Source Of Lignocellulosic Biomass Research Articles

Pengaruh Variasi Temperatur Reaktor terhadap Hasil Produk Pirolisis Eceng Gondok Secara Ex-Situ dengan Katalis Bentonit dan Penambahan Uap Air

The water hyacinth has high growth rates that can lead to various environmental problems and the production of large amounts of waste biomass. However, it can be a source of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of bio-oil. This study aims to determine the effect of temperature variation on the pyrolysis process of water hyacinth ex-situ with bentonite catalyst and the addition of water vapor. Temperature variations used are 450°C, 550°C, and 650°C. The pyrolysis process uses 300 grams of water hyacinth and is carried out for 1 hour. The results showed that increasing pyrolysis temperature reduced the char and bio-oil products, but increased the product of gas. Pyrolysis at 450°C produces a lot of bio-oil, while at the temperature of 650°C tends to produce gas products. Also, increasing the pyrolisis temperature results in a higher density of bio-oil. Gas chromatograph testing was carried out to determine the content of organic compounds found in bio-oil. Hydrocarbons are obtained which increase with increasing temperature. The highest percentage of the content of organic compounds is in oxygen compounds. Components of alcohol, phenols, ketones, aldehydes are functional compounds found in the content of bio-oil. Acid compounds are also contained in bio-oil from the results of pyrolysis of water hyacinth.

A grass-specific cellulose\u2013xylan interaction dominates in sorghum secondary cell walls

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals, as well as for forage. Understanding secondary cell wall architecture is key to understanding recalcitrance i.e. identifying features which prevent the efficient conversion of complex biomass to simple carbon units. Here, we use multi-dimensional magic angle spinning solid-state NMR to characterize the sorghum secondary cell wall. We show that xylan is mainly in a three-fold screw conformation due to dense arabinosyl substitutions, with close proximity to cellulose. We also show that sorghum secondary cell walls present a high ratio of amorphous to crystalline cellulose as compared to dicots. We propose a model of sorghum cell wall architecture which is dominated by interactions between three-fold screw xylan and amorphous cellulose. This work will aid the design of low-recalcitrance biomass crops, a requirement for a sustainable bioeconomy.

Effect of pretreatments on cellulosic composition and morphology of pine needle for possible utilization as substrate for anaerobic digestion

Waste residues from agricultural and forest resources have received much attention as potential source of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) especially after the “food-versus-fuel” conflict. Therefore, exploring the potential of LCB (especially forest biomass) as a resource for sustainable bioenergy generation is highly promising. The present study reports the structural modification in the cross-linking of lignocellulosic complex in pine needle forest biomass after pretreatments: milling, steam explosion and acid-base-acid treatments. The changes in morphology and composition of the cellulose and lignin in pine needles after pretreatments was evaluated using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Field Emission Scanning Electron micrographs revealed that pretreatments resulted in changes in orderly arrangement of interwoven fibrils, surface abnormalities in cells surrounding stomatal opening and exposure of vascular bundle. FT-IR of pretreated substrate indicated significant changes in functional moieties of ester bond between lignin and hemicelluloses, phenol hydroxyl moieties and aromatic ring associated with lignin and hydrogen bonding in cellulose. The findings in the present study thus open up avenues for exploring potential of pretreated pine needles for renewable bioenergy generation. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of the pretreated biomass resulted in 21.4% higher methane levels as compared to untreated pine litter. Appearance of lignin droplets and deposition of coalescent materials on pre-treated biomass surface was also observed in the present study. These colloidal lignin particles could serve as potential nanocomposites, for application in biomaterial applications.

Process design and techno-economic evaluation for the production of platform chemical for hydrocarbon fuels from lignocellulosic biomass using biomass-derived γ-valerolactone

Abstract We report a strategy for production of 5-nonanone which is a bio-based platform chemical that can be produced in large quantity from a variety of lignocellulosic biomass sources. In this strategy, the cellulose and hemicellulose fractions of lignocellulosic biomass are catalytically converted to γ -valerolactone (GVL) using the biomass derived GVL as a solvent. To generate the integrated strategy, we develop separation subsystems to achieve high purity of product. Importantly, GVL can be upgraded to 5-nonanone with high yield in a single reactor using a dual catalyst bed of Pd/Nb2O5 plus ceria-zirconia. We design a heat exchanger network to satisfy the total energy requirements of the integrated process via combusting lignin fraction of biomass. Economic feasibility of the process is investigated using discounted cash flow analysis.

