Abstract
Biorefineries aim to convert low value biomasses into high value products. The feedstock
biomasses are often high-silica agricultural waste products such as rice straw, wheat straw, corn
stover, sugarcane bagasse, or empty fruit bunches. This causes challenges, since silica is problematic
in industrial processes, where it forms water-insoluble precipitates that are hard to remove, block filtration systems, and cause instrumental defects.
In this paper we review various industries that experience issues with silica. These include paper pulping and waste-water treatment, where they try to solve their problems with silica in different ways. High
pH and co-precipitation with mineral elements are some common ways of alleviating silica problems.
Reviewing the literature for the fundamentals of silica revealed a complex chemistry that is not yet fully
understood. Much is still to be learned about the interactions between silica and organic material as
well as the mechanisms of silica precipitation and dissolution. Understanding the fundamental and
complex chemistry of silica might help developing better solutions than those existing today, allowing
efficient use of high silica biomasses in biorefineries.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining |
Volume | 9 |
Pages (from-to) | 109-121 |
ISSN | 1932-104X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- Silica chemistry
- Silica precipitation
- Silica depolymerization
- Silica solubility