Biofuel Yield Research Articles

Co-pyrolysis of furniture wood with mixed plastics and waste tyres: assessment of synergistic effect on biofuel yield and product characterization under different blend ratio

Pyrolysis of waste furniture wood, mixed plastics and waste tyres was examined separately and in different combinations from the perspective of improved value products and energy production. The effect of different combinations of furniture wood, plastics and tyres on the product distribution during co-pyrolysis was analyzed. The experimental work throughout this study was performed at a temperature of 500 °C. Prior to the pyrolysis experiments, thermogravimetric analysis was done to assess the thermal degradation behavior of all selected feedstocks. During individual pyrolysis, mixed plastic wastes produced 70.6 wt% of pyrolysis liquid, which is 37.9% and 33.4% more than furniture wood and waste tyres. During co-pyrolysis, a binary blend of mixed plastics and waste tyres produced 63.3 wt% of pyrolysis liquid, which is 7.65% more than the logarithmic mean value, indicating a positive synergistic interaction on liquid production. The liquid yield of the ternary blend was observed to be as low as 54.4 wt% due to the lower volatiles present in the blend. The presence of volatiles in the feedstock is correlated with the production of liquids by individual and co-pyrolysis. For feed-flexible, more efficient, and cleaner operating systems, the increased liquid production offers crucial information. With the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC–MS), the impact of different combinations on product characterization was investigated. The characterization study of the pyrolysis liquid obtained from mixed plastics showed the presence of different aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The findings offered viable options for efficiently utilizing waste materials, particularly plastics and tyres to improve the quality and substance of products.

Advanced computational modelling for biofuel catalyst optimization: enhancing beta zeolite acidity for oleic acid upgrading

We explore here, through reactive force field (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics simulations, oleic acid upgrading on beta zeolite (BEA) regulated with nine silica-to-aluminium ratios (SARs) to investigate their acid-catalyzed deoxygenation and coking susceptibility. The selected computational descriptors involved conversion, hydrodeoxygenation, and decarboxylation/decarbonylation selectivity, biofuels yield, and coke deposition characteristics. Simulations were validated by 20.3 SAR available experimental data and used for the systematic study. High deoxygenation selectivity was found to be related to the structural sensitivity of BEA(100) on the upgrading mechanism. ReaxFF simulations revealed that altering the Al-substitution could greatly promote biofuel formation. Specifically, SARs towards the mid-region (SAR 47) favored gasoline production, while 31 SAR exploited diesel-like hydrocarbons. An optimum ratio of 37.4 SAR achieved maximum oleic acid conversion (69.8%), with high yields of gasoline and diesel fuels (15.6 and 20.4 wt%, respectively) and moderate coking (8.6 wt%). Density functional theory screening of metallic dopants allowed investigating of their deoxygenation and coke susceptibility, obtaining that Cu-BEA structure favored the optimal carbon and O-moiety adsorption (-3.89 and -1.8 eV, respectively). Furthermore, the economic and environmental analysis showed that Cu-dopped BEA displayed the lowest market price and global warming potential (71 USD/kg and 2.8 kg CO2-eq/kg).

Sulfur release behavior and sulfur fixation mechanism during biomass microwave co-pyrolysis of Ascophyllum and rice straw

Co-pyrolysis with low-sulfur biomass is expected to improve the yield and quality of bio-fuels, without the usage of calcium-based desulfurizer. Sulfur transformation during microwave fluidized-bed co-pyrolysis between terrestrial and marine biomass (Ascophyllum, AS; Rice straw, RS) was investigated. Sulfur release was promoted during biomass co-pyrolysis, but it was inhibited during pyrolysis between AS and low-sulfur char. Thermal cracking of biomass was promoted during co-pyrolysis between biomass, accelerating the combination of H atoms and −SH radicals. Introduction of low-sulfur bio-char (CA) inhibited the generation of bio-char and the release of sulfur. Released sulfur was captured by –OH/C = C functional groups on bio-char through dehydration reactions/addition reactions, forming mercaptan in bio-char. Furthermore, introduction of microwave and bio-char promoted the cyclization and aromatization reaction, converting mercaptan to thiophene and improving the thermal stability of solid sulfur, and thus increasing in-situ sulfur fixation rate.

