This report is intended to provide the reader with an extensive background information on hydrode oxygenation (HDO) of Tall Oil Pitch (TOP), combined with results from chemical property analyses of the same. Firstly, the importance of hydrogenation and oxygen removal for a biomass-based feed material is highlighted. The chemical nature of TOP in general is described and the target for the research work is identified. It is decided to evaluate the possibility of TOP as a prospective material for achieving partial oxygen removal. The effect of catalysis on HDO behavior is assessed, and subsequently, conventional commercial catalysts are selected. Chemical analyses of the feed mixture provided data on various properties, which can then be correlated to the products from hydrogenation. Kinematic viscosity of TOP is determined, followed by acid number and saponification number tests to evaluate the free acid and total acid contents respectively. Reasoning for any deviations are highlighted and suggestions are provided to control deviation in process parameters. GC/MS analysisof the tall oil sample is also conducted to understand the presence of oxygen-containing species. Carbon residue and ash tests revealed the coking and ash forming tendency of the samples. In addition, XRF spectroscopy results indicated the metal presence in the TOP sample. Experimental trials are carried out to sulphide the catalysts prior to use in hydrogenation experiments. Catalyst sulphidation procedure is also outlined. Furthermore, the lab-scale reactor is tested for hydrogenation to determine challenges that normally arise during high-pressure working conditions. In addition to discussion of challenges regarding batch hydrogenations and sulfidations, proposals on future work in this domain is outlined, along with suggestions on an experimental pathway forward.

A prospect in utilizing thermal energy in development of energy systems is by the useof phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs are materials that can store and releaseenergy during phase changes, e.g. from solid to liquid. By-products from the woodand pulping industry could be of interest in this area, in part to add value to theby-products, enhance the yield of the raw product of wood and become less dependenton fossil based fuels. Capsules of lignin and tall oil pitch/tall oil fatty acids weresuccessfully produced with a straightforward coprecipitation method. The solventused was acetone and the antisolvent was distilled water. Dynamic light scatteringanalysis showed average particle diameters of 300 to 500 nm and fairly lowpolydispersity, between 0.2 to 0.3, indicating spherical particles. Scanning electronmicroscopy confirmed particle size and the formation of capsules with shell thicknessless than 100 nm. The particle dispersions showed sufficiently high zeta potential tomaintain a stable colloidal system. Thermal analysis confirmed stability in atemperature range of at least -40 °C to +50 °C, and resistance to decomposition at leastup to around 200 °C. There were also indications of enhanced thermal stability of talloil pitch due to encapsulation. A desired feature for a phase change material is theability to keep a constant temperature during phase change. Regarding using thesynthesized material as phase change material, the results show that the temperaturerange in which phase change, such as melting, occurs is too broad. Latent heat of fusionof 4.7 J/g for the material is also very low compared with commercial phase changematerials. Further studies in modifying the system to impact melting point andenhancement of latent heat is needed if the material should be applicable as an efficientand competitive phase change material.