Biomass Utilization Technologies Research Articles

Quantitative measurement of sodium emissions during oxy-fuel combustion of a beech wood biomass particle using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Oxy-fuel biomass combustion in a circulating fluidized bed is a clean and sustainable biomass utilization technology. Woody forest biomass is considered a promising source of renewable energy because of its widespread availability across the globe. However, effective biomass utilization in thermal power plants is largely limited by severe ash deposition and corrosion of heat transfer surfaces due to alkali metal and chlorine emissions during biomass combustion. In this study, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to detect in-situ gas phase sodium (Na) emission during single particle combustion of widely available forest biomass, namely, beech wood. The operating conditions simulate the thermo-chemical conditions relevant to a fluidized bed combustor system, where the operating temperature varies between 1073K–1273K. This work aims to investigate the effect of O2 concentration, CO2 (oxyfuel environment), and particle size on the emission of sodium during the combustion of a single beech wood particle. The unresolved sodium doublet was used as the LIBS signal to quantify sodium emission concentration.Oxygen concentration is the most critical parameter affecting Na emissions, and an increase in O2 concentration led to higher Na emissions. It is observed that there is a significant reduction in the emission of Na in an O2/CO2 environment as compared to an O2/N2 environment. It is hypothesized that this drop in Na emissions in O2/CO2 environment could be due to lower particle temperatures caused by the lower diffusivity of O2 in CO2 as well as the endothermic gasification reaction in high CO2 environments. In addition, it is reported that the dissociation of sodium carboxylates and carbonates in the biomass matrix to release gaseous Na due to thermal decomposition is retarded at higher CO2 concentrations which could explain the drop in Na emissions. The effect of biomass particle size is pronounced mainly at lower concentration of O2 where, larger particles keep Na trapped in its matrix, however, at higher O2 concentrations (30%), the effect of particle size on Na emission is negligible.

Smart Energy Management Construction of Electric Power with Application of Bioelectricity Technology

Abstract The search for sustainable energy solutions has become urgent against the current energy crisis and increasing environmental pollution. Biomass energy conversion and utilization technology, a clean and renewable energy source, constantly evolves, particularly in biomass power generation technology. This technology can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Biomass conversion and utilization techniques include combustion, gasification, and biochemical methods that generate different energy forms, including heat, electricity, and fuel. Developing these technologies provides strong technical support for optimizing energy structures and protecting the environment. The article explores the application of biopower technology in intelligent energy management of electricity and improves its efficiency. The efficiency of biopower technology and its influencing factors were investigated using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model and Tobit regression analysis. A study was conducted on ten biopower energy companies. The energy management efficiency score of 1 was present in six of these companies, suggesting a relatively high operational efficiency level. Company C has a super-efficiency value of 2.654, indicating its outstanding energy management efficiency. Factors such as human resource input, total investment, and annual production costs significantly affect energy management efficiency. By optimizing resource allocation and improving management efficiency, biopower technology can be applied more effectively to intelligent energy management, thus promoting sustainable development.

Risk Minimization in Scale-Up of Biomass and Waste Carbon Upgrading Processes.

Improving the odds and pace of successful biomass and waste carbon utilization technology scale-up is crucial to decarbonizing key industries such as aviation and materials within timelines required to meet global climate goals. In this perspective, we review deficiencies commonly encountered during scale-up to show that many nascent technology developers place too much focus on simply demonstrating that technologies work in progressively larger units ("profit") without expending enough up-front research effort to identify and derisk roadblocks to commercialization (collecting "information") to inform the design of these units. We combine this conclusion with economic and timeline data collected from technology scale-up and piloting operations at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to motivate a more scientific, risk-minimized approach to biomass and waste carbon upgrading scale-up. Our proposed approach emphasizes maximizing information collection in the smallest, most agile, and least expensive experimental setups possible, emulating the mentality embraced by R&D across the petrochemical industry. Key points are supported by examples of successful and unsuccessful scale-up efforts undertaken at NREL and elsewhere. We close by showing that the U.S. national laboratory system is uniquely well equipped to serve as a hub to facilitate effective scale-up of promising biomass and waste carbon upgrading technologies.

