Types Of Agricultural Wastes Research Articles

Graphene oxide – Based supercapacitors from agricultural wastes: A step to mass production of highly efficient electrodes for electrical transportation systems

Supercapacitors and other innovative devices for electric energy generation and storage could significantly improve ecological situation in large densely populated cities. However, for this to become reality, supercapacitors should be produced en masse via a clean, green technology from the ecologically friendly material, preferably from abundant, sustainable resources, such as agricultural waste that is a by-product of other technological cycles. Many types of agricultural waste could be considered as an abundant, low-cost carbon source for large-scale fabrication of graphene-type materials. Here, we demonstrate that widely available coconut waste can be efficiently converted into reduced graphene oxide via simple catalytic oxidation using ferrocene as an efficient and low-cost catalyst. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. The results confirmed the formation of high-quality reduced graphene oxide. The as-prepared graphene oxide was then analyzed as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications. We have found that the material exhibits high performance as an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) and demonstrates excellent cyclic stability. Therefore, the reduced graphene oxide prepared via a simple, green process from this type of agricultural waste could be a good candidate of the supercapacitor electrodes.

POME: An Alternative Nutrient Source for Bio-Organic Plant Tissue Culture Media

One of the methods in sustainable agriculture is transforming crop wastes into beneficial products such as bio-fertilizer, which will improve the soil fertility, preserving the natural sources, and cost-effective practices. Currently, these practices also need to be applied in plant tissue culture technology to enhance an eco-friendly and sustainable resources which are abundant and locally available. To date, the new bio-organic media derived from different types of agricultural wastes, especially from fruit wastes were successfully established. The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of agricultural waste, i.e. Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) through a natural fermentation process as a potential nutrient source to substitute the existing standard and synthetic plant tissue culture media (PTC) such as Murashige and Skoog’s (1962) (MS) Medium, Woody Plant Medium (WPM), N6 (Chu) Medium and Gamborg’s (B-5) Medium, available in the market. 100 mL (v/v) POME solution was added with 100 mL (v/v) molasses and then were fermented naturally for 4 weeks in dark condition at room temperature. The results showed that the nutritional value of the fermented POME solution was higher than the synthetic MS basal salt medium. The new POME PTC medium was successfully formulated as a new bio-plant tissue culture media for in vitro regeneration of Musa acuminata.

Integrated Plastic Management System Within an Agricultural Enterprise Analysis of actual context, system model and simulation

The enterprise has an intricate and elaborate system of relationships between the departments, functioning closely as a cell within an organism, with its defined role within the market. In the complex context of actual economic system, resources are limited and enterprises seek for efficiency in order to reduce costs. In this paper we present the development of a solution for the optimization of an agricultural enterprise related to the plastic-based materials usage in the agricultural processes. In this matter, the experimental part consists in the creation of a model of a plastic management system using methodologies from the literature (e. g., System Dynamics or SD etc.) and its simulation with specific tools used traditionally. Besides the experimental part, we will make a short analysis regarding the structural and economic issues regarding plastics used in agriculture and some considerations regarding the bioplastic material that can be obtained from different types of agricultural waste.

Effects of high pressure extraction on the extraction yield, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity of Djulis hull.

The hulls of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum) are a type of agricultural waste. Using 70% ethanol as the extraction solvent, this study compared the extraction yields of high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPE) and conventional oscillation extraction (CE) for Djulis hulls (DH). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase activities were also compared. Our findings indicated that 600MPa/5min of HPE resulted in higher total phenolic (567-642mgGAE/g) and flavonoid (47.2-57.2mgQU/g) concentrations; gallic acid (44.5-53.2μg/g) and rutin (26.8-34.2μg/g) were the main phenolic and flavonoid compounds. When the extraction pressure was greater than 450MPa, HPE extracts showed stronger antioxidant capacity and anti-tyrosinase activity than CE extracts. In a LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model of inflammation, HPE extracts had significant inhibitory effects on the cumulative concentrations of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2. These results indicate that HPE had a better extraction yield, and required a shorter time for the extraction of functional ingredients from DH. Hence, DH could be a potential source for natural antioxidants for the food and biotechnology industries.

