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3 pages, 186 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy

by Biagio Morrone

Energies 2022, 15(16), 5822; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15165822 - 11 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1204

Abstract

Greenhouse gases (GHG) concentration (CO₂, CH₄, and NOx mainly) in the Earth’s atmosphere has dramatically increased since 1960; in particular, the atmospheric CO₂ levels have increased from 320 ppm to 412 ppm from 1960 to 2019 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

Research

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20 pages, 2394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of CO₂ in Pressurized, Fluidized Bed Gasification of Waste Biomasses

by Mateusz Szul, Tomasz Iluk and Jarosław Zuwała

Energies 2022, 15(4), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041395 - 14 Feb 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2193

Abstract

This research discusses the results of experiments performed on a large-scale gasification installation to determine the influence of total system pressure and partial pressure of CO₂ on the efficiency of conversion and the quality of the produced gas. The three tested feedstocks [...] Read more.

This research discusses the results of experiments performed on a large-scale gasification installation to determine the influence of total system pressure and partial pressure of CO₂ on the efficiency of conversion and the quality of the produced gas. The three tested feedstocks were bark, lignin and a blend of bark and wheat straw, while softwood pellet (SWP) was used as a reference fuel. A mixture of O₂/CO₂/H₂O was used as a gasification agent. The tests were devised to validate the previously proposed process parameters, verify whether similar ash agglomeration problems would occur and compare the thermal behaviour of the feedstocks converted in close-to-industrial process conditions. An understanding of the effect of using CO₂ for gasification was further deepened, especially regarding its influence on the yield of H₂ and temperature profiles of the fluidized bed. The influence of gasification pressure was predominantly visible in higher yields of all hydrocarbons (including CH₄) and lower overall production of producer gas. At the process development unit (PDU), all tested feedstocks were converted at similar process conditions and no signs of potential bed agglomeration could be noticed. This opposes the findings observed in smaller-scale bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) tests. The discussion behind these discrepancies is also presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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16 pages, 3598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Decomposition of Olive-Mill Byproducts: A TG-FTIR Approach

by Małgorzata Wzorek, Robert Junga, Ersel Yilmaz and Bohdan Bozhenko

Energies 2021, 14(14), 4123; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14144123 - 8 Jul 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2304

Abstract

In this study, the combustion of olive byproducts was investigated using the TG-FTIR technique. Different types of olive biomass were considered: twigs, leaves, olive-mill waste from the two-phase decanting method, and wastewater from the three-phase system. The reaction regions, ignition, and burnout temperatures [...] Read more.

In this study, the combustion of olive byproducts was investigated using the TG-FTIR technique. Different types of olive biomass were considered: twigs, leaves, olive-mill waste from the two-phase decanting method, and wastewater from the three-phase system. The reaction regions, ignition, and burnout temperatures at different heating rates were determined using TG/DTG analysis and the thermogravimetry results. Comprehensive combustion, ignition, burnout, and flammability indexes were also calculated. The highest combustion index values were obtained for waste from the three-phase system, followed by the two-phase decanting method, then with leaves and small twigs. The order of the index values indicated that the sample from the three-phase process ignited more quickly and yielded faster. The changes in activation energy calculated using different model-free isoconversional methods—Friedman, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose—fell within the range of 130–140 kJ/kmol. FTIR analyses presented differences in the exhaust gas composition for specific combustion temperature ranges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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23 pages, 7286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Particulate Matter Reduction in Residual Biomass Combustion

by Maulana G. Nugraha, Harwin Saptoadi, Muslikhin Hidayat, Bengt Andersson and Ronnie Andersson

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3341; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113341 - 7 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3151

Abstract

Counteracting emissions of particulate matter (PM) is an increasingly important goal in sustainable biomass combustion. This work includes a novel approach to investigate the PM emissions, originating from residual biomass combustion, at different combustion conditions in a lab-scale grate-fired furnace and includes in [...] Read more.

Counteracting emissions of particulate matter (PM) is an increasingly important goal in sustainable biomass combustion. This work includes a novel approach to investigate the PM emissions, originating from residual biomass combustion, at different combustion conditions in a lab-scale grate-fired furnace and includes in situ PM measurements by using on-line sensors. The interior furnace design allows installation of baffles to suppress the emissions by controlling the residence time. Moreover, the two-thermocouple method is used to measure the true gas temperature, and an on-line spatially resolved PM measurement method is developed to study the evolution of the PM concentration throughout the furnace for different experimental conditions thereby allowing accurate in-situ measurement of the PM reactivity. Experimental results and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses are utilized in the current work to develop a kinetic model for reduction of particulate matter emissions in biomass combustion. The discrete particle model (DPM) is utilized in CFD analysis to improve the understanding of the particle temperature and residence time distribution which are difficult to quantify experimentally. By combining the experimental measurements of real soot formed during biomass combustion and information from the CFD analyses, a predictive kinetic model for PM₁₀ reduction in biomass combustion is successfully developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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14 pages, 1922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Liquid Hot Water Pretreatment on Hydrolysates Composition and Methane Yield of Rice Processing Residue

by Lisbet Mailin López González and Monika Heiermann

Energies 2021, 14(11), 3254; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113254 - 2 Jun 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2716

