Fuels and chemicals from biomass depolarized water electrolysis. For the period September 28, 1981-November 30, 1982

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5525998· OSTI ID:5525998

John, M. R.; Furgala, A. J.

The program's principal objective was to identify anode depolarizers derivable from biomass sources capable of reducing the overall cell voltage for electrolytic processes, in particular hydrogen generation, by replacing the oxygen evolution reaction by the thermodynamically more favorable electro-oxidation of biomass materials. A second objective was to identify the anodic reactions of the biomass materials. Two beneficial outcomes of the biomass electroxidation were envisioned: (1) the synthesis of a desirable organic chemical from a biomass feedstock and (2) the complete electrooxidation of the biomass to CO/sub 2/, which could be used as a method of removal of unwanted or waste biomass from water. These beneficial anodic reactions would, of course, occur along with a desirable cathodic reaction such as hydrogen generation. The biomass-derivable materials selected for investigation were chosen from the two most abundant biomass materials groups, carbohydrates and lignins. In particular, glucose, its derivatives, and its polymers were considered to be representative of the carbohydrate group and were explored. Lignins selected were those derived from the two principal pulping processes, sulfite and kraft. The largest current densities for carbohydrate electrooxidation were obtained with palladium, nickel, and lead ruthenate anodes, on the order of 200 mA/cm/sup 2/, which makes them likely candidates for depolarizing anode materials. The short-term data suggest that cells generating hydrogen, which were carbohydrate or lignin depolarized, could operate in the range of 600 to 1100 mV. Reaction product analysis of glucose electrooxidation was carried out on platinum only and was found to be highly nonspecific. Electrooxidation of carbohydrates to carbon dioxide appeared possible on platinum and lead ruthenate anodes.

• Research Organization: Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098; AC02-81CE90032
• OSTI ID: 5525998
• Report Number(s): LBL-16559; DOE/CE/90032-13; ON: DE84001847
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
ANODES
DEPOLARIZATION
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
ELECTROLYSIS
BIOMASS
CARBOHYDRATES
CURRENT DENSITY
GLUCOSE
LIGNIN
OXIDATION
ALDEHYDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRODES
ENERGY SOURCES
HEXOSES
LYSIS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
080101* - Hydrogen- Production- Electrolysis