Catalytic Conversion of Woody Biomass to Small Molecules
- 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
- Other Versions:
- http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3505293
- ARK:
- ark:/48907/f3959fht
- ISBN:
- 9781267294685
- Catalog System Number:
- 990037518940203776
- Copyright:
- Theodore Matson, 2012
- Rights:
- In Copyright
- Copyright Holder:
- Theodore Matson
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