The use of renewable energy is steadily being adopted as a mitigative measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By assessing biomass production and consumption estimates from Louisiana parishes, this study examin...The use of renewable energy is steadily being adopted as a mitigative measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By assessing biomass production and consumption estimates from Louisiana parishes, this study examines the utilization of agricultural biomass as a convenient renewable energy source, and the potential of marginal lands for growing bioenergy crops in Louisiana. This was achieved by retrieving parish-level acreage production of some biofuel crops recorded in 2021 using the Quick Stats Database, to map out the spatial locations and distribution of the biofuel crops. To examine the potential of Louisiana’s marginal lands in bioenergy crop production, data was obtained from the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database and mapped-out according to the eight Land Capability Classes numbered I-VIII. The results of the mapped-out acreage data revealed that 25% of the 64 parishes including Morehouse recorded high corn production estimates, while 43%, such as East Carroll, recorded high soybean production. Meanwhile, cotton production estimates were relatively low, as recorded in only 9 parishes, with one parish, Tensas, having the highest acreage production of around 23,000. Although the identified marginal lands in parishes such as Allen and Vernon had no records of corn, soybean, or cotton production, the soil survey database revealed that these marginal lands have high nutrient soils like Alfisols, Entisols and Inceptisols with optimal nutrient balance essential for high yield bioenergy crop production. Hence, this paper highlights Louisiana’s agricultural biomass to be leveraged as sustainable renewable sources while adhering to clear production guidelines, biofuel sustainability certification, and internationally agreed sustainability criteria.展开更多
The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediat...The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediator-less H-type MFCs were set up where the anode chamber contained rumen microorganisms as inocula on cellulose (Avicel) and the cathode chamber of phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4), both separated by cation exchange membrane. Electrical power generation in MFC was monitored daily over a 10-day period and the accumulated amounts and components of gaseous byproducts were measured at the end of 10 d operation of MFC. For both groups of MFCs with red pepper and the control, the head space gases collected were methane and CO2, and its volume and composition were similar between treatments. Methane and CO2 produced for 10 d operation were 210.7 and 106.5 mL, respectively, in MFC. The addition of red pepper powder caused an average power density to increase from 24.0 mW/m2 to 39.6 mW/m2 (P 2 for control and bellflower, respectively. This study provides the strong evidence that red pepper (Capsicum annuum) supplementation might modify the anaerobic fermentation characteristics of rumen microorganisms in anode chamber and improve the cellulosic bioenergy production in MFC.展开更多
In the wake of climate change and increasing fossil fuel prices, biofuels are becoming attractive to agricultural dependent economies in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions of the world. This study evaluates the ener...In the wake of climate change and increasing fossil fuel prices, biofuels are becoming attractive to agricultural dependent economies in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions of the world. This study evaluates the energy production potential of biomass resources grown on the available arable agricultural land under two principal scenarios: using 2.5% and 5% of the available arable land for energy crop expansion. Using conservative biofuel yields from crops in the sub-region, a 2.5% of uncultivated arable land dedicated to four traditional crops grown in Ghana namely maize, cassava, sweet sorghum and oil palm could potentially replace 9.3% and 7.2% of transportation fuels by 2020 and 2030 respectively. Using 5% of the uncultivated arable land to cultivate the above four crops and jatropha could potentially produce biofuel to replace 17.3% of transport fuels by 2020 and 13.3% by 2030. In order to enrol such a scheme, government is encouraged to put in place appropriate structures to ensure that, the industry meet international sustainability standards.展开更多
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change, and the world’s focus has shifted to the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. There has been a rise in the published literature on the utilization o...Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change, and the world’s focus has shifted to the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. There has been a rise in the published literature on the utilization of crops for bioenergy production in Louisiana. However, very few scholarly documents have used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the distribution of potential bioenergy crops in Louisiana. This study seeks to fill the void by evaluating the potential of bioenergy crops in Louisiana for energy production using GIS. Given this objective, the agricultural census data for 1999, 2009, 2019, and 2020 obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were used in the analysis. The quantities of various crops produced in the state were loaded into an attribute table and joined to a shapefile using ArcGIS software. The symbology tool’s graduated option was used to create five maps representing each of the bioenergy crops in Louisiana. The findings of the GIS analysis show that some of the parishes, such as Franklin produced the most bushels of corn (13,795,416), Iberia produced the most tons of sugarcane (1,697,980), East Carroll produced the most bushels of soybean (8,237,991), Tensas harvested the most bales of cotton (80,898) and Avoyelles produced the most bushels of sorghum (630,694). The abundance and availability of crops as raw materials for energy production will translate into lower prices in terms of energy use, making bioenergy crops a promising alternative to fossil fuels. In addition, gasoline price data from 1993-2022 was obtained from U.S. Energy Information Administration. A regression model for the average annual gasoline price over the years was constructed. The results show that the average annual gasoline price variation with respect to years is statistically significant (p 0.05). This suggests that gasoline prices will generally rise despite a price drop over the years. The paper concludes by outlining policy recommendations in the form of assessing the availability and viability of other crop types, such as wheat, oats, and rice, for energy production in the state.展开更多
The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemically coagulated swine manure solids as biofuel and/or compost feedstock. Three coagulants, namely agricultural lime [CaCO3], hydrated lime [Ca(OH)2], and lime s...The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemically coagulated swine manure solids as biofuel and/or compost feedstock. Three coagulants, namely agricultural lime [CaCO3], hydrated lime [Ca(OH)2], and lime slurry [Ca(OH)2], were added to fresh swine manure to coagulate manure solids. Four levels, i.e., 0.00 (0.0X), 4.89 (0.5X), 9.77 (1.0X), and 19.77 (2.0X) gm Ca⋅liter-1, were tested, in triplicates. Increasing the coagulant concentration increased the total solids, ash content, and pH of solid manure samples, whereas it decreased their volatile solids, chemical oxygen demand, and heating value. At the coagulant level of 2.0X rate, heating values of samples coagulated by agricultural lime, hydrated lime, and lime slurry were 2.64, 4.48, and 4.54 MJ⋅kg-1, respectively. The heating value of raw manure solids was as high as 13.49 MJ⋅kg-1. Increasing the coagulant concentration increased the O/C atomic ratio for all the studied coagulants. Accordingly, the high coagulant concentrations might reduce the acceptability of the feedstock as a biofuel that can be co-combusted with other feed stocks. The C/N ratio and the pH values of the solid separated swine manure increased by increasing agricultural lime and hydrated lime concentrations. The former might increase satisfactoriness for composting these solids, whereas the latter might hinder their use in the composting process. The maximum coagulant concentrations that allowed pyrolyzing the final product, based on the net energy values, were 48.80 (2.0X), 18.06 (1.0X), and 18.06 (1.0X) gm⋅liter-1 for agricultural lime, hydrated lime, and lime slurry, respectively. The maximum acceptable coagulant concentrations that allowed composting the final product, based on the pH values, were 48.80 (2.0X), 0.00 (0.0X), and 9.03 (0.5X) gm⋅liter-1 for the same three coagulants.展开更多
Sweet sorghum unlike grain sorghum has potential to accumulate sugars in stalks similar to sugarcane. Short duration and lower water requirements of sweet sorghum are other advantages over sugarcane. Sorghum is usuall...Sweet sorghum unlike grain sorghum has potential to accumulate sugars in stalks similar to sugarcane. Short duration and lower water requirements of sweet sorghum are other advantages over sugarcane. Sorghum is usually grown in kharif and rabi seasons. As an energy crop, industry demands supply of green cane as raw material through out the year. Hence this agronomic study was conducted to determine suitable time of planting of sweet sorghum under the agro climatic conditions prevailing in India, so that continuous supply of raw material is assured for factory operations through out the year, especially during the lean period of sugarcane crushing. Various physical and chemical characters of plant and stem juice were studied by taking up bimonthly plantings at four locations using 12 genotypes of sweet sorghum in the first year and quarterly plantings at four locations using 10 genotypes (8 genotypes common in both years) in the second year. Of the six plantings, planting during August and April were found to be not suitable for good sweet sorghum yields, therefore, in the second year, four plantings were taken up i.e., June, October, December and February at six locations. The various attributes selected for observations include cane yield, percent brix of stem juice, percent juice extractability, percent total soluble sugars and reducing sugars in the stem juice. Highest green cane yield and percent juice extractability was observed in June planting in all genotypes followed by February, and December in both bimonthly and quarterly plantings. Juice extraction percentage was also highest in June plantings followed by October, April and December plantings. June plantings recorded highest percent brix followed by December and February plantings in bimonthly plantings, while in quarterly planting, highest percent brix and total sugars in juice was observed in February planting followed by planting in June.展开更多
