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Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2018) | Viewed by 17884

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maurizio Volpe

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kore University of Enna, Cittadella Universitaria - 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: technologies of thermochemical conversion of residual biomass into solid biofuel and activated carbon materials for environmental remediation; hydrothermal carbonization; pyrolysis; gasification; activated carbons; water remediation

Dr. Ana Jorge Sobrido

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Guest Editor

Materials Research Institute, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
Interests: flow batteries; electrocatalysis; oxygen reduction reaction; oxygen evolution reaction; supercapacitors; electrospinning
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Dr. Roberto Volpe

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
Interests: biomass; pyrolysis; renewable carbons
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

While the world faces many apparently-overwhelming challenges, to assuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all is, not only achievable, but also of paramount importance to lifting the marginalized out of poverty and reversing climatic change. By understanding how the products of energy generation from fossil fuels impact the environment, and designing new processes to convert renewable sources to green energy along with valuable environmentally friendly energy materials that can help us battle the global warming, we will be able to mitigate our negative impact on the environment while enabling widespread access to sustainable energy for all. In this context, residual biomass represents a source relatively free of political control, universally available on an annually renewal basis, and environmentally clean. Exploitation of residual biomass, via innovative thermochemical and biological processes, to produce sustainable bio-fuels and advanced carbon materials will trigger virtuous actions for the development of a circular economy. The development of affordable, reliable, easily accessible (small and micro-scale), environmentally clean biomass conversion technologies is still an open concern. This Special Issue aims to bring together all the recent advances in biomass conversion technologies with particular regards to those applicable at small or micro-scale and characterization of the properties and applications of the so-obtained carbonaceous renewable materials.

The focus is on the thermochemical conversion of biomass for fuel production and biomass-based carbons for energy applications; the aim is to provide a state-of-art overview of knowledge of the field of thermochemical conversion of biomass and technology advancements, as well as knowledge of efficient energy devices using biomass-based carbons.

Dr. Maurizio Volpe
Dr. Ana Sobrido
Dr. Roberto Volpe
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

Energy materials
hydrothermal carbonization
pyrolysis
gasification
electrodes
oxygen electrocatalysis
supercapacitors
batteries
fuel cells

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 4025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Assessment of a Bio-Refinery Concept Comprising Biogas Production, Lactic Acid Extraction and Plant Nutrient Recovery

by Sebastian Awiszus, Klaus Meissner, Sebastian Reyer and Joachim Müller

Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2601; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11092601 - 06 May 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2968

Abstract

The process of nutrient recovery from biogas digestate and the extraction of lactic acid from silages is technically feasible, but so far no investigations are available on the environmental sustainability of these technologies in the context of the biogas production chain. The aim of the present study is to show whether the recovery of nutrients from digestate (NR) and the extraction of lactic acid from silages (LA) can be integrated in the biogas production process system in an environmentally sustainable way. The modelling in the present study is based on the standards DIN ISO 14040 and DIN ISO 14044 and the results are evaluated with respect to the 100-year global warming potential, the primary energy demand and the eutrophication potential. Results show that the recovery of nutrients from digestate can be a sustainable solution to the problem of surplus nutrients in biogas regions. Furthermore, lactic acid, which is extracted from silages can provide an environmentally sustainable source of income for biogas plant operators. The urgency of the nutrient surplus problem in these regions calls for increased research and the support of policy makers to foster development activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 3953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Development of Sweet Sorghum-Based Fuel Ethanol from the Perspective of Water Resources in China

by Mengmeng Hao, Jingying Fu, Dong Jiang, Xiaoxi Yan, Shuai Chen and Fangyu Ding

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3428; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10103428 - 26 Sep 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2300

Abstract

Bioenergy is expected to play a key role in achieving a future sustainable energy system. Sweet sorghum-based fuel ethanol, one of the most promising bioenergy sources in China, has been receiving considerable attention. However, the conflict between sweet sorghum development and traditional water use has not been fully considered. The article presents an integrated method for evaluating water stress from sweet sorghum-based fuel ethanol in China. The region for developing sweet sorghum was identified from the perspective of sustainable development of water resources. First, the spatial distribution of the water demand of sweet sorghum-based fuel ethanol was generated with a Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model coupled with Geo-Information System (GIS). Subsequently, the surplus of water resources at the provincial scale and precipitation at the pixel scale were considered during the growth period of sweet sorghum, and the potential conflicts between the supply and demand of water resources were analyzed at regional scale monthly. Finally, the development level of sweet sorghum-based fuel ethanol was determined. The results showed that if the pressure of water consumption of sweet sorghum on regional water resources was taken into account, about 23% of the original marginal land was not suitable for development of sweet sorghum-based fuel ethanol, mainly distributed in Beijing, Hebei, Ningxia, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Tianjin. In future energy planning, the water demand of energy plants must be fully considered to ensure its sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications)

