Helena Chum

This page provides an overview of Helena Chum's biography and achievements.

Biography

Dr. Helena Chum is a Research Fellow in the National Bioenergy Center at the U.S. DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Her research areas are in the development of technologies for the conversion of biomass and a variety of organic wastes into fuels, including hydrogen, chemicals, electricity, and high value materials. To these and other fields she contributed more than 100 papers and 20 patents, has lectured and participated in seminars worldwide, and is a co–inventor on 20 patents. She participated in the development of the Office of Science and Technology Policy's National Environmental Technology Strategy released in 1995.

Dr. Chum is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the International Academy of Wood Science, and of the Cellulose and Renewable Materials Division of the American Chemical Society. She served as a member of the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel (1998–2003). She received the Individual Trail Blazer Award in Green Engineering presented by HENAAC Inc. and Green Technology Magazine (2006). She has served on several Advisory Boards of Universities and organizations and represented NREL in the Council for Chemical Research. She served in the Office of Industrial Technologies' Industry of the Future Program, representing NREL on the Laboratory Coordinating Council and chaired this Council in 1997. She was an Associate Editor of the Clean Processes and Products journal (Springer) and Editor of Chemtech (ACS).

Dr. Chum is an active participant in the DOE/NREL international activities in renewable energy, biofuels, and hydrogen. She contributed to the development of the Brazilian Fuel Cell program started in 2002, was instrumental in developing the Bilateral US–Brazil Hydrogen program, and is currently working in the Bilateral US–Brazil implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Cooperation in Biofuels. Her current research interests include biomass systems sustainability worldwide. She has her B. Sc., Chemistry/ Chemical Education, and her Ph.D., in Physical Chemistry, from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Professional Experience

Trained in physical and industrial chemistry, Dr. Chum has worked in bioenergy and renewable energy since 1979 at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), now National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), leading research and development Branches, Divisions, and Centers in industrial technologies and bioenergy since 1992. Prior to joining SERI/NREL, she was Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for 8 years, was a Visiting Scientist at the Heyrovsky Institute of Polarography, Prague, Czechoslovakia, and at the Chemistry Department of Colorado State University.

Dr. Chum's research experience includes the development of technologies for the conversion of biomass and a variety of organic wastes into fuels such as hydrogen, chemicals, electricity, and high value materials. Her scientific contributions address various fields of research, including: inorganic and organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, applied microbiology, materials science, paper and wood science, chemical engineering, energy and fuels, polymer science, forestry, agricultural engineering, and environmental science and technology.

Education

Ph.D. 1972 University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (Physical Chemistry)
B.S. 1968 University of São Paulo (Chemistry — Industrial Chemistry)
B.S. 1968 University of São Paulo (Chemical Education)

Professional Activities

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Chemical Society (ACS), Council on Environmental Improvement
American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
Editorial Board Revista Brasileira de Bioenergia
Senior Advisor, National Bioenergy Center
Visiting Committee Member, Department of Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
Advisory Board, Center for Sustainable Solutions, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Recognition

External

2006 Individual "Trail Blazer" Green Engineering Award
Fellow, American Chemical Society's Division of Cellulose and Renewable Materials (2005) for outstanding professional service (20 years)
Member Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel (1998–2003)
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1995)
Certificate of Appreciation for leadership in the development of the National Environmental
Technology Strategy and contributions to pollution prevention and environmental technologies for the U.S. Department of Energy by EERE (1995)
Member of the Environmental Technologies Working Group of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (Environmental Division) 1994–1995
Federal Laboratory Consortium Technology Transfer Awards (1990 & 1994)
Associated Western Universities Distinguished Lectureship Award (1992–93)
Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science (1991)
1990 R&D 100 Award for Inexpensive Phenol Replacements from Biomass

Internal

MRI President's Award for Exceptional Performance (1990, 1992)
MRI Francis Van Morris Award (1988)
SERI Outstanding Performance Award (1982)

Publications

Editorials

Chum, H.L. (2000). "The importance of clean products and processes from alternative feedstocks" Clean Products and Processes, Vol.1, p. 127–128.
Chum, H.L. (2001). "Hydrogen", Clean Products and Processes, Vol.3, p. 281–283.

