Basic Information

Abstract Number: 1860-4     Author Name: William Douglas Goodman Affiliation: PerkinElmer Session Title: GC Analysis: Fuels (Half Session) Event Type: Oral Event Title: Characterization of Cellulose Based Biofuels with Headspace and Pyrolysis GC/MS Presider(s): Kokosa, John Start Time: 11:05 AM ( Slot # 4 ) Date: Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 Location: S504d Keywords: Biofuels, GC-MS, Headspace, Pyrolysis

Co-Authors

Name Affiliation Grecsek, Heidi L PerkinElmer Tipler, Andrew PerkinElmer

Abstract Content

Biofuels are a potential solution to limited supply and high price of oil and gas. The 1st generation fuels like bio-ethanol and biodiesel have hit road blocks with raw material supply issues and the food vs. fuel debate; this has prompted research into next generation biofuels with alternate source materials. Much of this Research is focused on converting cellulose based biomass, such as grasses and woody plants, into fuel. Cellulosic raw materials typically do not impact the production of food crops and have a potentially higher yield per acre. Two specific areas of research focusing on converting cellulosic biomass into fuel are: bio-butanol production through fermentation and pyrolysis of biomass into bio-oils. Butanol is a suitable replacement for gasoline because its energy content is closely matched and it is not hygroscopic. Pyrolysis of cellulosic materials can produce a number of different oils; these oils may be used in refining processes similar to heavy crude. The purpose of this paper is to develop simple and quick analytical methods to aid in development of next generation biofuels. A headspace-GC/MS technique for the analysis of alcohols in fermentation broth will support the production of bio-butanol. Pyrolysis GC/MS will allow evaluation of raw materials and small scale process design for bio-oil production.