Non-edible Biomass Research Articles

Conventional and advanced liquid biofuels

Energy security and independence, increase and fluctuation of the oil price, fossil fuel resources depletion and global climate change are some of the greatest challanges facing societies today and in incoming decades. Sustainable economic and industrial growth of every country and the world in general requires safe and renewable resources of energy. It has been expected that re-arrangement of economies towards biofuels would mitigate at least partially problems arised from fossil fuel consumption and create more sustainable development. Of the renewable energy sources, bioenergy draws major and particular development endeavors, primarily due to the extensive availability of biomass, already-existence of biomass production technologies and infrastructure, and biomass being the sole feedstock for liquid fuels. The evolution of biofuels is classified into four generations (from 1st to 4th) in accordance to the feedstock origin; if the technologies of feedstock processing are taken into account, than there are two classes of biofuels - conventional and advanced. The conventional biofuels, also known as the 1st generation biofuels, are those produced currently in large quantities using well known, commercially-practiced technologies. The major feedstocks for these biofuels are cereals or oleaginous plants, used also in the food or feed production. Thus, viability of the 1st generation biofuels is questionable due to the conflict with food supply and high feedstocks? cost. This limitation favoured the search for non-edible biomass for the production of the advanced biofuels. In a general and comparative way, this paper discusses about various definitions of biomass, classification of biofuels, and brief overview of the biomass conversion routes to liquid biofuels depending on the main constituents of the biomass. Liquid biofuels covered by this paper are those compatible with existing infrastructure for gasoline and diesel and ready to be used in mixture with them as ?drop-in? fuels: bioethanol, celullosic ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and BtL diesel; their major advantages and drawbacks are compared.

Pyrolysis Pathways of the Furanic Ether 2-Methoxyfuran.

Substituted furans, including furanic ethers, derived from nonedible biomass have been proposed as second-generation biofuels. In order to use these molecules as fuels, it is important to understand how they break apart thermally. In this work, a series of experiments were conducted to study the unimolecular and low-pressure bimolecular decomposition mechanisms of the smallest furanic ether, 2-methoxyfuran. Electronic structure (CBS-QB3) calculations indicate this substituted furan has an unusually weak O-CH3 bond, approximately 190 kJ mol(-1) (45 kcal mol(-1)); thus, the primary decomposition pathway is through bond scission resulting in CH3 and 2-furanyloxy (O-C4H3O) radicals. Final products from the ring opening of the furanyloxy radical include 2 CO, HC≡CH, and H. The decomposition of methoxyfuran is studied over a range of concentrations (0.0025-0.1%) in helium or argon in a heated silicon carbide (SiC) microtubular flow reactor (0.66-1 mm i.d., 2.5-3.5 cm long) with reactor wall temperatures from 300 to 1300 K. Inlet pressures to the reactor are 150-1500 Torr, and the gas mixture emerges as a skimmed molecular beam at a pressure of approximately 10 μTorr. Products formed at early pyrolysis times (100 μs) are detected by 118.2 nm (10.487 eV) photoionization mass spectrometry (PIMS), tunable synchrotron VUV PIMS, and matrix infrared absorption spectroscopy. Secondary products resulting from H or CH3 addition to the parent and reaction with 2-furanyloxy were also observed and include CH2═CH-CHO, CH3-CH═CH-CHO, CH3-CO-CH═CH2, and furanones; under the conditions in the reactor, we estimate these reactions contribute to at most 1-3% of total methoxyfuran decomposition. This work also includes observation and characterization of an allylic lactone radical, 2-furanyloxy (O-C4H3O), with the assignment of several intense vibrational bands in an Ar matrix, an estimate of the ionization threshold, and photoionization efficiency. A pressure-dependent kinetic mechanism is also developed to model the decomposition behavior of methoxyfuran and provide pathways for the minor bimolecular reaction channels that are observed experimentally.