Comparison of food ingredients of Oysters mushroom cultivation on agricultural waste

The cultivation of edible mushroom on agricultural and industrial waste can be considered as one of the most effective solutions. The use of waste as a substrate for mushroom not only increases its nutritional value and contributes to food security in the community, but also reduces environmental pollution. In this study, Sweet fruit pleurotus Floridain Florida was cultivated on two types of agricultural waste (rice straw and wheat straw) and then the amount of yield, fat, ash, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc and iron was evaluated. Statistical studies indicated that cultivation mushroom on the wheat straw was more suitable for fruiting and nutritional value.

ON THE REPLACEMENT OF FOSSIL COAL IN LOCAL SOLID FUEL BOILERS

The paper substantiates the need to replace fossil coal in local solid fuel boilers by biocoal produced from various types of agricultural waste. Selection of the best available technology for biocoal production should be based on an integrated assessment including economic, environmental and social aspects. It is noted that direct combustion of agricultural waste does not meet environmental safety standards and also requires significant costs for modernization of existing boiler equipment. It is proposed to produce biocoal from agricultural waste using modern methods of thermochemical treatment — torrefaction and carbonization. End-products of biomass torrefaction — biocoal pellets or briquettes — have high calorific value, low sulfur and heavy metal contents, and low nitrogen oxide emissions. Hydrothermal carbonization is currently the most advanced biomass processing technology. It completely prevents pollution and has a number of significant advantages over other methods of biomass treatment. These advantages make it possible to consider hydrothermal carbonization to be the best available technology for the production of biochar, liquid biofuel and other products from non-food biomass. Bibl. 15, Fig. 2, Tab. 1.

THE POSSIBILITY STUDY OF BRIQUETTING AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Globally energy crisis is known as a new era’s biggest problem. The use of agricultural wastes into the form of briquettes are the best alternative option of renewable energy sources. This paper studies the possibility of utilizing agricultural wastes into briquetting production with high calorific value. Major wastes were sugarcane bagasse, coffee husk, wheat straw, peanut shells, rice husks, paddy straw, corn stalks, sunflower stalk, soybean husk, coir pitch, jute sticks, caster seed shells, mustard stalks, cotton stalks and tobacco wastes for energy in the form of briquettes biomass. Observations were taken from Department of Bioenergy, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), India of different raw materials and briquettes of those raw materials. Results show that there were very satisfactory results after evaluation. In general, calorific value briquettes is higher than those of raw materials. Raw materials of agricultural wastes and forest residual wastes ranged from 1,200-3,000 Kcal/Kg and its calorific values are significantly higher in briquettes than raw materials. Raw material of rice husk produces 3,000 Kcal/kg and briquettes of rice husk produces 3200 Kcal/kg. Likewise differences were observed in all types of agricultural wastes. The input and output ratio ware observed as cost-effective and profitable in all parameters for the farmers. Briquetting production is the emerging, ecofriendly, cost effective and profitable technology for the use of agricultural residues. It may help farmers to improve its socio-economic status and proper reuses of agricultural wastes.

Biogas production from agricultural and municipal waste

The article presents the results of biogas production from municipal and agricultural waste. The mesophilic digestion of feedstocks was evaluated. Fermentation process was performed according to the DIN 38414-S8. Five types of agricultural waste were used for the research: 100% maize silage, 25% apple pomace – 75% maize silage, 50% apple pomace – 50% maize silage, 75% apple pomace – 25% maize silage and under – size fraction of municipal waste from the sorting drum. Fermentation of waste was carried out for 30 days. In the produced biogas, there were measured the content of: CH4, CO2, O2 and the total yield of biogas. The combination of different groups of waste in the fermentation process causes a higher efficiency of biogas production. Additionally thermal analysis (TG, DSC) of biogas digestate were conducted. Due to the impurities present in the biogas digestate derived from municipal waste, it becomes impossible to use it as fertilizer in agriculture.