Abstract

Lignocellulosic rice processing residue was pretreated in liquid hot water (LHW) at three different temperatures (140, 160, and 180 °C) and two pretreatment times (10 and 20 min) in order to assess its effects on hydrolysates composition, matrix structural changes and methane yield. [...] Read more.

Lignocellulosic rice processing residue was pretreated in liquid hot water (LHW) at three different temperatures (140, 160, and 180 °C) and two pretreatment times (10 and 20 min) in order to assess its effects on hydrolysates composition, matrix structural changes and methane yield. The concentrations of acetic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural increased with pretreatment severity (log Ro). The maximum methane yield (276 L kg⁻¹ VS) was achieved under pretreatment conditions of 180 °C for 20 min, with a 63% increase compared to untreated biomass. Structural changes resulted in a slight removal of silica on the upper portion of rice husks, visible predominantly at maximum severity. However, the outer epidermis was kept well organized. The results indicate, at severities 2.48 ≤ log Ro ≤ 3.66, a significant potential for the use of LHW to improve methane production from rice processing residue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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16 pages, 2212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pyrolysis Characteristics of Undervalued Wood Varieties in the Portuguese Charcoal Sector

by Felix Charvet, Felipe Silva, Luís Ruivo, Luís Tarelho, Arlindo Matos, José Figueiredo da Silva and Daniel Neves

Energies 2021, 14(9), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14092537 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3059

Abstract

Charcoal production in Portugal is mostly based on the valorization of woody residues from cork oak and holm oak, the latter being considered a reference feedstock in the market. Nevertheless, since wildfire prevention became a priority in Portugal, after the recent dramatic wildfires, [...] Read more.

Charcoal production in Portugal is mostly based on the valorization of woody residues from cork oak and holm oak, the latter being considered a reference feedstock in the market. Nevertheless, since wildfire prevention became a priority in Portugal, after the recent dramatic wildfires, urgent actions are being conducted to reduce the fuel load in the forests, which is increasing the amount of biomass that is available for valorization. Additionally, biomass residues from agriculture, forest management, control of invasive species, partially burnt wood from post-fire recovery actions, and waste wood from storm devastated forests need also to be considered within the national biomass valorization policies. This has motivated the present work on whether the carbonization process can be used to valorize alternative woody biomasses not currently used on a large scale. For this purpose, slow pyrolysis experiments were carried out with ten types of wood, using a fixed bed reactor allowing the controlled heating of large fuel particles at 0.1 to 5 °C/min and final temperatures within 300–450 °C. Apart from an evaluation of the mass balance of the process, emphasis was given to the properties of the resulting charcoals considering its major market in Portugal—barbecue charcoal for both recreational and professional purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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18 pages, 4195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Pyrolytic Behaviour of Birch, Maple, and Rowan Leaves

by Valentina Zubkova, Andrzej Strojwas and Marcin Bielecki

Energies 2021, 14(8), 2091; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082091 - 9 Apr 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2168

Abstract

A research study was conducted on the thermal behaviour of leaves of urban greenery (birch, maple, and rowan) and the products of their pyrolysis and extraction as assisted by microwaves. The obtained products of pyrolysis and extraction were investigated with the use of [...] Read more.

A research study was conducted on the thermal behaviour of leaves of urban greenery (birch, maple, and rowan) and the products of their pyrolysis and extraction as assisted by microwaves. The obtained products of pyrolysis and extraction were investigated with the use of FT-IR and UV spectroscopies and XRD techniques. A contractive analysis of samples of chars, condensates, after-extraction residue, and extracts showed that the changes in structural-chemical parameters of leaves of different types of trees during pyrolysis and extraction take place in distinct ways. About 22% of material was removed from birch leaves during extraction, and more than 17% of material was extracted from maple and rowan leaves. It was determined that, during pyrolysis of after-extraction residue of leaves, many fewer PAH compounds with carbonyl groups along with alcohols and phenols are emitted than during pyrolysis of non-extracted leaves. Taking into account that pyrolysis is the first stage of combustion, a decrease in the amount of dangerous compounds in the volatile products of pyrolysis leads to a lower contribution of such compounds in combustion products. This indicates that leaves of urban greenery can be subjected to combustion after extraction, and the obtained extracts can be used as a source of phytochemicals and chemical reagents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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22 pages, 2971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increasing Access to Electricity: An Assessment of the Energy and Power Generation Potential from Biomass Waste Residues in Tanzania

by Zahida Aslam, Hu Li, James Hammerton, Gordon Andrews, Andrew Ross and Jon C. Lovett

