Green Development on Biomass

Biorefinery: a holistic approach targeting

bio-materials, chemicals and fuels

Yonghao Ni

Departments of Chemical Engineering and

Chemistry

University of New Brunswick, Canada

Outline

Introduction to Biomass

Present Utilization

Green Forest-Based Lifestyle

Integrated Biorefinery Strategies

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Lignocellulosic biomass

Wood, agricultural residues, energy crops, et al.

Major components

Cellulose, Hemicelluloses & Lignin.

90 billion tons per year.

Chemical formula (C6H10O5)n, β-glucosic bonds.

Cellulose

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Hemicellulose

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Xylan

Glucomannan.

A complex polymer of phenylpropane units.

Lignin

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Lignocellulosic

materials

Cellulose

(%)

Hemicellulose

(%)

Lignin

(%)

Hardwood 40-55 24-40 18-25

Softwood 45-50 25-35 25-35

Cotton 80-95 5-20 0

Wheat straw 30-35 45-50 10-15

Bagasse 40-45 28-30 19-21

Grasses 25-40 35-50 10-30

Courtesy of: M. Dakar

Composition of Biomass

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Present Utilization of Forest Biomass

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Solid Wood Industry Pulp and Paper Industry

Solid wood products

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Construction material

Durable goods

Packaging materials, et al.

Printing/writing

Packaging

Household consumables

Special paper, et al.

Pulp and paper products

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Challenges: Canadian Pulp and Paper Industry

Source: www.canforpulp.com

Our shelter: Woody structure, furniture,

decoration, wood inside and out

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Green Forest-Based Life Style

To live in a society where forest- based products penetrate into

every corner.

Bio- materials/ chemicals

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Cellulosic materials: regenerated

cellulose (rayon), water solube cellulosic

polymer, cellulose ethers/esters,

nano/micro-celluloses, et al.

Fine extractive/ lignin/ hemicelluloses

chemicals, such as manool/ linalool in

the fragrance industry, cosmetic

products (body lotions, shampoos,

shower gels, soaps, hairsprays, creams,

et al.)

Bio-Fuels

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

For cars

For airplanes

Other energy need.

Biomass Utilization Green Lifestyle Biorefinery

Adhesives,

Carbon fiber

Lignin

Biomass

Hemicellulose

CNC，NFC，Cellulose-derived

Cellulose

Fractionation

Biofuels Biomaterials/ chemicals

Ethanol, Butanol, et al.

PLA, PHA, PFA

Cellulose- based products

Nano-/ macro- cellulose and applications: medical/ health, testing, painting

Cellulose- based household products

Electro-conductive paper technology

Microfibril

Cell wallReed

Corn stalk

Bamboo

CNC

MFC

Novel Cellulose-Derived Products

Potential applications for nano- cellulose

Properties of Nanocellulose

Natural & Renewable

Biodegradability

Biocompatibility

High strength & modulus

High surface area &

aspect ratio

Chemical functionality

( for modification)

Moisture absorption

Others

Potential Applications

Industrial applications

Composites

Film, Filters, High strength

composites (automotive, aircraft ,

etc) , Construction materials

Coatings, paintings

Household/ Consumer products

Paper , Tissue, Board,

Security paper, Furniture, Food

package, Shampoo, et al.

Functional applications

Sensors, Heath and hygience,

Pharmaceuticals

Food

Functional dietary fiber,

Adsorption materials

(Sodium Cholate etc);

Low calorie content cream

Others

To improve abrasion

resistance of lacquer;

To improve strength and

hardness of lacquer film;

To increase UV-durability

of the lacquer with

inorganic nanoparticales;

As thickening agents.

NFC-based waterborne polyurethane coating

CNC-Based Blood Glucose Test Strips

Colorimetric detection of glucose level(Colorimetric time of 2 min，glucose solution concentration of 0.72, 1.80, 4.50

and 9.91 mg/mL)

NFC-loaded Triclosan For Antimicrobial Activity

No growth

Inhibition of

E. coli

100% growth

Inhibition of

E. coli

Potential Products

22

Hand sanitizer

Tissue/napkin

Filters

Dietary Food:Adsorption of Sodium Cholate on Cationic MFC

Sodium Cholate binding ,

(g/mg DM) Mean± SEM

Sodium Cholate binding relative

to cholestyramine, %

Cationic NFC 57.95±0.3 29.74

Cholestyramine 194.86±0.5 100.00

23

Cholestyramine side-effects:

Constipation

Increased risk for gallstones

Increased plasma triglycerides

Unwelcome smell

Microfibril cellulose:

Natural & non-toxic

Not digestable

Promoting bowel movement

Scentless

24

CNC as a Template

CNC can be used as a

template for synthesizing

nano-materials/polymers e.

g., Nano- TiO2, SiO2 , Fe2O3

Due to：their distinct supramolecular

structure, flexible and

oriented molecular structure.

Application of NFC as a Template

Nano TiO2Nano SiO2

Nano ZnONano Fe2O3

CNC as Carriers

CNC used as carriers to

improve the dispersion of

spirooxazine (SO), a light-

induced switcher

Conductive Paper

Technology

Paper (nonconductive)

Pulp fiber

In-situ chemical polymerization

Electrically conductive

paper composites

conducting

polymer

Engineered fibers

27

(Potential) Products

28

Anti- static packaging bags for delicate electronics

Paper- based antenna

Hemicellulose- Derived Products

Hemicelluloses can be used to produce value-added

products with industrial significance, such as

Xylitol

Furfural

Lignin-Derived Products

Phenols

Plastic materials

Dispersants

Activated carbon

Surfactants

Carbon fibers

Fuels

Final words

Lignocellulosic materials already in our daily life

Further R & D activities

Driving for holistic approaches

Thank you!