Biofuel Production Process Research Articles

An Analysis of Structural Integrity and Durability in Determining the Optimal Compaction Parameters for Hemp and Pine

Research on seed hemp and pine was carried out to improve sustainability and energy efficiency. The mechanical properties of different species of lignocellulosic biomass are still undocumented in the context of granulation processes, even though lignocellulosic biomass is widely studied for biofuel production. Hemp and pine have not been thoroughly compared in the granulation process. Under compressive forces pertinent to pelletizing, the study investigated the mechanical properties of lignocellulosic materials, such as hemp and Scots pine. Based on their mechanical properties, microscopic analysis and strength tests were conducted to compare hemp pellets and pine briquettes. In recent years, a significant trend has been towards eco-friendly and innovative biofuel production, motivating research on compaction technologies and material strength enhancement. The study compared hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) during compaction. Compared with pine briquettes, hemp pellets exhibit superior mechanical durability (durability factor = 0.98) and compressive strength (average 2.5 kN), demonstrating hemp’s potential as a renewable fuel source. The study results contribute to the development of sustainable biofuel production processes.

Conversion of Spirulina platensis into Methanol via Gasification: Process Simulation Modeling and Economic Evaluation

Conversion of Spirulina platensis into Methanol via Gasification: Process Simulation Modeling and Economic Evaluation

Optimization and Simulation in Biofuel Supply Chain

Optimization is a key management science methodology utilizing mathematical techniques to determine optimal solutions to a variety of management challenges. The biofuel production process, comparable to existing supply chain operations, consists of complex interconnected activities among three principal components: farms, distribution networks, and refineries. To effectively manage the complex and large-scale biofuel supply chain network, it is essential to employ optimization methodologies such as linear programming and nonlinear programming. However, existing optimization methods are predominantly systematized for generalized issues such as manufacturing production scheduling and supply chain operations management, thus a systematic guideline indicating which techniques should be employed for specific problems in biofuel production and supply relative to the production and management of new and renewable energy sources is absent. Given the crucial need for a continuous increase in biofuel production and efficient management, optimization methods should be implemented. Accordingly, this study compiles optimization techniques suitable for biofuel supply chain operations through a thorough literature review. Particularly, this study examines methods ranging from conventional linear and nonlinear programming to recently utilized simulation-based optimization techniques, spurred by advancements in computing performance. Consequently, researchers and engineers will be equipped to select and implement suitable optimization methods for various challenges in the biofuel production process.

Corn cob biomass residues: Synergies between thermochemical processes for biofuel production and adsorbent materials for the bioenergy sector

Corn cob biomass residues: Synergies between thermochemical processes for biofuel production and adsorbent materials for the bioenergy sector

Application of phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide pretreatment and Aspergillus species enzymatic decomposition on rice straw for bioethanol production

Cellulose is one of the most important of natural renewable sources. Cellulase enzymes convert it into oligosaccharides and glucose. These enzymes have several applications in industries and widely used in second generation of biofuel production process. The aim of this study was to use rice straw as a carbon source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to produce bioethanol. Phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide chemical pretreatment was performed to obtain a cellulose-rich source of rice straw. Mesophilic filamentous fungal isolates collected from cattle manure samples, the best isolates were selected based on cellulase activities at optimal reaction conditions. These isolates were identified by DNA sequencing of ITS region. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger showed the highest activities of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and total cellulase enzymes at temperature 35 °C, pH 5.5, and temperature 30 °C, pH 4.5, respectively. Pretreated rice straw was hydrolyzed by enzymatic solution of two fungal isolates. The obtained sugars (8.654 g/L for A. fumigatus and 7.412 g/L for A. niger hydrolysates) were fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells and converted to the bioethanol. The highest amounts of ethanol were obtained from A. fumigatus and A. niger lysates after 72 h of fermentation as 11.2 g/L and 8.29 g/L, respectively.

