Flax Straw Research Articles

Production and characterization of pulp and paper from flax straw

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a bast fiber plant known for its long fibers, making it an excellent source of pulp for paper production. In Ethiopia, flax is primarily cultivated for oil, with the residual straw utilized for papermaking. This study focuses on pulping flax straw using the Kraft process and investigates its chemical composition, proximate analysis, and morphological properties. The proximate analysis revealed an ash content of 4.13% and moisture content of 11%. Chemical composition analysis showed cellulose at 51.34%, hemicellulose at 25.20%, lignin at 14.12%, ash at 4.13%, and extractives at 5.21%. The morphological properties included a fiber length of 1.41 mm, diameter of 16.78 μm, lumen width of 9.45 μm, and cell wall thickness of 3.77 μm. Flax straw exhibited an acceptable Runkel ratio (0.8) and flexibility coefficient (56.32), placing it within the range of non-wood fibers. SEM analysis of the pulp’s morphology was conducted to assess fiber structure, including the presence of cracks. Pulp quality and length are directly linked to paper strength. Various pulping conditions were studied using a full-factorial design, with optimum conditions being 10% alkaline, 131.74°C, and 120 min of cooking time, yielding a pulp with a Kappa number of 10.45 and a yield of 40.56%. The resulting paper demonstrated standard tensile, tearing, and burst strengths, indicating that flax straw is a promising raw material for paper production.

Combustion behavior of solid waste fuels in the vertical tube reactor under different oxy-fuel environments

Oxy-fuel combustion technology has been recognized as one of the promising ways for cost-effective CO2 capture. The co-combustion characteristics of flax straw biomass/bituminous coal mixture (FS/BC) and flax straw biomass/sewage sludge mixture (FS/SS) under air, oxy-fuel (21%/79% O2/CO2) and oxygen-enriched oxy-fuel (30%/70% and 40%/60% O2/CO2) conditions were investigated in the vertical tube reactor. In particular, the study focused on the burning characteristics, the effect of blending ratio, and flue gas emissions. The findings indicated that flax straw biomass exhibited superior ignition performance compared to its blends with sewage sludge and bituminous coal. A higher O2 concentration from 21% to 40 led to a reduction in ignition delay time by 4s at 850 ℃ and by up to 10s at 950 ℃. Moreover, char combustion time was reduced by 50% for FS/SS blends due to the lower fixed carbon content compared to FS/BC blends. Additionally, increasing the O2 concentration resulted in lower emissions of CO by ∽40% and N2O by ∽45% for both blends. However, this also led to a slight increase in SO2 and NO emissions by ∽15% and ∽26%, respectively. The optimal conditions for the tested samples in oxy-fuel environment were found to be 30% O2/70 CO2, which enhanced combustion performance while lowering flue gas emissions.

Utilizing Flax Straw for Sustainable Paper Production: Delignification Methods, Structural Analysis, and Fiber Size Distribution Effects

This research explores the potential of agricultural waste, specifically flax straw, as a sustainable raw material for eco-friendly packaging materials. This study investigates a three-stage delignification process involving nitric acid, alkaline treatment, and organosolvent solutions. This method effectively removes lignin from the straw, resulting in high-quality technical pulp with 67.7% α-cellulose and a significantly reduced ash content (8.5%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize the treated flax straw. XRD analysis revealed changes in the cellulose structure, while TGA indicated enhanced thermal stability compared to untreated straw. Microscopic analysis of the pulp fibers shows a parallel and aligned arrangement, suggesting a high fiber content and a strong paper lattice. The particle size distribution of the ground pulp, influenced by fiber size, has implications for the packing density and mechanical properties of the final product. This study demonstrates the potential of agricultural waste as a sustainable source for packaging materials, contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction.

