Biomass Energy Production Research Articles

Sustainable utilization of ultrafine rice husk ash in alkali activated concrete: Characterization and performance evaluation

This paper investigates the novel effect of ultrafine rice husk ash (URHA) on the properties of alkali-activated concrete. Rice husk ash was obtained as waste from biomass energy production and further processed to obtain URHA. The URHA was first characterized using various techniques to understand its morphology, structure and chemical composition. The URHA was then used to replace fly ash in alkali-activated fly ash/slag concrete up to 10%, and the effects on the performance were evaluated. The optimum dosage of URHA was assessed based on the compressive strength and the resistance to chemical attacks was carried out on the control mixture and that incorporating the optimum URHA. Microstructural properties of some of the control mixture and that incorporating the optimum URHA content was also investigated. Results from this study showed that the use of URHA as a 5% replacement of the FA is optimum that ensured high performance.

Energetic characterization and radiographic analysis of torrefied coated MDF residues

The use of wood panel residues as biomass for energy production is feasible. Heat treatments can improve energy properties while minimizing the emission of toxic gases due to thermoset polymers used in Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) panels. Torrefaction or pre-carbonization, a heat treatment between 200 and 300 °C with low oxygen availability accumulates carbon and lignin, decreases hygroscopicity, and increases energy efficiency. The objective of this work was to evaluate the energy parameters (immediate, structural, and elementary chemical composition, moisture content, and yield) and density in torrefied MDF panels. The torrefaction improved the energetic features of coated MDF, decreasing the moisture content, volatile matter, and consequently, concentrating the carbon with better results in the samples torrefied for 40 min. The densitometric profiles of the torrefied MDF, obtained by X-ray densitometry, showed a decrease in the apparent density as torrefaction time increased. The digital X-ray images in gray and rainbow scale enabled the most detailed study of the density variation of MDF residues.

Estimating Elephant-Grass Adaptability and Stability for Energy-Biomass Production by Regression Models

In Brazil, elephant grass has been researched for energy generation, as it represents an alternative energy source by virtue of its biomass production. The present study was developed to examine the adaptability and energy-biomass production stability of 73 elephant-grass genotypes under a biannual-harvest regime, using the methodologies proposed by Eberhart and Russell and Cruz. The experiment was carried out at the northern region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Nine harvests and subsequent evaluations were performed at six-month intervals. Each harvest was considered an environment of genotype evaluation. After the plants were harvested, their dry matter yield (DMY) was estimated in t ha-1 harvest. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of genotypes, harvests, and genotype × harvest interaction, by the F test. In five of the nine evaluated harvests, the genotypes had an average dry matter yield greater than the overall mean. The method of Eberhart and Russel was effective in identifying highly adaptable elephant-grass genotypes with high dry matter production stability throughout the nine harvests. When the method of Cruz was used, no genotypes were found comprising high yielding ability, adaptability to unfavorable environments, responsiveness to environmental improvement, and high stability altogether.

Study on the production and use of biomass energy in the Timis County

The use of renewable energy resources is gaining more and more ground, thanks to the continuous increase in the price of fossil energy and the decrease in stocks, and the management of waste from nuclear energy production, respectively. The implementation of an energy strategy to harness the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) is part of the coordinates of Romania’s medium – and long-term energy development and provides the appropriate framework for the making of decisions on energy alternatives and the inclusion in the Community acquis in the field. In this respect, a study on the biomass potential of Timiş County and on the possibilities of producing unconventional energy from biomass has been carried out. The study is based on research, data collection from the literature, as well as from official documents or official websites, the processing and interpretation of the data and their quantitative and qualitative analysis. It was concluded that biomass is a promising renewable energy source for Romania, both in terms of potential and in terms of usability.

Transport Cost Estimation Model of the Agroforestry Biomass in a Small-Scale Energy Chain

The delivery of biomass products from the production place to the point of final transformation is of fundamental importance within the constitution of energy chains based on biomass use as a renewable energy source. Transport can be one of the most economically expensive operations of the entire biomass energy production process, which limits choices in this sector, often inhibiting any expansive trends. A geographic identification, through remote sensing and photo-interpretation, of the different biomass sources was used to estimate the potential available biomass for energy in a small-scale supply chain. This study reports on the sustainability of transport costs calculated for different types of biomass sources available close a biomass power plant of a small-scale energy supply chain, located in central Italy. To calculate the transport cost referred to the identified areas we used the maximum travel time parameter. The proposed analysis allows us to highlight and visualize on the map the areas of the territory characterized by greater economic sustainability in terms of lower transport costs of residual agroforestry biomass from the collection point to the final point identified with the biomass power plant. The higher transport cost was around €40 Mg−1, compared to the lowest of €12 Mg−1.

