Bulk chemicals from biomass

Abstract

Given the current robust forces driving sustainable production, and available biomass conversion technologies, biomass-based routes are expected to make a signifi cant impact on the production of bulk chemicals within 10 years, and a huge impact within 20-30 years. In the Port of Rotterdam there is a clear shortterm (0-10 year) substitution potential of 10-15 % of fossil oil-based bulk chemicals by bio-based bulk chemicals, especially for oxygenated bulk chemicals, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, iso-propanol and acetone, butylene and methylethylketone and for the replacement of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) by ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). Glycerin, as a byproduct of biodiesel production, is a very favorable short-term option for the production of ethylene and propy lene glycols in the Port of Rotterdam. In the mid-term (10-20 years) there is clear potential for a bio-based production of ethylene, acrylic acid and N-containing bulk chemicals such as acrylonitrile, acrylamide and ε-caprolactam. Technologies involving direct isolation of aromatic building blocks from biomass, or the conversion of sugars or lignin to aromatics are still in their infancy. Biorefi neries that are being started up today will form the stepping stones toward the chemicals mentioned above if we learn to upgrade their side streams. For main ports like the Port of Rotterdam, these developments imply that it has to consider in much closer detail those facilities it has to offer for a more bio-based chemistry and economy.

Side by Side Comparison of Chemical Compounds Generated by Aqueous Pretreatments of Maize Stover, Miscanthus and Sugarcane Bagasse

“…Similarly, ferulic acid containing dimers are more abundant at higher temperatures (with the exception of two G(8-O-4)ferulic acid dimers). However, the quantity of these products remained relatively low and it is questionable if they can be purified for further processing as technologies involving isolation of aromatic building blocks from biomass are still in their infancy [45]. However, recent developments in purification of phenolics via adsorption techniques look promising [46].…”

Fermentable sugars by chemical hydrolysis of biomass

“…Sugars are natural intermediates in the biological and chemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), but access to sugars is hindered by the recalcitrance of plant cell walls (4,12). The majority of glucose in lignocellulose is locked into highly crystalline cellulose polymers.…”

Pretreatment of Wastepaper using Aqueous Glycerol to enhance Enzymatic Hydrolysis

“…EG와 비슷한 화학적 성질을 가진 glycerol은 최근 섬유질 기질의 전처리에 많이 이용되고 있다 [5][6][7][8][9][10]. 전처리 용매로 사용된 EG에 비해 glycerol의 가장 큰 장점은 낮은 용매 가격 인데 2006년 기준으로 바이오디젤 공정에서 생산된 glycerol 가격이 석유화학공정에서 생산된 EG가격의 절반 이하이다 [11]. 이것은 glycerol이 바이오디젤 생산 공정에서 부산물로 생산되고 전체 생산량의 약 10%를 차지하기 때문이다 [12].…”