scholarly journals Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Leonel J. R. Nunes ◽  
João C. O. Matias ◽  
Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro ◽  
Letícia C. R. Sá ◽  
Hugo F. C. Silva ◽  
...  

The use of residual forms of biomass, resulting from processes of transformation of the agri-food and/or forest industries, presents itself as an alternative with high potential for energy recovery, given the existing availability, both from the perspective of quantities, but also from the perspective of geographic distribution. In this work, samples of four by-products originating from the agri-food industry were collected, namely coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, cashew nutshells, and palm kernel shells, which were characterized in the laboratory by determining their Thermogravimetric and Elemental analysis, subsequently calculating the High Heating Value, Low Heating Value, Hardgrove Grindability Index, Mass Yield, Energy Yield, and Energy Densification Ratio. The values obtained show the potential to optimize logistical operations related to transportation, demonstrating that energy densification operations, especially if associated with physical densification processes, enable the use of these residual forms of biomass in the replacement of fossil fuels, such as coal.

Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Nicholas Eisenbarth ◽  
Xiaoxu Song ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Donghai Wang

The U.S. is sustainably producing of over 1 billion dry tons of biomass annually. This amount of biomass is sufficient to produce bioenergy that can replace about 30 percent of the nation’s current annual consumption of conventional fossil fuels. This then gives us the opportunity to turn waste into bioenergy that can assist in meeting the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Besides being converted into bioethanol through the biochemical platform, biomass can also be utilized solid fuels to generate bioenergy through the thermochemical platform. Co-firing power plants use torrefied biomass pellets combined with coal for electricity generation. A two-step process, torrefaction followed by pelleting, is the prevailing technique that the industry is currently using to produce torrefied biomass pellets. Torrefaction converts biomass into biochar with high heating value, and pelleting densifies torrefied biochar into pellets with high durability and density. For the same purpose, we developed the ultrasonic pelleting and synchronized torrefaction of cellulosic biomass process, which is a single-step process to generate high quality solid fuel pellets with high heating value together with good durability and density. This study reports the first experimental investigation to demonstrate the feasibility of the novel process. Key process parameters have been identified, and their effects on the feasibility of generating quality torrefied biomass pellets are reported. Pellets are evaluated from the aspects of feasibility, durability, heating value, and thermal stability.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4790
Author(s):  
Bartosz Matyjewicz ◽  
Kacper Świechowski ◽  
Jacek A. Koziel ◽  
Andrzej Białowiec

This paper provides a comprehensive description of the new approach to biomass torrefaction under high-pressure conditions. A new type of laboratory-scale high-pressure reactor was designed and built. The aim of the study was to compare the high-pressure torrefaction with conventional near atmospheric pressure torrefaction. Specifically, we investigated the torrefaction process influence on the fuel properties of wooden-pellet for two different pressure regimes up to 15 bar. All torrefaction processes were conducted at 300 °C, at 30 min of residence time. The initial analysis of the increased pressure impact on the torrefaction parameters: mass yields, energy densification ratio, energy yield, process energy consumption, the proximate analysis, high heating value, and energy needed to grind torrefied pellets was completed. The results show that high-pressure torrefaction needed up to six percent less energy, whereas energy densification in the pellet was ~12% higher compared to conventional torrefaction. The presence of pressure during torrefaction did not have an impact on the energy required for pellet grinding (p < 0.05).


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Purnawarman Purnawarman ◽  
Nurchayati Nurchayati ◽  
Yesung Allo Padang

Energy crisis in the world especially from fossil fuels which caused by the depletion of non-renewable petroleum reserves. It is therefore necessary to find sources of alternative fuels that are renewable. Biomass is a solid waste that can be used as a fuels source. Peanuts shell and cobs are biomass from agricultural waste which is quite abundant so it is potential to be used as a source of alternative fuels.In this study, peanuts shell biomass combined with charcoal cobs to be made into briquettes by varying the percentage composition of peanuts shell biomass and charcoal cobs as follows 75 : 25, 50 : 50, and 25 : 75. Briquettes that have been printed and then tested its characteristic include heating value, moisture content and ash content.The results show that as the increasing percentage of the charcoal cobs  have a significant influence on the characteristic of the briquettes. Briquettes with mix KKT 25 : ATJ 75 has an higher heating value (HHV) and lower heating value (LHV) the highest is equal to 28.718 kJ/kg and 28.279 kJ/kg, and the lowest percentage of moisture content is equal to 5.854%, but the highest result percentage of ash content is equal to 9.326%. Based on the test of these characteristic, biomass briquettes peanuts shell - charcoal cobs meet quality standards that have been established and eligible to became a source of alternative fuels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 03009
Author(s):  
Natthanant Bangkha ◽  
Wanphut Saechua ◽  
Tharathip Nuamyakul ◽  
Jiraporn Sripinyowanich Jongyingcharoen

