Volume II presents the latest advances in catalytic hydrodeoxygenation and other transformations of some cellulosic platform chemicals to high value-added products. It presents the theoretical evaluation of the energetics and catalytic species involved in potential pathways of catalyzed carbohydrate conversion, pathways leading to the formation of humin-based by-products, and thermal pathways in deriving chemicals from lignin pyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation. Catalytic gasification of biomass under extreme thermal conditions as an extension of pyrolysis is also discussed. Marcel Schlaf, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph, Canada. Z. Conrad Zhang, PhD, is a Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Volume I mainly focuses on the current understanding of the reaction pathways and mechanisms involved in several important catalytic conversions of cellulose and carbohydrates. It starts with nanoscale illustrations of biomass structures and describes various reactions including cellulose depolymerization to sugars, catalytic aldose-ketose isomerization and dehydration, selective oxidation, hydrogenolysis of cellulose and sugars, and the conversion of short carbohydrates. The specificity and function of different catalysts and reaction media in relation to the catalytic performances for these reactions are discussed with significant mechanistic details. Marcel Schlaf, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph, Canada. Z. Conrad Zhang, PhD, is a Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
A comprehensive examination of the large number of possible pathways for converting biomass into fuels and power through thermochemical processes Bringing together a widely scattered body of information into a single volume, this book provides complete coverage of the many ways that thermochemical processes are used to transform biomass into fuels, chemicals and power. Fully revised and updated, this new edition highlights the substantial progress and recent developments that have been made in this rapidly growing field since publication of the first edition and incorporates up-to-date information in each chapter. Thermochemical Processing of Biomass: Conversion into Fuels, Chemicals and Power, 2nd Edition incorporates two new chapters covering: condensed phased reactions of thermal deconstruction of biomass and life cycle analysis of thermochemical processing systems. It offers a new introductory chapter that provides a more comprehensive overview of thermochemical technologies. The book also features fresh perspectives from new authors covering such evolving areas as solvent liquefaction and hybrid processing. Other chapters cover combustion, gasification, fast pyrolysis, upgrading of syngas and bio-oil to liquid transportation fuels, and the economics of thermochemically producing fuels and power, and more. Features contributions by a distinguished group of European and American researchers offering a broad and unified description of thermochemical processing options for biomass Combines an overview of the current status of thermochemical biomass conversion as well as engineering aspects to appeal to the broadest audience Edited by one of Biofuels Digest’s "Top 100 People" in bioenergy for six consecutive years Thermochemical Processing of Biomass: Conversion into Fuels, Chemicals and Power, 2nd Edition will appeal to all academic researchers, process chemists, and engineers working in the field of biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals. It is also an excellent book for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying biomass, biofuels, renewable resources, and energy and power generation.
This book highlights the processes of biomass thermochemical conversion, covering topics from combustion and gasification, to pyrolysis and liquefaction. Heat, power, biofuels and green chemicals can all be produced by these thermochemical processes. The different scales of investigation are presented: from the bioenergy chains, to the reactors and molecular mechanisms. The author uses current research and data to present bioenergy chains from forest to final use, including the biomass supply chains, as well as the life cycle assessment of different process chains. Biomass conversion reactors are also presented, detailing their technologies for combustion, gasification and syngas up-grading systems, pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading. The physical-chemical mechanisms occurring in all these reactors are presented highlighting the main pathways for gas, char and bio-oil formation from biomass. This book offers an overview of biomass valorization for students, engineers or developers in chemistry, chemical, environmental or mechanical engineering.
This book is part of a two-volume work that offers a unique blend of information on realistic evaluations of catalyst-based synthesis processes using green chemistry principles and the environmental sustainability applications of such processes for biomass conversion, refining, and petrochemical production. The volumes provide a comprehensive resource of state-of-the-art technologies and green chemistry methodologies from researchers, academics, and chemical and manufacturing industrial scientists. The work will be of interest to professors, researchers, and practitioners in clean energy catalysis, green chemistry, chemical engineering and manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. This volume focuses on the potentials, recent advances, and future prospects of catalysis for biomass conversion and value-added chemicals production via green catalytic routes. Readers are presented with a mechanistic framework assessing the development of product selective catalytic processes for biomass and biomass-derived feedstock conversion. The book offers a unique combination of contributions from experts working on both lab-scale and industrial catalytic processes and provides insight into the use of various catalytic materials (e.g., mineral acids, heteropolyacid, metal catalysts, zeolites, metal oxides) for clean energy production and environmental sustainability.
