Temperature dependence of levoglucosan yield from fast pyrolysis of acid infused biomass

Abstract

Background: We have previously shown that alkali and alkaline earth metals inherent in biomass, which catalyze pyranose ring breaking reactions during fast pyrolysis, can be passivated using mineral acid infusions thereby significantly enhancing the yield of levoglucosan (LG). Results & Discussion: The temperature dependence of LG yield for fast pyrolysis was studied using a micropyrolyzer/GC/flame ionization detector system, and acid-infused switchgrass, red oak and loblolly pine feedstocks. The study revealed that the yield of LG from acid-infused biomass is almost constant in the temperature range of 350–500°C. Conclusion: The results points to potential low temperature pyrolysis of acid-infused biomass feedstocks for enhanced recovery of the LG produced.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The financial support of the US Department of Energy (award number DE-FG36–08GO18205) and Phillips 66 Company for this work are gratefully acknowledged. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.