Purdue University School of Chemical Engineering GRADUATE SEMINAR SERIES Dr. Lance Lobban Oklahoma State University "Biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals via initial thermal treatment: process options and catalytic reactions" September 25, 2012 9:00-10:15 a.m. FRNY G140 Reception at 8:30 a.m. in Henson Atrium Abstract: The complexity of lignocellulosic biomass causes significant difficulties in its conversion to hydrocarbon or near-hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. There are certainly similarities in the chemical structure of the primary components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), but it is likely that different upgrading strategies would be ideal for each component. Moreover, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are both physically and chemically linked in biomass, and it is difficult to design processes that would allow separate upgrading. Thermal treatment can be used to obtain liquid or gas intermediate streams which are potentially upgradable via heterogeneous or homogeneous processing. This presentation will describe initial thermal treatment steps and subsequent catalytic upgrading reactions/systems that are under investigation at the University of Oklahoma. Bio: Lance Lobban is the Francis W. Winn Chair and Director of the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering. He joined the University of Oklahoma in 1987 and has been director since 1998. His research interests involve application of principles of reaction engineering and catalysis to various areas including natural gas conversion to fuels and chemicals, photocatalysis for indoor air decontamination, and (most recently) biomass conversion to liquid fuels and chemicals. He holds three patents related to these research areas. He has a long-time interest in innovative teaching methods and improved student learning, and has received several awards from OU related to teaching and student mentoring. Jenni