We have investigated the catalytic conversion of biomass-derived intermediates to a variety of renewable chemicals over metal and acid catalysts, with an emphasis on the platform molecule levoglucosenone. Lignocellulosic biomass and sugars are sustainable sources of carbon which can be converted, through selective C-O cleavage and hydrogenation reactions, to precursors to high-value chemicals such as polymers and non-toxic solvents. Metal catalysts facilitate hydrogenation of C=C and C=O bonds; acid catalysts facilitate C-O cleavage reactions; and bifunctional metal-acid catalysts facilitate these reactions in tandem. As biomass-derived feedstocks are highly functionalized, controlling the selectivity to desired products is a critical component of economically viable conversion processes. Reaction pathways were elucidated using a combination of techniques including analysis of products formed over time, variation of reaction conditions, variation of active site properties, investigation of stereochemistry, and isotopic labeling. Reactions studied include the acid-catalyzed isomerization of levoglucosenone to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; the metal-catalyzed hydrogenation to Cyrene and levoglucosanol; hydrogenolysis of levoglucosanol to tetrahydrofurandimethanol; hydrogenolysis of levoglucosanol to 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol; and conversion of methyl glycosides to hexane-tetrols and hexane-triols. We demonstrated how a fundamental understanding of the catalytic chemistry leads to the ability to tune selectivity towards desired products, thereby providing directions for the rational design of processes to produce valuable chemicals from biomass.
A comprehensive introduction to the design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of nanoporous catalysts for the biomass conversion With the specter of peak oil demand looming on the horizon, and mounting concerns over the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions, biomass has taken on a prominent role as a sustainable alternative fuel source. One critical aspect of the biomass challenge is the development of novel catalytic materials for effective and controllable biomass conversion. Edited by two scientists recognized internationally for their pioneering work in the field, this book focuses on nanoporous catalysts, the most promising class of catalytic materials for the conversion of biomass into fuel and other products. Although various catalysts have been used in the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks, nanoporous catalysts exhibit high catalytic activities and/or unique product selectivities due to their large surface area, open nanopores, and highly dispersed active sites. This book covers an array of nanoporous catalysts currently in use for biomass conversion, including resins, metal oxides, carbons, mesoporous silicates, polydivinylbenzene, and zeolites. The authors summarize the design, synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of these nanoporous catalysts for biomass conversions, discussing the features of these catalysts and considering future opportunities for developing more efficient catalysts. Topics covered include: Resins for biomass conversion Supported metal oxides/sulfides for biomass oxidation and hydrogenation Nanoporous metal oxides Ordered mesoporous silica-based catalysts Sulfonated carbon catalysts Porous polydivinylbenzene Aluminosilicate zeolites for bio-oil upgrading Rice straw Hydrogenation for sugar conversion Lignin depolymerization Timely, authoritative, and comprehensive, Nanoporous Catalysts for Biomass Conversion is a valuable working resource for academic researchers, industrial scientists and graduate students working in the fields of biomass conversion, catalysis, materials science, green and sustainable chemistry, and chemical/process engineering.
The topic of this thesis is catalytic conversion of non-food, abundant, and renewable biomass such as cellulose and chitin to chemicals. In biorefinery, chemical transformation of polymers to valuable compounds has attracted worldwide interest for building sustainable societies. First, the current situation of this hot research area has been summarized well in the general introduction of the thesis, which helps readers to become familiar with this topic. Next, the author explains high-yielding production of glucose from cellulose by using an alkali-activated carbon as a catalyst, resulting in a yield of glucose as high as 88%, which is one of the highest yields ever reported. The characterization of carbon materials has indicated that weak acid sites on the catalyst promote the reaction, which is markedly different from reported catalytic systems that require strong acids. In addition, the first catalytic transformation of chitin with retention of N-acetyl groups has been developed. The combination of mechanocatalytic hydrolysis and thermal solvolysis enables the production of N-acetylated monomers in good yields of up to 70%. The catalytic systems demonstrated in this thesis are unique in the fields of both chemistry and chemical engineering, and their high efficiencies can contribute to green and sustainable chemistry in the future. Meanwhile, mechanistic studies based on characterization, thermodynamics, kinetics, and model reactions have also been performed to reveal the roles of catalysts during the reactions. The results will be helpful for readers to design and develop new catalysts and reaction systems.
The importance of biofuels in greening the transport sector in the future is unquestionable, given the limited available fossil energy resources, the environmental issues associated to the utilization of fossil fuels, and the increasing attention to security of supply. This comprehensive reference presents the latest technology in all aspects of biofuels production, processing, properties, raw materials, and related economic and environmental aspects. Presenting the application of methods and technology with minimum math and theory, it compiles a wide range of topics not usually covered in one single book. It discusses development of new catalysts, reactors, controllers, simulators, online analyzers, and waste minimization as well as design and operational aspects of processing units and financial and economic aspects. The book rounds out by describing properties, specifications, and quality of various biofuel products and new advances and trends towards future technology.
