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The molecular mechanisms of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in the development of pSS. In the mouse model of experimental Sjögren’s syndrome, we found that the saliva flow rate at weeks 4 and 30 was preserved in IL-33−/− and ST2−/− mice, compared with that of wild-type mice. At week 30 of experimental Sjögren’s syndrome induction, the histological score, anti-nuclear Ab levels, and numbers of Th1 and B cells in draining lymph nodes of the salivary gland were lower in the IL-33−/− and ST2−/− mice, whereas Th17 cells and regulatory T cells were not changed. Primary salivary gland epithelial cells expressed the IL-33 receptor ST2. After stimulation with rIL-33, salivary gland epithelial cells increased the transcriptional levels of CD86 and CCL2, accompanied by the activation of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway. There was a synergistic effect between rIL-33 and rIL-12 in augmenting the production of IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells. In the pSS patients, the expression of IL-33 was elevated in the labial salivary gland, with the number of IL-33+ cells positively correlated with the score of the EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI). ST2 was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of ductal epithelial cells, with low levels of expression in lymphatic infiltration sites. Our data suggest that the IL-33/ST2 axis may promote the development of pSS by enhancing salivary epithelial cell activation and the type 1 immune response.

Objectives This study aimed to preliminarily address the levels of decorin (DCN, a critical component of extracellular matrix) and its potential roles in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Methods DCN levels were determined in the salivary glands of experimental SS (ESS) mice and pSS patients by RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or immunohistochemical staining. Its correlation with interested genes and co-localization with a putative receptor was studied in pSS patients. In addition, its potential roles on salivary gland epithelium and macrophages were tested by exogenous administration to corresponding cell lines, followed by the evaluation of apoptosis using flow cytometry or cytokine expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Our data revealed a significant elevation of DCN in the salivary glands of the ESS mice model and pSS patients. In addition, the bioinformatics analysis of DCN in the GSE40611 (RNA-seq, parotid glands) dataset displayed an elevation of the DCN level in the parotid glands of pSS patients that positively correlated with several chemokines (CXCL13, CXCL9, and CCL20), Interleukin -1 β (IL1 -β), and caspase3 but negatively correlated with the proliferation relative gene MKI67. The stimulatory effects of DCN on the salivary gland epithelial cells (A253 cell line) and macrophages have been determined as they are considered active participants in the progression of SS. The data showed that DCN induced the apoptosis of A253 cells and polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, characterized by the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions Our study provided preliminary evidence to understand the clinical significance of DCN in pSS and broadened our horizons in understanding the mechanism of pSS.

The fine particulate matter (PM) emissions from the use of two types of Fischer-Tropsch aviation fuels and their 50:50 blends with military JP-8 were quantified as part of the first Alternative Aviation Fuel Experiment (AAFEX). Measurements were made at 30-m downstream of a CFM56–2C1 engine for PM mass and number, particle size distribution, black carbon (BC), and volatile PM (sulfate + organics) using selected on-line instrumentation. The PM number emission index (EI(N)) ranged from ~ 2 × 10(15) to 7 × 10(16) particles/kg fuel burned depending on fuel flow, fuel composition, and sampling temperature with the magnitude of the emissions inversely correlated to fuel flow. The PM mass emissions (EI(M)) measured in the study varied from ~ 5 to 680 mg/kg fuel again depending on fuel flow, fuel type, and sampling temperature with a characteristic U-shaped curve of EI(M) with respect to fuel flow observed from the data. At low fuel flow (corresponding to low engine power), particle number and volume size distributions contained a single mode whereas at higher engine power, a bi-modal distribution was observed. The BC emissions varied from ~ 3 to 415 mg/kg fuel depending on fuel type and were found to exponentially increase with engine power (fuel flow). The volatile PM varied with sample temperature, fuel type, and increasing fuel flow within the range of EIs from ~ 0.4 to 11 mg/kg fuel with the highest values being at low fuel flow. Finally, the use of the two neat alternative fuels reduced the EI(N) by a median value of 70–73% and the EI(M) by ~ 94% as compared to JP-8 across all power conditions tested.

