Pretreatment Process Research Articles

Mercerization-enhanced cellulose-II cotton fiber-based low-temperature hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries

Hard carbons from cellulose are highly regarded as promising anode options for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, a high carbonization temperature (>1300 °C) is usually required to obtain high-performance hard carbons, which leads to high-energy consumption and high cost. Moreover, hard carbons generally have poor rate capability and unsatisfactory cyclability which restrict their commercial applications. Herein, a low-temperature (900 °C) approach for the preparation of high-quality hard carbons for SIBs from waste cotton fibers is reported. It involves a mercerization pretreatment to convert cellulose-I cotton fibers into cellulose-II structure and dissolve the amorphous cellulose to form highly crystalline cellulose. This pretreatment process benefits forming abundant pseudo-graphitic structures at a low carbonization temperature of 900 °C. Consequently, the mercerized cotton fibers-based carbons (MCFC) exhibit excellent sodium storage properties, possessing a high capacity (316 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), high-rate capability (210 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and long-term cyclability (83.2 % retention after 3000 cycles). This mercerization approach coupled with waste cotton fibers provides a sustainable pathway for the preparation of high-quality hard carbons for SIBs.

Corrosion shielding effect of polyaluminium sulphate on metallic aluminium during the solidification of radioactive incineration bottom ash by low alkalinity cement

Radioactive incineration bottom ash containing metallic Al is difficult to be directly solidified in the cement matrix due to the generation of hydrogen gas during the reaction of aluminium with alkali pore solution of cement paste. In this study, the simulated incineration bottom ash (SIBA) containing metallic Al was successfully and directly solidified by polyaluminium sulphate (PAS)-modified low alkalinity cement (LAC), and the mechanism of the corrosion shielding effect of PAS on metallic Al was characterized by a range of analytical techniques. The results indicate that the cement waste form containing 29.56 wt% SIBA achieved a compressive strength of 16.6 MPa at 28 days of hydration, which increased by 13.3 % and 36.1 % after freeze-thawing test and immersion test, respectively. The 42d cumulative fraction leached of Nd3+ and Ce3+ were 1.74×10−7 cm and 3.40×10−7 cm, respectively. The corrosion degree and corrosion rate of Al sheets in LAC with PAS addition was much lower than that without PAS at early and late age hydration, by transforming thick porous corrosion layer to thin dense one. The mineral phase of corrosion product remained as bayerite (Al(OH)3), regardless of whether PAS was added. The addition of PAS reduced the hydrogen gas generation and prevented the dissolution of Al(OH)4- from metallic Al sheet. The hydrolysis of PAS produced a large amount of Al(OH)4- in pore solution, which extended the pH range for Al(OH)3 passivation by preventing the transformation of Al(OH)3 protection layer on the Al sheet surface to Al(OH)4- in the pore solution, and accelerated the formation of ettringite to decrease the pH of pore solution. This study cast the light on the direct solidification of metallic-aluminium-containing incineration bottom ash or Al bulks by cement-based materials without the need for complex pretreatment processes.

Optimization of high-temperature thermal pretreatment conditions for maximum enrichment of lithium and cobalt from spent lithium-ion polymer batteries

Due to their increasingly high demand, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will encounter a scarcity of essential resources if recycling is not prioritized. The current pretreatment methods for spent LIBs used in industrial production are inefficient, costly, and hazardous. The study aimed to maximize the yield of lithium and cobalt from the black mass of spent Lithium-ion batteries through an optimized high-temperature thermal pretreatment process, which combined mechanical (direct crushing) and thermal treatments to facilitate the subsequent recovery of these valuable metals. Sieve analysis showed that direct crushing for 2 min resulted in 40.81 % of the anode material in the 4750 + 2500 μm size range, while 5 min of crushing led to a more even distribution, with 28.57 % in the smallest size range (−75 μm). Heat treatment followed by 2 min of crushing concentrated 52.38 % of the anode material in the 4750 + 2500 μm range. For the cathode material, 2 min of direct crushing distributed 24.49 % in the −2500 + 1250 μm range, while 5 min of crushing accumulated 38.80 % in the −75 μm range. Heat treatment and 2 min of crushing resulted in 56.05 % of the cathode material in the −75 μm range, indicating improved liberation. The combination of heat treatment and mechanical treatment effectively liberates and reduces the size of the active materials, resulting in a higher cumulative mass fraction of finer particles (≤630 μm). Heat treatment at 600 °C for 15 min, followed by 2 min of crushing, dissociated current collectors (Al) from the cathode material, minimized the harmful gas emissions and produced fine particles (630 μm) with minimal Al content (0.8 wt%). The optimal heat treatment condition of 600 °C for 35 min achieved complete decomposition of PVDF and enriched 73.49 wt% cobalt and 5.41 wt% lithium in the black mass, superior to previous studies.

