scholarly journals A Circular Approach for Making Fischer–Tropsch E-fuels and E-chemicals From Biogas Plants in Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Marchese ◽  
Marta Gandiglio ◽  
Andrea Lanzini
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Carbon Potential ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Fischer Tropsch ◽  
Biogas Plants

In a mature circular economy model of carbon material, no fossil compound is extracted from the underground. Hence, the C1 molecule from non-fossil sources such as biogas, biomass, or carbon dioxide captured from the air represents the raw material to produce various value-added products through carbon capture and utilization routes. Accordingly, the present work investigates the utilization of the full potential of biogas and digestate waste streams derived from anaerobic digestion processes available at the European level to generate synthetic Fischer–Tropsch products focusing on the wax fraction. This study estimates a total amount of available carbon dioxide of 33.9 MtCO2/y from the two above-mentioned sources. Of this potential, 10.95 MtCO2/y is ready-to-use as separated CO2 from operating biogas-upgrading plants. Similarly, the total amount of ready-to-use wet digestate corresponds to 29.1 Mtdig/y. Moreover, the potential out-take of Fischer–Tropsch feedstock was evaluated based on process model results. Utilizing the full biogas plants’ carbon potential available in Europe, a total of 10.1 Mt/h of Fischer–Tropsch fuels and 3.86 Mt/h of Fischer–Tropsch waxes can be produced, covering up to 79% of the global wax demand. Utilizing only the streams derived from biomethane plants (installed in Europe), 136 ton/h of FT liquids and 48 ton/h of FT wax can be generated, corresponding to about 8% of the global wax demand. Finally, optimal locations for cost-effective Fischer–Tropsch wax production were also identified.

scholarly journals The Hungarian Wood-Based Panel Industry and its Impact on the Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-172
Author(s):  
Gábor Laborczy ◽  
András Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Forest Products Industry ◽  
Round Wood

Abstract It is well known that worldwide deforestation has a negative impact on the global environment. Forests play an important role in producing oxygen as well as retaining gases that create the greenhouse effect. Forests primarily absorb carbon dioxide, the major air pollutant released by the industrial activities. Energy production is the major source of environmental contamination. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, another issue this industrial sector must tackle is to decrease the use of fossil fuels by substituting them with renewable, environmentally friendly energy sources. One of the answers to these challenges is the utilization of biomass as energy sources. However, biomass-based fuels include short bolts, split round-wood, pulpwood, bark and by-products of sawmilling, which are the raw materials for the wood-based panel industry as well.Wood utilization of the forest products industry has a major impact on the delayed release of carbon dioxide stored in the wood. All over the world, just as in Hungary, the wood-based panel industry mainly uses low quality wood resources and turns them into value added products. The elongation of the life cycle of low quality wood materials decreases CO2 emissions, thus significantly contributing to environmental protection. Furthermore, it is assumed that raw material demand of the wood-based panel industry could be satisfied by focusing on sustainable forest management and well-planned reforestation. Additionally, special energy-plantations may provide extra wood resources, while waste and other non-usable parts of trees contribute to the effective and economic operation of biomass utilizing power-plants. This paper summarizes the current situation of the Hungarian wood-based panel industry and discusses the effects of the panel manufacturing processes on the environment. Also, it outlines the possible future of this important segment of the forest products industry.

scholarly journals Capture, Storage and Utilization of Carbon Dioxide by Microalgae and Production of Biomaterials

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 574-586
Author(s):  
Marta Bertolini ◽  
Fosca Conti
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Carbon Capture And Storage ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Operative Strategies

