Different Kinds Of Feedstocks Research Articles

A Comprehensive Review on Biofuels from Oil Palm Empty Bunch (EFB): Current Status, Potential, Barriers and Way Forward

Biomass is an important renewable energy resource which primarily contributes to heating and cooling end use sectors. It is also a promising alternative source of biofuels to replace the depleting supply of fossil fuels. Surprisingly, few writers have been able to draw on the feedstock significance for oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as the biomass resource for biofuels compared to the other types of biomass waste. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive review of EFB as a biomass resource presented in four major parts. First, the introduction covers the demand for bio-oil and describes the different kinds of feedstock, the relevance and potential of EFB biomass. Second, the characteristics of biomass are explained before it is upgraded as biofuel, drawing similarities and contrasts between EFB and other sources of biomass. Pyrolysis processes and reactors used for EFB conversion are described, and the factors affecting the bio-oil yield and quality are discussed. Major reactor parameters are summarized and reactor optimization is discussed. Third, comparison on the properties of the bio-oil vs. petroleum in transportation, power generation, and heating are compared followed by prioritizing the bio-oil properties from the most to least critical, revealing the most promising methods for upgrading. Fourth, the environmental impact, including CO2 emission, of the use of EFB as a promising renewable energy resource and a cleaner alternative fuel is recommended. This paper has comprehensively reviewed the conversion of oil palm empty fruit bunches into biofuels, including the similarities and differences between biomasses, the best reactors, its comparison with fossil fuels, and bio-oil upgrading methods. The upgrading mapping matrix is created to present the best upgrading strategies for the optimum quality of biofuels. This paper serves as a one-stop center for EFB conversion into biofuels.

Catalyst design for maximizing C5+ yields during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process has great potential to accomplish energy security but also for utilizing greenhouse gases to address the energy problem. Different kinds of feedstocks like coal, biomass (via gasification), CO2, methane (via reforming), and nonconventional energy sources are used to obtain the syn-gas (CO and H2). The formation of hydrocarbons in the FT process follows ASF distribution over the majority of the catalysts. It can be overcome by the application of a suitable catalyst, controlling the active metal interaction with the support and interaction of formed hydrocarbon with the support. The ratio of syn-gas is important to maintain the desired conversion and to have more selectivity towards C5+ products. Increase in the H2: CO ratios in the feed increases C5+ products and methane decreases. Whereas with the decrease in the ratios increases undesirable reactions and methane formation. In this article, we have discussed the recent literature from the viewpoint of increasing the C5+ selectivity. Support has a profound influence on product distribution. With the application of suitable support and controlling the interaction of the active sites yields the good CO conversion with fewer lighters and higher C5+ hydrocarbons.

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the temperature profile of a modular extrusion head applied to an experimental 3D printer

This paper presents a thermal numerical model based on experimental evaluation of the temperature profile of an experimental 3D printer extrusion head. The experimental 3D printer offers the option of changing the deposition head subsystem, enabling the usage of different kinds of feedstock. The study developed in this work focused on a single screw extrusion head in which feedstock is supplied on powder form. The use of polymeric powder with fillers and additives supports the exploration and improvement of material engineering applications, including 4D printing. The first step was the development of an instrumentation system for the in loco monitoring of the temperature profile of the extrusion subset. Thermo-graphic images were generated in order to complement the experimental evaluation of the temperature profile. Simultaneously, a numerical thermal model of the extrusion head was elaborated using a commercial CAE program. The comparison between experimental and preliminary numerical results enabled the fitting of the thermal computational model. The main contribution of this work was to provide a computational thermal model, fitted by experimental procedure, capable of estimating the temperature profile of a modular single screw extrusion head applied to an experimental 3D printer. The iterative fitting between the experimental results and numerical analysis improved the assertiveness of the computational model from 54 to 85%.

Reduction of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by solvent extraction and the influence on their thermal decomposition

Consumption of electronics increases due to modern society’s growing needs, which leads to increasing generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Recycling of WEEE has been a global concern during the last few decades because of the toxic compounds that are produced during recycling. Different recycling techniques have been adapted on a commercial scale in order to overcome this issue, but the recycling of WEEE still lacks the technology to treat different kinds of feedstocks and to maximise the recycling rates. Pyrolysis is an alternative that has not been commercialised yet. One of the challenges for the implementation of this technology is the toxic brominated organic compounds that can be found in the pyrolysis oils.In this study, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), one of the major flame retardants, is reduced in three different WEEE fractions through solvent extraction as a treatment prior to pyrolysis. Two solvents have been experimentally investigated: isopropanol and toluene, the latter of which can be derived from pyrolysis oil. The results indicate that TBBPA was extracted during pre-treatment. Moreover, the total bromine content of WEEE material was reduced after the treatment with a maximum reduction of 36.5%. The pyrolysis experiments indicate that reduction of several brominated organic compounds was achieved in almost all the tested cases, and two brominated compounds (2,4,6-tribromophenol and 2,5-Dibromobenzo(b)thiophene) reached complete removal. Also, the thermal decomposition behaviour of the raw samples and the treated was investigated, showing that the reduction of TBBPA influences the decomposition by shifting the starting decomposition temperature.

Optimization of process parameters of biodiesel production from different kinds of feedstock

An experimental study has been carried out to produce biodiesel from different kinds of feedstock. Operating parameters have been optimized with respect to percentage yield of production and viscosity. The most common method for production of biodiesel is transesterification. Palm, karanja, mahua, linseed and castor oil are among the few of the non-edible oils. Along with this waste cooking oil can also be considered as non-edible oil as it is mostly thrown away. The process of transesterification depends on various factors like reaction temperature, stirring rate, molar ratio, amount of catalyst and reaction time. Depending upon the acid value, the number of steps of transesterification was determined. If free fatty acid is greater than 2.5% then two step transesterificaton is carried out. Karanja and mahua oil undergo two-step process because of high FFA content. The main objective of the study was to optimize the reaction parameters for production of biodiesel from different kinds of oil based on kinematic viscosity and percentage of yield obtained.