Arundo donax L. Biomass Production in a Polluted Area: Effects of Two Harvest Timings on Heavy Metals Uptake

Within the framework of energy biomass production, Arundo donax L. is very promising for its capability to grow on marginal lands with high yields. This potential can be realized in unused polluted areas where the energy production can be coupled with phytoremediation, and harvested biomass represents a resource and a means to remove contaminants from the soil. Two main processes are considered to evaluate A. donax L. biomass as an energy crop, determined by the timing of harvest: anaerobic digestion with fresh biomass before winter and combustion (e.g., pyrolysis and gasification) of dry canes in late winter. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of A. donax L. in an area polluted by heavy metals for phytoextraction and energy production at two different harvest times (October and February). For that purpose, we established in polluted area in northern Italy (Caffaro area, Brescia) an experimental field of A. donax, and included switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and mixed meadow species as controls. The results obtained by ICP-MS analysis performed on harvested biomasses highlighted a differential uptake of heavy metals depending on harvest time. In particular, considering the yield in the third year, A. donax was able to remove from the soil 3.87 kg ha−1 of Zn, 2.09 kg ha−1 of Cu and 0.007 kg ha−1 of Cd when harvested in October. Production of A. donax L. for anaerobic digestion or combustion in polluted areas represents a potential solution for both energy production and phytoextraction of heavy metals, in particular Cu, Zn and Cd.

Obstacles in Developing Biomass from Social Forestry (HKm) Case of HKm in KPH West Rinjani

In the development of new and renewable energy (EBT), biomass is one alternative energy source that will be developed. Apart from the industrial plantation program (HTI), the development of energy forestry has the opportunity to be developed through forest farmer groups and other schemes, such cooperative. Energy forestry can be defined as a forest producing biomass for energy. At present, the forest land managed by the community in the form of HKm (community forest) has reached 244,434.67 ha in 2018, and will continue to increase in the following years. Energy forestry development on HKm land in West Lombok’s Forest Stakeholder Unit (KPH) is a supposition, which is an effort to extent the development of energy forestry. Interpretative Structural Model identifies problems in developing energy forestry in HKm land. Energy forestry on HKm land in West Lombok’s KPH can basically be developed by reducing obstacles encountered. These obstacles include the strict SKAU, lengthy to harvest, uneasy marketing, agricultural land competition, disrupted daily needs, and lack knowledge of conservation. The results of ISM processing show that the obstacles needed firstly to be addressed are strict SKAU and Lack knowledge of conservation, which are followed by agriculture land competition, subsequently disrupted daily needs, uneasy marketing, and lengthy to harvest. In order to conquer the initial obstacles, there is a need to facilitate issuing SKAU without reducing supervision for security. At the same time, it is important to transfer knowledge of conservation with a pilot project.

The influence of temperature and oxidizing atmosphere on the process of combusting pellets from agricultural and forest biomass in the stream of inert material

Wood pellets are a commonly used biomass for energy production. However, due to the growing demand, many entrepreneurs have begun to produce non-wood biomass pellets. During experimental research, the process of combusting pellets of forest and agricultural origin at different furnace temperatures and different oxidizing atmospheres in a two-phase flow with the use of inert material modelling conditions in the upper zone of the fluidized bed reactor was analyzed. Inert material caused very significant differences in the time and mechanism of forest and agro biomass combustion. These differences are mainly associated with problematic phenomena during combustion, including sintering of ashes. The inert material accelerated the mass loss of forest biomass pellets at all temperatures by about 50–60%. In the case of agro biomass, the combustion time at the temperatures of 650 °C and 750 °C was shortened by about 20–30%, and in the case of the temperature of 850 °C, it was extended by about 10%. Increasing the value of the inert material stream resulted in a reduction of the combustion time at all temperatures. Increasing the concentration of oxidant in the atmosphere of combustion caused the reduction of the combustion time of all tested fuels.