Abstract Carbon dioxide emissions are strongly related to climate change and increase of global temperature. Whilst a complete change in producing materials and energy and in traffic and transportation systems is already in progress and circular economy concepts are on working, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) represent technically practicable operative strategies. Both technologies have main challenges related to high costs, so that further advanced research is required to obtain feasible options. In this article, the focus is mainly on CCU using microalgae that are able to use CO2 as building block for value-added products such as biofuels, EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substances), biomaterials and electricity. The results of three strains (UTEX 90, CC 2656, and CC 1010) of the microalgal organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are discussed. The results about ideal culture conditions suggest incubation temperature of 30 °C, pH between 6.5 and 7.0, concentrations of acetate between 1.6 and 2.3 g L–1 and of ammonium chloride between 0.1 and 0.5 g L–1, the addition of glucose This green microalga is a valid model system to optimize the production of biomass, carbohydrates and lipids.

scholarly journals Exploiting xylan as sugar donor for the synthesis of an antiproliferative xyloside using an enzyme cascade

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Nieto-Domínguez ◽  
José Alberto Martínez-Fernández ◽  
Beatriz Fernández de Toro ◽  
Juan A. Méndez-Líter ◽  
Francisco Javier Cañada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Synthesis ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Birchwood Xylan ◽  
Enzyme Cascade ◽  
Antiproliferative Agent ◽  
Xylanolytic Enzymes ◽  
Value Added Products

Abstract Background Currently, industrial societies are seeking for green alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis. This demand has merged with the efforts to convert lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. In this context, xylan, as one of main components of lignocellulose, has emerged as a raw material with high potential for advancing towards a sustainable economy. Results In this study, the recombinant endoxylanase rXynM from the ascomycete Talaromyces amestolkiae has been heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris and used as one of the catalysts of an enzyme cascade developed to synthesize the antiproliferative 2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl) β-d-xylopyranoside, by transglycosylation of 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene. The approach combines the use of two fungal xylanolytic enzymes, rXynM and the β-xylosidase rBxTW1 from the same fungus, with the cost-effective substrate xylan. The reaction conditions for the cascade were optimized by a Central Composite Design. Maximal productions of 0.59 and 0.38 g/L were reached using beechwood xylan and birchwood xylan, respectively. For comparison, xylans from other sources were tested in the same reaction, suggesting that a specific optimization is required for each xylan variety. The results obtained using this enzyme cascade and xylan were similar or better to those previously reported for a single catalyst and xylobiose, an expensive sugar donor. Conclusions Beechwood and birchwood xylan, two polysaccharides easily available from biomass, were used in a novel enzyme cascade to synthetize an antiproliferative agent. The approach represents a green alternative to the conventional chemical synthesis of 2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl) β-d-xylopyranoside using a cost-effective substrate. The work highlights the role of xylan as a raw material for producing value-added products and the potential of fungal xylanolytic enzymes in the biomass conversion.

scholarly journals Eco-friendly laminated strand lumber from date palm rachis

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-367
Author(s):  
Masoud Shafie ◽  
Hamid Zarea-Hosseinabadi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Design Of Experiments ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Taguchi Design ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Taguchi Design Of Experiments ◽  
Product Thickness

This study was performed to use date palm rachis, as a low value bio-waste, in the manufacture of a high value added eco-friendly structural composite lumber. Taguchi design of experiments was applied to analyse the effect of raw material and product parameters on the mechanical properties of laminated strand lumber from date palm rachis. The results indicate that the composite exhibits similar or superior strength properties compared to solid lumber and engineered products from wood or other lignocellulosic material for building sector. Taguchi design of experiments was assessed as a powerful and cost effective technique to obtain optimal levels for maximizing the mechanical properties of the environmentally-friendly composite. Maximum values for the mechanical properties of date palm rachis-based LSL were obtained from a combination of 20 mm product thickness, 10 % resin content, 4mm strand thickness, and 850 kg/m3 product density. Product thickness with an 81.3 % contribution and strand thickness with an 80 % contribution have the highest effects on the flatwise stiffness and compression strength perpendicular to grain, respectively.

