Biorefining of agricultural crops and residues: Effect of pilot-plant fractionation on properties of fibrous fractions

Bio-refining in this work consists of the production of chip (fibre) and meal fractions from winter wheat (Triticum sativum) straw and oilseed rape (Brassica napus) straw, canary reed (Phalaris arundinacea) and miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis) in a 1 t h−1 capacity pilot plant. Chip fractions were evaluated as raw materials for fibre and pulp production following delignification using aqueous NaOH (0.25–2.5N) at 100–150°C for 60–180 min, with a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10 (w/v). Miscanthus and winter wheat straw were fractionated to give high chip yields (66–70%). The introduction of a biorefining step was found to be justified in the case of winter wheat straw and canary reed due to positive effects on pulp yield and mechanical properties. Meal fractions were also enriched in protein by this process.