Numerical Simulation of Bioconvection Maxwell Nanofluid Flow due to Stretching/Shrinking Cylinder with Gyrotactic Motile Microorganisms: A Biofuel Applications

The bioconvection effects with nanofluid are major application in biofuels. This analysis aimed to observe the bioconvection effect in unsteady two-dimensional Maxwell nanofluid flow containing gyrotactic motile microorganisms across a stretching/shrinking cylinder evaluating the consequences of thermal radiation and activation energy. The Cattaneo-Christov double diffusion theory is also observed. Nanofluids are quickly perceptive into many solicitations in the latest technology. The current research has noteworthy implementations in the modern nanotechnology, microelectronics, nano-biopolymer field, biomedicine, biotechnology, treatment of cancer therapy, cooling of atomic reactors, fuel cells, and power generation. By using the proper similarity transformation, the partial differential equations that serve as the basis for the current study are gradually reduced to a set of highly nonlinear forms of ordinary differential equations, which are then numerically, approached using a well-known shooting scheme and the bvp4c tool of the MATLAB software. Investigated is the profile behavior of the flow regulating parameters for the velocity field, thermal field, and volumetric concentration of nanoparticles and microorganisms. From the results, it is concluded that velocity is reduced with a larger bioconvection Rayleigh number. The thermal field is increased with a larger amount of thermal Biot number and thermal radiation. The concentration of nanoparticles increases with an increment in the thermophoresis parameter. Furthermore, the microorganism’s field is decreased with a larger Lewis number. The findings demonstrate that by optimizing the concentration of nanoparticles and microorganisms, the thermal efficiency of biofuels can be significantly improved. This leads to more sustainable and efficient energy production. By optimizing the concentration of nanoparticles and microorganisms in biofuels, the thermal properties can be significantly improved, leading to more efficient combustion processes. This can reduce the overall cost and increase the yield of biofuels. Improved cooling systems for medical imaging devices such as MRI machines can be developed using nanofluids, ensuring better performance and patient safety.

A comprehensive review of current progress in biofuel production using marine algae biomass

The world's fossil fuel resources are rapidly depleting as the global population grows and energy demands rise. Current fossil fuel supplies are insufficient to meet rising demand and are nearing depletion. Careless exploitation of fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and global warming, resulting in ecological imbalances and health risks. Consequently, contamination, rising temperatures, and high oil costs have fueled the search for renewable and alternative energy sources. This study seeks to explore renewable energy alternatives that are critical to meeting future global energy demands. Marine algae such as red algae, green algae, and brown algae are gaining popularity as economically viable and environmentally friendly sources of renewable biofuel. Several studies are currently underway to assess the ability of marine algae to produce a variety of bioproducts, including biofuels. Macroalgae, in particular, emerges as an ideal resource for biofuel production due to their lipid and carbohydrate content, coupled with low or absent lignin content. The article investigates the potential of marine algal species to promote biofuel production and discusses novel methods for improving biofuel yields. It also emphasizes the economic factors and challenges associated with sustainable biofuel production.

Lignosulfonate-Based Carbon-Supported Pellets Catalyst to Enhance Sustainable Biofuel Production from Waste Cooking Oil.

In this study, a cost-effective and stable heterogeneous acidic carbocatalyst (CZnLS950) derived from Na-lignosulfonate (LS), a side product of the paper industry, was employed to produce hydrocarbon fuels through the pyrolysis of waste cooking oil (WCO) and crude natural-oil extracted from sunflower seeds, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. To enhance its practicality in industrial settings, the catalyst was synthesized in pellet form, enabling easy separation from the biofuel produced during the reaction. CZnLS950 exhibited remarkable catalytic efficiency in the pyrolysis of WCO, resulting in a 71 wt. % liquid biofuel yield under mild conditions. This performance is attributed to the unique synthesis procedure of acidic carbocatalyst, which utilizes LS and nano ZnO (20 nm) to create a hierarchical pore structure with acidic properties (1.1 mmol of NH3 g-1). Stability and reusability of the carbocatalyst were evaluated, and the results showed excellent stability with small catalytic deactivation (~5 wt. %) after the fourth use. Attempts at distinct catalytic mechanisms for WCO and sunflower seeds crude natural-oil pyrolysis were provided to understand the processes involved in obtaining the two different biofuels produced. Overall, this study sets the stage for exploring Lignosulfonate-based materials to achieve renewable biofuel from recycling streams.

