scholarly journals Comparative Research of Thermochemical Conversion Properties of Coarse-Energy Crops

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6380
Author(s):  
Živilė Černiauskienė ◽  
Algirdas Jonas Raila ◽  
Egidijus Zvicevičius ◽  
Vita Tilvikienė ◽  
Zofija Jankauskienė

In the world, as in Lithuania, there is a costant search for new crops suitable for energy conversion. The coarse-energy crops and their biomass studied for this paper were assessed in a comprehensive manner, i.e., not only their calorific value and ash content but also their ash melting properties and pollutants emitted during the thermochemical conversion. The calorific value of energy crops varies from 17.92 ± 0.32 to 18.50 ± 0.66 MJ kg−1 and decreases in the following order: A. dubia > M. giganteus > C. sativa. Ash content varies from 1.51 ± 0.03 to 3.36 ± 0.23% and decreases in the following order: C. sativa > A. dubia > M. giganteus. The lowest primary ash deformation (648 ± 8 °C) was recorded for C. sativa. Taking into account the specificity of our research and the changes in biomass ash content due to mineral nitrogen fertilization, it has been found that that higher levels of nitrogen fertilizers in the combustion products reduce CO and increase the total CO2 content of the combustion product. Significant changes in fertilization were usually 170 kg ha−1 for A. dubia and 90 kg ha−1 for M. giganteus. In summary, A. dubia, M. giganteus and C. sativa biomass should be used for thermochemical conversion.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.A.R.T.W. Bandara ◽  
Oshadi Ruwanthika Ranasinghe ◽  
Richard Vlosky

Abstract Prosopis juliflora is an invasive plant species rapidly expanding in the Asian and African continents. Invasion of P. juliflora in Bundala Ramsar Wetland (BRW) in Sri Lanka has created a number of biodiversity and conservation issues. This study was conducted to assess the possibility to utilize this invasive plant as a fuel source for local industries. The moisture content, wood density, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon content, biomass/ash ration and calorific value of P. juliflora were measured and compared with Leucaena leucocephala, which is a widely used fuelwood source in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. P. juliflora, performed better than L. leucocephala for most of these parameters. Ash content was comparatively higher in P. juliflora than that of L. leucocephala; however, biomass to ash ratio of P. juliflora was significantly lower (at 0.05 level of significance) than that of L. leucocephala, suggesting its suitability as a fuelwood source. Further, the Fuel Value Index (FVI) of P. juliflora (3,276) was slightly lower than that of L. leucocephala (3,336), a non-significant difference. P. juliflora and L. leucocephala reached Fiber Saturation Point values within drying periods of 24 and 27 days, respectively. According to our estimates of energy properties, 1 Kg of P. juliflora could be used to substitute 0.5 L of diesel and furnace oil as well as 5 kWh (5 units) of electricity. As such, we recommend harvesting P. juliflora from BRW as a potential fuelwood energy source for local industries.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Algirdas Jasinskas ◽  
Dionizas Streikus ◽  
Egidijus Šarauskis ◽  
Mečys Palšauskas ◽  
Kęstutis Venslauskas

This paper presents the results of research on the preparation and use for energy purposes of three reed herbaceous energy plants: reed (Phragmites australis) and bulrush (Typha); both grown in local vicinities on lakes and riverbanks and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). The physical-mechanical characteristics (density, moisture, and ash content) of chopped and milled reeds were investigated. The investigation of mill fractional compositions determined the largest amount of mill—reed mill, collected on the sieves of 0.63 mm (40.0%). The pellet moisture ranged from 10.79% to 6.32%, while the density was 1178.9 kg m−3 for dry matter (DM) of reed. The ash content of reed, bulrush and reed canary grass pellets was 3.17%, 5.88%, and 7.99%, respectively. The ash melting temperature ranged from 865 to 1411 °C; these temperatures were high enough for ash melting. The determined pellet calorific value varied from 17.4 to 17.9 MJ kg−1 DM. The disintegration force, indicating pellet strength, ranged from 324.25 N for reed canary grass to 549.24 N for reed. The determined emissions of harmful pollutants—CO2, CO, NOx, and unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy)—did not exceed the maximum permissible levels. The assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from technology showed that the CO2 equivalents ranged from 7.3 to 10.1 kg CO2-eq. GJ−1 for reed and reed canary grass, respectively.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.A.R.T.W. Bandara ◽  
Oshadi Ruwanthika Ranasinghe ◽  
Richard Vlosky

