Effects of calcium carbonate on the partial oxidation of catechol

FUEL 100

Jerome A. Robles, jroble1@lsu.edu and Mary J. Wornat, mjwornat@lsu.edu. Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University, South Stadium Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70803
In order to investigate the effects of inorganic components on complex fuels during combustion, we have performed experiments in an isothermal flow reactor, using the model fuel catechol (ortho-dihydroxybenzene), a phenol-type compound representative of coal, biomass and wood, with calcium carbonate, a common inorganic component in solid fuels. Catechol vapor, produced by sublimation with a carrier gas, enters the quartz tube reactor and into a bed of calcium carbonate supported in quartz wool. Condensed-phase and gas-phase products are collected at the end of the reactor and are analyzed using gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and non-dispersive infrared analyzers. The experiments, performed from 400 to 600 oC, show that with oxygen, catechol conversion undergoes complete conversion at temperatures above 500 oC. Conversion is enhanced in the presence of calcium carbonate. This higher conversion, coupled with the catalytic effects of calcium carbonate, results in higher yields for certain products.
 

Biofuels: Lignocellulosic Biofuels
1:15 PM-5:10 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 Boston Park Plaza -- Arlington Rm, Oral

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007