The presence of significant concentrations of oxygen-bearing compounds, particularly carboxylic acids and other carbonyl-containing compounds, makes biomass derived oils corrosive to many common structural materials. So says everyone.

But a research team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory led by Jim Keiser, sponsored by the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office, believes it is possible to identify or develop materials specifically suited for use in bio-oil production.

The goals of the project are to use conventional and developmental analysis techniques to fully characterize bio-oil intermediates and products; to assess corrosivity of materials, determine the relationship between corrosion and the oxygenate concentration of bio-oils, and develop materials specifically suited for use processing, storage and transporting environments.

The team prepared this illuminating overview on the projects progress and promise for the DOE Project Peer Review meetings.

The Slowed Corrode: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Bio-oils and Corrosion