Ultrasound Assisted Pre-treatments for the Efficient And Sustainable Conversion of Biomass Into Biofuels

The growing focus on sustainable and efficient biomass-to-biofuels conversion, driven by environmentalconcerns and the demand for eco-friendly processes has become a key area of research. Biomass, a vitalrenewable energy source, harbors the potential for direct transformation into liquid biofuels such as ethanoland biodiesel, signifying a noteworthy progression in biofuel technology. Persistent challenges, includingsuboptimal biofuel yields and heightened production costs arise from incomplete cellulose digestion shieldedby lignin. In response, various pretreatment methods have been investigated to augment cellulose andhemicellulose accessibility by disrupting lignin cross-links. Among these strategies, ultrasonic irradiation orsonication emerges as a promising eco-friendly pretreatment for the efficient conversion of lignocellulosicbiomass into biofuels.This article explores the prerequisites of effective pretreatments, highlighting the significance of dualapplication, minimal energy consumption, the use of economically viable chemicals, and consideration ofmoderate temperatures and pressures. By delving into the mechanism of ultrasound irradiation, the studyelucidates how ultrasound waves generate cavitation bubbles, initiating both physical and chemicaltransformations in biomass. In-depth discussions encompass factors influencing sonication, includingduration, frequency, power, temperature, liquid medium, and suspended solids. Critical considerations foroptimizing pretreatment efficiency are outlined in the design aspects of sonochemical reactors, coveringreactor configuration, ultrasonic frequency, power dissipation, duration, and temperature. The articleconcludes by underscoring the evolving potential of ultrasound-assisted pretreatments in biofuel productionand encourages further detailed advancements and comprehensive studies to actualize their full-scaleindustrial applications.

Green energy breakthroughs: Harnessing nano-catalysts and enzymatic catalysts for bioenergy generation

Microbial fuel cells and anaerobic digestion are promising bioenergy methods but inefficient and scalable. With its exceptional surface area-to-volume ratio, nano-catalysts are revolutionizing this field. Researchers have improved energy conversion efficiency by immobilizing or embedding nanoparticles on electrodes or catalytic supports to promote electron transport. Nanomaterials like graphene-based catalysts and metal nanoparticles speed up organic matter breakdown and make bioenergy systems more profitable. Researchers are working harder to find new bioenergy-generating methods to address environmental concerns and the demand for sustainable energy. The study discusses how nano-catalysts and enzymatic catalysts are revolutionizing bioenergy production in green energy. Additionally, enzymatic catalysts are the best bioenergy catalysts. Highly specialized, biocompatible, and renewable enzymes provide unrivaled biofuel production potential. Protein engineering and immobilization have improved enzymes for bioenergy systems. Enzymatic catalysts enable biofuel generation from more feedstocks without harsh chemical procedures by controlling biological reactions quickly and precisely. Combining nano- and enzymatic catalysts is promising. Nano-catalysts improve enzymatic processes by creating a favorable microenvironment, enhancing surface binding sites, and enabling substrate transport. This combination may maximize bioenergy systems' biofuel output and wastewater treatment capabilities. According to this study, integrating nano- and enzymatic catalysts is a green energy breakthrough. These advances will improve bioenergy generation by overcoming current techniques, opening new sustainable energy production prospects, and expediting our transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

Yield and Energy Modeling for Biochar and Bio-Oil Using Pyrolysis Temperature and Biomass Constituents.

