Stand-alone slurry hydroprocessing of lignocellulosic bio-oils with unsupported catalysts – catalyst and process development

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Solving the discrepancy between the direct and relative-rate determinations of unimolecular reaction kinetics of dimethyl- substituted Criegee intermediate (CH3)2COO using a new photolytic precursor

We have performed direct kinetic measurements of thermal unimolecular reaction of (CH3)2COO in the temperature 243– 340 K and pressure 5–350 Torr ranges using time-resolved UV-absorption spectroscopy. We have utilized a new photolytic precursor, 2-bromo-2-iodopropane ((CH3)2CIBr), which photolysis at 213 nm in presence of O2 produces acetone oxide, (CH3)2COO. The results show that the thermal unimolecular reaction is more important main loss process of (CH3)2COO in the atmosphere than direct kinetic studies hitherto suggest. The current experiments show that the unimolecular reaction rate of (CH3)2COO at 296 K and atmospheric pressure is 899 ± 42 s-1. Probably more importantly, current measurements bring the direct and relative rate measurements of thermal unimolecular reaction kinetics of (CH3)2COO in quantitative agreement.Peer reviewe

An Experimental and Master Equation Investigation of Kinetics of the CH2OO+RCN Reactions (R = H, CH3, C2H5) and Their Atmospheric Relevance

We have performed direct kinetic measurements of the CH2OO + RCN reactions (R = H, CH3, C2H5) in the temperature range 233-360 K and pressure range 10-250 Torr using time-resolved UV-absorption spectroscopy. We have utilized a new photolytic precursor, chloroiodomethane (CH2ICl), whose photolysis at 193 nm in the presence of O2 produces CH2OO. Observed bimolecular rate coefficients for CH2OO + HCN, CH2OO + CH3CN, and CH2OO + C2H5CN reactions at 296 K are (2.22 +/- 0.65) x 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, (1.02 +/- 0.10) x 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, and (2.55 +/- 0.13) x 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively, suggesting that reaction with CH2OO is a potential atmospheric degradation pathway for nitriles. All the reactions have negligible temperature and pressure dependence in the studied regions. Quantum chemical calculations (omega B97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ optimization with CCSD(T)-F12a/VDZ-F12 electronic energy correction) of the CH2OO + RCN reactions indicate that the barrierless lowest-energy reaction path leads to a ring closure, resulting in the formation of a 1,2,4-dioxazole compound. Master equation modeling results suggest that following the ring closure, chemical activation in the case of CH2OO + HCN and CH2OO + CH3CN reactions leads to a rapid decomposition of 1,2,4-dioxazole into a CH2O + RNCO pair, or by a rearrangement, into a formyl amide (RC(O)NHC(O)H), followed by decomposition into CO and an imidic acid (RC(NH)OH). The 1,2,4-dioxazole, the CH2O + RNCO pair, and the CO + RC(NH)OH pair are atmospherically significant end products to varying degrees.Peer reviewe

Broadband Laser-Based Infrared Detector for Gas Chromatography

Cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy coupled with gas chromatography is used to quantitatively analyze a mixture of alcohols in a quasi-online manner. A full identification and quantification of all analytes are achieved based on their spectral fingerprints using a widely tunable continuous-wave laser as a light source. This can be done even in the case of interfering column/septum bleed or simultaneously eluted peaks. The combination of photoacoustic spectroscopy and gas chromatography offers a viable solution for compact and portable instruments in applications that require straightforward analyses with no consumables.Peer reviewe

Unimolecular Reaction Kinetics of Dimethyl-Substituted Stabilized Criegee Intermediate Acetone Oxide

The Criegee intermediates (CIs) have been the topic for several studies and their role in global atmospheric chemistry is becoming better understood. Isoprene and monoterpenes form a large portion of the total biogenic volatile organic compound emissions in the forested regions of the world, isoprene being the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon in the Earth's atmosphere. The carbon-carbon double bonds in these compounds are efficiently ozonized (the reaction where an unsaturated compound reacts with ozone) in the atmosphere leading to primary ozonides that subsequently decompose into Criegee intermediates and carbonyl compound molecules. Approximately 50 % of the CIs derived from acyclic alkenes immediately decompose in unimolecular reactions forming, e.g., hydroxyl radicals, the most important oxidizing species in the Earth’s atmosphere. The remainder is stabilized in atmospheric conditions in collisions with other molecules and are subsequently called stabilized Criegee intermediates (sCI). The sCI yields are often smaller, around 20 %, for Criegee intermediates formed in ozonolysis of cyclic alkenes, such as α-pinene. These sCIs can further react with atmospheric constituents (H2O, (H2O)2, SO2, NO2, organic acids etc.) in bimolecular reactions or decompose/isomerize in unimolecular reactions. The bimolecular reactions of sCIs with SO2 contribute significantly to the formation of atmospheric gas phase sulphuric acid and as such are an important factor in nucleation and formation of clouds. In the lower atmosphere, H2SO4 also has adverse health effects on humans and animals and causes corrosion of building materials. Additionally, unimolecular decay and bimolecular reactions of sCIs produce OH radicals. The experimental studies done so far have largely focused on the few simplest sCIs, i.e., formaldehyde oxide (H2COO), acetaldehyde oxide (CH3COO), and acetone oxide ((CH3)2COO). The studies on more complex sCIs, such as methyl vinyl ketone oxide and sCIs formed via ozonolysis of terpenes, are mostly done computationally. The literature review part of this work presents the basic mechanisms of formation and natural removal of sCIs as well as results of recent direct kinetic studies of sCIs with focus on the simplest ones (CH2OO, CH3CHOO, and (CH3)2COO). The methods of detection used in experimental studies are also considered. The experimental section concentrates on measurements of unimolecular decay kinetics of acetone oxide (CH3)2COO above and below room temperature using a new photolytic precursor (CH3)2CIBr. In the experimental section also the apparatus utilized in the research is presented along with the modifications and improvements made on the setup in this work. The calibrations done to ensure accurate measurements are also presented