Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials

First Principles and Concepts

Ali S. Ayoub, Lucian A. Lucia, Ali S. Ayoub, Lucian A. Lucia

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781119962298
• eBook ISBN: 9781118698587
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Chemistry
• Index: Chemistry

Covers the entire evolutionary spectrum of biomass, from its genetic modification and harvesting, to conversion technologies, life cycle analysis, and its value to the current global economy

This original textbook introduces readers to biomass—a renewable resource derived from forest, agriculture, and organic-based materials—which has attracted significant attention as a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals for large-scale production of fuels, materials, and chemicals. The current renaissance in the manipulation and uses of biomass has been so abrupt and focused, that very few educational textbooks actually cover these topics to any great extent. That's why this interdisciplinary text is a welcome resource for those seeking a better understanding of this new discipline. It combines the underpinning science of biomass with technology applications and sustainability considerations to provide a broad focus to its readers. 

Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials: First Principles and Concepts consists of eight chapters on the following topics: fundamental biochemical & biotechnological principles; principles and methodologies controlling plant growth and silviculture; fundamental science and engineering considerations; critical considerations and strategies for harvesting; first principles of pretreatment; conversion technologies; characterization methods and techniques; and life cycle analysis. Each chapter includes a glossary of terms, two to three problem sets, and boxes to highlight novel discoveries and instruments. Chapters also offer questions for further consideration and suggestions for further reading. 

• Developed from a successful USDA funded course, run by a partnership of three US universities: BioSUCEED - BioProducts Sustainability, a University Cooperative Center for Excellence in Education
• Covers the entire evolutionary spectrum of biomass, from genetic modification to life cycle analysis
• Presents the key chemistry, biology, technology, and sustainability aspects of biomaterials
• Edited by a highly regarded academic team, with extensive research and teaching experience in the field

Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials: First Principles and Concepts is an ideal text for advanced academics and industry professionals involved with biomass and renewable resources, bioenergy, biorefining, biotechnology, materials science, sustainable chemistry, chemical engineering, crop science and technology, agriculture.

Chapter 1
Fundamental Biochemical and Biotechnological Principles of Biomass Growth and Use

Manfred Kircher

KADIB-Kircher Advice in Bioeconomy Kurhessenstr, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

For the first time in history, we face the risk of a global decline. But we are also the first to enjoy the opportunity of learning quickly from developments in societies anywhere else in the world today, and from what has unfolded in societies at any time in the past.

Jared Diamond, [2005]

1.1 Learning Objectives

This chapter discusses about vegetable biomass and its future role as industrial feedstock to provide fuel and chemicals. In the transition phase from the current fossil-based into the bio-based economy, vegetable biomass needs to face up to competition against the fossil benchmark, which is at mineral oil. Therefore, this chapter starts with an analysis of the fossil economy, especially in the chemical sector.

In future, when fossil feedstock inevitably becomes scarce and the bio-economy increasingly unfolds, vegetable biomass must meet the industrial feedstock demand for a growing global population. While further serving the traditional food, feed, and fiber markets, this is no easy challenge. More sustainable carbon sources and applications are another topic of this chapter.

Turning the bio-economy into reality is more than a technical issue. From an abstract point of view, it needs scientific and technical push as well as market pull to make the bio-innovation leap. But first and foremost, it needs people with visionary: devoted scientists, future-oriented entrepreneurs, a supportive political framework, and last but not least a willing general public. These so-called pillars of competitiveness are presented as well.

The learning objectives of this chapter are

1. 1. the significance of carbon in our economy;
2. 2. the fundamental biochemical and biotechnological principles of fossil- and bio-based carbon sources concerning nature, production, and processing; and
3. 3. the complex challenges in making vegetable biomass the dominant sustainable feedstock.

1.2 Comparison of Fossil-Based versus Bio-Based Raw Materials

1.2.1 The Nature of Fossil Raw Materials

The current global economy is very much based on fossil resources to produce energy (electricity, fuel, heat) and organic chemicals. The initial source of these feedstock has been biomass transformed through geological processes into crude oil, natural gas, black coal as well as lignite and peat. What makes these materials valuable for use in energy and chemistry processes is their high energy as well as carbon content (Table 1.1). The most valuable fossil resources are the hydrocarbons that consist only of carbon and hydrogen. Subgroups are, for example, alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons; C_nH_2n+2), cycloalkanes (C_nH_2n), alkenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons; C_nH_2n), and aromatics (ring-shaped molecules) differing in the number of carbon and hydrogen and molecular structure.

Table 1.1 Composition (%) and heat value (MJ kg⁻¹) (Herrmann and Weber, [2011]) of fossil feedstock

	C	H	N	O	S	MJ kg^−1
Natural gas	75–85	9–24	Traces	Traces	Traces	32–45
Mineral oil	83–87	10–14	0.1–2	0.5–6	0.5–6	43
Black coal	60–75	6	Traces	17–34	0.5–3	25–33
Lignite	58–73	4.5–8.5	Traces	21–36	3	22
Peat	50–60	5–7	1–4	30–40	0.2–2	15

Coal, especially black coal, is the oldest fossil resource. Formed from terrestrial plant biomass, it has been consolidated between other rock strata and altered to form coal seams by the combined impact of pressure and heat under low-oxygen conditions over about 300 million years. Black coal is extracted by open-cast mining as well as deep mining (up to a depth of 1500 m). It is composed primarily of carbon.

Fossil oil has been formed over a time period of about 100 million years by the exposure to similar conditions on sedimentation layers of marine organisms such as algae and plankton. Under such conditions, the long-chain organic molecules of the vegetable biomass are split into short-chain compounds forming liquid oil. It accumulates in specific geological formations called crude oil reservoirs.

Some fractions even split down to molecules w...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Fundamental Biochemical and Biotechnological Principles of Biomass Growth and Use
• Chapter 2: Fundamental Science and Applications for Biomaterials
• Chapter 3: Conversion Technologies
• Chapter 4: Characterization Methods and Techniques
• Chapter 5: Introduction to Life-Cycle Assessment and Decision Making Applied to Forest Biomaterials
• Chapter 6: First Principles of Pretreatment and Cracking Biomass to Fundamental Building Blocks
• Chapter 7: Green Route to Prepare Renewable Polyesters from Monomers: Enzymatic Polymerization
• Chapter 8: Oil-Based and Bio-Derived Thermoplastic Polymer Blends and Composites
• Index
• End User License Agreement