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Processes
Special Issues
Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials
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Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2023) | Viewed by 15946

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhicheng Jiang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: biomass conversion; biomass-derived materials; lignin
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yuhe Liao

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510610, China
Interests: catalysis; biomass conversion; green chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Collegues,

The tremendous CO2 emission from the use of fossil fuel and the treatment of the end chemicals/materials has aroused wide public concerns over the world. Biomass, a renewable and sustainable resource with carbon neutral feature, is considered as an alternative feedstock to prepare value-added chemicals, high-grade fuels and functional materials. Different technologies have been developed for this purpose: fermentation, catalytic hydrogenation/oxidation, pyrolysis/solvothermal treatment, crosslinking/blending/doping, etc. This resource revolution paves the way to ensure the viable and sustainable development of the greener industry for social progress.

This Special Issue on “Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials” includes but is not limited to:

  1. Pretreatment technologies of biomass for its further utilization
  2. Catalytic upgrading of biomass-based chemicals
  3. Biofuels and biogas from biomass feedstock
  4. Biomass-based materials for chemical engineering and environment

Dr. Zhicheng Jiang
Dr. Yuhe Liao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Lignocellulose
  • Collagen
  • Catalysis
  • Pyrolysis
  • Solvothermal
  • Fermentation
  • Cleaner technology
  • Value-added chemicals
  • Biofuels
  • Functional materials

