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The plasma-assisted pyrolysis process is a powerful treatment for converting wood biomass to graphitic carbon. In order to make this process more precise and effective in time, the rate of graphitization data is needed, especially for predicting the effective time of treatment. In this study, numerical analysis is conducted to predict the rate of graphitization. An explicit finite difference method is applied for the numerical analysis. Some initial parameters used are the wood thickness (5 mm), coefficient of diffusivity (0.082 mm2/s), input plasma temperature (4,000 C), initial wood temperature (35 C), and room temperature (27 C). The analysis was conducted with a variation of time differences of 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, 4 s, and 5 s. The assumption used in this analysis is that the minimum temperature for graphitic carbon conversion is 2,000 C. The result of this study is the values of graphitization rates and exposure times summarized in TABLE 1. Therefore, this numerical analysis can successfully be used to predict the rate of graphitization and plasma exposure time for different wood biomass thicknesses.

The transition to a bioeconomy requires vast amounts of feedstock to serve a wide range of functionalities in a broad panel of applications in sectors as: construction, textile, paper, automotive, horticulture, and livestock farming. Herbaceous crops and residue streams like flax, hemp, miscanthus, cereal straw, reed and verge grass offer a wide range of characteristics which can serve multiple applications. This report analyses and explores the potential of production and valorisation of herbaceous feedstock in the Netherlands and eventually at regional level. An analysis is made of current production and applications of herbaceous crops and residue streams. Present supply and demand were matched by an evaluation of imports and exports. Circular economy policies, agendas and ambitions were reviewed for relevant topics: climate change, circular bioeconomy, regional development; and at 3 levels: EU, Netherlands and province of Gelderland. Also, important considerations regarding circularity and sustainability aspects of biobased value chains were discussed, with focus on construction and textiles sector. Further, potential future use in products, indication of demanded product volumes for most promising applications, and production of herbaceous feedstock in the Netherlands in 2050 were studied. An exercise to match estimated demand and required production area was performed, taking into consideration typical scale of conversion technologies related to product demand. Subsequently a SWOT analysis for use of each herbaceous feedstock for regional conversion into bio-based applications is carried out to identify the main points of attention and needs such as knowledge, infrastructure, collaborations, regulations and policies, technology for the valorisation of different feedstocks for different applications. Finally, recommendations are provided to next possible actions to materialise the transition to regional supply of herbaceous biomass for making bio-based products

Biobased Circulair (BBC) zal een nieuwe biobased building block en biopolymeerindustrie opzetten, die een significante positie heeft in de wereldeconomie, maar tegelijkertijd ook ingebed is in de Nederlandse of tenminste NW-Europese landbouw, bosbouw en landschappen. BBC zal niet alle biomassa die benodigd is voor de ambities van het consortium (2Mt Nederlandse bioplasticproductie in 2050) uit Nederland halen. Er wordt eerder gezocht naar een goede balans tussen wat op de internationale markt en omliggende landen kan worden verkregen en wat in Nederland kan worden geproduceerd. Uit deze studie blijkt dat wel degelijk een groot aandeel van de biogrondstoffen uit Nederland zou kunnen worden gehaald. In 2050 zal de landbouw er heel anders uit zal zien dan nu en gegeven de lopende discussies over de Nederlandse intensieve landbouw, is deze studie uitgegaan van een uitgewerkte visie die illustreert hoe landbouw beter ruimtelijk ingepast zou kunnen worden en tegelijkertijd een belangrijke rol zou kunnen spelen bij realisatie van ruimtelijke en milieu-opgaven1. De in deze studie geschetste ontwikkeling is nog voornamelijk vanuit het perspectief van voedselproductie opgesteld, maar de teelt van biomassa voor de productie van biobased building blocks en bioplastics kan niet losgezien worden van voedselproductie. In deze studie is geïllustreerd hoe BBC de landbouw op een aantal manieren kan versterken: 1. Het kan nieuwe markten creëren voor koolhydraten. Zeker de suikerbiet is in Nederland een zeer efficiënt suikergewas met hoge opbrengst. 2. Het kan reststromen uit de landbouw verwaarden en zo tot een beter verdienmodel komen voor de boer. Belangrijke reststroom die mogelijk hoogwaardiger verwaard kan worden in bioplastics is in ieder geval mestproductie uit de veeteelt, maar mogelijk ook lignocellulose reststromen uit de landbouw. 3. Tot slot zou extra areaal gewijd kunnen worden aan de productie van extra houtachtig materiaal door middel van houtwallen, singels, kleine

