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Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems
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Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 71739

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Joanna Berlowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: biomass utilization; sustainable development; green chemicals; yeast physiology; fermentation technologies; feed formulations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable development, and in particular rational waste management, constitutes a major challenge to contemporary industries. It is essential to utilize renewable resources, while preventing the wastage of intermediate products and ensuring the recycling of by-products. Utilization of renewable materials makes it possible to reduce the depletion of fossil resources and limit the adverse consequences of their processing. The valorization of the waste materials generated at different process stages would enable the economically viable production of many other compounds, at the same time reducing waste. An efficient way of recycling waste biomass is to use it as a substrate in biological processes.A sustainable solution should also be consistent with the green chemistry concept, according to which processes should be designed and conducted to minimize hazards to the natural environment. Green chemistry implies the application of alternative ways of synthesizing chemical compounds and the optimization of process conditions so as to increase selectivity and decrease waste.This Special Issue focuses on recent developments in biomass (especially waste biomass: wood or forest residues, waste from food crops, horticulture, food processing, animal farming, or human waste from sewage plant) biological conversion, and valorization. Safely reusing waste/biomass should lead to its transformation into valuable compounds and materials; energy and fuels or platform chemicals.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joanna Berłowska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Renewable resources
  • Valorization of the waste materials
  • Biomass hydrolysis
  • Platform chemicals and their derivatives
  • Bio-based energy and fuels

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2454 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Prosopis juliflora Air Gasification in Multistage Fluidized Process
by Maryem Dhrioua, Walid Hassen, Lioua Kolsi, Kaouther Ghachem, Chemseddine Maatki and Mohamed Naceur Borjini
Processes 2020, 8(12), 1655; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8121655 - 15 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
A multistage atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier was developed using the Aspen Plus simulation process. The innovative gasification reactor aims to yield a high-quality product gas as it conducts pyrolysis, combustion, and reduction in different zones. In addition, it uses gas as a heat [...] Read more.
A multistage atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier was developed using the Aspen Plus simulation process. The innovative gasification reactor aims to yield a high-quality product gas as it conducts pyrolysis, combustion, and reduction in different zones. In addition, it uses gas as a heat carrier and has a fluidized char bed in the reduction zone to enhance the in-situ tar reduction. In order to study the feasibility of the gasifier, an evaluation of the product gas and the process efficiency is required. The proposed model was based on the reaction rates and hydrodynamic parameters of the bubbling bed. Four different stages were initially considered in the simulation process: decomposition of the feed, partial volatile combustion, char reduction, and gas solid separation. The gasification reactor was operated over a temperature range of 800–1000 °C and an isothermal combustion reactor was operated at 1000 °C. In addition, the air to biomass mass ratio was varied from 0.2 to 0.5. It has been validated and displayed very good agreement with published data. Effects of gasification reactor temperature, air to biomass ratio, and gasifier dimensions on the composition of product gas were investigated Results showed that the principal component is CO and its concentration in the product gas increases with increase in gasifier temperature but decreases with increasing air to biomass ratio. The results also gave a relatively high value of the lowered gas caloric value and acceptable cold gas efficiency which help the sizing of gasifiers and the choice of optimal operating conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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8 pages, 1857 KiB  
Article
Phosphorus-Doped Carbon Supported Vanadium Phosphate Oxides for Catalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Diformylfuran
by Sha Wen, Kai Liu, Yi Tian, Yanping Xiang, Xianxiang Liu and Dulin Yin
Processes 2020, 8(10), 1273; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8101273 - 11 Oct 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2523
Abstract
2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) is an important downstream product obtained by selective oxidation of the biomass-based platform compound 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In this study, a phosphorus-doped carbon (P-C) supported vanadium phosphate oxide (VPO) catalyst was successfully prepared and showed remarkably high catalytic activity in the selective [...] Read more.
