The Effect of Mechanocatalytic Pretreatment on the Structure and Depolymerization of Willow

In this study, the effect of a mechanocatalytic pretreatment on the structure of willow and sugar release from pretreated willow was explored. In the mechanocatalytic approach, the pretreatment consists of solvent-free impregnation with sulfuric acid and a mechanical treatment with ball milling. Willow sawdust and pretreated samples were analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The products in the sugar solution were determined as the total reducing sugars with the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method and monosaccharides with capillary electrophoresis. According to the results, milling increased the sugar production, depending on the sulfuric acid load. T…

Acid-catalyzed mechanocatalytic pretreatment to improve sugar release from birch sawdust : Structural and chemical aspects

This study examined acid-catalyzed mechanocatalytic pretreatment of birch sawdust without a separate impregnation step. Catalyst amount and pretreatment time were the key variables. Pretreated material was mixed with water for hydrolysis (100 °C, 60 min). The efficient release of total reducing sugars from birch sawdust is significant to the path towards biofuels and biochemicals. Based on the results, the structure and surface of birch sawdust changed as a function of mechanocatalytic pretreatment. Milling time caused significant transformations in birch structure and also increased the yields of reducing sugars. The highest yield of total reducing sugar from pretreated sawdust was 23.0% a…

Acid-catalyzed mechanocatalytic pretreatment to improve sugar release from birch sawdust: Structural and chemical aspects

Abstract This study examined acid-catalyzed mechanocatalytic pretreatment of birch sawdust without a separate impregnation step. Catalyst amount and pretreatment time were the key variables. Pretreated material was mixed with water for hydrolysis (100 °C, 60 min). The efficient release of total reducing sugars from birch sawdust is significant to the path towards biofuels and biochemicals. Based on the results, the structure and surface of birch sawdust changed as a function of mechanocatalytic pretreatment. Milling time caused significant transformations in birch structure and also increased the yields of reducing sugars. The highest yield of total reducing sugar from pretreated sawdust wa…

Biomass to energy and chemicals : HighBio2 project publication

New processes of the circular economy in water and wastewater treatment : Waterpro project publication

This report presents results of research done in the WaterPro project New processes of the circular economy in water and wastewater treatment. In this project, water treatment solutions based on material streams produced as sidestreams or wastestreams of industrial processes or mining were researched and developed. These materials were modified for use as adsorbents or precipitation chemicals for water treatment solutions aiming to remove nutrients or metals. Materials such as paper mill sludge, slag, fly ash, jarosite, analcime, and brucite were used. Adsorption, chemical precipitation, and electrochemical precipitation were applied as water purification methods. Experiments were performed…