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Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies
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Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 11612

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaohan Ren

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: biomass pyrolysis; biomass combustion; biomass gasification; biomass utilization; combustion analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Fei Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Interests: carbon-based materials for energy or environment; electrochemical energy conversion and storage (Li/Na ion batteries/capacitors, EDLCs, electrocatalysis); coal-based carbon materials; coal pyrolysis; pollutants recyclable/synergistic removal technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Juan Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shandong Key Laboratory of Energy Carbon Reduction and Resource Utilization, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: solid fuels; clean combustion; pollutants control; coal combustion; oxy-fuel combustion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is among the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Concerns about the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil-based fuels have promoted the use of renewable sources of energy. These include renewable biomass, which is readily available. Notably, during the past few decades, municipal solid waste (MSW) has been drastically increasing around the world as a result of the growing urbanization. The development of the utilization of alternative resources has raised a number of other tasks and constraints linked to the nature of renewable resources, including the treatment, processing, thermal conversion, and applied technologies, and, thus, a large number of critical views on this issue. Hence, in this research topic, different kinds of “Thermal Conversion Technologies” for biomass and MSW utilization could be discussed herein.

Dr. Xiaohan Ren
Prof. Dr. Fei Sun
Prof. Dr. Juan Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Thermochemical conversion (combustion, pyrolysis, gasification) of biomass
  • MSW drying, incineration and pyrolysis
  • Physical conversion (pelletizing, densification, extraction)
  • Liquid biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol and bio-oils
  • Life-cycle analysis of the conversion process
  • Carbon materials based on biomass and MSW
  • Other thermal conversion technologies on biomass and MSW

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1632 KiB  
Article
Thermal Treatment (Hydrodistillation) on The Biomass of Ficus hispida L. f.: Volatile Organic Compounds Yield, Phytochemical Composition, and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation
by Ziyue Xu, Peizhong Gao, Xiaohan Ren and Xu Liu
Energies 2022, 15(21), 8092; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15218092 - 31 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2528
Abstract
In this study, a new method for biomass thermal treatment was introduced. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Ficus hispida biomass were obtained via hydrodistillation. The qualitative analysis of VOCs performed by GC–MS and GC–FID techniques identified pentadecanal (14.65%), 2-(E)-hexenal (11.15%), [...] Read more.
In this study, a new method for biomass thermal treatment was introduced. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Ficus hispida biomass were obtained via hydrodistillation. The qualitative analysis of VOCs performed by GC–MS and GC–FID techniques identified pentadecanal (14.65%), 2-(E)-hexenal (11.15%), and 2-butyl-5-methyl-2-hexenoic acid ethyl ester (8.53%) as the major compounds. The chemical components varied significantly from the previous study. The results of the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods gave IC50 and antioxidant capacity values of 3.08 ± 0.024 mg/mL, 0.44 ± 0.009 mg/mL, and 135.64 ± 25.49 mM/g, respectively. From the results, the VOCs distilled from F. hispida leaves have an antioxidant property that can be utilized as a natural botanical supplement as an antioxidant and preservative. In addition, the present research offers additional scientific support and a chemical basis for future natural drug discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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19 pages, 5508 KiB  
Article
Screening of Nickel and Platinum Catalysts for Glycerol Conversion to Gas Products in Hydrothermal Media
by Carine T. Alves and Jude A. Onwudili
Energies 2022, 15(20), 7571; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15207571 - 13 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1412
Abstract
The production of low-carbon gaseous fuels from biomass has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy sustainability, stability and affordability around the world. Glycerol, a large-volume by-product of biodiesel production, is a potential feedstock for the production of low-carbon energy [...] Read more.