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2968 KiB  
Article
Predicting Octane Number of Petroleum-Derived Gasoline Fuels from MIR Spectra, GC-MS, and Routine Test Data
by Alirio Benavides, Carlos Zapata, Pedro Benjumea, Camilo A. Franco, Farid B. Cortés and Marco A. Ruiz
Processes 2023, 11(5), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051437 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2748
Abstract
Petroleum-derived gasoline is still the most widely used liquid automotive fuel for ground vehicles equipped with spark-ignition engines. One of the most important properties of gasoline fuels is their antiknock performance, which is experimentally evaluated via the octane number (ON). It is widely [...] Read more.
Petroleum-derived gasoline is still the most widely used liquid automotive fuel for ground vehicles equipped with spark-ignition engines. One of the most important properties of gasoline fuels is their antiknock performance, which is experimentally evaluated via the octane number (ON). It is widely accepted that the standard methods for ON measuring (RON: research octane number and MON: motor octane number) are very expensive due to the costs of the experimental facilities and are generally not suitable for field monitoring or online analysis. To overcome these intrinsic problems, it is convenient that the ON of gasoline fuels is estimated via faster methods than the experimental tests and allows for acceptable results with acceptable reproducibility. Various ON prediction methods have been proposed in the literature. These methods differ in the type of fuels for which they are developed, the input features, and the analytical method used to underlie the link between input features and ON. The aim of this work is to develop and evaluate three empirical methods for predicting the ON of petroleum-derived gasoline fuels using MIR spectra, GC-MS, and routine test data as input features. In all cases, the chosen analytical method was partial least squares regression (PLSR). The best performance for both MON and RON prediction corresponded with the composition-based model, since it presented lesser evaluation indices (RMSE, MAE, and R2) and more than 80% of residuals were within the established criteria (sum of the reproducibility and the uncertainty of the standard method). Although the routine-test-data-based method performed poorly according to the established criterion, its use could be recommended in cases of scarce data since it showed an acceptable value of R2 and physical consistency. Despite their empirical nature, the proposed prediction models based on MIR (mid-infrared) spectra, GC-MS, and routine test data had the potential to predict the RON and MON of real gasoline fuels commercialized in Colombia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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11 pages, 3016 KiB  
Article
Exploration of Cucumber Waste as a Potential Biorefinery Feedstock
by Yang Gao, Hannah K. Briers, Avtar S. Matharu and Jiajun Fan
Processes 2022, 10(12), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10122694 - 14 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2288
Abstract
The exploration of cucumber waste as a potential biorefinery feedstock is reported. Initially, extractives (essential oils) were isolated from cucumber waste via vacuum microwave hydro-distillation (VMHD). The yield and quality of the extractive were compared with respect to traditional hydro-distillation (HD). The essential [...] Read more.
The exploration of cucumber waste as a potential biorefinery feedstock is reported. Initially, extractives (essential oils) were isolated from cucumber waste via vacuum microwave hydro-distillation (VMHD). The yield and quality of the extractive were compared with respect to traditional hydro-distillation (HD). The essential oils were obtained over a range of microwave power (500, 750, 1000 W) and vacuum pressures (100, 200, 300 mbar). The highest quality (0.49 wt %) was obtained at a microwave irradiation power of 500 W and a vacuum of 300 mbar. VMHD is much quicker and more energy-efficient than HD. Within the context of a zero-waste biorefinery, the extractive-free residues were the solid residues from two different extraction methods were compared and characterized by ATR-IR, 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy, SEM, TGA, and CHN elemental analysis. The resultant residues are cellulosic-rich, and no significant changes were observed with VMHD and HD treatment. The results indicated that the utilization of these residues can provide an efficient, inexpensive, and environment-friendly platform for the production of cellulosic materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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11 pages, 1055 KiB  
Article
Screening and Testing of Anti-Slagging Agents for Tobacco-Stalk-Based Biomass Pellet Fuel for Tobacco Curing
by Liang Wang, Yikuan Fan, Fan He, Baoquan Niu, Fengjie Wei, Haobin Zhao and Jianan Wang
Processes 2022, 10(9), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10091690 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1745
Abstract
Using tobacco stalks as a biomass fuel for flue-cured tobacco production creates a closed, green production cycle. Tobacco stalks are rich in cellulose and can be crushed to produce biomass pellet fuel (BPF). However, single flue-cured tobacco stalk (FCTs) BPF can easily slag [...] Read more.
Using tobacco stalks as a biomass fuel for flue-cured tobacco production creates a closed, green production cycle. Tobacco stalks are rich in cellulose and can be crushed to produce biomass pellet fuel (BPF). However, single flue-cured tobacco stalk (FCTs) BPF can easily slag during flue-cured tobacco heating (FTH), which affects the operation of biomass burners. In this study, five anti-slagging agents (ASAs), one organic (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) and four inorganic (kaolin, KLN; diatomite earth, DTE; calcium carbonate, CCO; and calcium dihydrogen phosphate, CHO)], were compared. An ash fusibility test was conducted in two steps to optimize the proportion and treatments that were then screened using FTH. Compared with pure FCT-based BPFs, the slag resistance of 2% CCO and CHO could be controlled below 15%. The emission of particulate matter from chimneys burning BPF with 2% CCO was lower than that with other ASAs. The ASAs achieved complete combustion with low carbon monoxide content in the tail gas. Considering the anti-slagging effect and economic cost, 2% CCO was the best additive for the biomass burner. These results provide a reference for FCT-based BPF production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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20 pages, 3939 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Subcritical Butane Extraction of Tung Oil and Its Mechanism Analysis
by Zicheng Zhao, Xudong Liu, Desheng Kang, Zhihong Xiao, Wenzheng Dong, Qiquan Lin and Aihua Zhang
Processes 2022, 10(6), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10061071 - 26 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
Tung oil is an important dry grease. In order to overcome the deficiencies of traditional processes in oil production, the preparation of tung oil was carried out by the butane-subcritical method. A response surface optimization experiment was carried out based on Design-Expert software, [...] Read more.