Selective and sensitive detection of dimethyl phthalate in water using ferromagnetic nanomaterial-based molecularly imprinted polymers and SERS

To overcome the complicated pretreatment, low selectivity and low sensitivity detection associated with the detection of dimethyl phthalate (DMP), this study synthesized ferromagnetic nanomaterials that coupled with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs). The pretreatment process can be simplified by ferromagnetic nanomaterials, then Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@MIPs selectively adsorbing DMP can be achieved, and SERS can be applied for DMP detection with high sensitivity. As a control, the non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@NIPs were synthesized. Adsorption experiments results showed that the saturation adsorption amounts of Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@MIPs is 36.74 mg/g with 40 mg/L DMP and Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@NIPs is 17.45 mg/g. For DMP, Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@MIPs have a greater affinity. In addition, after seven adsorption-desorption cycles the Fe3O4@SiO2@Ag@MIPs are reusable with approximately a 9.8 % loss in adsorption capacity. With an 8.7 × 10−9 M detection limit, DMP detection was performed by SERS, which revealed that the Raman intensities of the associated characteristic peak were linearly proportional to the DMP concentrations. As a result, the recovery rate of the testing artificial water varied from 87.9 % to 117 %. These outcomes show that the suggested technique for finding DMP in actual water samples is practical.

Revolutionizing Biomass Processing: The Design and Functionality of an Innovative Extruder for Sugarcane Bagasse Milling Pretreatment

Milling pretreatment is a crucial step in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass such sugarcane bagasse because it facilitates access to cellulose for subsequent chemical treatments. However, most experiments have been conducted at the laboratory scale, where it has been identified that high energy is required for the processing of biomass. For this reason, it is proposed to implement the screw extruder technique for the processing of cellulose. This article focuses on the characteristics, types, and applications of milling pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse, with a particular emphasis on its role in lignin removal and the milling design. Milling pretreatment reduces the particle size of lignocellulose biomass through compression shear and tearing mechanisms, which enhances the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose to enzymes and chemicals, thereby improving the efficiency of bioconversion processes. Innovative mathematical modeling, a mechanical design in a CAD application, and an FEA analysis of the milling pretreatment equipment are presented, providing insights into the design and optimization of milling pretreatment processes. This article presents an innovative potential system for milling pretreatment in sugarcane bagasse for the production of bioethanol, heat and power, and other value-added products, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Efficient Hydroxyapatite Extraction from Salmon Bone Waste: An Improved Lab-Scaled Physico-Chemico-Biological Process.

The demand for novel tissue grafting and regenerative wound care biomaterials is growing as traditional options often fall short in biocompatibility, functional integration with human tissue, associated cost(s), and sustainability. Salmon aquaculture generates significant volumes of waste, offering a sustainable opportunity for biomaterial production, particularly in osteo-conduction/-induction, and de novo clinical/surgical bone regeneration. Henceforth, this study explores re-purposing salmon waste through a standardized pre-treatment process that minimizes the biological waste content, followed by a treatment stage to remove proteins, lipids, and other compounds, resulting in a mineral-rich substrate. Herein, we examined various methods-alkaline hydrolysis, calcination, and NaOH hydrolysis-to better identify and determine the most efficient and effective process for producing bio-functional nano-sized hydroxyapatite. Through comprehensive chemical, physical, and biological assessments, including Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, we also optimized the extraction process. Our modified and innovative alkaline hydrolysis-calcination method yielded salmon-derived hydroxyapatite with a highly crystalline structure, an optimal Ca/P ratio, and excellent biocompatibility. The attractive nano-scale cellular/tissular properties and favorable molecular characteristics, particularly well-suited for bone repair, are comparable to or even surpass those of synthetic, human, bovine, and porcine hydroxyapatite, positioning it as a promising candidate for use in tissue engineering, wound healing, and regenerative medicine indications.

