Aims and scope
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery communicates research, developments, concepts, analysis and applications in the context of conversion of biomass / organic material / bio-waste to products (solid, liquid and gaseous energy carrier, bulk chemicals, fine chemicals, other non-food products) based on e.g. thermo-chemical, biochemical and/or physico-chemical conversion processes (or combinations thereof). Thus original research papers, review articles, conceptual investigations, and case studies covering such conversion options including all necessary provision steps from the available biomass / organic residues / bio-waste up to all possible downstream processing steps for the environmental sound, climate compatible and economically viable provision of energy / energy carrier, chemicals and/or other non-food products. This includes especially fundamental physical, chemical, and/or biological interrelation and dependencies.
Key Topics covered by the journal
Feedstock Characterization / Pretreatment (including, but not limited to)
- Feedstock characterization
- Mechanical pretreatment
- Biological pretreatment
- Thermo- / heat-based pretreatment
- Chemical pretreatment
- Combinations thereof
Fundamentals of Biomass Conversion (including, but not limited to)
- Thermo-chemical conversion processes within the gas atmosphere (e.g. combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, carbonization, torrefaction) or within a hydrothermal atmosphere (hydrothermal gasification, hydrothermal liquefaction, hydrothermal carbonization)
- Biological / biochemical conversion, such as fermentation, anaerobic digestion and enzymatic processes
- Physico-chemical conversion processes (e.g. pressing, chemical treatment)
- Conversion cascades combining various conversion steps and options
- Improving the quality of the desired products based on thermo-chemical, biochemical and/or physico-chemical measures
- Polygeneration processes / processes with various products (e.g. energy, chemicals)
Applied Plant / Process Technology – Technological Solutions (including, but not limited to)
- Heat-induced conversion plants / processes / technologies
- Biological-induced conversion plants / processes / technologies
- Combinations of different conversion steps and plants / processes / technologies
- Biorefinery approaches to maximize the product range from biomass conversion by means of process integration and waste minimization
- Separation, purification and upgrading of such bio-based main and by-products
- Solid and liquid organic waste management measures
- Options to improve the economic and/or environmental performance of such conversion processes and their combinations
Simulation / Optimization / Assessment
- Simulation of processes, plants and concepts
- Optimization pf processes and concepts
- Techno-economic assessment
- Sustainability assessment and life-cycle analysis (LCA)
- Potential analysis
- Case studies