Roberta J. Nichols

Bio: Roberta J. Nichols is an academic researcher from Ford Motor Company. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hydrogen fuel enhancement & Internal combustion engine. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 9 publications receiving 1205 citations. Previous affiliations of Roberta J. Nichols include Dartmouth College.

Fuel ethanol from cellulosic biomass.

Abstract: Ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is examined as a large-scale transportation fuel. Desirable features include ethanol's fuel properties as well as benefits with respect to urban air quality, global climate change, balance of trade, and energy security. Energy balance, feedstock supply, and environmental impact considerations are not seen as significant barriers to the widespread use of fuel ethanol derived from cellulosic biomass. Conversion economics is the key obstacle to be overcome. In light of past progress and future prospects for research-driven improvements, a cost-competitive process appears possible in a decade.

Fuel Ethanol from Cellulosic Biomass

Abstract: Ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is examined as a large-scale transportation fuel. Desirable features include ethanol's fuel properties as well as benefits with respect to urban air quality, global climate change, balance of trade, and energy security. Energy balance, feedstock supply, and environmental impact considerations are not seen as significant barriers to the widespread use of fuel ethanol derived from cellulosic biomass. Conversion economics is the key obstacle to be overcome. In light of past progress and future prospects for research-driven improvements, a cost-competitive process appears possible in a decade.

Control system for engine operation using two fuels of different volatility

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and second fuel of different volatility, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine includes calculating a base amount of fuel mixture needed to achieve a desired air to fuel ratio at a predetermined engine operating condition. Such a base amount of fuel mixture is modified as a function of the temperature of the internal combustion engine and is a function of the percentage of the first fuel.

Control system for engine operation using two fuels of different volumetric energy content

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of fuel mixture, including a first and a second fuel of different volumetric energy content, to be supplied to an internal combustion engine determines a desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels are determined. The desired air fuel ratio for the fuel mixture is determined as a function of the desired air fuel ratios for the first and second fuels.

Spark timing control of multiple fuel engine

Abstract: A method for controlling the amount of spark advance for an internal combustion engine using a fuel mixture having a first and a second fuel of different volatility and volumetric energy content. The percentage of the first fuel in the fuel mixture is sensed and a desired base spark advance is determined. The desired base spark advance is adjusted as a function of the percentage of the first fuel to achieve a desired engine operating condition.

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

Abstract: 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

Microbial cellulose utilization: fundamentals and biotechnology.

Abstract: Fundamental features of microbial cellulose utilization are examined at successively higher levels of aggregation encompassing the structure and composition of cellulosic biomass, taxonomic diversity, cellulase enzyme systems, molecular biology of cellulase enzymes, physiology of cellulolytic microorganisms, ecological aspects of cellulase-degrading communities, and rate-limiting factors in nature. The methodological basis for studying microbial cellulose utilization is considered relative to quantification of cells and enzymes in the presence of solid substrates as well as apparatus and analysis for cellulose-grown continuous cultures. Quantitative description of cellulose hydrolysis is addressed with respect to adsorption of cellulase enzymes, rates of enzymatic hydrolysis, bioenergetics of microbial cellulose utilization, kinetics of microbial cellulose utilization, and contrasting features compared to soluble substrate kinetics. A biological perspective on processing cellulosic biomass is presented, including features of pretreated substrates and alternative process configurations. Organism development is considered for "consolidated bioprocessing" (CBP), in which the production of cellulolytic enzymes, hydrolysis of biomass, and fermentation of resulting sugars to desired products occur in one step. Two organism development strategies for CBP are examined: (i) improve product yield and tolerance in microorganisms able to utilize cellulose, or (ii) express a heterologous system for cellulose hydrolysis and utilization in microorganisms that exhibit high product yield and tolerance. A concluding discussion identifies unresolved issues pertaining to microbial cellulose utilization, suggests approaches by which such issues might be resolved, and contrasts a microbially oriented cellulose hydrolysis paradigm to the more conventional enzymatically oriented paradigm in both fundamental and applied contexts.