Euro Green Chemistry & Energy, 2017
Green Energy Potential of Plant Biomass and Natural Biopolymers Michael J. Ioelovich, Designer Energy, Israel
[email protected] Abstract Statement of the Problem: Nowadays the main energy sources (over 80%) are fossil fuels, namely coal, petroleum and natural gas. The increased use of the fossil fuels is causing acute environmental problems, since emission of carbon dioxide in the volume of 1500-2000 m3 per 1 ton of fuel, triggering the greenhouse effect and global warming of the Earth. Therefore, in recent years, a considerable attention is paid to the production of the green energy from plant biomass, which in contrast to fossil energy sources is neutral for emission of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the biomass is continuously renewed in the nature as a result of the photosynthesis. Various biomass types involve residues of forest and agricultural plants; residues and waste of textile, pulp and paper industry; municipal paper waste; special energy crops; etc. The total amount of such biomass type that is accumulated annually in the world is 10 billion tons at least. To estimate the energetic potential of non-edible plant biomass an improved calculation methods should be used. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: It is known that the plant biomass is a composition of three main biopolymers – cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, as well as small admixtures of some other components such as protein, pectin, starch, rosin acids, waxes, fats, minerals, etc. To obtain the net combustion heat of the biomass (q), a net heating value (qi) of the individual component and its weight part (wi) in the biomass should be summarized. Findings: The net combustion heat of the biomass can be calculated using the following equation: q = Σwi qi. On the other hand, a quite precise equation can be derived for calculating the net heating value of the individual component with a low relative deviation up to 1% (see e.g. Table): qi = (Eo/M)(c + 0.81 s + 0.24 h – 0.43 o); where Eo= 413 kJ/mol O2 is a specific energetic parameter of oxygen; whereas c, h, o, s, n is number of the corresponding atoms in repeat link of biopolymer or in molecule of low-molecular compound with molecular weight M. Thus, the improved method of calculation allows to predict the green energy value of biopolymers and biomass. Using average net heating value of plant biomass, q=17 GJ/t, and annual amount of total
accumulation of biomass, 10 billion tons, it can be concluded that the total annual potential of green energy of the biomass can be 170 EJ, i.e. about 30% of global world’s energy consumption, which is three times higher than current share of the biomass energy. Table: Comparison experimental (Exp. qi,) and calculated (Calc. qi) heating values Sample Cellulose Hemicellulose Lignin Softwood Hardwood Bagasse Grassy biomass Biomass average
Exp. qi, kJ/g 16.0 16.2 25.0 q=19.1 q=18.3 q=17.4 q=16.0 q=17
Calc. qi, kJ/g 15.9 16.2 25.1 q=19.2 q=18.1 q=17.3 q= 16.1 q=17
Recent Publications 1. Ioelovich M (2013) Plant Biomass as a Renewable Source of Biofuels and Biochemicals. LAP, Saarbrücken, Germany. 2. Ioelovich M (2013) Energetic potential of plant biomass and its use. Int. J. of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 2:26-29. 3. Ioelovich M (2014) Problems of solid biofuels made of plant biomass. Advanced in Energy 2: 15-20. 4. Ioelovich M (2017) Calculation of heating value of organic substances using oxygen consumption. JOBARI 21:180-185. Biography Michael Ioelovich, PhD and Habilit. DSc in chemistry, has a great expertise in chemistry of plant biomass and biopolymers, as well as in technology of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels made from plant biomass. In particular, he is working to produce nanocellulose, to develop the new pretreatment methods, to enhance yield of fermentable sugars from pretreated biomass and to optimize technology of biofuels along with theoretical problems of green chemistry and energetics.
