Waste to Carbon: Biocoal from Elephant Dung as New Cooking Fuel

The paper presents, for the first time, the results of fuel characteristics of biochars from torrefaction (a.k.a., roasting or low-temperature pyrolysis) of elephant dung (manure). Elephant dung could be processed and valorized by torrefaction to produce fuel with improved qualities for cooking. The work aimed to examine the possibility of using torrefaction to (1) valorize elephant waste and to (2) determine the impact of technological parameters (temperature and duration of the torrefaction process) on the waste conversion rate and fuel properties of resulting biochar (biocoal). In addition, the influence of temperature on the kinetics of the torrefaction and its energy consumption was examined. The lab-scale experiment was based on the production of biocoals at six temperatures (200–300 °C; 20 °C interval) and three process durations of the torrefaction (20, 40, 60 min). The generated biocoals were characterized in terms of moisture content, organic matter, ash, and higher heating values. In addition, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were also used for process kinetics assessment. The results show that torrefaction is a feasible method for elephant dung valorization and it could be used as fuel. The process temperature ranging from 200 to 260 °C did not affect the key fuel properties (high heating value, HHV, HHVdaf, regardless of the process duration), i.e., important practical information for proposed low-tech applications. However, the higher heating values of the biocoal decreased above 260 °C. Further research is needed regarding the torrefaction of elephant dung focused on scaling up, techno-economic analyses, and the possibility of improving access to reliable energy sources in rural areas.

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Oxytree Pruned Biomass Torrefaction: Mathematical Models of the Influence of Temperature and Residence Time on Fuel Properties Improvement

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma12142228 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (14) ◽

pp. 2228 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kacper Świechowski ◽

Marek Liszewski ◽

Przemysław Bąbelewski ◽

Jacek Koziel ◽

Andrzej Białowiec

Keyword(s):

Residence Time ◽

Fuel Properties ◽

Heating Value ◽

Biomass Residues ◽

Coal Fuel ◽

Lower Heating Value ◽

Torrefied Biomass ◽

Akaike Criterion ◽

Economic Analyses ◽

Low Temperature Pyrolysis

Biowaste generated in the process of Oxytree cultivation and logging represents a potential source of energy. Torrefaction (a.k.a. low-temperature pyrolysis) is one of the methods proposed for the valorization of woody biomass. Still, energy is required for the torrefaction process during which the raw biomass becomes torrefied biomass with fuel properties similar to those of lignite coal. In this work, models describing the influence of torrefaction temperature and residence time on the resulting fuel properties (mass and energy yields, energy densification ratio, organic matter and ash content, combustible parts, lower and higher heating values, CHONS content, H:C and O:C ratios) were proposed according to the Akaike criterion. The degree of the models’ parameters matching the raw data expressed as the determination coefficient (R2) ranged from 0.52 to 0.92. Each model parameter was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Estimations of the value and quantity of the produced torrefied biomass from 1 Mg of biomass residues were made based on two models and a set of simple assumptions. The value of torrefied biomass (€123.4·Mg−1) was estimated based on the price of commercially available coal fuel and its lower heating value (LHV) for biomass moisture content of 50%, torrefaction for 20 min at 200 °C. This research could be useful to inform techno-economic analyses and decision-making process pertaining to the valorization of pruned biomass residues.

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Oxytree Pruned Biomass Torrefaction - Mathematical Models of the Influence of Temperature and Residence Time on Fuel Properties Improvement

10.20944/preprints201906.0126.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kacper Świechowski ◽

Marek Liszewski ◽

Przemysław Bąbelewski ◽

Jacek A. Koziel ◽

Andrzej Białowiec

Keyword(s):

Residence Time ◽

Fuel Properties ◽

Heating Value ◽

Biomass Residues ◽

Coal Fuel ◽

Lower Heating Value ◽

Akaike Criterion ◽

Economic Analyses ◽

Low Temperature Pyrolysis ◽

Lower Heating

Biowaste generated in the process of Oxytree cultivation and logging represents a potential source of energy. Torrefaction (a.k.a. low-temperature pyrolysis) is one of the methods proposed for the valorization of woody biomass. Still, energy is required for the torrefaction process during which the raw biomass becomes biochar with fuel properties similar to lignite coal. In this work, models describing the influence of torrefaction temperature and residence time on the resulting fuel properties (mass and energy yields, energy densification ratio, organic matter and ash content, combustible parts, lower and higher heating values, CHONS content, H:C and O:C ratios) were proposed according to the Akaike criterion. The degree of the models’ parameters matching the raw data expressed as the determination coefficient (R2) ranged from 0.52 to 0.92. Each model parameter was statistically significant (p<0.05). Estimations of the value and quantity of the produced biochar from 1 Mg of biomass residues were made based on two models and a set of simple assumptions. The value of torrefied biochar (€123.4·Mg-1) was estimated based on the price of commercially available coal fuel and its lower heating value (LHV) for biomass moisture content of 50%, torrefaction for 20 min at 200 °C. This research could be useful to inform techno-economic analyses and decision-making process pertaining to the valorization of pruned biomass residues.