Production of energy crops is perceived as a potential source of alternative energy for petroleum oil. However, it is cru-cial to ensure that there is adequate land and water available for production of energy crops b...Production of energy crops is perceived as a potential source of alternative energy for petroleum oil. However, it is cru-cial to ensure that there is adequate land and water available for production of energy crops before indulging into the business of producing such crops. This paper assesses the availability of land and water resources for production of energy crops in the SADC region using landuse/landcover data, hydrological and meteorological data, as well as socioeconomic data. It is found that Botswana and Mozambique have large amounts of bushland that can be used for expansion of agricultural land including production of energy crops. Zimbabwe has the highest amount of land under cultivation, which makes it difficult for the country to expand its agricultural land. However, land reform processes taking place in Zimbabwe provides a good opportunity to diversify agricultural production including reallocation of farms for production of energy crops. Mozambique has favorable rainfall for production of maize and sugarcane, whereas Zimbabwe can explore growing Jatropha on degraded land and use irrigation for cultivation of sugarcane. High frequency of crop failure in Botswana makes it difficult to grow maize or sugarcane as energy crop. The country can promote production of sweet sorghum, which is traditionally grown by small scale farmers, and explore production of Jatropha in degraded and desert land. A regional approach to address land and water requirements for production of energy crops is considered important as compared to planning for production in each country as the constraints and potential of each country can be fully recognized. More detailed country specific research is needed on the production of the specified energy crops to ensure sustainability of the production systems.展开更多
Gasification is a promising technology for the production of gaseous fuels, mainly syngas, which is produced from the hydrocarbon-based materials such as coal and biomass. Currently, coal is the main feedstock that is...Gasification is a promising technology for the production of gaseous fuels, mainly syngas, which is produced from the hydrocarbon-based materials such as coal and biomass. Currently, coal is the main feedstock that is used for the gasification process due to its large reserves and higher energy per volume. However, the use of coal has been a more concern because of the environmental impacts caused by the emission of toxic gases such as the sulphides, sulphates and nitrates as well as the ash slagging problems forming inside the gasifier. On the other hand, biomass is a renewable energy resource of interest as a replacement for coal to reduce the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel usage. Much consumption of fossil fuels has caused serious energy crisis and environmental impacts, globally. Co-gasification of coal and biomass is considered as a connection between energy production based on fossil fuels and energy production based on renewable fuels. The utilization of biomass by co-gasification with coal causes reductions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur emissions due to the renewable character of biomass and low contamination content in biomass. This study determined the properties of various biomass/coal blends and their suitability for co-gasification in a downdraft biomass gasifier. A bomb calorimeter was used to determine the calorific values of the material. CHNS and XRF analysis were carried out to determine the elemental analysis of the material. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to investigate the thermal degradation of the material. The kinetic analysis of the various feedstocks allows the prediction of the rate at which co-gasification takes place. The results suggested that blending coal with biomass result in a faster reaction rate at lower temperatures than that of coal alone and lower activation energy due to the high quantity of volatile matter in biomass.展开更多
This study proposed using waste frying oil rather than refined vegetable oil as an effective way to reduce the raw material cost of producing biodiesel. In addition, the ultrasonic-assisted two-step catalyzing Process...This study proposed using waste frying oil rather than refined vegetable oil as an effective way to reduce the raw material cost of producing biodiesel. In addition, the ultrasonic-assisted two-step catalyzing Process was first adopted for the production of biodiesel from waste frying oil. The results show that the total reaction time was less than 50 min and the conversion rate of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) achieved was 97.1%. Therefore, the ultrasonic-assisted two-step catalyzing process has a potential application in producing biodiesel from waste frying oil.展开更多
Only 42% of Uganda’s population has access to electricity. The population continues to use firewood and charcoal as a source of energy, which leads to depletion of forests thus to climate change. The purpose of this ...Only 42% of Uganda’s population has access to electricity. The population continues to use firewood and charcoal as a source of energy, which leads to depletion of forests thus to climate change. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of biogas production from jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels when co-digested with cow dung as an alternative energy source. Substrates for each waste were co-digested with varying proportions (0%, 25%, and 50%) of cow dung using laboratory-scale 250 mL anaerobic digestors. The total biogas generation for jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels after 30 days of anaerobic digestion was 82.3, 189, and 262 mL, respectively. When jack fruit waste, pineapple peels and banana peels were co-digested with 25% cow dung, the total amount of biogas produced increased by a factor of two and three, respectively. However, 50% of cow dung only significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved for jack fruit waste by two folds. Therefore, the results indicated that jackfruit waste, banana and pineapple peels can be used for biogas production to augment energy supply. .展开更多