Objective IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated multi-organ, chronic and progressive disease. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the susceptibility of COVID-19 in IgG4-RD patients in Hubei province, and to characterize the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 in IgG4-RD patients. Methods A follow-up system that includes over 200 IgG4-RD patients across the country during the past ten years. A total of ninety-one patients with IgG4-RD who live in Hubei, China were identified and responded to our survey. Medical history, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, CT imaging, and treatment were obtained through a standardized data collection form, and then independently reviewed by two investigators. Results 2 of 91 cases were infected with COVID-19. Both of them were classified as moderate type. The symptoms such as fever and cough and radiologic features were similar to other COVID-19 patients. Neither of them episode recurrent of IgG4-RD nor progressed to severe or critical condition of COVID-19 under the condition of continuous oral low-dose of glucocorticoids. Besides, patient 2 took a long time for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid to turn negative. Conclusion IgG4-RD patients may belongs to the susceptible population of COVID-19 infection, and thus need more careful personal protection. Early identification and properly treatment are very important to prevent IgG4-RD patients with COVID-19 from progression to severe condition.

Entorhinal cortex (EC) is the initial brain region that suffers abnormal tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether overexpression of human tau (htau40) in EC disrupts cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in AD has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the effects of htau40 on the pathology and associated mechanisms of early stage of AD in mice, an adeno-associated virus-based htau40 transduced in medial EC (mEC) mouse model was established. The results showed that htau40 restrictedly expressed in mEC after transduction. The memory function and long-term potentiation (LTP) of dentate gyrus (DG) were significantly impaired by overexpression of htau40 in mEC after transduction at 3 and 6 months. However, the abnormities of neurons and neurotransmitters in mEC started at just 1 month after transduction. The resting membrane potential was increased and paired pulse facilitates was depressed, but the action potential amplitude, threshold, and half width did not alter after htau40 transduction at 1 month. The levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters were up regulated whereas level of lactate was decreased. Our study demonstrated that htau40 in mEC impaired cognition and synaptic plasticity of perforant path (PP)-DG, which simulated early stage of AD and elucidated the mechanism of that htau40 overexpression in mEC may be associated with the development of AD.

The fine particulate matter (PM) emissions from nine commercial aircraft engine models were determined by plume sampling during the three field campaigns of the Aircraft Particle Emissions Experiment (APEX). Ground-based measurements were made primarily at 30 m behind the engine for PM mass and number concentration, particle size distribution, and total volatile matter using both time-integrated and continuous sampling techniques. The experimental results showed a PM mass emission index (EI) ranging from 10 to 550 mg kg −1 fuel depending on engine type and test parameters as well as a characteristic U-shaped curve of the mass EI with increasing fuel flow for the turbofan engines tested. Also, the Teflon filter sampling indicated that ∼40–80% of the total PM mass on a test-average basis was comprised of volatile matter (sulfur and organics) for most engines sampled. The number EIs, on the other hand, varied from ∼10 15 to 10 17 particles kg −1 fuel with the turbofan engines exhibiting a logarithmic decay with increasing fuel flow. Finally, the particle size distributions of the emissions exhibited a single primary mode that were lognormally distributed with a minor accumulation mode also observed at higher powers for all engines tested. The geometric (number) mean particle diameter ranged from 9.4 to 37 nm and the geometric standard deviation ranged from 1.3 to 2.3 depending on engine type, fuel flow, and test conditions.