CO rich syngas production from catalytic CO2 gasification-reforming of biomass components on Ni/CeO2

The advancement of biomass utilization technology is vital for addressing global climate change and the depletion of fossil resources. CO rich syngas production from the CO2 gasification-reforming of biomass components (cellulose, xylan, lignin, and starch) was investigated by a two-stage fixed bed reactor. The four biomass components were heated from room temperature to 600 °C in a CO2 atmosphere, among which lignin exhibited the highest residue fraction (51.6 wt.%) and the lowest gas yield (5.7 mmol gbiomass−1), whereas cellulose demonstrated the highest gas yield from CO2 gasification-reforming (14.6 mmol gbiomass−1). Nanorod CeO2 supported Ni catalysts were used to enhance volatile (tar) CO2 reforming reactions, and the gas yield increased by 104.3 % for cellulose, 103.3 % for xylan, 149.3 % for lignin, and 128.3 % for starch compared with noncatalytic CO2 gasification-reforming. Furthermore, the structure of fresh and used catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and thermogravimetry (TGA). For the CO2 gasification-reforming of cellulose, the optimum CO yield of 27.6 mmol gbiomass−1 was achieved at a gasification/reforming temperature of 600/700 °C and a biomass/catalyst ratio of 6.25 using 2 %Ni/CeO2 catalyst. The stability tests of catalysts showed an approximately linear decrease in CO yield with the increase of the number of cycles, and catalyst deactivation resulted from Ni sintering and coke deposition.

Tandem conversion xylose to 2-methylfuran with NiCu/C catalyst

Nowadays, 2-methylfuran is urgently needed especially in pharmaceutical manufacture. However, the direct synthesis of 2-methylfuran via the efficient dehydration and hydrogenation of xylose usually requires a multistep reaction. Herein, a route of tandem conversion xylose to 2-methylfuran was developed. The xylose was firstly converted into furfural by Hβ zeolite, followed by the catalysis of furfural to 2-methylfuran over 0.5NiCu/C. Compared with two-step reaction, cascade strategy applied xylose conversion improved the 2-methylfuran yield rate by 41.5%. In general, this work expanded the application of tandem method for the enhancement of xylose effective conversion and provided a new biomass utilization technology.

Biowaste Valorization to Produce Advance Carbon Material-Hydrochar for Potential Application of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) Adsorption in Wastewater: A Review

The dramatic increase in the use of biomass waste has caused a serious environmental pollution phenomenon. Biowaste valorization to produce advanced material-hydrochar is regarded as a promising carbon neutrality technology for biomass waste recycling and utilization. Hydrochar obtained by hydrothermal carbonization has attracted much attention due to its regular morphology, good physical and chemical stability, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface. This reviews the preparation of hydrochar and the basic methods of modified hydrochar and expounds on the related reaction mechanism of adsorption. The adsorption and recovery of heavy metals, Cr (VI) and Cd (II), in wastewater by hydrochar were focused on. The experimental conditions of hydrochar, such as synthesis temperature, synthesis time, modified condition, adsorption capacity, adsorption isotherm, and adsorption kinetics, were compared. The adsorption conditions of hydrochar for Cr (VI) and Cd (II) in wastewater, including the adsorption pH value, the adsorption time, the adsorption temperature, and so on, have been summarized. The review develops a better understanding of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) adsorption by hydrochar in wastewater, making an innovative perspective for the improvement and large-scale application of hydrochar as an advanced carbon material as well as biowaste utilization.

Biomass pyrolysis mechanism for carbon-based high-value products

The utilization of biomass, the only carbon-bearing renewable energy source, is critical for environmental and energy sustainability as well as carbon neutrality. Pyrolysis is the efficient conversion of biomass to fuel gas, liquid oil, and solid char. It is necessary to understand the mechanism of biomass pyrolysis for valuable and efficient utilization. In this review, recent progress with respect to biomass pyrolysis properties, the pyrolysis process, and product upgrading strategies focusing on carbon-based high-value liquid fuels and carbon-bearing materials are summarized. First, the correlations between the pyrolysis behavior and biomass structure and process conditions are considered. The mechanisms of the biomass pyrolysis of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin as well as the potential effect of inorganic matter on biomass pyrolysis are discussed. Furthermore, the regulation and controlling strategies for the biomass pyrolysis of high-value products are outlined. Finally, the challenges and prospects are discussed in order to provide a comprehensive picture of biomass pyrolysis development, which is significant for the understanding of biomass pyrolysis and the development of biomass utilization technology.

Modular Flow Reactors for Valorization of Kraft Lignin and Low-Voltage Hydrogen Production.