This paper concerns with the treatment of bagasse wash water, which is generated after washing the stored bagasse before its use in the paper manufacture. The bagasse wash water, treated earlier in open lagoons, is no...This paper concerns with the treatment of bagasse wash water, which is generated after washing the stored bagasse before its use in the paper manufacture. The bagasse wash water, treated earlier in open lagoons, is now treated by the anaerobic process using UASB reactor. This study, based upon an operating unit, shows that the UASB reactor reduces COD of wash water by 85% - 90%, and results in significant emission reductions. Economic analysis carried out by using financial indicators such as DSCR, Payback period and IRR reveals very attractive rate of returns and thus, greatly reduces the risks in financing such projects by the financial institutions.展开更多
Techno-economic analysis of an indirect use of carbon dioxide within the route of glycerolysis of glycerol with urea is investigated. The results show that the net present value of the biodiesel-glycerol carbonate pro...Techno-economic analysis of an indirect use of carbon dioxide within the route of glycerolysis of glycerol with urea is investigated. The results show that the net present value of the biodiesel-glycerol carbonate production by glycerolysis is higher than the biodiesel-glycerol carbonate production by direct carboxylationat at the end of the 12-year operation with similar capacities. The stochastic model has predicted that using glycerolysis route for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate production might increase the probability of getting positive net present value by about 15%.展开更多
In order to reduce the emission of NOx, SOx, and CO2 and mitigate the dependence on the fossil fuel, the use of renewable energy, especially the biomass energy, has been explored. Since most biomass fuels are hard to ...In order to reduce the emission of NOx, SOx, and CO2 and mitigate the dependence on the fossil fuel, the use of renewable energy, especially the biomass energy, has been explored. Since most biomass fuels are hard to grind to the very fine size, gasification is the preferred technology of energy conversion. Updraft fixed bed gasification using partial oxidation process is adopted where air less than the stoichiometric quantity is admitted to oxidize the char to CO. The temperature profile within the bed reveals a characteristic temperature peak. The results reveal a correlation between the higher heating value (HHV) of producer gas and the peak gasification temperature (Tpeak). Coal with higher char content (~45%) is blended with biomass of low char content (~20%) in order to produce high quality gas. In this study, the Texas-based mesquite fuel was blended with Wyoming Power River Basin (PRB) coal with mass ratios of 100:0, 90:10, and 80:20 and fired downward into the gasifier. It was found that at a given mesquite to the coal mass ratio, the peak gasification temperature decreased with the increase in ER. With the increase of the coal ratio in the mesquite: coal blend and the peak temperature increased significantly;more combustible gases such as CO, CH4 were generated at the end of product gas, and the HHV of the product gas increased by 10%-20%.展开更多
Convective heat transfer coefficients, materializing exchanges between solid wall (here typha) and its environment, influence its behavior under excitation pulse. Temperature of wall and its density of flow vary with ...Convective heat transfer coefficients, materializing exchanges between solid wall (here typha) and its environment, influence its behavior under excitation pulse. Temperature of wall and its density of flow vary with these coefficients according to its thickness (in depth). This study therefore focuses on the evaluation of convective heat transfer coefficient on front face and the optimal insulation thickness.展开更多
OMEGA is a system for cultivating microalgae using wastewater contained in floating photobioreactors (PBRs) deployed in marine environments and thereby eliminating competition with agriculture for water, fertilizer, a...OMEGA is a system for cultivating microalgae using wastewater contained in floating photobioreactors (PBRs) deployed in marine environments and thereby eliminating competition with agriculture for water, fertilizer, and land. The offshore placement in protected bays near coastal cities co-locates OMEGA with wastewater outfalls and sources of CO2-rich flue gas on shore. To evaluate the feasibility of OMEGA, microalgae were grown on secondary-treated wastewater supplemented with simulated flue gas (8.5% CO2 V/V) in a 110-liter prototype system tested using a seawater tank. The flow-through system consisted of tubular PBRs made of transparent linear low-density polyethylene, a gas exchange and harvesting column (GEHC), two pumps, and an instrumentation and control (I&C) system. The PBRs contained regularly spaced swirl vanes to create helical flow and mixing for the circulating culture. About 5% of the culture volume was continuously diverted through the GEHC to manage dissolved oxygen concentrations, provide supplemental CO2, harvest microalgae from a settling chamber, and add fresh wastewater to replenish nutrients. The I&C system controlled CO2 injection and recorded dissolved oxygen levels, totalized CO2 flow, temperature, circulation rates, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and the photosynthetic efficiency as determined by fast repetition rate fluorometry. In two experimental trials, totaling 23 days in April and May 2012, microalgae productivity averaged 14.1 ± 1.3 grams of dry biomass per square meter of PBR surface area per day (n = 16), supplemental CO2 was converted to biomass with >50% efficiency, and >90% of the ammonia-nitrogen was recovered from secondary effluent. If OMEGA can be optimized for energy efficiency and scaled up economically, it has the potential to contribute significantly to biofuels production and wastewater treatment.展开更多
