Search

Lignocellulosic biomass is an alternative source of energy that can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and limit greenhouse gas emissions. Several techno-economic analyses have consistently shown that all the steps in biomass-to-bioproduct processes needs improvement. Simultaneous assessment of genotypes for multiple productivity characteristics and integrating information across production stages has seldom been the focus of research efforts. To address this gap, we first determined the agronomic performance of 10 poplar genotypes. Differences between genotypes in height, diameter at breast height (DBH), tree mass and yield were consistently observed. Correlation analyses revealed that height and DBH are positively correlated with tree mass and yield, whereas bark content is negatively correlated with tree mass, yield and disease incidence. Four highest-yielding genotypes were subjected to proximate, ultimate, targeted chemical analyses, along with assessment of sugar production by acid hydrolysis and enzymatic saccharification. Despite having only marginal changes in overall chemistry, the genotypes showed differential conversion efficiencies of enzymatic saccharification. Interestingly, the genotype that showed highest cellulose conversion efficiency had the lowest estimated sugar yields due to its low biomass yield, whereas the genotype with lowest conversion efficiency had the highest estimated sugar yields. These results show the importance of integrating information across the stages of biomass production and bioconversion. These results also demonstrate the complexity of biomass feedstock production and the need for future studies to assess whether these tradeoffs can be genetically separated to guide the selection of genotypes that can maximize the overall biomass feedstock production efficiency.

Inorganic elements present in lignocellulosic biomass and introduced during harvesting and handling of the feedstock negatively affect biomass conversion to fuels and products. In particular, alkali and alkaline earth metals act as catalysts during thermochemical conversion, contribute to reactor degradation, and decrease the yield and quality of the reaction products. In this study, we investigated an approach to reduce ash content of switchgrass. Several reagents (chelating agents ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid, as well as acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and water) under various extraction times (5, 10, 15, and 20 min) were tested using a microwave-assisted extraction method. After the extraction, mass loss, total ash, individual inorganics, and concentration of sugars in the hydrolyzates were measured. EDTA afforded the highest inorganics removal, with near complete extraction of alkali and alkaline earth metals K, Ca, and Mg, and high removal of S and Si. Citric acid and sulfuric acid removed similarly high amounts of K, Ca, and Mg as EDTA, but less Mg, P, S, and Fe. Additionally, extraction with water resulted in near complete removal of K; however, more modest removal of other inorganics was observed compared to other treatments. The mass loss was significantly higher in the sulfuric acid extractions due to hydrolysis of the structural carbohydrates, while EDTA resulted in little carbohydrate degradation due to the more neutral pH conditions. This study illustrated the benefits of extracting with chelating agents, as opposed to mineral acids, to remove inorganics and improve biomass quality.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a perennial grass that has emerged as an ideal candidate for production of biofuel and value-added co-products. One of the primary requirements for the successful manufacturing of these switchgrass-derived bioproducts is to produce a consistent feedstock with reliable and adequate amounts of the substrate constituent needed. For example, the biofuels industry requires a fast-growing energy crop with higher cellulose content and lower inhibitors found in secondary constituents. Other industries would profit from higher lignin content for products such as carbon fibers, or higher water and ethanol-soluble extracts containing compounds of interest. Two switchgrass field plots in eastern Tennessee were monitored over a period of six months, including before and after traditional harvesting times for the biorefinery. Characterization of the biomass and its constituents, such as water and ethanol extracts, cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and ash, was performed to examine chemical changes in switchgrass that occurred prior to, during, and after traditional harvesting times used in a biorefinery setting. Total carbohydrate (65.6–66.7 wt%) and lignin (21.7–23.2 wt%) content was found to peak in January. Extractives content was at a maximum in early harvests at 15.9–16.6 wt% and decreased to 5.5–5.8 wt% in February. An inverse relationship exists between the extractives and lignin content (R2 = 0.94). Nonstructural soluble sugars peaked in early October with 5.1 wt% of the switchgrass composition. Remobilization efficiencies of K, Mg, P, and Fe increased with time, indicating conservation of soil nutrients if harvests were completed in late winter.

Chars from the thermal degradation of silver maple (Acer saccharinum), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and white oak (Quercus spp.), performed at temperatures from 250 to 350 °C, were examined using time domain-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Prior to analysis, the chars were equilibrated under conditions insuring the presence of bound water only and both bound water and free water. Transverse relaxation times were found to be related to the moisture content of the chars, which varied with temperature. At elevated temperatures the number of signals assigned to free water decreased, indicative of an increase in pore size within the chars.