Hydrothermal Processing In Biorefineries

The biorefinery, integration of processes and technologies for biomass conversion, demands efficient utilization of all components. Hydrothermal processing is a potential clean technology to convert raw materials such as lignocellulosic and aquatic biomass into bioenergy and high added-value compounds. This book aims to show fundamental concepts and key technological developments that enabled industrial application of hydrothermal processing. The scope of this book is primarily for scientists working in the biorefinery field as well as engineers from industry and potential investors in biofuels. Therefore, the information in this book will provide an overview of this technology applied to lignocellulosic materials and aquatic biomass, and especially new knowledge. Critically, this book brings together experts in the application of hydrothermal processes on lignocellulosic and aquatic biomass.

Biomass Fractionation Technologies for a Lignocellulosic Feedstock-based Biorefinery reviews the extensive research and tremendous scientific and technological developments that have occurred in the area of biorefinering, including industrial processes and product development using ‘green technologies’, often referred as white biotechnology. As there is a huge need for new design concepts for modern biorefineries as an alternative and amendment to industrial crude oil and gas refineries, this book presents the most important topics related to biomass fractionation, including advances, challenges, and perspectives, all with references to current literature for further study. Presented in 26 chapters by international field specialists, each chapter consists of review text that comprises the most recent advances, challenges, and perspectives for each fractionation technique. The book is an indispensable reference for all professionals, students, and workers involved in biomass biorefinery, assisting them in establishing efficient and economically viable process technologies for biomass fractionation. Provides information on the most advanced and innovative pretreatment processes and technologies for biomass Reviews numerous valuable products from lignocellulose Discusses integration of processes for complete biomass conversion with minimum waste generation Identifies the research gaps in scale-up Presents an indispensable reference for all professionals, students, and workers involved in biomass biorefinery, assisting them in establishing efficient and economically viable process technologies for biomass fractionation

Sustainable Seaweed Technologies: Cultivation, Biorefinery, and Applications collates key background information on efficient cultivation and biorefinery of seaweeds, combining underlying chemistry and methodology with industry experience. Beginning with a review of the opportunities for seaweed biorefinery and the varied components and properties of macroalgae, the book then reviews all the key steps needed for industrial applications, from its cultivation, collection and processing, to extraction techniques, concentration and purification. A range of important applications are then discussed, including the production of energy and novel materials from seaweed, before a set of illustrative case studies shows how these various stages work in practice. Drawing on the expert knowledge of a global team of editors and authors, this book is a practical resource for both researchers and businesses who currently work with macroalgae. Highlights the specific challenges and benefits of developing seaweed for sustainable products Presents useful case studies that demonstrate varied approaches and methodologies in practice Covers the complete seaweed chain, from cultivation to waste management

The book provides fundamental chemistry and properties of near-critical water (NCW) and supercritical water (SCW), criteria and challenges/solutions in reactor design for NCW and SCW processes, and up-to-date reviews and practice of a wide range of their applications in bio refineries including: production of hydrochars from biomass, SCW oxidation (SCWO) for waste treatment, SCW gasification (SCWG) of biomass and waste for hydrogen and methane production, hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass, production of chemicals and SCWO of biofuels for energy. It also presents techno-economic analysis of hydrogen production via SCWG of biomass. The book will be highly essential for both academic researchers and industrial practitioners for developing novel bio refinery technologies and processes employing NCW or SCW for treatment of various organic waste streams and production of bio-energy and bio-based chemicals from bio-renewable resources. Prof. Dr. Zhen Fang is leader and founder of biomass group, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Dr. Chunbao (Charles) Xu is currently an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and NSERC/FP Innovations Industrial Research Chair in Forest Bio refinery at Western University, Canada.

This book addresses a key innovative technology for decarbonization of the energy system: hydrothermal processing. It basically consists of treating biomass and wastes in a wet form, under pressure and temperature condition. This approach is becoming more and more attractive, as new feedstock and applications are appearing on the scene of bioeconomy and bioenergy. The hydrothermal processing of various type of biomass, waste, and residues, thus, raised the interest of many researchers and companies around the world, together with downstream upgrading processes and technologies: solid products as biochar, for instance, or liquid ones as crude bioliquids, are finding new market opportunities in circular economy schemes. The Special Issue collects recent innovative research works in the field, from basic to applied research, as well as pilot industrial applications/demo. It is a valuable set of references for those investing time and effort in research in the field.