Термодинамический анализ плазменной газификации отходов сельского хозяйства

Most of the agricultural waste (AW) comes from poultry farms and livestock farms mainly in the form of bird droppings and cattle dung. Irrational use of large volumes of such waste negatively affects the environment. Modern technologies allow utilizing agricultural waste to produce energy gas. Plasma recycling of waste from the agro-industrial complex allows intensifying the process of obtaining energy gas consisting mainly of synthesis gas (СО+Н2) and a 150–200-fold increase in the gas productivity of the plasma gasifier compared with biogas generators. This article is devoted to the thermodynamic modelling of AW plasma-processing. The thermodynamic analysis of the waste plasma processing was performed using the universal program of thermodynamic calculations TERRA. In the work under the AW means the excrement of farm animals (manure). For research, dried mixed manure (dung with 30% moisture content) from cattle is used. Thermodynamic calculations showed that during plasma gasification and pyrolysis of AW, high-calorie combustible gas is produced with a synthesis gas yield of 65.2 and 68.5%, respectively. No harmful components were detected. Plasma gasifier will allow to effectively process various types of AW into high calorific energy gas, consisting mainly of synthesis gas, and into neutral slag. The technological scheme of AW plasma processing has been developed. Using proposed plasma plant that implements this scheme, depending on the composition of the AW, up to 1.7 m3 of dry energy gas can be obtained from 1 kg of AW. At the same time, its caloric content will vary from 8500 to 300 MJ/Nm3. The composition of the energy gas will be following, vol.%: H2 - 35-39, CO - 29-31, CO2 - 4-6, N2 - 10-14, H2O - 13-18. Such gas can be used as a working medium of highly efficient electric generators of a new generation, including solid oxide fuel cells or as a raw material for the production of synthetic motor fuels (methanol, dimethylether)

Sulfonation of dialdehyde cellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse for synergistically enhanced water solubility

Sulfonated cellulose (SC) was successfully derived from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from sugarcane bagasse, which is a type of agricultural waste. The obtained MCC was first modified by oxidation using sodium periodate in order to cleave the carbon-carbon bonds at the C2 and C3 of the pyranose ring to form 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose. These activated aldehyde groups significantly facilitated the sulfonation carried out using potassium metabisulfite. The sulfonic acid group contents, surface morphology, and water solubility of the obtained products were characterized by titration, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and zeta potential. High sulfonic acid group content was achieved for the obtained SC samples (i.e., 305–689 μmol/g). The increase in the sulfonic acid group content resulted in the gradual change in the surface morphology and water solubility of the SC samples. The obtained results imply that sugarcane bagasse is a promising raw material for the production of SC with good water solubility.

On the Correlation of Lignocellulosic Filler Composition with the Performance Properties of Poly(\u03b5-Caprolactone) Based Biocomposites

In this work, three types of agricultural waste: olive stones (OS), date seed (DS) and wheat bran (WB) were applied as potential lignocellulosic fillers in poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based biocomposites. Differences in composites’ performance were related to the higher content of proteins, noted for WB comparing to other fillers applied, which enhanced plasticization of PCL matrix. The mechanical properties of biocomposites were significantly affected by the agricultural waste fillers. Use of WB caused an obvious, even 25% decrease of tensile strength and hardness, which could be explained on account of glass transition temperature depletion and weaker matrix–filler interfacial interactions. Such phenomenon also increased water uptake of PCL/WB composites by more than 100%, while for PCL/OS and PCL/DS systems only for about 50%. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all investigated composites can be effectively processed without thermal decomposition. Generally, the outcome of this work demonstrated that OS, DS, and WB could be applied as promising lignocellulosic fillers used in manufacturing of high-performance polymer biocomposites.

Characterization of Several Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)-Based Agricultural Wastes via X-Ray Diffraction Method

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from various types of local agricultural wastes. Four types of agricultural waste such as coconut coir, banana stem, sugarcane bagasse and pineapple leaves were collected, extracted and hydrolyzed into microcrystalline cellulose, using pre-treatment (alkaline and bleaching) and acid hydrolysis, respectively. The extracted MCC were analyzed and compared with those of commercially available MCC. The study of crystallinity behaviors of the obtained MCC was performed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD of MCC revealed that the crystallinity of pineapple leaves has the highest crystallinity index with 75% in value and closest compared to commercial MCC, 81.25%. The value of crystallinity index for banana stem is 74.55% followed by coconut coir, 72.73% and sugarcane bagasse, 66.50%. All of the MCC samples showed the similar pattern with the typical crystalline structure of cellulose I. The crystallite size of all MCC samples was calculated and found in the range of 4.04 – 5.14 nm. These extracted MCC that obtained from several agricultural wastes was supposed to have a high potential as value-added products in industrial applications.

