Date of Award
5-2010
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Chemical and Paper Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. John Cameron
Second Advisor
Dr. Paul Fleming
Third Advisor
Dr. Valery Bliznyuk
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
The autohydrolysis of biomass was executed in the presence of glycerol at different concentrations, reac tion times and temperature levels. Demonstration of dif ferences in behavior of various lignocellulosic resources was done by selecting two different raw materials: wheat straw representing annual plants, and red oak, representing hardwoods. It was found that glycerol hin dered delignification of red oak at temperature around 200°C, facilitating the highest rate of hemicelluloses solubilization. However, the presence of glycerol in wheat straw autohydrolysis showed only very mild inhibi tion of delignification, noticeable at the highest reac tion temperatures. These differences in behavior are most likely due to variations in chemical structure of lignin of wood and agricultural residues.
Recommended Citation
Pekarovic, Matej, "Autohydrolysis of Red Oak and Wheat Straw with the Aid of Glycerol" (2010). Masters Theses. 327.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/327