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Long term thermal stability above 400°C, low freezing point, sub-atmospheric
vapor pressure, and cost are key factors for the next generation of heat transfer and thermal
storage fluids for solar thermal electric systems. Imidazolium salts are the focus of the initial
phase of work. These have characteristically low freezing points but variable thermal stability.
New imidazolium salts are being prepared in order to complete the series of materials to use in the
investigation of the kinetics and mechanism of thermal decomposition. Samples are decomposed at
temperatures up to 500°C and the decomposition products are being analyzed using molecular beam
mass spectroscopy or gas chromatography.
International Proliferation Prevention Program
A New Process For Production Of Solar Grade Silicon - The goal of the project is to
develop a process for production of solar grade silicon based on purification of metallurgical grade
silicon using ethanol based rather than hydrogen chloride based chemistry. The project is in Stage II,
pilot scale work. A pilot plant is being designed and will be built and operated by the subcontractors
in the former Soviet Union.
Rapid Assessment of Soil Organic Matter Using Pyrolysis Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry
As interest in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions grows, the need for better characterization
of soil organic matter (SOM) also becomes critical. Soils are one of the most significant terrestrial carbon sinks,
and the anticipated increased use of both forest and agricultural management practices for soil carbon sequestration
requires that we improve our understanding of the effects of such management on soil quality and soil organic carbon
pools. We use pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry (py-MBMS) to rapidly analyze SOM. Py-MBMS can quickly
provide information on the chemical nature of SOM and can measure the relative amounts of carbon contained in recent
and older SOM pools. Ongoing work with both forest and agricultural soils has shown that we can distinguish soils
based on their depth, location, and management history with a 5 minute analysis time. Multivariate analysis has
provided predictive abilities for soil organic matter contents. We continue to explore the breadth of application
of this promising and rapid soil characterization method.
Alternative Reforming Catalysts for Producing Hydrogen from Pyrolysis-Derived Feedstocks
We are developing efficient reforming catalysts for both bubbling and circulating fluidized bed systems
that produce hydrogen from a variety of renewable feedstocks including gases, vapors, and liquids derived from pyrolysis
and gasification of biomass, plastics and waste grease. These types of processes are scalable and can be used for
distributed hydrogen production.
Computational Chemistry Workbench
Researchers at NREL in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines are developing a computational
chemistry workbench. This software tool runs on desktop computers and allow the user to integrate state of the art
computational techniques such as ab initio electronic structure calculations, chemical kinetic theories and simple
reactor kinetics. Data can be imported or downloaded from the Web and stored in a relational database as can computed
results. Information can be found on the Web site: http://www.mines.edu/research/ccre/ This project is supported by
the Office of Industrial Technologies.
Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopy of Radicals
In a collaboration with the University of Colorado, researchers are investigating the infrared spectroscopy
of radicals isolated in cyrogenic argon matrices. Radicals are typically prepared by pyrolysis techniques using a hyperthermal
nozzle or a low pressure pyrolysis oven. Radicals of importance in combustion and atmospheric chemistry are being investigated.
Supported by Basic Energy Sciences.
Measurements of Reaction Kinetics of Biomass Model Compounds
Researchers are working on developing experimental techniques to measure the reaction kinetics for the
pyrolysis of biomass model compounds. Reactants are pyrolyzed in micro reactors and products are detected using time-of-flight mass
spectrometry or matrix isolation spectroscopy. This work is supported by Director's Discretionary Research and Development funds.
Characterization of Solid Phase Reactions during Biomass Pyrolysis
Researchers are studying the pyrolysis of biomass in order to characterize the reactions that occur in the solid
phase. Gas phase products are measured using NREL's Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometer (MBMS), while the solids are characterized
using FTIR, NMR and elemental analysis. Of particular interest is the interaction of proteins and amino acids with carbohydrates,
Maillard chemistry. This work is supported by Philip Morris, Inc.
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