The key difference between thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass is that thermochemical conversion processes involve the heating of biomass to a high temperature, whereas biochemical conversion of biomass involves the help of microorganisms.
Thermochemical conversion of biomass is the conversion of biomaterials into different simple organic compounds through the application of heat to biomass. Biochemical conversion of biomass includes the use of bacteria, microorganisms, and enzymes for the breakdown of biomass into gaseous or liquid fuels, including biogas or bioethanol.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass
3. What is Biochemical Conversion of Biomass
4. Thermochemical vs Biochemical Conversion of Biomass in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Thermochemical vs Biochemical Conversion of Biomass
What is Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass?
Thermochemical conversion of biomass is the conversion of biomaterials into different simple organic compounds through the application of heat to biomass. There are three major pathways of converting biomass thermochemically into other products: combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis. These processes remained largely unexposed until the recognition of the importance of these pathways in the involvement in catalysis.
The thermochemical conversion process involves the use of superheated water to convert organic matter to bio-oil. The gasification process is done at a high temperature with a limited oxygen content supplied to the biomass that can produce synthesis gas, and we can upgrade the reaction mixture to transport fuels. Moreover, the pyrolysis process involves the rapid heating of fine biomaterial to a high temperature which can be used to convert organic matter to bio-crude oil.
Figure 01: Gasifier Types
Generally, a thermochemical conversion process includes the degradation of biomass structure with an oxygenic or anoxygenic atmosphere at a high temperature. It is important in solid waste treatments where gasification offers a dual benefit of production of high-value fuels from the recovered energy and environmentally friendly waste disposal.
What is Biochemical Conversion of Biomass?
Biochemical conversion of biomass includes the use of bacteria, microorganisms, and enzymes for the breakdown of biomass into gaseous or liquid fuels, including biogas or bioethanol. Anaerobic digestion and fermentation are common biochemical conversion methods of biomass.
Figure 02: Fermentation of Lactic Acid
Generally, anaerobic digestion involves a series of chemical reactions upon the decomposition of organic materials such as human waste through the metabolic pathways of the microorganisms that naturally occur in oxygen-depleted environments. Moreover, biomass waste can yield liquid fuels, including cellulosic ethanol that can replace petroleum-based fuels.
What is the Difference Between Thermochemical and Biochemical Conversion of Biomass?
Thermochemical conversion and biochemical conversion are important chemical reactions involving biomass as the reactant. The key difference between thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass is that thermochemical conversion processes involve the heating of biomass to a high temperature whereas biochemical conversion of biomass involves the help of microorganisms. Moreover, thermochemical conversion involves combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis, whereas biochemical conversion involves anaerobic digestion and fermentation.
The below infographic presents the differences between thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Thermochemical vs Biochemical Conversion of Biomass
In brief, thermochemical conversion of biomass is the conversion of biomaterials into different simple organic compounds through the application of heat to biomass. Meanwhile, biochemical conversion of biomass includes the use of bacteria, microorganisms, and enzymes for the breakdown of biomass into gaseous or liquid fuels, including biogas or bioethanol. The key difference between thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass is that thermochemical conversion processes involve the heating of biomass to a high temperature, whereas biochemical conversion of biomass involves the help of microorganisms.
Reference:
1. “Thermochemical Conversion.” ETIP Bioenergy-SABS.
2. “Biochemical conversion of biomass.” BioEnergy Consult.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Gasifier types” By Kopiersperre – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lactic Acid Fermentation” By Lisawerner9 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia