Biomass gasification technology: The state of the art overview

In the last decades the interest in the biomass gasification process has increased due to the growing attention to the use of sustainable energy. Biomass is a renewable energy source and represents a valid alternative to fossil fuels. Gasification is the thermochemical conversion of an organic material into a valuable gaseous product, called syngas, and a solid product, called char. The biomass gasification represents an efficient process for the production of power and heat and the production of hydrogen and second-generation biofuels.This paper deals with the state of the art biomass gasification technologies, evaluating advantages and disadvantages, the potential use of the syngas and the application of the biomass gasification. Syngas cleaning though fundamental to evaluate any gasification technology is not included in this paper since; in the authors' opinion, a dedicated review is necessary.     

Protection Strategies Enable Selective Conversion of Biomass

Selective and economic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass components to bio‐based fuels and chemicals is the major goal of biorefineries, but low yields and selectivity for fuel precursors such as sugars, furanics, and lignin‐derived monomers pose significant disadvantages in process economics. In this Minireview we summarize the existing protection strategies used in biomass chemocatalytic conversion processes and focus the discussions on the mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities of each strategy. We introduce a concept of using analogous methods to manipulate biomass catalytic conversion pathways during the upgrading of carbohydrates to fuels and chemicals. This Minireview may provide new insights into the development of selective biorefining processes from a different perspective, expanding the options for selective conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals.     

纤维素制取乙醇技术

以纤维素为原料生产燃料乙醇由于其原料来源广泛及环保效益良好而被认为是最有前景的生产燃料乙醇的方法之一。以纤维素为原料生产乙醇主要包括水解和发酵两个转化过程。本文介绍了纤维素生产燃料乙醇的原理及工艺过程,同时讨论了各工艺过程需要解决的关键技术问题,分析了过程的经济性,最后介绍了国内外的应用现状,展望了纤维素生产燃料乙醇的产业化前景。     

纤维素制取乙醇技术

以纤维素为原料生产燃料乙醇由于其原料来源广泛及环保效益良好而被认为是最有前景的生产燃料乙醇的方法之一.以纤维素为原料生产乙醇主要包括水解和发酵两个转化过程.本文介绍了纤维素生产燃料乙醇的原理及工艺过程,同时讨论了各工艺过程需要解决的关键技术问题,分析了过程的经济性,最后介绍了国内外的应用现状,展望了纤维素生产燃料乙醇的产业化前景.     

TG-MS as a technique for a better monitoring of the pyrolysis,gasification and combustion of two kinds of sewage sludge

Sewage sludge disposal is a difficult task owing to increasingly restrictive re-use policies. Its final destination will obviously depend on its nature and composition but the generation of energy is a significant option. The thermochemical conversion requires exhaustive gas emission controls. In this regard, this paper offers the results of the use of mass spectrometry together with a thermogravimetric analysis system used to study the thermal conversion processes of two kinds of sewage sludge under different atmospheres simulating pyrolysis, gasification and combustion. This TG-MS combination indicates that gasification is the best process for one kind of sludge while a co-combustion process is more suitable for the other. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of Feedstock Particle Size on Lignocellulose Conversion—A Review

Feedstock particle sizing can impact the economics of cellulosic ethanol commercialization through its effects on conversion yield and energy cost. Past studies demonstrated that particle size influences biomass enzyme digestibility to a limited extent. Physical size reduction was able to increase conversion rates to maximum of ≈50%, whereas chemical modification achieved conversions of >70% regardless of biomass particle size. This suggests that (1) mechanical pretreatment by itself is insufficient to attain economically feasible biomass conversion, and, therefore, (2) necessary particle sizing needs to be determined in the context of thermochemical pretreatment employed for lignocellulose conversion. Studies of thermochemical pretreatments that have taken into account particle size as a factor have exhibited a wide range of maximal sizes (i.e., particle sizes below which no increase in pretreatment effectiveness, measured in terms of the enzymatic conversion resulting from the pretreatment, were observed) from <0.15 to 50 mm. Maximal sizes as defined above were dependent on the pretreatment employed, with maximal size range decreasing as follows: steam explosion > liquid hot water > dilute acid and base pretreatments. Maximal sizes also appeared dependent on feedstock, with herbaceous or grassy biomass exhibiting lower maximal size range (<3 mm) than woody biomass (>3 mm). Such trends, considered alongside the intensive energy requirement of size reduction processes, warrant a more systematic study of particle size effects across different pretreatment technologies and feedstock, as a requisite for optimizing the feedstock supply system.     

Dilute acid pretreatment of short rotation woody and herbaceous crops

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Large-scale production of ethanol or other transportation fuels by biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass will eventually require integration with...     

Thermal processing of algal biomass for biofuel production

Concerns over the environment and energy security have led to considerable research efforts into the development of renewable alternatives to fossil-based fuels and chemical from biomass. Algae has been identified as the biomass with great potential for utilization in this regard, due to several advantages algae has over terrestrial plants, such as a higher growth rate and photosynthetic efficiency, better CO₂ sequestration, and the ability to grow in non-arable land with low quality water. Conversion technologies, particularly thermochemical conversion, are actively being researched and developed to produce renewable chemicals and fuels. A major advance in this regard is thermal conversion of whole algal biomass, especially wet processing that can significantly reduce the cost of production. This short review looks at major developments in thermal processing of algal biomass with primary focus on the past two years.     