Abstract Prosopis juliflora is an invasive plant species rapidly expanding in the Asian and African continents. Invasion of P. juliflora in Bundala Ramsar Wetland (BRW) in Sri Lanka has created a number of biodiversity and conservation issues. This study was conducted to assess the possibility to utilize this invasive plant as a fuel source for local industries. The moisture content, wood density, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon content, biomass/ash ration and calorific value of P. juliflora were measured and compared with Leucaena leucocephala, which is a widely used fuelwood source in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. P. juliflora , performed better than L. leucocephala for most of these parameters. Ash content was comparatively higher in P. juliflora than that of L. leucocephala ; however, biomass to ash ratio of P. juliflora was significantly lower (at 0.05 level of significance) than that of L. leucocephala, suggesting its suitability as a fuelwood source. Further, the fuel value index of P. juliflora (3,276) was slightly lower than that of L. leucocephala (3,336), a non-significant difference. P. juliflora and L. leucocephala reached Fiber Saturation Point values within drying periods of 24 and 27 days, respectively. According to our estimates of energy properties, 1 Kg of P. juliflora could be used to substitute 0.5 L of diesel and furnace oil as well as 5 kWh (5 units) of electricity. As such, we recommend harvesting P. juliflora from BRW as a potential fuelwood energy source for local industries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 01008
Author(s):  
Andre Salimbeni ◽  
Andrea Maria Rizzo ◽  
David Chiaramonti

The proposed study aims at assessing the reliability of a new sludge conversion technology, based on integrating thermochemical treatment, with a chemical leaching stage for producing high quality biochar and valuable liquid with high concentration of phosphorus and other critical elements. The concept is based on the fact that sludge ash usually contains about 25% of CaO, 20% of P2O5, and about 25-30% of SiO2. With the removal of these elements, ash content is drastically reduced. The study is thus composed of two phases: (1) assessment of sludge thermochemical conversion routes, and (2) chemical leaching produced biochar. In the first phase, three thermochemical routes are investigated: HTC of fresh sludge at 80% moisture, slow pyrolysis of dry sludge, slow pyrolysis of HTC solid (hydrochar). In the second phase, the solid obtained by slow pyrolysis (biochar) is upgraded through leaching treatment to extract inorganic valuable elements: P, Mg, K. The first phase of the study demonstrated that processing dry sludge in slow pyrolysis at 450°C allows to obtain a low volatile carbonaceous product with characteristics similar to a thermal coal. Second phase demonstrated that, after acid leaching process using HNO3, ash content in biochar decreased from 41.63% to 16.67%. This method also demonstrated to be a valid solution to extract more than 90% of P, K, and Mg contained in the solid, making these elements available for being recycled in agriculture and other industrial uses. At the same time, the increase of the biochar C content and calorific value makes it a valid substitute of fossil coals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-109
Author(s):  
E. S. Dremicheva

This paper presents a method of sorption using peat for elimination of emergency spills of crude oil and petroleum products and the possibility of energy use of oil-saturated peat. The results of assessment of the sorbent capacity of peat are presented, with waste motor oil and diesel fuel chosen as petroleum products. Natural peat has been found to possess sorption properties in relation to petroleum products. The sorbent capacity of peat can be observed from the first minutes of contact with motor oil and diesel fuel, and significantly depends on their viscosity. For the evaluation of thermal properties of peat saturated with petroleum products, experimental studies have been conducted on determination of moisture and ash content of as-fired fuel. It is shown that adsorbed oil increases the moisture and ash content of peat in comparison with the initial sample. Therefore, when intended for energy use, peat saturated with petroleum products is to be subjected to additional drying. Simulation of net calorific value has been performed based on the calorific values of peat and petroleum products with different ratios of petroleum product content in peat and for a saturated peat sample. The obtained results are compared with those of experiments conducted in a calorimetric bomb and recalculated for net calorific value. A satisfactory discrepancy is obtained, which amounts to about 12%. Options have been considered providing for combustion of saturated peat as fuel (burnt per se and combined with a solid fuel) and processing it to produce liquid, gaseous and solid fuels. Peat can be used to solve environmental problems of elimination of emergency spills of crude oil and petroleum products and as an additional resource in solving the problem of finding affordable energy.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Carlos Martín Sastre ◽  
Ruth Barro ◽  
Yolanda González-Arechavala ◽  
Ana Santos-Montes ◽  
Pilar Ciria

