Jacob Dempsey

Jacob Dempsey serves as a Researcher II in the Chemical Engineering department at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), affiliated with the Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center. His research focuses on advancing biomass conversion processes for sustainable biofuels and biochemicals through integrated engineering and economic analysis.

Primary research domains include:

• Techno-economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of biorefinery systems
• Solvent Extraction and membrane-based separation techniques
• Lignocellulosic biomass conversion (especially corn stover)
• Sugar production optimization and catalytic pathways
• Sustainable aviation fuel development
• Waste valorization strategies for process economics

Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on process innovation that bridges technical feasibility and commercial viability. Key trends include novel pretreatment methods for agricultural residues, advanced separation techniques for fermentation products, and holistic assessments of biofuel supply chains. His work systematically addresses energy consumption, environmental impact, and cost drivers in biomass conversion.

Dempsey actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across NREL's research divisions. His projects within the Catalytic Carbon Transformation and Scale-Up Center emphasize scalable solutions for carbon management and renewable fuel deployment, contributing to national energy transition initiatives through rigorous process engineering and economic validation.