Recent studies have found that green hydrogen production and biomass utilization technologies can be combined to efficiently produce both hydrogen and value-added chemicals using biomass as an electron and proton source. However, the majority of them have been limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations based on batch systems. Here the authors report the design of modular flow systems for the continuous depolymerization and valorization of lignin and low-voltage hydrogen production. A redox-active phosphomolybdic acid is used as a catalyst to depolymerize lignin with the production of aromatic compounds and extraction of electrons for hydrogen production. Individual processes for lignin depolymerization, byproduct separation, and hydrogen production with catalyst reactivation are modularized and integrated to perform the entire process in the serial flow. Consequently, this work enabled a one-flow process from biomass conversion to hydrogen gas generation under a cyclic loop. In addition, the unique advantages of the fluidic system (i.e., effective mass and heat transfer) substantially improved the yield and efficiency, leading to hydrogen production at a higher current density (20.5mA cm-2 ) at a lower voltage (1.5V) without oxygen evolution. This sustainable eco-chemical platform envisages scalable co-production of valuable chemicals and green hydrogen for industrial purposes in an energy-saving and safe manner.

Temperature-Programmed Reduction of NiO/Al2O3 by Biochar In Situ Generated from Citric Acid

The reduction of metal oxides by biochar is an important reaction for many biomass utilization technologies. This work investigated the temperature–programmed reduction (TPR) of NiO/Al2O3 by in situ generated biochar from citric acid pyrolysis. Firstly, NiO/Al2O3 was loaded with citric acid by impregnation and then heated from ambient temperature to 900 °C in a N2 flow. The process was on–line analyzed by the TGA–FTIR technique. Secondly, a series of intermediates was obtained and characterized by XRD, CHNO elemental analysis, and temperature programmed oxidation (TPO). Lastly, a control experiment of unsupported NiO was conducted to show the influence of Al2O3 support on the NiO reduction. Results showed that the whole heating process could be resolved into two parts that is citric acid pyrolysis and NiO reduction at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. The NiO reduction occurred above 400 °C with the biochar from citric acid pyrolysis as reductant. In the temperature–programmed reduction process, the Al2O3–supported NiO exhibited three reduction phases in contrast with only one reduction phase for the unsupported NiO. A hypothesis was proposed to explain this. The presence of Al2O3 support may result in different deposition sites of biochar (on NiO or on Al2O3), and consequently different reduction mechanisms.

Technologies integration towards bio-fuels production: A state-of-the-art review

Biomass is concerned as a most promising alternative energy resource. There are a number of biomass utilization technologies, most of which can be classified to either biological technology or thermo-chemical technology. Both have their specific bottleneck problems. Individual technology is currently almost reaching the ceiling, and technologies integration is thus proposed to make up drawbacks of individual technology with synergy effect. Technologies integration towards bio-fuels production include integration of biological technologies (e.g. algae cultivation from anaerobic digestate, secondary digestion of anaerobic digestate, anaerobic digestion of aerobic digestate, etc.), integration of thermo-chemical technologies (e.g. hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oils, steam reforming of fast bio-oils, cascade pyrolysis, etc.), and integration of biological technologies with thermo-chemical technologies (e.g. gasification of anaerobic digestate, pyrolysis of anaerobic digestate, carbonization of anaerobic digestate etc.). a comprehensive review concerning the state-of-the-art conceptual designs of technologies integration as well as their performances is urgently needed. Accordingly, this paper critically reviews: (1) State-of-the-art conceptual designs of integrated bio-fuel production systems; (2) Overall evaluation of different integrated technologies; (3) Insightful discussion on the future perspectives in this field. Concerning carbon conversion as an overall indicator for the performance of different technologies, it was found that the average carbon conversions were 70.71%, 75.29%, and 70.44% for integration of biological technologies, integration of thermo-chemical technologies, and integration of biological technologies with thermo-chemical technologies, respectively. This review is hoped to be beneficial for promoting future development of integrated bio-fuels production technologies.

Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for Syngas Production: Current Status and Future Trends

The thermochemical conversion of different feedstocks is a technology capable of reducing the amount of biowaste materials produced. In addition, the gasification of feedstock using steam as a gasifying agent also produces hydrogen, which is a clean energy fuel. This article aimed to encapsulate the current status of biowaste gasification and to explain, in detail, the advantages and limitations of gasification technologies. In this review paper, different gasifying agents such as steam, air, and oxygen, as well as their effects on the quality of syngas production, are discussed. In addition, the effects of reactor configuration and different operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio, and incorporation of a catalyst, as well as their effects on the ratio of H2/CO, LHV, syngas yield, and tar production, were critically evaluated. Although gasification is a sustainable and ecologically sound biomass utilization technology, tar formation is the main problem in the biomass gasification process. Tar can condense in the reactor, and clog and contaminate equipment. It has been shown that an optimized gasifier and a high-activity catalyst can effectively reduce tar formation. However, key biowaste treatment technologies and concepts must first be improved and demonstrated at the market level to increase stakeholder confidence. Gasification can be the driving force of this integration, effectively replacing fossil fuels with produced gas. In addition, support policies are usually needed to make the integration of biomass gasification technology into the industry profitable with fully functional gasification plants. Therefore, to address such issues, this study focused on addressing these issues and an overview of gasification concepts.