2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) is an important downstream product obtained by selective oxidation of the biomass-based platform compound 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In this study, a phosphorus-doped carbon (P-C) supported vanadium phosphate oxide (VPO) catalyst was successfully prepared and showed remarkably high catalytic activity in the selective oxidation of HMF to produce DFF with air as an oxidant. The effects of the reaction temperature, reaction time, solvent, catalyst amount, and VPO loading amount were investigated. The results showed that an HMF conversion rate of 100% and a DFF yield of 97.0% were obtained under suitable conditions, and DMSO was found to be the most suitable solvent under an air atmosphere. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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19 pages, 7386 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Use of Recycled Pork Fat-Based Biodiesel in Aviation Turbo Engines
by Grigore Cican, Marius Deaconu, Radu Mirea, Laurentiu Ceatra, Mihaiella Cretu and Tănase Dobre
Processes 2020, 8(9), 1196; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8091196 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3099
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the possibility of using recycled pork fat-based biodiesel as fuel for aviation turbo-engines. The analysis consists of the assessment of four blends of Jet A kerosene with 10%, 30%, 50%, and 100% biodiesel and pure Jet A [...] Read more.
This paper presents an analysis of the possibility of using recycled pork fat-based biodiesel as fuel for aviation turbo-engines. The analysis consists of the assessment of four blends of Jet A kerosene with 10%, 30%, 50%, and 100% biodiesel and pure Jet A that was used as reference in the study. The first part of the paper presents the physical-chemical properties of the blends: density, viscosity, flash point, freezing point, and calorific power. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, a benchmark was performed on the mixtures of Jet A with 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 100% biodiesel compared with Jet A. The second part of the paper presents the test results of these blends used for fuelling a Jet Cat P80 turbo engine at the Turbo Engines Laboratory of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty of Polyethnic University of Bucharest. These functional tests were performed using different operating regimes as follows: idle, cruise, intermediate, and maximum. For each regime, a testing period of around 1 min was selected and the engine parameters were monitored during the test execution. The burning efficiency was calculated for the maximum regime for all mixtures. To evaluate the functioning stability of the turbo engine using biodiesel, two accelerometers were mounted on the engine support that recorded the radial and axial vibrations. Moreover, to assess the burning stability and to identify other acoustic spectral components when biodiesel is used, two microphones were placed near the jet region. A comparative analysis between blends was made by taking the Jet A fuel as reference. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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9 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
High Enzymatic Recovery and Purification of Xylooligosaccharides from Empty Fruit Bunch via Nanofiltration
by Hans Wijaya, Kengo Sasaki, Prihardi Kahar, Nanik Rahmani, Euis Hermiati, Yopi Yopi, Chiaki Ogino, Bambang Prasetya and Akihiko Kondo
Processes 2020, 8(5), 619; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8050619 - 21 May 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4032
Abstract
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are attracting an ever-increasing amount of interest for use as food prebiotics. In this study, we used efficient membrane separation technology to convert lignocellulosic materials into a renewable source of XOS. This study revealed a dual function of nanofiltration membranes by [...] Read more.
