1.0. Introduction 4044 2.0. Biomass Chemistry and Growth Rates 4047 2.1. Lignocellulose and Starch-Based Plants 4047 2.2. Triglyceride-Producing Plants 4049 2.3. Algae 4050 2.4. Terpenes and Rubber-Producing Plants 4052 3.0. Biomass Gasification 4052 3.1. Gasification Chemistry 4052 3.2. Gasification Reactors 4054 3.3. Supercritical Gasification 4054 3.4. Solar Gasification 4055 3.5. Gas Conditioning 4055 4.0. Syn-Gas Utilization 4056 4.1. Hydrogen Production by Water−Gas Shift Reaction 4056

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Synthesis of transportation fuels from biomass: chemistry, catalysts, and engineering.

Biomass is an important feedstock for the renewable production of fuels, chemicals, and energy. As of 2005, over 3% of the total energy consumption in the United States was supplied by biomass, and it recently surpassed hydroelectric energy as the largest domestic source of renewable energy. Similarly, the European Union received 66.1% of its renewable energy from biomass, which thus surpassed the total combined contribution from hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy, and solar power. In addition to energy, the production of chemicals from biomass is also essential; indeed, the only renewable source of liquid transportation fuels is currently obtained from biomass.

The Catalytic Valorization of Lignin for the Production of Renewable Chemicals

and Fuels Changzhi Li,† Xiaochen Zhao,† Aiqin Wang,† George W. Huber,†,‡ and Tao Zhang*,† †State Key Laborotary of Catalysis, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China ‡Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of WisconsinMadison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States

Catalytic Transformation of Lignin for the Production of Chemicals and Fuels

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a subset of metal oxides that represent a diverse range of molecular clusters with an almost unmatched range of physical properties and the ability to form dynamic structures that can range in size from the nano- to the micrometer scale Herein we present the very latest developments from synthesis to structure and function of POMs We discuss the possibilities of creating highly sophisticated functional hierarchical systems with multiple, interdependent, functionalities along with a critical analysis that allows the non-specialist to learn the salient features We propose and present a "periodic table of polyoxometalate building blocks" We also highlight some of the current issues and challenges that need to be addressed to work towards the design of functional systems based upon POM building blocks and look ahead to possible emerging application areas

Polyoxometalates: Building Blocks for Functional Nanoscale Systems

As petroleum prices continue to increase, it is likely that biofuels will play an ever-increasing role in our energy future. The processing of biomass-derived feedstocks (including cellulosic, starch- and sugar-derived biomass, and vegetable fats) by catalytic cracking and hydrotreating is a promising alternative for the future to produce biofuels, and the existing infrastructure of petroleum refineries is well-suited for the production of biofuels, allowing us to rapidly transition to a more sustainable economy without large capital investments for new reaction equipment. This Review discusses the chemistry, catalysts, and challenges involved in the production of biofuels.

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Synergies between Bio‐ and Oil Refineries for the Production of Fuels from Biomass

Batch microreactor studies of lignin and lignin model compound depolymerization by bases in alcohol solvents

Sandia's hand-held MicroChemLab system uses a micromachined preconcentrator, a gas chromatography channel, and a quartz surface acoustic wave array detector for sensitive/selective detection of gas-phase chemical analytes. Requisite system size, performance, power budget, and time response mandate microfabrication of the key analytical system components. In the fielded system, hybrid integration has been employed, permitting optimization of the individual components. Recent improvements in the hybrid-integrated system, using plastic, metal, or silicon/glass manifolds, is described, as is system performance against semivolatile compounds and toxic industrial chemicals. The design and performance of a new three-dimensional micro-preconcentrator is also introduced. To further reduce system dead volume, eliminate unheated transfer lines, and simplify assembly, there is an effort to monolithically integrate the silicon PC and GC with a suitable silicon-based detector, such as a magnetically-actuated flexural plate wave sensor or a magnetically-actuated pivot plate resonator

Recent advancements in the gas-phase MicroChemLab

A new hydrous crystalline silicotitanate, labeled TAM-5 or CST, was developed for removing radioactive Cs+ from aqueous nuclear waste. This material is stable to radiation, highly selective for cesium relative to sodium, potassium, rubidium, and protons, and performs well in acidic, neutral, and basic solutions. Various experiments were conducted to determine the ion exchange properties of TAM-5. Two kinds of ion exchange sites exist in the solid, and cation exchange in one site affects the ion exchange properties of the other site. These two types of sites have different thermal effects: with increasing temperature the pH of one increases and the pH of the other one decreases. The total ion exchange capacity is 4.6 mequiv/g, but the cesium ion exchange capacity was less, which shows that not all of the ion exchange sites are available for cesium exchange. Step changes were observed in the ion exchange isotherms. The solid phase behaved ideally prior to the step changes. The apparent capacities within the...

Ion Exchange of Group I Metals by Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates

The aluminum Keggin polycation (Al13) has been identified as an effective specie for neutralization and coagulation of anionic contaminants in water. In this study, we compare efficacy of the aluminum Keggin-ion to the analogues containing a single Ga-atom or single Ge-atom (GaAl12 and GeAl12, respectively) substituted into the center of the polycation in water-treatment studies. We investigated removal of bacteriophage (model viruses), Cryptosporidium, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and turbidity. In every study, the order of contaminant removal efficacy trends GaAl12 > Al13 > GeAl12. By ESI MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry), we noted the GaAl12 deprotonates least of the three aluminum polycations, and thus probably carries the highest charge, and also optimal contaminant-neutralization ability. The ESI MS studies of the aluminum polycation solutions, as well as solid-state characterization of their resulting precipitates both reveal some conversion of Al13 to larger polycations, Al30 for instance. The GaAl12 does not show any evidence for this alteration that is responsible for poor shelf life of commercial prehydrolyzed aluminum coagulants such as polyaluminum chloride. Based on these studies, we conclude that substitution of a single Ga-atom in the center of the aluminum Keggin polycation produces an optimal water-treatment product due to enhanced shelf life and efficacy in neutralization of anionic contaminants.

Enhanced Water Purification: A Single Atom Makes a Difference∥

A process for fabricating a gas impermeable seal on a porous ceramic surface using a thin, glass-based, pinhole free glaze. The process can be used to fabricate gas impermeable end seals on porous alumina tubes used as filter media. The porous alumina tubes can have an inorganic microporous thin film separation membrane on the inner surface, which can be used for high temperature gas separation processes.

Daniel E. Trudell

Papers

Batch microreactor studies of lignin and lignin model compound depolymerization by bases in alcohol solvents

Recent advancements in the gas-phase MicroChemLab

Ion Exchange of Group I Metals by Hydrous Crystalline Silicotitanates

Enhanced Water Purification: A Single Atom Makes a Difference∥

Gas impermeable glaze for sealing a porous ceramic surface