Investigations of thermal effects during pyrolysis of agro-forestry biomass and physicochemical characterizations of biofuel products

The development of biofuels from waste residues is critical due to higher emissions of greenhouse gases from petroleum and coal and rising energy demand. Converting agricultural and forestry biomass into biofuel products efficiently is a practical approach for simultaneously addressing renewable energy security and waste management challenges. This study examines the physicochemical characteristics of several agro-forestry residues such as camelina meal, mustard meal, flax straw, hemp straw and spruce wood to assess their suitability as feedstocks for pyrolysis to generate biochar, bio-oil and gases. An analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of temperature (300–525 °C), heating rate (5–35 °C/min) and reaction time (30–75 min) to assess their impact on conversion efficiency and product distribution during pyrolysis. The optimal temperature, heating rate and reaction time for pyrolysis of camelina meal as a model biomass were determined to be 450 °C, 5 °C/min and 30 min, respectively. Physicochemical characteristics of biochar and bio-oil were analyzed to determine the impact of controlled thermal breakdown through slow pyrolysis. As the temperature increased, the calorific value, carbon content and thermal stability of biochar increased due to the removal of volatile matter and the development of aromatic carbon and phenolic features.

Substantiation of the Efficiency of Processing Flax Straw of Different Quality in the Modernized Machine MTOF-1M

The proposals are presented for upgrading the singleprocess scutching-and-breaking machine MTOF-1L to MTOF-1M. It has been analyzed how the characteristics of scutched, short and single-type flax are influenced by the processing time and the rotation frequency of scutching drums of the MTOF-1M in the line for agricultural enterprises, rational modes of the operation of the machine are determined. The line for primary processing of flax straw of various properties for small enterprises is substantiated.

Optimizing production conditions of innovative bio-pellets developed from flax straw

The increasing global demand for sustainable energy has prompted the utilization of agricultural residues as viable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. This study specifically focuses on the utilization of flax straw, a substantial by-product in Canadian agriculture, to produce innovative biofuels through the process of pelletization. To enhance the quality of the pellets, lignin extracted from flax straw was introduced as a novel and natural pellet binder. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to analyze effect of various parameters, including flax straw particle size, binder (lignin) content, moisture levels, and pelletization conditions on quality of produced pellets. It was observed that at a compressive force of 4000 N and a die temperature of 95 °C, pellets made from larger flax straw particles (300–355 µm) exhibited a density of 1016 kg/m³ and a mechanical durability of 26.4 %. Subsequently, by reducing the particle size to 75–106 µm, a marked enhancement in both density (1072 kg/m³) and durability (86.1 %, a 2.3-fold increase) was achieved. The incorporation of 10 % lignin into medium-sized flax straw particles (150–212 µm) increased pellet durability by 18.6 % from 73.5 % to 87.2 %. Introducing an optimal moisture content of 14 % to the flax straw resulted in a notable increase in both density (from 1036 to 1154 kg/m³) and durability (from 73.5 % to 90.6 %, a 23.3 % increase). Compressive force and die temperature positively affected pellet quality. Elevating the temperature from 75 to 115 °C in pellets made from 150 to 212 µm flax straw, modified with 10 % lignin and 14 % moisture content, led to a significant improvement in both density (1179 kg/m³) and durability (96.6 %, a 11.9 % increase). Physiochemical characteristics of flax straw, lignin, and the resulting pellets were explored using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. These comprehensive investigations offer valuable insights for optimizing pellet materials and pelletization conditions and promoting the sustainable utilization of agricultural residues for bioenergy production.

