Download or read book Integration of Membrane Separation Technologies Within Biorefining written by Jennifer Leberknight and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Production of renewable liquid transportation fuels and chemicals from abundant biomass sources is an on-going challenge to reduce the consumption of limited petroleum feedstocks. Membrane separations can be integrated into a biorefinery to reduce water and energy consumption as well as increase process efficiencies. Unfortunately, current membrane materials suffer from severe fouling, which limits their applicability. Four areas of potential membrane integration into a lignocellulosic biorefinery were investigated, along with a corn ethanol separation, using analytical characterizations along with fouling models to correlate membrane properties with performance metrics. The performance and fouling analysis within each of these applications allowed analysis of the feasibility of integration and provided a framework for optimal membrane selection at each separation location. Commercially available membranes were evaluated, followed by the creation of UV grafted modified membranes to demonstrate rational design of tailored properties specifically for membrane biorefinery applications for improved performance and lower cost. This research aids in the understanding of membrane fouling, membrane material development, and the use and design of membranes in complex systems such as lignocellulosic biorefining. The results from this research allow for rational membrane design, tailored specifically to a process stream, to improve process efficiencies in a wide range of applications. Specifically within the biorefining industry, improvements made to membrane separations could have dramatic effects on the economics of producing renewable fuels and chemicals from sustainable biomass resources. Reducing costs to compete with petroleum-derived products will open a new market to consumers for these products without increasing prices. Lignin and lignin degradation products are unique compounds present in biomass process streams that are extremely detrimental to commercial membrane products. Reducing lignin in membrane processing feeds and/or developing membrane surfaces with high hydrophilicity has been shown to improve most membrane separation applications. In addition, membrane surface roughness was a key characteristic that correlated to performance. However, in some cases elevated surface roughness enhanced sustained flux (e.g., solid-liquid separation applications), while in other cases (e.g., protein separations), higher surface roughness was correlated with reduced performance. Overall, surface roughness, pore size, surface chemistry and operating conditions are important considerations for designing improved biorefinery applications separations.