Recent progress in the thermocatalytic processing of biomass into advanced fuels

Recent progress in the thermocatalytic processing of biomass into advanced fuels

Enzyme‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Saccharide Acrylate Monomers from Nonedible Biomass

Various cellulase preparations were found to catalyze the transglycosidation between cotton linters and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. The conversion and enzyme activity were found to be optimal in reaction mixtures that contained 5 vol % of the acrylate. The structures of the products were revealed by using TLC and (1) H and (13) C NMR spectroscopy. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction resulted in two products. The minor product originated from transglycosidation to hemicellulose and was found to be 2-(β-xylosyloxy)-ethyl acrylate. The major product was identified as 2-(β-glucosyloxy)-ethyl acrylate and the yield of the product was 5 wt % based on the amount of consumed cellulose. Glycosidation products with oligosaccharide moieties could not be detected in the reaction mixture. This result can be explained by the hydrolytic activities of the used cellulase preparation. Cellulase from Trichoderma reesei was found to possess, in addition to endoglucanase activity, cellobiosidase and β-glucosidase activities. Five other cellulase preparations from different origins were tested as well for catalysis of oligosaccharide acrylate synthesis. For most cellulase preparations the major transglycosidation product appeared to be 2-(β-glucosyloxy)-ethyl acrylate. Nevertheless, the endo-β-(1,4)-glucanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum was found to catalyze the synthesis of 2-(β-cellobiosyloxy)-ethyl acrylate. Unlike the other cellulase preparations, endo-β-(1,4)-glucanase from T. longibrachiatum showed no detectable β-glucosidase activity and therefore oligosaccharide acrylate monomers were not further hydrolyzed into the monosaccharide acrylate 2-(β-glucosyloxy)-ethyl acrylate.

Waste Paper as Promising Feedstock for Production of Biofuel

ABSTRACT Modern approach to utilization of non-edible biomass is its conversion to glucose, and the following fermentation of the sugar into final bioproducts. Among various biomass types, the waste of office paper is distinguished by increased content of cellulose and negligible content of lignin; therefore it can be a suitable feedstock for bioconversion into valuable bioproducts. In this article, an advanced technology has been proposed for complete utilization of the paper waste by bioconversion. The technology is comprised of the following main steps: (1). Redispersion of the waste paper and then screening of the pulp in order to separate fibers from mineral fillers; (2). Acidification and washing of the fibers to remove the residual calcium carbonate; (3). High-solids enzymatic hydrolysis of the demineralized paper to obtain fermentable sugar - glucose; and (4). Fermentation of the glucose into biofuel. As a result, from 1 ton of the waste office paper about 280 L of bioethanol can be produced that have capacity of the heat energy of 1680 kWh. Besides, there remain by-products of the processing including about 260kg of residual fibers and about 270kg of mineral fillers that can be used repeatedly in the papermaking. Thus, the waste paper can be utilized completely for production of the valuable bioproduct and recycled paper materials.

未利用バイオマスからの新規バイオベースプラスチック開発の取り組み

現在，様々なバイオベースプラスチックが開発されているが，熱的あるいは機械的性質，加工性，生産性，原料問題など多くの課題を抱えている。本稿では，微生物産生ポリエステル合成において炭素源を糖から非可食系植物油へ転換する取り組み，木質バイオマスの1つでこれまで廃棄されてきたヘミセルロースであるキシランの有効利用に関する研究，食品廃棄物の1つであるコーヒーの搾り滓から抽出されるカフェ酸を原料としたポリエステル合成に関する筆者らの最近の研究成果について紹介する。

Harmonising Production, Properties and Environmental Consequences of Liquid Transport Fuels from Biomass—2,5‐Dimethylfuran as a Case Study

The rapid development in methods for transforming non-edible biomass into platform chemicals and fuels has accelerated over recent years. However, the determination of whether these 'next-generation' biofuels perform in a satisfactory manner in engines, turbines and burners has lagged behind. The evaluation of the ecological and toxicological aspects has also been unable to keep up. We show, by using 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) as a concrete example, how a range of studies is needed to establish the benefits and risks of using a particular biofuel. In this regard, the variable with the largest impact about which little is known is probably the behaviour of DMF when it is accidentally introduced into groundwater. A primary consideration is to avoid a repetition of the methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) fiasco.

