Technology and Applications of Polymers Derived from Biomass

Syed Ali Ashter

• Publisher: William Andrew
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9780323511155
• eBook ISBN:
  9780323511162
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Engineering General
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Technology and Applications of Polymers Derived from Biomass explores the range of different possible routes from biomass to polymeric materials, including the value and limitations of using biomass in material applications and a comparison of petrochemical-derived polymers and bio-based polymers. The book discusses biomass sources, types, chemistry and handling concerns. It covers the manufacture of industrial chemicals from biomass and the derivation of monomers and polymers from biomass. It also details the processing and applications of biomass-derived polymers to enable materials scientists and engineers realize the potential of biomass as a sustainable source of polymers, including plastics and elastomers. The book is a one-stop-shop reference—giving students a basic understanding of the technology and how the material can be applied to industrial processes they will face in the workforce, and giving materials engineers and product designers the information they need to make more informed material selection decisions. - Provides fundamental understanding of an increasingly important approach to sourcing polymeric materials - Includes actionable, relevant information to enable materials engineers and product designers consider biomass-derived polymers in the products they are developing - Discusses the environmental impact of biomass conversion to help readers improve the sustainability of their operations - Compares petrochemical-derived polymers with bio-based polymers

1

Introduction

Abstract

With the increasing in cost of fossil fuels and concern over the environmental impact, energy generated from biomass is gaining popularity and is predicted for a strong future in renewable energy production. Biomass is a renewable and sustainable source of energy developed from mixture of organic materials. It consists of all the earth's living plants and animals as well as their remains. These organic materials are composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. When biomass is burned, it is converted into energy in the form of heat or electricity.

Developing countries like United States and Canada have an abundance resource available and suitable land for growing energy crops. This opens an opportunity for bioenergy to positively impact global warming and economic growth. Though biomass have numerous advantages over fossil fuel, it has limitation toward its commercialization.

In this chapter, discussion on ways to convert biomass into energy, applications of biomass, global biomass markets, current market trends, and limitations toward biomass commercialization will be covered.

Keywords

Biomass; Bioenergy; Gasification; Bio-oil; Bio-char; Anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic fermentation

1.1 Background

Biomass is a renewable and sustainable source of energy developed from mixture of organic materials [1]. This mixture of organic molecules contains hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Biomass is primarily categorized into five categories as shown in Fig. 1 [2–7]. They are as follows:

Fig. 1 Examples of biomass: (A) wood, (B) energy crops, (C) agricultural residues, (D) food wastes, and (E) industrial waste and coproducts. From (A) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glycyrrhiza_glabra_(Pile_of_Spanish_wood_chips).webp; (B) http://hoffmannursery.com/miscanthus; (C) http://www.inforse.org/europe/dieret/Biomass/biomass.html; (D) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GI_Market_food_waste.webp; (E) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste#/media/File:Shredded_solid_waste.webp.

1. Wood

2. Energy crops

3. Agricultural residues

4. Food waste

5. Industrial waste and coproducts

1.2 Applications of biomass

Biomass can be as a replacement for products that can be made from fossil fuels. For example, fuels and power production. Overall considering the scope of the applications of biomass, they can be divided in two types: (1) energy and transportation, and (2) kind of products.

1.2.1 Energy and transportation

The main biomass feedstocks for power are paper mill residue, lumber mill scrap, and municipal waste. Many traditional food crops, such as corn, sugar, and vegetable oils, are also some of the most commonly used energy feedstocks. Furthermore, agricultural land may be shifted from producing food to the production of dedicated energy crops.

Fig. 2 shows commonly used biomass sources for energy and transportation applications [8]. Typically, there are six main sources of biomass:

Fig. 2 Sources of biomass and their applications [8]. From http://all-mitsubishi.info/2017/bpics-biomass-energy.awp.

1. Agricultural crops and residues

2. Sewage waste

3. Municipal solid waste

4. Animal residues

5. Industrial residues

6. Forestry crops and residues

These feedstocks are used to generate three different types of biofuels:

1. Solid biofuels—wood pellets, wood chips, briquettes, and firewood

2. Liquid biofuels—biodiesel, bioethanol, and advanced biofuels

3. Gaseous biofuels—biogas, biomethane, and syngas

1.2.2 Products

For many industrial products made from fossil-based fuel, biomass can be a renewable substitute. Some of the examples include bio-based foams, plastics, fertilizers, lubricants, and industrial chemicals (Fig. 3) [9–13].

Fig. 3 Applications of biomass. (A) Bio-based foams, (B) bio-based plastics, (C) bio-based lubricants, and (D) industrial chemicals. From (A) Greencell foam; (B) NutriRoot; (C) http://renewablelube.com/store/motor-oils?product_id=96; (D) http://www.chemicals-technology.com/projects/syngest-bioammonia/syngest-bioammonia2.html.

1.3 Understanding global markets

Biomass has major benefits over other renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydropower because of its extensive natural resources. It provides practical solution to fossil-based fuels, especially in (a) wood bioenergy market, (b) power sector, and (c)...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• Acknowledgment
• 1: Introduction
• 2: Biomass and its sources
• 3: Chemistry of biomass
• 4: Chemistry of cellulosic polymers
• 5: Biomass conversion approaches
• 6: Manufacturing Industrial Chemicals from Biomass
• 7: Derivation of monomers from biomass
• 8: Polymerization of biomass-based-monomers
• 9: Direct derivatives of polymers from biomass
• 10: Processing of biomass-derived polymers
• 11: Material and energy balance for conversion of biomass materials
• 12: Applications of biomass-derived polymers and chemicals
• 13: Environmental impact of biomass conversion
• Index