Cultivation of industrial hemp using solid and liquid residues from municipal composting

<p>Industrial hemp as a renewable raw material for fiber extraction like for construction material or as biomass for energy generation is a potential agricultural product for low productive soils in temperate climates. Soil and climate conditions in Lower Lusatia, South Brandenburg, generally qualify this region suitable for growing industrial hemp. But due to the nutrient requirements of the plants, fertilization is necessary for optimal growth. Fertilization on sandy soils is, however, often problematic, since the groundwater risk is increased by the entry of nitrogen and phosphorus from the fertilizer supply. In addition, the costs of fertilizers make resource-efficient and sustainable use of the locations problematic. The liquid phase obtained in the course of municipal composting would be a suitable fertilizer in terms of nutrient concentrations, but due to the potential risk to groundwater, the use of the liquid phase from composting is currently not feasible. The aim of the project is the development of a closed cultivation system for industrial hemp using hydroponics, whereby sand and pelleted soil additives from composting are used as a supporting substrate. Nutrients from the liquid phase from the municipal composting will be used as fertilizer. The cultivation will take place under controlled conditions (light, temperature, watering water and leachate) in a glasshouse experiment. A mixture of sand and pelletized soil additives is to be tested as a plant substrate in various additional amounts. The sandy substrate is representative for the soils in Lower Lusatia. The use of pelletized soil additives in combination with the liquid phase from municipal composting is an innovative process and on the one hand contributes to the development of a new sales market and on the other hand promotes the local and resource-saving use of recyclables in the sense of the circular economy. The use of hydroponics is a promising process that can be used regardless of the climate and without endangering soil and groundwater.</p>

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SYNTHESIS OF HYDROGEN IN ACOUSTOPLASMA DISCHARGE IN A LIQUID-PHASE STREAM

Alternative Energy and Ecology (ISJAEE) ◽

10.15518/isjaee.2019.01-03.042-048 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 42-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. A. Bulychev

Keyword(s):

Liquid Phase ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Electrode Materials ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Plasma Discharge ◽

Raw Material ◽

Two Phase ◽

Reduced Pressure ◽

External Power Source ◽

Phase Medium

In this paper, the plasma discharge in a high-pressure fluid stream in order to produce gaseous hydrogen was studied. Methods and equipment have been developed for the excitation of a plasma discharge in a stream of liquid medium. The fluid flow under excessive pressure is directed to a hydrodynamic emitter located at the reactor inlet where a supersonic two-phase vapor-liquid flow under reduced pressure is formed in the liquid due to the pressure drop and decrease in the flow enthalpy. Electrodes are located in the reactor where an electric field is created using an external power source (the strength of the field exceeds the breakdown threshold of this two-phase medium) leading to theinitiation of a low-temperature glow quasi-stationary plasma discharge.A theoretical estimation of the parameters of this type of discharge has been carried out. It is shown that the lowtemperature plasma initiated under the flow conditions of a liquid-phase medium in the discharge gap between the electrodes can effectively decompose the hydrogen-containing molecules of organic compounds in a liquid with the formation of gaseous products where the content of hydrogen is more than 90%. In the process simulation, theoretical calculations of the voltage and discharge current were also made which are in good agreement with the experimental data. The reaction unit used in the experiments was of a volume of 50 ml and reaction capacity appeared to be about 1.5 liters of hydrogen per minute when using a mixture of oxygen-containing organic compounds as a raw material. During their decomposition in plasma, solid-phase products are also formed in insignificant amounts: carbon nanoparticles and oxide nanoparticles of discharge electrode materials.

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Crushed Bricks: Demolition Waste as a Sustainable Raw Material for Geopolymers

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147572 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7572

Author(s):

Gigliola D’Angelo ◽

Marina Fumo ◽

Mercedes del Rio Merino ◽

Ilaria Capasso ◽

Assunta Campanile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Building Materials ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Construction Material ◽

Raw Material ◽

The European Union ◽

Total Energy Consumption ◽

Demolition Waste ◽

Crushed Brick

Demolition activity plays an important role in the total energy consumption of the construction industry in the European Union. The indiscriminate use of non-renewable raw materials, energy consumption, and unsustainable design has led to a redefinition of the criteria to ensure environmental protection. This article introduces an experimental plan that determines the viability of a new type of construction material, obtained from crushed brick waste, to be introduced into the construction market. The potential of crushed brick waste as a raw material in the production of building precast products, obtained by curing a geopolymeric blend at 60 °C for 3 days, has been exploited. Geopolymers represent an important alternative in reducing emissions and energy consumption, whilst, at the same time, achieving a considerable mechanical performance. The results obtained from this study show that the geopolymers produced from crushed brick were characterized by good properties in terms of open porosity, water absorption, mechanical strength, and surface resistance values when compared to building materials produced using traditional technologies.

