scholarly journals Estimation of Energy and Emissions Properties of Waste from Various Species of Mint in the Herbal Products Industry

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Maj ◽  
Agnieszka Najda ◽  
Kamila Klimek ◽  
Sebastian Balant

The paper presents the results of research on the physicochemical properties of plant biomass consisting of four mint species, these being Mentha × piperita L. var. citrata Ehrh.—‘Bergamot’, Mentha × rotundifolia L., Mentha spicata L., and Mentha crispa L. The research conducted consisted of the technical analysis of biofuels—determining the heat of combustion and the calorific value of the material under study, and the content of ash, volatile compounds, and humidity. In addition, elemental analysis was carried out for the biomass under study by determining the content of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. The research demonstrated that Mentha × piperita L. var. citrata Ehrh.—‘Bergamot’ had the highest energy potential with a gross calorific value of 16.96 MJ·kg−1, and a net calorific value of 15.60 MJ·kg−1. Among the tested materials, Mentha × rotundifolia L. had the lowest content of ash at 7.23%, nitrogen at 0.23%, and sulfur at 0.03%, and at the same time had the highest content of volatile fraction at 70.36%. When compared to hard coal, the estimated emission factors indicated a CO reduction of 29–32%, CO2 reduction of 28–31%, NOx reduction of 40–80%, SO2 reduction of 92–98%, and dust reduction of 45–61%, depending on the type of biomass used.

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 2417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Smoliński ◽  
Janusz Karwot ◽  
Jan Bondaruk ◽  
Andrzej Bąk

This paper aims to analyze the economic feasibility of generating a novel, innovative biofuel—bioenergy—obtained from deposit bio-components by means of a pilot installation of sewage sludge bio-conversion. Fuel produced from sewage sludge biomass bears the potential of being considered a renewable energy source. In the present study, 23 bioconversion cycles were conducted taking into consideration the different contents, types of high carbohydrate additives, moisture content of the mixture as well as the shape of the bed elements. The biofuel was produced using post fermentation sewage sludge for industrial energy and heat generation. Based on the presented research it was concluded that the composite biofuel can be co-combusted with hard coal with the optimal percentage share within the range of 20–30% w/w. Sewage sludge stabilized by means of anaerobic digestion carried out in closed fermentation chambers is the final product. The average values of the CO2, CO, NO, NOx and SO2 concentrations in flue gas from co-combustion of a bioconversion product (20% w/w) and coal were 5.43%, 1903 ppm, 300 ppm, 303 ppm and 179 ppm, respectively. In total, within a period of 4.5 years of the plant operation, 1853 Mg of fuel was produced and successfully co-combusted with coal in a power plant. The research demonstrated that in the waste water treatment sector there exists energy potential in terms of calorific value which translates into tangible benefits both in the context of energy generation as well as environmental protection. Over 700,000 Mg of bio-sewage sludge is generated annually in Poland. According to findings of the study presented in the paper, the proposed solution could give 970,000 Mg of dry mass of biomass qualified as energy biomass replacing fossil fuels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Schollenberger ◽  
Tomasz M. Staniek ◽  
Elżbieta Paduch-Cichal ◽  
Beata Dasiewicz ◽  
Agnieszka Gadomska-Gajadhur ◽  
...  

Plant essential oils of six aromatic herb species and interspecies hybrids of the family Lamiaceae – chocolate mint (Mentha piperita × ‘Chocolate’), pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’), apple mint (Mentha × rotundifolia), spearmint (Mentha spicata), orange mint (Mentha × piperita ‘Granada’) and strawberry mint (Mentha × villosa ‘Strawberry’) – were investigated for antimicrobial effects against plant pathogenic bacteria: Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. corylina. The screening was carried out in vitro on agar plates filled with the target organism. All essential oils screened exhibited a higher level of antibacterial activity against A. tumefaciens and X. arboricola pv. corylina than streptomycin used as a standard in all tests. The antimicrobial effect of streptomycin and five mint oils was at the same level for P. syringae pv. syringae. There were no significant differences in the influence of the chocolate mint oil on the growth inhibition of all bacteria tested. Plant essential oils from pineapple mint, apple mint, spearmint and strawberry mint showed the weakest antimicrobial activity against P. syringae pv. syringae and the strongest towards A. tumefaciens and X. arboricola pv. corylina. The essential oils from strawberry mint, pineapple mint, spearmint and apple mint had the strongest effect on A. tumefaciens, and the lowest inhibitory activity was exhibited by the chocolate mint and orange mint essential oils. X. arboricola pv. corylina was the most sensitive to the strawberry mint, pineapple mint and spearmint oils. The chocolate mint oil showed the greatest activity against P. syringae pv. syringae.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4960
Author(s):  
Adam Koniuszy ◽  
Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw ◽  
Cezary Podsiadło ◽  
Paweł Sędłak ◽  
Ewa Możdżer

