Abstract:Moisture content is an important feedstock quality in converting it into energy through biochemical or thermochemical platforms. Knowledge of moisture sorption relationship is useful in drying and storage to preserve the quality of feedstocks. Moisture sorption isotherms for potential feedstocks such as corn stover and big bluestem are missing. EMC values of corn stover and big bluestem were determined using static gravimetric technique with saturated salt solutions (ERH 0.12–0.89) at different temperatures (2… Show more
“…At harvest, the moisture content of woody biomass is around 50%, while that of agricutltural residues is typically about 20% . The amount of water in biomass affects size reduction, drying, transport, storage, processing, and physiochemical conversion for biofuels or bio-oil . Most postharvest operations require moisture contents to be below 20% for optimum performance. ,, However, some studies have suggested a relationship between increased water mobility in biomass microstructure and reduced recalcitrance in downstream conversion processes, leaving biorefineries with a difficult choice one way or the other …”
Section: Geometric and Volumetric
Propertiesmentioning
Feedstock variability is a significant barrier to the scale-up and commercialization of lignocellulosic biofuel technologies. Variability in feedstock characteristics and behavior creates numerous challenges to the biorefining industry by affecting continuous operation and biofuels yields. Currently, feedstock variability is understood and explained largely on the basis of chemical composition. Physical and mechanical properties and behavior of lignocellulosic feedstock in various unit operations, studied through advanced analytical methods, can further explain variability. Such studies will enable us in developing processes and designing equipment to improve operation and conversion performance. In this perspective, we review several advanced analytical methods that measure density, moisture content, thermal properties, flowability, grindability, rheology properties, and micromorphological characteristics. We also discuss the correlations and interactions among these properties that reflect the complexity of lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock and the associated quality metrics and logistics of supplying consistent quality feedstock to a biorefinery. We also examine methods that have not traditionally been used to characterize lignocellulosic feedstocks but have the potential to bridge the gap in our explanation of feedstock variability.
“…At harvest, the moisture content of woody biomass is around 50%, while that of agricutltural residues is typically about 20% . The amount of water in biomass affects size reduction, drying, transport, storage, processing, and physiochemical conversion for biofuels or bio-oil . Most postharvest operations require moisture contents to be below 20% for optimum performance. ,, However, some studies have suggested a relationship between increased water mobility in biomass microstructure and reduced recalcitrance in downstream conversion processes, leaving biorefineries with a difficult choice one way or the other …”
Section: Geometric and Volumetric
Propertiesmentioning
Feedstock variability is a significant barrier to the scale-up and commercialization of lignocellulosic biofuel technologies. Variability in feedstock characteristics and behavior creates numerous challenges to the biorefining industry by affecting continuous operation and biofuels yields. Currently, feedstock variability is understood and explained largely on the basis of chemical composition. Physical and mechanical properties and behavior of lignocellulosic feedstock in various unit operations, studied through advanced analytical methods, can further explain variability. Such studies will enable us in developing processes and designing equipment to improve operation and conversion performance. In this perspective, we review several advanced analytical methods that measure density, moisture content, thermal properties, flowability, grindability, rheology properties, and micromorphological characteristics. We also discuss the correlations and interactions among these properties that reflect the complexity of lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock and the associated quality metrics and logistics of supplying consistent quality feedstock to a biorefinery. We also examine methods that have not traditionally been used to characterize lignocellulosic feedstocks but have the potential to bridge the gap in our explanation of feedstock variability.
“…Moisture content represents the quantity of water in biomass, expressed as a percentage of the material weight. It has a strong influence not only on harvest and preparation, but also on transport, storage, processing, and the resultant products [85]. The moisture in biomass can remain in external and inherent forms.…”
“…The commonest limitation on the shelf life of food is microbial growth; hence, several preservation processes are aimed at achieving microbial stability of foods [ 19 , 20 ]. Water activity of a foodstuff is defined as the ratio of vapour pressure of water in the food to vapour pressure of pure water at the same temperature [ 17 , 21 ]. The moisture content of most foods increases curvilinearly (frequently sigmoidal) with water activity [ 22 ].…”
Garri is a creamy white or yellow starchy grit produced by roasting to gelatinization and dryness of peeled, washed, mashed, and fermented dewatered cassava roots. It is the most important product of cassava in West and Central Africa. Mean moisture content of yellow and white garri was 11.11% and 10.81% within 24 hrs of sampling from the market, increasing to 17.27% and 16.14%, respectively, following 3 months of storage at room temperature. The water activity of samples varied from initial 0.587 to 0.934 following storage. Moisture sorption isotherms, determined by static gravimetric techniques at 20° and 30°C, showed temperature dependent BET Sigmoidal type II behaviour typical of carbohydrate rich foods but modulated very slightly by the content of palm oil. Equilibrium moisture content decreased with increase in temperature at constant water activity. A total of 10 fungal species belonging to the genera Mucor, Penicillium, Cephalosporium, Aspergillus, Scopulariopsis, Rhizopus, and Paecilomyces were identified, with range increasing with water activity of samples.
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