The fine particle emissions from a U. S. certified non-catalytic wood stove and a zero-clearance fireplace burning Quercus rubra L. (northern red oak) and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) cordwood each at two different moisture levels were determined. Emission testing was performed using both time-integrated and continuous instrumentation for total particle mass, particle number, particle size distribution, and fixed combustion gases using an atmospheric wind tunnel, full-flow laboratory dilution tunnel, and dilution stack sampler with a comparison made between the three dilution systems and two sampling filter types. The total mass emission factors (EFs) for all dilution systems and filter media are extremely variable ranging from −1 of dry wood depending on the combination of appliance type, wood species and moisture content, filter medium, and dilution system. For Teflon filter sampling of stove emissions in the wind tunnel, the total mass EFs varied from ∼2 to 8 g kg −1 of dry fuel depending on wood type whereas the equivalent fireplace emissions burning wet oak averaged 11 g kg −1 . A substantial number of ultrafine particles in the accumulation size range were also observed during all tests as determined by an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI) and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. The PM-2.5 (particles ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) fractions determined from the ELPI electrometer data ranged from 93 to 98% (mass) depending on appliance type as reported previously by Hays et al. (Aerosol Science, 34, 1061, 2003) .

Although the toxicity of oil combustion emissions is a significant public health concern, few studies characterize the emissions from plant-scale utility boilers firing residual oil. This study remedies that deficiency by diluting, sampling, and monitoring stack emissions from a 432 gigajoules (GJ) front-fired fossil fuel steam generator burning residual oil. Over a 3-day test period, continuous CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions monitoring confirms a steady fuel feed rate, high combustion efficiency (3.4 kg of CO2/kg of fuel oil burned), and evidence of a nocturnal soot-blowing event. The utility boiler emits fine aerosol (PM2.5) at a rate of 53 ± 2 μg/kJ (2 g/kg of oil burned). Vesicular coarse particles composed of C and S and spherical Al silicates with V and Ni inclusions are identified in a cyclone rinse using scanning electron microscopy and backscatter analysis. Ion chromatography results establish that the fine aerosol is predominantly sulfate (44% ± 0.2%, w/w) which is likely coordinated to transition ...

The toxicity of emissions from the combustion of home heating oil coupled with the regional proximity and seasonal use of residential oil boilers (ROB) is an important public health concern. Yet scant physical and chemical information about the emissions from this source is available for climate and air quality modeling and for improving our understanding of aerosol-related human health effects. The gas- and particle-phase emissions from an active ROB firing distillate fuel oil (commonly known as diesel fuel) were evaluated to address this deficiency. Ion chromatography of impactor samples showed that the ultrafine ROB aerosol emissions were approximately 45% (w/w) sulfate. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected various n-alkanes at trace levels, sometimes in accumulation mode particles, and out of phase with the size distributions of aerosol mass and sulfate. The carbonaceous matter in the ROB aerosol was primarily light-adsorbing elemental carbon. Gas chromatography-atomic emission spectroscopy measured a previously unrecognized organosulfur compound group in the ROB aerosol emissions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of ROB soot indicated the presence of a highly ordered primary particle nanostructure embedded in larger aggregates. Organic gas emissions were measured using EPA Methods TO-15 and TO-11A. The ROB emitted volatile oxygenates (8 mg/(kg of oil burned)) and olefins (5 mg/(kg of oil burned)) mostly unrelated to the base fuel composition. In the final analysis, the ROB tested was a source of numerous hazardous air pollutants as defined in the Clean Air Act Amendments. Approximations conducted using emissions data from the ROB tests show relatively low contributions to a regional-level anthropogenic emissions inventory for volitile organic compounds, PM2.5, and SO2 mass.

A multi-phase instrument comparison study was conducted on two different diesel engines on a dynamometer to compare commonly used particulate matter (PM) measurement techniques while sampling the same diesel exhaust aerosol and to evaluate inter- and intra-method variability. Included in this evaluation were a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM), three Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers (SMPSs), a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC), a TSI DustTrak, a MET-One E-BAM, and two Electrical Low Pressure Impactors (ELPIs) as well as two types of time-integrated filter samplers. Of the five on-line analyzers evaluated for PM mass concentration, the TEOM was shown to have the best overall correlation to the gravimetric filter method. For measuring concentration by particle number, the two ELPIs and the Model 3936L25 SMPS provided generally comparable results during both test phases (data for the stand-alone CPC were invalidated). With respect to measuring particle size distribution (PSD) by gravimetric analysis, the ELPIs were not found to be useful for a variety of reasons whereas for differential number distribution, the SMPSs and ELPIs provided generally comparable results.

