Development of functionalized biochar based catalysts for production of low carbon fuels

由于需要减少导致气候变化的废物处理、资源开采和排放，循环经济的概念正受到越来越多的关注。为了实现这一目标，我们必须开发将废物转化为有价值的产品的过程。我的研究计划的长期目标可以被描述为“废物资源化”，因为我们将开发将废物转化为燃料、化学品和材料的催化和热化学过程。我的短期目标是开发用于生产低碳燃料的新型生物炭催化剂。虽然生物炭在减少污染和土壤改良等方面已经得到了研究，但它显示出极大的潜力被开发成生产低碳燃料的高效、可再生和可持续的催化剂；然而，它的催化性能还没有被很好地了解。我的研究计划将集中在：目标1：获得对复杂原料的气化和热解过程中生物炭性质如何演变的机械见解。我们将评估清洁生物质、塑料/生物质混合物和植物修复生物质在气化/热解过程中产生的孔演化、挥发物的相互作用、金属的表面迁移率和表面功能。目标2：设计生物炭表面以获得用于生产低碳燃料的高性能催化剂。这将通过(I)通过化学或物理处理对表面进行改性或(Ii)在表面添加催化金属来开发。这些催化剂将用于焦油重整以生物质生产合成气，以及甲烷脱碳以CH4生产氢气。目的3：测定废生物炭催化剂用于沼气净化的活性。我们将研究废生物炭催化剂的物理化学性质和性能，并与生物炭和活性碳进行比较。另一个目标是培训HQP，他们将通过这些技术的实际实施为社会做出贡献。新颖性和影响我的研究计划将为具有挑战性的原料开发应用程序，例如混合废物，由于现有技术通常过于昂贵，这些废物通常被处理。我们将建立生物炭生产过程中反应机理的基本知识，这将为开发废物转化工艺奠定基础。我们的工作将研究金属在生物炭催化活性中的作用，这一点还没有被很好地理解。我们将对生物炭进行后处理，以提高其性能。虽然其他人还没有调查废生物炭催化剂的利用，但建立这些催化剂的应用支持循环经济。这种做法使市政当局以及林业、农业和食品业受益，因为它将负债转化为有价值的产品。这也满足了我们通过生产可再生和低碳燃料来减少温室气体排放的迫切需要。总体而言，它将创造就业、财富和环境保护。

The concept of a circular economy is gaining attention due to the need to reduce waste disposal, resource extraction, and emissions that contribute to climate change. To achieve this we must develop processes to convert waste into valuable products. The long-term objectives of my research program can be characterized as "waste-to-resource" as we will develop catalytic and thermochemical processes for the conversion of waste to fuels, chemicals and materials. My short-term objectives focus on developing novel biochar-based catalysts for the production of low carbon fuels. While biochar has been studied for applications such as pollution reduction and soil amendment, it shows excellent potential to be developed into a highly effective renewable and sustainable catalyst for production of low carbon fuels; however, its catalytic properties are not well understood. My research program will focus on: Objective 1: Gain mechanistic insights into how biochar properties evolve during gasification and pyrolysis of complex feedstocks. We will evaluate pore evolution, interactions of volatiles, surface mobility of metals and surface functionalities developed during gasification/pyrolysis of clean biomass, plastic/biomass mixtures, and biomass from phytoremediation. Objective 2: Engineer biochar surfaces to achieve high-performing catalysts for the production of low carbon fuels. These will be developed by (i) modifying the surface via chemical or physical treatments or (ii) adding catalytic metals to the surface. These catalysts will be tested for tar reforming to produce syngas from biomass and methane decarbonization to produce H2 from CH4. Objective 3: Determine activity of spent biochar catalyst for biogas cleaning. We will study the physical and chemical properties, and performance of spent biochar catalysts compared to biochar and activated carbon. Another objective is training HQP who will contribute to society with the practical implementation of these technologies. Novelty and Impact My research program will develop applications for challenging feedstocks such as mixed waste that is typically disposed of since existing technologies are normally too costly. We will establish fundamental knowledge of reaction mechanisms during biochar production which will form the foundation for developing processes for waste conversion. Our work will examine the role of metals in biochar's catalytic activity, which is not well understood. We will post-process the biochar to engineer enhanced properties. While others have not investigated utilization of spent biochar catalysts, establishing applications for these supports a circular economy. This approach benefits municipalities and forestry, agricultural and food industries by turning a liability into a valuable product. This also addresses our critical need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by producing renewable and low carbon fuels. Overall it will create jobs, wealth and environmental protection.