Role Of Biomass Research Articles

The Effects of Egg- and Substrate-Associated Microbiota on the Larval Performance of the Housefly, Musca domestica.

Increasing human population size and income growth are causing an increasing demand for food and feed. Insects are a more sustainable alternative to conventional animal source proteins, as they can convert waste and by-products from the agricultural industry into biomass for commercial feed for livestock and, potentially, serve as a food source for human consumption. Moreover, insects together with their microorganisms have been shown to play a pivotal role in the development of insects and in the breakdown of complex growth substrates, and are, therefore, closely tied to insect production. This study aims to determine if the removal of egg- and substrate-associated microorganisms impacts larval performance (growth, final biomass, and the survival rate) of M. domestica Linnaeus. Four treatments are tested: disinfected eggs and non-autoclaved substrate, non-disinfected eggs and autoclaved substrate, disinfected eggs and autoclaved substrate, and a control without any removal of microbiota. The results show a significant decrease in the final biomass of larvae subjected to the treatments with only disinfected eggs, only autoclaved substrate, and both compared to the control, and a significant decrease in survival rate for non-disinfected eggs and autoclaved substrate and disinfected eggs and autoclaved substrate compared to the control group. Moreover, larval growth shows a significant difference across days within all treatments. Together, this suggests that the microorganisms of housefly eggs and the growth substrate play an important role in biomass, which is critical in commercial insect production. Together this suggest, that more studies are needed to examine these parameters with respect to more commercially relevant substrates.

Recent advances on the electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived aldehydes

The escalating demand for sustainable and environmentally benign chemical processes has driven the exploration of biomass as an alternative to non-renewable resources. Electrocatalytic upgrading of biomass-derived aldehydes plays a crucial role in biomass refining, and has become a frontier of mainstream research. This paper reviews the recent advances on the electrocatalytic oxidation of typical biomass-derived aldehydes (5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, glucose, xylose, vanillin and benzaldehyde, etc.). The research presented in this review covers a wide range of oxidation mechanisms for each aldehyde. It is evident from the current literature that challenges related to the comprehensiveness of mechanistic studies, catalyst stability, and reaction scalability remain, but the rapid progress offers hope for future advancements. Finally, we elucidate the challenges in this domain and provide the perspectives on future developments. This review corroborates the significance of investigating the electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived aldehydes and emphasizes the need for continued research to refine these processes for industrial applications.

Pathway for a fully renewable power sector of Africa by 2050: Emphasising on flexible generation from biomass

The climate crisis coupled with energy poverty and injustice in Africa requires strategic measures to proffer sustainable solutions. A transition to a defossilised power sector is obtained for Africa by 2050, evolutionarily developed to fulfil the Paris Agreement. With the LUT Energy System Transition Model, the role of biomass in a least-cost power sector for Africa is investigated from 2020 to 2050 in five-year time steps. Techno-economic assumptions of employed technologies are applied. The study considers the current generation portfolio, lifespan of power plant technologies, and the current and future electricity demand to ascertain the best generation mix by 2050. Biomass potential of 334 TWh (17.5%) of the total African biomass potential of 1911 TWh is applied to the African power sector to develop two Best Policy Scenarios: a scenario without bioenergy (BPS-1) and a scenario with bioenergy (BPS-2). The results indicate a positive impact of bioenergy on the power sector: The total generation, total installed capacity, grid utilisation, levelised cost of electricity, and storage output decreased by 8.6%, 8.4%, 12.9%, 10.2%, 47.1% by 2050 respectively in BPS-2 relative to the BPS-1. In addition, flexible generation from biomass offers balancing to enhance variable renewable energy resources integration onto the power sector.

The role of biomass in energy transition to net zero carbon emissions due to climate change: the Apulia case

Biomass is a net zero carbon source of energy. On the way to reduce carbon emissions, although a few part of biomass is already used and energetically valorised, a large untapped potential remains. If high energy production comes from intermittent sources like solar panels and wind turbines, it becomes challenging to balance energy supply and demand. Therefore, the role of biomass is important for two main aspects: the full valorisation of this source of energy itself, and its stabilization role in new renewable energy scenario. The path towards a net zero carbon scenario cannot overlook the following three key factors. The first factor is the realization that energy demand is continuously rising. The second factor is the urgent need for immediate CO2 reduction. The third factor is the importance of maintaining the electric grid stable. Guided by these fundamental principles, this paper aims to analyse the role of full biomass valorisation in stabilizing the energy system and reducing CO2 emissions. As a part of a much wider work, this analysis encompasses the role of biomass in both a more ambitious scenario with a great amount of photovoltaics, as well as the current energy landscape. The methodology used is numerical simulation of the Apulia case through EnergyPLAN software, and the main findings reveal a significant reduction in CO2 emissions while keeping energy systems stable.