Process simulation of flax straw pyrolysis with kinetic reaction Model: Experimental validation and exergy analysis

Pyrolysis, a viable method for converting organic material into value-added products, has significant potential to reduce environmental footprints. In this study, slow and fast pyrolysis of flax straw biomass was modeled in an Aspen Plus. This was followed by validation of the product yields (biochar, bio-oil, and gas) with our earlier experimental data with slow pyrolysis. The Aspen Plus model incorporated a kinetic reaction model based on the three main components of lignocellulosic biomass: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The kinetic reaction model includes 21 reactions representing the volatilization, degradation, and decomposition processes inherent in biomass pyrolysis. The Aspen Plus confirmed the consistency of the findings by validating the biogas yield (which ranged from 21.4 wt% to 38.6 wt%), biochar (29.5 wt% to 42.8 wt%), and bio-oil (35.8 wt% to 40.3 wt%). The robustness of the model was verified by experimental data using controlled pyrolysis tests of flax straw feedstock at different temperatures, showing strong agreement. The kinetic reaction model is adaptable for predicting pyrolysis yields for various lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks under typical pyrolysis conditions. Furthermore, energy and exergy analyses were briefly assessed using the product yields, pyrolysis temperature, and heating values of the products at slow and fast pyrolysis conditions. The conventional exergy analysis showed an exergy efficiency of 87–95 % with varying temperatures from 400 to 600 °C for slow pyrolysis, with the highest efficiency obtained at 500 °C. Fast pyrolysis has resulted in a higher exergy efficiency than slow pyrolysis, ranging from 89 % to 98 %.

ПРИДАТНІСТЬ СОЛОМИ ЛЬОНУ ОЛІЙНОГО ДЛЯ ПЕРЕРОБКИ НА ВОЛОКНО

Flax belongs to the few industrial crops, from which two types of products can be obtained simultaneously - seeds and fiber. Industrial processing of straw aimed at obtaining fiber can solve issues related to providing enterprises with domestic natural raw materials. The wide range of use of fibers from linseed stalks has contributed to a number of studies on the processing of linseed stalks. However, linseed oil straw has some disadvantages that limit its use and the development of new technologies for the primary processing of flax fiber. In order to obtain more profit from flax straw, producers need to know the quality of the straw, so the factors that affect its suitability for processing and processing methods that will increase the value for processors and producers need to be researched. The factors that affect the suitability of flax straw for processing are established: trash, weeds, plant height, fiber content, straw length and orientation, and transportation cost. It has been proven that it is necessary to choose varieties of linseed with a high fiber content and to focus on varieties with high stems and during mowing to use methods that will increase the height of flax straw in order to avoid the loss of the harvest of the technical part of the stem; increase sowing rates to increase fiber yield; control the density of crops and the height of the plant to manage the ratio of seeds and straw in accordance with production tasks; check crops for clogging and the presence of weeds. It is advisable to use devices to quickly obtain data on the fiber content in order to determine the suitability of straw for processing, so it is promising to conduct further research in this direction.

Green Development of Natural Fibre-Based Paper Mulch from Recyclable Cow Dung and Flax Straw Waste

Livestock dung, discarded crop straws, and residual plastic film are the primary agricultural non-point sources of pollution. For livestock dung and discarded crop straw, the general treatment focuses on compost, animal fodder, industrial raw material, and new energy. The development of degradable mulch film is the main way to solve pollution from residual plastic film. However, an effective way to solve the above three types of pollution simultaneously and use them for ecological circular agriculture has been less studied. In this study, using cow dung and flax straw wastes as raw materials, we prepared natural, fibre-based paper mulch using the rapid-Kothen method and analysed the film-forming mechanism. Based on the Van Soest method, the cow dung and flax straw waste contain abundant cellulose fibres: 36.75% and 54.69%, respectively. The tensile strength and tear strength of fibre paper mulch are 1.87 kN/m and 19.91 N/mm, respectively. To enhance the adaptability of the fibre paper mulch in humid environments, the surface of the mulch was treated with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). The AKD-coated fibre paper mulch displays hydrophobic properties, indicated by a contact angle of 128° ± 2°. It has a wet tensile strength of 0.64 kN/m and a wet tear strength of 8.23 N/mm. Additionally, it exhibits a dry tensile strength and a tear strength of 2.13 kN/m and 16.43 N/mm, respectively. Notably, the dry tensile strength is increased by 16.31%. In this way, the livestock dung and discarded crop straw can be reused, reducing dung pollution and straw burning in livestock farms, and the final products can alleviate the residual film pollution simultaneously.

