Biomass is a renewable resource that shows promise in a variety of applications such as alternative fuels and synthetic chemical processes. This report will analyze molten salts with varying compositions of carbonates and hydroxides and their effects on the biomass gasification. It is proposed that the highly ionic molten salt media acts to break down lignin binding cellulose and hemi cellulose and long-chain cellulose strands into smaller sugars in a manner that does not alter the molten salt. Experimental results indicate the production of syngas from the proposed process, and that the molten salts catalyze the reaction between carbon dioxide, water, and char left over from pyrolysis to produce carbon monoxide.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Humerick, Zachary L.
• Alden, Nicholas P.
• Teixeira, Andrew Robert

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043009-113716

Award

• Provost's MQP Award

Advisor

• Dittami, James P.
• Datta, Ravindra

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-04-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-01-20