ARS | Publication request: THERMOCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF BIOMASS TO VALUE-ADDED ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS

Submitted to: Biomass Conference of the Americas Proceedings and Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 15, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Several biomass agricultural materials (starch, corn fiber, ground corn cobs, corn and soy proteins and cellulose fiber) have been reacted thermochemically with citric acid. Citric acid dehydrates at high temperature to form a reactive anhydride, which reacts with hydroxyl groups of carbohydrates and/or hydroxyl or amino groups of proteins. Data is presented to show effect of temperature, citric acid concentration, pH and reaction time. Reaction efficiencies approaching 100% were achieved, while minimizing cross-linking and maximizing carboxyl content. Biomass carbohydrate makeup (starch, cellulose, hemi-cellulose) gives products showing variable reaction efficiencies and properties. High concentrations of protein in some samples evaluated give completely different reaction products. All products possess high ion exchange capacity and data is presented for copper exchange and regeneration. The potential also exists for one time use to yield biodegradable materials in lieu of petrochemically-based resins.