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are attracting an ever-increasing amount of interest for use as food prebiotics. In this study, we used efficient membrane separation technology to convert lignocellulosic materials into a renewable source of XOS. This study revealed a dual function of nanofiltration membranes by first achieving a high yield of xylobiose (a main component of XOS) from alkali-pretreated empty fruit bunch (EFB) hydrolysate, and then by achieving a high degree of separation for xylose as a monosaccharide product. Alkali pretreatment could increase the xylan content retention of raw EFB from 23.4% to 26.9%, which eventually contributed to higher yields of both xylobiose and xylose. Nanofiltration increased the total amount of XYN10Ks_480 endoxylanase produced from recombinant Streptomyces lividans 1326 without altering its specific activity. Concentrated XYN10Ks_480 endoxylanase was applied to the recovery of both xylobiose and xylose from alkali-pretreated EFB hydrolysate. Xylobiose and xylose yields reached 41.1% and 17.3%, respectively, and when unconcentrated XYN10Ks_480 endoxylanase was applied, those yields reached 35.1% and 8.3%, respectively. The last step in nanofiltration was to separate xylobiose over xylose, and 41.3 g.L−1 xylobiose (90.1% purity over xylose) was achieved. This nanofiltration method should shorten the processes used to obtain XOS as a high-value end product from lignocellulosic biomass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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14 pages, 806 KiB  
Article
The Cultivation of Lipid-Rich Microalgae Biomass as Anaerobic Digestate Valorization Technology—A Pilot-Scale Study
by Marcin Dębowski, Marcin Zieliński, Marta Kisielewska, Joanna Kazimierowicz, Magda Dudek, Izabela Świca and Aleksandra Rudnicka
Processes 2020, 8(5), 517; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8050517 - 27 Apr 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3111
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the use of digestate from anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater as a culture medium for microalgae to obtain bio-oil. The experiments were conducted at a small scale in a closed raceway pond. The efficiency of [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to determine the use of digestate from anaerobic digestion of dairy wastewater as a culture medium for microalgae to obtain bio-oil. The experiments were conducted at a small scale in a closed raceway pond. The efficiency of the microalgae biomass production, the digestate treatment efficiency as well as the content and properties of the bio-oil obtained from the microalgal cells were analyzed. The produced biomass concentration was about 3000 ± 10.5 mg dry biomass/L, with an average growth rate of 160 ± 6.6 mgdm/L·d. The efficiency of organic compound and nutrient removal was above 90%. The bio-oil content in the biomass was about 20%. Based on the results of the study, a concept for technical-scale technology was developed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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11 pages, 1973 KiB  
Article
Thermal and Torrefaction Characteristics of a Small-Scale Rotating Drum Reactor
by Nitipong Soponpongpipat, Suwat Nanetoe and Paisan Comsawang
Processes 2020, 8(4), 489; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8040489 - 22 Apr 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4124
Abstract
The small-scale rotating drum reactor (SS-RDR) was designed and constructed without using purge gas for the purpose of household application. The thermal and torrefaction characteristics of SS-RDR were studied and compared with other reactor types. It was found that the heat loss at [...] Read more.
The small-scale rotating drum reactor (SS-RDR) was designed and constructed without using purge gas for the purpose of household application. The thermal and torrefaction characteristics of SS-RDR were studied and compared with other reactor types. It was found that the heat loss at the reactor wall and heat loss from exhaust gas of the SS-RDR were in the range of 6.3–12.4% and 27.9–42.8%, respectively. The increase of flue gas temperature resulted in the decrease of heat loss at the reactor wall and the increase of heat loss from exhaust gas. The heating rate of the SS-RDR was in the range of 7.3–21.4 °C/min. The higher heating value (HHV) ratio, mass yield, and energy yield ofthe SS-RDR were in the range of 1.2–1.6, 35.0–81.0%, and 56.2–96.5%, respectively. A comparison of torrefaction characteristics of various reactor types on HHV ratio-mass yield-iso-energy yield diagram indicated that the torrefaction characteristics of the SS-RDR were better than that of the rotating drum reactor with purge gas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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8 pages, 415 KiB  
Article
Conversion of Potato Industry Waste into Fodder Yeast Biomass
by Piotr Patelski, Joanna Berłowska, Maria Balcerek, Urszula Dziekońska-Kubczak, Katarzyna Pielech-Przybylska, Dawid Dygas and Jakub Jędrasik
Processes 2020, 8(4), 453; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8040453 - 12 Apr 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4474
Abstract
In this study, we evaluate potato pulp waste as a potential raw material for obtaining yeast biomass. A portion of the carbohydrates in the potato pulp waste can thereby be converted into more valuable protein. The potato pulp waste was analyzed in terms [...] Read more.