Current technologies for analysis of biomass thermochemical processing: A review

Pyrolysis and gasification are two of the more promising utilization methods for the conversion of biomass toward a clean fuel source. To truly understand and model these processes requires detailed knowledge ranging from structural information of raw biomass, elemental composition, gas-phase reaction kinetics and mechanisms, and product distributions (both desired and undesired). The various analytical methods of biomass pyrolysis/gasification processing are discussed, including reactor types, analytical tools, and recent examples in the areas of (a) compositional analysis, (b) structural analysis, (c) reaction mechanisms, and (d) kinetic studies on biomass thermochemical processing.     

Fast pyrolysis of biomass

The development of viable fast pyrolysis processes for biomass and other carbonaceous feedstocks will offer significant advantages over conventional pyrolysis, flash pyrolysis and gasification processes with respect to product yield quality and flexibility. Fast pyrolysis is defined and related to other biomass thermochemical conversion processes in some detail. Brief references are made to corresponding coal, hydrocarbon and oil conversion research and development. Proposed mechanisms and chemical pathways are reviewed, potential products. product upgrading and product applications are identified. Fast pyrolysis research is reviewed on both the fundamental bench-scale level and the applied process development level.     

Thermogravimetric analysis with gas chromatograph mass spectrometry of Japanese fir wood (Abies sachalinensis) in helium with or without steam–oxygen

Thermal properties of a kind of Japanese fir wood (Abies sachalinensis) were thermogravimetrically analyzed and produced compounds were gas chromatograph mass spectrometrically analyzed for basic study of biomass gasification. Atmosphere during each analysis was controlled to be helium alone or helium with steam–oxygen. Compounds identified in this series of measurements were roughly classified into three groups: (a) phenol and its derivatives, (b) oxygenated cyclic compounds, and (c) oxygenated compounds of low molecule. Their production rates were dependent on both temperature and atmosphere, which well explained high carbon conversion rate from feedstock to gas of advanced gasification technologies, such as entrained-flow type gasification, and high yields of solid and liquid residues of traditional gasification technologies, such as fixed-bed type gasification.     

轻工业纤维素生物质过程残渣能源化技术

以农产品为原料的轻工业大都是典型的流程工业,在通过转化过程将原料转化为食品、饮料、添加剂、调味料、纸和中成药等产品的同时产生被称为过程残渣的固体废物与废料,如白酒糟、酒精糟、醋糟、甘蔗渣、中药渣、油粕、酱渣、菌渣和造纸黑液可熔渣等.这些残渣产生于特定的生产过程,富含纤维素、蛋白质或木质素,因此代表一种已经被集中的生物质资源.它们同时含水50%-80%、易腐烂变质、甚至呈弱酸碱性,因此是重要的环境污染源.本文着眼于轻工生物质过程残渣的高值化利用,分析指出富含纤维素的白酒糟、醋糟、甘蔗渣、中药渣、茶渣和造纸边角料等适合作为生物质能源而被转化利用,并根据资源特征提出了可能的技术路线.通过分别对热化学路线涉及的脱水干燥、燃烧发电与气化发电技术和集成乙醇发酵、沼气发酵的复合转化技术进行技术综述,最后针对不同规模的富含纤维素轻工生物质过程残渣能源化提供了技术选择建议.     

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.

     

Carboxylate Platform: The MixAlco Process Part 1: Comparison of Three Biomass Conversion Platforms

To convert biomass to liquid fuels, three platforms are compared: thermochemical, sugar, and carboxylate. To create a common basis, each platform is fed “ideal biomass,” which contains polysaccharides (68.3%) and lignin (31.7%). This ratio is typical of hardwood biomass and was selected so that when gasified and converted to hydrogen, the lignin has sufficient energy to produce ethanol from the carboxylic acids produced by the carboxylate platform. Using balanced chemical reactions, the theoretical yield and energy efficiency were determined for each platform. For all platforms, the ethanol yield can be increased by 71% to 107% by supplying external hydrogen produced from other sources (e.g., solar, wind, nuclear, fossil fuels). The alcohols can be converted to alkanes with a modest loss of energy efficiency (3 to 5 percentage points). Of the three platforms considered, the carboxylate platform has demonstrated the highest product yields.     

