Biomass thermochemical processing

Fig. 33.29. General product composition as a function of process severity for biomass thermochemical processes.

Biomass thermochemical processes have been studied for at least two reasons (1) a better understanding of the combustion process to control biomass flammability and, (2) research into improved processes for converting biomass into useful energy forms. The late Fred Shafizadeh (see, e.g., 4jt5) laid the groundwork for all recent studies in both arenas. The work on combustion mechanisms continues at the Wood Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Montana in Missoula (see, e.g., 6). Antal has recently (7 ) reviewed all aspects of biomass pyrolysis, and the reader is directed to his reviews for detail study of the processes involved. Chatterjeo has produced an excellent summary (9) of biomass pyrolysis... 

Hydrogen Production from Biomass Thermochemical Processes... 

Lujuefaction. Eigure 21 outlines most of the biomass Hquefaction methods under development. There are essentially three basic types of biomass Hquefaction technologies, ie, fermentation, natural, and thermochemical processes. 

A. V. Bridgwater, ed.. Thermochemical Processing of Biomass, Butterworths, London, 1984, 344 pp. 

Biomass-based processes for the production of hydrogen can be either thermochemical or biological and can produce this clean carrier directly or through an intermediate, storable product. Also, the use of coproducts has to be addressed to improve the process economics and in view of the sustainability of using this natural resource. A recent overview of the status of the different technologies is given in an IEA/NREL review5 and further by Czernik et al.8... 

Blackader, W. Rensfelt, E., Synthesis gas from wood and peat The mino process. In Thermochemical Processing of Biomass, Bridgwater, A. V., Ed., Butterworth, London, 1984, pp. 137-149. 

Thermochemical conversion processes use heat in an oxygen controlled environment that produce chemical changes in the biomass. The process can produce electricity, gas, methanol and other products. Gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction are thermochemical methods for converting biomass into energy. 

Beckman, D., Elliott, D.C., Comparisons of the yields and properties of the oil products from direct thermochemical biomass liquefaction processes, Can. J. Chem. Eng., 1985, 63, 99. 

Miranda, R. 2004. Hydrogen from lignocellulosic biomass via thermochemical processes. Energy Edu Sci Technol 13 21-30. 

Demirbas, A. 1998. Yields of oil products from thermochemical biomass conversion processes. Energy Convers Manage 39 685-690. 

Biomass can be converted to different energy products, such as heat and electricity, different transport fuels, such as methanol, DME and other chemicals by thermochemical processes. These thermochemical processes can be divided into several main groups ... 

Brown RC, editor. Thermochemical processing of biomass conversion into fuels, chemicals and power. Chichester, West Sussex, UK John Wiley Sons 2011. 

Richards, G. N. and Zheng, G. C., Influence of metal-ions and of salts on products from pyrolysis of wood -Applications to thermochemical processing of newsprint and biomass. J Analytical Appl Pyrolysis 1991, 21 (1-2), 133-146. 

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