2009 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of metal-based catalysts on carbonization and liquefaction of animal manures to produce biochar and liquid oils. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Catalyst synthesis and characterization: Various metals and metal oxides such as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc will be synthesized on activated carbon using traditional impregnation and electrochemical deposition. Commercially available and in-house synthesized activated carbon will be used as catalysts supports. The catalysts will be characterized to determine the physical properties such as surface area, porosity, and pore volume distribution. Additionally scanning electron microscopy will be used to determine the elemental composition and surface properties of the catalysts. The effects of metal loading, surface area, and porosity on the catalytic activity will be investigated. Carbonization and liquefaction: Dried and pelletized swine manure and chicken litter will be used as feedstock for bench-scale carbonization process to produce biochar. Appropriate amounts of metal-based catalysts will be added to the feedstock. The bench-scale carbonization reactor system includes a non-stirred 200-ml T316 stainless steel vessel with an internal heater capable of reaching a temperature to 900°C and a pressure of 3000 psig. The feedstock will be carbonized by slowly heating the reactor to 400-500°C. The internal pressure will be increased to about 50 psig due to production and expansion of headspace gas. The same feedstock will also be liquefied along with an appropriate amount of meta-based catalysts for liquefaction process. A 500-ml stirred reactor made of Alloy C276 with a heating jacket capable of reaching a temperature of 500°C and a pressure of 5000 psig will be used as a liquefaction reactor. The reactor will be heated to 350°C before turning off the heater and allowed to cool to room temperature. The effects of introducing reducing gas such as carbon monooxide at pressure less than 1500 psig will also be investigated. Gas, liquid, and solid end products will be analyzed for their chemical and thermal properties. 3.Progress Report There have been numerous phone calls and emails between the Authorized Departmental Officer’s Designated Representative (ADODR) and the Principle Investigator (PI) of the North Carolina State University for discussing project plans. The PI visited the ADODR at Florence, SC (6/8/09) to discuss the potential of olivine as a catalyst for carbonization process. It was agreed that the PI would send a small amount of olivine to investigate the effects on the carbon yield.