Experimental examination of reactive surface areas and particle sizes configuration effects on hydrothermally pretreated biomass for maximal accessibility of constituent compounds

Abstract

The experimental frameworks explored how to maximally access constituent biocompounds, sequel to hydrothermal pretreatment, subjective to particle size configuration and reactive surface areas. Particle size ranges of samples were hypothesized as crucial parameters required for the evaluation of hydrothermal pretreatment efficiency. Depolymerization, degradation and denaturation of petioles biomass cell walls were achieved through hydrothermal pretreatment done by autoclaving at 121 °C and 1.5atm for 2 h. The conversion efficiencies of the hydrothermally pretreated samples were instrumentally determined using Mastersizer 2000 analyzer, FTIR and XRD analyses. It demonstrated an evolutionary approach in the exploration of reactive surface areas, particle sizes configuration and pretreatment severity. The experimental samples 1, 2 and 3 exhibited diverse levels of transformations as a result of pretreatment and particle size differences. Experimental data showed that samples of smaller particle size ranges (0–0.074 mm) displayed access to more reactive surface areas than the higher particle size ranges (0.150 mm and 0.335 mm sieves). Untreated sample 4 showed minimal reactive surface areas and poor accessibility of constituent compounds. The novelty was partly demonstrated in particle sizes configuration analysis with reactive surface areas targeted at maximizing pretreatment efficiency. This approach is a prerequisite which aims to advance the production of biofuel, bioenergy and other bioproducts. It is significant in biorefinery design and optimization through utilization of recommendable particle size ranges or thresholds that guarantee optimal accessibility and low energy consumption.