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of torrefaction temperature on 4 energy properties as high heating value (HHV), enhancement factor, solid yield, and energy yield of spent coffee ground (SCG). Four different torrefaction temperatures (200, 250, 300, and 350°C) were selected. Torrefaction process was conducted at the heating rate of 10°C/min. HHV and enhancement factor were the highest when SCG was torrefied at the highest temperature of 350°C. However, at this temperature, solid and energy yields were the lowest. Torrefaction temperature highly affected these four energy properties with R of higher than 0.9. Regression models representing the relationship between torrefaction temperature and HHV and energy yield were HHV = 0.0519T+15.917, R2 = 0.9483 and energy yield = -0.2743T+155.1, R2 = 0.9976. These models are helpful for prediction of the energy properties of SCG undergoing torrefaction process in the studied temperature range.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 181126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangyu Fan ◽  
Zongling Yang ◽  
Han Li ◽  
Zhengjun Shi ◽  
Huan Kan

Macadamia nut shell (MNS) is a type of waste lignocellulose obtained from macadamia nut production processing. Large MNS wastes caused serious resource waste and environmental pollution. So, preparation of hydrochars from MNS via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is of great significance. HTC of MNS was conducted to study the effect of process parameters, including HTC temperature (180–260°C) and residence time (60–180 min) on the properties of hydrochars. Results showed that the increase in HTC temperature and residence time decreased the mass yield of hydrochars and increased the high heating value of hydrochars. Furthermore, the C content of hydrochars increased, whereas the H and O contents decreased. Mass yield of hydrochar is 46.59%, energy yield is 64.55% and the higher heating value is 26.02 MJ kg −1 at a temperature of 260°C and time of 120 min. The surface structure of hydrochars was rougher compared with that of MNS as observed via scanning electron microscopy. The chemical and combustion behaviour of MNS and hydrochars was analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis indicated that decarboxylation and dehydration reactions were the predominant pathways during the HTC process. Results showed that HTC can facilitate the transformation of MNS into solid fuel.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 2945-2949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahrul Hayawin Zainal ◽  
Astimar Abdul Aziz ◽  
Juferi Idris ◽  
Ropandi Mamat ◽  
Mohd Ali Hassan ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Afzanizam Samiran ◽  
Mohammad Nazri Mohd Jaafar ◽  
Cheng Tung Chong ◽  
Ng Jo-Han

Fossil fuel as the world dominated energy source is depleting and posing environmental issue. Therefore, Synthesis gas (or syngas) which serve environmental clean fuel characteristic is expected to play a major role as one of the potential renewable energy in the future. Syngas, produced from solid feedstock (such as biomass, coal, refinery residual, organic waste and municipal waste) via gasification process can be used directly as fuel for power generation. Besides, syngas also acts as key intermediary to produce transport fuel depending on their quality. The chosen feedstock for syngas production determines the composition and heating value of the syngas produced and hence will be reviewed in general. This paper then review critically palms biomass as the potential source of feedstock for syngas production, as it is widely accessible in the context Malaysia. Palm biomass presents a solution that is sustainable and eco-friendly that is yet to be fully capitalized in the palm oil industry.  Some of the palm biomass including oil palm frond (OPF), empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) are identified to contain high heating value which indicate their potential use as solid biomass feedstock for syngas production.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Bonilla ◽  
Gerardo Gordillo

