DNA extraction from concrete v2

This is a protocol for extracting DNA from concrete, based on the protocol developed by L. S. Weyrich, et al. for extraction of DNA from ancient calcified dental plaque. We have scaled it up for larger sample sizes and made some additional modifications for the chemistry of concrete. DNA extracted using this method is suitable for metagenomic sequencing by Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq, as well as amplicon sequencing. This protocol should yield 10 ng to 5 μg DNA per 10 g of concrete, depending on the age and integrity of the sample. Reference: L. S. Weyrich et al., Laboratory contamination over time during low-biomass sample analysis. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 19, 982–996 (2019).

The Effect of Biomass Shapes on Combustion Characteristic in Updraft Chamber

Combustion of agricultural residues and wastes for energy applications is still popular. However, combustion of biomass with different shapes leads to many side effects such as agglomeration, emission and incomplete combustion. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of biomass shapes on combustion characteristics in an updraft combustion chamber. The rubber wood chip, coconut shell, oil palm empty fruit bunch, corn straw, rubber wood sawdust, and mixed palm cake were used as fuel and they were categorized as 3 shapes namely, chip shape, fiber shape, and powder shape. The biomass sample was combusted in simple cylindrical shape combustion chamber. The diameter of combustion chamber was 20 cm and its height was 160 cm. The biomass sample (moisture content below 20%) with amount of 1 kg was used to perform the experiment. The ambient air that had velocity of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 m/s (corresponding to an equivalence ratio of 1-3.5) was supplied to combustion chamber. The temperature at different positions along combustion chamber height and the properties of flue gases (carbon monoxide) were then measured. The results showed that the biomass shape had effect on combustion characteristics. Combustion of fiber shape biomass led to low combustion temperature, while the carbon monoxide in flue gases was high. This indicates the improper combustion process. The chip shape biomass was well combusted at a higher air velocity and the flue gases had lowest carbon monoxide. The highest combustion temperature was obtained from combustion of powder shape biomass. However, it led to the problem of unburned biomass such in case of sawdust. This is because the sawdust powder was carried from combustion chamber before burning completely.

Torrefaction Temperature and Holding Time Effect on Khaya Senegalensis Biomass

Khaya senegalensis is fast growing plant, can be planted in marginal land and grow easily in Malaysia. Therefore, it has the potential to be developed as dedicated energy crops. This study was conducted to determine the effect of torrefaction in upgrading the quality of Khaya senegalensis biomass. Torrefaction has been known as one of the most promising pre-treatments for biomass. In this experiment, the biomass sample was torrefied in the muffle furnace at four different temperatures (225, 250, 275 and 300°C) and three durations (30, 60 and 90 minutes). The results show that both torrefaction temperature and duration posed strong impact on the biomass quality. It was found that the volatile matters of the biomass reduce significantly as the torrefaction severity increase. On the other hand, the ash and carbon content increase with the increasing temperature and duration. Most importantly the calorific value of the biomass sample amplifies to 22.26Mj/kg from 16.11Mj/kg of untreated sample when torrefied at 300°C for 90 minutes.

Ceramic bricks containing Ni ions from contaminated biomass used as an adsorbent

This article shows how pine sawdust residues can be used to adsorb nickel ions from synthetic solutions and then to produce porous bricks for civil construction using a mixture of natural clay and biomass containing the adsorbed metals. The adsorption tests were performed by mixing NiCl2 solutions with pine sawdust during a fixed stirring period of 24 h. The set was filtered and the filtrate was analysed. Highest efficiency adsorbate/adsorbent ratio was 50 mL of 1 M NiCl2 solution and 20 g L− 1 of pine sawdust. This was the contaminated biomass sample used in the manufacture of the bricks. This paper analyses the properties of the bricks achieved and compares them with bricks without added biomass, porous bricks containing zinc and commercial bricks. The obtained values of bulk density, apparent specific weight, apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent volume, weight loss on ignition, compressive strength, flexural modulus of rupture and efficiency retention of metal in the brick, demonstrate that the ceramic pieces obtained are optimal for construction.

Ceramic bricks containing Ni ions from contaminated biomass used as an adsorbent

This article shows how pine sawdust residues can be used to adsorb nickel ions from synthetic solutions and then to produce porous bricks for civil construction using a mixture of natural clay and biomass containing the adsorbed metals. The adsorption tests were performed by mixing NiCl2 solutions with pine sawdust during a fixed stirring period of 24 h. The set was filtered and the filtrate was analysed. Highest efficiency adsorbate/adsorbent ratio was 50 mL of 1 M NiCl2 solution and 20 g L-1 of pine sawdust. This was the contaminated biomass sample used in the manufacture of the bricks. This paper analyses the properties of the bricks achieved and compares them with bricks without added biomass, porous bricks containing zinc and commercial bricks. The obtained values ​​of bulk density, apparent specific weight, apparent porosity, water absorption, apparent volume, weight loss on ignition, compressive strength, flexural modulus of rupture and efficiency retention of metal in the brick, demonstrate that the ceramic pieces obtained are optimal for construction.