In this study, we evaluate potato pulp waste as a potential raw material for obtaining yeast biomass. A portion of the carbohydrates in the potato pulp waste can thereby be converted into more valuable protein. The potato pulp waste was analyzed in terms of protein and ash content, dry mass, simple sugars, and starch content. Two kinds of hydrolysis were performed (thermo-acidic and enzymatic) to produce media for cultivating Candida guilliermondii and Pichia stipitis. The hydrolysates and post-cultivation leachates were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The highest biomass yield after 48 h (39.3%) was noted for Candida guilliermondii yeast grown on enzymatic hydrolysate-based medium. Our results prove that potato waste pulp is a promising raw material for the production of yeast single-cell protein (SCP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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12 pages, 2079 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Hydrothermal Carbonization of Lignocellulosic Biomass with Magnesium Chloride for Solid Fuel Production
by Samuel Carrasco, Javier Silva, Ernesto Pino-Cortés, Jaime Gómez, Fidel Vallejo, Luis Díaz-Robles, Valeria Campos, Francisco Cubillos, Stefan Pelz, Sebastian Paczkowski, Francisco Cereceda-Balic, Albero Vergara-Fernández, Magín Lapuerta, Amparo Pazo, Esperanza Monedero and Kent Hoekman
Processes 2020, 8(4), 444; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8040444 - 10 Apr 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5456
Abstract
The effect of magnesium chloride as an additive of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of lignocellulosic biomass (Pinus radiata sawdust) was studied. The HTC tests were carried out at fixed conditions of temperature and residence time of 220 °C and 1 h, respectively, and [...] Read more.
The effect of magnesium chloride as an additive of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of lignocellulosic biomass (Pinus radiata sawdust) was studied. The HTC tests were carried out at fixed conditions of temperature and residence time of 220 °C and 1 h, respectively, and varying the dose of magnesium chloride in the range 0.0–1.0 g MgCl2/g biomass. The carbonized product (hydrochar) was tested in order to determine its calorific value (HHV) while using PARR 6100 calorimeter, mass yield by gravimetry, elemental analysis using a LECO TruSpec elemental analyzer, volatile matter content, and ash content were obtained by standardized procedures using suitable ovens for it. The results show that using a dose of 0.75 g MgCl2/g biomass results in an impact on the mass yield that was almost equal to change operating conditions from 220 to 270 °C and from 0.5 to 1 h, without additive. Likewise, the calorific value increases by 33% for this additive dose, resulting in an energy yield of 68%, thus generating a solid fuel of prominent characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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15 pages, 3714 KiB  
Article
Thermal Degradation of Cassava Rhizome in Thermosyphon-Fixed Bed Torrefaction Reactor
by Nitipong Soponpongpipat, Suwat Nanetoe and Paisan Comsawang
Processes 2020, 8(3), 267; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8030267 - 26 Feb 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2864
Abstract
A thermosyphon-fixed bed reactor was designed and constructed to investigate the temperature distribution of the cassava rhizome and its decomposition behavior. To study the properties of torrefied char obtained from this reactor, cassava rhizome was torrefied in five different configurations, including the thermosyphon-fixed [...] Read more.
