Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy
Variable moisture content of biomass during storage is known to compromise feedstock stability, yet a great deal of uncertainty remains on how to manage or mitigate the issue. While moisture contents above 20% risk unacceptable losses in aerobic feed and forage storage, no quantitative relationship...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00716/full |
| _version_ | 1818878600498118656 |
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| author | William A. Smith Lynn M. Wendt Ian J. Bonner J. Austin Murphy |
| author_facet | William A. Smith Lynn M. Wendt Ian J. Bonner J. Austin Murphy |
| author_sort | William A. Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Variable moisture content of biomass during storage is known to compromise feedstock stability, yet a great deal of uncertainty remains on how to manage or mitigate the issue. While moisture contents above 20% risk unacceptable losses in aerobic feed and forage storage, no quantitative relationship exists between corn stover moisture content and rates or extents of degradation for bioenergy use. This work quantifies the relationship between initial moisture content of aerobically stored corn (Zea mays L.) stover biomass and dry matter loss through time. Corn stover with 20% to 52% moisture was stored under aerobic conditions in laboratory reactors while dry matter loss was measured in real time, reaching extents of 8% to 28% by the end of storage. Rates and extents of degradation were proportional to moisture content but were not linearly related. A moisture content “threshold” exists between 36% and 52% above which rates and extents of degradation increase rapidly. Compositional changes included glucan and lignin enrichment resulting from hemicellulose component (xylan and acetyl) biodegradation. Moisture desorption characteristics of the post-storage materials suggest chemical and/or physical changes that increase biomass hydrophilicity. Monomerization of carbohydrates though dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in only minor changes, suggesting that degradation does not negatively influence conversion potential of the remaining biomass. Total dry matter preservation remains one of the most significant challenges for a biorefinery. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:16:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8f0f1552395f40a2acaa47bc56af7b7f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-4185 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T14:16:45Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-8f0f1552395f40a2acaa47bc56af7b7f2022-12-21T20:17:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852020-07-01810.3389/fbioe.2020.00716529086Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion EfficacyWilliam A. SmithLynn M. WendtIan J. BonnerJ. Austin MurphyVariable moisture content of biomass during storage is known to compromise feedstock stability, yet a great deal of uncertainty remains on how to manage or mitigate the issue. While moisture contents above 20% risk unacceptable losses in aerobic feed and forage storage, no quantitative relationship exists between corn stover moisture content and rates or extents of degradation for bioenergy use. This work quantifies the relationship between initial moisture content of aerobically stored corn (Zea mays L.) stover biomass and dry matter loss through time. Corn stover with 20% to 52% moisture was stored under aerobic conditions in laboratory reactors while dry matter loss was measured in real time, reaching extents of 8% to 28% by the end of storage. Rates and extents of degradation were proportional to moisture content but were not linearly related. A moisture content “threshold” exists between 36% and 52% above which rates and extents of degradation increase rapidly. Compositional changes included glucan and lignin enrichment resulting from hemicellulose component (xylan and acetyl) biodegradation. Moisture desorption characteristics of the post-storage materials suggest chemical and/or physical changes that increase biomass hydrophilicity. Monomerization of carbohydrates though dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in only minor changes, suggesting that degradation does not negatively influence conversion potential of the remaining biomass. Total dry matter preservation remains one of the most significant challenges for a biorefinery.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00716/fullbiomassdry matter lossaerobic storagefeedstock logisticscompositionsugar release |
| spellingShingle | William A. Smith Lynn M. Wendt Ian J. Bonner J. Austin Murphy Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology biomass dry matter loss aerobic storage feedstock logistics composition sugar release |
| title | Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy |
| title_full | Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy |
| title_short | Effects of Storage Moisture Content on Corn Stover Biomass Stability, Composition, and Conversion Efficacy |
| title_sort | effects of storage moisture content on corn stover biomass stability composition and conversion efficacy |
| topic | biomass dry matter loss aerobic storage feedstock logistics composition sugar release |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00716/full |
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