Superheated Steam Torrefaction of Biomass Residues with Valorisation of Platform Chemicals—Part 1: Ecological Assessment
Sustainability
; 14(3):1212, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-1686977
ABSTRACT
Within the last decade, research on torrefaction has gained increasing attention due to its ability to improve the physical properties and chemical composition of biomass residues for further energetic utilisation. While most of the research works focused on improving the energy density of the solid fraction to offer an ecological alternative to coal for energy applications, little attention was paid to the valorisation of the condensable gases as platform chemicals and its ecological relevance when compared to conventional production processes. Therefore, the present study focuses on the ecological evaluation of an innovative biorefinery concept that includes superheated steam drying and the torrefaction of biomass residues at ambient pressure, the recovery of volatiles and the valorisation/separation of several valuable platform chemicals. For a reference case and an alternative system design scenario, the ecological footprint was assessed, considering the use of different biomass residues. The results show that the newly developed process can compete with established bio-based and conventional production processes for furfural, 5-HMF and acetic acid in terms of the assessed environmental performance indicators. The requirements for further research on the synthesis of other promising platform chemicals and the necessary economic evaluation of the process were elaborated.
Environmental Studies; biorefinery; superheated steam torrefaction; environmental assessment; volatile recovery; platform chemicals; Furfural; Volatile organic compounds--VOCs; Software; Flux density; Emissions; Superheated steam drying; Biomass; Acetic acid; Atmospheric pressure; Volatiles; Systems design; Pressure; Environmental impact; Chemical composition; Drying; Climate change; Industrial plant emissions; Physical properties; COVID-19; Steam; Ecological evaluation; Volatile compounds; Electricity generation; Residues; Chemicals; Alternative energy sources; Pyrolysis; Germany
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Language:
English
Journal:
Sustainability
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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