A study on preparation of low-cost environment-friendly self-assembled nanocellulose membrane from waste paper

In the context of green development, different types of waste paper were used in this study to prepare environment-friendly nanocellulose membrane by using different pretreatment processes. The results showed that all nanocellulose membranes had a novel microscopic composite morphology: nanocellulose fibers in the middle were tightly arranged and had a certain direction, while nanocellulose fibers at the edge were arranged randomly. Moreover, the type of waste paper affected the formation and property of nanocellulose membranes deeply compared with the pretreatment process. Nanocellulose membrane prepared from office waste paper had a high transmittance (50.8 %) and low oxygen transmission rate (1.548·10−3/cm3mm/(m2·d·KPa)) while that prepared from waste corrugated paper had a high yield (50.63 %), high folding number (81 times), and low water vapor transmission rate (1550.24 g·m−2·day−1). Meanwhile, nanocellulose membrane prepared without any deinking treatment had a significant performance advantage in terms of water vapor barrier and folding resistance. Therefore, in actual application, deinking treatment can be selectivity omitted, which will simplify the preparation process flow and reduce the production cost of nanocellulose membrane. Furthermore, in order to satisfy different application requirements, the appropriate raw materials and treatment processes can be chosen to prepare nanocellulose membranes with different properties. This study provides a simple and low-cost way to prepare high-performance environment-friendly self-assembled nano membrane material, and also achieves the high value utilization of waste paper, which has a certain ecological, economic, and social benefits.

Homogenate-ultrasonic pretreatment followed by microwave hydrodistillation of essential oil from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) leaves: Kinetic, chemical composition, and biological activity

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an important cash crop, and its essential oil (EO) has been widely used in food, chemical, pharmaceutical and other industries. The efficient and green separation of rosemary essential oil (RO) can provide technical support for its application and realize the high-value utilization of rosemary resources. In this work, RO was separated by a modified homogenate-ultrasonic pretreatment followed by microwave hydrodistillation (HUP-MHD) technique. The influencing parameters involved in the homogenate, ultrasonic pretreatment and microwave hydrodistillation processes were screened and optimized by single factor experiment and further response surface experiment (BBD), which derived the RO yield and eucalyptol percentage of 1.35 ± 0.05% and 36.73 ± 1.18%, respectively. After comparison with other techniques in terms of RO yield, separation efficiency, and chemical composition, the HUP-MHD method showed obvious advantages in the separation of RO and oxygenated components (eucalyptol, borneol etc.). In addition, the antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) and antifungal activity of RO from different techniques were measured, the results pointed out that the HUP-MHD method could separate RO with higher biological activity. Therefore, the HUP-MHD has the advantages of short time consumption, high efficiency, and safety in the separation of EO, which provides a theoretical basis for sufficiently separating EO from rosemary and other natural plant and crop materials.

A rapid and reliable targeted LC-MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of the Tryptophan-NAD metabolic network disturbances in tissues and blood of sleep deprivation mice

