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Thermochemical processing of woody biomass: A review focused on energy-driven applications and catalytic upgrading

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  • Solarte-Toro, Juan Camilo
  • González-Aguirre, Jose Andrés
  • Poveda Giraldo, Jhonny Alejandro
  • Cardona Alzate, Carlos A.

Abstract

The use of fossil fuels as an energy source and platform of fuel additives can be decreased through the use of woody biomass as a raw material in different conversion processes. In this way, this paper provides an overview of energy-driven applications and insights into the catalytic upgrading of woody biomass. For this purpose, aspects related to technologies, yields, and chemical compounds production were considered. Sustainability concepts are described to improve the evaluation of woody biomass conversion either in a stand-alone process or biorefinery. Besides, this paper provides a case of study to better understand the existing differences between the thermochemical alternatives to convert woody biomass from a techno-economic perspective. This review allows for identifying the use of combustion and gasification processes as the most common alternatives to produce energy. Meanwhile, the wood pellet combustion is the most used for power generation on the residential level. Furthermore, the implementation of heterogeneous catalysis to upgrade syngas and bio-oil into alkanes and alkenes is an increasing trend. On the other hand, the sustainability assessment for the thermochemical upgrading of biomass is still under research. Regarding the case of study, the gasification process presents better techno-economic performance than combustion and pyrolysis since biochar can represent an additional source of income. Nevertheless, this technology must be improved to reach large-scale biomass upgrading. Therefore, this paper offers the readers a vision of the woody biomass conversion through thermochemical processes and catalytic upgrading, considering residential and industrial applications, as well as sustainability aspects.

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  • Solarte-Toro, Juan Camilo & González-Aguirre, Jose Andrés & Poveda Giraldo, Jhonny Alejandro & Cardona Alzate, Carlos A., 2021. "Thermochemical processing of woody biomass: A review focused on energy-driven applications and catalytic upgrading," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:136:y:2021:i:c:s136403212030664x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110376
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    Cited by:

    1. Solarte-Toro, Juan Camilo & Ortiz-Sanchez, Mariana & Cardona Alzate, Carlos Ariel, 2023. "Sustainability analysis of biorefineries based on country socio-economic and environmental context: A step-by-step way for the integral analysis of biomass upgrading processes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1147-1157.
    2. Shahbeik, Hossein & Peng, Wanxi & Kazemi Shariat Panahi, Hamed & Dehhaghi, Mona & Guillemin, Gilles J. & Fallahi, Alireza & Amiri, Hamid & Rehan, Mohammad & Raikwar, Deepak & Latine, Hannes & Pandalon, 2022. "Synthesis of liquid biofuels from biomass by hydrothermal gasification: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Mahmoud G. Hemeida & Ashraf M. Hemeida & Tomonobu Senjyu & Dina Osheba, 2022. "Renewable Energy Resources Technologies and Life Cycle Assessment: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-36, December.
    4. Ashfaq Ahmed & Muhammad S. Abu Bakar & Abdul Razzaq & Syarif Hidayat & Farrukh Jamil & Muhammad Nadeem Amin & Rahayu S. Sukri & Noor S. Shah & Young-Kwon Park, 2021. "Characterization and Thermal Behavior Study of Biomass from Invasive Acacia mangium Species in Brunei Preceding Thermochemical Conversion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Douvartzides, Savvas & Charisiou, Nikolaos D. & Wang, Wen & Papadakis, Vagelis G. & Polychronopoulou, Kyriaki & Goula, Maria A., 2022. "Catalytic fast pyrolysis of agricultural residues and dedicated energy crops for the production of high energy density transportation biofuels. Part I: Chemical pathways and bio-oil upgrading," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 483-505.
    6. Mariyam, Sabah & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Al-Ansari, Tareq & Mackey, Hamish. R & McKay, Gordon, 2022. "A critical review on co-gasification and co-pyrolysis for gas production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Oh, Juhyun & Suh, Dong Hee, 2024. "Exploring the import allocation of wood pellets: Insights from price and policy influences under the renewable portfolio standard," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    8. Anna Borkowska & Kamila Klimek & Grzegorz Maj & Magdalena Kapłan, 2024. "Analysis of the Energy Potential of Hazelnut Husk Depending on the Variety," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.

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