Evaluation of the potential for energy recovery from olive oil industry waste: Thermochemical conversion technologies as fuel improvement methods

The search for new sources of energy is one of the demands of current times. Traditional lignocellulosic biomass sources, used by Man since immemorial times, begin to suffer the effects of overuse, which is why to find new sources is so urgent, especially if those are associated with industrial or agroforestry waste sources. In this context, several options arise, some of which are object of concern, given the large volumes produced, and the environmental impacts associated with them. Olive pomace is one of these cases. Portugal assumes a prominent role in the production of olive oil and is, therefore, also a major producer of waste related with olive oil industry. Energy recovery of olive pomace is something that has been referenced in the bibliography since long ago. However, traditional forms of recovery, such as direct combustion, did not shown to be the best option, given the high content of volatiles of the product, and the problems associated with its storage and transportation. Thermochemical conversion technologies, such as torrefaction or pyrolysis, can play a decisive role here, since in addition to the increment in energy density, allow a very significative volume reduction, facilitating storage and transportation. In the present study, torrefaction and pyrolysis tests were carried out on olive pomace samples at different temperatures, respectively, 300, 400 and 500 °C, followed by the characterization of the obtained materials. There was a significative improvement in the energy content of the materials. The characterization of the Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) was also carried out, allowing comparison with coal grindability, and leaving an open door for the possibility of these residues being used as coal substitutes in coal-fueled power plants.

Transgenic Poplar Designed for Biofuels.

Members of the genus Populus (i.e., cottonwood, hybrid poplar) represent a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels. However, one of the major factors negatively affecting poplar's efficient conversion to biofuel is the inherent recalcitrance to enzymatic saccharification due to cell wall components such as lignin. To this effect, there have been efforts to modify gene expression to reduce biomass recalcitrance by changing cell wall properties. Here, we review recent genetic modifications of poplar that led to change cell wall properties and the resulting effects on subsequent pretreatment efficacy and saccharification. Although genetic engineering's impacts on cell wall properties are not fully predictable, recent studies have shown promising improvement in the biological conversion of transgenic poplar to biofuels.

Insight into the effect of lignocellulosic biomass source on the performance of biochar as persulfate activator for aqueous organic pollutants remediation: Epicarp and mesocarp of citrus peels as examples

In this work, the cellulose-enriched mesocarp of tangerine peels (TP) and the lignin-enriched epicarp of the peels (e-TPs) were used as examples to unveil the link between the basic components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) in lignocellulosic biomass and catalytic activity of biochar towards peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The TP biochar exhibits sheet-like morphology and high porosity, while the e-TPs biochar shows a bulk morphology. Accordingly, the former outperformed the latter in terms of catalytic degradation of phenol with PMS, attributing to the higher content of cellulose than lignin in the TP precursor, which was further supported by comparing the catalytic activity of biochar prepared from binary mixtures containing different proportions of cellulose and lignin. Nonradical oxidation pathway based on singlet oxygen (1O2) and electron-transfer mechanism was involved in the TP biochar/PMS system and the key role of CO group in biochar for 1O2 generation was computationally demonstrated. Additionally, the unique porous structure and surface chemistry of TP biochar endows it an excellent adsorbent for various organic pollutants. Herein, this work provides an insight into the effect of lignocellulosic biomass source on the catalytic property of biochar, which would be beneficial to screen lignocellulosic biowastes to prepare high-performance biochar for water remediation.

A snapshot of microbial diversity and function in an undisturbed sugarcane bagasse pile

BackgroundSugarcane bagasse is a major source of lignocellulosic biomass, yet its economic potential is not fully realised. To add value to bagasse, processing is needed to gain access to the embodied recalcitrant biomaterials. When bagasse is stored in piles in the open for long periods it is colonised by microbes originating from the sugarcane, the soil nearby or spores in the environment. For these microorganisms to proliferate they must digest the bagasse to access carbon for growth. The microbial community in bagasse piles is thus a potential resource for the discovery of useful and novel microbes and industrial enzymes. We used culturing and metabarcoding to understand the diversity of microorganisms found in a uniquely undisturbed bagasse storage pile and screened the cultured organisms for fibre-degrading enzymes.ResultsSamples collected from 60 to 80 cm deep in the bagasse pile showed hemicellulose and partial lignin degradation. One hundred and four microbes were cultured from different layers and included a high proportion of oleaginous yeast and biomass-degrading fungi. Overall, 70, 67, 70 and 57% of the microbes showed carboxy-methyl cellulase, xylanase, laccase and peroxidase activity, respectively. These percentages were higher in microbes selectively cultured from deep layers, with all four activities found for 44% of these organisms. Culturing and amplicon sequencing showed that there was less diversity and therefore more selection in the deeper layers, which were dominated by thermophiles and acid tolerant organisms, compared with the top of pile. Amplicon sequencing indicated that novel fungi were present in the pile.ConclusionsA combination of culture-dependent and independent methods was successful in exploring the diversity in the bagasse pile. The variety of species that was found and that are known for biomass degradation shows that the bagasse pile was a valuable selective environment for the identification of new microbes and enzymes with biotechnological potential. In particular, lignin-modifying activities have not been reported previously for many of the species that were identified, suggesting future studies are warranted.