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Studying the Effect of some Factors on the Stress-Strain Behavior of the Rostov Region Limestones in the Course of their Production and Use

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.1022.80 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1022 ◽

pp. 80-86

Author(s):

Mikhail G. Kholodnyak ◽

Sergey A. Stelmakh ◽

Evgeniy M. Shcherban ◽

Mukhuma P. Nazhuev

Keyword(s):

Construction Material ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Raw Material ◽

Material Base ◽

Strain Behavior ◽

Current State ◽

Rostov Region ◽

Literary Sources ◽

Crushed Granite ◽

Strain Stress

The paper considers the current state of the mineral raw material base and the construction material market of the Rostov Region. The effect of various factors on the strain-stress behavior of local limestones has been investigated. The scientific and technical literary sources devoted to the processes of rock failure under various loads have been analyzed. The experimental studies have shown that the tested samples of limestone with a high content of cuboidal grains have characteristics comparable to those of the crushed granite stone. It has been concluded that the use of the Rostov Region limestones in the construction industry is competitive and feasible, provided the proper implementation of the engineering measures proposed in their production.

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Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake Dynamics in Tropical Cerrado Woodland Streams

Water ◽

10.3390/w10081080 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1080 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nícolas Reinaldo Finkler ◽

Flavia Tromboni ◽

Iola Boëchat ◽

Björn Gücker ◽

Davi Gasparini Fernandes Cunha

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

N Uptake ◽

Pollution Abatement ◽

Phosphorus Uptake ◽

Soluble Reactive Phosphorus ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Water Velocity ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Lotic Ecosystem

Pollution abatement through phosphorus and nitrogen retention is a key ecosystem service provided by streams. Human activities have been changing in-stream nutrient concentrations, thereby altering lotic ecosystem functioning, especially in developing countries. We estimated nutrient uptake metrics (ambient uptake length, areal uptake rate, and uptake velocity) for nitrate (NO3–N), ammonium (NH4–N), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in four tropical Cerrado headwater streams during 2017, through whole-stream nutrient addition experiments. According to multiple regression models, ambient SRP concentration was an important explanatory variable of nutrient uptake. Further, best models included ambient NO3–N and water velocity (for NO3–N uptake metrics), dissolved oxygen (DO) and canopy cover (for NH4–N); and DO, discharge, water velocity, and temperature (for SRP). The best kinetic models describing nutrient uptake were efficiency-loss (R2 from 0.47–0.88) and first-order models (R2 from 0.60–0.85). NO3–N, NH4–N, and SRP uptake in these streams seemed coupled as a result of complex interactions of biotic P limitation, abiotic P cycling processes, and the preferential uptake of NH4–N among N-forms. Global change effects on these tropical streams, such as temperature increase and nutrient enrichment due to urban and agricultural expansion, may have adverse and partially unpredictable impacts on whole-stream nutrient processing.

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Frost hardiness and winter photosynthesis of Thujapiicata and Pseudotsugamenzlesll seedlings grown at three rates of nitrogen and phosphorus supply

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x95-003 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 18-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

B.J. Hawkins ◽

M. Davradou ◽

D. Pier ◽

R. Shortt

Keyword(s):

Net Photosynthesis ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Frost Hardiness ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Red Cedar ◽

