Potential conservation of biomass in the production of synthetic organics - The Land Institute

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Research & publications

Potential conservation of biomass in the production of synthetic organics

Author

Martin H. Bender

Publications

Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2000, Vol. 30, pp 49-58.

Publication Date

June 13, 2000

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Potential conservation of biomass in the production of synthetic organics

Abstract:

Hydrocarbon intermediates typical of the chemical industry are an inefficient route for the production of synthetic organics from biomass. This is demonstrated by stoichiometric calculations of mass losses of oxygen from biomass for various chemical reactions. As a result, the biomass required to meet the current US demand for synthetic organics would be more than three times the mass of current fossil fuel feedstocks.

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