This work focuses on addressing fundamental obstacles in the development of sustainable biorefineries that employ large-scale biomass pyrolysis for fuels and chemicals. Biomass pyrolysis is an attractive means for intensification of stored energy in woody biomass. Knowledge is lacking on how to employ this technology on an industrial scale. A collaborative research team consisting of Dr. Paul Dauenhauer (UMass) and Dr. Jim Pfaendtner (UW) will use a unified theoretical and experimental approach to create and harness complex reaction networks that mechanistically describe the key pyrolysis steps in converting cellulose to useful fuel. This EAGER grant is for the first phase of the project to conduct preliminary experimental studies related to the reactor design and characterization. Preliminary modeling studies will also be performed.
The research will proceed according to two objectives that systematically address the hypotheses related to the importance of understanding intermediate physical phases in cellulose pyrolysis. Objective one will provide support to construct an experimental apparatus to provide a well-controlled experimental environment for studying intermediate cellulose liquid phases. Preliminary experimental studies will be performed using levoglucosan as a model component of cellulose. The second objective will use the results from the experimental effort to perform preliminary studies in automated mechanism generation of levoglucosan pyrolysis. The automated mechanism generation framework will be adapted to cellulose chemistry and used to identify future research priorities.
Intellectual Merit This work will develop a systematic approach synthesizing experiments and theory for the development of biomass pyrolysis models. These models are essential for the design and scaleup of biorefineries and to provide quantitative information on the overall process economics and environmental impact of biomass pyrolysis. This work has significant potential for helping the US move toward sustainable energy independence.
Broader Impacts The PI from UW will involve a summer REU student in performing some of the preliminary simulations. Additionally, a plan for development of the key findings of this research into a senior undergraduate course on reaction engineering is planned. Finally, any published final models resulting from the research will be made available to the general public and other research groups.
Intellectual Merits: This project led to a number of new research activities and findings in the area of renewable energy. Specifically, the PIs investigated process and reaction conditions for the pyrolysis of renewable biomass to form value-added chemicals. A new experimental program was initiated and completed that investigated the pyrolysis of xylose, a model compound derived from hemicellulose of plant cell walls. Concomitant with this effort, a mechanistic modeling program was initiated to develop complex reaction models to describe the experiments. Specific examples of research impacts stemming from this research grant include: Design and construction of a new thin film reactor and accompanying analytical system for the measurement of degradation compounds of biomass (xylose) under pyrolysis conditions. Identification of a new mechanism of an aerosol ejection process that occurs during the liquid melt state of biomass pyrolysis Adaptation of an algorithm for complex reaction network generation to enable the study of oxygenated biomass compounds under pyrolysis conditions. Preliminary investigation into coupling of mechanistic and lumped kinetic models with the new thin-film reactor. Broader Impacts: This project has led to multiple new technological and human resources broader impacts. New experimental and theoretical techniques have been devised to study the pyrolysis of biomass. These new developments will enable many future studies that directly could lead to meaningful efficiency improvements in next-generation biofuels and bio-derived compounds. The synergistic coupling of experiment and modeling will be a key component of making new efficiency gains. Human resource developments primarily include support for training and mentoring of PhD students. The research funding via the EAGER mechanism has laid the foundation of a successful collaboration between two institutions that will be leveraged for future research projects and grant submissions.
