Biochemical Conversion Of Biomass Research Articles

Detailed material balance and ethanol yield calculations for the biomass-to-ethanol conversion process

Applying material balance calculations to the evaluation and optimization of lignocellulosic biomass conversion processes is fundamentally important. The lack of a general framework for material balance calculations and inconsistent compositional analysis data have made it difficult to compare results from different research groups. Material balance templates have been developed to follow accurately the distribution of carbon in lignocellulosic substrates through the pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) processes, and provide information on overall carbon recovery, recovery of individual sugars, and solubilization of biomass components. Based on material balance considerations, we developed equations that allow us to compute overall ethanol yields for biochemical conversion of biomass correctly.

Environmental requirements in thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass

Abstract Many biological and thermochemical processing options exist for the conversion of biomass to fuels. Commercially, these options are assessed in terms of fuel product yield and quality. However, attention must also be paid to the environmental aspects of each technology so that any commercial plant can meet the increasingly stringent environmental legislation in the world today. The environmental aspects of biological conversion (biogasification and bioliquefaction) and thermal conversion (high pressure liquefaction, flash pyrolysis, and gasification) are reviewed. Biological conversion processes are likely to generate waste streams which are more treatable than those from thermal conversion processes but the available data for thermal liquefaction are very limited. Close attention to waste minimisation is recommended and processing options that greatly reduce or eliminate waste streams have been identified. Product upgrading and it's effect on wastewater quality also requires attention. Emphasis in further research studies needs to be placed on providing authentic waste streams for environmental assessment.

Thermochemical and biochemical biomass conversion activities

Abstract Considerable information has been collated on thermochemical biomass conversion activities around the world over the last 6 years and compiled into a database. This has been published in hard bound form covering 1984 to 1989 and made available as a text based computer file. The database has been maintained since 1989 and updated to early 1992. The results will be published in full when returns have been collated and input to the database. Meanwhile an analysis of the last three years has been carried out and is reported here. The database has been extended to cover biochemical conversion, and a preliminary analysis is included.