Air Temperatures ◽

Foliar Nutrient ◽

One Year ◽

P Supply

One-year-old seedlings of western red cedar (Thujapiicata Donn ex D.Don) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) were grown for one season in five nutrient treatments with nitrogen (N) supplied in solution at rates of 20, 100, or 250 mg•L−1 and phosphorus (P) supplied at rates of 4, 20, or 60 mg•L−1. Growth, onset of dormancy, frost hardiness on six dates, and foliar nutrient concentrations in autumn and spring were measured. Midwinter rates of net photosynthesis and transpiration were measured at air temperatures of 4, 7, and 11 °C in seedlings from all nutrient treatments. Recovery of net photosynthesis and transpiration in whole seedlings from the three N treatments was assessed at intervals for 28 days after the seedlings were frozen to −5, −15, and −25°C. Foliar N content differed significantly among nutrient treatments and was positively correlated with supply. Mitotic activity ceased earliest in plants with low N supply. Douglas-fir seedlings in the low-N treatment also ceased height growth earliest. These differences in growth had no significant correlation with frost hardiness. No consistent differences in frost hardiness among nutrient treatments were observed. Higher rates of N and P supply resulted in higher rates of winter net photosynthesis. Net photosynthesis was reduced dramatically by night frost, with greater damage occurring at lower temperatures. Net photosynthesis recovery occurred most quickly in seedlings with the midrate of N and P supply.

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Analytical Characterization and Inhibitor Detection in Liquid Phases Obtained After Steam Refining of Corn Stover and Maize Silage

Frontiers in Chemistry ◽

10.3389/fchem.2021.760657 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Malte Jörn Krafft ◽

Jens Berger ◽

Bodo Saake

Keyword(s):

Corn Stover ◽

Degradation Products ◽

Liquid Fraction ◽

Value Added ◽

Raw Material ◽

Agricultural Product ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Steam Refining ◽

Total Peak Area

The utilization of agricultural products and residues for the production of value-added and biobased products is a highly relevant topic in present research. Due to the natural recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass against enzymatic degradation, pretreatments are important requirement for further processes. For the raw material in this study, corn stover (CS) as highly available agricultural residue and maize silage (MS) as model substrate for an ensiled agricultural product were pretreated by steam refining. However, after processing a liquid fraction and fibers are present. Subsequent to steaming the fiber fraction is well characterized. Nonetheless, in depth characterizations of the filtrates are also important for their subsequent utilization. Decreasing molar masses from 7,900 g/mol to 1,100 g/mol for CS filtrates and 100.000–12.900 g/mol for MS filtrates were determined with increasing severity. Due to their proven inhibitory effect on microorganisms weak acids, furans and phenolic compounds within the liquid phased were analyzed. Especially formic acid increases with increasing severity from 0.27 to 1.20% based on raw material for CS and from 0.07 to 0.23% based on raw material for MS. Further GC/MS measurements indicate, that up to 8.25% (CS filtrate) and 5.23% (MS filtrates) of the total peak area is related to inhibitory phenols. Considering the data, detoxification strategies are of non-negligible importance for filtrates after steam refining and should be considered for further research and process or parameter optimizations. An alternative may be the application of milder process conditions in order to prevent the formation of inhibitory degradation products or the dilution of the gained filtrates.

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Purification by a natural waste stabilization pond: influence of weather and ageing on treatment quality and sediment thickness

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1995.0487 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 31 (12) ◽

pp. 191-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Schetrite ◽

Y. Racault

Keyword(s):

Treatment Quality ◽

Sediment Thickness ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Stabilization Pond ◽

Waste Stabilization Pond ◽

The North ◽

Treated Effluent ◽

Waste Stabilization

The natural waste stabilization pond of Vauciennes, located in the north of France, underwent regular monitoring from October 1981 to July 1991, within the framework of a programme studying the evolution of operation parameters related to the ageing of plants. This study enabled us to assess the variations in the quality of the discharge depending on the season, in particular concerning the nitrogen and phosphorus parameters. The input/output reports made it possible to make specifications concerning the variations of the loads to be treated and the overloads caused by rainy episodes, and the real performances of the plants in relation to rainfall, evaporation, hydraulic exchanges with the soil and interannual seasonal variations. The evolution of the treatment, characterised by the parameters of the treated effluent, was observed, on the basis of equivalent climate conditions. Lastly, the growth of the deposits and their location in the first pond observed based on the systematic establishment of a cartography of the bottom of the pond.

