Energy content, biomass cellulose

The chemical characteristics of biomass vary over a broad range because of the many different types of species. Table 8 compares the typical analyses and energy contents of land- and water-based biomass, ie, wood, grass, kelp, and water hyacinth, and waste biomass, ie, manure, urban refuse, and primary sewage sludge, with those of cellulose, peat, and bituminous coal. Pure cellulose, a representative primary photosynthetic product, has a carbon content of... 

For example, in a (thermochemical) biorefinery, biomass is converted into energy carriers such as transportation fuels (e.g., ethanol), heat, and power and/or chemicals. In terms of energy content, the amount of biomass for (transportation) fuels and CHP (e.g., by combustion) is much higher than the amount used for the production of chemicals. However, in terms of added value, chemicals can provide a significant contribution to the overall cost effeaiveness of the refinery. When the main product of a biorefinery is (hemi) cellulose bioethanol, the lignin ends up in a residue that mostly is used as a fuel to generate heat. The economics of the biorefinery will benefit much from the valorization of this lignin-rich residue to value-added aromatic chemicals. 

Biomass is predominantly eomposed of biopolymers, for example cellulose, hemieellulose, and lignin. From a molecular viewpoint, converting non-food biomass to liquid fuels is a process of transforming solid-phase macromolecules into liquid-phase small molecules. Simultaneously, it is necessary to reduce the oxygen content of the small molecules to improve the energy density. 

Since -35 mesh oak sawdust was available locally, it was selected to study the initial variables (temperature, time, biomass load, intrinsic acidity, and acid concentration) needed for IDAHH. Seven raw biomass resources as well as Ce standards, cellulose and starch, were surveyed. These feedstocks have 59.0-73.2% holocellulose and include a hardwood, softwood, perennial energy crop, and an agricultural waste. Switchgrass and corn stover have been deemed as the best quantity biomass resources with the advantage of fast growth, cyclical harvest, and ready availability. However, it is important to note that such crops have a significant protein content which may contribute to catalyst poisoning in our reactions. 

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