Pyrolysis offers a sustainable and efficient approach to resource utilization and waste management, transforming organic materials into valuable products. The quality and distribution of the pyrolysis products highly depend on the constituents' properties and set process parameters. This research aims to investigate and model this dependency, offering decision-makers a tool to guide them when designing the process for a particular application. Experimental data on the pyrolysis of various types of feedstocks processed at a wide range of pyrolysis temperatures (350-650 °C) are utilized to develop the prediction models. Four variables are modeled: the yield and energy content for both the biochar and bio-oil as a function of the pyrolysis temperature and feedstock characteristics. The models developed had very good prediction power with the coefficient of determination above 90%. The results highlight the advantages of food waste (leftover) as a suitable feedstock to produce biochar at the pyrolysis temperature within the range of 450-550 °C. Furthermore, the biofuels produced from food waste are found to be of good quality, with the bio-oil exceptionally high in energy content (HHV = 34.6 MJ/kg), which is almost 80% of that of diesel. The developed models provide a tool for predicting the biofuel yield and quality based on the feedstock selection and process temperature.

Thermal degradation of emerging pollutants in municipal solid wastes and agro wastes: effectiveness of catalysts and pretreatment for the conversion of value added products

In this study, emerging soil pollutants in the form of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural waste were converted into biofuel via thermal degradation process. Among various waste-to-energy conversion processes, the pyrolysis of biomass is considered the most significant due to its maximum biofuel yield than other conversion techniques. Individual and co-pyrolysis of MSW and sugarcane residue (SR) as well as its treated variant (TSR) were performed in a lab-setup fixed-bed reactor with and without catalyst. The effect of acid pretreatment and catalytic effects on the pyrolysis process was assessed in terms of product yields and characterization. The acidic pretreatment of SR and catalyst in the pyrolysis process alters the process yield and its composition. The maximum oil yield of 50.5 wt% was achieved by catalytic co-pyrolysis of MSW + TSR + HZSM5, whereas the maximum gas yield of 38.1 wt% was achieved by catalytic co-pyrolysis of MSW + SR + HZSM5. This suggests that intrinsic minerals present in the biomass and MSW, particularly alkali and alkaline earth metals, have a catalytic effect on the devolatilization of organic material and the char cracking event. The pretreatment of biomass showed considerable improvement in the properties of the produced pyrolysis oil and char. Compared to the pyrolysis oil and char obtained from MSW + SR, the oil and char obtained from MSW + TSR + HZSM5 showed a small increment in their heating values. Pretreatment and the catalytic co-pyrolysis process influenced the structure of the pyrolysis oils, increasing the production of phenolic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons. The amount of gas components in pyrolysis gas, such as CH4, CO2, and CO also changed more according to the feedstock used for the process. Overall, the HZSM-5 catalyst and co-pyrolysis of MSW with pretreated SR enhanced the pyrolysis conversion of waste municipal solids and agricultural wastes into energy-rich products.

Pyrolysis of macroalgae: Insight into product yields and biochar morphology and stability