2D Model of a Biomass Single Particle Pyrolysis—Analysis of the Influence of Fiber Orientation on the Thermal Decomposition Process

Understanding the influence of heat transfer on the pyrolysis process is crucial for optimizing industrial biofuel production processes. While numerous scientific studies focus on experimental investigations of pyrolysis using laboratory-scale devices, many neglect the essential role of thermal energy in initiating and controlling thermal decomposition processes. This study presents a transient two-dimensional numerical model of biomass single-particle pyrolysis, which includes the energy balance, mass conservation equations and pyrolysis gas pressure and velocity equations. The model employs explicit numerical methods to manage the high computational demands of 2D transient simulations, but is successfully validated with the use of experimental data found in the literature. The model reflects the heterogeneous structure of wood by using different thermal conductivity coefficients depending on the wooden fibers’ orientation. The results demonstrate the impact of fiber orientation on the heat transfer and thermal decomposition processes. The anisotropic properties of wood led to varied temperature fields and pyrolysis decomposition stages, aligning well with experimental data, thus validating the model’s accuracy. The proposed approach can provide a better understanding and lead to improvement in biofuel production processes, enabling more efficient and controlled conversion of biomass into fuel. By optimizing the pyrolysis process, it contributes to the development of sustainable energy preservation and regeneration methods, supporting a shift towards more sustainable fuel production patterns using renewable biomass resources like wood.

Microalgae for Sustainable Biofuel Generation: Innovations, Bottlenecks, and Future Directions

ABSTRACTMicroalgae, with their rapid growth rates, high intracellular lipid accumulation, and ability to utilize wastewater, emerge as a promising feedstock for high‐quality biodiesel production. Recent contributions in algal fuel research include breakthroughs in genetic engineering to boost lipid yields, such as CRISPR‐modified strains optimized for biofuel production. Innovative bioreactor designs are enhancing scalability and energy efficiency, while integration with waste‐to‐energy systems enables resource recovery and cost savings. Additionally, advancements in techno‐economic models are making large‐scale algal biofuel production more feasible, aided by supportive government policies and subsidies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in microalgal growth techniques and biofuel production methodologies. This study aims to identify key research gaps and contribute to the optimization of biofuel production processes and the development of sustainable bioenergy solutions.

Fuzzy Neural Network Applications in Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis for Biofuel Production: A Review

The increasing demand for sustainable energy has spurred interest in biofuels as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Biomass gasification and pyrolysis are two prominent thermochemical conversion processes for biofuel production. While these processes are effective, they are often influenced by complex, nonlinear, and uncertain factors, making optimization and prediction challenging. This study highlights the application of fuzzy neural networks (FNNs)—a hybrid approach that integrates the strengths of fuzzy logic and neural networks—as a novel tool to address these challenges. Unlike traditional optimization methods, FNNs offer enhanced adaptability and accuracy in modeling nonlinear systems, making them uniquely suited for biomass conversion processes. This review not only highlights the ability of FNNs to optimize and predict the performance of gasification and pyrolysis processes but also identifies their role in advancing decision-making frameworks. Key challenges, benefits, and future research opportunities are also explored, showcasing the transformative potential of FNNs in biofuel production.

Time-Dependent Analysis of Catalytic Biomass Pyrolysis in a Continuous Drop Tube Reactor: Evaluating HZSM-5 Stability and Product Evolution

This study investigates a continuous deoxygenation of bio-oil vapor in a catalytic fixed-bed reactor coupled to a continuous drop tube reactor (DTR) for biomass pyrolysis. Beech wood pyrolysis was initially examined without catalysts at various temperatures (500–600 °C). The products were characterised using GC-MS, Karl Fischer titration, GC-FID/TCD, and thermogravimetric analysis. The highest bio-oil yield (58.8 wt.%) was achieved at 500 °C with a 500 mL/min N2 flow rate. Subsequently, ex situ catalytic pyrolysis was performed using an HZSM-5 catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor at a DTR outlet, operating at 425 °C, 450 °C, and 500 °C. The HZSM-5 catalyst exhibited declining deoxygenation efficiency over time, which was evidenced by decreasing conversion rates of chemical families. Principal component analysis was employed to interpret the complex dataset, facilitating a visualisation of the relationships between the experimental conditions and product compositions. This study highlights the challenges of continuous operation as experimental durations were limited to 120 min due to clogging issues. This research contributes to understanding continuous biomass pyrolysis coupled with catalytic deoxygenation, providing insights into the reactor configuration, process parameters, and catalyst performance crucial for developing efficient and sustainable biofuel production processes.