The Role of Biomass in Future Energy Security

In the background of a developing energy crisis worldwide, and an economy powered mainly by fossil fuels, energy security is becoming increasingly important. In this regard, biomass can play an important role as an alternative source of energy for the production of fuels, heat or electricity. Uncovering the potential of biomass, as well as new methods to increase yield, is another step on the way to sustainable development and in the direction of mitigating the effects of climate change. The energy security of the planet and the economy should be built on a portfolio of renewable energy sources, and in this mix, biomass should find its rightful place. Bioenergy accounts for approximately one-tenth of the world's total primary energy supply today.

The Role of Biomass in Decarbonisation Efforts: Spatially Enriched Energy System Optimisation Modelling

Forests are a potentially carbon-negative energy source and function as carbon sinks. However, both of these functions have become threatened significantly by spruce bark beetle infestation in Czechia. This paper assesses how this ecological issue may affect the future energy mix, and in the process, affect carbon emission reduction targets and the available share of renewable energy sources (RESs). We assess several forest development scenarios with three policy incentives: subsidising wood pellet production, striving for climate neutrality, and adhering to ecological constraints. We build a spatially enriched energy system model, TIMES-CZ, based on Eurostat’s NUTS3 regions. We find that the spruce bark beetle infestation may not exert a lasting influence on overall decarbonisation pathways, the energy mix, or system-wide costs in any forest scenario. The RESs share is affected only until 2030, and the effect is minimal, at <1.5 percentage points. Nevertheless, Czechia’s RES contribution is far below the 45% 2030 EU target. Subsidising wood pellet production is a costly transition that does not contribute to meeting the target. Limiting forest biomass availability and adhering to ecological constraints increase the overall system costs and worsen the chances of meeting decarbonisation targets.

The Role of Biomass in the Synthesis of Geopolymers: A Review

The Role of Biomass in the Synthesis of Geopolymers: A Review

Pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of Egyptian olive pomace, sawdust, and their blends: Thermal decomposition, kinetics, synergistic effect, and thermodynamic analysis

The pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis kinetics of two Egyptian olive-pomace (Kroneiki and Shamlali), wood dust, and their blends were investigated by advanced isoconversional model-free methods (Vyazovkin and Senum-Yang) and model-fitting methods (Coats and Redfern integral method) using different integrated reaction mechanisms g(α) through TGA/DTG, and DTA techniques. Master Plot's method was applied to determine the best reaction mechanisms for the pyrolysis of the tested materials. The synergistic effect of co-pyrolysis on kinetics and the role of biomass were examined. The average values of activation energy estimated from VYA and SY kinetic methods, respectively, for KROP, SHOP, FSSD, Blend (1), and Blend (2) were 90.57 and 85.67 kJ/mol, 70.05 and 65.26 kJ/mol, 131.66 and 126.71 kJ/mol, 66.73 and 62.09 kJ/mol, and 113.12 and 108.21 kJ/mol. The co-pyrolysis of KROP, SHOP, and FSSD at a heating rate of 10 °C/min showed the best synergistic pyrolysis performance. The diffusional reaction mechanisms are the most likely reactions to describe the pyrolysis process of the first conversion stage (α = 0.1–0.5), while the reaction mechanism C8 and the reaction order model (F4) are the most likely reactions to describe the second stage (α = 0.5–0.9) pyrolysis process. The higher ΔH and ΔS values for the FSSD and Blend (2) signify that these materials consumed more energy during the pyrolysis process, while the lower ΔH and ΔS values for the KROP, SHOP, and Blend (1) showed the opposite. A blending ratio of 50% KROP, 25% SHOP, and 25% FSSD showed the best performance at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. The obtained kinetics parameters and the solution of the master plots method were validated by solving the Coats and Redfern integral method based on the reaction mechanism function g(α) that showed the best fit in the master plots method.

