Hydrodeoxygenation of lignin model compounds via thermal catalytic reactions

Lignin is an important component of biomass accounting for up to 30% by weight but up to 40% of the total energy content of the plant. As the push towards alternative fuels develops, more and more amounts of lignin will be gathered and used predominately as low grade boiler fuel to run primary processes. We argue there is usefulness in the conversion of lignin into value added specialty chemicals and fuels. In this work, a new approach for hydrodeoxygenation of lignin model compounds using platinum as the catalyst and organic solvent as the reaction medium was conducted, and the results were compared with those obtained using water as the reaction medium. It is shown that the organic solvent, with its increased hydrogen solubility, is able to hydrogenate the model compound with the same effect at lower temperature, hydrogen pressure, and time.MSCommittee Chair: Deng, Yulin; Committee Member: Banerjee, Sujit; Committee Member: Hsieh, Jeffer