Pyrolysis of biomass residues into biochar is seen as a feasible way to mitigate climate change by biological carbon storage (carbon dioxide removal, CDR) and to substitute fossil fuel with sustainable biofuel. This study applies a combination of flash and ramp heating pyrolysis, and organic petrography to investigate the hydrocarbon (biofuel) potential and biochar stability and morphotypes of eight brown, red, and green macroalgal species of different tissue complexity. The carbon stability of biochar derived from macroalgae has not previously been assessed using organic petrography (reflectance measurements) and evaluated in the context of the geological carbon cycle. The biochar, hydrocarbon, and CO + CO2 yields vary due to different chemical composition of the macroalgal species, but the product yield variations are not related to the brown, red, or green macroalgal groups. The total biofuel yield shows an inverse trend with biochar yield. A slower heating rate produces more biochar and higher CO + CO2 and lower biofuel yields than the combined flash pyrolysis and faster heating rate. The morphotype composition of the biochar was qualitatively examined by reflected light microscopy while carbon stability was assessed by random reflectance (Ro) measurements. The diverse morphotype compositions observed in biochar formed under similar pyrolysis conditions likely stem from variations in the original algal composition. While some biochar samples show morphologies resembling the original macroalgal structure, porous morphotypes predominantly characterize the biochar samples overall. Despite a maximum pyrolysis production temperature (PT) of 650 °C, the highest mean Ro value among all biochar samples is 2.91%, corresponding to a carbonization temperature (CT) of 526 °C. This observation is tentatively related to the less lignocellulosic structure of the macroalgae compared to terrigenous biomass. Four biochar samples have their entire Ro distribution range above the inertinite benchmark (IBRo2%) of Ro = 2% indicating high carbon stability. Conversely, the remaining four biochar samples exhibit Ro distributions extending below IBRo2%, indicating the presence of a carbon fraction with lower long-term stability in soil. The statistically significant inverse relationship observed between the mean Ro values and the peak hydrocarbon generation temperature (Tmax) can be attributed to the behavior of residual macromolecules within the biochar. When these macromolecules reach peak biofuel generation at a lower temperature, they undergo carbonization over a more extended time interval during pyrolysis. Consequently, this prolonged exposure to the pyrolysis process leads to higher degrees of carbonization, as reflected by higher Ro values. In conclusion, the findings from pyrolysis and organic petrography reveal: (1) Macroalgae demonstrate potential for biofuel production, although biofuel yields contingent upon both the species of macroalgal and the heating rate employed, and (2) This study documents for the first time that flash+ramp pyrolysis of macroalgae yields biochar suitable for long-term carbon storage. However, both the carbon stability inferred from Ro frequency distributions and biochar yields show variations across different macroalgal species and heating rate.

Aqueous-phase product treatment and monetization options of wet waste hydrothermal liquefaction: Comprehensive techno-economic and life-cycle GHG emission assessment unveiling research opportunities

While wet waste hydrothermal liquefaction technology has a high biofuel yield, a significant amount of the carbon and nitrogen in the feedstock reports to the aqueous-phase product. Pretreatment of this stream before sending to a conventional wastewater plant is essential or at the very least, advisable. In this work, techno-economic and life-cycle assessments were conducted for the state-of-technology baseline and four aqueous-phase product treatment and monetization options based on experimental data. These options can cut minimum fuel selling prices by up to 13 % and life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 39 % compared to the baseline. These findings highlight the substantial influence of aqueous produce treatment strategies on the entire wet waste hydrothermal liquefaction process, demonstrating the potential for optimizing economic viability and environmental impact through further research and development of milder treatment methods and diversified by-product valorization pathways.

Biochar‐based catalysts derived from biomass waste: production, characterization, and application for liquid biofuel synthesis

AbstractAmong the feasible options for valorizing lignocellulosic biomass into value‐added products, biochar is considered to be extremely appealing and it could be applied easily in several established thermochemical processes. Biochar possesses a large surface area due to its porous nature, which permits easy use in various applications, including catalytic biofuel production. This work summarizes research on biochar generation processes, its critical physicochemical properties, and factors that influence them. Important studies adopting biochar catalysts for liquid biofuel production are critically reviewed, and the reaction mechanisms and biofuel yield are analyzed. Finally, challenges in the use of biochar‐based catalysts for biofuel production are presented, together with possible solutions. In general, this current work aims to provide the critical characteristics of biochar as a potential catalyst to biofuel synthesis toward sustainable bioenergy production.

Synergistic Effect Between Empty Fruit Bunch and HDPE on Products Yield and Functional Group Content in Bio-fuels Produced from Co-liquefaction Process Under Supercritical Methanol Condition

