Choosing Physical, Physicochemical and Chemical Methods of Pre-Treating Lignocellulosic Wastes to Repurpose into Solid Fuels

Martin J. Taylor, Hassan A. Alabdrabalameer and Vasiliki Skoulou
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Martin J. Taylor: Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK
Hassan A. Alabdrabalameer: Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK
Vasiliki Skoulou: Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 13, 1-27

Abstract: Various methods of physical, chemical and combined physicochemical pre-treatments for lignocellulosic biomass waste valorisation to value-added feedstock/solid fuels for downstream processes in chemical industries have been reviewed. The relevant literature was scrutinized for lignocellulosic waste applicability in advanced thermochemical treatments for either energy or liquid fuels. By altering the overall naturally 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 the use of bio-renewable waste can be revealed.

Keywords: biomass waste; pyrolysis; gasification; physical; physicochemical; chemical; pre-treatment; bio-energy; upgrade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3604-:d:244442

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