting sustainable biomass and healthy food resources. This project focuses on improving methods for processing algal biomass to enable production and transport of both food and non-food products from sea vegetables. Research emphasizes the extraction of high-value bioactives and macromolecules, as well as low-energy drying techniques for sea vegetables.

Recyclable α-Hydroxysulfonic Acids for Hydrolysis and Dehydration of Biomass
Hydrolysis and dehydration of biomass using strong mineral acids is a common method for producing chemicals such as furfural, formic acid, and levulinic acid (FFL). However, recycling these acids is difficult and costly, while neutralization and disposal of salts are both waste-generating and expensive. This research investigates the use of α-hydroxysulfonic acids (HSAs) for biomass conversion. Some HSAs are strong enough to hydrolyze biomass while also being recyclable as non-acidic volatile gases. For example, α-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid can be recycled as SO₂ and acetaldehyde.

Mixed-Culture Fermentation of Biomass to Fuels and Chemicals
Non-sterile mixed-culture fermentations offer robust, reliable, and cost-effective methods for converting low-value biomass into fuels and chemicals. Anaerobic digestion is applied to produce either mixed organic acids or biogas, adding value to municipal and industrial wastes as well as harvested biomass. Mixed organic acids, in particular, provide a versatile platform for generating a wide variety of valuable organic molecules and biofuels.