Preparation of Pyrrhotite from Ammonium Jarosite and Estimation of Activation Energy in Reducing Atmosphere

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Ma ◽  
Hongbin Tan ◽  
Faqin Dong ◽  
Bowen Li ◽  
Jinfeng Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activation Energy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Sulfuric Acid Production ◽  
Reducing Atmosphere ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Simple Processing ◽  
Oxide Phases ◽  
Ammonium Jarosite

Abstract Ammonium jarosite sediment is a by-product of hydrometallurgical process used to extract zinc metal, which, which contains heavy metal ions and raises severe environmental concerns The transformation of jarosite sediment into high-value-added sulfide products through simple processing is a cost-effective and efficient strategy to overcome environmental and waste management issues. Herein, the influence of sulfur on thermal decomposition of ammonium jarosite is investigated in reducing atmosphere. The results reveal that the presence of sulfur promoted the decomposition of ammonium jarosite and szomolnokite and iron oxide phases have been observed after being heat treated at 300 °C. Moreover, after heat treatment at 700 °C, the decomposition of jarosite/sulfur mixture resulted in the formation of pyrrhotite phase, which can be used as a raw material for sulfuric acid production. Lastly, the activation energy of pyrrhotite formation has been estimated by using KAS equation and found to be 216.2 kJ/mol in reducing atmosphere.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Sustainable Carbon Negative Eco-Industrial Parks

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth J. Abraham ◽  
Farah Ramadan ◽  
Dhabia M. Al-Mohannadi
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Industrial Parks ◽  
And Storage

Growing climate change concerns in recent years have led to an increased need for carbon dioxide emission reduction. This can be achieved by implementing the concept of circular economy, which promotes the practice of resource conservation, emission minimization, and the maintenance of sustainable revenue streams. A considerable amount of carbon dioxide emissions is a consequence of stationary sources from industrial processes. These emissions can be reduced using carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) or reduced at source by using emission free renewable resources. The method developed within this work uses mixed integer linear programming (MILP) to design sustainable clusters that convert seawater (including waste brine), air, and waste carbon dioxide emissions to value-added products with sunlight as the main energy source. In this way, circular economy is employed to minimize fresh resource consumption and maximize material reuse. The potential of this work is demonstrated through a case study, which shows that an industrial park may be profitable while adhering to strict emission and material constraints.

scholarly journals Studies on the CO2 Capture by Coal Fly Ash Zeolites: Process Design and Simulation

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8279
Author(s):  
Silviya Boycheva ◽  
Ivan Marinov ◽  
Denitza Zgureva-Filipova
Keyword(s):  
Fly Ash ◽  
Co2 Capture ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Coal Fly Ash ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Thermal Recovery ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Dynamic Adsorption ◽  
Co2 Capture Capacity

At present, mitigating carbon emissions from energy production and industrial processes is more relevant than ever to limit climate change. The widespread implementation of carbon capture technologies requires the development of cost-effective and selective adsorbents with high CO2 capture capacity and low thermal recovery. Coal fly ash has been extensively studied as a raw material for the synthesis of low-cost zeolite-like adsorbents for CO2 capture. Laboratory tests for CO2 adsorption onto coal fly ash zeolites (CFAZ) reveal promising results, but detailed computational studies are required to clarify the applicability of these materials as CO2 adsorbents on a pilot and industrial scale. The present study provides results for the validation of a simulation model for the design of adsorption columns for CO2 capture on CFAZ based on the experimental equilibrium and dynamic adsorption on a laboratory scale. The simulations were performed using ProSim DAC dynamic adsorption software to study mass transfer and energy balance in the thermal swing adsorption mode and in the most widely operated adsorption unit configuration.

scholarly journals Study on Selected Metal-Organic Framework-Based Catalysts for Cycloaddition Reaction of CO2 with Epoxides: A Highly Economic Solution for Carbon Capture and Utilization

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 3905
Author(s):  
Suleiman Gani Musa ◽  
Zulkifli Merican Aljunid Merican ◽  
Omid Akbarzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Metal Organic Frameworks ◽  
Cycloaddition Reaction ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Organic Carbonates ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Organic Framework