BackgroundTRY-NAD metabolic network includes TRY (tryptophan), 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine), KYN (kynurenine), and NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) pathway, which plays a significant role in neurological diseases and ageing. It is important to monitor these metabolites for studying the pathological anatomy of disease and treatment of responses evaluation. Although previous studies have reported quantitative methods for several metabolites in the network, the bottlenecks of simultaneously quantifying the whole metabolic network are their similar structures, diverse physico-chemical properties, and instability. Standardized protocols for the whole metabolic network are still missing, which hinders the in-depth study of TRY-NAD metabolic network in laboratory research and clinical screening. ResultsWe developed a LC-MS/MS method for quantifying 28 metabolites in the TRY-NAD network simultaneously. Optimization was done for the mass spectral parameters, chromatographic conditions and sample pretreatment process. The developed method was fully validated in terms of standard curves, sensitivity, carryover, recovery, matrix effect, accuracy, precision, and stability. The pretreatment of 30 samples only takes 90 min, and the LC-MS/MS running time of one sample is only 13 min. With this method, we bring to light the chaos of global TRY-NAD metabolic network in sleep deprivation mice for the first time, including serum, clotted blood cells, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and liver. NAD pathway levels in brain and blood decreased, whereas the opposite happened in the liver. The 5-HT pathway decreased and the concentration of KYN increased significantly in the brain. The concentration of many metabolites in KYN pathway (NAD+ de novo synthesis pathway) increased in the liver. SignificanceThis method is the first time to determine the metabolites of KYN, 5-HT and NAD pathway at the same time, and it is found that TRY-NAD metabolic network will be disordered after sleep deprivation. This work clarifies the importance of the pH of the extraction solution, the time and temperature control in pretreatment in standardized protocols building, and overcoming the problems of inconsistent sample pretreatment, separation, matrix effect interference and potential metabolite degradation. This method exhibits great prospects in providing more information on metabolic disturbances caused by sleep deprivation as well as neurological diseases and ageing.

The role of NMR spectroscopy in lignocellulosic biomass characterisation: A mini review

Lignocellulosic biomass (LB) is promising feedstock for the production of various bio-based products. However, due to its heterogenous character, complex chemical structure and recalcitrance, it is necessary to know its structural composition in order to optimize pretreatment process and further (bio)conversion into bio-based products. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a fast and reliable method that can provide advanced data on the molecular architecture and composition of lignocellulosic biomass. In this brief overview, characteristic examples of the use of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy for the investigation of various types of LB and their structural units are given and the main drawbacks and future perspectives are outlined.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Residual Carbon and Inorganic Minerals in Coal Gasification Fine Slag.

Investigating the physicochemical properties and embedding forms of residual carbon (RC) and slag particles (SPs) in coal gasification fine slag (FS) is the basis for achieving its separation and utilization. An in-depth understanding of their compositional characteristics allows for targeted treatment and utilization programs for different components. In this work, the physicochemical properties and embedding forms of RC and SPs in FS were systematically investigated. An innovative calculation method is proposed to determine the mass fraction of dispersed carbon particles, dispersed mineral-rich particles, and carbon-ash combined particles by using a high-temperature heating stage coupled with an optical microscope. The unburned RC with a rough, loose surface and a well-developed pore structure acted as a framework in which the smaller spherical SPs with a smooth surface were embedded. In addition, the sieving pretreatment process facilitated the enrichment of the RC. Moreover, the RC content showed significant dependencies according to the FS particle size. For FS with a particle size of 0.075-0.150 mm, the mass proportions of dispersed carbon, ash particles, and the carbon-ash combination were 15.19%, 38.72%, and 46.09%, respectively. These findings provide basic data and reliable technical support for the subsequent carbon and ash separation process and the comprehensive utilization of coal gasification slag.

H2O2 oxidation – CaO precipitation pretreatment combining forward osmosis for electroless nickel spent tank liquid (ENSTL) reduction

ABSTRACT The electroless nickel spent tank liquid (ENSTL), as a typical hazardous waste, contains a variety of refractory organic substances as well as heavy metals and inorganic salts. Generally, ENSTL is delegated for disposing by qualified hazardous waste disposal departments in China. However, the temporary storage, transportation, and higher entrusted disposal expenses increase the burden on enterprises producing the hazardous ENSTL. This paper explored an oxidation/precipitation pretreatment and forward osmosis (FO) combined process for ENSTL reduction. 400 mmol/L Hydrogen peroxide and 5.0 wt% calcium oxide were selected as the optimal pretreatment in order to minimize the osmotic pressure of ENSTL, by which the conductivity was significantly reduced from 50.8 mS/cm to 26.8 mS/cm. As a result, the concentrating factor (N) could be dramatically increased from 2.45 by the direct FO to 8.71 by the combined system. Accordingly, the average water flux during the 24 h concentrating cycle increased from 2.47 L/(m2·h) to 4.56 L/(m2·h). TOC rejection rate decreased from 90.23% to 84.39% due to the transformation of organic matter forms by the chemical oxidation during the pretreatment. Meanwhile, TP, Ni and NH4 + rejection rates decreased to a certain extent, which may related to the mitigation of membrane fouling by the pretreatment.

