Table Of ContentBiotechnology S
E
t
v r
a e
The need for sustainability and for reducing n z
s o
the environmental impact of power-generating v
fuels has increased the demand for alternative
Biomass
energy sources. Biomass is positioned as one of
B
the most promising alternative energy sources,
i
because it is a carbon-based renewable fuel
o
that can be used in current fossil fuel–based
m
technologies. Generally low in sulphur and Processing
ash, it also has low to zero net atmospheric a
greenhouse gas contributions when used s
for energy and can be used to replace liquid
s
transportation fossil fuels.
Technologies
P
r
Biomass Processing Technologies provides
o
an overview of the technologies that can be ap-
c
plied for processing biomass into fuels. These
include classical methods such as digestion e
and fermentation as well as new technologies s
specifically designed for biomass fuels. The s
book begins by discussing the properties of i
n
biomass fuels and offers a new approach to
biomass fuel quality assessment. It addresses g
sustainability considerations for thermal-based
T
conversion of biomass into electricity.
e
c
The book also covers combustion, gasification,
h
pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing and ester-
n Edited by
ification technologies. In addition, it examines
production of second generation biofuels using o
Vladimir Strezov
Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, and explores pro- l
o
cessing of and applications for bio-oils.
g Tim J. Evans
i
e
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Biomass
Processing
Technologies
Biomass
Processing
Technologies
Edited by
Vladimir Strezov
Tim J. Evans
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
© 2015 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
No claim to original U.S. Government works
Printed on acid-free paper
Version Date: 20140114
International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4665-6616-3 (Hardback)
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Biomass processing technologies / [edited by] Vladimir Strezov and Tim J. Evans.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4665-6616-3 (alk. paper)
1. Biomass conversion. 2. Plant biomass. 3. Plant products--Biotechnology. 4.
Biomass energy. I. Strezov, Vladimir. II. Evans, Tim J.
TP248.27.M53B563 2014
662’.88--dc23 2014000454
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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and the CRC Press Web site at
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Contents
Preface ....................................................................................................................vii
Editors ......................................................................................................................ix
Contributors ............................................................................................................xi
1. Properties of Biomass Fuels .........................................................................1
Vladimir Strezov
2. Sustainability Considerations for Electricity Generation from
Biomass ...........................................................................................................33
Annette Evans, Vladimir Strezov and Tim J. Evans
3. Combustion of Biomass ..............................................................................53
Tao Kan and Vladimir Strezov
4. Gasification of Biomass ...............................................................................81
Tao Kan and Vladimir Strezov
5. Pyrolysis of Biomass ..................................................................................123
Cara J. Mulligan, Les Strezov and Vladimir Strezov
6. Hydrothermal Processing of Biomass ....................................................155
Tao Kan and Vladimir Strezov
7. Anaerobic Digestion ..................................................................................177
Annette Evans, Vladimir Strezov and Tim J. Evans
8. Esterification ................................................................................................213
Gary Leung and Vladimir Strezov
9. Fermentation of Biomass ...........................................................................257
Katrin Thommes and Vladimir Strezov
10. Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis from Biosyngas..........................................309
Katrin Thommes and Vladimir Strezov
11. Bio-Oil Applications and Processing .....................................................357
Annette Evans, Vladimir Strezov and Tim J. Evans
v
Preface
Most of the environmental and sustainability challenges of modern life are
associated with energy generation. These challenges are largely related to
the use of fossil fuels for providing human society’s energy needs. Fossil
fuels are natural products that are readily available for use with minor prep-
aration requirements, and that are high in energy and mass density. Fossil
fuel–based technologies are well-developed and mature. They are the main
drivers of the global economy, with the central economical parameters being
based on the price of fossil fuels or their derivatives. Although fossil fuels
are products with amazing properties, their large and widespread use over
the past centuries has left a legacy to the environment that now needs to be
addressed. The main environmental consideration of our current civilisation
is the challenge we face with the ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions.
The scientific community provides stronger connections among the use of
fossil fuels, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and their effect on
the climate. Fossil fuels are also associated with emissions of priority pollut-
ants to the atmosphere, the acidic gases of SO and NO, particulate matter
x x
(both fine and coarse particles), CO and heavy metals. These pollutants then
contribute to regional air quality through photochemical reactions or acidic
deposition. Emissions of trace metals from coal-fired power stations, particu-
larly mercury, are now being recognised as another emerging environmen-
tal challenge that has global environmental considerations due to the long
atmospheric lifetime of elemental mercury. Management of power station
and coal mine wastes poses additional risks due to the potential leaching of
toxic metals from ash dams.
Fossil fuels, as amazing or as troublesome as they are, have limited sup-
plies. They are being depleted and, eventually, humanity will reach a gen-
eration that will not have the same opportunity of our current luxury to
comfortably spend these natural products at rates set to satisfy the needs of
the present generation. A question of philosophical interest to the editors of
this book is ‘Are the sustainability and environmental problems that we are
facing today from power generation due to the intrinsic nature of the fossil
fuels, or are they because of the rates of their use?’ It is inevitable that we
need to use alternative energy sources that will reduce the current rates of
use of fossil fuels and further contribute to meeting the increase in demand for
energy in the future.
Biomass is positioned as one of the most promising alternative energy
sources because it is a carbon-based renewable fuel that can be utilised in
current fossil fuel–based technologies either directly or through primary
processing. Biomass is generally low in sulphur and ash, and when used for
energy, has low to zero net atmospheric greenhouse gas contributions on a
vii
viii Preface
full life-cycle basis. Biomass is also the only renewable energy source that
can be used to produce alternative solutions to liquid transportation fossil
fuels. Biomass exists as a by-product or waste in many industrial activities,
and has been traditionally discarded in dams or burnt in the field; hence,
its use as an energy source contributes to the effective management of these
wastes. The aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of all
the technologies that have been developed and can be applied to processing
the biomass into fuels.