ASPEN Plus predictive simulation of soft and hard wood pyrolysis for bio-energy recovery

Thermochemical process such as pyrolysis is one of the most developed options for energy recovery from lignocellulosic biomass sources. A steady-state simulation model was developed for the energy recovery from biomass via pyrolysis using ASPEN Plus v8.8. The biomass feedstocks were beech, Ailanthus and spruce wood. Beech is a hardwood, Ailanthus is a soft hardwood and spruce is softwood. The pyrolysis reactor was modelled by a combination of the yield-shift reactor and the Gibbs reactor. The product yield and composition was calculated by the software via the minimisation of Gibbs free energy method. The simulation was run at atmospheric pressure and 500°C temperature. A bio-oil yield of 62.8% for beech wood, 58.3% for Ailanthus and 54.2% for spruce wood was obtained. Model yield and product composition was validated and considered adequate. The simulation model can be considered as truly predictive for the pyrolysis of soft and hardwood samples in the domain of product yield and product composition.

Evaluation of genomic selection and marker-assisted selection in Miscanthus and energycane

Although energycane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) is widely used as a source of lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol, breeding this crop for disease resistance is challenging due to its narrow genetic base. Therefore, efforts are underway to introgress novel sources of genetic resistance from Miscanthus into energycane. Given that disease resistance in energycane could be either qualitative or quantitative in nature, careful examination of a wide variety of genomic-enabled breeding approaches will be crucial to the success of such an undertaking. Here we examined the efficiency of both genomic selection (GS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for traits simulated under different genetic architectures in F1 and BC1 populations of Miscanthus × Miscanthus and sugarcane × sugarcane crosses. We observed that the performance of MAS was comparable and sometimes superior to GS for traits simulated with four quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs). In contrast, as the number of simulated QTN increased, all four GS models that were evaluated tended to outperform MAS, select more phenotypically optimal F1 individuals, and accurately predict simulated trait values in subsequent BC1 generations. We therefore conclude that GS is preferable to MAS for introgressing genetic sources of horizontal disease resistance from Miscanthus to energycane, while MAS remains a suitable option for introgressing vertical disease resistance.

New Vision on Invasive Alien Plant Management System

Abstract Since the creation of the European Union’s (EU) Biodiversity Strategy, increased attention has been drawn to the spread of invasive non-native species, their impact on biodiversity, and the economic losses caused. Ensuring compliance with the regulation on the eradication of invasive species requires financial means, therefore a new vision on invasive plant management system is proposed. With a new system, invasive alien plant (IAP) control is ensured as well as a new source of lignocellulosic biomass for product production, that could result in financial gains is presented. This article provides current alien plant situation visualization by Sankey diagram showing invasiveness of alien species and establishment, after which invasive and potentially invasive species are directed further to pre-assessment. A total of 157 invasive plant species are evaluated by multi criteria decision analysis TOPSIS, the case on the national level (Latvia) is presented and a new concept for a IAP management system is provided. The research results and the new concept provide a contribution to policy makers, land owners affected by invasive species and municipalities.

