NSF EPSCoR: Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry to Model, Understand and Improve the Thermal Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Fuel

Thermal treatments are typically applied to lignocellulosic biomass in order to render it a better energy feedstock. However, prior to being thermally treated, lignocellulosic biomass is often preprocessed by oxidative methods, which alter the properties of the biomass as well as its behavior during thermal treatments. In order to properly integrate these processes, it is important to understand the effect of oxidative pretreatments on the properties of biomass and on its behavior during subsequent thermal treatments. Obtaining this fundamental understanding represents the ultimate goal of this project.