BIOMASS COMBUSTION STUDY: Model Compounds of Lignin Pyrolysis

1
BIOMASS COMBUSTION STUDY Model Compounds of
Lignin Pyrolysis

• Sandor Rosta
• Advisor John W. Daily Ph.D
• University of Colorado, Boulder
• Department of Mechanical Engineering

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 1/6
2
MOTIVATION

• Combustion Chemistry of Biomass Gasification
• Applications in
• Wildland Fire
• Energy Generation

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 2/6
3
BACKGROUND

• Biomass Materials
• Composite of Organic Polymers
• Cellulose
• Hemicellulose
• Lignin
• Extractables
• Pyrolysis
• Heating in the absence of oxygen
• Different compounds decompose differently

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 3/6
4
LIGNIN

• Second Most abundant organic substance on earth
• Amorphous Polymeric Material
• Makes up 20-40 mature wood tissue
• Provides strength and durability
• Protects plants against microorganisms

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 4/6
5
SHORT TERM GOALS

• Identify Compounds associated with Lignin
  pyrolysis
• Determine Model Compounds
• Analyze the products that are formed when those
  compounds are burned
• Chemkin

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 5/6
6
LONG TERM GOALS

• Burn synthetic fuels in air
• Measure the formed products
• Gas chromatography
• Stable species
• Laser spectroscopy
• Radical species

MCEN 5208 10.13.04 6/6