Sustainability of biodiesel production in Malaysia by production of bio-oil from crude glycerol using microwave pyrolysis: a review

Biodiesel being one of the most promising renewable biofuels has seen rapid increase in production capacity due to high demand for diesel replacement; along with oversupply of its by-product, crude glycerol. Developing new industrial usage for glycerol is essential to defray the cost and sustainability of biodiesel industry and to promote the biodiesel industrialization. One of the approaches is by the transformation of glycerol into a liquid, referred as bio-oil through pyrolysis technology. Bio-oils produced by pyrolysis processes can be upgraded to produce transportation fuels or for power generation. However, current state of pyrolysis technologies are still major hurdles their development with respect to its commercial applications. Recently, microwave technology has attracted considerable attention as effective method for significantly reducing reaction time, improving the yields and selectivity of target products. Hence, this review strives extensively towards addressing the application of microwave-assisted technology applied to the pyrolysis process as a way of cost-effective and operationally feasible processes to directly utilize crude glycerol. The present review will focus on the pyrolyzed liquid product (bio-oil) derived by employing the microwave-assisted pyrolysis method. This review concludes that microwave-assisted glycerol conversion technology is a promising option as an alternative method to conventional glycerol conversion technology.     

Economic analysis of selected lignocellulose-to-ethanol conversion technologies

The objective of this case study was to examine the economics of three lignocellulose-to-ethanol conversion technologies: fast pyrolysis integrated with a fermentation step, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis and fermentation. All technologies were assumed to have an annual production rate of 25 million gallons of ethanol. The three technologies were compared in terms of capital costs, operating costs, and ethanol production costs. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to study the uncertainties of wood costs and ethanol production rates on ethanol production costs. Final economic analysis showed that fast pyrolysis integrated with a fermentation step is comparable with the other two processes and suggests that it should be considered for further development.     

Biofuels from microalgae biomass: A review of conversion processes and procedures

Achieving the EU 2030 vision of a 15% minimum amount of biofuels utilized in the road transportation require more research on biofuel production from biomass feedstock. To this end, this review study examines the use of green, deep eutectic solvents and direct transesterification approaches for biomass conversion to biofuels. Next, biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of microalgae biomass is presented. Lastly, the effect of operating conditions, as well as advantages and limitations of several biomass conversion techniques are outlined. Of note, this study presents promising microalgae conversion processes which could be progressed are the use of bio-based solvents and supercritical fluids for biodiesel production, hydrothermal liquefaction for biogas production, microwave-induced pyrolysis for syngas production, and ultrasound/microwave enhanced extraction for bio-oil production. These are based on the possibility of high yield and process economics. We have also enumerated knowledge gaps needed to propel future studies.     

生物质热解和气化过程Cl及碱金属逸出行为的化学热力学平衡分析

减少生物质在热转化反应器中Cl与碱金属K和Na以气态组元逸出可有效遏制积灰、腐蚀等现象和减少污染气体排放。采用化学热力学平衡分析方法，在400K~1600K研究了秸秆、树皮、木屑、废木和橄榄渣五种生物质在过剩空气系数分别为0、0.4、0.8的热解和气化过程中Cl与碱金属K和Na的赋存形态变化及逸出特性。结果表明，Cl在热解和气化过程中主要是以KCl(s)、HCl(g)、KCl(g)、(KCl)2(g)和NaCl(g)化合物赋存并相互转化；在800K~1000K时，含Cl固态组元逐渐转化为气态组元；K和Na在900K时开始以气态组元逸出，且热解过程有少量KCN(g)和NaCN(g)逸出，而气化过程，温度大于1000K随过剩空气系数的增加，KCl(g)、K(g)和Na(g)等气态组元量逐渐减少，逐渐转化为NaCl(g)、KOH(g)和NaOH(g)；减少Cl和碱金属K和Na逸出的理论最佳热解和气化温度分别为800K和900K。     

Novel hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose catalyzed by montmorillonite to produce kerogen-like hydrochar

The conversion of cellulose to petroleum-like fuel is a very challenging yet attractive route to developing biomass-to-fuel technology. Many attempts have been made in liquefaction, pyrolysis and gasification of cellulose to produce fuels or intermediate chemicals. Previous studies indicate that these processes are tough. Hence, the present work is concerned with the development of new technologies for the conversion of cellulose into materials which are analogies to the precursor of petroleum. Montmorillonite-catalyzed hydrothermal carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose for the production of kerogen-like hydrochar under mild conditions was investigated. It was revealed that the hydrothermal carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose alone resulted in hydrochar with type III kerogen-like structure, whereas in the presence of montmorillonite, the hydrothermal carbonization of microcrystalline cellulose yielded a hydrochar-mineral complex, of which the isolated organic fraction was oil-prone type II kerogen-like structure. Results suggested that further improved montmorillonite-aided biomass conversion to more oil-prone kerogen-like solid products could be an alternative efficient route to obtain biofuel and chemicals.     

Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems

This study details multicriteria assessment methodology that integrates economic, social, environmental, and technical factors in order to rank alternatives for biomass collection and transportation systems. Ranking of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems. A proposed collection option using loafer/stacker was shown to be the best option followed by ensiling and baling. Ranking of biomass transport systems is based on cost of biomass transport, emissions during transport, traffic congestion, and maturity of different technologies. At a capacity of 4×10⁶ dry t/yr, rail transport was shown to be the best option, followed by truck transport and pipeline transport, respectively. These rankings depend highly on assumed maturity of technologies and scale of utilization. These may change if technologies such as loafing or ensiling (wet storage) methods are proved to be infeasible for large-scale collection systems.