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models were reported. The cracking of palm fatty acid mixture and used palm oil
was reported to follow first-order kinetics [97], whereas the cracking of used
vegetable oil over sulfated zirconia followed second-order kinetics. The reactions
were carried out over a temperature range of 673–723 K and in the presence of
composite catalysts (HZSM-5 and MCM-41/ZSM-5) in a fixed bed microreactor.
The proposed model was adequate with a 10% deviation in the experimental and
predicted values [98].
Kinetic of fructose to 5-HMF reaction reveals that MIL-101Cr-SO 3 H-promoted
reaction follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics with the observed activation
energy of 55 kJ/mol [62]. In the case of glucose to 5-HMF reaction, the
isomerization- dehydration mechanism is the prominent reaction pathway, compared to the phosphate-modified titania and bare niobia, which proposes directdehydration mechanism [61]. Though the use of bimetallic catalyst is advantageous,
the exact mechanism is not known. The information on the molecular and electronic level can help to establish the relationship between experimental results
and catalyst modification. Proposing a robust kinetic model still remains a challenge due to multiple and complex reactions that take place during biomass
conversion.
4 Conclusions
The chapter has summarized various aspects of biomass conversion to useful chemicals having properties similar to those obtained from petrochemicals. It can
be achieved by various processes such as hydration, solvolysis, pyrolysis,
gasification, etc. Numerous catalysts with varying degrees of efficiency and
reusability are presented in this chapter. The advantages and disadvantages of such
catalysts are presented for a wide range of feedstocks and intermediate components.
The commonly used catalyst, microporous zeolites, mesoporous silica, metal
nanoparticles, and bimetallic materials have shown promising performance for
model components of biomass. But their performance with real biomass feedstock
remains a challenge. Due to this reason, not many commercial technologies are
available. For example, the biomass pyrolysis to produce bio-oil is still an immature
technology compared to fossil oil. It has to overcome many technical and economic
challenges.
Overall, more opportunities are available for research in biomass conversion, but
one needs to follow certain restraints for efficient utilization of biomass. These are
as follows:
(a) Detailed understanding of the properties of components such as cellulose,
hemicelluloses, and lignin. This will help to understand the mechanism of its
catalytic conversion.
(b) Identification of the specific sources for cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin
components and targeted product out of it.
R. Bhoi et al.
models were reported. The cracking of palm fatty acid mixture and used palm oil
was reported to follow first-order kinetics [97], whereas the cracking of used
vegetable oil over sulfated zirconia followed second-order kinetics. The reactions
were carried out over a temperature range of 673–723 K and in the presence of
composite catalysts (HZSM-5 and MCM-41/ZSM-5) in a fixed bed microreactor.
The proposed model was adequate with a 10% deviation in the experimental and
predicted values [98].
Kinetic of fructose to 5-HMF reaction reveals that MIL-101Cr-SO 3 H-promoted
reaction follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics with the observed activation
energy of 55 kJ/mol [62]. In the case of glucose to 5-HMF reaction, the
isomerization- dehydration mechanism is the prominent reaction pathway, compared to the phosphate-modified titania and bare niobia, which proposes directdehydration mechanism [61]. Though the use of bimetallic catalyst is advantageous,
the exact mechanism is not known. The information on the molecular and electronic level can help to establish the relationship between experimental results
and catalyst modification. Proposing a robust kinetic model still remains a challenge due to multiple and complex reactions that take place during biomass
conversion.
4 Conclusions
The chapter has summarized various aspects of biomass conversion to useful chemicals having properties similar to those obtained from petrochemicals. It can
be achieved by various processes such as hydration, solvolysis, pyrolysis,
gasification, etc. Numerous catalysts with varying degrees of efficiency and
reusability are presented in this chapter. The advantages and disadvantages of such
catalysts are presented for a wide range of feedstocks and intermediate components.
The commonly used catalyst, microporous zeolites, mesoporous silica, metal
nanoparticles, and bimetallic materials have shown promising performance for
model components of biomass. But their performance with real biomass feedstock
remains a challenge. Due to this reason, not many commercial technologies are
available. For example, the biomass pyrolysis to produce bio-oil is still an immature
technology compared to fossil oil. It has to overcome many technical and economic
challenges.
Overall, more opportunities are available for research in biomass conversion, but
one needs to follow certain restraints for efficient utilization of biomass. These are
as follows:
(a) Detailed understanding of the properties of components such as cellulose,
hemicelluloses, and lignin. This will help to understand the mechanism of its
catalytic conversion.
(b) Identification of the specific sources for cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin
components and targeted product out of it.
R. Bhoi et al.