Ceramic bricks containing Ni ions from contaminated biomass used as an adsorbent

This article shows how pine sawdust residues can be used to adsorb nickel ions from synthetic solutions and then to produce porous bricks for civil construction using a mixture of natural clay and biomass containing the adsorbed metals. The adsorption tests were performed by mixing NiCl2 solutions with pine sawdust during a fixed stirring period of 24 h. The set was filtered and the filtrate was analysed. Highest efficiency adsorbate/adsorbent ratio was 1 mol L-1 of NiCl2 solution and 20 g L-1 of pine sawdust. This was the contaminated biomass sample used in the manufacture of the bricks. This paper analyses the properties of the bricks achieved and compares them with bricks without added biomass, porous bricks containing zinc and commercial bricks. The obtained values ​​of bulk density (apD), apparent specific weight (apsW), apparent porosity (apP), water absorption (H2OAbs), apparent volume (apV), weight loss on ignition (LOI), compressive strength (σstr), flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and efficiency retention of metal in the brick (RE), demonstrate that the ceramic pieces obtained are optimal for construction.

Pengaruh Suhu Sintesis Katalis Partikel Ceria Zirconia terhadap Efektivitas Proses Delignifikasi

Biomassa adalah bahan organik yang dihasilkan melalui proses fotosintetik. Keberadaan lignin pada dinding sel akan menghambat selulosa untuk dikonversikan menjadi produk. Delignifikasi akan membuka struktur lignoselulosa agar selulosa menjadi lebih mudah diakses. Proses delignifikasi dapat dilakukan dengan menambahkan katalis Ceria-Zirconia kedalam sampel biomassa. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menentukan pengaruh suhu sintesis pada sintesis partikel Ceria Zirconia dan menguji kemampuan partikel Ceria Zirconia sebagai katalis delignifikasi. Katalis Ceria Zirconia dapat diproduksi melalui metode hidrotermal. Prekursor yang digunakan adalah larutan kimia berupa Ce(NO3)3.6H2O dan ZrO(NO3)2.2H2O 0.06 M dengan perbandingan 1:1, dengan variabel suhu sintesis 180ºC, 200ºC dan 220ºC. Katalis Ceria Zirconia kemudian akan dianalisa melalui proses delignifikasi selama 10 dan 20 menit. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa semakin meningkatnya suhu sintesis akan meningkatkan kemampuan katalis Ceria-Zirconia dalam proses delignifikasi.Biomass is organic material produced through photosynthetic processes. The presence of lignin on the cell wall will inhibit cellulose to be converted into products. Delignification will open the lignocellulose structure to make cellulose more accessible. The delignification process can be done by adding the Ceria-Zirconia catalyst to the biomass sample. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of synthesis temperature on Ceria Zirconia synthesis and to investigate the ability of Ceria Zirconia as a biomass delignification catalyst. Ceria-Zirconia Catalyst can be produced through the batch hydrothermal method. The precursors used were chemical solutions in the form of Ce(NO3)3.6H2O and ZrO(NO3)2.2H2O 0.06 M with a ratio of 1: 1, the synthesis temperature variables used were of 180ºC, 200ºC dan 220ºC. Ceria Zirconia Catalysts will then be analyzed for their abilities through a 10 and 20 minute delignification process. The results showed that the increasing synthesis temperature will increase the ability of Ceria-Zirconia catalyst in the delignification process.

Experiment Study on Mixed Combustion of Biomass and Coal

Mixed combustion of biomass and coal is a new combustion way of comprehensive utilization biomass and coal energy resources. Biomass is more volatile, lower combustion temperature, combustion is mainly concentrated in front, low calorific value and the use of value is limited. Coal is less volatile, high combustion temperature, combustion exothermic are mainly concentrated in coke combustion, and exothermic is high. Studying on the combustion process and the combustion characteristics of mixed combustion of biomass and coal is development technologies based of mixed combustion of biomass and coal. Choose two biomass sample Sawdust, confetti and a coal, analyze combustion characteristics to mixing sample of different ratio, to obtain combustion process of mixed sample, combustion performance impact of biomass to coal and calorific influence of coal to biomass.

Characterization of Organic Matter Released during Analytical Pyrolysis of PM10 Samples Obtained from Biomass and Oil Combustion

The composition and origin of organic matter (OM) released form three PM10 samples obtained from biomass and oil combustion was investigated in this study. The Py-GC/MS system was applied and experiments were conducted at 5 °C/min to 750 °C. A difference in the composition and therefore in OM between the examined samples was observed. The greatest variation in released compounds was noted for PM10 sample obtained from biomass combustion. Whereas the least variation in composition was observed for PM10 sample obtained from B oil sample. The latter consisted in majority of squalene (81.5 %). As a result, the quantity of OM released by the biomass sample was greater by 18.2 % and 33.9 % that the quantity released by A and B oil samples, respectively.