In the transition to a sustainable energy supply there is an increasing need to use biomass for replacement of fossil fuel. A key challenge is to utilize biomass conversion technologies in an environmentally sound manner. Important aspects are to minimize potential formation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. This thesis involves studies of formation characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and naphthalenes (PCNs) in microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) and torrefaction using biomass as feedstock. The research focuses are on their levels, distributions, fingerprints (homologue profiles and isomer patterns) and the underlying formation pathways. The study also included efforts to optimize methods for extracting chlorinated aromatic compounds from thermally treated biomass. The overall objective was to contribute better understanding on the formation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in low temperature thermal processes. The main findings include the following: Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is applicable for simultaneous extraction of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCNs, polychlorinated phenols and benzenes from thermally treated wood. The choice of solvent for PLE is critical, and the extraction efficiency depends on the degrees of biomass carbonization. In MAP experiments PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs were predominantly found in pyrolysis oils, while in torrefaction experiments they were mainly retained in solid chars with minor fractions in volatiles. In both cases, highly chlorinated congeners with low volatility tended to retain on particles whereas the less chlorinated congeners tended to volatize into the gas phase. Isomer patterns of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs generated in MAP were more selective than those reported in combustion processes. The presence of isomers with low thermodynamic stability suggests that the pathway of POPs formation in MAP may be governed not only by thermodynamic stabilities but also by kinetic factors. Formation of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs depends not only on the chlorine contents in biomass but also the presence of metal catalysts and organic/metal-based preservatives. Overall, the results provide information on the formation characteristics of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCNs in MAP and torrefaction. The obtained knowledge is useful regarding management and utilization of thermally treated biomass with minimum environmental impact.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation and growth from cyclopentadiene (CPD) moieties have been investigated using a laminar flow reactor and molecular modeling. The resonance-stabilized cyclopentadienyl radical is readily formed in flames and can participate in PAH growth to soot by reaction with the ??onds of aromatic species. Both CPD pyrolysis and computational results indicate that formation of indene and benzene is favored at low temperatures (below 750oC) and formation of naphthalene is favored at high temperatures. Reaction pathways from CPD have further been extended to PAH formation from the reaction of CPD and aromatic compounds with different types of ??onds. Results indicate that, while the major products from the pyrolysis of CPD, acenaphthylene, styrene and phenanthrene mixtures are from the reaction of CPD to itself rather than to these aromatic compounds with different ??onds, CPD does add to these compounds to produce larger PAH. Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) formation from chlorinated phenols has also been studied. In combustion exhaust gas, chlorinated phenols can produce dioxin as well as PCNs. PCN and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) congener product distributions were consistent with proposed pathways involving phenoxy radical coupling at unchlorinated ortho-carbon sites. Tautomerization of the phenoxy radical coupling and subsequent fusion via H2O loss results in PCDF formation. Competing with this reaction pathway, CO elimination and subsequent fusion via hydrogen and/or chlorine loss was found to produce PCNs. PCDF isomer distributions were found to be weakly dependent to temperature, whereas PCN isomer distributions were found to be more temperature sensitive with selectivity to particular isomers decreasing with increasing temperature. Results of this research contribute to a better understanding of chemical mechanisms involved in the formation of toxic byproducts and soot in combustion systems.