FBRI & the Middle School Connection

Project: High-value Chemicals from Bioresources

Student: Melody Rhine

Mentors: Barbara Cole, Ray Fort

Abstract:
Substantial amounts of forest biomaterials including knotwood, bark, and foliage are underutilized in the forest products industry. The nature and distribution of extractives in waste biomaterials provide us with a potential source of high-value chemicals, such as trans-resveratrol. Trans-resveratrol (resveratrol), which is the preferred steric form, is an example of a polyphenol. Polyphenols generally have 3 physiological defense functions: as radical scavengers, as biocides, and as metal chelators. Resveratrol is found in various plants and wines, particularly red wines, and exhibits a multitude of favorable bioactivities: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, anti-platelet aggregation effect, anti-atherogenic property, oestrogen-like growth-promoting effect, growth-inhibiting activity, immunomodulation, and chemoprevention. In this project, resveratrol will be extracted from bark waste using accelerated solvent extraction, following which the compound will be isolated using purification methods and quantified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and various forms of High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the antioxidant properties of various secondary metabolites of bark, including flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans, will be investigated and quantified.

Interview with Melody Rhine on July 14, 2008 (7:01 minutes)

Survey of Various Logging Equipment and Its Relative Capacity to Harvest Biomass in Maine
Ian Stone

Adviser: Dr. Benjamin

The purpose of this project is to determine the amount and types of logging equipment utilized throughout the state of Maine. This project should provide knowledge about equipment that can be used in biomass energy harvests. Previous studies have used mail surveys of loggers to determine unused logging capacities (Egan et al 2006). Comprehensive knowledge of the amount of various pieces of equipment in operation would be very useful to determine the amount of equipment currently in use that has the potential to harvest biomass for energy purposes. The study will also show if loggers could use current equipment to harvest biomass for this emerging market, or if new equipment will have to be purchased. To accomplish this, a phone survey of insurance agents will be conducted. Results from this survey will establish whether most of the insurance is underwritten by in-state companies. If it is determined that in-state companies hold a majority of the market share, information from these companies will then be used to determine types of equipment that are being insured. Since even used logging equipment is quite expensive, almost all contractors would have a note on their equipment. Due to this fact, little to no logging equipment would be uninsured and the data from the insurance companies should capture 90 percent or better of the equipment. A second survey of logging contractors will be used to determine the logging systems they employ, whether they carry insurance on their equipment, and the amount of fuel that is used and relative efficiencies. In addition to these basic questions several questions will be asked to determine logger perceptions toward biomass harvest and their willingness to engage in this market. Expected findings are that the underwriter insurance companies’ records will provide sound information on the amount of equipment in use. In addition, the survey response rate from logging contractors is expected to be low, but the response rate in the sample should correspond well to the information from the insurance companies. If this is true, it means that information obtained from insurance companies about the logging equipment insured is likely what logging equipment is actually being used. This information can then be used in the future to determine combinations of equipment that could possibly be used in biomass harvests, as well as what equipment, if any, the average logger would need to purchase to break into this market.

Interview with Ian Stone on July 7, 2008 (39:31 minutes)

Project: The chemistry of nanocellulose.
Mentors: Dr. Barbara Cole, Dr. Ray Fort
Student: Tatyana Khamatnurova-Tomlin

Abstract:
The research of nanofibers and nanofibrillated cellulose was undertaken by the FBRI team. The Cole/Fort group plans to study the chemical modification of these materials so that functionalized fibers can be produced and effectively incorporated into new polymers and composites. To prevent the hydrophilic behavior of the single chain polymer because of the hydroxyl groups, the cellulose will be chemically modified to decrease its hydrophilicity.
One of the routes of investigation of the cellulose nanofibers and nanofibrillated cellulose functionality is to introduce organosilicon compounds that are notable for their derivatizing and protecting properties and also serve as intermediates in organic synthesis. Particularly, the silylation process is employed, in which alkoxysilanes bind to the cellulose polymer chain and thus eliminate the hydroxyl groups.
Other routes involve functionalization methodologies for the end groups. For example, free aldehyde functional groups at the end of the cellulose chain should undergo, presumably, reductive amination be means of coupling with water soluble poly(ethylene) glycols so the amine groups can be introduced. Reactions with hydrazinobenzoic acid should introduce carboxyl groups that can be further converted into polymers and polyesters.
In this project the methods described by Abdelmouleh et al.1 (2005) will be followed to react several silanes2 with cellulose, which is enzymatically obtained from Whatman #1 filter paper. The resulting modified fibers will be characterized using a variety of techniques such as Inverse GC, optical microscopy, FT-IR. Several silylating reagents will be investigated.