In this paper, the inversion processing of cascade impactor data to construe continuous size distributions within fine particulate matter ( PM 2.5 ) is examined for residential oil furnace and fireplace appliance emissions. Impactor data from tests with these emissions sources are selected for the challenges they pose to comprehending the size distributions of aerosol mass and chemical species. In specific, the oil furnace aerosol offers an opportunity to apply data inversion to study a bimodal lognormal distribution in which much of the aerosol mass is impactor-penetrating nanoparticles ( 30 nm ) . The fireplace emissions on the other hand cover the issue of a chemical size distribution, which is subject to particle loss and characterized by a single lognormal, accumulation mode peak. Computational steps relevant to the application of the data inversion are illustrated in detail. Evaluation of correlation coefficients ( ⩾ 0.992 ) indicates that the inversion model predictions fit the impactor data well. Simulations of systematic measurement error ( ± 10 % ) at each impactor stage are shown to have a negligible impact on the inversion results for test data. It is concluded that data inversion can be effective when (i) source emissions contain a portion of particles that falls outside the measurement range of cascade impactors, (ii) a mass size distribution of an individual species is determined without the knowledge of the total mass concentration for that species, or when (iii) losses in the particle charger system are significant.

In this work, a direct thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) method is implemented to determine the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) composition ( MW =202 – 302 amu ) in size-segregated aerosols from residential wood combustion. Six combustion tests are performed with two commonly burned wood fuel species, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga sp.) and white oak (Quercus sp.). Atmospheric dilution and cooling of the aerosol plume are simulated in a newly designed wind tunnel, and the resulting aerosols are size classified with an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI). ELPI stage data speciated by TD/GC/MS were inverted and modeled using a log normal distribution function. Gravimetrically determined PM2.5 (fine particles with aerodynamic diameters [d a ] μm ) emission rates (2.3– 10.2 g/kg ) corroborate to matrix-corrected ELPI mass measurements of stages 1–8 (2.7– 11.8 g/kg ). Fuel moisture content linearly correlates (r2=0.986) to the PM2.5 mass geometric mean diameter (dg). Combustion efficiency (CO2/CO) and temperature, O2 levels, and gas dilution temperature affect particle size distributions; dg ranges from 313 to 662 nm , indicating an accumulation mode. Reconstruction and summation of inverted ELPI data allow for the quantification of 27 individual PAHs (and clusters of structural PAH isomers); PAHs characterize between 0.01 and 0.07 wt % of the PM2.5 mass. Benzo[a]pyrene predominates the PAH emissions. PAH size allocations (dg range =171 – 331 nm ) are out of phase with PM2.5 mass ones and shifted to finer da. Higher and lower MW PAHs preferentially segregate to fine and coarse da in that order. The ultrafine mode contains on average greater than 80% of the total measured particle number concentration. Values of dg for particulate matter surface area distributions are between 120 and 330 nm . For these tests, PAH mass and PM surface area linearly correlate (r2⩾0.913). Application of a simple function to consider adsorption and absorption mechanisms makes apparent that (a) surface and core compositions of PAH of identical MW groups vary with combustion and (b) preferential surface adsorption of lower MW PAH is possible.

A thermobalance reactor was used to evaluate the reactivity of poplar wood during gasification under operating conditions specific for the Hynol process where biomass is gasified at 30 atm and 800 °C with a hydrogen-rich gas recycled from methanol synthesis. The gasification involved a rapid devolatilization and pyrolysis reaction of the volatile matter in biomass and a slow reaction of residual carbon with the process gas. Nearly 86% of 1/8-in. poplar particles and 90% of sawdust were converted into gas products by a feed gas corresponding to the Hynol process (66% H2) in 60 min. About 4% additional conversion of the 1/8-in. particles was obtained when gasification time was extended from 60 to 150 min. Gasification rate and biomass conversion were strongly affected by reaction temperature and particle size. The conversion was proportional to the partial pressures of H2 and steam in the feed gas. A kinetic model was developed to correlate the experimental data and quantitatively express gasification rates...

