Faculty Mentor
Dane Scott
Mentor Home Department
Chemistry
Short Abstract
To meet the growing demand for biofuel, it is imperative to find more efficient methods to process nonedible biomass. Previous studies have shown low temperature alcohol pretreatment to be a viable method to extract hexane from cellulose, as would be available in lignocellulosic biomass. The purpose of this study was to fill gaps in this research, determining the optimal hydrogen bronze and alcohol to maximize the hexane output, to verify glucose was produced from the procedure, and to ensure that peaks believed to represent hexane were accurate. The results of trials performed at 195°C in sealed hydrothermal vessels with various quantities and types of alcohols and bronzes showed that the peaks were likely hexane, glucose was successfully produced, and that the reaction was most productive with the hydrogen bronze MoO3 and the alcohol propanol. Further study is planned to determine the exact kinetics and mechanism of the reaction.
Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Start Date
5-4-2024 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2024 12:30 PM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
The Effects of Various Alcohols on Hexane Production in the Pretreatment of Lignocellulose
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
To meet the growing demand for biofuel, it is imperative to find more efficient methods to process nonedible biomass. Previous studies have shown low temperature alcohol pretreatment to be a viable method to extract hexane from cellulose, as would be available in lignocellulosic biomass. The purpose of this study was to fill gaps in this research, determining the optimal hydrogen bronze and alcohol to maximize the hexane output, to verify glucose was produced from the procedure, and to ensure that peaks believed to represent hexane were accurate. The results of trials performed at 195°C in sealed hydrothermal vessels with various quantities and types of alcohols and bronzes showed that the peaks were likely hexane, glucose was successfully produced, and that the reaction was most productive with the hydrogen bronze MoO3 and the alcohol propanol. Further study is planned to determine the exact kinetics and mechanism of the reaction.