Colorado's Joseph Blake Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Pretreatment Process

Colorado's Joseph Blake Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Pretreatment Process

Identification of Key Toxic Substances Considering Metabolic Activation: A Combination of Transcriptome and Nontarget Analysis.

There have been numerous studies using effect-directed analysis (EDA) to identify key toxic substances present in source and drinking water, but none of these studies have considered the effects of metabolic activation. This study developed a comprehensive method including a pretreatment process based on an in vitro metabolic activation system, a comprehensive biological effect evaluation based on concentration-dependent transcriptome (CDT), and a chemical feature identification based on nontarget chemical analysis (NTA), to evaluate the changes in the toxic effects and differences in the chemical composition after metabolism. Models for matching metabolites and precursors as well as data-driven identification methods were further constructed to identify toxic metabolites and key toxic precursor substances in drinking water samples from the Yangtze River. After metabolism, the metabolic samples showed a general trend of reduced toxicity in terms of overall biological potency (mean: 3.2-fold). However, metabolic activation led to an increase in some types of toxic effects, including pathways such as excision repair, mismatch repair, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, nucleotide excision repair, and DNA replication. Meanwhile, metabolic samples showed a decrease (17.8%) in the number of peaks and average peak area after metabolism, while overall polarity, hydrophilicity, and average molecular weight increased slightly (10.3%). Based on the models for matching of metabolites and precursors and the data-driven identification methods, 32 chemicals were efficiently identified as key toxic substances as main contributors to explain the different transcriptome biological effects such as cellular component, development, and DNA damage related, including 15 industrial compounds, 7 PPCPs, 6 pesticides, and 4 natural products. This study avoids the process of structure elucidation of toxic metabolites and can trace them directly to the precursors based on MS spectra, providing a new idea for the identification of key toxic pollutants of metabolites.

Efficient Production of Fermentable Sugars from Common Reed Biomass Through Hydrothermal and Citric Acid Pretreatment Processes

Efficient Production of Fermentable Sugars from Common Reed Biomass Through Hydrothermal and Citric Acid Pretreatment Processes

Photocatalytic Activity of Zinc Oxide Nano Particules and Boric Acid for Bleaching Process on Cotton Fabric

In this study, a photocatalytic process was applied as an alternative to conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching on 100% cotton fabric. The effects of ZnO nanoparticles and boric acid as catalysts were investigated. Additionally, the synergistic impact of boric acid on the well-known bleaching effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was explored. Unlike existing literature, the study uniquely addressed whether the photocatalytic process, without the use of any catalyst, has a specific effect, particularly in whitening, on the color spectrum. All conducted photocatalytic processes on cotton fabrics were compared with conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching in terms of color spectra (CIE L*, a*, b*, whiteness indexes) besides the SEM, SEM-EDX, and FTIR-ATR characterization tests. Moreover, XRD, SEM, and FTIR-ATR analysis results of ZnO nanoparticles were also shared in this study. This research is believed to shed light on future studies by evaluating more environmentally friendly pre-treatment processes in textile industry.

Enhanced Saccharification Yield of Alkali Pretreated Sugarcane Bagasse Utilizing Customized Cellulase Cocktail from Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride

The experiment was conducted during 2023 at Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of RBEE, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India. Compositional changes in sugarcane bagasse subjected to varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide (0.3% to 1.2%), revealing significant increases in glucan content (from 37.13% to 53.81%) alongside decreases in xylan, acid-insoluble lignin, acid-soluble lignin, ash, and other extractives. These changes were validated using microscopic technique SEM, confirming the efficacy of the pretreatment process. The utilization of a customized cellulase cocktail derived from Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride holds significant promise in enhancing the saccharification from alkali-pretreated sugarcane bagasse. This study investigates the synergistic effects of cellulase enzymes produced by these fungi on the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The enzymatic hydrolysis process is optimized by varying enzyme dosages, reaction conditions, and incubation times to maximize the release of fermentable sugars. Results indicate a substantial improvement in saccharification efficiency with the customized cellulase cocktail, highlighting its potential for sustainable biofuel production. The pretreated sugarcane bagasse, when saccharified with Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride individually, released 254.43 mg g-1 and 325.53 mg g-1 of reducing sugars, respectively, after 40 h of incubation. In contrast, the combined enzymatic cocktail achieved a substantial increase in glucose yields (345.12 mg g-1) at 40 h, showcasing the synergistic effect of the combined enzymatic activity. This research contributes to advancing bioconversion technologies for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass resources efficiently and economically, thus addressing key challenges in sustainable energy production.