Recent interests in biochar stem from its agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration potentials in soil applications. As a not fully understood newer concept, adding biochar as a bulking agent to animal manure compos...Recent interests in biochar stem from its agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration potentials in soil applications. As a not fully understood newer concept, adding biochar as a bulking agent to animal manure composting has the potential to enhance the performance of composting process and reduce associated N2O emissions. This short report presents emerging trends and knowledge gaps in this research area, and provides an introduction to understand the mechanism by which biochar impacts manure composting performance and N2O fluxes.展开更多
The paper discusses the features of the Biomass Boiler drum water level. Conventional PID Control System can not reach a satisfaction result in nonlinearity and time different from Biomass Boiler Drum Water Control Sy...The paper discusses the features of the Biomass Boiler drum water level. Conventional PID Control System can not reach a satisfaction result in nonlinearity and time different from Biomass Boiler Drum Water Control System. In this study, a kind of fuzzy self-adaptive PID controller is described and this controller is used in biomass boiler’s drum water level control system. Using the simulink tool of MATLAB simulation software to simulate the fuzzy adaptive PID and conventional PID control system, the result of the comparison shows that the fuzzy self-adaptive PID has the strong anti-jamming, flexibility and adaptability as well as the higher control precision in Biomass Boiler Drum Water.展开更多
Anaerobic digestion technology provides a new approach to treat organic waste while generating </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">greenhouse gas</span><span style="font-famil...Anaerobic digestion technology provides a new approach to treat organic waste while generating </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">greenhouse gas</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">GHG</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">)</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> savings. Moreover, the methane gas produced during the process can be used to generate electricity. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In order to</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> ensure that Australia stays on its trajectory towards a </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">carbon neutral</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> future, the use of anaerobic digestion technology to treat its abundant organic waste streams should be considered</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thirty million tonnes</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Mt</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">)</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> of organic waste was produced in 2017. The use of anaerobic digestion to treat 1 tonne of waste could result in </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">0.143 </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tonne</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> of CO</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-e in GHG saving</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In contrast, other more widely employed waste disposal methods such as landfilling, composting </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> incineration may generate GHG emissions. Additionally, the use of methane for electricity production also generates the least GHG emissions per MWh. This is </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">approximately</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 3 times lower than crude oil, 4 times lower than black coal </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 5 times lower than brown coal. However, the adoption and implementation of anaerobic digestion technology in Australia face several immediate constraints. Firstly, anaerobic digestion technology is deemed unprofitable, incurring </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">high</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> initial capital cost, operating costs </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> extremely long payback periods. Secondly, there is a lack of government support in terms of a national target for biogas production via anaerobic digestion. This review will provide an in-depth analysis </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">into</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> the current state of the Australian biogas sector. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In addition</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, the review discusses the opportunities to make anaerobic digestion technology more financially viable and to accelerate the growth of the Australian biogas sector.展开更多
Low-world oil prices but supportive government policies provide growing environmental and energy security support favorable for the bioethanol market. The need to generate large and sustainable supply of biomass to ma...Low-world oil prices but supportive government policies provide growing environmental and energy security support favorable for the bioethanol market. The need to generate large and sustainable supply of biomass to make bioethanol will require the development of crops grown specifically for bioenergy production. Given the existing history of genetic improvement and infrastructure available for sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids will be one of the several species dedicated as energy crop and the subject of this study. Texas A & M University Sorghum Breeding Program has developed hybrid sorghum varieties with high protein digestibility and improved starch digestibility. Most of the previous research on grain sorghum focused on the digestibility of sorghum protein from the nutritional point of view. The aim of the current study was to select best sorghum lines from? relatively large and diverse sorghum samples that breeders are currently working with for the development of new low energy input liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation methodologies to produce bioethanol. Limited researches studies report on the performance of sorghum varieties in ethanol fermentation in relation to the protein and starch digestibility of sorghum.展开更多