The Hynol process is proposed to meet the demand for an economical process for methanol production with reduced CO2 emission. This new process consists of three reaction steps: (a) hydrogasification of biomass, (b) steam reforming of the produced gas with additional natural gas feedstock, and (c) methanol synthesis of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced during the previous two steps. The H2-rich gas remaining after methanol synthesis is recycled to gasify the biomass in an energy neutral reactor so that there is no need for an expensive oxygen plant as required by commercial steam gasifiers. Recycling gas allows the methanol synthesis reactor to perform at a relatively lower pressure than conventional while the plant still maintains high methanol yield. Energy recovery designed into the process minimizes heat loss and increases the process thermal efficiency. If the Hynol methanol is used as an alternative and more efficient automotive fuel, an overall 41% reduction in CO2 emission can be achieved compared to the use of conventional gasoline fuel. A preliminary economic estimate shows that the total capital investment for a Hynol plant is 40% lower than that for a conventional biomass gasification plant. The methanol production cost is $0.43/gal for a 1085 million gal/yr Hynol plant which is competitive with current U.S. methanol and equivalent gasoline prices. Process flowsheet and simulation data using biomass and natural gas as cofeedstocks are presented. The Hynol process can convert any condensed carbonaceous material, especially municipal solid waste (MSW), to produce methanol.

This paper addresses the need for detailed chemical information on the fine particulate matter (PM) generated by commercial aviation engines. The exhaust plumes of seven turbofan engine models were sampled as part of the three test campaigns of the Aircraft Particle Emissions eXperiment (APEX). In these experiments, continuous measurements of black carbon (BC) and particle surface-bound polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) were conducted. In addition, time-integrated sampling was performed for bulk elemental composition, water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and trace semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). The continuous BC and PAH monitoring showed a characteristic U-shaped curve of the emission index (EI or mass of pollutant/mass of fuel burned) vs fuel flow for the turbofan engines tested. The time-integrated EIs for both elemental composition and water-soluble ions were heavily dominated by sulfur and SO(4)(2-), respectively, with a ∼2.4% median conversion of fuel S(IV) to particle S(VI). The corrected OC and EC emission indices obtained in this study ranged from 37 to 83 mg/kg and 21 to 275 mg/kg, respectively, with the EC/OC ratio ranging from ∼0.3 to 7 depending on engine type and test conditions. Finally, the particle SVOC EIs varied by as much as 2 orders of magnitude with distinct variations in chemical composition observed for different engine types and operating conditions.

Research is underway to evaluate the Hydrocarb process for conversion of carbonaceous raw material to clean carbon and methanol products. These products are valuable in the market either as fuel or as chemical commodities. As fuel, methanol and carbon can be used economically, either independently or in slurry form, in efficient heat energies (turbines and internal combustion engines) for both mobile and stationary single and combined cycle power plants. When considering CO{sub 2} emission control in the utilization of fossil fuels, the copressing of those fossil fuels with biomass (which may include, wood, municipal solid waste and sewage sludge) is a viable mitigation approach. By coprocessing both types of feedstock to produce methanol and carbon while sequestering all or part of the carbon, a significant net CO{sub 2} reduction is achieved if the methanol is substituted for petroleum fuels in the transportation sector. The Hydrocarb process has the potential, if the R&D objectives are achieved, to produce alternative transportation fuel from indigenous resources at lower cost than any other biomass conversion process. These comparisons suggest the resulting fuel can significantly displace gasoline at a competitive price while mitigating CO{sub 2} emissions and reducing ozone and other toxics in urban atmospheres.

