Collaborative Proposal: Effect of thermal treatment on biomass structure and hydrocarbons production using catalytic pyrolysis process

PI：Adhikari，Sushil/Ragoskas，Arthur J Proposal编号：1333372/1333375机构：奥本大学/佐治亚理工学院研究公司标题：合作提案：使用催化热解过程进行热处理对生物质结构和碳氢化合物生产的影响生物质转化为热解油(即生物油)并随后升级为汽油和柴油系列化合物在减少美国？依赖进口石油产品。利用快速热解技术，可以从各种生物质原料中获得高产率的生物油。然而，生物油是不稳定和酸性的，含有炭粒，其热值约为石油液体燃料的一半。生物油的酸性、高粘度、高含氧量、很难去除焦粒以及与石油液体不相容等限制了生物油的使用。催化热解工艺已被发现能有效地缓解生物油的一些负面性质。催化过程--使用一些择形沸石--涉及C-C键的断裂，与脱水、脱羧基和脱羰基有关，并产生芳香族化合物。为了降低氧含量，人们已将裂解过程用于生物质原料的预处理，假设结果是通过热解过程可以产生更少的含氧化合物，这些化合物更稳定，热值更高。本研究的中心假设是，在生物质热解过程中，热处理导致的弱醚键和糖苷键的断裂可以增加芳烃的产率。本项目研究热处理对生物质性质和结构的影响。此外，还将阐明择形催化剂中生物质结构与烃类产率之间的关系。以往的生物质热解研究主要集中在物理化学性质对生物油产量的影响上，对生物质的结构及其对液体产物的影响缺乏详细的了解。此外，尽管Bronsted酸中心在催化热解中的重要性早已被认识到，但生物量性质、酸中心数量、热解后烃类产物光谱以及焦炭形成之间的关系尚不清楚。H+ZSM-5催化剂中酸(Bronsted)中心的作用将在催化热解精制生物质的过程中阐明，以最大限度地提高碳氢化合物的产量和减少焦炭的生成。这项研究将从根本上了解沸石催化剂在热解生物质时发生的化学作用。生物质衍生的液体燃料具有提供经济有效和可持续的能源供应的潜力，同时实现温室气体减排目标。该项目的顺利完成将对美国农业、林产品和纸浆行业的盈利能力产生影响。该项目将培养专注于生物能源研究的新一代毕业生，同时为他们的核心领域提供坚实的基础背景，这将有助于将技术转移到美国工业，从而增强其在能源技术领域的竞争力。作为人类发展进程的一部分，PI将利用奥本大学现有的基础设施，让K-12年级的教师和学生参与这个项目。

PI: Adhikari, Sushil / Ragauskas, Arthur JProposal Number: 1333372 / 1333375Institution: Auburn University / Georgia Tech Research CorporationTitle: Collaborative Proposal: Effect of theral treatment on biomass structure and hydrocarbons production using catalytic pyrolysis processmThe conversion of biomass to pyrolysis oil (i.e., bio-oil) and subsequent upgradation to gasoline and diesel range compounds have a significant potential in reducing the United States? dependence on imported petroleum products. Using fast pyrolysis technology, a high yield of bio-oil can be achieved from various biomass feedstocks. However, bio-oil is unstable and acidic, contains char particles, and has about half the heating value of petroleum liquid fuels. Acidity, high viscosity, high oxygen content, difficulties in removing char particles, and immiscibility with petroleum liquids have restricted the use of bio-oil. A catalytic pyrolysis process has been found to be effective in alleviating some of the negative properties of the bio-oil. The catalytic process-- that uses some shape selective zeolites-- involves the cleavage of C-C bonds associated with dehydration, decarboxylation, and decarbonylation, and produces aromatic compounds.Torrefaction process has been used to pretreat biomass feedstocks in order to reduce oxygen content with the assumption that as a result less oxygenated compounds, that are more stable and have higher heating value, can be produced using pyrolysis process. The central hypothesis of this study is that the cleavage of weak ether and glycosidic bonds as a result of thermal treatment can increase aromatics yield in biomass pyrolysis process. This project examines the effects of thermal treatment on biomass properties and its structure. In addition, the relationship between biomass structure and the hydrocarbon yields in shape selective catalysts will be elucidated. Past studies on torrefied biomass pyrolysis have investigated the effect of physicochemical properties on bio-oil yield without developing detailed understanding of biomass structure and its impact on liquid product. In addition, although the importance of Bronsted acid sites on catalytic pyrolysis has been recognized for a long time, the relationship among biomass properties, number of acid sites, spectrum of hydrocarbon products after pyrolysis, and coke formation is not understood. The role of acid (Bronsted) sites in H+ZSM-5 catalyst will be elucidated in catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied biomass to maximize hydrocarbons production and minimize coke formation. This research will provide a fundamental understanding of the chemistry that occurs on the zeolite catalysts when thermally treated --structurally damaged-- biomass is pyrolyzed.Biomass-derived liquid fuels have a potential to provide a cost-effective and sustainable supply of energy, while meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets. The successful completion of this project will have an impact on the profitability of farming, forest products, and pulp industries in the United States. The project will train a new generation of graduates with its multidisciplinary focus on bio-energy research, while providing a solid fundamental background in their core areas, which will help transfer technology to U.S. industry, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the field of energy technologies. As a part of the human development process, the PI will involve K-12th grade teachers and students in this project using the existing infrastructures at Auburn University.