Selection and hydroponic growth of potato cultivars for bioregenerative life support systems

As part of the ESA-funded MELiSSA program, Ghent University and the Université catholique de Louvain investigated the suitability, growth and development of four potato cultivars in hydroponic culture under controlled conditions with the aim to incorporate such cultivation system in an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Potato plants can fulfill three major functions in an ECLSS in space missions: (a) fixation of CO2 and production of O2, (b) production of tubers for human nutrition and (c) production of clean water after condensation of the water vapor released from the plants by transpiration. Four cultivars (Annabelle, Bintje, Desiree and Innovator) were selected and grown hydroponically in nutrient film technique (NFT) gullies in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. The plant growth parameters, tuber harvest parameters and results of tuber nutritional analysis of the four cultivars were compared. The four potato cultivars grew well and all produced tubers. The growth period lasted 127days for all cultivars except for Desiree which needed 145days. Annabelle (1.45kg/m2) and Bintje (1.355kg/m2) were the best performing of the four cultivars. They also produced two times more tubers than Desiree and Innovator. Innovator produced the biggest tubers (20.95g/tuber) and Desiree the smallest (7.67g/tuber). The size of Annabelle and Bintje potatoes were intermediate. Bintje plants produced the highest total biomass in term of DW. The highest non-edible biomass was produced by Desiree, which showed both the highest shoot and root DW. The manual length and width measurements were also used to predict the total tuber mass. The energy values of the tubers remained in the range of the 2010 USDA and Souci-Fachmann-Kraut food composition databases. The amount of Ca determined was slightly reduced compared to the USDA value, but close to the Souci-Fachmann-Kraut value. The concentration of Cu, Zn and P were high compared to both databases.Clearly, the yields for the four cultivars used in this study can still be significantly increased. Identification of optimal growth conditions (a.o. nutrient solution management, light conditions) will be the subject of further research.

A comparative study on the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass by chemical and biological method

AbstractEthanol derived from non-edible biomass is renewable and a clean source of energy. It is independent of the food industry and it is economically feasible. The first generation biofuel or bioethanol is still not a very convenient source of energy as it prominently depends on the availability of grains. The main objective of this work is to develop an industrious efficient process to produce ethanol from lignocellulosic biomasses like wood and leaf in a lab scale. Two processes were compared. The first process involved an alkaline pre-treatment of the powdered biomass followed by dilute acid hydrolysis. The second process involved an alkaline treatment followed by direct hydrolysis of the biomass by use of a fungal species obtained from rotting wood. Following hydrolysis, fermentation was performed using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ethanol produced was measured. The process methodologies performed here are liable to be scaled up easily. The final study determines factors such as temperature, strength of the reagents and retention time to maximize ethanol production.

Direct rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with the biofuel molecule ethyl levulinate

Second generation (2G) biofuels are produced from non-edible lignocellulosic biomass providing sustainable alternatives for fossil fuels. The OH reaction rate constant has been determined for the 2G biofuel ethyl levulinate (CH3C(O)CH2CH2C(O)OCH2CH3, ELA) (1) for the first time. The direct reaction kinetic technique of pulsed laser photolysis (PLP) coupled with resonance fluorescence (RF) detection of OH radicals has been used to determine the rate constant value of k 1 = (3.43 ± 0.36) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 (298 K), where the error given designates 2σ accuracy. Implications for atmospheric chemistry have been discussed.

ChemInform Abstract: Recent Advances in the Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose

AbstractReview: ca. 130 refs.

