Catalytic Effects on the Hydrothermal Conversion of Biomass
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Woelk, Klaus
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program
Abstract
This project studied the effects different concentrations of deuterium chloride (DCl), deuterium iodide (DI) and sodium chloride (NaCl) catalysts on the yields of desirable 5- hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and undesirable levulinic acid (LA) in the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose. Solutions of catalyst, glucose, and heavy water (D2O) were heated in a pressure vessel at 150°C for 24 hours, and every six hours samples were drawn from the solutions, filtered, and analyzed by H-NMR spectroscopy to determine the relative amounts of 5-HMF and LA present. The glucose in these experiments was a model for raw biomass.
Biography
Nathan Carter is a junior in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and is working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined Dr. Woelk’s research group in January 2007, and his work has been included in several presentations at both national and international conferences. He delivered one such presentation himself at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in Denver, CO, in November 2007. He is also involved in a research project under Dr. David Henthorn in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. After graduating from Missouri S&T in May 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Nathan plans to enroll in a doctoral graduate program in chemical engineering.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
08 Apr 2009, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Catalytic Effects on the Hydrothermal Conversion of Biomass
Upper Atrium/Hallway
This project studied the effects different concentrations of deuterium chloride (DCl), deuterium iodide (DI) and sodium chloride (NaCl) catalysts on the yields of desirable 5- hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and undesirable levulinic acid (LA) in the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose. Solutions of catalyst, glucose, and heavy water (D2O) were heated in a pressure vessel at 150°C for 24 hours, and every six hours samples were drawn from the solutions, filtered, and analyzed by H-NMR spectroscopy to determine the relative amounts of 5-HMF and LA present. The glucose in these experiments was a model for raw biomass.