Nitrogen fertilizers have been identified in energy crops LCAs as the main contributors to global warming, as well as to many other environmental impacts. The distinct production process and application emissions of nitrogen fertilizer types for top dressing produce different GHG savings when energy crops value chains are compared to fossil energy alternatives. In this study, three types of fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate, urea and ammonium sulphate) at N top dressing rates of 80 kg N/ha are used to grow rye for electricity generation under the conditions of the Continental Mediterranean climate of central-northern Spain. Complete LCAs for the whole value chain based on real data were performed in conjunction with soil nitrogen balances (SNBs) to assess the accomplishment of European Union (EU) GHG savings sustainability criteria, as well as the sustainability of fertilization practices for soil nitrogen stocks. The results obtained can provide interesting insights for policy making, since calcium ammonium nitrate, the most common fertilizer for rye crops, led to 66% GHG savings, as opposed to the 69% achieved when applying urea and 77% when ammonium sulphate was used. Nevertheless, the three fertilizers produced annual soil deficits greater than 50 kg N/ha. In order to ensure savings above 80%, as required by the EU sustainability criteria, and sustainable SNBs, additional optimization measures should be taken at key points of the value chain.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1254-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Shivaprasad ◽  
M. M. Nagabhushana ◽  
C. Venkataiah

Ash, an inorganic matter present in coal is amenable for dissolution using suitable reagents. Thus the dissolution of ash and its subsequent removal reduces the release of many toxic elements into the environment by coal based industries. Removal of ash also enhances the calorific value. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to reduce the ash content of raw coal obtained from nearest thermal power by using hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. A series of leaching experiments were conducted on coal of different size fractions by varying the parameters like concentration, temperature and time of leaching. The results indicate that it is possible to remove nearly 75% of ash from coal sample by leaching.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Wahyudi ◽  
Muhammad Ivanto ◽  
Murti Juliandari

Dependence on the provision of electricity using fossil fuels is a major energy supply problem in Indonesia. Therefore, it is necessary to provide new and renewable alternative fuels that are effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly. One of the alternative fuels is bagasse biomass. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of bagasse produced by sellers of sugarcane juice drink in Pontianak City, in order to determine the estimated value of bagasse. The research method used was direct data collection and laboratory testing . Based on the results of the study, the number of vendors of sugarcane juice beverages producing bagasse was 169. Of this amount, produce bagasse that can reach 1,030.9 kg/day. Based on the test results, the estimated moisture content of bagasse was 3.28%, ash content was 0.77%, and carbon remained at 7.65%. So, if converted with the test results of the calorific value of bagasse and made into briquettes bagasse (bio briquettes), which is 19,648 kJ/kg with a density of 0.416 kg/m3, then converted into a potential calorific value of 242,849,280 J/year.


BioResources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 2249-2263
Author(s):  
María Alejandra Ramírez-Ramírez ◽  
Artemio Carrillo-Parra ◽  
Faustino Ruíz-Aquino ◽  
Luis Fernando Pintor-Ibarra ◽  
Nicolás González-Ortega ◽  
...  

This research characterized briquettes made with Pinus spp. sawdust without the use of additives. For this purpose, 19 samples of sawdust from different wood industries located in five states of the Mexican Republic were used. The densification process was carried out in a vertical hydraulic piston laboratory briquette machine. The briquettes were made with 40 g of sawdust, at 50 °C, 20 kPa and pressing for 5 min. The results obtained varied as follows: moisture content (4.1% to 7.2%), density (813.9 to 1,014.4 kg/m3), volumetric expansion (7.4% to 37.3%), compressive strength (4.9 to 40.8 N/mm), impact resistance index (46.7% to 200%), ash (0.1% to 1.1%), volatile matter (82.9% to 90.7%), fixed carbon (8.9% to 16.4%), and calorific value (20.5 to 22.8 MJ/kg). The density of the briquettes was within the “acceptable” classification (800 to 1,200 kg/m3). It was observed that, the higher the density, the lower the volumetric expansion, the higher the compressive strength, and the higher the impact resistance index. According to the ash content, the briquettes could achieve international quality. Due to high volatile matter values, rapid combustion of the briquettes with little generation of toxic smoke would be expected. Fixed carbon and calorific value results were acceptable.


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