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In the paper, three different physico-chemical pretreatment methods in relation to bioethanol production were compared. The wood of fast-growing poplar species (Populus deltoides x maximowiczii and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook) and corn stover were used as a feedstock. The chemical composition and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of the biomass before and after pretreatments were compared. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that the applied pretreatments changed the chemical composition of the raw materials. In the case of the acid and LHW (liquid hot water pretreatment) methods, up to 93.7% of hemicelluloses (especially pentosans) were removed. From among the selected pretreatment methods, the LHW and alkaline methods occurred to be the most interesting. Nevertheless, from the bioethanol production point of view, the LHW process of Populus deltoides x maximowiczii wood was the best because after enzymatic hydrolysis, high amounts of glucose (up to 600.9 mg/g pretreated biomass) and minor amounts of xylose (up to 37.9 mg/g pretreated biomass) were produced. Moreover, based on the chemical composition and sugar profile analysis, it was proved that the Populus trichocarpa wood also has a high potential for bioethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the acid and enzymatic hydrolysis in relation to bioethanol production. The pulp obtained from wood of the fast-growing poplar species (Populus deltoides x maximowiczii and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook) was used as a feedstock. The delignification process by the Kraft method was carried out with 19% and 26% of active alkali (NaOH and Na2S). The obtained sugars (xylose and glucose) were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography. The results concluded that the enzymatic hydrolysis process is better than acid hydrolysis because a higher content of sugars (especially xylose) was obtained. Additionally, after the acid and enzymatic hydrolysis process from Populus trichocarpa pulp, more sugars were obtained than from the pulp of Populus deltoides × maximowiczii. The Kraft pulp from the wood of fast-growing poplar species is a good raw material for the production of glucose. However, in order to obtain a higher xylose content and finally increase the profitability of bioethanol production, a new method should be developed, or the Kraft method should be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of six metals: chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper and zinc (possible inhibitors of enzymatic hydrolysis of wood) in samples of two poplar species, Populus trichocarpa and Populus maximowiczii, was performed in order to check which of them collect more of the metallic inhibitors during tree growth and steam explosion pretreatment. The XRF point scan (for solid and ashed wood) and mapping (for stem cross-sections) options were used. Samples of the different parts - stem, branches, leaves and bark were studied. Steam explosion at 130°C, 160°C and 190°C was performed on both species and the influence of steam on the chosen metals content was analysed. On the basis of the results, P. trichocarpa is the species which accumulates a higher amount of the metals during tree growth and P. maximowiczii - during steam explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine-wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was thermally modified at temperatures of 160°C and 200°C for 2, 6 and 10 hour periods, respectively. The severe conditions of the heat treatment resulted in decreased mechanical properties (compressive strength and modulus of elasticity) and a decrease in the degree of cellulose polymerization. A comparison of selected mechanical properties and the degree of cellulose polymerization indicated that there was a relationship between them and the temperature and duration of the heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were undertaken of the influence of both the natural stabilizers present in wood (lignin and extractives) and synthetic antioxidants on the thermal ageing of cellulose. Among the synthetic antioxidants, butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate and 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline (ethoxyquin) were examined. In order to study the thermal ageing of cellulose with antioxidants, accelerated ageing tests were carried out under various conditions. The ageing tests were performed at a temperature of 95 °C in an air and nitrogen atmosphere in anhydrous conditions and at 65% relative air humidity. To study the degradation of the cellulose, size exclusion chromatography was used. The results revealed that ethoxyquin was the best synthetic stabilizer. In addition, butylated hydroxytoluene had stabilizing properties and slowed down the depolymerisation of the cellulose. In turn, the behaviour of the propyl gallate under elevated temperature conditions was the most interesting. This antioxidant, relating to the cellulose degradation process, showed inhibitory as well as catalytic properties under specific conditions. In the ageing conditions applied, the smallest decrease was observed in the average molar mass of the cellulose in the wood without extractives. The results indicate that in this case, lignin played a very important role as a hidden antioxidant. In the presence of the lignin, oxidative the cellulose depolymerisation process proceeded more slowly than with the participation of synthetic antioxidants. The extractives, under elevated temperature conditions, did not show stabilizing properties, and furthermore, they accelerated the degradation of the cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]