Catalytic fast pyrolysis of cellulose to prepare levoglucosenone using sulfated zirconia.

Sulfated zirconia was employed as catalyst for fast pyrolysis of cellulose to prepare levoglucosenone (LGO), a very important anhydrosugar for organic synthesis. The yield and the selectivity of LGO were studied in a fixed-bed reactor at different temperatures and cellulose/catalyst mass ratios. The experiments of catalyst recycling were also carried out. The results displayed that from 290 to 400 °C, the liquid and solid accounted for more than 95 wt % of products, and the higher temperature led to more liquid and less solid products. The introduction of SO4²â»/ZrO2 could promote cellulose conversion and LGO production. The temperature had a similar effect on the yield and selectivity of LGO at different cellulose/catalyst mass ratios. The maximum yield was obtained at 335 °C. Although the structure of the parent ZrO2 was retained after recycles, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements, the activity of SO4²â»/ZrO2 could only be partially recovered by simply calcination. The catalytic activity decrease could be mainly attributed to SO4²â» leaching, and the activity could be restored by further impregnation of H2SO4.

[Physiological responses of Gracilaria lemaneiformis to copper stress].

Gracilaria lemaneiformis was exposed to 0, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 microg x L(-1) of Cu2+ to study its physiological responses to Cu2+ stress. When the Cu2+ concentration was > or = 50 microg x L(-1), the relative growth rate (RGR) of G. lemaneiformis decreased significantly, and the optimal quantum yield (Fv/Fm), the maximum relative electron transfer rate (rETRmax), and the relative electron transfer efficiency (alpha) exhibited the same variation trend, compared with the control. With the increase of Cu2+ concentration, the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and light saturation point (LSP) decreased significantly, light compensation point (LCP) had a significant increase, while chlorophyll a, carotenoid, and phycobiliprotein contents decreased after an initial increase. When the Cu2+ concentration reached 500 microg x L(-1), the chlorophyll a, carotenoid, and phycobiliprotein contents decreased significantly. It was suggested that G. lemaneiformis could tolerate low concentration Cu2+ stress, but its physiological activities were inhibited markedly when exposed to > or =50 microg x L(-1) of Cu2+.

Catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose with sulfated metal oxides: a promising method for obtaining high yield of light furan compounds.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was employed to achieve fast pyrolysis of cellulose and on-line analysis of the pyrolysis vapors. Three sulfated metal oxides (SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2), SO(4)(2-)/ZrO(2) and SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2)) were prepared and used for catalytic cracking of the pyrolysis vapors. The distribution of the pyrolytic products was significantly altered by the catalysts. Those important primary pyrolytic products, such as levoglucosan and hydroxyacetaldehyde, were significantly decreased or even completely eliminated. Meanwhile, the catalysis increased three light furan compounds (5-methyl furfural, furfural and furan) greatly. In regard to the selectivity of the three catalysts, the SO(4)(2-)/SnO(2) was the most effective catalyst for obtaining 5-methyl furfural, while the SO(4)(2-)/TiO(2) favored the formation of furfural and the SO(4)(2-)/ZrO(2) favored the formation of furan.

Thermal conversion of rice husks and sawdust to liquid fuel.

The paper focuses on studying the conversion of rice husks and sawdust into liquid fuel. Rice husks, sawdust and their mixture are pyrolyzed at temperatures between 420 and 540 degrees C, and the main product of liquid fuel is obtained. The experimental result shows that the yield of liquid fuel depends on various factors such as feedstock and temperature. The maximum yields for rice husks, sawdust and their mixture are 56%, 61% and 60% at 465, 490 and 475 degrees C, respectively. Analyses with GC-MS and other apparatus show that the liquid fuel is a complicated compound with low caloric value and can be directly used as a fuel oil for combustion in a boiler or a furnace without any upgrading. Alternatively, the fuel can be refined to be used by vehicles.