Trends in Methane Fermentation Treatment System and Sludge Recycling Technology for Biomass Utilization

Recently, utilization of biomass (i.e. domestic waste, excess sludge, food processing waste, etc.) is getting an attention as a promising way to realize economical low-carbon society goal. This paper provides a summary of current trends in biomass utilization regarding methane fermentation and sludge recycling technology. Methane fermentation is the process involved the conversion of organic waste to methane gas, which is being used for electricity generation and as fuel. As a plentiful of excess sludge is generated from sewage and night soil treatment plants daily, the recycle technology for biomass utilization is developed. For example; excess sludge and night soil are efficiently dewatered by shaft sliding screw press (to achieve 70% or lower moisture content) and utilized as a combustion improver. In addition, phosphorus in the thickening filtrate generated from the dewatering system is recovered through phosphorus recovery system and utilized as an agricultural fertilizer.

Lifecycle Assessment of a Non-Phase-Transition Drying Pyrolysis and Mass Conversion Technology

A lifecycle model was established to explore the efficiency, economy, and greenhouse gas emissions of a non-phase-transition drying pyrolysis and mass conversion technology, based on the principle of lifecycle assessment. The evaluation scope included straw collection and transportation, drying and crushing, biomass pyrolysis, charcoal processing, and waste heat utilization. The results show that the energy output/input ratio for non-phase-transition drying pyrolysis was 20.43, and the energy efficiency was high. The pure profit from treating wet straw was USD 45.32 per ton, the profit margin of sales was 52.11%, and the economic benefit was high. The equivalent emission of CO2 was 34.10 g·MJ−1, demonstrating high environmental benefits. Therefore, non-phase-transition drying pyrolysis and mass conversion technology is a potential biomass utilization technology with energy, economic, and ecological benefits.

Simulation of Sudanese Sugar Cane Bagasse Gasification Process Using ASPEN PLUS

Bagasse has traditionally inefficiently burned in boilers for steam and electricity generation which still suffers from significant inefficiencies creating; therefore there is a need for alternative processes to be analyzed. Among the biomass utilization technologies, biomass gasification is an attractive solution for utilizing biomass effectively. In this study Aspen Plus simulation package V8 was used to develop a model for the gasification of Sudanese sugar cane bagasse in a fluidized bed reactor for syngas production. The developed model is based on Gibbs free energy minimization applying the non-stoichiometric equilibrium method for optimization of the gasifier performance. The objective is to study the effect of important operating parameters including gasification temperature, steam to biomass ratio (SBR) and air to biomass ratio (ABR), on syngas composition, low heating value (LHV) of syngas and cold gas efficiency (CGE). The optimal values of syngas composition, LHV and CGE were located at gasification temperature range from 750C to 950C, steam to biomass ratio around 0.5 to 0.8 and air to biomass ratio values equal to or below 0.4.

Mechanism of biochar-gas-tar-soot formation during pyrolysis of different biomass feedstocks: Effect of inherent metal species

The thermal behavior and evolution profiles of major volatile fragments from each biomass pyrolysis (i.e., rice husk, sawdust, cornstalk) have been discussed in depth, while paying close attention to the impact and contributions of inherent metal species on the raw material pyrolysis. It is found that high temperature would promote the conversion of tar to soot. The insertion of O atoms increases the size of microcrystalline structure of soot. The formation of soot mainly comes from the polymerization reaction between the cracked products of macromolecular precursors produced by devolatilization. And inherent metal species can inhibit the formation of soot. Before 500 °C, the pyrolysis of biomass has basically been completed. The inherent metal species would promote the biomass pyrolysis reaction, according to the kinetic results. The inherent metal species decrease the O atoms of tar component, increase its complexity and reduce the degree of polymerization. In homogeneous transformation, the inherent metal species would promote the cracking of tar precursors into gases, and inhibit the polymerization of aromatic compounds. In heterogeneous transformation, the inherent metal species could promote the production of small molecular gases. This research could lay the foundation for further analysis of the homogeneous/heterogeneous conversion of biomass pyrolysis and provide theoretical support for the process optimization of biomass utilization technology.

