Hydroxymethylfurfural as an Intermediate of Cellulose Carbonization

Synergistic improvements in energy recovery and bio-oil quality through integrated thermochemical valorization of agro-industrial waste of varying moisture content

Two thermochemical valorization schemes were investigated for co-upgrading dry and wet agricultural wastes through integrated hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis. In the first pathway, dry and wet wastes were co-carbonized. The resulting hydrochar was pyrolyzed to yield an energy dense biochar (26-32 MJ/kg) high in fixed carbon (41-86 wt%) and low in volatile matter (6-12 wt%). The resulting bio-oil was lower in carboxylic acids and higher in phenols than predicted based on an additive scheme. In pathway two, wet waste (only) underwent HTC and the resulting hydrochar was mixed with dry waste and the mixture pyrolyzed. This pathway showed a lower biochar yield (32-67 wt%) and lower HHV values (24-31 MJ/kg) but higher fixed carbon content (65-84 wt%). The bio-oil contained more carboxylic acids than pathway 1 bio-oil. Pathway 1 biochars were more thermally reactive than pathway 2 biochars, reflecting a synergistic deoxygenation that occurs when incorporating dry waste in HTC prior to pyrolysis.

Diverse Applications of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Derivatives as Renewable Starting Materials

This Review summarizes recent efforts to capitalize on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and related furans as emerging building blocks for the synthesis of fine chemicals and materials, with a focus on advanced applications within medicinal and polymer chemistry, as well as nanomaterials. As with all chemical industries, these fields have historically relied heavily on petroleum-derived starting materials, an unsustainable and polluting feedstock. Encouragingly, the emergent chemical versatility of biomass-derived furans has been shown to facilitate derivatization towards valuable targets. Continued work on the synthetic manipulation of HMF, and related derivatives, for access to a wide range of target compounds and materials is crucial for further development. Increasingly, biomass-derived furans are being utilized for a wide range of chemical applications, the continuation of which is paramount to accelerate the paradigm shift towards a sustainable chemical industry.