Energy from Biomass: Assessing Sustainability by Geoinformation Technology

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 7.2 requests a substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. Renewable energy production in all sectors has to be evaluated for its contribution to reach this target. Biomass for energy production has gained a bad reputation over the past years due to the “food versus fuel” debate or reported unsustainable practices. The BIOPLAT-EU project is employing geoinformation technologies combined with sustainability and economic expertise to more accurately evaluate the sustainability of bioenergy value chains. The project has three main parts: first, the generation of a pan-European map of marginal, underutilized, and contaminated (MUC) lands potentially usable for bioenergy production. This is realized by employing remote sensing time series, existing Copernicus, and other spatial data sets. Second, the generation of a web-based geographical information system (GIS) connecting the MUC lands with other important information sources necessary to assess sustainability. Thisrd, the sustainability assessment includes not only typical social and environmental sustainability indicators like soil, water, or greenhouse gas emissions, but also economic sustainability indicators like employment. Current financial barriers are addressed by integrating innovative financing solutions considering SDG target 12.A.

A DEA model towards efficiency estimation of biomass energy production of agro-energy districts

A DEA model towards efficiency estimation of biomass energy production of agro-energy districts

Does Energy Tax Subsidy Policy Promote the Development of the Biomass Energy Industry? A Case of Biomass Molding Fuel Industry in China

Global energy crisis and climate change have caused widespread concern about the development of the biomass energy industry. China has committed to exploring feasible policies to promote the development of the biomass energy industry. However, through the partial equilibrium simulation analysis of the impact of existing tax-subsidy policy and optimized tax-subsidy policy on the price, supply-demand, and corporate income of China's biomass molding fuel industry, we found that China's biomass molding-fuel industry is still confronted with the problems of unbalanced regional development, a huge gap between supply and demand and a low level of corporate income. Moreover, it is difficult to meet the 2020 development target at this stage. If China is to achieve the 2020 biomass molding fuel utilization goal set by the government, it needs to adjust the energy tax subsidy policy to a higher level, but such a high level of tax incentives and financial subsidies are not viable in the economic operation. Therefore, to support the sustainable development of the biomass molding fuel industry, relevant departments should not only set the mandatory total target but also pursue production quality and market construction. According to the actual production and consumption capacity of the domestic economy, China’s government should adjust the planning policies for biomass energy production in time.

A DEA model towards efficiency estimation of biomass energy production of agro-energy districts

A DEA model towards efficiency estimation of biomass energy production of agro-energy districts

Ideal Feedstock and Fermentation Process Improvements for the Production of Lignocellulolytic Enzymes

The usage of lignocellulosic biomass in energy production for biofuels and other value-added products can extensively decrease the carbon footprint of current and future energy sectors. However, the infrastructure in the processing of lignocellulosic biomass is not well-established as compared to the fossil fuel industry. One of the bottlenecks is the production of the lignocellulolytic enzymes. These enzymes are produced by different fungal and bacterial species for degradation of the lignocellulosic biomass into its reactive fibers, which can then be converted to biofuel. The selection of an ideal feedstock for the lignocellulolytic enzyme production is one of the most studied aspects of lignocellulolytic enzyme production. Similarly, the fermentation enhancement strategies for different fermentation variables and modes are also the focuses of researchers. The implementation of fermentation enhancement strategies such as optimization of culture parameters (pH, temperature, agitation, incubation time, etc.) and the media nutrient amendment can increase the lignocellulolytic enzyme production significantly. Therefore, this review paper summarized these strategies and feedstock characteristics required for hydrolytic enzyme production with a special focus on the characteristics of an ideal feedstock to be utilized for the production of such enzymes on industrial scales.

A general view of the biomass energy potential and its use in Turkey

Biomass energy is an important energy source in Turkey. In particular, it is the major source of energy in rural Turkey. Biomass energy is used to meet a variety of energy needs, including heating homes and workplaces, generating electricity, fuelling motor vehicles and heating processes for industrial production. Biomass energy sources include forest production, and animal and plant wastes. Because the output value is rather high in Turkey and about 27.6% of the total share of biomass production, fuel wood is an important source of biomass energy. The total biomass energy potential in Turkey is about 32.4 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent). The amount of usable biomass potential in Turkey is approximately 17.2 Mtoe. This study describes the situation and importance of biomass energy production, its use and potential in Turkey. The current status of biomass energy and requirements for biomass energy production, which play an important and vital role in human life, the environment and agriculture, have been examined.

