Catalytic conversion of sawdust-based sugars into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Linnanmaa, auditorium L5. Remote connection: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/63182540907
Topic of the dissertation
Catalytic conversion of sawdust-based sugars into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science Annu Rusanen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry
Subject of study
Chemistry
Opponent
Professor Janne Jänis, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Ulla Lassi, University of Oulu
Sawdust could replace fossil raw materials in chemical production
Sawdust can be used as a raw material in chemical production. This conclusion was reached in the PhD study that succeeded in producing two key chemicals (5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural) from the sugars contained in sawdust. These chemicals play a key role in the manufacture of many biomass-based products and are therefore an important link between biomass resources and biomass-derived products.
The forest industry generates large amounts of sawdust each year as a by-product, which is currently mainly burned for energy. In this doctoral thesis, a suitable approach for biorefineries was used to convert the hemicellulose fraction of the sawdust to key chemicals, while the cellulose fraction, used traditionally in pulp manufacture, was left as pristine as possible.
In the chemical production itself, attention was paid to the sustainability of manufacturing processes through new catalytic solutions developed at the work. In particular, solid activated carbon catalysts were found to significantly improve the selectivity of key chemical production reactions over conventionally used catalysts.
Overall, the dissertation increased knowledge about the utilization of sawdust and introduced greener alternatives to the traditional methods used in chemical production.
The forest industry generates large amounts of sawdust each year as a by-product, which is currently mainly burned for energy. In this doctoral thesis, a suitable approach for biorefineries was used to convert the hemicellulose fraction of the sawdust to key chemicals, while the cellulose fraction, used traditionally in pulp manufacture, was left as pristine as possible.
In the chemical production itself, attention was paid to the sustainability of manufacturing processes through new catalytic solutions developed at the work. In particular, solid activated carbon catalysts were found to significantly improve the selectivity of key chemical production reactions over conventionally used catalysts.
Overall, the dissertation increased knowledge about the utilization of sawdust and introduced greener alternatives to the traditional methods used in chemical production.
Last updated: 1.3.2023