The production of low-carbon gaseous fuels from biomass has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy sustainability, stability and affordability around the world. Glycerol, a large-volume by-product of biodiesel production, is a potential feedstock for the production of low-carbon energy vectors. In this present work, an aqueous solution of pure glycerol was reacted under hydrothermal conditions using a total of 10 types of heterogeneous catalysts to evaluate its conversion to gas products (hydrogen, methane, CO, CO2 and C2–C4 hydrocarbon gases). Two bimetallic Ni-Fe and Ni-Cu catalysts, three Pt-based catalysts and physical mixtures of the five catalysts were tested. The reactions were carried out in a batch reactor for 1 h reaction time, using a 9:1 mass ratio of water/glycerol (10 wt%) and the reaction temperatures ranged between 250–350 °C using and without using 1 g of catalyst. The effects of the catalysts and reaction conditions on the conversion of glycerol in terms of carbon and hydrogen gasification efficiencies, selectivity and yields of components in the gas products were investigated. CO2 remained the most dominant gas product in all experiments. The results indicated that increasing the reaction temperature favoured gas formation and both carbon and hydrogen gasification efficiencies. The combination of Ni-Cu and Pt/C catalysts was the most selective catalyst for gas formation at 350 °C, giving carbon gasification efficiency of 95.6 wt%. Individually, the catalyst with the highest hydrogen production was Pt/C and the highest propane yield was obtained with the Ni-Cu bimetallic catalyst. Some catalysts showed good structural stability in hydrothermal media but need improvements towards better yields of desired fuel gases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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15 pages, 3348 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Activated Carbon from Co-Pyrolysis Activation of Fly Ash and Biomass
by Min Xie, Jian Cheng, Li Xu, Liwei Wang, Anqi Chen, Shuhui Zhang and Xiaohan Ren
Energies 2022, 15(18), 6636; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15186636 - 10 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1813
Abstract
Fly ash from waste incineration and waste poplar bark from furniture manufacturing are domestic wastes. In this study, fly ash and poplar bark were used as raw materials to prepare activated carbon via carbonization, steam activation and reagent modification. The effects of the [...] Read more.
Fly ash from waste incineration and waste poplar bark from furniture manufacturing are domestic wastes. In this study, fly ash and poplar bark were used as raw materials to prepare activated carbon via carbonization, steam activation and reagent modification. The effects of the raw material mixing ratio, carbonization temperature, activator concentration and modifier concentration on the physicochemical properties of the semi-coke and activated carbon were investigated through experiments. The experiment showed that when the carbonization temperature was 300 °C, the steam concentration was 20%, the mixing ratio of the poplar bark and fly ash (B:F) was 5:1, and the modifier was 6% K2CO3 reagent and 9% CaCl2. The prepared activated carbon had a better yield, specific surface area and pore structure, and had an abundant surface functional group structure. This paper points out the direction for the industrial directional production of activated carbon adsorbents with excellent physical and chemical properties, which has practical significance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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17 pages, 8783 KiB  
Article
Biomass and Coal Modification to Prepare Activated Coke for Desulfurization and Denitrification
by Guangkui Liu, Liwei Wang, Yukun Li and Xiaohan Ren
Energies 2022, 15(8), 2904; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15082904 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1457
Abstract
SO2 and NOx in flue gas are serious environmental pollutants. As an excellent adsorbent, activated coke has good application potential in flue gas desulfurization and denitrification. In this study, different concentrations of NH3 and K2CO3 solutions were used [...] Read more.
SO2 and NOx in flue gas are serious environmental pollutants. As an excellent adsorbent, activated coke has good application potential in flue gas desulfurization and denitrification. In this study, different concentrations of NH3 and K2CO3 solutions were used to modify the activated coke made from biomass and coal, and then separate and coordinated desulfurization and denitrification experiments were carried out. The adsorption efficiency of activated coke and the adsorption capacity of SO2 and NO were compared, and the adsorption relationship between SO2 and NO was clarified. The changes of the surface functional groups of activated coke before and after adsorption and the forms of SO2 and NO after adsorption were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer patterns. Results show that K2CO3 and NH3 modification can promote the adsorption of SO2 and NO in activated coke, and K2CO3 modification is more significant for improving the denitrification and desulfurization capacity. When the unmodified activated coke synergistically adsorbs SO2 and NO, there is a competitive adsorption between NO and SO2. However, when the activated coke modified with K2CO3 solution and NH3 synergistically adsorbs SO2 and NO, both have a promoting effect. After the adsorption of NH3-modified activated coke, CaSO4 and Na2SO4 crystals will appear. K2SO4 will exist after the adsorption of activated coke modified with K2CO3 solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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13 pages, 2731 KiB  
Article
Effect of Magnesium Additives on Phosphorous Recovery during Sewage Sludge Combustion and Further Improvement of Bioavailable Phosphorous
by Yi Xiao, Xiaohan Ren and Juan Chen
Energies 2022, 15(3), 909; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15030909 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1294
Abstract
Sewage sludge (SS), a solid waste taking up a large amount of public resources, contains abundant phosphorous and urgently needs appropriate recovery, but incineration, the existing popular SS treatment method, fails to reuse phosphorous as a feasible product due to the poor phosphorous [...] Read more.