Interview with Tatyana Khamathutova-Tomlin on July 14, 2008 (7:25 minutes)

Non-food sources of liquid fuels

Jesse Capecelatro, Dr. Peter van Walsum

University of Maine Department of Chemical Engineering, 5737 Jenness Hall, Orono, ME 04469

Abstract

In a joint collaboration to reduce our dependence on petroleum and harvest valuable byproducts in the pulp and paper industry, there is an interest to produce fuels or chemicals from non-food sources. Replacing crude oil with biomass feedstocks has the potential to lower fossil-fuel CO2 emissions that cause a great threat to our planet, as renewable forest material is carbon neutral. The US pulp and paper industry currently processes approximately 108 million tons of wood per year. During paper production only about 70% of the wood is utilized. The solid cellulose fraction of wood is saved while the lignin and a fraction of the hemicellulose components are discarded. This waste material can potentially be converted and sold into valuable products such as ethanol and acetic acid without disturbing the amount of paper being produced.
A pre-extraction process can be implemented to remove the hemicellulose by a green liquor treatment. A secondary hydrolysis step is required to hydrolyze oligomeric sugars into monomeric sugars before fermentation. If this fermentation occurs in an anaerobic environment, ethanol, acetic acid, butanol and acetone are some of the possible metabolic products.
In the case of hardwoods, the most abundant fermentable wood component in the hemicellulose is xylan. Xylan is a polymer of the sugar xylose, and is broken down into xylose through acid or enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. Xylose is a relatively difficult sugar to ferment, but some xylose utilizing organisms can be found in nature and several have also been genetically engineered.
Four organisms will be used in this study; Clostridium phytofermentans, which produces primarily ethanol and some acetic acid; Moorella thermoacetica, which produces acetic acid; Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum, which produces ethanol and acetic acid; Clostridium acetobutylicum, which produces acetone, butanol and ethanol.
These microorganisms may have the ability to produce an abundant amount of ethanol and acetic acid from the hemicellulose extract, and some may also do so with little or no need for secondary hydrolysis. If successful, introducing this form of integrated forest bio-refinery (IFBR) to existing mills would help them remain competitive while simultaneously improving today’s fuel crisis.

Interview with Jesse Capecelatro on July 10 2008 (5:23 minutes)

An analysis of quantity and framing of articles in New England newspapers relating to forest biomass and bioproducts using content analysis
Marci Scofield
Advisor: Dr. Jessica Leahy

The successful use of biomass energy is dependant upon the public’s willingness to accept a new technology. In Maine, where forestry is an integral part of many northern economies, the amount of media coverage of biomass and bioproducts varies depending on the location of the media. It is possible to effectively measure the change in quantity of articles as well as the content of the articles using content analysis. After an initial analysis of two of Maine’s major newspapers, the Bangor Daily News and the Portland Press Herald, it was found that content relating to forest biomass varied depending on the location of the paper. In this study, newspapers throughout New England will be analyzed using WordStat Content Analysis software over a fixed period of time. After analyzing the newspapers, it is expected that there will be an overall increase in the quantity of articles concerning biomass and bioproducts and that public dialogue over the costs and benefits of harvesting will also increase. After analysis, the quantity and content of the articles will be compared to the location of the media. It is expected that newspapers in communities that have a greater economic dependence on forestry will publish a greater quantity of articles on biomass and bioproducts harvesting. Using content analysis and framing it will be possible to determine if there is a similar difference in public opinion of biomass harvesting depending on the proximity of the community to a forest harvesting site. As the interest in biomass increases, it will be possible to monitor public opinion to help determine forestry management and biomass policies that are best suited for particular locations.