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A PROPOSED EVALUATION PLAN TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FACILITATED BY THE STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGENCY (SITA) IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA

Commonwealth Youth and Development ◽

10.25159/1727-7140/1923 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 174-181

Author(s):

Maura Mbunyuza-deHeer Menlah

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Youth Development ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Secondary Data ◽

The State ◽

State Information ◽

Evaluation Plan ◽

Lessons Learnt ◽

Slow Development ◽

The Impact

This article reports on a proposed evaluation plan that has been developed to assess the work done by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). The SITA programme was implemented in response to the South African governmentâ€™s call to improve the lives of the populations in some rural areas through technology. The programme was meant to address slow development in Â rural Â areas Â thatÂ lack Â technological Â innovations Â and Â advances. Â In Â the proposed evaluation plan a review is made of secondary data, deciding how strategic priorities are to be determined, as well as analysis of the rural context environment. The researcher gives an account of how the evaluation strategies are to be piloted and rolled out thereafter. Lessons learnt are recorded and reported upon. A proposed evaluation plan will be developed, based on the lessons learnt in line with the objectives of the project.

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Peculiarities of tool material wear at polymeric composite blank cutting

Science intensive technologies in mechanical engineering ◽

10.30987/article_5b3135277d48c6.67970085 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 (7) ◽

pp. 27-31

Author(s):

Юрий Зубарев ◽

Yuriy Zubarev ◽

Александр Приемышев ◽

Alexsandr Priyomyshev

Keyword(s):

Tool Wear ◽

Tool Material ◽

Polymeric Composite ◽

Physical Models ◽

Technological Parameters ◽

Tool Materials ◽

Materials Used ◽

The Impact ◽

Material Wear

Tool materials used for polymeric composite blank machining, kinds of tool material wear arising at machining these blanks, and also the impact of technological parameters upon tool wear are considered. The obtained results allow estimating the potentialities of physical models at polymeric composite blanks cutting.

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Status, Impact, and Factor Determining Rural Non-farm Economy of India: A Review

Indian Journal of Economics and Development ◽

10.35716/ijed/ns20-005 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 68-76

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Present Status ◽

Economic Activity ◽

Rural Livelihoods ◽

Pivotal Role ◽

Inclusive Development ◽

Farm Sector ◽

Income Inequalities ◽

Review Study ◽

The Impact

The rural non-farm sector (RNFS) involves a spectrum of economic activity in rural areas and encompasses all rural productive entities other than farm holdings. It has the potential to play a pivotal role in holistic and inclusive development of India’s rural areas by increasing the employment and wages of rural labour, which can reduce income inequalities. The review was carried out in order to explain the present status of RNFE state wise as well as overall to get a comprehensive view on the topic. The review study also focuses to disaggregate RNFE on the basis of gender, size of landholding and castes. Literature depicting the impact of RNFE on rural livelihoods especially in employment and poverty and factors determining it also been compiled to get an overall idea on the study.

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Impact of Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj in Physical and Financial and Business Assets Development of Rural Women: A Study among the Rural Women’s of Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu[1]

Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language ◽

10.21922/srjhsel.v4i24.10323 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (24) ◽

Author(s):

Kalaichelvi Sivaraman ◽

Rengasamy Stalin

Keyword(s):

Rural Women ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Direct Democracy ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Local Level ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

The Government ◽

The Impact ◽

Panchayati Raj

This research paper is the part of Research Project entitled “Impact of Elected Women Representatives in the Life and Livelihood of the Women in Rural Areas: With Special Reference to Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu” funded by University of Madras under UGC-UPE Scheme.The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution of India were made by the government to strengthen the position of women and to create a local-level legal foundation for direct democracy for women in both rural and urban areas. The representation for women in local bodies through reservation policies amendment in Constitution of India has stimulated the political participation of women in rural areas. However, when it’s comes to the argument of whether the women reservation in Panchayati Raj helps or benefits to the life and livelihood development of women as a group? The answer is hypothetical because the studies related to the impact of women representatives of Panchayati Raj in the life and livelihood development of women was very less. Therefore, to fill the gap in existing literature, the present study was conducted among the rural women of Tiruvannamalai district to assess the impact of elected women representatives in the physical and financial and business development of the women in rural areas. The findings revealed that during the last five years because of the women representation in their village Panjayati Raj, the Physical Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (55.8%) and Highly (23.4%) and the Financial and Business Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (60.4%) and Highly (18.7%).

