Talk, Karl C. Kharas
Dr. Karl C. Kharas (Range Fuels, Inc.) gives a seminar talk for the ORNL Chemical Sciences Division titled: "Catalytic issues concerning liquid fuels production from biomass using thermochemical approaches".
This presentation analyzes challenges associated with economic conversion of biosyngas to liquid fuels. Current market preferences, influenced by incentives, favor ethanol. Catalytic options for ethanol synthesis are assessed. Promoted metal sulfides may offer a good option for direct synthesis of ethanol. Compositions yielding improved rates of ethanol formation are discussed, as are simple chemical tests that correlate with performance. Unexpected deactivation pathways are discussed, together with means of maintaining catalyst stability. Indirect pathways to ethanol are suggested.
Host: John Story (946-1232)