The particulate matter (PM) and gaseous emissions from six diesel school buses were determined over a simulated waiting period typical of schools in the northeastern U.S. Testing was conducted for both continuous idle and hot restart conditions using a suite of on-line particle and gas analyzers installed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Diesel Emissions Aerosol Laboratory. The specific pollutants measured encompassed total PM-2.5 mass (PMor = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter), PM-2.5 number concentration, particle size distribution, particle-surface polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and a tracer gas (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane) in the diluted sample stream. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), total hydrocarbons (THC), oxygen, formaldehyde, and the tracer gas were also measured in the raw exhaust. Results of the study showed little difference in the measured emissions between a 10 min post-restart idle and a 10 min continuous idle with the exception of THC and formaldehyde. However, an emissions pulse was observed during engine restart. A predictive equation was developed from the experimental data, which allows a comparison between continuous idle and hot restart for NO(x), CO, PM2.5, and PAHs and which considers factors such as the restart emissions pulse and periods when the engine is not running. This equation indicates that restart is the preferred operating scenario as long as there is no extended idling after the engine is restarted.

[1] Unresolved complex mixture (UCM) is an analytical artifact of gas chromatographs of combustion source-related fine aerosol extracts. In this study the UCM is examined in size-resolved fine aerosol emissions from residential wood combustion. The aerosols are sorted by size in an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) and subsequently analyzed by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). A semiquantitative system for predicting the branched alkane, cycloalkane, alkylbenzene, C3-, C4-, C5-alkylbenzene, methylnaphthalene, C3-, C4-, C5-alkylnaphthalene, methylphenanthrene C2-, C3-alkylphenanthrene, and dibenzothiophene concentrations in the UCM is introduced. Analysis by TD/GS/MS detects UCM on each ELPI stage for all six combustion tests. The UCM baseline among the different fuel types is variable. In particular, the UCM of Pseudotsuga sp. is enriched in later-eluting compounds of lower volatility. A high level of reproducibility is achieved in determining UCM areas. UCM fractions (UCM ion area/total extracted ion chromatograph area) by individual ELPI stage return a mean relative standard deviation of 19.1% over the entire combustion test set, indicating a highly consistent UCM fraction across the ELPI size boundaries. Among the molecular ions investigated, branched alkane (m/z 57) and dibenzothiophene (m/z 212 and 226) constituents are most abundant in UCM emissions from RWC, collectively accounting for 64−95% of the targeted chemical species. The total UCM emissions span 446−756 mg/kg of dry biomass burned and correspond to an upper limit of 7.1% of the PM2.5 mass. The UCM emissions are primarily accumulation mode (0.1 μm ≤ aerodynamic diameter (da) ≤ 1 μm), with a geometric mean diameter (dg) range of 120.3−518.4 nm. UCM in PM2.5 is chemically asymmetric (shifted to finer da), typically clustering at da ≤ 1 μm. Measurable shifts in dg and changes in distribution widths (σg) on an intratest basis suggest that the particle density may be a function of size within PM1. The potential effects these results have on regulatory affairs, human health studies, and the state of the analytical science covering organics in PM2.5 are discussed.

Research is underway to evaluate the Hydrocarb process for conversion of carbonaceous raw material to clean carbon and methanol products. These products are valuable in the market either as fuel or as chemical commodities. As fuel, methanol and carbon can be used economically, either independently or in slurry form, in efficient heat energies (turbines and internal combustion engines) for both mobile and stationary single and combined cycle power plants. When considering CO{sub 2} emission control in the utilization of fossil fuels, the copressing of those fossil fuels with biomass (which may include, wood, municipal solid waste and sewage sludge) is a viable mitigation approach. By coprocessing both types of feedstock to produce methanol and carbon while sequestering all or part of the carbon, a significant net CO{sub 2} reduction is achieved if the methanol is substituted for petroleum fuels in the transportation sector. The Hydrocarb process has the potential, if the R&D objectives are achieved, to produce alternative transportation fuel from indigenous resources at lower cost than any other biomass conversion process. These comparisons suggest the resulting fuel can significantly displace gasoline at a competitive price while mitigating CO{sub 2} emissions and reducing ozone and other toxics in urban atmospheres.

