Lignocellulosic biomass quality: Matching characteristics with biomass conversion requirements

Wolter Elbersen, Tijs M. Lammens, Eija A. Alakangas, Bert Annevelink, Paulien Harmsen, Berien Elbersen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter or book articleProfessional

    26 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Lignocellulosic biomass consists mostly of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, and to a more or lesser extent other plant components such as sugars, starch, acids, fats, and oils, and last but not least water (moisture) and ash. Quality is essentially a set of biomass characteristics that determine the value of that biomass type for a certain conversion system. Fundamental biomass quality characteristics determine if biomass can be matched to a conversion system. We distinguish "fundamental" biomass characteristics from thermal conversion to be chlorine and ash content and ash melting temperature. For biological conversion, carbohydrate and lignin are the most relevant, while for anaerobic digestion biogas yield and digestate applicability are the most important. Other quality characteristics can more easily be adjusted such as particle size, moisture content, and bulk density. It is important to understand what determines the quality composition of biomass so that quality can be optimized. Plant type, plant part, soil type, time of harvest can determine that quality.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationModeling and Optimization of Biomass Supply Chains
    Subtitle of host publicationTop Down and Bottom Up Assessment for Agricultural, Forest and Waste Feedstock
    EditorsCalliope Panoutsou
    PublisherAcademic Press
    Pages55-78
    ISBN (Electronic)978-0-12-812304-1
    ISBN (Print)978-0-12-812303-4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2017
    MoE publication typeD2 Article in professional manuals or guides or professional information systems or text book material

    Keywords

    • biomass quality
    • thermal conversion
    • biological conversion
    • ash
    • matching
    • biomass properties

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Lignocellulosic biomass quality: Matching characteristics with biomass conversion requirements'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this