Analysis of Pretreated Biomass
Background on Pretreated Biomass
Types of pretreatment include: particle size reduction; steam explosion; ammonia fibre explosion; liquid hot water treatment; dilute acids; alkalis; wet oxidation; organosolv; formic acid; hydrogen peroxide; supercritical CO2; ionic liquids; ozonolysis; and biological pretreatments.
Our Recommendations for Evaluating Pre-Treatment Processes
We have a lot of experience in analysing many products (both liquid and solid) from biomass pre-treatment processes. These samples have covered a wide variety of starting feedstocks and pre-treatment processes and conditions. Below we recommend a set of Celignis analysis packages for getting the most detailed data about the whole conversion process:
(1) The Starting Feedstock
We recommend that analysis package P10 - Sugars, Lignin, Extractives, and Ash is used as this will fully remove the extractives prior to the hydrolysis stage meaning that you can be confident that the sugars reported in this package come from lignocellulose.
We would also recommend analysis package P12 - Sugars in Solvent Extract as this will report the amount of water-soluble carbohydrates in the sample. It is likely that water-soluble carbohydrates will be present in the liquid output of many pre-treatment processes and, if their concentrations are not known, it may be incorrectly inferred that such sugars present in the liquid must come from lignocellulose. However, if the water-soluble carbohydrate composition is known then these values can be substracted from the amounts of sugars in the pre-treatment liquid to determine the amount of true lignocellulosic sugars that are present.
Similarly, if you expect that there will be some starch in your sample then we also recommend that analysis package P14 - Starch Content is also undertaken as starch may also be removed and hydrolysed in many pre-treatment processes.
Additionally, if you are interested in the uronic acid composition of the biomass then we recommend analysis package P15 - Uronic Acids is also undertaken.
(2) The Liquid Product from Pre-treatment
For the most detailed results, we would recommend that the liquid output is analysed using analysis packages P13 - Sugars and Oligosaccharides in Solution, P22 - Organic Acids and Furans, and P15 - Uronic Acids. However, if uronic acids are expected to be very low in your original biomass sample then that analysis package may not need to be undertaken.
(3) The Solid Residue from Pre-treatment
As it is likely that most of the extractives will have been removed in the pre-treatment, it may not be necessary to remove or characterise these. Instead, we recommend that analysis package P9 - Lignocelullosic Sugars and Lignin is undertaken to determine the lignocellulosic composition of the residue. We would also recommend that analysis package P3 - Ash Content is also undertaken to see whether the pre-treatment process significantly changes the ash content of the sample. Also, if the fate of the uronic acids is of interest then analysis package P15 - Uronic Acids could be undertaken.
Analysis of Pretreated Biomass at Celignis
Celignis Analytical can determine the following properties of Pretreated Biomass samples:
Lignocellulosic Properties of Pretreated Biomass
Cellulose Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Cellulose Content
Request a QuoteCellulose Content
Hemicellulose Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Hemicellulose Content
Request a QuoteHemicellulose Content
Lignin Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Lignin Content
Request a QuoteLignin Content
Starch Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Starch Content
Request a QuoteStarch Content
Uronic Acid Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Uronic Acid Content
Request a QuoteUronic Acid Content
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Request a QuoteEnzymatic Hydrolysis
Bioenergy Properties of Pretreated Biomass
Ash Content of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Ash Content
Request a QuoteAsh Content
Heating (Calorific) Value of Pretreated Biomass
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Heating (Calorific) Value
Request a QuoteHeating (Calorific) Value
Ash Melting Behaviour of Pretreated Biomass
Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (SST) - This occurs when the area of the test piece of Pretreated Biomass ash falls below 95% of the original test piece area.
Ash Deformation Temperature (DT) - The temperature at which the first signs of rounding of the edges of the test piece occurs due to melting.
Ash Hemisphere Temperature (HT) - When the test piece of Pretreated Biomass ash forms a hemisphere (i.e. the height becomes equal to half the base diameter).
Ash Flow Temperature (FT) - The temperature at which the Pretreated Biomass ash is spread out over the supporting tile in a layer, the height of which is half of the test piece at the hemisphere temperature.
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Ash Melting Behaviour
Request a QuoteAsh Melting Behaviour
Major and Minor Elements in Pretreated Biomass
We can also determine the levels of 13 different minor elements (such as arsenic, copper, and zinc) that may be present in Pretreated Biomass.
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Major and Minor Elements
Request a QuoteMajor and Minor Elements
Analysis of Pretreated Biomass for Anaerobic Digestion
Biomethane potential (BMP) of Pretreated Biomass
However, the increase in BMP often varies greatly according to the conditions and type of pre-treatment employed. For that reason we recommend that the biochemical methane potential test is undertaken in order to evaluate the effectiveness of any given pre-treatment process regarding improving potential biogas yields in anaerobic digestion.
