Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries

(First published:5 March 2013)

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About This Book

Separation and purification processes play a critical role in biorefineries and their optimal selection, design and operation to maximise product yields and improve overall process efficiency. Separations and purifications are necessary for upstream processes as well as in maximising and improving product recovery in downstream processes. These processes account for a significant fraction of the total capital and operating costs and also are highly energy intensive. Consequently, a better understanding of separation and purification processes, current and possible alternative and novel advanced methods is essential for achieving the overall techno-economic feasibility and commercial success of sustainable biorefineries. 

This book presents a comprehensive overview focused specifically on the present state, future challenges and opportunities for separation and purification methods and technologies in biorefineries. 

Topics covered include: 

Equilibrium Separations: Distillation, liquid-liquid extraction and supercritical fluid extraction. 
Affinity-Based Separations: Adsorption, ion exchange, and simulated moving bed technologies. 
Membrane Based Separations: Microfiltration, ultrafiltration and diafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane pervaporation, and membrane distillation. 
Solid-liquid Separations: Conventional filtration and solid-liquid extraction. 
Hybrid/Integrated Reaction-Separation Systems: Membrane bioreactors, extractive fermentation, reactive distillation and reactive absorption. 

For each of these processes, the fundamental principles and design aspects are presented, followed by a detailed discussion and specific examples of applications in biorefineries. Each chapter also considers the market needs, industrial challenges, future opportunities, and economic importance of the separation and purification methods. The book concludes with a series of detailed case studies including cellulosic bioethanol production, extraction of algae oil from microalgae, and production of biopolymers. 

Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries is an essential resource for scientists and engineers, as well as researchers and academics working in the broader conventional and emerging bio-based products industry, including biomaterials, biochemicals, biofuels and bioenergy.

Contents

Part I : Introduction

CHP 1    -   Overview of Biomass Conversion Processes and Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries

Part II : Equilibrium‐Based Separation Technologies

CHP 2    -   Distillation

CHP 3    -   Liquid‐Liquid Extraction (LLE)

CHP 4    -   Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Part III : Affinity‐Based Separation Technologies

CHP 5    -   Adsorption

CHP 6    -   Ion Exchange

CHP 7    -   Simulated Moving‐Bed Technology for Biorefinery Applications

Part IV : Membrane Separation

CHP 8    -   Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration and Diafiltration

CHP 9    -   Nanofiltration

CHP 10  -   Membrane Pervaporation

CHP 11  -   Membrane Distillation

Part V : Solid‐Liquid Separations

CHP 12  -   Filtration‐Based Separations in the Biorefinery

CHP 13  -   Solid–Liquid Extraction in Biorefinery

Part VI : Hybrid/Integrated Reaction‐Separation Systems—Process Intensification

CHP 14  -   Membrane Bioreactors for Biofuel Production

CHP 15  -   Extraction‐Fermentation Hybrid (Extractive Fermentation)

CHP 16  -   Reactive Distillation for the Biorefinery

CHP 17  -   Reactive Absorption

Part VII : Case Studies of Separation and Purification Technologies in Biorefineries

CHP 18  -   Cellulosic Bioethanol Production

CHP 19  -   Dehydration of Ethanol using Pressure Swing Adsorption

CHP 20  -   Separation and Purification of Lignocellulose Hydrolyzates

CHP 21  -   Case Studies of Separation in Biorefineries—Extraction of Algae Oil from Microalgae

CHP 22  -   Separation Processes in Biopolymer Production

Index