Optimisation design of process control strategy for biomass cracking reaction

Cone pyrolysis liquefaction reactor is the key core device of biomass energy production equipment. The study of the dynamics of the cone is of great significance to the bioenergy conversion technology. Proper control of the movement time of the heat carrier in the cone can prevent it. Biomass superheated carbonisation can increase the ratio of gas and liquid formation. It is a difficult and key technology in the design of the cone pyrolysis liquefaction reactor. The kinetic differential equation of the relative motion of heat carrier particles can be obtained by kinetic analysis and calculation. It can play a key role in the in-depth study of the structural size design of the cone and the optimisation of the structural size parameters. This study conducts a dynamic simulation of the physical simplification model of biomass energy production equipment. The computer simulation software was used to simulate the running process of the simplified cone mechanism model. A reasonable physical prototype that meets the process parameters is designed. In view of the above complex dynamic phenomena, it is necessary to comprehensively analyse various methods of dynamics, and use appropriate numerical analysis and computer-aided design methods to carry out system equipment research and design.

Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of Alfalfa and Corn for Biogas Production in a Farm Case Study

In the last years the greenhouse effect has been significantly intensified due to human activities, generating large additional amounts of Greenhouse gases (GHG). The fossil fuels are the main causes of that. Consequently, the attention on the composition of the national fuel mix has significantly grown, and the renewables are becoming a more significant component. In this context, biomass is one of the most important sources of renewable energy with a great potential for the production of energy. The study has evaluated, through an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study, the attitude of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as “no food” biomass alternative to maize silage (corn), in the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion. Considering the same functional unit (1 m3 of biogas from anaerobic digestion) and the same time horizon, alfalfa environmental impact was found to be much comparable to that of corn because it has an impact of about 15% higher than corn considering the total score from different categories and an impact of 5% higher of corn considering only greenhouse gases. Therefore, the analysis shows a similar environmental load in the use of alfalfa biomass in energy production compared to maize. Corn in fact, despite a better yield per hectare and yield of biogas, requires a greater amount of energy inputs to produce 1m3 of biogas, while alfalfa, which requires less energy inputs in its life cycle, has a lower performance in terms of yield. The results show the possibility to alternate the two crops for energy production from an environmental perspective.

Gasification of municipal solid waste blends with biomass for energy production and resources recovery: Current status, hybrid technologies and innovative prospects

This paper critically reviews the current status of utilization of municipal solid waste and biomass blends for energy and resources recovery together with identifying the opportunities for future development in technological equipment and physicochemical waste compositions involved in such complex processes. Among numerous thermochemical conversion techniques, gasification of municipal solid waste with different biomass blends has unveiled as an auspicious technology to develop a sustainable waste management system that would substantially reduce pollution and maximize energy and materials recovery. Municipal solid wastes and biomass have different properties and elemental compositions and are abundantly available. These materials have the potential to produce various types of value-added products in terms of energy and chemicals through the gasification process. Recently, hybrid systems have been introduced with simple gasification technologies in terms of fuel oxidation system, plasma torch, or some biochemical conversion systems to enhance the process efficiency, energy, economics, quality, the yield of syngas, and to alter the composition of gaseous products. Consequently, gasification of biomass and waste would be the most suitable option to reduce toxic elements and harmful gases for the surroundings. For instant, ecological influence is not the real issue for limitation of biomass and waste gasification development, while a feasible economic return could appeal to investors and initiate its commercialization. Energy and resource recovery is assessed as an integrated approach to overcoming limitations. Also, techno-economic and environmental impact, life cycle assessment, and their implications are discussed in detail. Key bottlenecks that need urgent attention to facilitate global recognition of hybrid technology are highlighted.