Step-by-step conversion of water hyacinth waste to carbon nanohorns by a combination of hydrothermal treatment, carbonization and arc in water processes

Water hyacinth is an invasive plant with excessive population which results in water pollution due to obstruction of oxygen transferring from air to water. This work firstly presents a step-by-step conversion of water hyacinth into carbon nanohorns through hydrothermal treatment, carbonization and arc in water. As the first step, the hydrothermal treatment at 220 °C could convert the dried water hyacinth with carbon content of 39% to hydro-char with carbon content of 57%. Graphitic rods were prepared by compression of the hydro-char which was carbonized at 900 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. With the arc in water step, carbon nanohorns with an average size of 39 nm could be produced as confirmed by TEM analyses. Therefore, the usage of water hyacinth waste as renewable source for producing high value-added carbon nanohorns via the step-by-step process would be another promising technology for biomass utilization.

The Future of Biomass Utilization Technologies Special Issue Editorial

The Future of Biomass Utilization Technologies Special Issue Editorial

Chemical looping deoxygenated gasification: An implication for efficient biomass utilization with high-quality syngas modulation and CO2 reduction

Chemical looping gasification is a promising technology for biomass utilization. However, the biomass-derived products contain tar and CO2, which seriously affects the syngas quality and hinders its development. A new approach, chemical looping deoxygenated gasification (CLDG), was proposed for high-quality, H2/CO-tunable syngas generation with CO2 utilization via redox looping of CaO + Fe ↔ Ca2Fe2O5. The CLDG process involves a deoxygenation reactor (DR) and a regeneration reactor (RR). Fe0 continuously reduces the oxygen-containing species to drive high-quality syngas production in the DR, and the oxidized oxygen carrier (Fe3+) can be reduced under CO in the RR. A thermodynamic simulation was conducted to verify the feasibility of CLDG using Aspen Plus. The effects of DR and RR temperatures, of the molar ratios of Fe/Obio, CO2/C, H2O/C, and (C + CO)/Fe on the syngas quality, H2/CO molar ratio, and the efficiency of gasification, chemical looping deoxygenation, and CO2 reduction were investigated intensively and optimized to guide the CLDG process. The results indicate that CLDG can significantly improve the quality of syngas with various H2-to-CO syngas modulations and CO2 reduction, obtaining a lower heating value (LHV) of 9.07 MJ/m3, a gasification efficiency of 96.31%, a CO2 reduction efficiency of 44.51%, an H utilization efficiency of 79.52%, and a chemical looping deoxygenation efficiency of 17.55%.

Understanding the Impact of Lignocellulosic Biomass Variability on the Size Reduction Process: A Review

The importance of size reduction to the commercial deployment of biomass utilization technologies cannot be overemphasized. Size reduction is necessary to create good flowing, easily digestible lig...

Hydrogen-rich syngas production with tar elimination via biomass chemical looping gasification (BCLG) using BaFe2O4/Al2O3 as oxygen carrier

Biomass chemical looping gasification (BCLG) is a promising technology for biomass utilization. The selection of appropriate oxygen carrier (OC) is one of the key issues in BCLG process. In this work, 30% Al2O3/BaFe2O4 (30ABF) synthesized via the direct decomposition method coupled with mixed calcination process was applied as OC in BCLG for hydrogen-rich syngas production. 30% Al2O3/Fe2O3 (30AF) was prepared by incipient wet impregnation method for comparison. Gasification experiments were conducted in a fixed bed reactor. The effects of OC-biomass mixing method, ratio of OC and biomass (O/B), temperature and steam feeding rate on the performance of BCLG were investigated. The results indicated that 30ABF exhibited a high reactivity with char but a low reactivity with syngas. The hydrogen-enriched syngas was obtained when O/B was 0.6 and steam volume fraction of 33.6% at 850 °C. The properties of the fresh and used OCs were characterized using different methods including XRD, SEM, BET and XPS. To deeply understand the reaction mechanism, adsorption of C atom over BaFe2O4 surface was analyzed by the method of density function theory (DFT). It was found that the energy barriers of CO* forming and dissociation were 0.252 eV and 0.165 eV, respectively. Thus the forming of CO* is the main rate determining step. The thermodynamic calculation results indicates that ΔG(T, p) of total system at 900 °C was −2.621 eV.