Pyrolysis of Organic Biofuels in a Heated Miniature Flow Reactor

科罗拉多大学的研究小组将研究生物燃料中一些典型的分子在燃烧前是如何分解的，这一过程被称为热解，目前仍知之甚少。这一点很重要，因为这种分解产生的产物类型对以后的燃烧过程将如何进行有影响。拟议的研究工作涉及本科生和研究生的教与学，并确保所有学生都有机会获得机会。研究生研究助理是研究项目的完全参与者，并得到适当课程工作的支持和高级项目人员的深入指导。他们有机会前往其他合作实验室，参加科学会议，并展示和发表他们的工作。拟议的研究解决了关于羧酸酯热分解的反应机理和动力学问题，R1COOR2。羧酸酯通常作为生物燃料的主要成分出现。它们形成的燃料在燃烧特性上与以石油为基础的燃料相似。生物燃料中遇到的许多大有机分子的热分解化学知之甚少，甚至完全未知。除了探索这些分子的热解反应机理外，主要研究人员还计划测量反应速度，以确定动力学机制。实验方法包括使用微型(0.6毫米×2厘米)管式反应器。这些反应堆将配备分子诊断设备：光电离质谱(PIMS)、基质红外吸收光谱(IR)、共振增强多光子电离(REMPI)和微波光谱。这项工作将对理解以羧酸酯为基础的生物燃料反应的第一步产生重大影响，并在工程模拟中立即找到适用性。这项研究将导致可再生生物质衍生燃料领域的技术改进，这种燃料可以取代石油衍生燃料。

1403979EllisonThe research team at the University of Colorado will investigate how some typical molecules in biofuels break down prior to burning, a process known as pyrolysis and one that is still poorly understood. This is important because the type of products due to this breakdown has implications in how the later combustion process will proceed. The proposed research effort involves teaching and learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all students. Graduate student research assistants are full participants in research projects and are supported by appropriate course work and in depth mentoring by senior project personnel. They have the opportunity to travel to other collaborating laboratories, attend scientific meetings, and present and publish their work.The proposed research addresses questions regarding the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of the thermal decomposition of carboxylic esters, R1COOR2. Carboxylic esters commonly appear as the main components of biofuels. They form fuels that are similar in combustion properties to petroleum-based fuels. The thermolysis chemistry of many of the large organic molecules encountered in biofuels is poorly understood or completely unknown. In addition to exploring the pyrolysis reaction mechanisms of these molecules, the principal investigators plan to measure rates of reaction for determination of kinetic mechanisms. The experimental approach involves the use of miniature (0.6 mm x 2 cm) tubular reactors. These reactors will be equipped with molecular diagnostics: photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS), matrix infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR), resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), and microwave spectroscopy. The work should have a significant impact on understanding of the first steps in the reaction of carboxylic ester based biofuels and find immediate applicability in engineering simulations. The research will lead to technology improvements in the area of renewable biomass derived fuels that can replace petroleum-derived fuels.