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MATERIALS ENGINEERING

SEMINAR

“Investigation of Particle Properties on the Effect of Yield Stress of a Biomass Slurry”

By

Ryan Szeto

Purdue MSE Preliminary Exam

Advisors: Professor John A. Howarter and Kendra A. Erk

ABSTRACT

Corn stover is a lignocellulosic feedstock material that can be used for bioethanol production and alleviates problems with current first-generation biofuels. Despite the great promise of corn stover for biofuel conversion, it is hindered by its recalcitrant nature and high yield stress which is the stress necessary for flow to occur. Incorporating enzymes or dilute acid pretreatment is known to decrease the yield stress and viscosity of the system and increase pumpability. Though it is known that the value of yield stress decreases with processing, its effects on particle properties is poorly understood for corn stover particles. It is proposed that the critical parameters controlling yield stress are dependent on a maximum packing fraction that can change depending on particle shape and size distribution. The impact of aspect ratio, modulus, and roughness are explored for the effect on the value of yield stress. Characterization of these properties will give better insight and understanding of how corn stover particles are modified as a result of processing.

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Time: 9:30 A.M.

Place: ARMS B071

School of Materials Engineering

Purdue University

Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering

701 West Stadium Ave. Room 2200

West Lafayette, IN 47907

765-494-4105