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Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation
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Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalytic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2024) | Viewed by 17001

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Francisco Pompeo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Calle 1 esq. 47, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
2. Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Calle 47, 257, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
Interests: heterogeneous catalysts; glycerol valorization, ketalization; reforming; H2 production; thermodynamics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

For some years now, society has been aware of the environmental impact generated by the use of fossil resources to obtain energy and products for the chemical industry. Thus, the search for alternative sources has been ongoing, encouraging the mitigation and even elimination of our current dependence on nonrenewable sources.

In this context, biomass-derived products based on organic polyfunctional molecules have been employed as substitutes for fine products traditionally synthetized by the petrochemical industry. The efficient development of materials, processes and technologies using this resource as a raw material is vital to solving today's ecological and energy problems.

This Special Issue on “Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation” will cover promising recent research and novel trends in the field of materials for catalytic reactions applied to: biomass and waste valorization processes, chemicals and hydrogen (or syngas) from different types of biomasses and wastes (e.g., plastics and waste tyres), catalytic pyrolysis and new materials obtained from biomass transformation.

Prof. Dr. Francisco Pompeo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • catalyst synthesis and characterization
  • biomass conversion
  • reforming
  • hydrogen
  • gasification
  • pyrolysis
  • bio oils
  • hydrogenolysis
  • oxidation/esterification/ acetylation
  • platform molecules

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5758 KiB  
Article
Possible Options for Utilization of EU Biomass Waste: Pyrolysis Char, Calorific Value and Ash Content
by Ewa M. Iwanek (nee Wilczkowska), Urszula Nietrzeba, Marta Pietras, Aleksandra Marciniak, Gustaw Głuski, Jakub Hupka, Miłosz Szymajda, Jakub Kamiński, Cezary Szerewicz, Aleksandra Goździk and Donald W. Kirk
Materials 2024, 17(1), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010226 - 31 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3015
Abstract
The application of biomass as a co-feed in coal power plants and in standalone biomass power plants, as well as in char production for soil remediation, is a currently important issue. This paper reports on the investigation of biochar formation from agricultural waste [...] Read more.
The application of biomass as a co-feed in coal power plants and in standalone biomass power plants, as well as in char production for soil remediation, is a currently important issue. This paper reports on the investigation of biochar formation from agricultural waste crops that are used for soil upgrading, but which do not meet the standards of EU crops, as well as largescale food processing waste. These were compared to test results from basket willow, which is commonly used for energy generation. Food industry waste is often produced in cities on a large scale and is generally easier to process due to lack of other stream components. The key parameters, namely, the content of volatiles, energy content of the formed biochar and the composition of the ash, were determined for a number of herbaceous materials locally available in the European Union. All of them can be used as a cheap source of biochar. A novel procedure of capturing volatiles and hence minimizing the PAH content in the biochar, as well as enabling the recovery of energy from the volatiles is presented. Knowledge of the composition and form of elements in ash is very important for designing ash management systems if co-combustion is implemented. The aim of this study was to determine if the types of biomass are better suited for biochar production or energy generation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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15 pages, 3477 KiB  
