Study of Novel Biofuels from Biomass - Methyl-Furans (MF)

由于《自然》和《科学》杂志报道了以果糖为原料制备糠醛反应机理的基本方法，这是未来生物燃料生产技术的突破，在现实世界中，果糖将来自生物质，如作物秸秆、森林废弃物、城市废弃物和能源作物。为了利用广泛的生物质资源生产生物燃料，研究可持续原料和处理那些结构中很少或没有纤维素的原料的能力至关重要。该项目将扩展先前在2,5-二甲基呋喃（DMF）方面的工作，以涵盖将生物质转化为呋喃系列的生产技术的研究，以及更有吸引力的呋喃家族成员2-甲基呋喃（MF）的表征。像MF这样的生物质衍生燃料并不是生物质转化形成的唯一产品。生物MF是由原始生物量降解产生的，与其他化合物（以下简称MF-c （MF化合物））混合产生的。本项目旨在系统地研究通过生物质转化使用和生产糠醛（MF和MF化合物）作为新型发动机燃料的整个技术途径。该研究将涉及生物能源和发动机燃烧技术领域，并将针对以下具体目标：1)利用实验和数值方法研究MF和现实世界中基于MF-c的生物油在发动机中的行为和燃烧特性2)提高对从木质纤维素生物质开始使用MF和MF-c生产生物油的机制的理解3)开发有效生产含有MF和MF-c4的生物燃料的实用技术和工艺调查MF (MF-c)（包括非常规排放）涉及健康问题的影响该研究计划将包括3个主要工作包（WP）： WP1涉及MF/MF-c作为燃料在发动机中的性能评估。将开展基础理论研究，研究MF和MF-c生物油的燃料特性，并与汽油和柴油的主要成分相比，在点火和燃烧化学方面获得更多的知识。先进的光学诊断将应用于研究中频和中频混合物的喷射和燃烧过程。WP2关注MF生产方法的进步。各种木质纤维素生物质残留物将被表征其元素、物理和化学性质，并通过使用TG-MS技术确定最佳生物质类型和生物质降解条件，从而产生作为中间热解产物的糠醛和糠醛醇的最佳产量。WP3用于评估MF的毒性和对环境的影响。它将涉及实验研究，以确定低浓度的MF是否具有遗传毒性。这些结果与预测的人类对MF暴露水平的信息相结合，将用于形成对MF对人类的毒性和MF作为替代燃料来源的安全性进行更合理的风险评估的基础。

Since a fundamental approach to identify and determine the reaction mechanisms in making furanics using fructose as the starting material has been reported by both Nature and Science as the breakthroughs in future biofuel production technology, in the real world, the fructose will come from biomass such as crop residues, forest waste, municipal waste and energy crops. The capability to work on sustainable feedstock and address those which have little or no cellulose within their structure is critically important in order to utilise a wide range of biomass sources for biofuel production. This project will expand the previous work on 2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF), to cover the research on production technology converting biomass to furan series as well as characterisation of a more attractive furanic family member 2-Methylfuran (MF). Biomass derived fuels like MF is not the only product formed from the biomass conversion. Bio MF is produced as a mixture with other compounds, referred to henceforth as MF-c (MF compounds), resulting from the degradation of the original biomass. The present project aims to investigate systematically a whole technological pathway for the use and production of furanics (MF and MF compounds) as novel engine fuels via biomass conversion. The research will involve bioenergy and engine combustion technological areas and it will target the following specific objectives: 1) To investigate the behaviours and combustion characteristics of MF and real-world MF-c based bio-oil in engines using experimental and numerical approaches2) To improve understanding of mechanisms for production of bio-oils with MF and MF-c starting with lignocellulosic biomass 3) To develop practical technology and process for efficient production of biofuels containing MF and MF-c4) To investigate the impact of MF (MF-c) (including non-conventional emissions) involving health issues of users and CO2 footprint in the production and application of MF based biofuels The research programme will consist of 3 main Work Packages (WP): WP1 concerns the assessment of MF/MF-c performance in engines as fuels. Fundamental theoretical studies will be carried out to investigate the fuel properties of MF and MF-c bio-oils and expanded knowledge will be obtained about the fuel in terms of ignition and combustion chemistry compared with main components of gasoline and diesel. Advanced optical diagnostics will be applied to study the spray and combustion processes of MF and MF blends. WP2 concerns advancement of MF production methodology. A variety of lignocellulosic biomass residues will be characterised for their elemental, physical and chemical properties and by using TG-MS techniques the optimal biomass type and biomass degradation conditions which produces optimal yields of furfural and furfural alcohol as intermediate pyrolysis products will be determined. WP3 is for assessment of the toxicity of MF and impact on the environment. It will involve experimental study to determine whether MF is genotoxic at low concentrations. The results, in combination with information about predicted levels of human exposure to MF would then be used to form the basis of a more rational risk-assessment of the toxicity of MF in humans and the safety of MF as an alternative fuel source.