Synergism between biomass and plastic waste during co-processing reported to produce higher products yield with enhanced quality which thereby solving the problems of high oxygenated compounds and low yields with high viscosity in oil from its individual processing. However, study on synergistic effect (SE) between these feedstocks is considered lacking. In this study, the SE of co-liquefying empty fruit bunch (EFB) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in sc-MeOH was investigated using a high-pressure, high-temperature batch-wise reactor system at 260 °C for 30 minutes and at various EFB-HDPE ratios to determine the best ratio for bio-fuel yield and its functional group content. It was found that 25% EFB:75% HDPE (wt/wt %) provides the most significant SE (≈ 8 wt%) for bio-fuel yield and the most considerable reduction in solid residue formation under the studied conditions. The presence of hydroxyl groups from EFB and aliphatic hydrocarbons from HDPE, along with new carbonyl compounds, further highlights the SE resulting from the combined processing of these materials. The findings suggest that optimizing the ratio of biomass to plastic waste in co-liquefaction can significantly enhance the efficiency and yield of bio-fuels while minimizing waste, providing a promising approach for sustainable energy production and waste management.

Optimization of Bioenergy Production from Algae Using Bioreactor Design

Bioenergy production from algae has gained significant attention due to its potential as a sustainable and renewable energy source. This research investigates the optimization of bioenergy production by focusing on bioreactor design to enhance the efficiency of algal biomass growth and lipid extraction. The study involves analyzing key bioreactor parameters such as light intensity, nutrient concentration, pH levels, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) supply. Experimental results demonstrated a 25% increase in lipid production through optimized conditions, showing promising improvements in biofuel yield. The findings of this research provide valuable insights into the potential scalability of algae-based bioenergy systems.

Biomass Research of Energy Crops and Their Nature Restoration Potential

This scientific paper is dedicated to the study of the potential for using bioenergy crops, using the example of giant miscanthus on oil-polluted territories. Throughout the research, various fertilization schemes were applied to analyze their impact on the growth and development of miscanthus. The yield of energy and solid biofuel from the obtained biomass of giant miscanthus was determined. In addition, it was found that miscanthus has significant potential in the phytoremediation of contaminated lands and can contribute to the restoration of soil cover. The scientific work presents results from a three-year observation, demonstrating the widespread use of bioenergy crops, particularly miscanthus, for ensuring energy security and ecological balance.

Optimizing Biofuel Yields from Spirogyra Microalgae: The Role of Extraction Techniques and Environmental Factors

Optimizing Biofuel Yields from Spirogyra Microalgae: The Role of Extraction Techniques and Environmental Factors

(Invited) Utilization of Bio-CO2 and Bio-Methane for Fuel Production: Integration Solid Oxide Electrolyzer, Low Energy Plasma Reformer with Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Transition to renewable energy is essential to achieve climate protection objectives. Besides storing electricity for later use, fuel production using renewable energy is an essential part of reducing fossil dependance. Hydrogen production is receiving the greatest attention as a carbon free energy carrier with the potential to fuel future fleets of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, to store grid electricity to accommodate asynchronous generation and load, and to a lesser extent to displace heating fuels. However, the highest value application in current markets is the production of liquid transportation fuels such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and low (fossil) carbon diesel fuel. However, liquid hydrocarbon fuels only achieve the decarbonization goals if they displace fossil fuels and are produced from sustainable, ideally biogenic carbon resources.Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) stack developed by OxEon team for MOXIE, the Mars OXygen ISRU Experiment has demonstrated the use of CO2 as an electrolysis feedstock aboard the Perseverance rover which as of this writing has operated thirteen times on Mars, splitting the Mars atmosphere CO2 to carbon monoxide and oxygen, as the first ever demonstration of In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) on another planet. The technology is applicable to efficient resource utilization on this world and OxEon is actively developing power to fuels technology to maximize the conversion of biogenic carbon to high value, energy dense, liquid transportation fuels that are needed by an existing vehicle fleet that will be on the road and in the air decades to come.OxEon’s technologies are being applied to bridge the electrical and materials energy sectors. In this project OxEon processes the bio-CO2 through an SOEC and the bio-CH4 through a low energy plasma reformer. The combined synthesis gas is supplied to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The combination offers several advantages: the yield of biofuel nearly doubles by use of the bio-CO2 compared to the bio-methane alone, cooling the FT reactor generates all the steam needed in the SOEC system reducing the effective operating voltage (accounting for raising steam) from > 1.5 V/cell to < 1.3 V/cell, oxygen by-product from the SOEC is used in the autothermal reformer, as is some of the FT produced water. The product fuel is all bio-carbon, but it also embodies renewable electric energy in a high-value, storable and transportable liquid hydrocarbon that will be usable in the current air and ground fleets.