Energies 2021, 14(6), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061793 - 23 Mar 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4018

Abstract

Tanzania has a high rural population, of which many rely on off-grid diesel generators to produce electricity. The focus of this paper is to assess if the waste biomass residues in Tanzania have sufficient energy potential to produce renewable electrical energy for small-scale [...] Read more.

Tanzania has a high rural population, of which many rely on off-grid diesel generators to produce electricity. The focus of this paper is to assess if the waste biomass residues in Tanzania have sufficient energy potential to produce renewable electrical energy for small-scale electricity generation using off-grid diesel generators coupled with anaerobic digestion (AD) and/or gasification. The gaseous fuel produced can then be used to substitute diesel fuel used in small-scale dual fuel diesel gen-sets; thus, providing more affordable electricity whilst reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The biomass waste streams estimated are those arising from agriculture, forestry, livestock, and urban human waste. To answer this question, the energy potentials of each of these biomass waste streams are quantified, followed by further calculations to determine the electricity generation capacity per stream based on overall efficiencies of 10 and 25%. The results show that combined these waste streams have an energy potential of 385 PJ (for the base year of 2018) generated from 26,924 kilotonnes (kt). Collectively, these residues can produce at least 1.2 times the electricity generated nationally in 2018 using AD and gasification coupled with a diesel gen-set engine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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19 pages, 2110 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Integration between Lactic Acid, Biogas and Hydrochar Production in OFMSW Plants

by Lucio Zaccariello, Maria Laura Mastellone, Luisa Ida D’Amelia, Michelina Catauro and Biagio Morrone

Energies 2020, 13(24), 6593; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13246593 - 14 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2041

Abstract

Biological treatments such as anaerobic digestion and composting are known to be the most widespread methods to deal with Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW). The production of biogas, a mix of methane and carbon dioxide, is worth but alone cannot solve [...] Read more.

Biological treatments such as anaerobic digestion and composting are known to be the most widespread methods to deal with Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW). The production of biogas, a mix of methane and carbon dioxide, is worth but alone cannot solve the problems of waste disposal and recovery; moreover, the digestate could be stabilized by aerobic stabilization, which is one of the most widespread methods. The anaerobic digestion + composting integration converts 10% to 14% of the OFMSW into biogas, about 35–40% into compost and 35–40% into leachate. The economic sustainability could be rather increased by integrating the whole system with lactic acid production, because of the high added value and by substituting the composting process with the hydrothermal carbonization process. The assessment of this integrated scenario in term of mass balance demonstrates that the recovery of useful products with a potentially high economic added value increases, at the same time reducing the waste streams outgoing the plant. The economic evaluation of the operating costs for the traditional and the alternative systems confirms that the integration is a valid alternative and the most interesting solution is the utilization of the leachate produced during the anaerobic digestion process instead of fresh water required for the hydrothermal carbonization process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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17 pages, 65045 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Pelletization of Post-Harvest Tobacco Waste and Investigation of Flue Gas Emissions from Pellet Combustion

by Sławomir Obidziński, Michał Puchlik and Magdalena Dołżyńska

Energies 2020, 13(22), 6002; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13226002 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3403

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the pelletization (agglomeration) tests of post-harvest tobacco waste as a feedstock for fuel pellet production. The experiment was conducted on a prototype pelleting–briquetting device with a flat matrix. The influence of the tobacco waste moisture content (17, [...] Read more.

The paper presents the results of the pelletization (agglomeration) tests of post-harvest tobacco waste as a feedstock for fuel pellet production. The experiment was conducted on a prototype pelleting–briquetting device with a flat matrix. The influence of the tobacco waste moisture content (17, 21 and 25wt.%) and the rotational speed of the agglomerating rolls (120, 170 and 220 rpm) on the power demand and on the pellet’s kinetic durability and density were determined. It was found that the moisture content has a significant impact on the pellet’s density but slightly affects its kinetic durability. The obtained pellets were characterized by a high density above 1000 kg·m⁻³ and kinetic durability above 97%. In order to examine the exhaust composition, the obtained pellets were combusted in a 25 kW fixed great boiler. High amounts of CO, SOx, NO and HCl were obtained, which suggests that the selection of a different technology for tobacco waste pellet combustion should be made. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Residual Biomass Conversion to Bioenergy)

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