Biorrefinería de materiales lignocelulósicosEucalyptus globulus

Abstract

Faced with a global outlook urgent as regards shortage of raw materials, energy and phenomenon related with no biosustainability, greenhouse effect and sociological problems related with the world agricultural, forestry and rural development, lignocellulosic biomass, and particularly that of high capacity of production , emerges as a source of raw materials ubiquitous and sustainable, increasingly necessary. The three main fractions chemical constituent of lignocellulosic material: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, are in theory, capable of separation in that we call a integral fractionation scheme or Biorefinery. These constituents on their own or their derivatives allow obtaining products with higher added value and in many fields with a scheme similar to oil refining. Cellulose can be derived cellulose polymers, as those used daily with the use of paper, and otherwise. Moreover it capable of hydrolyze itself to its constituent monomers for to obtain fermentable media to produce ethanol, a biofuel for transport. Of hemicelluloses and their derived monomeric sugars (pentoses) can also derive fermentable media, but in this case and given the greater variety of monomers and oligomers constituents, the possibility of obtaining different chemicals are covered in a broad spectrum. Products are available for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food products for human and animal (mainly related to dietary and functional food), some so called xylitol, acetic acid, furfural and synthetic polymer products (furan resin) with interesting properties given its biodegradability in contrast to petroleum plastic. Fraction of phenolic or lignin, there is a traditional use as a fuel applies in the sector of cellulose pulp, paper and that suppose a energy value of the residual fraction. However, becoming increasingly the possibility of use in the sector use of materials (boards), derived from sterols with pharmaceutical applications or functional foods, antioxidants, polymeric materials and additives of bitumen and asphalt.