Title:
Comparative Assessment of Pretreatment Technologies for Wheat Straw Biomass Conversion
Author(s):
Liuzzi, F., Casella, P., De Bari, I., Molino, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This study investigated the impact of three pretreatment technologies—diluted acid (DA), organosolv (OS), and green solvent (GS), specifically .-valerolactone—on wheat straw biomass. The analysis focused on cellulose recovery, hydrolysis efficiency, lignin removal, and the subsequent characterization of recovered lignin. The evaluation of cellulose recovery from the pretreated solid fractions revealed varying yields, with each method demonstrating unique advantages. Lignin removal efficiency was assessed, showing that the combined use of a mixture of ethanol with an acidic solution in a 1:1 ratio ensures the highest solid recovery in the liquid fraction. The hydrolysis potential of the pretreated solids was explored and compared with biomass pretreated through steam explosion at 203°C for 5 minutes. Preliminary characterization studies, were conducted on the recovered lignin fractions, providing insights into their thermal stability and molecular weight distribution. In the liquid fraction, both monomeric and oligomeric hemicellulose content were quantified, offering insights into the efficiency of each pretreatment method in selectively extracting hemicellulosic components. In particular, the use of a diluted acid pretreatment promotes the solubilization of sugars in monomeric form, while ethanol-organosolv pretreatments yield hemicellulose rich in xylan oligomers. This comparative analysis emphasized the importance of tailoring pretreatment strategies based on specific biomass conversion objectives, considering factors such as cellulose recovery, lignin removal, and downstream applications. The findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing pretreatment processes in the context of wheat straw biomass valorization.
Keywords:
biorefinery, enzymatic hydrolysis, wheat straw, biomass pretreatment, lignin characterization
Topic:
Biomass, Bio-based Products and Bioenergy Integration
Subtopic:
Biomass use in biorefineries
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3CV.4.8
Pages:
428 - 432
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-3CV.4.8
Price:
FREE
