In setting up analytical procedures, sample preparation is a common step which may require the use of toxic or corrosive substances with potential environmental and health hazard. Analytical pyrolysis (Py) coupled with GC-MS is a solventless technique requiring minimal sample preparation and reagent use. Methods based on Py/GC-MS have been developed with a higher degree of “greenness” in comparison to wet analysis (1). Py/GC-MS has been largely applied to the characterisation of complex and heterogeneous macromolecules deriving from the thermal and environmental degradation of biopolymers. Therefore, it represents a valid approach to study the liquid deriving from the thermochemical conversion of biomass (bio-oil) finalised to the production of biofuels and new chemicals (2). However, conventional Py/GC-MS is flawed by several factors (e.g. mass transfer, aerosol formation, memory effects) limiting its ability to provide an overall picture of the molecular composition of bio-oil without the aid of laborious solvent fractionation procedures. To the end of improving Py/GCMS, we have developed a new approach based on SPME sampling of pyrolysis products evolved from the sample heated at sequentially increasing temperatures (stepwise). Stepwise Py/SPME/GC-MS has been applied to the characterisation of complex bio-oils obtained from the thermochemical treatment of microalgae (3). We have now demonstrated that the method can be combined with on-fiber derivatisation expanding its potential to the analysis of polar constituents, such as thermal degradation products of polysaccharide and proteins.

Applications of Analytical Pyrolysis to the Development of Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass

FABBRI, DANIELE;TORRI, CRISTIAN
2012

Abstract

In setting up analytical procedures, sample preparation is a common step which may require the use of toxic or corrosive substances with potential environmental and health hazard. Analytical pyrolysis (Py) coupled with GC-MS is a solventless technique requiring minimal sample preparation and reagent use. Methods based on Py/GC-MS have been developed with a higher degree of “greenness” in comparison to wet analysis (1). Py/GC-MS has been largely applied to the characterisation of complex and heterogeneous macromolecules deriving from the thermal and environmental degradation of biopolymers. Therefore, it represents a valid approach to study the liquid deriving from the thermochemical conversion of biomass (bio-oil) finalised to the production of biofuels and new chemicals (2). However, conventional Py/GC-MS is flawed by several factors (e.g. mass transfer, aerosol formation, memory effects) limiting its ability to provide an overall picture of the molecular composition of bio-oil without the aid of laborious solvent fractionation procedures. To the end of improving Py/GCMS, we have developed a new approach based on SPME sampling of pyrolysis products evolved from the sample heated at sequentially increasing temperatures (stepwise). Stepwise Py/SPME/GC-MS has been applied to the characterisation of complex bio-oils obtained from the thermochemical treatment of microalgae (3). We have now demonstrated that the method can be combined with on-fiber derivatisation expanding its potential to the analysis of polar constituents, such as thermal degradation products of polysaccharide and proteins.
2012
XXIII Congresso Nazionale della Divisione di Chimica Analitica della Società Chimica Italiana
86
86
D. Fabbri; C. Torri
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/131377
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