Evaluating the Fires and Oxygen Deficiency Risks Caused by Stored Agricultural Waste

In the Japanese agricultural industry, efforts are being made to recycle waste produced in order to use resources more efficiently. However, in some cases, when stored for long periods of time these materials generate heat through fermentation, which can eventually result in spontaneous ignition or oxygen deficiency in storage areas, resulting in the deaths of workers. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments on several types of agricultural waste (organic waste generated by agricultural production activities in Japan) frequently stored for recycling, using combinations of various thermal- and gas-analysers, in order to identify the risk factors related to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deficiency accidents. The aim of this research was to understand the circumstances leading to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deficiency accidents in storage facilities and to recommend safety measures to prevent such occurrences. Our results suggest that fermentation is likely responsible for the generation of heat and production of carbon dioxide at temperatures up to approximately 50 °C, where microbial activity diminishes. At temperatures beyond 50 °C, a transition into heat generation by the oxidation of fatty acid esters occurs. Additionally, when the barrier of heat absorption is overcome at around 100 °C due to the evaporation of water, there is a transition to thermal cracking that could lead to fire. Accidents due to oxygen deficiency may occur when a storage facility is well sealed and the amount of oxygen circulation is minimal. However, when the amount of oxygen is sufficient; the substance is stored in large deposits; and the facility is well insulated, fermentation can cause the temperature to increase. Therefore, it is desirable to periodically measure the temperature of stored materials and monitor the generated gases.

Sustainable Livestock Development In The Border Of Merauke Region Based On Environment

The purpose of this research is to provide information on sustainable livestock strategies with regard to the environment and social of Papua local communities in the process of cattle breeding process. In addition to increasing the productivity of local livestock, it is required the efficiency of the use of feed materials derived from agricultural waste. This policy should be supported with innovation and technology. Data collection method of this research using two types of data that is primary data and secondary data, primary data obtained from interviews of 30 breeders and the determination of respondents is conducted by way of purposive sampling. Secondary data were obtained from the Livestock Service Office of Merauke Regency, Department of Food Crops and Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). The field survey results show that in addition to the field grass as the main feed, all breeders use agricultural waste as forage for livestock feed and use little palm oil waste. Types of agricultural waste used are rice straw, sweet potato straw, corn stalks and leaves, and groundnut straw. The highest agricultural waste production is corn stalk and leaves and banana waste both based on fresh produce and dry ingredients. In addition to the most common maintenance pattern is extensively and the best livestock development sites are in elikobel. Site selection based on various things such as location of topography, suboptimal land use, integration pattern optimization, developing local livestock such as poultry and pigs. The conclusion of this research is the strategy of development of sustainable livestock in border area can be conducted in elikobel district with various records such as the need of government policy related to environmentally careful livestock integration system, improving feed innovation and technology, livestock breeding, reproduction technology, and animal disease control to increase productivity and production of local livestock.

Pyrolysis of Olive Mill Waste with On-line and Ex-post Analysis

Olive mill wastes constitute a serious environmental problem in the Mediterranean region due to the unique features associated with this type of agricultural waste. Therefore, it is not surprising that research efforts have been directed towards developing efficient treatment technologies including various physical–chemical processes. In this paper we present a thermo-chemical degradation method (pyrolysis) to produce biochar. The large part of work is devoted to understand the pyrolysis processes using on-line analysis of thermal parameters and chemical composition. The originality of our work resides in the on-line analysis in the form of temperature measurements during individual pyrolysis cycles as well as the whole pyrolysis process, accompanied with on-line measurements of component concentrations during the whole pyrolysis process. On-line and ex-post analysis of gas phase composition provides important information about environmental impacts of the pyrolyzing process. The concentration profiles of CO, CO2, CH4, H2 and NOX were measured at four locations within the pilot system with a high sampling frequency (every 8 s) during whole pyrolysis process. In terms of the general aspects and possible future application of pyrolysis and its products we propose a novel method capable to reduce carbon dioxide concentrations in pyrolysis gas. The average CO2 removal efficiency during the whole pyrolysis process was as high as 65%. The final product is solid proteinoid. The pyrolysis process decrease the amont of waste to 10% of input amount of material. The carbon char produced in the system may find several applications especially in the agriculture.

Kiwi Clear‐Cut: First Evaluation of Recovered Biomass for Energy Production

Among the various types of agricultural waste, significant amounts of energy can be obtained from woodchips derived from comminuted pruning residues. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using kiwi orchard clear-cut biomass for energy production. The field trial was conducted in a commercial kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) orchard located in Northwest Italy. We evaluated the biomass yield, woodchip quality, energy consumption, and economic sustainability of this practice. Processed data determined the available biomass to be 20.6 tonnes dry matter ha−1. Woodchip analysis showed a biomass moisture content of 53% and a relatively low heating value of about 7.5 MJ·kg−1. Furthermore, the average ash content was 2.4%. Production cost was 99.6 €·t−1 dry matter, which was slightly less than the market price of 100 €·t−1 dry matter for woodchips. In summary, kiwi clear-cut recovered biomass may be a valid alternative biomass source.

