Biomass Requirements

The conversion techniques described in Chap. 7 have different requirements with regards to the biomass feedstock. The energy yield can be optimised, if the biomass is chosen and prepared correctly, as the pre-treatment of the initial feedstock has a big impact on the product yield and quality. These pre-treatments can be mechanical and/or chemical, such as sieving, water washing, solvent or acid-leaching. Table 8.6 lists some of the requirements for a selection of conversion techniques and reactor types (extracted from van Loo and Koppejan 2008; Stephen et al. 2010):