Alexandria Digital Research Library

Catalytic Conversion of Woody Biomass to Small Molecules

Author:
Matson, Theodore Daniel
Degree Grantor:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Chemistry
Degree Supervisor:
Peter C. Ford
Place of Publication:
[Santa Barbara, Calif.]
Publisher:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Creation Date:
2012
Issued Date:
2012
Topics:
Chemistry, Inorganic, Alternative Energy, and Agriculture, Wood Technology
Genres:
Online resources and Dissertations, Academic
Dissertation:
Ph.D.--University of California, Santa Barbara, 2012
Description:

Efficient methodologies for converting lignocellulosic biomass to replacements for or blends with gasoline, diesel, and/or jet fuel have the potential to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions while providing economic impetus for the expanded production of low-cost herbaceous and woody solids. Quantitative catalytic conversion of wood and cellulose to liquid and gaseous products in a single stage reactor operating at 300--350 °C and 160--220 atm is described. Little or no char is formed in the reactions. The reaction medium is supercritical methanol and the catalyst, copper supported on earth-abundant metal oxides, is inexpensive and easily prepared. The major liquid product is a mixture of C2--C6 aliphatic alcohols and methyl ether derivatives thereof, which are in principle suitable for use as a blend with, or replacement for, gasoline. General background, model studies, and a mechanistic hypothesis accounting for the conversion of high molecular weight polymers to low-boiling molecular entities are presented.

Physical Description:
1 online resource (256 pages)
Format:
Text
Collection(s):
UCSB electronic theses and dissertations
ARK:
ark:/48907/f3959fht
ISBN:
9781267294685
Catalog System Number:
990037518940203776
Rights:
Inc.icon only.dark In Copyright
Copyright Holder:
Theodore Matson
Access: This item is restricted to on-campus access only. Please check our FAQs or contact UCSB Library staff if you need additional assistance.