Download or read book Efficient Membrane Separation Operations for Biorefining written by Amit Kumar Gautam and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Results from this research describe membrane fouling behavior, type of foulants and the most appropriate membrane modifications needed to process the complex lignocellulosic slurries. For instance, lignin (one the major components of the pinewood feedstock), was found to be a major cause of biofouling, both as a suspended solid and soluble derivatives. The results obtained have been used to tailor the properties of membranes to improve the overall biorefinery process efficiencies. In addition to discoveries to improve fouling behavior, methods have been described that allow for the integration of membranes to capture high value co-products formed during the processing of lignocellulosic biomass while improving other operations simultaneously. For example, fermentation inhibitory compounds such as acetic acid, HMF, and furfural are value added chemicals which can be sold to maximize biorefinery profit. It was found that with the appropriate selection of nanofiltration membrane the separation of sugars from inhibitory compounds could be achieved. Overall, results indicate that membranes are a viable technology and have many opportunities to improve biorefinery operations. Integration of membranes will improve the prospects of efficiently producing fuels and chemicals from renewable feedstocks.