The increasing energy consumption, mostly supplied by fossil fuels, has motivated the research and development of alternative fuel technologies to decrease the humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels, which leads to pollution of natural sources. Small-scale biomass gasification, using air-steam blends for partial oxidation, is a good alternative since biomass is a neutral carbon feedstock for sustainable energy generation. This research presents results obtained from an experimental study on coffee husk (CH) gasification, using air-steam blends for partial oxidation in a 10 kW fixed-bed gasifier. Parametric studies on equivalence ratio (ER) (1.53 < ER < 6.11) and steam-fuel (SF) ratio (0.23 < SF < 0.89) were carried out. The results show that increasing both SF and ER results in a syngas rich in CH4 and H2 but poor in CO. Also, decreased SF and ER decrease the peak temperature (Tpeak) at the gasifier combustion zone. The syngas high heating value (HHV) ranged from 3112 kJ/SATPm3 to 5085 kJ/SATPm3 and its maximum value was obtained at SF = 0.87 and ER = 4.09. The dry basis molar concentrations of the species, produced under those operating conditions (1.53 < ER < 6.11 and 0.23 < SF < 0.89), were between 1.12 and 4.1% for CH4, between 7.77 and 13.49% for CO, and between 7.54 and 19.07% for H2. Other species were in trace amount.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Made Dirgantara ◽  
Karelius Karelius ◽  
Marselin Devi Ariyanti, Sry Ayu K. Tamba

Abstrak – Biomassa merupakan salah satu energi terbarukan yang sangat mudah ditemui, ramah lingkungan dan cukup ekonomis. Keberadaan biomassa dapat dimaanfaatkan sebagai pengganti bahan bakar fosil, baik itu minyak bumi, gas alam maupun batu bara. Analisi diperlukan sebagai dasar biomassa sebagai energi seperti proksimat dan kalor. Analisis terpenting untuk menilai biomassa sebagai bahan bakar adalah nilai kalori atau higher heating value (HHV). HHV secara eksperimen diukur menggunakan bomb calorimeter, namun pengukuran ini kurang efektif, karena memerlukan waktu serta biaya yang tinggi. Penelitian mengenai prediksi HHV berdasarkan analisis proksimat telah dilakukan sehingga dapat mempermudah dan menghemat biaya yang diperlukan peneliti. Dalam makalah ini dibahas evaluasi persamaan untuk memprediksi HHV berdasarkan analisis proksimat pada biomassa berdasarkan data dari penelitian sebelumnya. Prediksi nilai HHV menggunakan lima persamaan yang dievaluasi dengan 25 data proksimat biomassa dari penelitian sebelumnya, kemudian dibandingkan berdasarkan nilai error untuk mendapatkan prediksi terbaik. Hasil analisis menunjukan, persamaan A terbaik di 7 biomassa, B di 6 biomassa, C di 6 biomassa, D di 5 biomassa dan E di 1 biomassa.Kata kunci: bahan bakar, biomassa, higher heating value, nilai error, proksimat  Abstract – Biomass is a renewable energy that is very easy to find, environmentally friendly, and quite economical. The existence of biomass can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels, both oil, natural gas, and coal. Analyzes are needed as a basis for biomass as energy such as proximate and heat. The most critical analysis to assess biomass as fuel is the calorific value or higher heating value (HHV). HHV is experimentally measured using a bomb calorimeter, but this measurement is less effective because it requires time and high costs. Research on the prediction of HHV based on proximate analysis has been carried out so that it can simplify and save costs needed by researchers. In this paper, the evaluation of equations is discussed to predict HHV based on proximate analysis on biomass-based on data from previous studies. HHV prediction values using five equations were evaluated with 25 proximate biomass data from previous studies, then compared based on error value to get the best predictions. The analysis shows that Equation A predicts best in 7 biomass, B in 6 biomass, C in 6 biomass, D in 5 biomass, and E in 1 biomass. Key words: fuel, biomass, higher heating value, error value, proximate 


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8147
Author(s):  
Sasiwimol Khawkomol ◽  
Rattikan Neamchan ◽  
Thunchanok Thongsamer ◽  
Soydoa Vinitnantharat ◽  
Boonma Panpradit ◽  
...  

A horizontal drum kiln is a traditional method widely used in Southeast Asian countries for producing biochar. An understanding of temperature conditions in the kiln and its influence on biochar properties is crucial for identifying suitable biochar applications. In this study, four agricultural residues (corncob, coconut husk, coconut shell, and rice straw) were used for drum kiln biochar production. The agricultural residues were turned into biochar within 100–200 min, depending on their structures. The suitability of biochar for briquette fuels was analyzed using proximate, ultimate, and elemental analysis. The biochar’s physical and chemical properties were characterized via bulk density, iodine number, pHpzc, SEM, and FTIR measurements. All biochars had low O/C and H/C ratios and negative charge from both carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Coconut husk and shell biochar had desirable properties such as high heating value and a high amount of surface functional groups which can interact with nutrients in soil. These biochars are thus suitable for use for a variety of purposes including as biofuels, adsorbents, and as soil amendments.


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