A review on role of biomass in production of global renewable bioenergy

A review on role of biomass in production of global renewable bioenergy

Exogenous proline boosts the co-accumulation of astaxanthin and biomass in stress-induced Haematococcus pluvialis

This paper aims to explore the role of proline (Pro) in the production of biomass and astaxanthin (AST) in stress-induced Haematococcus pluvialis. The astaxanthin content and productivity were 24.02 mg g−1 and 2.22 mg/L d-1 under abiotic stresses, respectively. After 100 μM Pro supplementation, the biomass, AST and lipid contents reached 1.43 g/L, 29.91 mg g−1 and 56.79 %, which were enhanced by 19.16 %, 33.52 % and 11.08 %, respectively, compared to the control. Pro-treated regulated chlorophyll, carbohydrate and protein accumulation and upregulated carotenogenic, lipogenic and antioxidant enzymes-associated gene levels; as well as increased endogenous Pro content, but reduced ROS (Reactive oxygen species) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) levels and alleviated oxidative stress, which might be involved in AST biosynthesis. Further data showed Pro has a positive role in biomass and AST coaccumulation in different H. pluvialis species, suggesting application of Pro was an effective strategy to improve AST productivity of H. pluvialis.

Optimization of Chlorella vulgaris cultivation grown in waste molasses syrup using mixture design

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine and optimize culture media for Chlorella vulgaris microalgae under mixotrophic conditions using waste molasses as a cheap carbon source containing both organic carbons and other nutrients. In the current study, at first the growth and lipid productivity of C. vulgaris were assessed in different culture media and the best media was selected for mixotrophic growth conditions. Significant medium ingredients were screened through Plackett–Burman design. Then ingredients with positive effect were considered as a mixture component and their combinations were evaluated on lipid productivity using mixture design. According to results, Zarrouk medium was considered as the base medium with the highest biomass and lipid productivity of 72 and 7.1 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. Based on the Plackett–Burman design, out of 11 factors, molasses, NaNO3 and K2HPO4 demonstrated key roles in biomass and lipid productivity in mixotrophic conditions. Consequently, the selected three factors were investigated by mixture design. The results showed that high concentration of molasses causes decrease in biomass and lipid productivity due to high turbidity and a blend consisting of approximately 9.5 g L−1 molasses, 5 g L−1 NaNO3 and 0.15 g L−1 K2HPO4 was found as the optimum mixture with obtained lipid productivity of 115 mg L−1 d−1. In conclusion, waste molasses can be used as a promising feedstock for cost effective cultivation of C. vulgaris.

Role of biomass as low-carbon energy source in the era of net zero emissions

• Prospects of biofuels to replace fossils fuels in thermal power plants is discussed. • Status of power generation facilities that can support this growth was analyzed. • Use of biofuels in existing thermal power plants is proposed. • Biomass from unused forest resources is ideal to meet wood pellet production demand. Since the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policy was introduced in 2012, the use of biomass and its import has significantly increased in the power generation sector of Korea. Currently, biofuel-fired electricity production is fifty-fold compared to before the implementation of the RPS. However, the rapid growth of bioenergy at the initial stage of the RPS and institutional changes for equity with other renewable energy industries brought about significant changes in the bioenergy market and related industries in a short period. For example, the effect of the policy amendment to reduce dependence on foreign bioenergy and expand the use of domestic biomass had an immediate effect on the market. As a result, the imported biomass and bio-SRF began to shrink, and these markets had −1 % and −36 % CAGR between 2018 and 2020, respectively. Meanwhile, the policy contributes to revitalizing the domestic bioenergy industry, and it is predicted that the domestic biomass utilization will be more than 6 million tons in 2050. This paper reports the impact of changes in Korea's bioenergy policy on the power generation sector over the past ten years. When carbon neutrality is essential in all energy fields, the result can be a good reference for establishing bioenergy policies.

Evolution of the conceptualization of hydrogen through knowledge maps, energy return on investment (EROI) and national policy strategies

In order to address Climate Change and energy dependency challenges, hydrogen (H2) is emerging as a promising energy carrier. Studies related to its production have conceptualized it as green (GH2), clean, renewable (RH2), ecological, and sustainable (SH2). The aim of this research is to deepen the understanding of the GH2 concept and to state boundaries between different terms. To reach this objective, a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in SCOPUS is launched. Also, in order to assess the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) for GH2 production, a review of the meta-analysis literature on the Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROI) ratio as regards these RES is performed. Additionally, an analysis of main national strategies on GH2 is launched. Results indicate that the GH2 concept is gaining remarkable relevance, while the keyword maps show no significant differences between SH2, RH2 and GH2. EROI reveals low average values for the different biomass energy production processes. For their part, GH2 national strategies focus mainly on solar and wind technologies, albeit leaving the door open to biomass, where EROI could become an adequate metric to guide these strategies towards a low carbon energy path. Although the role of biomass may become fundamental in this energy transition process, given its low EROI values and considering that it is not a totally clean RES, it should be indexed as RH2, but not always as GH2. Finally, a proposal that guides a more appropriate use of the term GH2 is made.Graphical abstract