Thermobifida fusca Cel6B moves bidirectionally while processively degrading cellulose

BackgroundCellulose, an abundant biopolymer, has great potential to be utilized as a renewable fuel feedstock through its enzymatic degradation into soluble sugars followed by sugar fermentation into liquid biofuels. However, crystalline cellulose is highly resistant to hydrolysis, thus industrial-scale production of cellulosic biofuels has been cost-prohibitive to date. Mechanistic studies of enzymes that break down cellulose, called cellulases, are necessary to improve and adapt such biocatalysts for implementation in biofuel production processes. Thermobifida fusca Cel6B (TfCel6B) is a promising candidate for industrial use due to its thermostability and insensitivity to pH changes. However, mechanistic studies probing TfCel6B hydrolytic activity have been limited to ensemble-scale measurements.ResultsWe utilized optical tweezers to perform single-molecule, nanometer-scale measurements of enzyme displacement during cellulose hydrolysis by TfCel6B. Records featured forward motility on the order of 0.17 nm s−1 interrupted by backward motions and long pauses. Processive run lengths were on the order of 5 nm in both forward and backward directions. Motility records also showed rapid bidirectional displacements greater than 5 nm. Single-enzyme velocity and bulk ensemble activity were assayed on multiple crystalline cellulose allomorphs revealing that the degree of crystallinity and hydrogen bonding have disparate effects on the single-molecule level compared to the bulk scale. Additionally, we isolated and monitored the catalytic domain of TfCel6B and observed a reduction in velocity compared to the full-length enzyme that includes the carbohydrate-binding module. Applied force has little impact on enzyme velocity yet it readily facilitates dissociation from cellulose. Preliminary measurements at elevated temperatures indicated enzyme velocity strongly increases with temperature.ConclusionsThe unexpected motility patterns of TfCel6B are likely due to previously unknown mechanisms of processive cellulase motility implicating irregularities in cellulose substrate ultrastructure. While TfCel6B is processive, it has low motility at room temperature. Factors that most dramatically impact enzyme velocity are temperature and the presence of its native carbohydrate-binding module and linker. In contrast, substrate ultrastructure and applied force did not greatly impact velocity. These findings motivate further study of TfCel6B for its engineering and potential implementation in industrial processes.

Properties of polylactic acid and biochar-based composites for environment-friendly plant containers

Properties of polylactic acid and biochar-based composites for environment-friendly plant containers

Pyrolysis of açai stems (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and cocoa husks (Theobroma cacao L.) residues for the generation of added-value products in rural areas

AbstractGenerally, agriculture activities represent the main economic income of rural areas, and during these, huge amounts of biomass are generated. This biomass is considered as garbage due to its high storage cost. However, energy and added-value products can be recovered from biomass. Within this context, açai stems and cocoa husks were collected from different rural areas of Bolivia due to their high importance in the local and international markets as two of the most available products of the country. The preliminary study will contribute in the field of green energy recovery and resource management. Thus, in this study, both residues were tested as renewable feedstocks for the generation of added-value products from pyrolysis at 500 °C for 30 min. Açai stems were found to be more suitable to biochar based with yields up to 49.1% ± 2.4%, but also for biogas production (33.9% ± 2.0%). Cocoa husk was also found to be more suitable for biochar production (38.1% ± 1.7%) but also for bio-oils (33.6% ± 17.6%). Both resulting biochars had basic pH (between 10 and 12) and low density (287.2 kg/m3 and 401.7 kg/m3). Additionally, the lack of heavy metals on the surface makes both biochar products good candidates for soil amendment applications. Furthermore, the bio-oil composition is complex and varied, and products such as Maltol, 2-methyl furane, and D-allose have direct applications in the food industry. Moreover, the presence of phenolic compounds and hydrocarbons with more than five carbons in the structure makes the obtained bio-oils suitable for upgrading processes for biofuel production. Finally, the obtained biogases can be applied for local electricity generation, or to reduce the energy requirements for the pyrolysis reactor. Graphical Abstract

A game-theoretic approach for investigating the amount of land assigned to biomass cultivation and adopt the degree of technology by biorefinery considering government intervention: A case study of Iran

A game-theoretic approach for investigating the amount of land assigned to biomass cultivation and adopt the degree of technology by biorefinery considering government intervention: A case study of Iran

Global processes of solid biofuel production: Trends and prospects of its development in Ukraine

Global processes of solid biofuel production: Trends and prospects of its development in Ukraine