Tung oil is an important dry grease. In order to overcome the deficiencies of traditional processes in oil production, the preparation of tung oil was carried out by the butane-subcritical method. A response surface optimization experiment was carried out based on Design-Expert software, and the best process parameters were obtained. The extraction temperature was 42.98 °C, the extraction time was 43.77 min, the particle size of the raw material was 38.88 mesh, and the oil yield of tung oil under this condition reached 67.437%. The fatty acid composition of tung oil was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): the content of α-oleostearic acid was 74.99%, linoleic acid content was 8.83%, oleic acid content was 7.42%, palmitic acid content was 2.02%, and stearic acid content was 4.35%. Through the analysis of the oil sample obtained, five indicators showed that the process of obtaining oil products met the requirements of the national standard. By simulating the subcritical n-butane/tung oil dissolution equilibrium model, the miscible dynamic equilibrium of tung oil in subcritical n-butane was studied at temperatures in the range of 35–50 °C and an equilibrium time of 40 min, and the kinetic equations of oil extraction at different temperatures were obtained, with a coefficient of determination (R2) greater than 0.99. The oil extraction rate was up to 67.12 ± 0.05% under optimal extraction conditions through the optimization of univariate and response surface experimental design. Using 1stOpt data processing software, the data of tung oil extraction rate at different times were fitted, and it was found that the Patricelli model accurately elucidated the kinetic process of tung oil extraction through subcritical n-butane, with R2 greater than 0.99. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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17 pages, 5383 KiB  
Article
Study of a Hydrophilic Healing-Promoting Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix
by Zhuang Ding, Nianhua Dan and Yining Chen
Processes 2022, 10(5), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10050916 - 6 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2004
Abstract
Sodium hyaluronate (SH) is recognized as the strongest natural humectant, since it contains a large number of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in its structure, and can absorb 1000 times its own weight of water. The porcine acellular dermal matrix (pADM) has been widely [...] Read more.
Sodium hyaluronate (SH) is recognized as the strongest natural humectant, since it contains a large number of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in its structure, and can absorb 1000 times its own weight of water. The porcine acellular dermal matrix (pADM) has been widely used in biological materials for its biological activities, such as promoting cell proliferation and promoting wound healing. Enhancing the hydrophilic and moisturizing properties of the pADM is expected to further improve its ability to promote wound healing. However, there are no strong chemical bonds between SH and pADM. Therefore, SH was oxidized by sodium periodate in this study, and was further used to cross-link it with pADM. The microstructure, hydrophilicity, moisture retention, degradation and cytotoxicity of pADM cross-linked with different oxidation degrees of oxidized sodium hyaluronate (OSH) were studied. The results show that OSH-pADM maintained the secondary structure of natural collagen, as well as the good microporous structure of native pADM after cross-linking. With increasing oxidation degree, the surface hydrophilicity and moisture retention capacities of OSH-pADM increased; among them, OSH-pADM cross-linked with 40% oxidation degree of OSH was found to have the strongest moisture retention capacity. The hygroscopic kinetics at 93% RH were conformed to the second-order hygroscopic kinetics equation, indicating that the hygroscopic process was controlled by chemical factors. The degradation resistance of OSH-pADM also increased with increasing oxidation degree, and the cytotoxicity of OSH-pADM was acceptable. The in vivo full-thickness wound healing experiments showed that OSH-pADM had an obvious ability to promote wound healing. It can be speculated that OSH-pADM, with its good hydrophilic and moisturizing properties, physicochemical properties and biocompatibility, has great potential for facilitating wound repair. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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10 pages, 2126 KiB  
Article
Structure-Dependent Eco-Toxicity of Vegetable Tannin
by Faming He, Liangqiong Peng, Wenjun Long, Xiaofeng Jiang and Wenhua Zhang
Processes 2022, 10(5), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10050816 - 21 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1640
Abstract
Vegetable tannin is widely applied in various industries, in agriculture, and in water treatment as a natural polyphenolic compound; however, little data has been collected concerning the relationship between structure and eco-toxicity. Here, the toxicity of six commercial tannin and three model chemicals [...] Read more.
Vegetable tannin is widely applied in various industries, in agriculture, and in water treatment as a natural polyphenolic compound; however, little data has been collected concerning the relationship between structure and eco-toxicity. Here, the toxicity of six commercial tannin and three model chemicals was assessed using Photobacterium phosphoreum. Two kinds of hydrolyzed tannin displayed higher bioluminescence inhibition than four kinds of condensed tannin, and the model chemical of hydrolyzed tannin also showed greater toxicity than those of condensed tannin, indicating the structure dependent eco-toxicity of vegetable tannin. The reactive toxicity mechanism was proposed, which was illustrated by molecular simulations based on the model chemicals and luciferase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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12 pages, 41029 KiB  
Article
Mechanistic Investigations of the Synthesis of Lactic Acid from Glycerol Catalyzed by an Iridium–NHC Complex
by Shiyao Chen, Shuguang Xu, Chenyu Ge and Changwei Hu
Processes 2022, 10(4), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040626 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2492
Abstract
In the present work, the reaction pathways and the origin of catalytic activity for the production of lactic acid from glycerol catalyzed by an iridium–heterocyclic carbene (Iridium-NHC) complex at 383.15 K were investigated by DFT study at the M06-D3/6-311++G (d, p)//SDD level. Compared [...] Read more.
In the present work, the reaction pathways and the origin of catalytic activity for the production of lactic acid from glycerol catalyzed by an iridium–heterocyclic carbene (Iridium-NHC) complex at 383.15 K were investigated by DFT study at the M06-D3/6-311++G (d, p)//SDD level. Compared to the noncatalytic reaction pathway, the energy barrier sharply decreased from 75.2 kcal mol−1 to 16.8 kcal mol−1 with the introduction of the iridium–NHC complex. The catalytic reaction pathway catalyzed by the iridium–NHC complex with a coordinated hydroxide included two stages: the dehydrogenation of glycerol to 2,3-dihydroxypropanal, and the subsequent isomerization to lactic acid. Two reaction pathways, including dehydrogenation in terminal and that in C2-H, were studied. It was found that the formation of dihydroxyacetone from the H-removal in C2-H was more favorable, which might have been due to the lower energy of LUMO, whereas dihydroxyacetone could be easily transferred to 2,3-dihydroxypropanal. The analyses of electrostatic potential (ESP), hardness, and f- Fukui function also confirmed that the iridium–NHC complex acted as a hydrogen anion receptor and nucleophilic reaction center to highly promote the conversion of glycerol to lactic acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for the Biomass-Based Chemicals, Fuels and Materials)
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