The Biorefinery Concept: An Integrated Approach - Introduction to Chemicals from Biomass - page 16

Electricity Nutraceuticals

Ethanol Methanol

CO 2 Polymers

Methane Emulsifiers

Antioxydants

Chemicals

Fertilisers

Pulp

Cellulose
derivatives

Fish feed

Forestry raw
material

Today+tomorrow

Figure 1.8 Processum biorefinery in Sweden: an example of a lignocellulosic feedstock
biorefinery.

Grain

Food & feed
Chemicals
Materials
Energy

Whole crop
(cereals)

Straw

Figure 1.9 Simplified diagram of a whole-crop biorefinery.

1.5.2.3.2 Whole-Crop Biorefinery
A whole-crop biorefinery will employ cereals (e.g. wheat, maize, rape, etc.)
and convert the entire plant (straw and grain) into energy, chemicals and materials
(see Figure 1.9).
The first step will involve the separation of the seed from the straw (collection
will obviously occur simultaneously to minimise energy use and labour cost). The
seeds may then be processed to produce starch and a wide variety of products