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Impact of Pseudomonas putida on the Growth Parameters of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.): A Traditional Herbal Boon for Rural Areas

Science & Technology Journal ◽

10.22232/stj.2017.05.02.04 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 93-96

Author(s):

Shashi Kant Shukla ◽

◽

Awadhesh Kumar ◽

Anupam Dikshit ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pseudomonas Putida ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Leguminous Plant ◽

Food Protein ◽

Botany Department ◽

Medicinal Value ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Trigonella Foenum Graecum L ◽

The Impact

The present study aims the impact of Pseudomonas putida on different growth parameters of Trigonella sp., a leguminous plant to support the requirement of food, protein along with their medicinal value in the rural areas of India. A pot experiment was arranged based on completely randomized design with four replications at Biological Product Laboratory, Botany Department, University of Allahabad. Treatments were given at the seed level with one of control. Results indicated that application of P. putida significantly improved vegetative growth and showed an edge on the growth of the fenugreek as compared to the control.

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Does Social Support Affect the Health of the Elderly in Rural China? A Meta-Analysis Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183471 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3471 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natuya Zhuori ◽

Yu Cai ◽

Yan Yan ◽

Yu Cui ◽

Minjuan Zhao

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Rural China ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

The Elderly ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meta Regression ◽

The Impact

As the trend of aging in rural China has intensified, research on the factors affecting the health of the elderly in rural areas has become a hot issue. However, the conclusions of existing studies are inconsistent and even contradictory, making it difficult to form constructive policies with practical value. To explore the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions drawn by relevant research, in this paper we constructed a meta-regression database based on 65 pieces of relevant literature published in the past 25 years. For more valid samples to reduce publication bias, we also set the statistical significance of social support to the health of the elderly in rural areas as a dependent variable. Finally, combined with multi-dimensional social support and its implications for the health of the elderly, meta-regression analysis was carried out on the results of 171 empirical studies. The results show that (1) subjective support rather than objective support can have a significant impact on the health of the elderly in rural areas, and there is no significant difference between other dimensions of social support and objective support; (2) the health status of the elderly in rural areas in samples involving western regions is more sensitive to social support than that in samples not involving the western regions; (3) among the elderly in rural areas, social support for the older male elderly is more likely to improve their health than that for the younger female elderly; and (4) besides this, both data sources and econometric models greatly affect the heterogeneity of the effect of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas, but neither the published year nor the journal is significant. Finally, relevant policies and follow-up studies on the impact of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas are discussed.

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Impact of the Wind Turbine on the Parameters of the Electricity Supply to an Agricultural Farm

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13137279 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 7279

Author(s):

Zbigniew Skibko ◽

Magdalena Tymińska ◽

Wacław Romaniuk ◽

Andrzej Borusiewicz

Keyword(s):

Power Plant ◽

Wind Turbine ◽

Wind Power ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Power Plants ◽

Reactive Power ◽

Supply Voltage ◽

Common Source ◽

Voltage Fluctuations ◽

The Impact

Wind power plants are an increasingly common source of electricity located in rural areas. As a result of the high variability of wind power, and thus the generated power, these sources should be classified as unstable sources. In this paper, the authors attempted to determine the impact of wind turbine operation on the parameters of electricity supplied to farms located near the source. As a result of the conducted field tests, variability courses of the basic parameters describing the supply voltage were obtained. The influence of power plant variability on the values of voltage, frequency, and voltage distortion factor was determined. To estimate the capacity of the transmission lines, the reactive power produced in the power plant and its effect on the value of the power factor were determined. The conducted research and analysis showed that the wind power plant significantly influences voltage fluctuations in its immediate vicinity (the maximum value registered was close to 2%, while the value required by law was 2.5%). Although all the recorded values are within limits specified by the current regulations (e.g., the THD value is four times lower than the required value), wind turbines may cause incorrect operation of loads connected nearby. This applies mainly to cases where consumers sensitive to voltage fluctuations are installed in the direct vicinity of the power plant.

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