ΠροτεινόμεναΘέματακαιΑνάθεσηΔιπλωματικώνΕργασιών
Extraction of Phenols and Aromatic Compounds from Biomass Gasification Tars
Biomass gasification tars are complex mixtures of organic compounds, predominantly phenols and aromatics, that present both challenges and opportunities in sustainable energy production. Extracting these valuable compounds can enhance the economic viability of biomass gasification, reduce waste, and provide inputs for high-value industries like pharmaceuticals, resins, and biofuels. This research focuses on developing and comparing efficient methods for the extraction of phenols and aromatics from gasification tars, aiming to determine the most effective method and solvent combination for maximum yield and purity. The study will employ various organic solvents alongside ultrasonic and shaking table extraction methods to recover phenols and other aromatics from biomass gasification tars. It will investigate the influence of operational parameters during gasification on tar composition and correlate these parameters to extraction outcomes. Analytical characterization of the extracts will involve UV-VIS spectrophotometry for phenol quantification and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for aromatic profiling.

The research will begin with a review of biomass gasification processes, tar formation mechanisms, and existing extraction methods. A downdraft biomass gasifier will then be operated under controlled conditions to produce tars, which will be recovered using a standardized tar protocol. Extraction experiments will be conducted using water-dissolved tars as the base, applying ultrasonic and shaking table methods with a range of solvents. Data analysis will focus on comparing extraction yields, solvent efficiency, and compound purity. This six-month project is expected to identify the most effective solvent and extraction method for phenols and aromatics, establish a link between gasification parameters and tar properties, and provide insights into scalable tar utilization methods. By reducing tar waste and enabling value-added processing of biomass-derived by-products, this research will enhance the sustainability of biomass gasification and support the transition to renewable energy and chemical feedstock production.

Επιβλέπων μέλος ΔΕΠ: Επαμεινώνδας Βουτσάς

Τομέας: Ανάλυσης, Σχεδιασμού και Ανάπτυξης Διεργασιών και Συστημάτων

Σχετικό Μάθημα : Θερμοδυναμική II

Περίοδος Ανάθεσης: Φεβρουαρίου Ακ. Έτους 2024-2025

Ανατέθηκε: Maria Elisa D’omina