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15 pages, 812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selection of the Most Suitable Alternative Fuel Depending on the Fuel Characteristics and Price by the Hybrid MCDM Method

by Sinan Erdogan and Cenk Sayin

Sustainability 2018, 10(5), 1583; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10051583 - 15 May 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4489

Abstract

In recent years, in order to increase the quality of life of people, energy usage has become very important. Researchers are constantly searching for new sources of energy due to increased energy demand. Engine tests are being conducted to investigate the feasibility of the new sources of energy such as alternative fuels. In the engine tests, engine performance, combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions are evaluated by obtaining the results. The effect of newly developed fuels on engine lifetime, safe transport and storage are also examined for fuel availability. In addition, the potential and the price of fuels are important in terms of sustainability. In these studies, laboratory environments are needed for experimental setups. It is difficult to determine the availability of the most suitable alternative fuel since numerous results are obtained in the engine tests and studies. This integrated model provides a great advantage in terms of time and cost. The physical and chemical properties of the fuel affect experimental results such as engine performance, combustion, and exhaust emission. The suggested model can be making the most efficient and eco-friendly fuel choice without the need for experimental studies by using physical and chemical properties of the fuel. It also can offer the best fuel for cost, safety and maintenance processes. In this study, animal fat biodiesel derived from waste animal fats and vegetable oil biodiesel produced from aspir-canola oils were investigated. Biodiesel fuels are mixed with diesel at 5%, 20%, and 50%, and nine different fuels prepared with three pure fuels, and six different fuel blends are compared. Before using these fuels in an experimental study, estimates are made about which fuels may be more advantageous in terms of many criteria. In the process, nine varied fuel specifications are taken as references such as calorific value, cetane number, oxygen content rate, fuel price, flash point, viscosity, lubricity, iodine number and water content. The criteria weights are determined with SWARA (Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) from multi-criteria decision-making models, and MULTIMOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis) is ranked according to fuels’ characteristics from the best to the worst. While theoretically, the best fuel is ultimately VOB20, VOB50 and AFB20 were selected as the second fuel and the third fuel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications)

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20 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Economic Determinants of Bioenergy Trade Intensity in the EU-28: A Co-Integration Approach

by Mohd Alsaleh and Abdul Samad Abdul-Rahim

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 565; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10020565 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3733

Abstract

This paper examines the dynamic effect of the economic determinants on bilateral trade intensity of the European Union (EU) region’s bioenergy industry outputs. The authors adopt the panel co-integration model approach to estimate annual trade intensity data of the EU-28 countries’ bioenergy industry outputs from 1990 to 2013. This study investigated the long-term influence of the rate of real exchange, gross domestic product (GDP), and export price on the trade intensity of bioenergy industry applying fully modified oriented least square (FMOLS), dummy oriented least square (DOLS), and pooled mean group (PMG) models. In the current study, the findings boost the empirical validity of the panel co-integration model through FMOLS, indicating that depreciation has improved the trade intensity. This study has further investigated, through the causality test, a distinct set of countries. FMOLS estimation does find proof of the long run improvement of trade intensity. Thus, the result shows that the gross domestic product (GDP) and the real exchange rate have a positive and noteworthy influence on the EU-28 region trade intensity of the bioenergy industry. Moreover, the export price affects negatively and significantly the trade intensity of the bioenergy industry in the EU-28 countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications)

12 pages, 652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Traceability System for Improved Utilization of Solid Biofuel from Agricultural Prunings

by Techane Bosona, Girma Gebresenbet and Sven-Olof Olsson

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10020258 - 23 Jan 2018

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3650

Abstract

Biomass production and supply for renewable energy generation should be managed well and carried out in a sustainable manner. An effective traceability system (TS) is required to provide sufficient information and assure the quality of the biomass. The objective of this study is to define and develop a TS to assure the pruning biomass quality for the production of solid biofuels and to provide guarantee to the final user that the biomass is in good condition according to recommended quality criteria. It is designed for an agricultural pruning supply chain in which farmers, biomass traders, transporters, and end users are major actors. It is based on the biofuel quality requirements required by final users and other standards such as the new European standards EN 14961-1, EN15234:1-2011, and EN14961-1:2010, which describe solid fuel quality parameters. Traceable quality parameters include origin and source of product, traded form, bale dimension, chips size distribution, moisture content, ash content, and density of biomass. In this TS, a unique product label is introduced and integrated into a smart logistics system (SLS). The TS uses information captured at different stages of the product supply chain. It enables the management of the whole pruning biomass supply chain with the support of a centralized web-based information platform, an integral part of the SLS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Conversion into Biofuels and Carbon-based Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications)

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