Repairing What Policy Is Missing Out on: A Constructive View on Prospects and Preconditions for Sustainable Biobased Economy Options to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change

Biomass use for energy and materials is, on the one hand, one of the key mitigation options to reach the 1.5 °C GMT target set in the Paris Agreement, as highlighted by the IPCC and many other key analyses. On the other hand, particularly in parts of the EU, a strong negative connotation has emerged in public debate and EC policy, with a particular emphasis on the (presumed) displacement effect in markets and land use. This is a remarkable contrast because the reasons to use sustainable biomass, on the one hand, and the possibilities and synergies for supplying sustainable biomass, on the other, are underpinned with strong evidence, also providing insights on how displacement issues can be avoided. Sustainable biomass supplies can contribute 20–30% of the future global and European energy supply, leading to reduced overall mitigation costs, including realizing the net CO2 removal from the atmosphere using BECCS concepts. This paper highlights which options, pathways and preconditions are key to achieving such a substantial contribution of sustainable biomass in future (2050) energy and material supply (with a focus on the European setting). By pinpointing how “biomass can be done right” and how important synergies can be achieved via better agricultural methods, the restoration of marginal and degraded lands and the adaptation of climate change, a different policy agenda emerges in sharp contrast to how a biobased economy has been framed in recent years. It is recommended that future policy priorities, particularly at the EU level, take a more integral view on the synergy between the role of biomass in the energy transition, climate adaptation and mitigation, better agriculture and the better use of land in general. Strategies to achieve such positive results typically require an alignment between renewable energy, and agricultural, environmental, mitigation and adaptation policies, which is a largely missing nexus in different policy arenas. Resolving this lack of alignment offers a major opportunity, globally, to contribute to the European Green deal and improve energy security.

Plastic regulates its co-pyrolysis process with biomass: Influencing factors, model calculations, and mechanisms

Co-pyrolysis of plastics and biomass can effectively improve the quality of bio-oil and solve the problem of plastic pollution. However, synergistic effect of co-pyrolysis on kinetics and the role of biomass H/Ceff in co-pyrolysis are still not conclusive. In this work, the co-pyrolysis synergistic effects of three different hydrogen-to-carbon ratio (H/Ceff) of biomass-rice husk (RH), sugarcane bagasse (SUG), and poplar wood (PW) with hydrogen-rich polypropylene (PP) were studied using a thermogravimetric method. The total synergy degree (φ) and the difference between experimental and theoretical weight losses (ΔW) were defined, and the activation energies of various experimental materials were calculated by the isoconversional method. The results showed that the addition of PP reduced the dependence of product species on biomass H/Ceff during co-pyrolysis. The synergistic effect of biomass and PP was related to biomass types, pyrolysis temperature, and mass ratio of biomass to PP. The mixture of SUG and PP showed positive synergistic effect at all mass ratios. Simultaneously, at the low temperature of pyrolysis, the synergistic effect is inhibited in all mixtures, which might be due to the melting of PP. Kinetic analysis showed that the activation energy could be reduced by 11.14–31.78% by co-pyrolysis with biomass and PP. A multi-step mechanism was observed in both the pyrolysis of a single sample and the co-pyrolysis of a mixture, according to Criado’s schematic analysis.

A mini-review of biomethane valorization: Managerial and policy implications for a circular resource

The green transition requires renewable energy resources, especially the role of biomass is very crucial as it promotes resource circularity if sustainable substrates are used. This mini-review focuses on green gas derived from biomass called biomethane, which appears to be strategic in the face of soaring energy costs. Hence, combined Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats-Analytic Hierarchy Process analysis is used to compare and evaluate the critical factors. The results provide not only methodological insights through the application of the local-global priority method, but also managerial insights that see biomethane as a winning element for the green transition, fighting climate change and reducing dependence on external energy sources. Subsidies have played a key role in pursuing economic sustainability; however, their use should be reduced over time and measured to the actual contribution related to environmental and social improvement. The results of this work highlight that biomethane development is important to tackle climate change and to be self-sufficient from an energy perspective. This development plan, based on circularity of resources, includes subsidies for small-scale plants, substrates from neighbouring territories, citizen involvement in decision-making processes, valorization of suitable waste from an environmental perspective and stability of political choices.

