Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
École Polytechnique de Montréal
$150,000.00
GC-MS characterization of carboxylic acids and essential oils derived through through heterogeneous catalysis and extraction
FY 2011-12
Summary
The mega trend for the world chemical industry is to substitute petroleum for renewable resources - biorefineries. Different biochemical and thermo-chemical routes are used to breakdown carbohydrates, lignin, cellulose, etc. into simple molecules which then may be used as building block to more complex molecules - often these molecules are used as fuel - methanol, ethanol, butanol, diesel, etc. Converting biomass to fuel adds less value versus maintaining the basic molecular structure and producing a more functional molecule. The aim of this project is to optimize one of the most promising routes for transforming sugars, lignin, glycerol (derived from biodiesel) and lactic acid into value added chemicals, including carboxylic acids, via heterogeneous catalytic conversion.
Our team has in place the experimental equipment to activate biomass by directly injecting crude glycerol or sugary liquors into a fluidized bed operating at high temperatures. Glycerol to acrolein is one of our demonstrated processes. For lignin and carbohydrates, we require more sophisticated analytical instruments to not only characterize the feedstock but also the products.
The equipment requested in this proposal will allow us to identify the products, quantify yields and optimize process conditions and catalyst compositions. The GC-MS will be used for four projects: lignin oxidation, pentose/hexose conversion, lactic acid dehydration and stability of essential oils. The expected portfolio of molecules in the program is significant and therefore a dedicated instrument is required for the program. In addition, to further our understanding of the operation of the fluidized bed reactors and to condition the biomass, we are requesting financing for an infrared camera and steam generator.
The programs now underway have been initiated with the collaboration of NSERC as well as major petroleum, chemical and catalyst companies. We anticipate that as many as 10 graduate - doctoral and masters - and undergraduate students will work with the equipment.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Quebec, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
422232-2012
Name nom
Patience, GregoryS
Department département
Génie chimique
Organization id
64
Institution établissement
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2011
Competition year année de concours
2012
Award amount
150000
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1511
Committee name en
Materials and Chemical Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie chimique et des matériaux
Area of application code
500
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Research subject code
1801
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Reaction fundamentals and reactor design
Research subject fr
Principes des réactions et conception de réacteurs
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
GC-MS characterization of carboxylic acids and essential oils derived through through heterogeneous catalysis and extraction
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The mega trend for the world chemical industry is to substitute petroleum for renewable resources - biorefineries. Different biochemical and thermo-chemical routes are used to breakdown carbohydrates, lignin, cellulose, etc. into simple molecules which then may be used as building block to more complex molecules - often these molecules are used as fuel - methanol, ethanol, butanol, diesel, etc. Converting biomass to fuel adds less value versus maintaining the basic molecular structure and producing a more functional molecule. The aim of this project is to optimize one of the most promising routes for transforming sugars, lignin, glycerol (derived from biodiesel) and lactic acid into value added chemicals, including carboxylic acids, via heterogeneous catalytic conversion.
Our team has in place the experimental equipment to activate biomass by directly injecting crude glycerol or sugary liquors into a fluidized bed operating at high temperatures. Glycerol to acrolein is one of our demonstrated processes. For lignin and carbohydrates, we require more sophisticated analytical instruments to not only characterize the feedstock but also the products.
The equipment requested in this proposal will allow us to identify the products, quantify yields and optimize process conditions and catalyst compositions. The GC-MS will be used for four projects: lignin oxidation, pentose/hexose conversion, lactic acid dehydration and stability of essential oils. The expected portfolio of molecules in the program is significant and therefore a dedicated instrument is required for the program. In addition, to further our understanding of the operation of the fluidized bed reactors and to condition the biomass, we are requesting financing for an infrared camera and steam generator.
The programs now underway have been initiated with the collaboration of NSERC as well as major petroleum, chemical and catalyst companies. We anticipate that as many as 10 graduate - doctoral and masters - and undergraduate students will work with the equipment.
