Choosing physical, physicochemical and chemical methods of pre-treating lignocellulosic wastes to repurpose into solid fuels

Taylor, Martin J.; Alabdrabalameer, Hassan A.; Skoulou, Vasiliki

Abstract

Various methods of physical, chemical and combined physicochemical pre-treatments for biomass waste valorization to value added feedstock for downstream processes in Chemical Industries have been reviewed. Where relevant literature was scrutinized for lignocellulosic waste applicability in advanced thermochemical treatments for either energy or liquid fuels. By altering the overall natural occurring bio-polymeric matrix of lignocellulosic biomass waste, individual components such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin can be accessed for numerous downstream processes such as pyrolysis, gasification and catalytic upgrading to value added products such as low carbon energy. Assessing the appropriate lignocellulosic pre-treatment technology is critical to suit the downstream process of both small and large-scale operations. The cost to operate the process (temperature, pressure or energy constraints), the physical and chemical structure of the feedstock after pre-treatment (decomposition/degradation, removal of inorganic components or organic solubilization) or the ability to scale up the pre-treating process must be considered so that the true value in use of bio-renewable waste can be revealed.

Citation

Taylor, M. J., Alabdrabalameer, H. A., & Skoulou, V. (2019). Choosing physical, physicochemical and chemical methods of pre-treating lignocellulosic wastes to repurpose into solid fuels. Sustainability, 11(13), Article 3604. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133604

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 23, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 30, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2019
• Journal: Sustainability
• Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 13
• Article Number: 3604
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133604
• Keywords: Biomass waste; Pyrolysis; Gasification; Physical; Physicochemical; Chemical; Pre-treatment; Bio-energy; Upgrade
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1926278
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/13/3604
• Additional Information: Special Issue Biofuels–Bioenergy Waste to Value Added Feedstock , MDPI Publishers