Roles of Biomass in the Absorption of Heavy Metals

Mining, plating, dyeing, automobile manufacturing, and metal processing all emit toxic heavy metals into the environment. The environmental challenges, socioeconomic and environmental effects of toxic heavy metals released into the environment cause environmental problems that have exposed our ecosystem to a greater threat, as well as contamination of aquatic water bodies through water runoff, with a subsequent effect on people's health. As a result, research into the roles of biomass as a mitigation process in heavy metal absorption is required. As a result, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles of biomass as a medium for heavy metal absorption in contaminated soil. The use of bio-char and other carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon, sawdust, and agricultural residues has shown great potential for the removal of various inorganic and organic pollutants and radionuclides due to properties such as large surface area, micro porous structure, and high adsorption capacity. Pulverized activated charcoal, a promising material based among nano-structured carbon materials, continues to attract a lot of attention due to its unique physical and chemical properties. Lower greenhouse gas emissions and a cleaner environment are two additional environmental benefits of biomass as a renewable energy source. The importance of biomass as a potential natural remediation material cannot be overstated based on the use of biomass waste to treat or resolve anthropogenic environmental problems.

Sectoral low-carbon roadmaps and the role of forest biomass in Finland's carbon neutrality 2035 target

As a part of its climate policy, Finnish government facilitated the creation of low-carbon roadmaps by sectors of industry. The roadmap process and the roadmaps were promoted as an international benchmark in COP26. They also form a part of the policy process towards the government's goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. We analyse the need and role of biomass use contained in the roadmaps of the key sectors and compare it to data on available forest biomass. The combined need for forest biomass in the roadmaps is well over 140 Mm3, which is over double that of the logging level in 2019, and drastically over the roadmaps' projection of future sustainable yield. This creates a challenge for the carbon neutrality goal via the loss of carbon sinks in forests, risking the carbon neutrality target and other sustainability goals. Although, up to date, the roadmaps present the most detailed picture of industrial transformation towards carbon neutrality in an EU member state, they are made unrealistic by the omission of a comprehensive material perspective. The addition of such a perspective and a clear setting of boundaries would increase the viability of the roadmaps as a policy tool.

Enhancement of growth and biomolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and chlorophylls) of isolated Chlorella thermophila using optimization tools

The production of multiple products from microalgae is essential for economic sustainability and the knowledge of optimum cultivation conditions for high growth and biomolecule synthesis of a microalgal strain is the prerequisite for its commercial production. In this work, optimization of nutrient concentrations for the cultivation of isolated Chlorella thermophila was performed by manipulating nine nutrients with the objectives of maximization of growth, carbohydrate, protein, and chlorophyll contents. Experiments were designed and effects of the parameters were studied using Taguchi orthogonal array (TOA). Experimental results of TOA were used for modeling artificial neural networks (ANN) followed by the optimization using genetic algorithm (GA) to find global optimal solutions. Results showed an increase of 36, 88, 36, and 88% for growth, carbohydrates, proteins, and chlorophylls, respectively, at optimal combinations of parameters given by TOA. Results obtained through the ANN-GA optimization were 9, 10, and 3% more compared to the TOA for biomass, carbohydrates, and chlorophylls, respectively with experimental verification. Nitrates and bicarbonate were found to play the most pivotal role in biomass and biomolecule synthesis of the isolated microalgal strain. Results of the current investigation can be used in the industrial scale-up for the production of multiple products using the biorefinery approach.

Influence of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock biomass on Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ sorption capacity of biochar

Biochar has attracted significantly growing attention due to its effectiveness in terms of both cost and environmental safety in removing trace metals from soil and water. Its metal sorption capacity depends on its properties, which are in turn governed by pyrolysis temperature and type of biomass. Therefore, this study examines the role of pyrolysis temperature and biomass in biochars sorption capacity of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+. Biochars produced by pyrolysis of maize (Zea mays L.) cobs at different temperatures were used to assess the effect of temperature, whereas evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) pyrolyzed at 500 °C was used to assess the effect of biomass. Sorption isotherms were constructed by batch method and compared with Langmuir and Freundlich models. Most of the sorption isotherms displayed irregular curves and not all of the isotherms fitted the models. Therefore, sorption distribution coefficients and metal removal percentages were used to determine sorption capacities biochars for studied metals. Accordingly, Quercus ilex L. was most effective in sorbing all studied metals, which indicates the role of biomass. The maize biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C was most effective among maize cob biochars, which revealed the influence pyrolysis temperature. The concentrations of added sorption solutions also played significant role in sorption, and consequently biochar pyrolyzed 350 °C was least effective. The targeted metals also affected the sorption as they compete for sorption sites. Thus, their selective sequence was in the order of Pb2+ ˃ Cu2+ ˃ Zn2+.