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Seaweed resources of Poland

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2019-0058 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 73-84

Author(s):

Izabela Michalak

Keyword(s):

Baltic Sea ◽

Food Additives ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Raw Material ◽

Central European Country ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Green Macroalgae ◽

Central European ◽

The Baltic ◽

Beach Cast

AbstractPoland, a Central European country with a Baltic Sea coastline of 634 km, has no tradition of nearshore cultivation of seaweeds or utilization of this biomass. The Baltic is known for its eutrophication. Numerous attempts are being made to combat this phenomenon as well as to find applications for the beach-cast and free-floating macroalgae, which are a nuisance in many areas. Seaweed harvesting can mitigate eutrophication by the reduction of nutrients – especially nitrogen and phosphorus – in water. Collected biomass can be utilised in agriculture as biofertilisers and used as a valuable raw material for the manufacture of high-value macroalgal products, such as biostimulants of plant growth, feed additives, components of cosmetics, food additives or biogas as a form of renewable energy. The Baltic abounds in green macroalgae (Ulva sp. and Cladophora sp.) with brown (Ectocarpus sp., Pilayella sp., Fucus vesiculosus) and red algae (Vertebrata sp., Ceramium sp., Furcellaria sp.) occurring in much smaller quantities. These seaweeds are also of great interest as bioindicators of environmental pollution. The seaweeds in the southern Baltic Sea still represent an unexploited biomass and can be a huge source of innovation. New approaches towards macroalgal utilisation are in demand.

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Promotion of Circular Economy: Steelwork Dusts as Secondary Raw Material in Conventional Mortars

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2201313 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (20) ◽

pp. 1313

Author(s):

Angélica Lozano-Lunar ◽

Auxi Barbudo ◽

José María Fernández ◽

José Ramón Jiménez

Keyword(s):

Construction Industry ◽

Circular Economy ◽

Construction Material ◽

Previous Treatment ◽

Point Of View ◽

Raw Material ◽

The European Union ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

Leaching Behaviour ◽

Secondary Raw Material

Among the actions proposed by the European Union for the implementation of Circular Economy is the use of waste as a secondary raw material (SRM). During the fusion of the scrap, a steel dust is generated, named Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD). The EAFD is composed mainly of potentially leachable heavy metals, so is classified as “hazardous” waste. Around the world, approximately 70% of this waste is deposited in landfills, with a previous treatment through cement-based materials to prevent the metals’ mobility. However, this action is not in accordance with the Circular Economy concept due to the greater use of resources and the loss of deposited metals. The present investigation analyses the use of EAFD as SRM in conventional mortar production for its use as a construction material. Different substitution percentages (25%, 50% and 100%) were used replacing siliceous filler by EAFD. The investigation analysed the behaviour of conventional mortars by tests of workability, compressive strength, water absorption by capillarity and leaching behaviour in granular and monolithic state. The results obtained indicate a slight improvement in mechanical behaviour with the incorporation of EAFD, the reason why its use as SRM in conventional mortars would benefit the construction industry and would encourage the Circular Economy. From an environmental point of view, the mechanisms of Pb fixation should be improved in granular state.

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Chemical Element Concentrations of Cycad Leaves: Do We Know Enough?

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae6040085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 85 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Benjamin E. Deloso ◽

Murukesan V. Krishnapillai ◽

Ulysses F. Ferreras ◽

Anders J. Lindström ◽

Michael Calonje ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root Zone ◽

Chemical Elements ◽

Incident Light ◽

Leaf Age ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Future Research ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Element Concentrations

The literature containing which chemical elements are found in cycad leaves was reviewed to determine the range in values of concentrations reported for essential and beneficial elements. We found 46 of the 358 described cycad species had at least one element reported to date. The only genus that was missing from the data was Microcycas. Many of the species reports contained concentrations of one to several macronutrients and no other elements. The cycad leaves contained greater nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations than the reported means for plants throughout the world. Magnesium was identified as the macronutrient that has been least studied. Only 14 of the species were represented by data from in situ locations, with most of the data obtained from managed plants in botanic gardens. Leaf element concentrations were influenced by biotic factors such as plant size, leaf age, and leaflet position on the rachis. Leaf element concentrations were influenced by environmental factors such as incident light and soil nutrient concentrations within the root zone. These influential factors were missing from many of the reports, rendering the results ambiguous and comparisons among studies difficult. Future research should include the addition of more taxa, more in situ locations, the influence of season, and the influence of herbivory to more fully understand leaf nutrition for cycads.

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