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Valorization of Humin‐Based Byproducts from Biomass Processing—A Route to Sustainable Hydrogen
Author(s) -
Hoang Thi Minh Chau,
Lefferts Leon,
Seshan K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201300446
Subject(s) - humin , furfural , levulinic acid , chemistry , catalysis , biomass (ecology) , pyrolysis , organic chemistry , dehydration , chemical engineering , humic acid , fertilizer , oceanography , engineering , geology , biochemistry
Abstract The synthesis of biomass‐based top value‐added chemical platforms, for example, 5‐hydroxymethyl furfural, furfural, or levulinic acid from the acid‐catalyzed dehydration of sugars results in high yields of insoluble by‐products, referred to as humin. Valorization of humin by steam reforming for H 2 is discussed. Both thermal and catalytic steam gasification were investigated systematically. Humin undergoes drastic changes under thermal pre‐treatment to the gasification temperature. Alkali‐metal‐based catalysts were screened for the reactions. Na 2 CO 3 showed the highest activity and was selected for further study. The presence of Na 2 CO 3 enhances the gasification rate drastically, and gas‐product analysis shows that the selectivity to CO and CO 2 is 75 % and 25 %, respectively, which is a H 2 /CO ratio of 2 (corresponding to 81.3 % H 2 as compared to the thermodynamic equilibrium). A possible process for the complete, efficient conversion of humin is outlined.