Expression profiles of cell-wall related genes vary broadly between two common maize inbreds during stem development

BackgroundThe cellular machinery for cell wall synthesis and metabolism is encoded by members of large multi-gene families. Maize is both a genetic model for grass species and a potential source of lignocellulosic biomass from crop residues. Genetic improvement of maize for its utility as a bioenergy feedstock depends on identification of the specific gene family members expressed during secondary wall development in stems.ResultsHigh-throughput sequencing of transcripts expressed in developing rind tissues of stem internodes provided a comprehensive inventory of cell wall-related genes in maize (Zea mays, cultivar B73). Of 1239 of these genes, 854 were expressed among the internodes at ≥95 reads per 20 M, and 693 of them at ≥500 reads per 20 M. Grasses have cell wall compositions distinct from non-commelinid species; only one-quarter of maize cell wall-related genes expressed in stems were putatively orthologous with those of the eudicot Arabidopsis. Using a slope-metric algorithm, five distinct patterns for sub-sets of co-expressed genes were defined across a time course of stem development. For the subset of genes associated with secondary wall formation, fifteen sequence motifs were found in promoter regions. The same members of gene families were often expressed in two maize inbreds, B73 and Mo17, but levels of gene expression between them varied, with 30% of all genes exhibiting at least a 5-fold difference at any stage. Although presence-absence and copy-number variation might account for much of these differences, fold-changes of expression of a CADa and a FLA11 gene were attributed to polymorphisms in promoter response elements.ConclusionsLarge genetic variation in maize as a species precludes the extrapolation of cell wall-related gene expression networks even from one common inbred line to another. Elucidation of genotype-specific expression patterns and their regulatory controls will be needed for association panels of inbreds and landraces to fully exploit genetic variation in maize and other bioenergy grass species.

Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates: Utilization of C5 and C6 sugars

Abstract Background Fuels and chemicals from renewable feedstocks have a growing demand, and acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) are some relevant examples. These molecules can be produced by the bacterial fermentation process using hydrolysates generated from lignocellulosic biomass as sugarcane bagasse, one of the most abundant sources of lignocellulosic biomass in Brazil. It originates as a residue in mills and distilleries in the production of sugar and ethanol. Results In the present work, two strategies to generate hydrolysates of sugarcane bagasse were adopted. The fermentation of the first hydrolysate by Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 6228 resulted in final concentrations of butanol, acetone and ethanol of 6.4, 4.5 and 0.6 g/L, respectively. On the other hand, the second hydrolysate presented better results (averages of 9.1, 5.5 and 0.8 g/L, respectively), even without the need for nutrient supplementation, since key elements were already present in the medium. The productivity (QP) and yield (YP/S) of the solvents with second hydrolysate were 0.5 g/L·h-1 and 0.4 g/g, respectively. Conclusions The results described herein open new perspectives for the production of important molecules from residual lignocellulosic biomass for the fuel and chemical industries within the context of second-generation biorefinery. How to cite: Gomes AC, Rodrigues MI, Passos DF, et al. Acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates: utilization of C5 and C6 sugars. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.10.004 .

Agricultural and Forest Residues towards Renewable Chemicals and Materials Using Microwave Liquefaction

Microwave-assisted liquefaction is regarded as a promising thermochemical approach to produce renewable and sustainable chemicals and materials from lignocellulosic biomass. Agricultural and forest residues as sources of lignocellulosic biomass have great potential in this regard. With process optimizations, several biomass types have been subjected to liquefaction in different solvents with various catalysts. The products from recent microwave liquefaction with and without further fractionation have been thoroughly analyzed and used for the synthesis of biomaterials. Renewable chemicals, polyurethane foams with partial use of renewable raw materials, and phenolic resins have been the main products from microwave-liquefied products. Further research on microwave liquefaction mechanisms and scalable production should be enhanced to fully evaluate the economic and environmental benefits. This work presents an overview on achievements using liquefaction in combination with microwave energy to convert lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products and chemicals.

Influence of Neutralizing Agents on the Recovery of Ethanol from Banana Pseudostem Broth by Pervaporation

Banana pseudostem is a potential source of lignocellulosic biomass for energy production. Ethanol production from this feedstock is characterized by pre-treatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and ethanol separation. When acid hydrolysis is carried out, a neutralizing step is necessary. This work aims to evaluate different neutralizing agents—barium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, and sodium sulfate—and their effect on the ethanol recovery phase by pervaporation. Pervaporation experiments were conducted with a commercial flat-sheet polydimethylsiloxane membrane using a synthetic mixture of ethanol, water, and the residual neutralizing agent as feed. The experiments were compared to a standard solution (ethanol/water) to determine differences in the results due to the presence of neutralizing agents. Membrane swelling with different neutralizing agents was also assessed. Barium carbonate showed the highest potentiality of use in the neutralization process of the hydrolyzed broth of banana pseudostem since it presented the highest ethanol concentration in the permeate (17%) and an increase of approximately 15% of selectivity and 11% of enrichment factor. The results proved that acid hydrolyzed broth of banana pseudostem with the addition of barium carbonate as a neutralizing agent is a potential candidate for ethanol production using pervaporation.