Characteristics of the New Fiber Flax Variety HERA in Terms of Fiber Quality Parameters Regard to Agronomic Assessment and Seeds Quality

ABSTRACT The work deals characteristics of new flax Hera variety in terms of fiber quality with regard to agronomic assessment and seeds quality. The results of the analyzes were related to the reference varieties Nike, Sara and Modran grown in Poland in 2022 season. The study included evaluation of agrotechnical experiment, flax straw and fiber evaluation taking into account the morphology and surface as well cross section of flax fiber. Moreover, seeds quality assessment were conducted. Hera variety was characterized by the highest total (6.27 t/ha, 0.627 kg/m2) and straw yield (5.16 t/ha, 0.516 kg/m2). Straw of Hera variety was characterized by the best average total (78.5 cm) as well as average technical (66.5 cm) length and average diameter (1.43 mm). In addition, it has fiber to raw straw content (16.42%) at a level comparable to the reference varieties. The metrological analysis of the fiber showed that the Hera variety fiber can be a good raw material for production of yarns.

Influence of the Processes of Fluffing the Flax Stem Strips on the Structural Parameters of the Layer

Introduction. The efficiency of separating long flax fiber from the flax straw largely depends on the structural parameters of the layer of flax stems. Modern fluffers for flax strips create random distortions and intersection of the layer of flax stems under the pick-up drum. These disadvantages of existing machines are minimized in an experimental fluffer, in which a layer of flax stems moves over the pick-up drum with a kinematic mode indicator equal to one. Aim of the Article. The study is aimed at finding means and methods for preserving the structural parameters of the layer of flax stems when fluffing flax straw strips. Materials and Methods. Experimental studies were carried out according to existing and newly developed methods, and the analysis of flax fiber was carried out according to the current GOST standards. The experiments were carried out on the flax strips formed by the LC-4A flax harvester. After grass sprouted through the strips of flax stems, they were fluffed with the serial machine VL-3 and an experimental fluffer. For each variant, the necessary measurements of the main structural parameters of the stem strip and collection of samples for analysis were made before the unit passed and after fluffering the flax stem strip. The results of measurements and processing of samples were processed using the methods of mathematical statistics. Results. It was found that macro-bends of the original and processed flax strips were in all the experiments. At the same time, the range of changes in the curvature of the flax strip outside the cutoff frequencies expanded 2.3 times under the influence of the working tools of the serial tedder VL-3. The randomness of these pulsations was caused by an increase in the distortion and elongation of the flax stems in the strip by 6.0° and 6.9%, respectively. At the same time, the experimental fluffer produced the smallest changes in the structural parameters of the flax stem layer. The technological evaluation of the flax straw confirmed the advantages of the experimental fluffer in comparison with the serial VL-3, which has an average production of long fiber higher by 0.65% and 0.5 units of number. Discussion and Conclusion. The analysis of the obtained results indicates the practicability of fluffing flax strips by picking up and moving the stems from above the pick-up drum with its kinematic mode index equal to one.

Justification of the parameters of pulling sections of units with transverse channels