High-lipid algae are potential sources of biofuels. Lipids in this biomass provide a straightforward chemical route to hydrocarbon-based high energy-density fuels needed for diesel and jet engines. However, current schemes for producing these biofuels require large amounts of energy and solvents to recover the oil. The feedstocks have dilute concentrations (1 wt% or less) in aqueous media, and must be dewatered significantly to form biofuels. A hydrothermal environment, utilizing a highpressure, high-temperature, water-based medium, is well-suited for processing these dilute biomass feedstocks. Conversion of high-lipid model feedstocks to bio-crude oils was investigated over temperatures from 250 to 350 C and a wide range of reaction times (from minutes to several hours). Temperature and pressure controlled batch reactions were performed on Isochrysis sp., and T. Weissflogii. Chemical analysis was performed to give a detailed characterization of the products, including fatty acid conversion and oil yields. Product analysis was thorough enough to be used for simulation of the hydrothermal process. These results were used to fit a model for lipid reactions in hydrothermal systems. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of the algal hydrothermal process was performed for comparison to conventional algal biofuel production techniques. Extraction and conversion to fuels had similar energy inputs for either hydrothermal or extracted oil.

This edited volume focuses on comprehensive state-of-the-art information about the practical aspects of cultivation, harvesting, biomass processing and biofuel production from algae. Chapters cover topics such as synthetic ecological engineering approaches towards sustainable production of biofuel feedstock, and algal biofuel production processes using wastewater. Readers will also discover more about the role of biotechnological engineering in improving ecophysiology, biomass and lipid yields. Particular attention is given to opportunities of commercialization of algal biofuels that provides a realistic assessment of various techno-economical aspects of pilot scale algal biofuel production. The authors also explore the pre-treatment of biomass, catalytic conversion of algal lipids and hydrothermal liquefaction with the biorefinery approach in detail. In a nut shell, this volume will provide a wealth of information based on a realistic evaluation of contemporary developments in algal biofuel research with an emphasis on pilot scale studies. Researchers studying and working in the areas of environmental science, biotechnology, genetic engineering and biochemistry will find this work instructive and informative.

This book is a compilation of process, technologies and value added products such as high value biochemicals and biofuels produced from different waste biorefineries. The book is sectioned into four categories providing a comprehensive outlook about zero waste biorefinery and technologies associated with it. The emerging technologies that potentially put back the lignocellulosic waste, municipal solid waste and food waste into intrinsic recycling for production of high value biochemicals and bioenergy, along with associated challenges and opportunities are also included. The content also focuses on algal biorefineries leading to sustainable circular economy through production of broad spectrum of bioactive compounds, bioethanol, biobutanol, biohydrogen, biodiesel through integrated biorefinery approach. The volume also includes chapters on conversion technologies and mathematical models applied for process optimization. A sound foundation about the underlying principles of biorefineries and a up-to-date state-of-the-art based overview on the latest advances in terms of scientific knowledge, techno-economic developments and life cycle assessment methodologies of integrated waste biorefinery is provided. This volume will be of great interest to professionals, post-graduate students and policy makers involved in waste management, biorefineries, circular economy and sustainable development.

Integrated Biorefineries: Design, Analysis, and Optimization examines how to create a competitive edge in biorefinery innovation through integration into existing processes and infrastructure. Leading experts from around the world working in design, synthesis, and optimization of integrated biorefineries present the various aspects of this complex

This book covers almost all of the diverse aspects of utilizing lignocellulosic biomass for valuable biorefinery product development of chemicals, alternative fuels and energy. The world has shifted towards sustainable development for the generation of energy and industrially valuable chemicals. Biorefinery plays an important role in the integration of conversion process with high-end equipment facilities for the generation of energy, fuels and chemicals. The book is divided into four parts. The first part, "Basic Principles of Biorefinery," covers the concept of biorefinery, its application in industrial bioprocessing, the utilization of biomass for biorefinery application, and its future prospects and economic performance. The second part, "Biorefinery for Production of Chemicals," covers the production of bioactive compounds, gallic acid, C4, C5, and C6 compounds, etc., from a variety of substrates. The third part, "Biorefinery for Production of Alternative Fuel and Energy," covers sustainable production of bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas from different types of substrates. The last part of this book discusses sequential utilization of wheat straw, material balance, and biorefinery approach. The approaches presented in this book will help readers/users from different areas like process engineering and biochemistry to plan integrated and inventive methods to trim down the expenditure of the industrial manufacture process to accomplish cost-effective feasible products in biorefinery.