Biomass from cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) is considered a renewable energy source that can be converted into alternative fuel. Calorific syngas, a promising type of advanced fuel, can be produced through thermochemical biomass gasification. In this study, the suitability of cup plant biomass for gasification was assessed, including the process energy balance and environmental impacts of waste from syngas purification. Silphium perfoliatum L. was cultivated as a gasification feedstock in different conditions (irrigation, fertilization). The experiments were performed in a membrane gasifier. All obtained energy parameters were compared to the biomass yield per hectare. The toxic effects of liquid waste were assessed using tests analyzing germination/seed root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Leachates collected from condensation tanks of a gas generator were introduced to soil at the following doses: 100, 1000 and 10,000 mg kg−1 DM of soil. The usefulness of Silphium perfoliatum L. for gasification was confirmed. The factors of plant cultivation affected the biomass yield, the volume and calorific value of syngas and the amount of biochar. It was determined that the components found in condensates demonstrate a phytotoxic effect, restricting or inhibiting germination and root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Due to this potential hazard, the possibility of its release to the environment should be limited. Most of the biomass is only used for heating purposes, but the syngas obtained from the cup plant can be used to power cogeneration systems, which, apart from heat, also generate electricity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Mora Román ◽  
Natalia Agüero Brenes ◽  
Camila Angulo Morales ◽  
Jose Castro Solís ◽  
Gabriela Hidalgo Carrillo ◽  
...  

Mentha piperita is a natural hybrid of water mint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), that are consumed as tisanes. For that reason, the present work evaluated physicochemical and microbiological aspects for the quality control of a commercial brand of Mentha piperita herbal tea distributed in Costa Rica, using assays established by the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) 11.03.56.09 (Pharmaceutical products. Natural medicinal products for human use. Quality verification), and determined if they have uniformity for different batches of this brand. To verify the quality of three batches of this product, the following assays were done: Labeling requirements, organoleptic, minimum fill, foreign organic matter, loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, lead and arsenic limits, microbial enumerations and specific microorganisms (E. coli and Salmonella sp.) assays. As conclusion, the batches were in compliance for all the assays, except for labeling test, since information corresponding to the primary (batch number and expiration date) and secondary packaging (qualitative-quantitative composition of active ingredients interactions and adverse effects) were not presented. Furthermore, one of the batches did not have information about the employment, contraindications and warnings. Also, the manufacturing company maintained a good reproducibility between one batch and another, and the improvements that can be made are in the product labeling and better controls in its filling. Keywords: Natural product, Mentha piperita, quality control, tisane, pharmacopoeia, Central American Technical Regulation.


1992 ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. H. Bowen ◽  
I. J. Cubbin

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4985
Author(s):  
Tomasz Dudek

Forest biomass is and will remain a primary source of renewable energy in many EU countries in the coming years. The aim of this study was to determine the energy potential of forest biomass on a regional scale with regard to the needs of its inhabitants in terms of electricity and heat consumption. The study was carried out in south-eastern Poland. Energy potential was calculated based on the determined wood mass and calorific value of wood. The current level of forest biomass acquisition satisfies 4.2% of the needs of the local market in terms of electricity and heat consumption. Taking into account high forest cover of the region (40%), the 60% annual increment of total harvesting, and obtaining biomass at the level of 30% of the total harvesting, waste wood from the forest can meet 58.1% of the needs of the local market in terms of electricity consumption and 14.4% of the need for thermal energy consumption. There is a certain niche in the fuel wood market that is currently unused, presenting the opportunity to develop this sector and generate additional jobs in local markets. However, the increase in obtained forest biomass must be in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 815-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Court ◽  
Robert Pocs ◽  
Robert C. Roy

A field experiment was conducted from 1989 to 1991 on a Fox loamy sand soil to study the effects of harvest date on selected agronomic, physical and chemical characteristics of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). Plant biomass and essential oil yields increased throughout the season to a maximum in very late August to early September. Menthol, neomenthol, and menthyl acetate concentrations increased in the essential oil with plant development. The amount of menthone and isomenthone was highest in immature plants. The concentrations of menthofuran and pulegone in the essential oil corresponded to the amount of flower bloom in the peppermint. Changes during the season in the concentrations of piperitone, terpinene-4-ol, α-terpineol, 1,8-cineole, limonene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, α-terpinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-octanol, β-myrcene, Linalool, sabinene, caryophyllene and Germacrene-D were typically quite small. In general, these preliminary results indicate that peppermint can be grown successfully on the coarse-textured soils of Ontario. Key words: Mentha piperita L., peppermint, essential oil, essential oil composition, harvesting date