Biomass gasification is a thermochemical conversion process that dates back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, designing and operating a gasifier system is not an easy task. Every biomass feedstock has different chara...Biomass gasification is a thermochemical conversion process that dates back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, designing and operating a gasifier system is not an easy task. Every biomass feedstock has different characteristics and the gasifier needs to be designed according to those qualities. Hence, many laboratory analyses on bamboo were carried out for this study. This study also concentrates on finding the best possible process variables for a bamboo fueled downdraft gasifier through a sensitivity analysis. A software program called Thermoflex was used for this purpose and the effect of gasifier temperature, air-fuel-ratio, moisture content of the fuel and temperature of pre-heated air on the syngas composition were simulated. The results show that bamboo is a decent gasification feedstock because of its low ash and sulfur content and satisfactory energy value. The simulations reveal that the best gas quality is obtained with the gasifier temperature between 700℃ and 800℃, A/F-ratio of 1.25 - 1.75 and dry basis moisture content between 10% and 15%.展开更多
文摘The use of renewable energy is steadily being adopted as a mitigative measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By assessing biomass production and consumption estimates from Louisiana parishes, this study examines the utilization of agricultural biomass as a convenient renewable energy source, and the potential of marginal lands for growing bioenergy crops in Louisiana. This was achieved by retrieving parish-level acreage production of some biofuel crops recorded in 2021 using the Quick Stats Database, to map out the spatial locations and distribution of the biofuel crops. To examine the potential of Louisiana’s marginal lands in bioenergy crop production, data was obtained from the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database and mapped-out according to the eight Land Capability Classes numbered I-VIII. The results of the mapped-out acreage data revealed that 25% of the 64 parishes including Morehouse recorded high corn production estimates, while 43%, such as East Carroll, recorded high soybean production. Meanwhile, cotton production estimates were relatively low, as recorded in only 9 parishes, with one parish, Tensas, having the highest acreage production of around 23,000. Although the identified marginal lands in parishes such as Allen and Vernon had no records of corn, soybean, or cotton production, the soil survey database revealed that these marginal lands have high nutrient soils like Alfisols, Entisols and Inceptisols with optimal nutrient balance essential for high yield bioenergy crop production. Hence, this paper highlights Louisiana’s agricultural biomass to be leveraged as sustainable renewable sources while adhering to clear production guidelines, biofuel sustainability certification, and internationally agreed sustainability criteria.
文摘The current study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect in the power output of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) through supplementation of dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum) powder into the anodic chamber. Mediator-less H-type MFCs were set up where the anode chamber contained rumen microorganisms as inocula on cellulose (Avicel) and the cathode chamber of phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4), both separated by cation exchange membrane. Electrical power generation in MFC was monitored daily over a 10-day period and the accumulated amounts and components of gaseous byproducts were measured at the end of 10 d operation of MFC. For both groups of MFCs with red pepper and the control, the head space gases collected were methane and CO2, and its volume and composition were similar between treatments. Methane and CO2 produced for 10 d operation were 210.7 and 106.5 mL, respectively, in MFC. The addition of red pepper powder caused an average power density to increase from 24.0 mW/m2 to 39.6 mW/m2 (P 2 for control and bellflower, respectively. This study provides the strong evidence that red pepper (Capsicum annuum) supplementation might modify the anaerobic fermentation characteristics of rumen microorganisms in anode chamber and improve the cellulosic bioenergy production in MFC.
文摘In the wake of climate change and increasing fossil fuel prices, biofuels are becoming attractive to agricultural dependent economies in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions of the world. This study evaluates the energy production potential of biomass resources grown on the available arable agricultural land under two principal scenarios: using 2.5% and 5% of the available arable land for energy crop expansion. Using conservative biofuel yields from crops in the sub-region, a 2.5% of uncultivated arable land dedicated to four traditional crops grown in Ghana namely maize, cassava, sweet sorghum and oil palm could potentially replace 9.3% and 7.2% of transportation fuels by 2020 and 2030 respectively. Using 5% of the uncultivated arable land to cultivate the above four crops and jatropha could potentially produce biofuel to replace 17.3% of transport fuels by 2020 and 13.3% by 2030. In order to enrol such a scheme, government is encouraged to put in place appropriate structures to ensure that, the industry meet international sustainability standards.