Bioadsorption of Multiple Heavy Metal Ions by Rhizophora Apiculate sp. and Elaesis Guineensis sp.

Heavy metal ions contamination has become more serious which is caused by the releasing of toxic water from industrial area and landfill that are very harmful to all living organism especially human and can even cause death if contaminated in small amount of heavy metal concentration. Currently, peoples are using classic method namely electrochemical treatment, chemical oxidation/reduction, chemical precipitation and reverse osmosis to eliminate the metal ions from toxic water. Unfortunately, these methods are costly and not environmentally friendly as compared to bioadsorption method, where agricultural waste is used as biosorbent to remove heavy metals. Two types of agricultural waste used in this research namely oil palm mesocarp fiber (Elaesis guineensis sp.) (OPMF) and mangrove bark (Rhizophora apiculate sp.) (MB) biomass. Through chemical treatment, the removal efficiency was found to improve. The removal efficiency is examined based on four specification namely dosage, of biosorbent to adsorb four types of metals ion explicitly nickel, lead, copper, and chromium. The research has found that the removal efficiency of MB was lower than OPMF; whereas, the multiple metals ions removal efficiency decreased in the order of Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Cr2+.

Improvement of soft clay with cement and bagasse ash waste

The main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of bagasse ash (BA), a type of agricultural waste from the sugar industry, as an admixture to improve the unconfined compressive strength, chemical composition and microstructural properties of soft clay. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) type I is partially replaced with BA and mixed with soft clay to generate CBA-admixed soft clay. The test results show that the replacement of OPC with BA can enhance the strength by as much as that of OPC alone, and 20% BA is considered optimum. The correlation between the modulus of elasticity and the unconfined compressive strength can be expressed as a linear function. The loss of strength due to soaking during the early stage is higher than that during the final stage. Multiple regression analysis is conducted to predict the strength while accounting for four parameters that affect strength development, namely, the after-curing void ratio, the curing time, and the concentrations of the calcium silicate hydrate and the ettringite products.

Bioadsorption of Multiple Heavy Metal Ions by Rhizophora Apiculate sp. and Elaesis Guineensis sp.

Heavy metal ions contamination has become more serious which is caused by the releasing of toxic water from industrial area and landfill that are very harmful to all living organism especially human and can even cause death if contaminated in small amount of heavy metal concentration. Currently, peoples are using classic method namely electrochemical treatment, chemical oxidation/reduction, chemical precipitation and reverse osmosis to eliminate the metal ions from toxic water. Unfortunately, these methods are costly and not environmentally friendly as compared to bioadsorption method, where agricultural waste is used as biosorbent to remove heavy metals. Two types of agricultural waste used in this research namely oil palm mesocarp fiber (Elaesis guineensis sp.) (OPMF) and mangrove bark (Rhizophora apiculate sp.) (MB) biomass. Through chemical treatment, the removal efficiency was found to improve. The removal efficiency is examined based on four specification namely dosage, of biosorbent to adsorb four types of metals ion explicitly nickel, lead, copper, and chromium. The research has found that the removal efficiency of MB was lower than OPMF; whereas, the multiple metals ions removal efficiency decreased in the order of Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Cr2+.

Cr6 + removal using oleaster (Elaeagnus) seed and cherry (Prunus avium) stone biochar

In this study biochar was selected as the supporting media for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+). Biochar is a favored adsorbent due to its high surface area and pore volume. It has created using a pyrolysis process, heating biomass in a low oxygen environment. Two types of agricultural waste, oleaster seed biochar (OSBC) and cherry stone biochar (CSBC) were prepared by using the carbonization method. Structure of biochars was analyzed via the SEM, FTIR analyses and surface area of the biochars was determined by BET analysis. Adsorption performances of biochars were examined by the batch type reactors. The effect of the initial pH Cr6+ concentration, adsorbent amount and contact time on the adsorption process were studied. The maximum amount of removed Cr6+ ions from the solution within 150min was found to be 84.2% for OSBC, 81.3% within 180min for CSBC when the initial pH of the solution was maintained at 1.5. Kinetic adsorption of chromium onto biochars was elucidated. The experimental data followed the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics.