Upgrading Biomass

Bioethanol is suitable for internal combustion engines that run on gasoline. Similarly, biodiesel is designed for diesel engines. Biodiesel is a fuel manufactured from various oils and fats. These acids are chemically transformed to fatty acid methyl esters. By blending the fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters in the right proportions, the properties of the fuel can be influenced [59] and potentially mimic the properties of petrochemically derived diesel. Biofuel efficiency generally is the same as for fossil-derived diesel fuel [59]. 

A large body of literature exists describing liquefaction processes (see for a review, e.g., [60]). For an example of a possible liquefaction process, we refer to Chapter 13. 

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Upgrading Biomass enzymatic work for non-food uses of the biomass (new lubricants, emulsifiers (biosurfactants), and viscosity agents (polysaccharides)). 

Samolada, M.C., Baldauf, W., Vasalos, I.A., Production of bio-gasoline by upgrading biomass flash pyrolysis liquids via hydrogen processing and catalytic cracking, Fuel, 1998, 77, 1667. 

Bridgwater AV. Review of fast pyrolysis of biomass and product upgrading. Biomass Bioenergy. 2011 38 68-94. 

Williams PT, Home PA. The influence of catalyst type on the composition of upgraded biomass pyrolysis oil. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis. 1995 31 39-61. 

Williams, P. T. and Home, P. A., The influence of catalyst regeneration on the composition of zeolite-upgraded biomass pyrolysis oils. Fuel 1995, 74 (12), 1839-1851. 

Radlein D, Piskorz J, Majerski P, Method of upgrading biomass pyrolysis liquids for use as friels and as a source of chemicals by reaction with alcohols, European Patent 0718392, (1999. 

The stoichiometric hydrogen requirement to upgrade biomass pyrolysis liquids to premium fuels has been calculated through the following relation presented by Chronet and Overend [8] ... 

Given that biomass can be converted to a liquid product that is primarily phenolic, then oxygen removal and molecular weight reduction are necessary to produce usable hydrocarbon fuels. Upgrading biomass-derived oils differs from processing petroleum fractions or coal liquids because of the importance of deoxygenation. This topic has received only limited attention in the literature (6-11). 

Elliott, D. C. and E. G. Baker. "Upgrading Biomass Liquefaction Products Through Hydrodeoxygenation," in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Symposium No. 14. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1984 p 159. 

D.C. Elliot E.G. Baker, "Upgrading Biomass Liquefaction Products through Hydrodeoxygenation", Biotechnology Bioengineering Symp. H, 159-174 (1984). 

These upgraded biomass fuels can be used in engines, turbines, boilers or ovens to provide thermal and/or mechanical energy i.e. heat and power), which in turn can be converted into electrical energy. Additionally, liquid and gaseous fuels can be used directly or after treatment as transportation fuels. 

Czemik S, Maggi R, Peacoke GVC. 2002. Review of methods for upgrading biomass-derived fast pyrolysis oils. In Bridgwater, AV (editor). Fast Pryolysis of Biomass A Handbook, VoL 2. Newbury, UK CPL Press. 

Savarino, P., Montoneri, E., Biasizzo, M. et al. (2007) Upgrading biomass wastes in chemical technology. Humic acid-like matter isolated from compost as chemical auxiliary for textile dyeing. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 82, 939-948. 

Bridgwater, A.V., 2012b. Upgrading biomass fast pyrolysis liquids. Environmental Progress Sustainable Energy 31 (2), 261—268. 

WiUiams, P.T., Home, P.A., 1995. The influence of catalyst type on the composition of upgraded biomass pyrolysis oils. Journal of Analytical and AppUed Pyrolysis 31, 39—61. Wilson, K., Clark, J.H., 2000. SoUd acids and their use as environmentally friendly catalysts in organic synthesis. Pure and AppUed Chemistry 72 (7), 1313—1319. 

McCormick, R.L., Ratcliff, M.A., Christensen, E., Fonts, L., Luecke, J., Chupka, G.M., Yanowitz, J., Tian, M., Boot, M., 2015. Properties of oxygenates found in upgraded biomass pyrolysis oil as components of spark and compression ignition engine fuels. Energy Fuels 29, 2453—2461. 

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