文摘Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing climate change, and the world’s focus has shifted to the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. There has been a rise in the published literature on the utilization of crops for bioenergy production in Louisiana. However, very few scholarly documents have used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the distribution of potential bioenergy crops in Louisiana. This study seeks to fill the void by evaluating the potential of bioenergy crops in Louisiana for energy production using GIS. Given this objective, the agricultural census data for 1999, 2009, 2019, and 2020 obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were used in the analysis. The quantities of various crops produced in the state were loaded into an attribute table and joined to a shapefile using ArcGIS software. The symbology tool’s graduated option was used to create five maps representing each of the bioenergy crops in Louisiana. The findings of the GIS analysis show that some of the parishes, such as Franklin produced the most bushels of corn (13,795,416), Iberia produced the most tons of sugarcane (1,697,980), East Carroll produced the most bushels of soybean (8,237,991), Tensas harvested the most bales of cotton (80,898) and Avoyelles produced the most bushels of sorghum (630,694). The abundance and availability of crops as raw materials for energy production will translate into lower prices in terms of energy use, making bioenergy crops a promising alternative to fossil fuels. In addition, gasoline price data from 1993-2022 was obtained from U.S. Energy Information Administration. A regression model for the average annual gasoline price over the years was constructed. The results show that the average annual gasoline price variation with respect to years is statistically significant (p 0.05). This suggests that gasoline prices will generally rise despite a price drop over the years. The paper concludes by outlining policy recommendations in the form of assessing the availability and viability of other crop types, such as wheat, oats, and rice, for energy production in the state.
文摘The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemically coagulated swine manure solids as biofuel and/or compost feedstock. Three coagulants, namely agricultural lime [CaCO3], hydrated lime [Ca(OH)2], and lime slurry [Ca(OH)2], were added to fresh swine manure to coagulate manure solids. Four levels, i.e., 0.00 (0.0X), 4.89 (0.5X), 9.77 (1.0X), and 19.77 (2.0X) gm Ca⋅liter-1, were tested, in triplicates. Increasing the coagulant concentration increased the total solids, ash content, and pH of solid manure samples, whereas it decreased their volatile solids, chemical oxygen demand, and heating value. At the coagulant level of 2.0X rate, heating values of samples coagulated by agricultural lime, hydrated lime, and lime slurry were 2.64, 4.48, and 4.54 MJ⋅kg-1, respectively. The heating value of raw manure solids was as high as 13.49 MJ⋅kg-1. Increasing the coagulant concentration increased the O/C atomic ratio for all the studied coagulants. Accordingly, the high coagulant concentrations might reduce the acceptability of the feedstock as a biofuel that can be co-combusted with other feed stocks. The C/N ratio and the pH values of the solid separated swine manure increased by increasing agricultural lime and hydrated lime concentrations. The former might increase satisfactoriness for composting these solids, whereas the latter might hinder their use in the composting process. The maximum coagulant concentrations that allowed pyrolyzing the final product, based on the net energy values, were 48.80 (2.0X), 18.06 (1.0X), and 18.06 (1.0X) gm⋅liter-1 for agricultural lime, hydrated lime, and lime slurry, respectively. The maximum acceptable coagulant concentrations that allowed composting the final product, based on the pH values, were 48.80 (2.0X), 0.00 (0.0X), and 9.03 (0.5X) gm⋅liter-1 for the same three coagulants.
文摘Sweet sorghum unlike grain sorghum has potential to accumulate sugars in stalks similar to sugarcane. Short duration and lower water requirements of sweet sorghum are other advantages over sugarcane. Sorghum is usually grown in kharif and rabi seasons. As an energy crop, industry demands supply of green cane as raw material through out the year. Hence this agronomic study was conducted to determine suitable time of planting of sweet sorghum under the agro climatic conditions prevailing in India, so that continuous supply of raw material is assured for factory operations through out the year, especially during the lean period of sugarcane crushing. Various physical and chemical characters of plant and stem juice were studied by taking up bimonthly plantings at four locations using 12 genotypes of sweet sorghum in the first year and quarterly plantings at four locations using 10 genotypes (8 genotypes common in both years) in the second year. Of the six plantings, planting during August and April were found to be not suitable for good sweet sorghum yields, therefore, in the second year, four plantings were taken up i.e., June, October, December and February at six locations. The various attributes selected for observations include cane yield, percent brix of stem juice, percent juice extractability, percent total soluble sugars and reducing sugars in the stem juice. Highest green cane yield and percent juice extractability was observed in June planting in all genotypes followed by February, and December in both bimonthly and quarterly plantings. Juice extraction percentage was also highest in June plantings followed by October, April and December plantings. June plantings recorded highest percent brix followed by December and February plantings in bimonthly plantings, while in quarterly planting, highest percent brix and total sugars in juice was observed in February planting followed by planting in June.
