Steam explosion as sustainable biomass pretreatment technique for biofuel production: Characteristics and challenges

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 385; p. 129398
• Main Authors: Hoang, Anh Tuan, Nguyen, Xuan Phuong, Duong, Xuan Quang, Ağbulut, Ümit, Len, Christophe, Nguyen, Phuoc Quy Phong, Kchaou, Mohamed, Chen, Wei-Hsin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Biofuel production; biomass; Biomass pretreatment; biorefining; fuel production; lignocellulose; Reaction mechanism; reaction mechanisms; Steam explosion; sugars; Technological characteristics; Reaction mechanism; Biomass pretreatment; Steam explosion; Biofuel production; Technological characteristics
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129398

•Steam explosion (SE) is an efficient biomass pretreatment for biofuel production.•Key characteristics of SE-based biomass pretreatment are comprehensively analyzed.•Degradation mechanisms of lignocellulose under SE pretreatment are presented.•Economy and energy analysis and the applicability of SE pretreatment are discussed. The biorefining process of lignocellulosic biomass has recently emerged as one of the most profitable biofuel production options. However, pretreatment is required to improve the recalcitrant lignocellulose's enzymatic conversion efficiency. Among biomass pretreatment methods, the steam explosion is an eco-friendly, inexpensive, and effective approach to pretreating biomass, significantly promoting biofuel production efficiency and yield. This review paper critically presents the steam explosion's reaction mechanism and technological characteristics for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment. Indeed, the principles of steam explosion technology for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment were scrutinized. Moreover, the impacts of process factors on pretreatment efficiency and sugar recovery for the following biofuel production were also discussed in detail. Finally, the limitations and prospects of steam explosion pretreatment were mentioned. Generally, steam explosion technology applications could bring great potential in pretreating biomass, although deeper studies are needed to deploy this method on industrial scales.