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine BMP
Request a QuoteBMP
Physical Properties of Pretreated Biomass
Bulk Density of Pretreated Biomass
At Celignis we can determine the bulk density of biomass samples, including Pretreated Biomass, according to ISO standard 17828 (2015). This method requires the biomass to be in an appropriate form (chips or powder) for density determination.
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Bulk Density
Request a QuoteBulk Density
Particle Size of Pretreated Biomass
However, the increase in BMP often varies greatly according to the conditions and type of pre-treatment employed. For that reason we recommend that the biochemical methane potential test is undertaken in order to evaluate the effectiveness of any given pre-treatment process regarding improving potential biogas yields in anaerobic digestion.
Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Particle Size
Request a QuoteParticle Size
Examples of Other Feedstocks Analysed at Celignis
See our pitches for the 2024 topics.
Click here to view our pitches for involvement in proposals for the 2024 research topics of the Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU).
Lignin (Klason), Lignin (Acid Soluble), Acid Insoluble Residue, Ash (Acid Insoluble),
As P10 plus protein-corrected lignin, water-soluble sugars, uronic acids, acetyl content and starch.
Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, 4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Total Sugars in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Glucose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Xylose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Arabinose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Mannose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Galactose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Rhamnose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Cellobiose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Enzymatic Hydrolysis Kinetics, Cellulose Conversion Yield, Xylan Conversion Yield, Combined Sugar Yield, Cellulose Conversion Rate, Xylan Conversion Rate,
As P121 plus comparisons with data from the non-pretreated original sample, including: Increase in Cellulose Accessibility after Pre-Treatment, Percent Increase in Cellulose Conversion Efficiency, Percent Increase in Cellulose Conversion Rate.
As P9 but on the solid residue after enzymatic hydrolysis.
Formic Acid, Acetic Acid, Levulinic Acid, Furfural, Hydroxymethylfurfural,
Includes all hydrolysate sugars and kinetics in P121 and: Cellulose Conversion Yield, Cellulose Conversion Rate
Includes all hydrolysate sugars and kinetics in P121 and: Xylan Conversion Yield, Xylan Conversion Rate
Total Sugars in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Glucose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, Maltose in Enzyme Hydrolysate, a-Amylase Hydrolysis Kinetics, Glucoamylase Hydrolysis Kinetics,
Glucose, Xylose, Fructose, Sucrose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Mannitol, Arabinitol, Glycerol, Raffinose,
Levulinic Acid, Formic Acid, Hydroxymethylfurfural, Furfural, Acetic Acid, gamma-Valerolactone,
Xylobiose, Xylotriose, Arabinobiose, Arabinotriose,
Maltose, Maltotriose, Maltotetraose, Maltopentaose, Maltohexaose, Maltoheptaose, Maltooctaose,
Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, 4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Gibberellic Acid, Indole-3-acetic acid, Indole-2-acetic acid, Indole-3-propionic acid, Indole-3-butyric acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin riboside, Abscisic acid, Salicylic acid,
beta-Carotene, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2), Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1),
Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Folate (Vitamin B9), Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C),
Fucose, Mannitol, Glucose, Xylose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Total Sugars, Glucuronic Acid, Galacturonic Acid, Mannuronic Acid, Guluronic Acid, Iduronic Acid,
Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Arachidic Acid, Behenic Acid, Decanoic Acid, Erucic Acid, Lauric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Myristic Acid, Caprylic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lignoceric Acid,
Fucoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Chlorophyll-c, Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin,
Gibberellic Acid, Indole-3-acetic acid, Indole-2-acetic acid, Indole-3-propionic acid, Indole-3-butyric acid, 6-Benzylaminopurine, Kinetin riboside, Abscisic acid, Salicylic acid,
beta-Carotene, Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2), Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1),
Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Niacinamide (vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Folate (Vitamin B9), Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C),
Chlorophyll-a, Chlorophyll-b, Lutein, beta-Carotene, Neoxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Antheraxanthin, Violaxanthin,
Biomethane Potential (BMP), Total Biogas Volume, Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Biogas Methane Content, Biogas Carbon Dioxide Content, Biogas Oxygen Content, Biogas Hydrogen Sulphide Content, Biogas Ammonia Content,
Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Phosphorus, Potassium, Ammonia, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur,
Residual Biogas Potential (RBP), Total Biogas Volume, Total Solids, Volatile Solids, pH, Biogas Methane Content, Biogas Carbon Dioxide Content, Biogas Oxygen Content, Biogas Hydrogen Sulphide Content, Biogas Ammonia Content,
Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propionic Acid, Butyric Acid, Isobutyric Acid, Valeric Acid, Isovaleric Acid,
Levoglucosan, Cellobiosan, Mannosan, Galactosan, Glucose, Xylose, Mannose, Arabinose, Galactose, Rhamnose, Fucose, Sucrose, Cellobiose, Total Sugars,
31 constituents including Phenol, Furfural, Syringol, and Vanillin
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (5 Point Using Nitrogen),
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (20 Point Using Nitrogen), Pore Volume (Using Nitrogen), Pore Size Distribution (Using Nitrogen), Average Pore Width (Using Nitrogen),