Sources of valuable traits for the selection of varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops on the Yaltushkiv EBS

Purpose. To identify sources of economic and valuable traits for the breeding process of industrial, grain and bioenergy crops at the Yaltushkivska Experimental Breeding Station of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences.&#x0D; Methods. Hybridization, selection, field tests, analytical, mathematical and statistical.&#x0D; Results. The best breeding genotypes of beets of foreign and domestic selection that are the donors of valuable traits, are concentrated at the Yaltushkivska EBS. The best hybrid combinations created on the basis of the Yaltushkivska EBS materials and evaluated in the variety test under the Beta cross program significantly exceeded the group standard: in yield (103.6–114.9%), sugar content (96.4–105.7%), sugar yield (110.1–110.8%). A highly productive buckwheat variety ‘Yuliana’ with a yield of 2.2 t/ha and a protein content of 15.0% was created and submitted for state variety testing. The best highly productive and energy valuable varieties of switchgrass were selected for cultivation in areas of insufficient and unstable soil moisture, which ensure the yield of dry biomass at the level of 7.5–16.2 t/ha, the yield of solid biofuel of 8.2–17.2 t/ha, and energy of 112.5–243 GJ/ha. Genotypes from the Miscanthus genus have been identified, which combine signs of tolerance to osmotic and salt stress and high energy yield.&#x0D; Conclusions. Selected sources of breeding-valuable traits became the basis for creating varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops (sugar beet ‘Barskyi’, ‘Chereshnevyi’, ‘Ruthenia 11’, ‘Ruthenia 12’, ‘Ruthenia 13’, etc., buckwheat ‘Yuliana’, switchgrass ‘Morozko’ and ‘Liadovske’ and varieties of miscanthus resistant to abiotic factors of the environment). Breeding genotypes and original lines of these crops were transferred to the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine.

Interchangeable modular design and operation of photo-bioreactors for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation towards a zero-waste biorefinery

This study explores diverse cultivation modes for Chlorella vulgaris within a biorefinery at pilot scale that produces both biodiesel by transesterification of waste frying oils and syngas by gasification of organic wood waste. Given microalgae's comparatively modest biofuel yield relative to principal biorefinery products, the microalgae cultivation process is designed on the biofuels production rates. Liquid and gaseous waste streams are recycled inside the biorefinery: crude glycerol is mixed with wood to enhance the quality of syngas, wastewater is fed to microalgae so as flue gas. Also, the oil extracted from microalgae contributes to produce biodiesel and the waste cells are gasified.Considering that the optimal fit for each cultivation mode varies with the shape of the reactor, we propose a modular approach to assemble them in batteries of tubular, bubble flow, and airlift reactors, and present an operating design criterion that can fulfill the mass balance of the plant by adding/transforming the number of units inside the different batteries. Methods to adjust the operating conditions and control the operating parameters are also discussed.The designed configurations were operated recycling nominal waste streams of about 30 L d−1 of wastewater and 90 Nm3 h−1 of flue gas. Results confirm that the most advantageous one, in terms of volume per recycled waste streams, is a battery of 16 airlift reactors, operating in mixotrophic mode, with growing rate of 0.427 d−1, yield of 3.06, glycerol conversion 39 %, CO2 removal 64 % of inlet 6–10 %(mol) concentration. The same nominal waste streams can also be managed by 40 tubular reactors in almost heterotrophic conditions coupled with 12 bubble columns in autotrophic conditions; working respectively at growing rates of 0.395 d−1 and 0.362 d−1 and yields of 2.94 and 2.84. The battery of tubular reactors reached a glycerol conversion of 45 % and the array of bubble columns removed about 51 % of inlet 12–20 %(mol) CO2 concentration. A complete comparison is reported also in terms of dimensionless numbers and pumping/mixing requirements.