Methane Production Potential of Azolla Under Different Ratios of C/N, Chemical and Thermal Pre-Treatment

Abstract Azolla algae currently represent a major threat to the environment and rice cultivation fields. Various studies have shown that one of the practical solutions is to turn this threat into an opportunity for biomass energy production. This research investigates the production potential of methane in Azolla. Test was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with Mini Tap software. Three different C/N ratios, 30, 34 and 38, two levels of thermal pre-treatment (raw and steamed Azolla) and two levels of chemical pre-treatment (NaOH 0% and 9%) were used and effects of each case on the methane production rate was studied. The highest amount of methane (247.7 ml·g−1 vs) was produced at C/N ratio of 30 with application of NaOH (9%) and no thermal pre-treatment (raw Azolla). ANOVA analysis showed that interactions of the effective variables were significant, but the trend was not incremental or decreasing; therefore, ANFIS and stepwise regression modelling were used. The results showed that the ANFIS model provides more accurate mapping between the empirical and predicted values than the regression model. Furthermore, among examined models (triangular; trapezoidal; Gaussian; bell-shaped models), the best model for methane production prediction was Gaussian linear membership function (R 2 = 0.997 and ε (%) = 0.32). According to the regression model, the thermal-chemical factor is the most efficient in prediction of the model (b = 35.6).

Quantifying the effects of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) on deep organic C stocks using natural abundance 14C in three marginal soils

AbstractPerennial bioenergy crops have been shown to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, potentially offsetting anthropogenic C emissions. The effects of perennial bioenergy crops on SOC are typically assessed at shallow depths (<30 cm), but the deep root systems of these crops may also have substantial effects on SOC stocks at greater depths. We hypothesized that deep (>30 cm) SOC stocks would be greater under bioenergy crops relative to stocks under shallow‐rooted conventional crop cover. To test this, we sampled soils to between 1‐ and 3‐m depth at three sites in Oklahoma with 10‐ to 20‐year‐old switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) stands, and collected paired samples from nearby fields cultivated with shallow rooted annual crops. We measured root biomass, total organic C, 14C, 13C, and other soil properties in three replicate soil cores in each field and used a mixing model to estimate the proportion of recently fixed C under switchgrass based on 14C. The subsoil C stock under switchgrass (defined over 500–1500 kg/m2 equivalent soil mass, approximately 30–100 cm depth) exceeded the subsoil stock in neighboring fields by 1.5 kg C/m2 at a sandy loam site, 0.6 kg C/m2 at a site with loam soils, and showed no significant difference at a third site with clay soils. Using the mixing model, we estimated that additional SOC introduced after switchgrass cultivation comprised 31% of the subsoil C stock at the sandy loam site, 22% at the loam site, and 0% at the clay site. These results suggest that switchgrass can contribute significantly to subsoil organic C—but also indicated that this effect varies across sites. Our analysis shows that agricultural strategies that emphasize deep‐rooted grass cultivars can increase soil C relative to conventional crops while expanding energy biomass production on marginal lands.

A sustainable agricultural landscape model for tropical drylands

Finding a balance between ecosystem conservation and the production of goods and services that societies need to prosper is fundamental to the long-term sustainable development of any region, but this balance varies within the region’s landscapes. We tested the hypothesis that landscapes with intermediate structure complexity (i.e., those that combine natural vegetation and human-transformed ecosystems) are the most efficient to produce food, water and energy for local populations in Caatinga, South America’s largest dryland. We used empirical data and computer simulations to simultaneously assess the trade-offs between the production of these three ecosystem services and the landscape structure. The results supported the hypothesis. Moreover, we found that increasing the percentage of natural lands in the landscape increased the production of biomass energy, water and food. However, water production stabilized when natural lands occupied more than 80 % of the landscape, and food production decreased when natural lands occupied more than 50 % of the landscape. Increasing the percentage of agricultural land in the landscape increased the production of all three ecosystem services, but biomass energy production and water production declined when agricultural lands reached 20 % and 35 % of the landscape, respectively. Finally, the production of all three ecosystem services declined when the percentage of degraded lands (i.e., lands that lost most of their natural productivity due to human-caused processes) in the landscape increased, but food production declined faster than the production of energy and water. To achieve groundwater, food, and long-term energy security, agricultural landscapes in tropical drylands require more conservation (including the restoration of degraded areas), more diversification of agriculture practices, and a better integration of individual initiatives at a larger spatial scale.