A thermosyphon-fixed bed reactor was designed and constructed to investigate the temperature distribution of the cassava rhizome and its decomposition behavior. To study the properties of torrefied char obtained from this reactor, cassava rhizome was torrefied in five different configurations, including the thermosyphon-fixed bed reactor, a laboratory reactor in compact bulk arrangement with N2 as the purge gas and without any purge gas, and another one in a hollow bulk arrangement with and without purge gas. It was found that the use of thermosyphons with a fixed bed reactor improved the uniform temperature distribution. The average heating rate to the cassava rhizome bed was 1.40 °C/min, which was 2.59 times higher than that of the fixed bed reactor without thermosyphons. Compared to the other configurations, this reactor gave the highest higher heating value (HHV) and the lowest mass yield of 23.97 MJ/kg and 47.84%, respectively. The water vapor produced in this reactor played an autocatalyst role in the decomposition reaction. Finally, the thermosyphon-fixed bed reactor gave an energy yield in the range of 70.43% to 86.68%. The plot of the HHV ratio–mass yield diagram indicated the difference of torrefied char obtained from different reactors. The thermosyphon-fixed bed reactor produced torrefied biomass with the highest HHV ratio compared to that of other reactors at the same energy yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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12 pages, 1358 KiB  
Article
Energy and Material Flows and Carbon Footprint Assessment Concerning the Production of HMF and Furfural from a Cellulosic Biomass
by Hannes Schöppe, Peter Kleine-Möllhoff and Rolf Epple
Processes 2020, 8(1), 119; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8010119 - 17 Jan 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4729
Abstract
5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (HMF) and furfural are interesting as potential platform chemicals for a bio-based chemical production economy. Within the scope of this work, the process routes under technical development for the production of these platform chemicals were investigated. For two selected processes, the material [...] Read more.
5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (HMF) and furfural are interesting as potential platform chemicals for a bio-based chemical production economy. Within the scope of this work, the process routes under technical development for the production of these platform chemicals were investigated. For two selected processes, the material and energy flows, as well as the carbon footprint, were examined in detail. The possible production process optimizations, further development potentials, and the research demand against the background of the reduction of the primary energy expenditure were worked out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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9 pages, 2113 KiB  
Article
Co-Firing of Sawdust and Liquid Petroleum Gas in the Application of a Modified Rocket Stove
by Paisan Comsawang, Suwat Nanetoe and Nitipong Soponpongpipat
Processes 2020, 8(1), 112; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8010112 - 15 Jan 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4109
Abstract
The heating rate, firepower, and thermal efficiency of a modified rocket stove using sawdust and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as co-firing fuel were investigated. Three modified rocket stoves with a height of 400 mm and outside diameters of 225, 385, and 550 mm [...] Read more.
The heating rate, firepower, and thermal efficiency of a modified rocket stove using sawdust and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as co-firing fuel were investigated. Three modified rocket stoves with a height of 400 mm and outside diameters of 225, 385, and 550 mm were tested. It was found that there was an insignificant difference in heating rate and firepower when stoves were tested without co-firing with LPG. In this case, the stove heating rate was in the range of 1.49–1.55 °C/min. When LPG was used, the heating rate tended to linearly increase with the increase of LPG flow rate. The heating rate was in range of 2.42–2.80, 2.63–3.27, and 3.07–4.22 °C/min when LPG consumption rates were 2.38 × 10−5, 3.33 × 10−5, and 5.00 × 10−5 kg/s, respectively. The slight increase of stove heating rate and firepower was seen when the stove diameter was increased from 225 to 385 mm. The increase of stove diameter from 385 to 550 mm resulted in a huge increase of heating rate and firepower. Thermal efficiency of the sawdust stove without LPG decreased from 17.90% to 9.97% when the stove diameter was increased from 225 to 550 mm. For co-firing of sawdust and LPG, the increase of LPG flow rate from 2.38 × 10−5 to 5 × 10−5 kg/s caused the linear increase of thermal efficiency from 20.27% to 33.80%, 29.36% to 38.89%, and 25.25% to 36.39% for the stove with diameters of 225, 385, and 550 mm., respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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12 pages, 2204 KiB  
Article
Quality Properties and Pyrolysis Characteristics of Cassava Rhizome Pellets Produced by Alternating between Pelletizing and Torrefaction
by Nitipong Soponpongpipat, Paisan Comsawang and Suwat Nanetoe
Processes 2019, 7(12), 930; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr7120930 - 06 Dec 2019
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2211
Abstract
This work investigated quality properties of pellets of raw cassava rhizome (P-RC), pellets of pelletized cassava rhizome followed by torrefaction (T-CP), and pellets of torrefied cassava rhizome followed by pelletizing (P-TC). Torrefaction was conducted at temperatures of 230, 250, and 280 °C for [...] Read more.