Specific Surface Area (Nitrogen Gas Adsorption), BET Isotherm (40 Point Using Nitrogen), Pore Volume (Using Nitrogen), Pore Size Distribution (Using Nitrogen), Average Pore Width (Using Nitrogen),
Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Reducing), Ash Deformation Temperature (Reducing), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Reducing), Ash Flow Temperature (Reducing),
Moisture, Ash Content (815C), Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen, Chlorine, Volatile Matter, Fixed Carbon, Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium, Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Reducing), Ash Deformation Temperature (Reducing), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Reducing), Ash Flow Temperature (Reducing),
As P393 plus inorganic carbon, organic carbon, TGA (under nitrogen and air), and inherent moisture
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Anthracene, Benz[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[ghi]perylene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Chrysene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, 1-Methylnaphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene,
Time to Germination, Mean Shoot Length (Week 1), Mean Shoot Length (Week 2), Mean Shoot Length (Week 3), Mean Shoot Length (Week 4), Shoot Weight (Week 4), Mean Root Length (Week 4), Root Weight (Week 4),
As Deluxe package plus P383, SEM Imaging (P387) and Plant Growth Trials (P388)
Includes everything from P391 (Physical Properties Ultimate), P394 (Thermal Properties Ultimate), and P397 (Soil Amendment Ultimate)
Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen,
Aluminium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium,
Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Vanadium, Zinc,
Volatile Matter, Fixed Carbon, Moisture, Ash, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Oxygen, Gross Calorific Value, Net Calorific Value, Chlorine,
Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Deformation Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Hemisphere Temperature (Oxidising), Ash Flow Temperature (Oxidising),
Celignis is a Partner in 3 Successful Proposals for EU Funding
We are pleased to announce that three of the proposals involving Celignis, submitted to the CBE-JU programme for funding collaborative biomass research in Europe, were successful. These projects will provide an additional funding of €1.5m to Celignis and build on our achievements in other CBE and EU projects. In particular, the projects are all at enhanced TRLs (6/7) and will use our existing Celignis Bioprocess infrastructure and will also fund further development of our bioprocessing capacities and the Bioprocess Development Services we offer our clients.
Details on the funded projects are provided below:
BIONEER - This project was funded under CBE-JU topic IA-06 and focuses on the TRL 6/7 production of biobased platform chemicals. Celignis's activities in the project focus on scaling up the work undertaken in our ongoing
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The 2024 North American Biochar Conference will take place in Sacramento, California, on Feb 12-15
On Feb 12-15 we'll be exhibiting at the 2024 North American Biochar Conference, taking place at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Centre in Sacramento, California.
We're looking forward to interacting with the 1000+ expected attendees, outlining our extensive range of analytical and application testing services for biochar.
Celignis CIO Lalitha Gottumukkala will also be a member of the expert panel focused on developing improved laboratory methods for biochar characterisation.
Click here to register for the event.
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This Networking Event Will Involve Discussions on Collaborations for Proposals to the 2024 CBE-JU Topics
The Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) is an organisation that funds biomass research in Europe at various Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Since 2016 Celignis has been an active participant in a number of projects funded by the CBE-JU.
The Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) is the steering committee that helps to steer the focus of research for the CBE-JU programme. In 2023 Celignis joined the BIC as a Full Industry Member and participated in several proposals submitted for different research topics in the CBE-JU's 2023 Work Programme.
On Feb 8th Celignis's Dan Hayes, Lalitha Gottumukkala, and Oscar Bedzo will be attending a BIC networking event in Brussels where we will discuss potential collaborations in the research programme topics recently announced for 2024.
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This position will involve working closely with senior management, fostering existing and new client relationships.
Situated in Limerick, Ireland, Celignis currently operates at two centres, Celignis Analytical and Celignis Bioprocess, actively engaging in a variety of private and public bioeconomy projects. As we continue to expand, we're looking to strengthen our team of 14 with a Business Administration and Client Relationship Manager who can bring a blend of enthusiasm and expertise.
This position will involve working closely with senior management, fostering existing and new client relationships, and ensuring successful delivery of our services, playing a key role in our ongoing growth and success.
Click here for more details about the position.
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The event takes place on May 3rd at Carrick-on-Shannon
We are pleased to announce that, on May 3rd, Celignis will be presenting and exhibiting at the National Biochar and Carbon Products Conference 2023, which is taking place in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrm, Ireland.
This conference is being organised under the auspices of the Interreg Northwest Europe-funded THREE C Project, entitled 'Creating and sustaining Charcoal value chains to promote a Circular Carbon economy in NWE Europe'.
The conference will highlight both Irish stakeholders who are currently working in the biochar and carbon products sector, but also partners from the THREE C project (covering Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, France and Wales, as well as Ireland) who have interesting stories and products to share.
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