Event Title

Characterization of Fall Leaves as a Source of Cellulosic Ethanol

Presenter Information

Justin Burum, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 202

Start Date

21-4-2008 10:00 AM

End Date

21-4-2008 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Chemistry and Geology

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

James E. Rife

Mentor's Department

Chemistry and Geology

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Concerns about the high prices of gasoline and production of the greenhouse gas CO2 by the combustion of fossils fuels have increased the use of ethanol as a bio-fuel. Concerns have also been raised about diverting traditional crops to ethanol production. Cellulose in biomass has been proposed as an alternative feedstock for ethanol production. In this project, Autumn leaves were evaluated as biomass for the production of cellulosic ethanol. A standard Laboratory Analytical Procedure published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory was used to characterize leaves. Acid soluble lignin, acid insoluble lignin and ash were measured. High Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to assay the carbohydrate composition of the leaves. Initial results indicated that leaves had at least 20% acid hydrolysable cellulose.