The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is growing rapidly due to fossil fuel combustion processes, heavy oil, coal, oil shelter, and exhausts from automobiles for energy generation, which lead to depletion of the ozone layer and consequently result in global warming. The realization of a carbon-neutral environment is the main focus of science and academic researchers of today. Several processes were employed to minimize carbon dioxide in the air, some of which include the utilization of non-fossil sources of energy like solar, nuclear, and biomass-based fuels. Consequently, these sources were reported to have a relatively high cost of production and maintenance. The applications of both homogeneous and heterogeneous processes in carbon capture and storage were investigated in recent years and the focus now is on the conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals and compounds. It was established that CO2 can undergo cycloaddition reaction with epoxides under the influence of special catalysts to give cyclic carbonates, which can be used as value-added chemicals at a different level of pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Among the various catalysts studied for this reaction, metal-organic frameworks are now on the frontline as a potential catalyst due to their special features and easy synthesis. Several metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts were studied for their application in transforming CO2 to organic carbonates using epoxides. Here, we report some recent studies of porous MOF materials and an in-depth discussion of two repeatedly used metal-organic frameworks as a catalyst in the conversion of CO2 to organic carbonates.

Biorefinery implementation for recovery debottlenecking at existing pulp mills- Part II: Techno-economic evaluation

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAKIM GHEZZAZ ◽  
LUC PELLETIER ◽  
PAUL R. STUART
Keyword(s):  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Black Liquor ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Precipitation Process

The evaluation and process risk assessment of (a) lignin precipitation from black liquor, and (b) the near-neutral hemicellulose pre-extraction for recovery boiler debottlenecking in an existing pulp mill is presented in Part I of this paper, which was published in the July 2012 issue of TAPPI Journal. In Part II, the economic assessment of the two biorefinery process options is presented and interpreted. A mill process model was developed using WinGEMS software and used for calculating the mass and energy balances. Investment costs, operating costs, and profitability of the two biorefinery options have been calculated using standard cost estimation methods. The results show that the two biorefinery options are profitable for the case study mill and effective at process debottlenecking. The after-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of the lignin precipitation process option was estimated to be 95%, while that of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process option was 28%. Sensitivity analysis showed that the after tax-IRR of the lignin precipitation process remains higher than that of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process option, for all changes in the selected sensitivity parameters. If we consider the after-tax IRR, as well as capital cost, as selection criteria, the results show that for the case study mill, the lignin precipitation process is more promising than the near-neutral hemicellulose pre-extraction process. However, the comparison between the two biorefinery options should include long-term evaluation criteria. The potential of high value-added products that could be produced from lignin in the case of the lignin precipitation process, or from ethanol and acetic acid in the case of the hemicellulose pre-extraction process, should also be considered in the selection of the most promising process option.

CO2 Reduction to Propanol by Copper Foams: A Pre- and Post-Catalysis Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Rudd ◽  
Ewa Kazimierska ◽  
Louise B. Hamdy ◽  
Odin Bain ◽  
Sunyhik Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Surface Composition ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Structural Rearrangement ◽  
Copper Electrode ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Copper Electrodes

The utilization of carbon dioxide is a major incentive for the growing field of carbon capture. Carbon dioxide could be an abundant building block to generate higher value products. Herein, we describe the use of porous copper electrodes to catalyze the reduction of carbon dioxide into higher value products such as ethylene, ethanol and, notably, propanol. For <i>n</i>-propanol production, faradaic efficiencies reach 4.93% at -0.83 V <i>vs</i> RHE, with a geometric partial current density of -1.85 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>. We have documented the performance of the catalyst in both pristine and urea-modified foams pre- and post-electrolysis. Before electrolysis, the copper electrode consisted of a mixture of cuboctahedra and dendrites. After 35-minute electrolysis, the cuboctahedra and dendrites have undergone structural rearrangement. Changes in the interaction of urea with the catalyst surface have also been observed. These transformations were characterized <i>ex-situ</i> using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We found that alterations in the morphology, crystallinity, and surface composition of the catalyst led to the deactivation of the copper foams.

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