Lake bottom biomass as a potential source for the biorefining industry

Large numbers of Finnish lakes accumulate biomass sediments due to large nutrient inputs from forest areas, agricultural and industrial activities. The theoretical biofuel production potential was studied for lake bottom biomass from mesotrophic (ML) and eutrophic lakes (EL) in eastern Finland. Methane potentials of the EL and ML biomass were 136.6 ml g−1 volatile solid and 38.9 ml g−1 volatile solid, respectively. The estimated ethanol yields of the EL and ML biomass from fermentation were 137 l tonne−1, and 40 l tonne−1, whereas the yields from mixed alcohol synthesis after gasification were 244.5 l tonne−1 and 57.1 l tonne−1, respectively. The ash from both lake bottom biomass contained harmful elements below the detectable limit, and therefore, could be used as fertilizer. Techno-economic estimation showed that bioethanol production from the fermentation of EL biomass is the most profitable process and is a potential non-food lignocellulosic biomass source for the biorefining industry.

Evaluation of Rice Straw Yield, Fibre Composition and Collection Under Mediterranean Conditions

Abstract Rice straw remains almost unutilised in the majority of cases and is usually burned. Data on rice residue production under European conditions are extremely limited. A detailed assessment of rice biomass yield, partitioning and straw collection was carried out in Spain. Eleven commercial rice varieties were evaluated in 2015, and two baling trials were performed in 2014 and 2015. The average straw yield was 9.7 t·ha−1. Straw yield, biomass partitioning indices and fibre composition varied significantly according to rice variety. Straw to grain ratio and harvest index were 1.00 and 0.50 on average for rough grain, and 1.25 and 0.41 for husked grain. Biomass partitioning indices significantly correlated with grain yield. Mean content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash of rice straw was 32.5%, 19.8%, 6.5% and 13.7%, respectively. Straw amount of less than 3.0 t·ha−1 can be collected during the baling trials. Rice straw could represent an eco-friendly source of lignocellulosic biomass in Europe, however, in order to achieve this, baling machine improvements and special crop management should be carried out.

Multiscale Modeling of (Hemi)cellulose Hydrolysis and Cascade Hydrotreatment of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Furfural, and Levulinic Acid

Numerous research studies have recently demonstrated a huge physical potential of the cascade companies’ utilization of the renewable waste ligno-cellulosic biomass sources by the fractionation, de...

Energy efficiency indices for lignocellulosic biomass production: Short rotation coppices versus grasses and other herbaceous crops

Plantations of perennial industrial crops (PIC) could be important sources of lignocellulosic biomass. These crops can be classified into three groups: short rotation coppice (SRC) – wood, herbaceous crops (semi–wood) and grasses (straw). Comparing various PIC genotypes directly under similar environmental conditions over many successive harvest rotations is necessary to accurately determine the yielding potential and energy efficiency of lignocellulose biomass production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the energy input, energy yield value and the energy efficiency indices of biomass production for 26 PIC genotypes (fifteen SRC, six herbaceous crops and five grasses) harvested in six successive annual rotations.The significantly highest energy yield value throughout the experiment (2012–2017) was obtained from the Ekotur willow variety (1857 GJ ha–1). Among the 26 PIC, the top ten for energy yield value and energy gain in the six successive rotations included five SRC willow (Salix spp.) genotypes: (Ekotur, Start, Żubr, Turbo, UWM 095), three grass genotypes: Miscanthus sacchariflorus ((Maxim.) Hack.), M. sinensis ((Thunb.) Andersson), Spartina pectinata Bosc ex Link and two herbaceous crops: Sida hermaphrodita Rusby L., Helianthus salicifolius A. Dietr. The significantly highest energy ratio (22.3) was obtained for the production of M. sacchariflorus. The next three places were occupied by willows, Ekotur, Żubr and Start and the index for them was 8–10% lower than for M. sacchariflorus. This research should be continued for the entire lifetime of a plantation, which is set up for at least 15 years even though some SRC may be exploited for more than 20 years. Therefore, it is important to assess individual PIC genotypes in later years of their cultivation in terms of their productivity and energy efficiency indices.

Nanolignocellulose Extracted from Environmentally Undesired Prosopis juliflora

Rising sustainability demands the search of new low-market-value sources of lignocellulosic biomass as raw material for nanocellulose processing. In this paper, we accordingly propose the isolation...