BACKGROUND: In modern harvesting technologies, the main technological operation is mechanized crops pulling. The flax-pulling machine with transverse band-disc channels is the most promising. However, the basic design parameters of pulling sections are not justified sufficiently, the peculiarities of their layout are not considered, the processes of moving plants through sections and pulling short-stemmed flax are not sufficiently studied, which reduces the effectiveness of its use.
 AIMS: Theoretical and experimental justification of the parameters and operation modes of pulling sections of the device with transverse band-disc channels.
 METHODS: Experimental studies to justify the parameters and operation modes of experimental pulling machines were carried out according to known and developed methods, and the assessment of flax products was carried out according to current GOST standards. The influence of the velocity of the unit and the width of the grip of pulling sections on the indicators of the agrotechnical and technological assessment of the operation of pulling device was determined.
 RESULTS: Dependences for determining the design parameters of a pulling section and the minimum height of plant stand suitable for mechanized harvesting were obtained, the conditions for finishing and moving plants in the zone of fixed guides were established. The structures of the experimental pulling machines were used to assess the unit velocity, the effect of the width of a pulling section and the elimination of the separation of technological currents of plants during processing on improving agrotechnical performance and increasing the yield and number of long fiber. The frame elements of the TLN-1.9P unit, are placed above the pull pulleys, and the operating width of a section is 0.38 m. In the TLN-1.9M and the TLN-1.9K units, they are located behind the pull pulleys, with the operating width of a section of 0.35 and 0.31 m respectively. As a result, the flax straw had higher quality indicators: 1.5 numbers for the TLN-1.9M and the TLN-1.9K and 1.25 numbers for the TLN-1.9P; the average yield of long fiber of these units was 13.41, 13.1 and 12.59% respectively.
 CONCLUSIONS: When assembling pulling machines with transverse band-disc channels, the elements of the frame structure should be positioned behind pulling drums, technical solutions should be used to ensure the kinematic operation mode equal to one, with the operating width of a section of 0.31 m for harvesting seed breeding and 0.35 m for harvesting commercial crops.

Effectiveness of Foliar Top Dressing of Flax with the Drug Controlit-Si on Different Backgrounds of Mineral Nutrition in the Conditions of the Central Non-Chernozem

The responsiveness of flax to mineral fertilizers and foliar top dressing with an aqueous solution of the drug Controlfit-Si on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil was studied. It is shown that the reaction of flax to mineral fertilizers depended on the hydrothermal environmental conditions, doses and the ratio of nutrients. Excessive humidity and arid conditions negatively affected the productivity of crops. Foliar top dressing of plants with the drug Controlfit-Si leveled the negative impact of adverse weather conditions, increased the responsiveness of plants to mineral fertilizers, contributed to a more complete use of nutrients from fertilizers. On average, for 3 years on the backgrounds of full mineral fertilizer, top dressing increased the yield of flax straw by 25–30% with the best effect against the background of N48P48K48 (4.03 t/ha). Top dressing did not have a positive effect on the yield of flax seeds. It took 13.8 kg N, 5.9 kg P2O5 and 10.7 kg K2O to form 1 ton of flax crop with the appropriate amount of seeds, regardless of plant nutrition conditions.

Optimization of the Green Fibre Paper Film Preparation Process Based on Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology

To improve the utilization rate of flax straw and the clean treatment of livestock manure, an experimental study was conducted on the process and performance of making fibre paper films by mixing cow dung and flax straw fibre. Cow dung and flax straw were used as the main raw materials, and functional additives were not added. The whole technological process of the pretreatment, the beating process, the determination of the beating degree, the basis weight of the paper, papermaking, drying, sample cutting, and the determination and analysis of the related mechanical properties of the film-making materials were studied. In this study, the Box–Behnken experimental design principle in the response surface methodology was adopted, and the effect of each factor on the tensile strength and tear strength of fibre paper film made of mixed fibres was determined using the combined experimental design comprising four factors and three levels centres. The results showed that the optimum technological parameters were as follows: the beating degree of the cow dung fibre was 37 °SR, the beating degree of the flax straw fibre was 85 °SR, the paper basis weight was 80 g/m2, and the addition of flax straw fibre was 65%. At a drying temperature of 80 °C and a drying time of 8 min, under the conditions of the hybrid fibre paper film placed in the laboratory environment (humidity of 30%~40%, temperature of 18 °C) for 24 h, the measured tensile strength was about 8.26 MPa, and the tear strength was about 19.91 N/mm. This study provides a reference that can be used for the further study of fibre paper film.