This work investigated quality properties of pellets of raw cassava rhizome (P-RC), pellets of pelletized cassava rhizome followed by torrefaction (T-CP), and pellets of torrefied cassava rhizome followed by pelletizing (P-TC). Torrefaction was conducted at temperatures of 230, 250, and 280 °C for 30 min. Pyrolysis characteristics of T-CP and P-TC at torrefied temperatures of 230 and 250 °C were studied using thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that at the similar torrefied temperature, P-TC had a higher bulk density, energy density, and pellet durability than that of T-CP and P-RC while T-CP had a higher HHV and moisture absorption than P-TC and P-RC. The bulk density of P-TC was 1.13–1.19 and 1.33–1.52 times higher than that of P-RC and T-CP, respectively. The HHV of T-CP was 1.07 and 1.29 times higher than P-TC and P-RC, respectively. The energy density of P-TC was 1.24–1.56 and 1.20–1.41 times higher than that of P-RC and T-CP. In terms of Pellet Fuel Institute (PFI) standard, the durability index of P-RC, P-TC, and T-CP at torrefied temperatures of 230 and 250 °C was acceptable. However, dramatically low and unacceptable durability index was found in case of T-CP at torrefied temperature of 280 °C. The moisture absorption of P-TC was lower than that of P-RC and T-CP. Finally, T-CP had a lower pyrolysis temperature and had a much lower solid yield than that of P-TC. Variation of pyrolysis characteristics indicated the difference in chemical composition between T-CP and P-TC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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13 pages, 3285 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Municipal Solid Wastes Based Energy Potential in Urban Pakistan
by Muhammad Mobin Siddiqi, Muhammad Nihal Naseer, Yasmin Abdul Wahab, Nor Aliya Hamizi, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Zaira Zaman Chowdhury, Omid Akbarzadeh, Mohd Rafie Johan, T. M. Yunus Khan and Sarfaraz Kamangar
Processes 2019, 7(11), 848; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr7110848 - 12 Nov 2019
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 9072
Abstract
Solid waste management needs re-evaluating in developing countries like Pakistan, which currently employs landfilling as a first option. Over time, increasing population will result in decreasing space for landfill sites, ultimately increasing the cost of landfilling, while increasing accumulated waste will cause pollution. [...] Read more.
Solid waste management needs re-evaluating in developing countries like Pakistan, which currently employs landfilling as a first option. Over time, increasing population will result in decreasing space for landfill sites, ultimately increasing the cost of landfilling, while increasing accumulated waste will cause pollution. Locating and preparing a sanitary landfill includes the securing of large sectors and also everyday activity with the end goal to limit potential negative impacts. Energy production from municipal solid waste (MSW) is a perceptive idea for large cities, such as Karachi, as waste, which is an undesirable output that adds to land and air pollution, is transformed into a vital source of energy. The current study strives to provide a destination to solid waste by evaluating the energy potential that waste provides for power generation by the process of incineration. A sustainable energy generation plant based on the Rankine cycle is proposed. This study evaluates the various landfill sites in the case study area to determine their sustainability for a waste to energy (WtE) plant. The implementation of the proposed plant will not only provide an ultimate destination to waste but also generate 121.9 MW electricity at 25% plant efficiency. Thus, the generated electricity can be used to run a WtE plant and meet the energy requirements of the residents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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Review

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45 pages, 12034 KiB  
Review
Thermal Biomass Conversion: A Review
by Witold M. Lewandowski, Michał Ryms and Wojciech Kosakowski
Processes 2020, 8(5), 516; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8050516 - 27 Apr 2020
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 15213
Abstract
In this paper, the most important methods of thermal conversion of biomass, such as: hydrothermal carbonization (180–250 °C), torrefaction (200–300 °C), slow pyrolysis (carbonization) (300–450 °C), fast pyrolysis (500–800 °C), gasification (800–1000 °C), supercritical steam gasification, high temperature steam gasification (>1000 °C) and [...] Read more.
