State Water Resources Research Institute Program
Project ID: 2012SD216B
Title: Evaluation of wastewater produced in biomass pyrolysis process
Project Type: Research
Start Date: 3/01/2012
End Date: 2/29/2013
Congressional District: First
Focus Categories: Wastewater, Water Use, Treatment
Keywords: Wastewater, biomass, pyrolysis, biofuels, catalyst
Principal Investigators: Wei, Lin (South Dakota State University); Trooien, Todd P.
Federal Funds: $ 11,360
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $ 22,625
Abstract: Using a catalytic pyrolysis process to convert lignocellulose biomass into drop in fuels
for green gasoline, diesel, and/or jet fuels production has been showing promise in the last
decade. Depending on the biomass species, reactor types, and operating condition used, however,
there will be about 20 - 60 % of wastewater generated while drop-in fuels are produced. The
wastewater may contain organic and inorganic contaminants, such as acetic acids, phenols,
alcohols, polyaromatic compounds, ammonia, H2S, chlorides, and traces of platinum group
metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru) depending on the catalysts used. These contaminants may make the
wastewater unusable for some purposes. Even after processing for extra value-added products,
many of these compounds still may be left behind and resist biological degradation or exert
significant toxicity toward the environment. In order to explore effective approaches to make the
wastewater usable for still other purposes, the goal of this study is to evaluate the quantity and
characterize the wastewater produced in catalytic pyrolysis of various biomass feedstocks. The
research will collect wastewater samples from catalytic pyrolysis of corn stover, sawdust, and
cordgrass. Three feedstocks and four different operating conditions will be tested. The analysis
of inorganic constituents and the metals used in the catalysts (Pt, Pd, Rh, or Ru) in wastewater
will be conducted. Selected physical and chemical properties of the wastewater will be analyzed
immediately (pH, dissolved oxygen). Additional properties (ammonia, TSS, EC, selected ion
concentrations including sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and
bicarbonate) will be analyzed by the South Dakota Ag Lab. Baseline analyses will be based on
the irrigation suite of analyses. Finally, concentrations of the metal(s) used in the catalyst(s) will
be measured by the SD Public Health Lab. Based on the results of characterization and analysis
of the wastewater, the study will provide useful information and suggestions for renewable
energy industries, biomass producers, and/or lawmakers and the research team will search for
more external funds for further research.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://water.usgs.gov/wrri/2012grants/2012SD216B.html
Page Contact Information: Earl Greene
Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 15-Jan-2013 02:50:05 EST