Use of the Conductometric Method for Measuring the Moisture Content of Flax Sraw

The results and particularities of using the conductometric method for measuring the moisture content of the retted flax straw in rolls are presented. The optimal form of the primary detector for the moisture meter of flax rolls has been selected. The structure and operating principle of the developed device is shown.

Comparison of different mulching options for improving water productivity and maize yield in a semi-arid climate, Northern Ethiopia, Tigray

This study compared the effectiveness of organic and inorganic mulching options for improving soil moisture content (SMC), water productivity (WP), and maize yield. The objectives of the study were to (a) investigate the effects of organic and inorganic mulches on SMC and water productivity, (b) quantify maize yield improvements due to the application of organic and inorganic mulches. The experiment was set up with a randomized complete block design with four treatments, namely black plastic mulch (BPM), white plastic mulch (WPM), flax straw mulch (FSM), and a control. The result indicated that WPM, BPM, and FSM increased maize yield by 66.1, 47.0, and 1.9% compared to the control. The net returns with the application of WPM, BPM and FSM were 1459.0, 1119.6, and 847.1 USD/hectare, respectively. Similarly, WPM, BPM, and FSM increased WP by 184.5, 127.6, and 39.4%, respectively. SMC was also increased by 16, 10.8, and 3.5% by WPM, BPM, and FSM, respectively. Inorganic mulches had a significant effect on WP and maize yield. On the other hand, FSM did not have any significant effect on WP and maize yield. The findings of this study indicated that inorganic mulches are useful for improving WP and maize yield. It is therefore necessary to apply inorganic mulches to improve WP and maximize maize yield in areas with a semi-arid climate such as northern Ethiopia.

Studying the composition of linen flax variety on the signs determining the choice of an effective flax straw processing technology

The results of determining the technological quality of flax straw during processing using traditional technology are presented: yield and number of long and short fibres, total fibre yield, and complex indicators – per centimetres of flax long-stem varieties of various selections. On average, a comparative analysis of the actual values of these characteristics with the standardised values in the norms for fibre yield and quality from retted flax straw was carried out without considering the distinctive features of the varieties. It was established that compliance with the criteria per centimetres of long fibres, as the main product obtained from flax straw of different quality, ranges from 69.6% to 94.0%, and for per centimetres of short threads from 102.1% to 118.7%. As a result of studying the composition of varieties based on these characteristics to justify the choice of the most rational raw material utilisation option during processing, types with maximum and minimum values per centimetres of long fibres were identified, which are the primary criterion for the efficiency of flax processing enterprises. Based on the results of differentiated analysis by varieties with different qualities of flax straw, it is recommended to use the processing technology for both long and short fibres for such varieties as Diplomat, Alexim, Grant, Veralin, Suzanne (flax straw number 1.00), Sursky, Tost, Tverskoy, Grant, Lyra, Leader (flax straw number 1.50), Sursky, Leader, Electra, Lyra, Tverskoy, Lenok (flax straw number 2.00). For these varieties, the maximum values per centimetre of long fibres range from 98.0% to 187.9. Flax straw of sorts with the minimum value of this complex indicator is advisable to process into uniform or short wool. These include the following flax long-stem varieties: Tomsky 18, Universal, Fakel, Electra (low-quality flax straw), Tomsky 16, A-29, Praleska (medium-quality flax straw), Dashkovsky, Vasilik, Tost (high-quality flax straw). It is concluded that it is necessary to consider the distinctive features of varieties simultaneously with the quality of flax straw, which will significantly expand the possibilities for ensuring the profitable operation of enterprises.