This report describes pineapple residues as potential feedstock for new carbon-based materials, especially the use of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) in textiles. Using Costa Rica as a case study, five application domains of residues are identified. Cascading of different valorization options has the potential to increase resource use efficiencies and to reinforce the economic viability of individual valorization options. Various bottlenecks hampering a biomaterial transition in Costa Rica are identified, and a R&D agenda to address these bottlenecks.

Lignocellulosic biomass is an underutilised renewable resource. Using this biomass for biobased applications is hampered by a lack of possibilities to efficiently link the biomass to markets which include both energy applications such as heat and electricity production, conversion to transport fuels and chemicals and materials. Siting conversion facilities near abundant biomass has the benefit of availability of low cost biomass, but the locations generally lack security of supply, availability of qualified personnel, and do not benefit from existing infrastructure and possibilities to add value to residues. Furthermore, the scale of conversion systems is limited by local cost of biomass supply. The development of real lignocellulosic commodities can connect biomass to markets and lower the opportunity costs of the commodities. The characteristics of real commodities are defined as follows: a commodity has to be easy to store, have a high (energy) density and be nutrient depleted. The commodity has to be uniform enough to be fungible. This will allow standardization of transport, contracting, insurance, conversion systems and development of functioning markets which includes high tradability and availability of financial instruments. Finally sustainability also has to be standardized. Several candidates as real commodities exist including wood pellets and pyrolysis oil. It is argued that only a few biomass commodities have to be defined that cover all lignocellulosic biomass types (wood, grass, straw, bagasse, processing residues, etc.) and also all applications such as heat, electricity, fuels, chemicals and materials. The standards have to be as wide as possible and avoid frivolous or unnecessary demands. To achieve this all stakeholders in the production chain (biomass producers, machine builders, regulators, insurers, bankers, transport, final users) have to be involved. This will require international collaboration else the potential lignocellulosic biomass wil

This report describes and explains a Circular Evaluation Framework that supports the decision making process in the implementation of processes for the valorisation of agri-residues or by-products. Implementation of this framework leads to a quantitative comparison of circularity, socio-economic impact, environmental impact and implementability for alternative processes. Based on such evaluation and case-specific prioritization, informed decisions can be made about process improvement or implementation support. New, is the quantification of circularity, which is laid out in this report. Based on the components of a by-products, process characteristics and application hierarchy, utilization paths are evaluated and scored, allowing for a quick comparison as well as an in-depth analysis.The application of this framework is demonstrated on four representative case studies, for which data was gathered either directly by specialists with local connections or interviews with people involved in the implementation of new processes (Transcripts of interviews are attached to the annex). Finally, a quick description of the process of using the framework is given in a decision tree, and a flyer, that summarizes the most important aspects of using this framework on one page.

In this knowledge clip, you will learn all about mobilizing and acquiring biomass feedstocks for making advanced biofuels. What are advanced biofuels, how can we make biofuels from lignocellulosic materials such as wood and straw?

Woody biomass from landscape elements is currently primarily used for energy generation (heat and electricity). Developing high-value applications for this type of biomass is complicated, due to its relatively low quality, the lack of uniformity and the small volumes. This report identifies and quantifies current flows of woody biomass from landscape elements. Furthermore, the different applications for woody biomass are classified based on their functionality. The report also further examines the application of biomass for the production of lumber, pulpwood, monomers and for energy generation. Lastly, the report describes a framework for action, targeting producers, processors and buyers of woody biomass from landscape elements and involved governments, to further develop high-value applications of biomass., Hout uit het landschap wordt nu vooral voor energieproductie (elektriciteit en warmte) ingezet. Het is niet eenvoudig dit hout hoogwaardiger in te zetten onder meer door de relatief lage kwaliteit, de geringe uniformiteit en de geringe volumes. Dit rapport schetst een beeld van de huidige afzet van houtige biomassa uit landschap. Voorts wordt een classificatie geschetst van houttoepassingen naar functionaliteit en wordt ingegaan op de toepassing van hout als zaaghout, vezeltoepassingen, monomere toepassingen en energie-toepassingen. Tenslotte schetst het rapport een handelingsperspectief voor producenten, verwerkers en afnemers van hout uit landschap en betrokken overheden om te komen tot duurzamere toepassingen van dit hout.