Sewage sludge (SS), a solid waste taking up a large amount of public resources, contains abundant phosphorous and urgently needs appropriate recovery, but incineration, the existing popular SS treatment method, fails to reuse phosphorous as a feasible product due to the poor phosphorous bioavailability of SS ash. Based on the mono-combustion of SS, magnesian minerals comprising of magnesium oxide were doped with SS to carry out the behavior of magnesium in phosphorous capture and its sensitivity to subsequent thermochemical modification. Five percent MgO improved phosphorous capture, and its effectiveness was disturbed by sulfur at 900 °C. The more H2O that was pumped into the atmosphere, the more phosphorous was captured by 5% MgO. The capacity of MgO in phosphorous capture was inferior to that of CaO. The utilization efficiency of MgO for phosphorous capture was inferior to that of CaO. A total of 7.2% MgO succeeded in recovering 97.46% phosphorous with 5% H2O at 900 °C. A total of 15.06% hydromagnesite merely promoted 1.85% and 5.13% of the phosphorous relative enrichment factor (RE) in SS ashes without or with 5% H2O, respectively, whereas it recovered 90.21% phosphorous with 10% H2O, supposing a potentiality in phosphorous capture for the direct combustion of wet SS. However, having been improved by magnesium, the bioavailability of phosphorous in SS ash remained extremely limited. Thus, thermal modification by K2CO3 was applied, where the limited bioavailability of phosphorous in the SS ashes was remarkably alleviated; although, SiO2 and sulfate were the main disturbers and led to the production of K2MgSiO4 and K2Mg2(SO4)3. The effective constituents were KMgPO4 and K3CaH(PO4)2 in the final mixed fertilizer. The obtained mixed fertilizer might be suitable for application on acidic soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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15 pages, 3048 KiB  
Article
Chlorine Release from Co-Pyrolysis of Corn Straw and Lignite in Nitrogen and Oxidative Pyrolysis
by Jian Cheng, Min Xie, Li Xu, Lei Zhang and Xiaohan Ren
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248227 - 07 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2123
Abstract
Elevated emissions of hydrogen chloride (HCl) from the combustion of biomass in utility boilers are a major issue because they can cause corrosion problems and deposit molten alkali chloride salts on boilers’ water tubes, resulting in further corrosion. Pyrolysis is a good pre-treatment [...] Read more.
Elevated emissions of hydrogen chloride (HCl) from the combustion of biomass in utility boilers are a major issue because they can cause corrosion problems and deposit molten alkali chloride salts on boilers’ water tubes, resulting in further corrosion. Pyrolysis is a good pre-treatment for solving this problem. This work conducted pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of pulverized corn straw and lignite coal in a horizontal muffle furnace, with compositions typical of power plant combustion effluents (5% O2, 15% CO2, 80% N2) at different temperatures. Cl compounds were monitored in fuel, flue gas, and solid production of pyrolysis. The co-pyrolysis significantly affected Cl release from fuel. Cl release from corn straw into fuel gas was reduced during biomass co-pyrolysis with lignite. Co-pyrolysis had little influence on the release of organic Cl and KCl. Furthermore, at moderate-temperature pyrolysis, O2 promoted HCl release, when compared with pyrolysis under a N2 atmosphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste Thermal Conversion Technologies)
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