4.3.1 Fractionation Technology

As per the analysis in Sects. 4.1 and 4.2, heterogeneous characteristics of stalk lead to different conversion properties of different fractions. If corn stalk is converted into single products as a whole with linear technology, different conversion properties of each fraction could hardly be applied [1]. As a result, conversion yield is reduced and waste treatment cost increased. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate various technologies according to the intrinsic characteristics of stalk for multiple products.

Petroleum refining provided a good example for raw materials conversion into universal products. Heterogeneous raw materials are converted into homogeneous fraction at first, and then various fractions are converted into final products accord­ing to market requirement. It is an effective way for nature resource to fulfill human requirement. There are hundreds of hydrocarbon in petroleum. It would lead to high cost if only one component is applied ignoring others. The very reason for petroleum to play an important role in life and industry is the refining process invita­tion. Petroleum is split into different fractions according to a different boiling point. Pure fractions made it possible to explore technologies for further conversion.

Therefore, it would play an important role for stalk-based products to fractionate stalk and integrate various technologies.