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Recovery of lignocellulosic wastes by thermochemical processes
Published on 14 June 2018
Austria
Burgenland
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About this good practice
Forests fires represent one of the most severe disruptions in all Mediterranean areas and numerous factors contribute to the origin of such fires. Some of these are related to climate change and global warming, but some are also related to the accumulation of biomass in forestry areas. Fire prevention is currently a significant expense for administrations and forestry clearance activities are not sufficient for the extensive areas that require silvicultural activities. Current activities in the relatively new high-density forest mass leave extracted biomass on the forest surface. This biomass largely consists of shrubbery and conifers and there is no use for this waste material.
Biomass waste is considered as the main renewable source for the production of fuels and raw materials for the manufacture of chemicals with high added value. These biomass wastes can be broken down by thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process in the complete or partial absence of oxygen. Under these conditions biomass is converted by a cracking process into a liquid fraction, a gas phase that is mainly composed of non-condensable gases such as H2, CO, CO2 and CH4, and a solid fraction known as biochar.
Administrations, forest clearance companies, stakeholders related to the agricultural sectors and chemical companies are beneficiaries of this GP.
Biomass waste is considered as the main renewable source for the production of fuels and raw materials for the manufacture of chemicals with high added value. These biomass wastes can be broken down by thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process in the complete or partial absence of oxygen. Under these conditions biomass is converted by a cracking process into a liquid fraction, a gas phase that is mainly composed of non-condensable gases such as H2, CO, CO2 and CH4, and a solid fraction known as biochar.
Administrations, forest clearance companies, stakeholders related to the agricultural sectors and chemical companies are beneficiaries of this GP.
Expert opinion
The recovery of lignocellulosic wastes by thermochemical processes involves converting plant biomass (like agricultural residues, wood, and other lignocellulosic materials) into valuable products such as biofuels, chemicals, and energy. These processes typically involve the application of heat and/or chemical agents to break down the complex structure of lignocellulosic materials, which are primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. While significant advancements have been made in optimizing these processes, challenges such as energy consumption, efficiency, and product yield remain. Ongoing research focuses on improving reactor designs, feedstock pretreatment, and post-processing technologies to make thermochemical conversion more efficient and commercially viable.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The development of the process required a multidisciplinary team of experts in different fields; chemical and mechanical engineering, microwave technology, analytical chemistry and others. There was important funding from public (ERDF) and private sources to scale up the process (600.000€ approx).
Evidence of success
- Implementation of two continuous pilot plants (1 kg/h and 1 ton/h) to turn biomass wastes into bio-products by microwave irradiation.
- Around 6000 kg of forest wastes treated since the implementation of the GP.
- R&D projects developed to assess the potential applications of the bio-products. Biochar is used as biofertilizer and the aqueous fraction is being studied as bio-herbicide to replace glyphosate, a carcinogenic substance.
- Publication of scientific papers.
- Around 6000 kg of forest wastes treated since the implementation of the GP.
- R&D projects developed to assess the potential applications of the bio-products. Biochar is used as biofertilizer and the aqueous fraction is being studied as bio-herbicide to replace glyphosate, a carcinogenic substance.
- Publication of scientific papers.
Potential for learning or transfer
The production of bio-products from forest wastes is related to the sustainable use of biomass and contributes to the construction of a bio-based circular economy. It links the fight against climate change with forest use, and so it encourages the development of forest cleaning activities for fire prevention. Thus, wastes that are currently discarded and burned will be turned into valuable resources. This will result in the reduction of forest fires and, therefore, in the reduction of greenhouse gases emission.
This GP promotes the implementation of biorefineries based on thermochemical processes and the use of bio-products contributing to the circular economy model and the development of rural areas.
Some companies within the agricultural and weed prevention sector have shown their interest in the application of the bio-products obtained.
This GP promotes the implementation of biorefineries based on thermochemical processes and the use of bio-products contributing to the circular economy model and the development of rural areas.
Some companies within the agricultural and weed prevention sector have shown their interest in the application of the bio-products obtained.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Chair of Environment (University of Alcala), Cátedra de Medio Ambiente (Universidad de Alcalá)
Spain
Andalucía
Contact
Environmental technician