The U.S. needs an alternative transportation fuel that can displace 30 percent of petroleum fuels by the year 2010, as called for by the Energy Policy Act (PL102-486). The Act, promulgated in October, 1992, seeks an alternative that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as improve the national economy by reducing oil imports. This paper examines the prospects for achieving those goals with alcohol fuels derived from biomass produced as short-rotation woody crops. Emphasis is on the Hydrocarb process, now under evaluation by the EPA for production of methanol from biomass and natural gas. Factors considered in this evaluation include: land requirements, feedstock costs, conversion yield of fuel per unit of biomass, cost per unit of fuel energy produced, and equivalent cost of gasoline displaced. The analysis indicates that a process such as Hydrocarb, that can leverage biomass with natural gas, should maximize petroleum displacement at least cost. Because of these advantages, it may also achieve greatest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

Research is underway to evaluate the Hydrocarb process for conversion of carbonaceous raw material to clean carbon and methanol products. These products are valuable in the market either as fuel or as chemical commodities. As fuel, methanol and carbon can be used economically, either independently or in slurry form, in efficient heat energies (turbines and internal combustion engines) for both mobile and stationary single and combined cycle power plants. When considering CO{sub 2} emission control in the utilization of fossil fuels, the copressing of those fossil fuels with biomass (which may include, wood, municipal solid waste and sewage sludge) is a viable mitigation approach. By coprocessing both types of feedstock to produce methanol and carbon while sequestering all or part of the carbon, a significant net CO{sub 2} reduction is achieved if the methanol is substituted for petroleum fuels in the transportation sector. The Hydrocarb process has the potential, if the R&D objectives are achieved, to produce alternative transportation fuel from indigenous resources at lower cost than any other biomass conversion process. These comparisons suggest the resulting fuel can significantly displace gasoline at a competitive price while mitigating CO{sub 2} emissions and reducing ozone and other toxics in urban atmospheres.

The Hynol process is proposed to meet the demand for an economical process for methanol production with reduced CO{sub 2} emission. This new process consists of three reaction steps: (a) hydrogasification of biomass, (b) steam reforming of the produced gas with additional natural gas feedstock, and (c) methanol synthesis of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced during the previous two steps. The H{sub 2}-rich gas remaining after methanol synthesis is recycled to gasify the biomass in an energy neutral reactor so that there is no need for an expensive oxygen plant as required by commercial steam gasifiers. Recycling gas allows the methanol synthesis reactor to perform at a relatively lower pressure than conventional while the plant still maintains high methanol yield. Energy recovery designed into the process minimizes heat loss and increases the process thermal efficiency. If the Hynol methanol is used as an alternative and more efficient automotive fuel, an overall 41% reduction in CO{sub 2} emission can be achieved compared to the use of conventional gasoline fuel. A preliminary economic estimate shows that the total capital investment for a Hynol plant is 40% lower than that for a conventional biomass gasification plant. The methanol production cost is $0.43/gal for a 1085 million gal/yr Hynol plant which is competitive with current U.S. methanol and equivalent gasoline prices. Process flowsheet and simulation data using biomass and natural gas as cofeedstocks are presented. The Hynol process can convert any condensed carbonaceous material, especially municipal solid waste (MSW), to produce methanol.

In support of studies for developing the coprocessing of fossil fuels with biomass by the Hydrocarb Process, experimental and process design data are reported. The experimental work includes the hydropryolysis of biomass and the thermal decomposition of methane in a tubular reactor. The rates of reaction and conversion were obtained at temperature and pressure conditions pertaining to a Hydrocarb Process design. A Process Simulation Computer Model was used to design the process and obtain complete energy and mass balances. Multiple feedstocks including biomass with natural gas and biomass with coal were evaluated. Additional feedstocks including green waste, sewage sludge and digester gas were also evaluated for a pilot plant unit.