OR 14 - Separation-based membrane processes for sustainable biorefineries
OR 14 - Separation-based membrane processes for sustainable biorefineries
One of the main limitations undermining the sustainability of producing goods from biomass is the separation of biobased ingredients from complex matrices. For this reason, much research focuses on introducing selective, clean, safe, and low-energy-input technologies for biomass refining. This trend has increased the biorefinery sector’s focus on membrane technologies, which possess these properties. The lecture will present current achievements and challenges in using membranes for the separation, fractionation, and concentration of bioactive ingredients from various biomass sources. Pressure-driven membrane processes using porous (microfiltration, MF), mesoporous (ultrafiltration, UF), and microporous (nanofiltration, NF) membranes, considered both as individual processes and as integrated systems, will be discussed. The efficiency of integrated membrane processes, assessed by permeance (P= J_w/∆p, L·h-1·m-2·bar-1), rejection (R_j=1-C_f/C_p ∙100, %), recovery factor (RF=〖Mass〗_Recovered/〖Mass〗_Initial ∙100, %), and preservation of the bioactivity of the recovered components, will be presented. Insights into the influence of pre-treatment and storage of complex matrices on membrane process performance and product quality will be outlined. Challenges in controlling reversible fouling when treating bioderived matrices using conventional approaches, such as promoting a turbulent boundary layer, will be discussed. The need for novel approaches to prevent the accumulation of components on the membrane surface and to avoid changes in the perm-selective properties will be analyzed.
Furthermore, a brief outline of the promising trend in recovering organic solvents used in biorefineries by nanofiltration will also be presented.