Article
Formic Acid Dehydrogenation over Ru- and Pd-Based Catalysts: Gas- vs. Liquid-Phase Reactions
by Estela Ruiz-López, María Ribota Peláez, María Blasco Ruz, María Isabel Domínguez Leal, Marcela Martínez Tejada, Svetlana Ivanova and Miguel Ángel Centeno
Materials 2023, 16(2), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020472 - 4 Jan 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3512
Abstract
Formic acid has recently been revealed to be an excellent hydrogen carrier, and interest in the development of efficient and selective catalysts towards its dehydrogenation has grown. This reaction has been widely explored using homogeneous catalysts; however, from a practical and scalable point [...] Read more.
Formic acid has recently been revealed to be an excellent hydrogen carrier, and interest in the development of efficient and selective catalysts towards its dehydrogenation has grown. This reaction has been widely explored using homogeneous catalysts; however, from a practical and scalable point of view, heterogeneous catalysts are usually preferred in industry. In this work, formic acid dehydrogenation reactions in both liquid- and vapor-phase conditions have been investigated using heterogeneous catalysts based on mono- or bimetallic Pd/Ru. In all of the explored conditions, the catalysts showed good catalytic activity and selectivity towards the dehydrogenation reaction, avoiding the formation of undesired CO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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14 pages, 1614 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Effect of Fe2O3 Addition in the Combustion of a Wood-Based Fuel
by Jerzy Chojnacki, Jan Kielar, Waldemar Kuczyński, Tomáš Najser, Leon Kukiełka, Jaroslav Frantík, Bogusława Berner, Václav Peer, Bernard Knutel and Błażej Gaze
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7740; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217740 - 3 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
A comparative study was carried out of emissions from the catalytic combustion of pellets made from furniture board waste and pellets made from wood mixed with Fe2O3. The mass content of the Fe2O3 catalyst in the [...] Read more.
A comparative study was carried out of emissions from the catalytic combustion of pellets made from furniture board waste and pellets made from wood mixed with Fe2O3. The mass content of the Fe2O3 catalyst in the fuel was varied from 0% to 5%, 10%, and 15% in relation to the total dry mass weight of the pellets. The average flame temperature in the boiler was between 730 and 800 °C. The effect of the catalyst concentration in the fuel was analysed with respect to the contents of O2, CO2, CO, H2, and NOx in the flue gas and the combustion quality of the pellets in the heating boiler. Changes in the CO2 content and the proportion of unburned combustible components in the combustion residue were assessed. It was established that an increase in the Fe2O3 content of the prepared fuels had a positive effect on reducing NOx, CO, and H2 emissions. However, the proportion of iron oxide in the tested fuel pellets did not significantly influence changes in their combustion quality. A strong effect of the addition of Fe2O3 on the reduction of the average NOx content in the flue gas occurred with the combustion of furniture board fuel, from 51.4 ppm at 0% Fe2O3 to 7.7 ppm for an additive content of 15%. Based on the analysis of the residue in the boiler ash pan, the amount of unburned combustibles relative to their input amounts was found to be 0.09–0.22% for wood pellets and 0.50–0.31% for furniture board waste pellets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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Review

