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Title: IMPEDIMENTS TO BIO-MASS CONVERSION

Author
item Barton Ii, Franklin
item Akin, Danny
item Himmelsbach, David

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2002
Publication Date: 12/1/2002
Citation: BARTON II, F.E., AKIN, D.E., HIMMELSBACH, D.S. IMPEDIMENTS TO BIO-MASS CONVERSION. ABSTRACTS OF THE 224TH AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY NATIONAL MEETING, DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY. 2002. ABSTRACT NO. 126.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The impediments to the conversion of plant materials to industrial products through fermentation are threefold, plant structure, chemical composition and the inherent diversity in plant materials. Every industrial process relies on one thing, consistency. The inputs for a large industrial process must be consistent to produce the desired outputs. Perhaps the best example is the manufacture of paper. The wood fiber used is very consistent and the substitution of other sources of cellulose would greatly impair efficiency. For industrial uses bio-mass must be pre-processed to a consistent feedstock. For this to occur the structural and compositional differences of the cellulosic plant material must be know in order to properly utilize them. Data will be presented to show that the plant structures are not consistent with the chemical assays that are typically used to measure fiber content, and that the fermentation of these structures is not the same. If the plant aromatic substances are removed prior to fermentation a consistent digestion occurs across the plant structure. In order for diverse types of plant materials to be used for fuel production a scheme which allows the most appropriate parts of the plant to be collected and pre-processed is needed. Only then will a consistent feedstock be available for fuel and chemical manufacture.