Complex Study of the Composite Building Material Based on Flax Straw Organic Waste: Hygrothermal and Physicochemical Properties

The focus of this study is on the hygrothermal and mechanical properties of the elaborated insulating composite based on flax straw. Flax straw is considered as an agricultural waste of organic origin, which has a high sorption capacity and a low thermal conductivity potential due to its natural porosity. Investigations on sorption moisture, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties under laboratory conditions have allowed us to develop a perspective building material suitable for use in ‘green’ construction, especially in rural areas, due to the relative accessibility of the base component. Liquid glass is proposed as a binder. The optimal composition of the filler and binder, sorption moisture, thermal conductivity and surface mapping of the proposed material were investigated. The thermal conductivity reached a minimum value of 0.0728 W m−1 K−1 at relative humidity of 50% during desorption, which is highly competitive to the values for conventional insulation materials on an organic basis. The binder was visually distributed evenly over the surface according to the SEM analysis. Corresponding to the spectral analysis by chemical elements, Na and SiO2 in total showed 17.69% quantity volume on the composite surface of 2–5 μm in depth.Graphical

Pyrolysis and Combustion Behavior of Flax Straw as Biomass: Evaluation of Kinetic, Thermodynamic Parameters, and Qualitative Analysis of Degradation Products

This study describes an investigation of the pyrolysis and combustion of flax straw as biofuel, focusing on the physicochemical properties and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, and evaluates the type of degradation products using the thermogravimetry analysis–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) technique. Pyrolysis and combustion processes were studied via thermogravimetric analysis at different heating rates of 5-10-15 and 20 °C min, one using three isoconversional methods and one using a model-fitting method. The activation energies, frequency factors, and thermodynamic parameters of flax straw biomass were investigated using different models. The obtained activation energy values for pyrolysis varied between 101.0 and 109.6 kJ mol−1 and for combustion were between 203.3 and 239.2 kJ mol−1. The frequency factors were determined to be 1.7 × 109 for pyrolysis and 1.5 × 1017 s−1 for combustion. The change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for the pyrolysis of flax straw was calculated to be 162.6 kJ mol−1, whereas for combustion it increased to 203.9 kJ mol−1. A notable contrast between the volatiles produced by pyrolysis and combustion is evident from the real-time analysis of the degradation products. Specifically, carboxylic acids, aromatics, alkanes, and alcohols are the principal degradation products during pyrolysis, while carbon dioxide is the primary component produced during combustion. These encouraging research outcomes regarding flax straw pyrolysis and combustion can broaden its application in bioenergy and biofuel, thus contributing significantly to it for resource recovery.

Technology and implementation of flax stripping in the primary flax processing line

This paper investigates the utilization of an oscillatory-type working body for the stripping process within the primary fiber flax processing line. It also introduces the equation governing the movement of this working body, thereby enabling the determination of the fundamental geometric parameters of the mechanism. (Research purpose) To develop the technology for fiber flax stripping at a flax mill using the proposed comb-type device, and to examine the parameters and modes of its functionality. (Materials and methods) A testing model was designed for a stripping machine, enabling an exploration of the flax combing process within the factory. The limitations of the parameters under investigation were identified. Furthermore, a theoretical model was formulated to calculate the performance of the stripper. (Results and discussion) The operation kinematic mode, stripping cleanliness, and seed losses during the stripping process are determined through theoretical analysis. It is discovered that the quality of stripping is influenced by the thickness of the flax ribbon. Specifically, an increase in the flax straw's thickness results in the clogging of the stripping device, subsequently leading to the formation of tangles and entanglements on the working body. On the other hand, insufficient thickness of the flax ribbon leads to significant damage to the stems. The limits for the thickness of the flax ribbon are established considering both the potential minimum and maximum yields: the lower limit being 0.01 meters and the upper limit set at 0.05 meters. The application of the factory's stripping technology is expected to ensure a 10 percent reduction in seed losses and an additional 6 percent reduction in production costs. (Conclusions) Theoretical justification for the parameters and operational modes of the stripper in the flax processing line, along with its design, is provided. The feed speed of the flax ribbon is configured to range between 1.0 and 1.5 meters per second, while the rotation frequency of the working body varies from 2.2 to 3.0 revolutions per second.