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25 pages, 2000 KiB  
Review
Catalyst-Enhancing Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass for Hydrochar and Liquid Fuel Production—A Review
by Waheed A. Rasaq, Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala, Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe and Andrzej Białowiec
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112579 - 27 May 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1813
Abstract
The research impact of catalysts on the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process remains an ongoing debate, especially regarding the quest to enhance biomass conversion into fuels and chemicals, which requires diverse catalysts to optimize bio-oil utilization. Comprehensive insights and standardized analytical methodologies are crucial [...] Read more.
The research impact of catalysts on the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process remains an ongoing debate, especially regarding the quest to enhance biomass conversion into fuels and chemicals, which requires diverse catalysts to optimize bio-oil utilization. Comprehensive insights and standardized analytical methodologies are crucial for understanding HTC’s potential benefits in terms of biomass conversion stages. This review seeks to understand how catalysts enhance the HTC of biomass for liquid fuel and hydrochar production, drawing from the following key sections: (a) catalyst types applied in HTC processes; (b) biochar functionality as a potential catalyst; (c) catalysts increasing the success of HTC process; and (d) catalyst’s effect on the morphological and textural character of hydrochar. The performance of activated carbon would greatly increase via catalyst action, which would progress the degree of carbonization and surface modification, alongside key heteroatoms. As catalytic HTC technology advances, producing carbon materials for thermochemical activities will become more cost-effective, considering the ever-growing demands for high-performance thermochemical technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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44 pages, 2542 KiB  
Review
Navigating Pyrolysis Implementation—A Tutorial Review on Consideration Factors and Thermochemical Operating Methods for Biomass Conversion
by Waheed A. Rasaq, Charles Odilichukwu R. Okpala, Chinenye Adaobi Igwegbe and Andrzej Białowiec
Materials 2024, 17(3), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030725 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2000
Abstract
Pyrolysis and related thermal conversion processes have shown increased research momentum in recent decades. Understanding the underlying thermal conversion process principles alongside the associated/exhibited operational challenges that are specific to biomass types is crucial for beginners in this research area. From an extensive [...] Read more.
Pyrolysis and related thermal conversion processes have shown increased research momentum in recent decades. Understanding the underlying thermal conversion process principles alongside the associated/exhibited operational challenges that are specific to biomass types is crucial for beginners in this research area. From an extensive literature search, the authors are convinced that a tutorial review that guides beginners particularly towards pyrolysis implementation, from different biomasses to the thermal conversion process and conditions, is scarce. An effective understanding of pre-to-main pyrolysis stages, alongside corresponding standard methodologies, would help beginners discuss anticipated results. To support the existing information, therefore, this review sought to seek how to navigate pyrolysis implementation, specifically considering factors and thermochemical operating methods for biomass conversion, drawing the ideas from: (a) the evolving nature of the thermal conversion process; (b) the potential inter-relatedness between individual components affecting pyrolysis-based research; (c) pre- to post-pyrolysis’ engagement strategies; (d) potential feedstock employed in the thermal conversion processes; (e) the major pre-treatment strategies applied to feedstocks; (f) system performance considerations between pyrolysis reactors; and (g) differentiating between the reactor and operation parameters involved in the thermal conversion processes. Moreover, pre-pyrolysis activity tackles biomass selection/analytical measurements, whereas the main pyrolysis activity tackles treatment methods, reactor types, operating processes, and the eventual product output. Other areas that need beginners’ attention include high-pressure process reactor design strategies and material types that have a greater potential for biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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69 pages, 5977 KiB  
Review
Heterogeneous Catalysts for Glycerol Biorefineries: Hydrogenolysis to 1,2-Propylene Glycol
by Martín N. Gatti, Federico M. Perez, Gerardo F. Santori, Nora N. Nichio and Francisco Pompeo
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093551 - 5 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3408
Abstract
Research on the use of biomass resources for the generation of energy and chemical compounds is of great interest worldwide. The development and growth of the biodiesel industry has led to a parallel market for the supply of glycerol, its main by-product. Its [...] Read more.
Research on the use of biomass resources for the generation of energy and chemical compounds is of great interest worldwide. The development and growth of the biodiesel industry has led to a parallel market for the supply of glycerol, its main by-product. Its wide availability and relatively low cost as a raw material make glycerol a basic component for obtaining various chemical products and allows for the development of a biorefinery around biodiesel plants, through the technological integration of different production processes. This work proposes a review of one of the reactions of interest in the biorefinery environment: the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propylene glycol. The article reviews more than 300 references, covering literature from about 20 years, focusing on the heterogeneous catalysts used for the production of glycol. In this sense, from about 175 catalysts, between bulk and supported ones, were revised and discussed critically, based on noble metals, such as Ru, Pt, Pd, and non-noble metals as Cu, Ni, Co, both in liquid (2–10 MPa, 120–260 °C) and vapor phase (0.1 MPa, 200–300 °C). Then, the effect of the main operational and decision variables, such as temperature, pressure, catalyst/glycerol mass ratio, space velocity, and H2 flow, are discussed, depending on the reactors employed. Finally, the formulation of several kinetic models and stability studies are presented, discussing the main deactivation mechanisms of the catalytic systems such as coking, leaching, and sintering, and the presence of impurities in the glycerol feed. It is expected that this work will serve as a tool for the development of more efficient catalytic materials and processes towards the future projection of glycerol biorefineries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis and Materials for Biomass Transformation)
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