Kinetic and Mechanistic Investigations into the Degradation of Glucose in Hot Compressed Water as a Model for Hydrothermal Biomass-to-Fuel Conversions
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry
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; Missouri Research Board
Abstract
To find renewable, more sustainable, and environmentally benign techniques for the production of synthetic fuel, we studied the hydrothermal conversion of D-glucose (a model substrate for cellulosic and starch-based biomaterial) to liquid fuel precursor chemicals such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF). The project was aimed at the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and kinetics involved in the conversion. Model substrates such as D-glucose and several known intermediates of the reaction were reacted in inert glass pressure vessels under hydrothermal conditions (120-170 °C, 3-10 atm). The acidity of the reactive solutions were adjusted from ph = 1 to 6. Quantitative results derived from 1H-NMR spectra were used to determine activation barriers of individual steps in the reaction.
Biography
Ariel is a third year undergraduate majoring in Chemistry at MS&T. She is also working on a minor in Geology. Ariel is the current president and a prior officer in the WT Schrenk Society and has been the recipient of several Chemistry Outstanding Student awards.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Kinetic and Mechanistic Investigations into the Degradation of Glucose in Hot Compressed Water as a Model for Hydrothermal Biomass-to-Fuel Conversions
Upper Atrium/Hallway
To find renewable, more sustainable, and environmentally benign techniques for the production of synthetic fuel, we studied the hydrothermal conversion of D-glucose (a model substrate for cellulosic and starch-based biomaterial) to liquid fuel precursor chemicals such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF). The project was aimed at the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and kinetics involved in the conversion. Model substrates such as D-glucose and several known intermediates of the reaction were reacted in inert glass pressure vessels under hydrothermal conditions (120-170 °C, 3-10 atm). The acidity of the reactive solutions were adjusted from ph = 1 to 6. Quantitative results derived from 1H-NMR spectra were used to determine activation barriers of individual steps in the reaction.