A new co-production (biogas& biodiesel) plant under a microalgae-to-biofuel process designed under a hydrothermal disintegration/ deep eutectic solvent process

A new co-production (biogas& biodiesel) plant under a microalgae-to-biofuel process designed under a hydrothermal disintegration/ deep eutectic solvent process

Heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable biofuel production: A paradigm shift towards renewable energy

Heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable biofuel production: A paradigm shift towards renewable energy

Water hyacinth biorefinery: Improved biofuel production using Trichoderma atroviride pretreatment

AbstractThe pyrolysis of water hyacinth is gaining attention and acceptance as a resource recovery technique due to its availability and economic viability. However, the presence of lignin, one of the three major biomass fractions, presents significant challenges for profitable water hyacinth processing for biofuel production. Fungal pretreatment of water hyacinth for lignin breakdown has been explored but the application of Trichoderma atroviride as a pretreatment for pyrolysis is relatively novel. The efficacy of T. atroviride pretreatment in improving water hyacinth's pyrolytic products using a fixed‐bed reactor was therefore investigated in this study. The optimization process was studied using a central composite design in response surface methodology with Design Expert 13. Delignification of the biomass was established because the elemental analysis showed a 25.42% increase in cellulose content and a 23.40% and 3.37% decrease in lignin and hemicellulose content, respectively. The biomass pretreatment applied influenced the physical and chemical characteristics of the pyrolytic products. The highest pyrolysis oil yield increased by 25.81% at 575 °C and particle size 2290 μm, and the highest char yield decreased by 4.23% at 273 °C and particle size 1500 μm. This research is crucial for policy and research conversations as it offers a scientific basis for the application of T. atroviride pretreatment in biomass pyrolysis technology and emphasizes the optimal utilization of water hyacinths to obtain socio‐environmental benefits.

Applications of Machine Learning Technologies for Feedstock Yield Estimation of Ethanol Production

Biofuel has received worldwide attention as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Particularly, in many countries such as the U.S. and Brazil, first-generation ethanol from corn and sugar cane has been used as automobile fuel after blending with gasoline. Nevertheless, in order to continuously increase the use of biofuels, efforts are needed to reduce the cost of biofuel production and increase its profitability. This can be achieved by increasing the efficiency of a sequential biofuel production process consisting of multiple operations such as feedstock supply, pretreatment, fermentation, distillation, and biofuel transportation. This study aims at investigating methodologies for predicting feedstock yields, which is the earliest step for stable and sustainable biofuel production. Particularly, this study reviews feedstock yield estimation approaches using machine learning technologies that focus on gradually improving estimation accuracy by using big data and computer algorithms from traditional statistical approaches. Given that it is becoming increasingly difficult to stably produce biofuel feedstocks as climate change worsens, research on developing predictive modeling for raw material supply using the latest ML techniques is very important. As a result, this study will help researchers and engineers predict feedstock yields using various machine learning techniques, and contribute to efficient and stable biofuel production and supply chain design based on accurate predictions of feedstocks.

Machine learning-enabled techno-economic uncertainty analysis of sustainable aviation fuel production pathways

Machine learning-enabled techno-economic uncertainty analysis of sustainable aviation fuel production pathways

Sustainable Biofuel Production Utilizing Nanotechnology: Challenges and Potential Solutions

ABSTRACTThe transition to biofuels as viable alternatives to fossil fuels is increasingly critical, given the rising demand for sustainable energy. However, biofuel production is hindered by challenges such as feedstock scarcity, elevated production costs, and environmental impacts. Nanotechnology has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and durability of biofuel production processes, thereby overcoming these challenges. Although there has been significant research on using nanomaterials in biofuel production, there needs to be more emphasis on understanding and addressing the difficulties of integrating these materials and developing strategies to overcome them. This review systematically examines the role of nanotechnology in various biofuel production pathways, including biodiesel, biogas, bioethanol, biohydrogen, hydrotreated vegetable oils, and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. We discuss how nanomaterials improve key aspects of biofuel production, such as catalysis, microbial conversion, biomass pretreatment, and separation. Despite these advancements, nanotechnology has challenges, including nanoparticle toxicity, increased operational costs, and technical limitations. We propose potential solutions to these issues, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches. By effectively integrating nanotechnology into biofuel production, the energy sector can move toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.