Listen to an interview with Marci on July 9. 2008 (05:09 minutes)

Mike Jacobson
Mentor: Steve Shaler
FBRI 2008

Abstract

The drying of wood to a low moisture content of 4 to 8% is an important process in the manufacture of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Oriented Strand Lumber (OSL). Continuous on-line monitoring of the moisture level is practiced in all commercial facilities. This project will utilize three moisture sensors (on-line near Infrared, stand-alone near Infrared, and a rapid heating/scale unit) available in the AEWC OSB pilot line.

Specifically, the student will:

• Conduct a literature review of the principles of near IR (NIR) moisture detection. Literature will be obtained from the library and online sources. Upon completion of reading and reviewing several pieces of literature, I hope to understand the use of NIR devices for moisture content measurement in wood.

• Learn the operation of the three moisture sensor units (Process Sensors Corp. MCT 300-WP and MCT 600, OHaus MB-45 Moisture analyzer). Equipment setup and training will be conducting to familiarize me with the equipment. These three devices are what I’ll mainly be using to conduct my research.

• Conduct a round-robin analysis of wood moisture with the units to determine the accuracy and correlation of the three devices. Statistical analysis will be done to reveal the variability and accuracy of each device when compared to known accurate moisture detection methods (oven-dry method).

• Use the on-line near IR unit in conjunction with the Koch Bros. conveyor strand dryer to monitor moisture loss in Aspen strands. This part of the experiment resembles a set-up that may take place in an OSB mill. The information and knowledge gained during the first part of the research will help me complete this objective.

• Establish relationships between conveyor dryer settings (speed, dryer temperature) and initial strand moisture content on final moisture setting. This will include the collection of time-series data and the presentation of control-chart information. The computer attached to the system, along with other statistical tools, will allow me to establish relationships between conveyor dryer settings. This information will reveal what settings result in maximum efficiency in drying Aspen strands at several different moisture contents.

Time permitting, the developed techniques and protocol will then be used to determine whether the extraction of hemicelluloses from wood strands prior to drying (a separate research activity looking at OSB quality) impacts the drying rate, energy requirement (due to higher wood moisture content after extraction), and accuracy of the near IR units.

As a result of the project, the student will learn about principles of near IR sensors, experimental design, process control charts, data presentation, and drying energy requirements (wood requirements and drying unit requirements).

Interview with Lucas, Zach and Mike on July 17, 2008

The Identification of Forest Bio-Product Process Components through Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abby Hamilton

Advisor: Dr. Darrell Donahue

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the potential to advance the productivity of the forest bio-refinery process by rapid identification of material components comprising of liquid extract and woody biomass. The potential exists for composition identification via NIRS to be performed as an in-line process control operation. Before this technology is applied to the forest bio-refinery process, a NIR spectral database of solid wood chips and liquid extract solutions must be developed and analyzed. Model liquid extracts with known compositions were generated in the laboratory while wood chips pre- and post-extraction were acquired from a laboratory-scale bio-refinery process. After developing the database from collected extract and wood chip spectra, partial least squares (PLS) techniques were used in combination with selected pretreatments to develop regression models. Three data pretreatments including standard normal variate (SNV), first derivative and second derivative were completed separately and then compared. The best fit models were then validated by comparing them to spectra of other wood chips and actual liquid extracts removed during a laboratory-scale bio-refining process. Pre-extracted wood chip spectra had a greater magnitude of reflectance than the post-extracted wood chip spectra. Significant differences were seen when a water spectrum was subtracted from liquid extract spectra. First derivative models based on known woody biomass components indicate positive validation results. In order to improve these PLS models, a narrower wavelength range will be used to attempt to optimize regression values. A subtraction data pretreatment may be used to remove the water signal from all of the liquid extract spectra. With the improved PLS models, the components of known composition can hopefully be predicted more accurately. These models may also help predict the composition of actual liquid extract to see if the composition is comparable to the model liquid extract composition. The results to date support the potential for advancement in the identification of extract components via NIRS. With further development of the spectral database and with additional improvements of the PLS models, the identification technique could become more practical for use in industry.