RETRACTED: Life cycle analysis of biowaste-to- biogas/biomethane processes: Cost and environmental assessment of four different biowaste scenarios organic fraction of municipal solid waste and secondary sewage sludge

Biowaste-to-biogas processes have been introduced to design a valuable and green renewable plant to achieve a sustainable society and environment. The biomethane production process through biogas upgrading instead of designing a combined heat and power (CHP) system can be more attractive. This study presents a life cycle analysis (LCA) from both cost and environmental standpoints for four biowaste-to-biogas/biomethane process scenarios. Biogas production is achieved through anaerobic co-digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OF-MSW) and secondary sewage sludge (S-SS), incorporating a pre-treatment process based on the dark co-fermentation process (DCFP). Each scenario offers distinct methods for utilizing the hydrogen-rich gas and biogas, with varying degrees of energy recovery and efficiency. Two sensitivity studies were conducted under various utilizations of the recovered biomethane and the anticipated electricity mix. Scenario SC-1 (CHP-from-biogas) was found to be the most co-friendly favorable in eight out of eleven impact categories (under the CML/IA technique). Further, biogas upgrading-integrated options exhibited lower impacts. Replacing biomethane instead of petrol in scenarios with upgraded biogas was identified as the most effective approach against climate change. Financial analysis indicated that all layouts are economically viable, each demonstrating a positive NPV over a 20-year period (up to $11.57 million).

Desalination of mother liquor generated from the precipitation of lithium carbonate during the recycling of retired lithium ion battery

Generally, hydrometallurgy process is adopted in factory to recover valuable metal from anode materials in lithium ion battery. The mother liquor generated from the precipitation of lithium carbonate in this process is often managed by evaporative crystallization process which is high energy-consuming and expensive. The methodology employed in this research involves pretreatment and bipolar membrane electrodialysis to partition salts within the mother liquor into acids and bases, thereby achieving cost savings. The findings reveal that a significant 76.5 % reduction in COD is achievable through the application of potassium permanganate and activated carbon in the treatment of the mother liquor. Subsequently, the treated mother liquor can be transfer to electrodialysis process for further treatment. During this process, desalination of the mother liquor occurs, leading to the decomposition of sodium sulfate into sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. Analysis of the experimental data reveals that optimizing the initial concentrations of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide within the acid and alkali collection chambers, along with the application of elevated electric current density and maintaining a high pH value of the mother liquor, yields improvements in current efficiency and concomitant reductions in energy consumption. Under optimal conditions, the current efficiency of acid and alkali preparation is 52.53 % and 62.12 % respectively, along with energy consumption of acid and alkali preparation is 8.68kWh/kg and 8.99kWh/kg respectively. The pretreatment and bipolar membrane electrodialysis process is low-energy consumption and inexpensive, facilitating a reduction in processing expenses to $6.659 per ton of mother liquor.

Green biochar briquette from enzymatic pretreated biomass wastes via mild-temperature pyrolysis for eco-friendly biofuels

Abstract In this study, benefits of the enzymatic pretreatment of mixed biomass wastes to a thermochemically favourable precursor for production of ecological biofuels are demonstrated. Biochar briquettes derived from the enzymatic- hydrolysis assisted, mild-temperature pyrolysis of biomass wastes are rich in carbon, exhibit higher calorific values and emit less toxic gases during combustion. Specifically, HHV value of the pretreated briquette increases one half of that of untreated briquette. Levels of CO and CO2 emission during the production and consumption of the treated briquette are lower than those of the untreated one. The results indicate a superior performance of biochar produced from the mixtures of various biomass wastes via the combined enzymatic pretreatment and mild-temperature pyrolysis processes in sustainable applications including biofuels.