Application of Microwave Energy for Biodiesel Production using Waste Cooking Oil

An experimental study has been carried out to produce biodiesel from different kinds of feedstock. Operating parameters have been optimized with respect to percentage yield of production and viscosity. The most common method for production of biodiesel is transesterification. Palm, karanja, mahua, linseed and castor oil are among the few of the non-edible oils. Along with this waste cooking oil can also be considered as non-edible oil as it is mostly thrown away. The process of transesterification depends on various factors like reaction temperature, stirring rate, molar ratio, amount of catalyst and reaction time. Depending upon the acid value, the number of steps of transesterification was determined. If free fatty acid is greater than 2.5% then two step transesterificaton is carried out. Karanja and mahua oil undergo two-step process because of high FFA content. The main objective of the study was to optimize the reaction parameters for production of biodiesel from different kinds of oil based on kinematic viscosity and percentage of yield obtained.

Experimental investigations in a demonstration plant for fluidized bed gasification of multiple feedstock’s in 0.5 MWth scale

The High-Temperature Winkler process (HTWTM), which has been developed by the companies Rheinbraun and Uhde in the mid-70s of the 20th century, is an evolution of the Winkler-fluidized bed gasification process. The gasifier is divided into two zones, the bubbling fluidized bed operated at temperatures well below the ash softening point, and the freeboard operated at higher temperatures in order to decompose tars contained in the produced gas. The obtained gas may be used either in a gas turbine for power generation or for the production of fuels or chemical products. At the Institute for Energy Systems and Technology (EST) of TU Darmstadt, a semi-industrial pilot plant with thermal capacity of 0.5MWth has been erected to test the HTWTM gasification technology for different kinds of feedstock. A fluidized bed reactor with an inner diameter of 0.4m is used as gasifier. Gasification of the feedstock’s is carried out under atmospheric pressure. The cold and the hot commissioning of the plant have successfully been conducted. This paper presents first results and experiences gained within the commissioning of the pilot plant using pre-dried lignite as feedstock.

ANDRONOVO CERAMICS OF BOLSHOY LOG-I SETTLEMENT AT IN THE SOUTH OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The paper analyzes ceramics from Bolshoy Log-I settlement, located in the south of Western Siberia. The data of technical and technological analysis are presented. The research revealed the use of different material sources and different kinds of feedstock: silty and natural ferruginated clays. The recipes for molding masses were identified. The most common recipe was «feedstock + chamotte + organics» and «feedstock + chamotte + organic solution».During the study of vessels morphology, two forms were revealed – jars and pots. Vessels were ornamented mainly by stamping or dragging. The most common frieze types are vertical herringbone, flutes and grooves. Meander and triangle patterns are less common, which distinguishes these vessels from funeral vessels. Ornamentation and technology of Bolshoy Log-I ceramics are similar to the ceramics from Kargat-6 settlement near Barabynsk, which leads to the suggestion about Adronovo population migration from Tobolsk region, and their leaving the Kargat-6 and Bolshoy Log-I sites.

Glucanocellulosic ethanol: the undiscovered biofuel potential in energy crops and marine biomass.

Converting biomass to biofuels is a key strategy in substituting fossil fuels to mitigate climate change. Conventional strategies to convert lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol address the fermentation of cellulose-derived glucose. Here we used super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to uncover the nanoscale structure of cell walls in the energy crops maize and Miscanthus where the typical polymer cellulose forms an unconventional layered architecture with the atypical (1, 3)-β-glucan polymer callose. This raised the question about an unused potential of (1, 3)-β-glucan in the fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass. Engineering biomass conversion for optimized (1, 3)-β-glucan utilization, we increased the ethanol yield from both energy crops. The generation of transgenic Miscanthus lines with an elevated (1, 3)-β-glucan content further increased ethanol yield providing a new strategy in energy crop breeding. Applying the (1, 3)-β-glucan-optimized conversion method on marine biomass from brown macroalgae with a naturally high (1, 3)-β-glucan content, we not only substantially increased ethanol yield but also demonstrated an effective co-fermentation of plant and marine biomass. This opens new perspectives in combining different kinds of feedstock for sustainable and efficient biofuel production, especially in coastal regions.

Composition, Utilization and Economic Assessment of Torrefaction Condensates

The aim of this study was to determine the yields and chemical compositions of condensates formed at torrefaction conditions with different kinds of feedstocks and to assess their utilization from an economic perspective. Test runs for spruce and bamboo were carried out with a slow pyrolysis test rig, and the liquids collected at 20–105, 105–240, and 240–300 °C temperature ranges were analyzed for chemical characteristics and compositions. The results were compared with those obtained earlier for a birch condensate. The mass yields and compositions of condensates differed between the feedstocks and the temperature ranges. The amount of organic compounds in the total condensates was 12–19 wt %. The main compounds were acetic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, methanol, furfural, and 2-hydroxyacetaldehyde. Total condensates formed at ≤280 °C are promising to be utilized for different purposes, for example as a biopesticide. Higher temperatures are critical, because at 290 °C, strong exothermic reactions occur, which decreases considerably the yield of torrefied material and produces tar containing condensates. It is possible to produce, in addition to biocoal, valuable liquids. Economic assessments were performed for three torrefaction cases without and with the recovery of condensates. The production costs of torrefied pellets can be lowered significantly, for example on the order of 5–10 € MWh–1 in medium scale pellet production, by recovering and selling the condensates to new applications.