In this paper, the most important methods of thermal conversion of biomass, such as: hydrothermal carbonization (180–250 °C), torrefaction (200–300 °C), slow pyrolysis (carbonization) (300–450 °C), fast pyrolysis (500–800 °C), gasification (800–1000 °C), supercritical steam gasification, high temperature steam gasification (>1000 °C) and combustion, were gathered, compared and ranked according to increasing temperature. A comprehensive model of thermal conversion as a function of temperature, pressure and heating rate of biomass has been provided. For the most important, basic process, which is pyrolysis, five mechanisms of thermal decomposition kinetics of its components (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose) were presented. The most important apparatuses and implementing devices have been provided for all biomass conversion methods excluding combustion. The process of combustion, which is energy recycling, was omitted in this review of biomass thermal conversion methods for two reasons. Firstly, the range of knowledge on combustion is too extensive and there is not enough space in this study to fully discuss it. Secondly, the authors believe that combustion is not an environmentally-friendly method of waste biomass utilization, and, in the case of valuable biomass, it is downright harmful. Chemical compounds contained in biomass, such as biochar, oils and gases, should be recovered and reused instead of being simply burnt—this way, non-renewable fuel consumption can be reduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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Other

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8 pages, 1167 KiB  
Letter
Syngas Production Improvement of Sugarcane Bagasse Conversion Using an Electromagnetic Modified Vacuum Pyrolysis Reactor
by Muhammad Djoni Bustan, Sri Haryati, Fitri Hadiah, Selpiana Selpiana and Adri Huda
Processes 2020, 8(2), 252; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pr8020252 - 24 Feb 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3709
Abstract
The trends and challenges of pyrolysis technology nowadays have shifted to low-temperature pyrolysis, which provides low-cost processes but high-yield conversion, with suitable H2/CO ratios for performing gas-to-liquid technology in the future. The present study has developed a modified vacuum pyrolysis reactor [...] Read more.
The trends and challenges of pyrolysis technology nowadays have shifted to low-temperature pyrolysis, which provides low-cost processes but high-yield conversion, with suitable H2/CO ratios for performing gas-to-liquid technology in the future. The present study has developed a modified vacuum pyrolysis reactor to convert sugarcane bagasse to gas products, including H2, CO2, CH4, and CO in the low-temperature process. The experimental design includes the effects of pyrolysis time, pyrolysis temperature, and applying a current as a function of the electromagnetic field. The result showed that 0.12 ng/µL, 0.85 ng/µL, and 0.31 ng/µL of hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) gases, respectively, started forming in the first 20 min at 210 °C for the pyrolysis temperature, and the gas product accumulated in the increase of pyrolysis time and temperature. In the absence of electromagnetic field, the optimum condition was obtained at 60 min and 290 °C of pyrolysis time and temperature, respectively, in which 20.98, 14.86, 14.56, and 15.78 ng/µL of H2, CO2, CH4, and CO were generated, respectively. However, this condition did not meet the minimum value of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, since the minimum requirement of the H2/CO ratio is 2. Furthermore, applying the electromagnetic field performed a significant improvement, in which applying current ≥3A improved the gas product to 33.76, 8.71, 18.39, and 7.66 ng/µL of H2, CO2, CH4, and CO, respectively, with an H2/CO ratio above 2. The obtained result showed that applying electric current as an electromagnetic field provides a significant improvement, not only in boosting yield product, but also in performing the standard ratios of H2/CO in the gas–liquid conversion of syngas to liquid hydrocarbon. The result proves that applying an electromagnetic approach could be used as an alternative way to obtain efficiency and as a better process to convert biomass as a future energy source. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Processing and Conversion Systems)
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