Interview with Abby on July, 11, 2007
Abby was mentoring an Old Town High School student at the time of this interview

Market Analysis and Strategy Development
Andrew Knox: Mentored by Jonathan Rubin, Caroline Noblet, and Mario Tiesl

The Northeast region of the US is heavily endowed with forests and thus has the potential for high yields of forest bioproducts - one of which is cellulosic ethanol. The use of ethanol in gasoline reduces greenhouse gas emissions, energy dependence from oil and, financial payments to petroleum exporting countries. The goal of this research project is to design and test marketing strategies for the integration of cellulosic ethanol and other practical biofuels into the Northeast’s light-duty fuel supply. This information can be used to help gauge the potential market penetration that cellulosic ethanol will have in the Northeast - enabling the estimation of gasoline displacement, potential job creation, and production costs. This will be accomplished by performing an in-depth literary review of possible marketing techniques to employ for cellulosic ethanol, formulating a survey tool to determine consumer awareness and interest in biofuels, and utilizing the survey in a focus group setting. The results will produce crucial insights into the most effective way to promote the purchases of biofuels, and provide necessary information to policymakers on potential standards for certification and labeling of biofuels products.

Listen to an interview with Andrew on July 9. 2008 (06:40 minutes)

Hydrolysis of near neutral hemicellulose extracts catalyzed by SO2.
Jim Grundy’s project supervised by Adriaan van Heiningen and Rory Jara
Abstract
Hemicellulose extracts have been identified as a feed stock for the production of higher value added products such as ethanol in addition to pulp in an Integrated Forest Biorefinery (IFBR) based on a kraft pulp mill. In this process hemicelluloses are partially extracted as oligomers (mainly xylan-oligomers) and monomers from wood chips prior to pulping. These oligomers cannot be directly metabolized by microorganism during the fermentation process for the production of ethanol. This means oligomers must be broken down into monomers. Acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid as a catalyst is the most widely employed process for this purpose. However, after this step, neutralization of the acidity is needed before the fermentation process. There are two major problems with this technology: the spent acid is not recyclable and the neutralization process produces a solid (gypsum) which often doesn’t have a market and must be disposed off at a cost. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a gas that can be used as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of hemicellulose oligomers. Because it is a gas it could be recovered downstream of the hydrolysis process and then reused to significantly reduce operational costs.
This project will investigate conditions under which hydrolysis catalyzed by SO2 are most favorable for degradation of xylan oligomers to their monomer constituents. Parameters that will be examined are SO2 concentration (goal of 4-8-12% concentration by mass), reaction time (30-60-90-120 minutes), temperature (120, 140, 150, 160 oC) and solvent (pure water and green liquor). For thorough experimentation, hydrolysis will be carried out using all ninety-six parameter combinations and sugar analysis using HPAEC will be carried out on each product to determine efficiency of monomer production. The products will also be tested for furfural content using HPLC to determine the amount of xylose monomers that were further degraded in the reaction process. Using the data from these experiments, the optimum conditions for hydrolysis of xylan using SO2 can be determined.

Interview with Jim Grundy on July 23 2008 (5:26 minutes)

Zachary Gregory
Abstract - Palltruder verse Woodtruder

The purpose of this project is to produce wood plastic composite (wpc) pellets using the Palltruder (agglomeration) and compare them to pellets of an identical mix, made using a hot face palletizing die attached to the Davis Standard Woodtruder. Following the production of the pellets, the next step will be to find the differences, mechanically as well as physically, using a series of tests.

Physical tests include specific gravity determination, and coefficient of thermal expansion testing. For mechanical testing, flexural testing will be done as well as tensile and izod impact tests. These tests will be performed to determine if the premixing of agglomeration has benefits over the mixing during wood-plastics extrusion. The benefits of agglomeration include the production of specifically sized and shaped material as well better reactivity, decreased fire and explosion hazard. The later may occur from airborne dusts of wood flour and many other materials.

WPC agglomeration has some specific benefits which make it desirable over the conventional twin-screw compounding. Specifically it lowers energy costs due to external heating of the material and the removal of moisture and volatiles in the pellets. It is suspected that the results will show some proof of the potential that agglomeration has had among its other applications. The potential which has been seen in these other applications consists of the ability to mix thermally sensitive materials as well as the other previously stated benefits. Since friction is the primary source of heat and primary principal behind the formation of the pellets, it is known that very little electric power will be used compared to the amount of electric power it takes using a twin screw setup in which a reheating of the setup is required. As for the differences in mechanical and physical properties, it is suspected that both formulations should have similar properties.

Interview with Lucas, Zach and Mike on July 17, 2008