Optimization of Intracanopy Lighting for Hydroponically Grown Cowpea in Controlled Environments

A major source of power consumption in controlled-environment crop production is plant-growth lighting. Methods developed to minimize this source of power consumption will reduce the negative environmental impact of crop production through more-efficient management of non-renewable resources. One such method uses “intracanopy lighting,” in which the plants are allowed to grow through multiple levels of low-intensity lamps to irradiate the understory that normally is shaded when traditional overhead lighting is used. Early results with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp `IT87D-941-1') indicate a significant reduction in net power consumption within a given growth area or volume while enhancing the harvest index (HI = percent edible biomass). Incorporation of mylar reflectors and manipulation of lamp geometries for more-efficient use of available photosynthetically active radiation, while maintaining low power consumption are the focus of present experiments. Photosynthetic rates by leaves of different ages and positions within the canopy are measured as a way of determining lighting efficiency. The productivity parameters HI, edible yield rate (EYR = gDW × m–2 × day–1), yield efficiency rate (YER = gDW edible × m–2 × day–1 [gDW non-edible]-1), energy conversion efficiency (ECE = EYR × [kW·h]–1), and energy partition efficiency (EPE = YER × [kW·h]–1) express the costs of edible biomass production in terms of the spatial, temporal, energetic, and non-edible biomass penalties. [Research supported in part by NASA grant NAGW-2329.]

Manipulation of Plant Density to Enhance Rice Yield for a Bioregenerative Life-support System

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a candidate crop for use in Controlled Ecological Life-support Systems (CELSS) proposed for a lunar or Mars outpost. `Ai-Nan-Tsao' is a promising semi-dwarf cultivar because growth volume is limited and HI (percent edible biomass) is high. Yield efficiency rate (YER: g grain/m3 per day [g nonedible biomass]-) combines edible yield rate (EYR: g grain/m3 per day) and HI to quantify edible yield in terms of penalties for growth volume, cropping time, and nonedible biomass production. Greenhouse studies indicate EYR increases with plant density from 70 to 282 plants/m2. YER and shoot HI are stable across this density range because nonedible biomass accumulation keeps pace with edible. Tiller number and panicle size per plant decreased with increasing plant density, but total tiller and panicle number per unit area increased to compensate. Density trials in rigorously controlled environments will determine if higher plant densities will produce even greater YER. This research is supported by NASA grant NAGW-2329.

Manipulation of Plant Density to Enhance Rice Yield for a Bioregenerative Life-support System

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a candidate crop for use in Controlled Ecological Life-support Systems (CELSS) proposed for a lunar or Mars outpost. `Ai-Nan-Tsao' is a promising semi-dwarf cultivar because growth volume is limited and HI (percent edible biomass) is high. Yield efficiency rate (YER: g grain/m3 per day [g nonedible biomass]-) combines edible yield rate (EYR: g grain/m3 per day) and HI to quantify edible yield in terms of penalties for growth volume, cropping time, and nonedible biomass production. Greenhouse studies indicate EYR increases with plant density from 70 to 282 plants/m2. YER and shoot HI are stable across this density range because nonedible biomass accumulation keeps pace with edible. Tiller number and panicle size per plant decreased with increasing plant density, but total tiller and panicle number per unit area increased to compensate. Density trials in rigorously controlled environments will determine if higher plant densities will produce even greater YER. This research is supported by NASA grant NAGW-2329.

USE OF CONTINUOUS LIGHTING DURING THE RICE LIFE CYCLE TO INCREASE GRAIN YIELD FOR A CELSS

Rice has been selected as a CELSS candidate species for human life support in space. Research optimizing environmental parameters, such as daylength, has increased overall grain yield. Rice is a short day plant, but after floral induction, it can be switched to continuous light. Greenhouse studies of Ai-nan-tsao, a high tillering japonica cultivar, have shown that edible yield rates can be increased from 6.2 g m-2 d-1 to 14.1 g m-2 d-1 if the cultivar is switched from 8-h days to continuous light after panicle emergence. If calculated on a volume basis, those yields are 8.3 g m-3 d-1 and 20.2 g m-3 d-1, respectively. Shoot harvest index was 37% for plants grown under 8 h days, but increased to 55% for plants switched to continuous light There was a corresponding increase in non-edible biomass accumulation by the plants. Also, individual panicle weight increased from 0.54 g to 1.12 g when plants were switched to continuous light Studies are in progress with 8-h days applied for 1 or 2 weeks during a continuously illuminated vegetative growth period. This project was supported in part by NASA grant NAGW2329.