1. B IOMASS C OMBUSTION S TUDY : Model Compounds of Lignin Pyrolysis Sandor Rosta Advisor: John W. Daily Ph.D University of Colorado, Boulder Department of Mechanical Engineering MCEN 5208 10.13.04 1/6

2. M OTIVATION Combustion Chemistry of Biomass Gasification Combustion Chemistry of Biomass Gasification Applications in: Applications in: Wildland Fire Wildland Fire Energy Generation Energy Generation MCEN 5208 10.13.04 2/6

3. B ACKGROUND Biomass Materials Biomass Materials Composite of Organic Polymers Composite of Organic Polymers Cellulose Cellulose Hemicellulose Hemicellulose Lignin Lignin Extractables Extractables Pyrolysis Pyrolysis Heating in the absence of oxygen Heating in the absence of oxygen Different compounds decompose differently Different compounds decompose differently MCEN 5208 10.13.04 3/6

4. L IGNIN Second Most abundant organic substance on earth Second Most abundant organic substance on earth Amorphous Polymeric Material Amorphous Polymeric Material Makes up 20-40% mature wood tissue Makes up 20-40% mature wood tissue Provides strength and durability Provides strength and durability Protects plants against microorganisms Protects plants against microorganisms MCEN 5208 10.13.04 4/6

5. S HORT T ERM G OALS Identify Compounds associated with Lignin pyrolysis Identify Compounds associated with Lignin pyrolysis Determine Model Compounds Determine Model Compounds Analyze the products that are formed when those compounds are burned Analyze the products that are formed when those compounds are burned Chemkin Chemkin MCEN 5208 10.13.04 5/6

6. L ONG T ERM G OALS Burn synthetic fuels in air Burn synthetic fuels in air Measure the formed products Measure the formed products Gas chromatography Gas chromatography Stable species Stable species Laser spectroscopy Laser spectroscopy Radical species Radical species MCEN 5208 10.13.04 6/6