VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS FROM WET-FRACTIONATION OF BIOMASS

摘要

Stepwise wet-fractionation of vegetable biomass is an area of bio-refining that facilitates the efficient production of a number of added value fractions, which augment the economic viability of biorefineries, removing reliance on sales of biofuels as the main revenue stream. Such fractionation of wheat and oat brans, for example, gives rise to clean and valuable fractions, rich in soluble fibre, protein, oil and insoluble fibre, which can be sold into food, feed and even cosmetic sectors for prices far exceeding that of the parent bran. This also delivers fermentable glucose and/ or maltodextrin streams for conversion to fuels as essentially a bi-product within the scheme. This approach is a step forward in grain refining and biofuel production. The subject of producing high value products from agricultural and food residues, in an integrated wet-fractionation plant, also has implications for pulping as insoluble cellulose rich fibre streams are inevitably generated as bi-products, and also for enhanced economy in biorefineries, wherein the overall economy can be favourably balanced by the sale of the bi-products into higher value sectors.