A Systematic Investigation into the Hydrothermal Degradation of Biomass as an Alternative Hydrocarbon Fuel Source
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry and Applied Mathematics
Research Advisor
Woelk, Klaus
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; MS&T Energy Research and Development Center
Abstract
Biomass is viewed as a renewable and carbon-efficient energy source, and multiple procedures have been designed to harness the energy stored in these molecules. In this study, the mechanism of hydrothermal biomass degradation to form valuable synthetic-fuel precursor molecules was investigated. Using D-glucose as the model substrate, hydrothermal degradation experiments were conducted in a glass pressure vessel with samples taken periodically at a reaction temperature of 150°C. The primary reaction products are 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), formic acid (FA), 4-oxopentoic acid (levulenic acid or LA), and methane, as identified quantitatively by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. As a continuation of a previous project, this study determined the effect of various catalysts on the formation of the degradation products in an attempt to identify methods of maximizing the formation of 5-HMF, the more valuable precursor chemical for synthetic fuel production, while minimizing FA and LA. The unprecedented formation of methane is also being investigated to determine its mechanism of production during the hydrothermal degradation reaction. Furthermore, it is the goal of this project to investigate the reduction of 5-HMF via electrolysis in order to demonstrate complete production of synthetic fuel.
Biography
Megan Oldroyd is a senior double majoring in Chemistry and Applied Math, with a minor in Biology. This is her third year to be participating in the OURE program at Missouri S&T. After graduating in May, Megan plans to attend graduate school in the fall, working towards a PhD in Biophysics.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences oral presentation, First place
Location
Carver Room
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
A Systematic Investigation into the Hydrothermal Degradation of Biomass as an Alternative Hydrocarbon Fuel Source
Carver Room
Biomass is viewed as a renewable and carbon-efficient energy source, and multiple procedures have been designed to harness the energy stored in these molecules. In this study, the mechanism of hydrothermal biomass degradation to form valuable synthetic-fuel precursor molecules was investigated. Using D-glucose as the model substrate, hydrothermal degradation experiments were conducted in a glass pressure vessel with samples taken periodically at a reaction temperature of 150°C. The primary reaction products are 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), formic acid (FA), 4-oxopentoic acid (levulenic acid or LA), and methane, as identified quantitatively by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. As a continuation of a previous project, this study determined the effect of various catalysts on the formation of the degradation products in an attempt to identify methods of maximizing the formation of 5-HMF, the more valuable precursor chemical for synthetic fuel production, while minimizing FA and LA. The unprecedented formation of methane is also being investigated to determine its mechanism of production during the hydrothermal degradation reaction. Furthermore, it is the goal of this project to investigate the reduction of 5-HMF via electrolysis in order to demonstrate complete production of synthetic fuel.
Comments
Joint project with Nathan Carter