Patents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L. "Pyrolysis and Hydrolysis of Mixed Polymer Waste Comprising Poly–ethyleneterephthalate and Polyethylene to Sequentially Recover." U.S. Patent No. 5,821,553. 44 pp. (1998).
Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L. "Pyrolysis and Hydrolysis of Mixed Polymer Waste Comprising Polyethyleneterephthalate and Polyethylene to Sequentially Recover," U.S. Patent No. 5,821,553. (1998).
Diebold, J.P.; Scahill, J.W.; Chum, H.L.; Evans, Rejai, B.; Bain R.L.; and Overend, R.P. "Process to Convert Biomass and RDF to Ethers and/or Alcohols." U.S. Patent No. 5,504,259. (1996).
Evans R.J.; and Chum H.L. "Pyrolysis of Polystyrene–Polyphenylene Oxide to Recover Styrene and Useful Products." U.S. Patent No. 5,386,070, 44 pp. (1995).
Evans R.J.; and Chum H.L, "Sequential Pyrolysis of Plastic to Recover Polystyrene HCl and Terephthalic Acid." U.S. Patent No. 5,464,602, 45 pp. (1995).
Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L., Controlled Catalytic and Thermal Sequential Pyrolysis and Hydrolysis of Mixed Polymer Waste Streams to Sequentially Recover Monomers or Other High Value Products. U.S. Patent No. 5,300,704.(1994).
Chum H.L.; Black S.K.; Diebold J.P.; and Kreibich R.E. "Resole Resin Products Derived from Fractionated Organic and Aqueous Condensate made by Fast–Pyrolysis of Biomass Materials," U. S. Patent No. 5,235,021, 1993 and Canadian Patent No. 2,085,513. (1993).
Chum, H.L.; Black S.K.; Diebold J.P.; and Kreibich R.E. "Phenolic Compounds Containing/Neutral Fractions Extract and Products Derived Therefrom from Fractionated Fast Pyrolysis Oils," U.S. Patent 5,223,601. (1993).
Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L. "Controlled Catalytic and Thermal Sequential Pyrolysis and Hydrolysis of Mixed Polymer Waste Streams to Sequentially Recover Monomers or Other High Value Products." U.S. Patent No. 5,216,149. (1993).
Evans, R.J.; and Chum H.L. 1991, "A method of recycling of mixed, synthetic polymers and plastic wastes to produce high value chemicals, especially monomers." U.S. Patent issued 1993.
Evans, R.J. and Chum H.L., 1991, "Controlled Catalytic and Thermal Sequential Pyrolysis and Hydrolysis of Phenolic Resin Containing Waste Streams to Sequentially Recover Monomers and Chemicals." U.S. Patent No. 5,136,111, 1992 and World Patent (WO) 9221639. (1992).
Kreibich, R.E. and Chum H.L. "Resole Resin Products Derived from Fractionated Fast–Pyrolysis Oils," U.S. Patent No. 5,091,499. (1992).
Kreibich, R.E. and Chum H.L., Novolak. Resin Products derived from Fractionated Fast–Pyrolysis Oils, World Patent (WO) 919082, (1991) and AU 9170762.
Chum, H.L. and Black S.K. "Process for Fractionating Fast–Pyrolysis Oils and Products Derived Therefrom," U. S. Patent No. 4,942,269. (1990).
Chum, H.L. and Filardo G. "Fractionation of Black Liquor Components and Similar Mixtures with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Entrainers," U.S. Patent No. 4,964,995. (1990).
Chum, H.L, Palasz P.D., and Ratcliff M. "Process for Producing Peracids from Aliphatic Hydroxy Carboxylic Acids," U.S. Patent No. 4,617,090. (1986).
Chum, H.L. and Sopher D.W. "Separation of Certain Carboxylic Acids Utilizing Cation Exchange Membranes," U.S. Patent No. 4,475,025. (1984).

NREL Publications

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