2020 ◽  
Vol 849 ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Denny Irawati ◽  
David Usman ◽  
Naresvara Nircela Pradipta

In Indonesia, Casuarina montana usually planted as a road shading tree or in the home garden. This tree will be pruned periodically to reduce the amount of the canopy and maintain the beauty of its shape. Pruning biomass usually consists of the tip of the stem, branches, twigs, and leaves. The biomass has potency for energy or chemicals sources. This study aims to know about energy potential of various types of C. montana biomass and charcoal properties in different carbonization temperature. Six types of biomass from pruning waste of C. montana were used as samples. Branch has high potency as α-cellulose source, while bark including twig bark, branch bark, or stem bark have high potency as lignin source. When it is used as direct fuel (firewood), all biomass of C. montana possess quite high calorific value. When it is converted to be charcoal, temperature of 300°C is good for carbonizing the biomass twig, twig bark, branch bark, and stem bark, while biomass branch and stem need temperature of 400°C.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4096
Author(s):  
Beata Kurc ◽  
Piotr Lijewski ◽  
Łukasz Rymaniak ◽  
Paweł Fuć ◽  
Marita Pigłowska ◽  
...  

The paper describes the investigations of the physicochemical properties of biocoal, a solid fuel obtained following the carbonization of rice starch. The production of biocoal (carbonization) was completed at the temperature of 600 °C in the nitrogen atmosphere. As a result of the carbonization, amorphous carbon with high monodispersity was obtained, devoided of oxygen elements and was a very well developed BET specific surface—360 m2 g−1. The investigations of the technical parameters have confirmed a very high concentration of energy. The calorific value of 53.21 MJ kg−1 and the combustion heat of 54.92 MJ kg−1 are significantly higher than those of starch before carbonization (18.72 MJ kg−1 and 19.43 MJ kg−1, respectively) and these values for typical biomass fuels. These values are also greater than those of hard coal. Other advantageous features of the obtained fuel are low ash (0.84%) and moisture content. These features predispose this fuel for the application as an alternative to conventional fuels.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1950
Author(s):  
Urszula Sadowska ◽  
Iwona Domagała-Świątkiewicz ◽  
Andrzej Żabiński

Pyrolyzed organic residues can be incorporated as a soil additive to improve their properties, crop productivity, or to increase retention or absorption of different compounds. However, in agronomy, the practice of biochar application is still under examination. The interactions between plant, soil, and biochar can be complex, and determines the agronomic effects obtained. A three-year field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of biochar addition and nitrogen (N) fertilization on biomass productivity and nutrient uptake of Mentha piperita L. The experiment was conducted with a three-factorial design in triplicate at N fertilizer rates of 75, 100, and 125 kg N ha−1 and biochar rates of 0, 5, 15, and 45 t ha−1. Commercial wood-based biochar produced at 650 °C was incorporated into sandy soil in 2017. Generally, our results demonstrated potential for treating a sandy soil, since biochar improved the nutrient availability for peppermint. However, on average, during a three-year mint-yielding period, no significant effect of the applied dose of biochar on this parameter was found. Significantly more soluble Ca, K, and SO4-S was found in the soil amended with biochar as compared with the control soil. Biochar, in doses of 15 and 45 t ha−1, increased the NH4-N concentration in the soil in the second and third year of the study, as well as NO3-N in 2018. The greatest amount of N and P was contained in the peppermint biomass after using 15 and 45 t biochar ha−1. The highest dose of biochar (45 t ha−1) also increased the contents of K and S in plants. Nitrogen fertilization increased the dry matter yield of peppermint on the harvest sampling dates. The N content in the mint increased proportionally to the nitrogen dose in fertilization, regardless of the biochar dose applied. The use of biochar in doses of 15 and 45 t ha−1 in coarse-textured soil contributed to increased use of nitrogen by plants after nitrogen fertilization at doses of 100 and 125 kg N ha−1. These findings suggest that the time-dependent responses of soil to biochar amendment are strongly influenced by plant, microbial, and soil feedback; if so, then practical long-term biochar effectiveness requires further study.


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