Characterization of Fast Pyrolysis Products From Michigan Based Feedstocks Using GC/MS

Michigan has always had a rich biodiversity and has much to offer the alternative energy community in terms of biomass feedstock, namely wood.  There has recently been a resurgence in efforts to produce biofuels due to concerns about climate change, job creation, and energy security.  In addition to existing biofuels production from corn and crop oils, one possible route for biofuels production is to utilize the products obtained from a fast pyrolysis method with non-food woody biomass feedstocks.  In this research our goal is to characterize, and obtain a distribution for, the products obtained from Michigan’s viable woody feedstocks through fast pyrolysis.  The feedstocks to be investigated include: poplar, willow, red maple, balsam, and aspen.  This work will be accomplished with the use of a Pyroprobe 5200 micropyrolysis reactor (CDS Analytical, Inc.) in-line with a Trace Gas Chromatograph Ultra (Restek Rxi-5ms capillary column) and Trace DSQ Mass Spectrometer (Thermo-Fisher Scientific).  In addition, major products will be quantified and studied with variation in pyrolysis temperature at three intervals from 500 to 700.  To date, compounds identified include phenolics, organic acids, aldehydes, and degradation products such as hydroxycarbofuran, and this poster will present a full characterization of all the feedstocks identified above.