Low‐cost sustainable biomass availability in the European Union may not be able to meet increasing demand; exploring the option of importing biomass is therefore imperative for the years to come. This article assesses sustainable biomass export potential from Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States by applying a number of sustainability criteria. Only biomass types with the highest potential are selected, to take advantage of economies of scale, e.g. pulpwood, wood waste, and residues in the United States, and agricultural residues in Ukraine. This study found that, except for the United States, pellet markets in the sourcing regions are largely undeveloped. The export potential depends strongly on pellet mill capacity and assumed growth rates in the pellet industry. Results show that the United States, Ukraine, Indonesia, and Brazil offer the highest biomass export potential. In the Business As Usual 2030 scenario, up to 204 PJ could potentially be mobilized; in the High Export scenario this could increase to 1423 PJ, with 89% of the potential being available for costs ranging from 6.4 to 15 €/GJ. These potentials meet the European Commission requirements for a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions set in the Renewable Energy Directive. The total export potentials do not reflect the net possible import potentials to the European Union, as biomass could be imported to other countries where there is a demand for it, where less strict sustainability requirements are applied, and which are proximate to the sourcing regions, notably South Korea, Japan, and China.

This study deals with approaches for a social-ecological friendly European bioeconomy based on biomass from industrial crops cultivated on marginal agricultural land. The selected crops to be investigated are: Biomass sorghum, camelina, cardoon, castor, crambe, Ethiopian mustard, giant reed, hemp, lupin, miscanthus, pennycress, poplar, reed canary grass, safflower, Siberian elm, switchgrass, tall wheatgrass, wild sugarcane, and willow. The research question focused on the overall crop growth suitability under low-input management. The study assessed: (i) How the growth suitability of industrial crops can be defined under the given natural constraints of European marginal agricultural lands; and (ii) which agricultural practices are required for marginal agricultural land low-input systems (MALLIS). For the growth-suitability analysis, available thresholds and growth requirements of the selected industrial crops were defined. The marginal agricultural land was categorized according to the agro-ecological zone (AEZ) concept in combination with the marginality constraints, so-called 'marginal agro-ecological zones' (M-AEZ). It was found that both large marginal agricultural areas and numerous agricultural practices are available for industrial crop cultivation on European marginal agricultural lands. These results help to further describe the suitability of industrial crops for the development of social-ecologically friendly MALLIS in Europe.

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is considered a problematic waste, causing pollution problems: greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution with organic material, and nutrient pollution. POME is well suited for treatment in digestion tanks, generating methane for energy production. A technology screening showed membrane technology as the most promising technology for further processing of POME digestate into a mineral concentrate and high quality water. However, a techno-economic evaluation showed that the estimated costs related to further processing of POME digestate are currently higher than the potential savings. Options for cost reduction of the membrane technology and of the handling of the mineral concentrate should be explored. In an optimistic scenario the potential savings exceed the costs. If the concept is further developed, processing of POME digestate can contribute to the economic viability of digestion systems and to reducing the environmental impact of palm oil mills.

Management of switchgrass for bioenergy and forage share some commonalities, of particular interest in bioenergy crop production is: (1) rapid establishment of switchgrass to generate harvestable biomass in the seeding year, (2) highly efficient management of soil and fertilizer N to minimize external energy inputs, and (3) harvest management to maximize yields of lignocellulose. Bioenergy cropping may entail management for multiple services in addition to biomass yield including soil C sequestration, wildlife habitat, landscape management, and water quality protection. Management is a critical factor especially as land classified as marginal or idle land will be emphasized for bioenergy production to reduce conflicts with food production. Marginal land may also be more risky. To date, there has been no long-term commercial production of switchgrass on a large scale and there is little in the way of hands-on, practical farm experience with switchgrass managed as a bioenergy crop. In this chapter, we lay out the key best management practices for switchgrass as a bioenergy crop including establishment, soil fertility, and pest management.