Pre-processing

Pre-processing technologies are utilised in the pre-treatment of biowaste to obtain chemicals and/or materials which will then go into the conversion followed by an optional post-processing after which the final product is obtained. While some technologies are used exclusively for the purpose of pre-processing, others such as the separation processes and technologies can be utilised in both pre- and post-processing.

Biochemical processes and technologies

• Aeration
• Anaerobic digestion
• Composting
• Insect farming
• Enzymatic processes

Chemical processes and technologies (these might be hybrid processing)

• Hydrolysis
  • Acid
  • Alkali
  • Salt
    • Metal salts
    • Sulphite salt
  • Solvent
    • Organosolv
• Ionic liquids
• Oxidation

Physical processes and technologies (these might be hybrid processing)

• Densification
• Sizing
  • Chipping
  • Grinding
• Microwave treatment
• Steam explosion
• Ultrasonication

Thermochemical processes and technologies

• Ammonia fibre expansion
• Gasification
• Hydrothermal processing
• Pyrolysis
• Torrefaction

Other processes and technologies

• Pulping
  • Chemical pulping
    • Organosolv
    • Soda
    • Sulphate
    • Sulphite
  • Hybrid pulping
    • Chemithermomechanical pulping (CTMP)
    • Neutral Sulfite Semi Chemical pulping (NSSC)
  • Mechanical pulping
    • Refiner
      • Refiner mechanical pulping (RMP)
      • Thermomechanical pulping (TMP)
    • Groundwood
      • Pressure groundwood (PGW)
      • Stone groundwood (SGW)
      • Thermal groundwood (TGW)