文摘Production of energy crops is perceived as a potential source of alternative energy for petroleum oil. However, it is cru-cial to ensure that there is adequate land and water available for production of energy crops before indulging into the business of producing such crops. This paper assesses the availability of land and water resources for production of energy crops in the SADC region using landuse/landcover data, hydrological and meteorological data, as well as socioeconomic data. It is found that Botswana and Mozambique have large amounts of bushland that can be used for expansion of agricultural land including production of energy crops. Zimbabwe has the highest amount of land under cultivation, which makes it difficult for the country to expand its agricultural land. However, land reform processes taking place in Zimbabwe provides a good opportunity to diversify agricultural production including reallocation of farms for production of energy crops. Mozambique has favorable rainfall for production of maize and sugarcane, whereas Zimbabwe can explore growing Jatropha on degraded land and use irrigation for cultivation of sugarcane. High frequency of crop failure in Botswana makes it difficult to grow maize or sugarcane as energy crop. The country can promote production of sweet sorghum, which is traditionally grown by small scale farmers, and explore production of Jatropha in degraded and desert land. A regional approach to address land and water requirements for production of energy crops is considered important as compared to planning for production in each country as the constraints and potential of each country can be fully recognized. More detailed country specific research is needed on the production of the specified energy crops to ensure sustainability of the production systems.
文摘Gasification is a promising technology for the production of gaseous fuels, mainly syngas, which is produced from the hydrocarbon-based materials such as coal and biomass. Currently, coal is the main feedstock that is used for the gasification process due to its large reserves and higher energy per volume. However, the use of coal has been a more concern because of the environmental impacts caused by the emission of toxic gases such as the sulphides, sulphates and nitrates as well as the ash slagging problems forming inside the gasifier. On the other hand, biomass is a renewable energy resource of interest as a replacement for coal to reduce the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel usage. Much consumption of fossil fuels has caused serious energy crisis and environmental impacts, globally. Co-gasification of coal and biomass is considered as a connection between energy production based on fossil fuels and energy production based on renewable fuels. The utilization of biomass by co-gasification with coal causes reductions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur emissions due to the renewable character of biomass and low contamination content in biomass. This study determined the properties of various biomass/coal blends and their suitability for co-gasification in a downdraft biomass gasifier. A bomb calorimeter was used to determine the calorific values of the material. CHNS and XRF analysis were carried out to determine the elemental analysis of the material. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to investigate the thermal degradation of the material. The kinetic analysis of the various feedstocks allows the prediction of the rate at which co-gasification takes place. The results suggested that blending coal with biomass result in a faster reaction rate at lower temperatures than that of coal alone and lower activation energy due to the high quantity of volatile matter in biomass.
文摘This study proposed using waste frying oil rather than refined vegetable oil as an effective way to reduce the raw material cost of producing biodiesel. In addition, the ultrasonic-assisted two-step catalyzing Process was first adopted for the production of biodiesel from waste frying oil. The results show that the total reaction time was less than 50 min and the conversion rate of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) achieved was 97.1%. Therefore, the ultrasonic-assisted two-step catalyzing process has a potential application in producing biodiesel from waste frying oil.
文摘Only 42% of Uganda’s population has access to electricity. The population continues to use firewood and charcoal as a source of energy, which leads to depletion of forests thus to climate change. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of biogas production from jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels when co-digested with cow dung as an alternative energy source. Substrates for each waste were co-digested with varying proportions (0%, 25%, and 50%) of cow dung using laboratory-scale 250 mL anaerobic digestors. The total biogas generation for jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels after 30 days of anaerobic digestion was 82.3, 189, and 262 mL, respectively. When jack fruit waste, pineapple peels and banana peels were co-digested with 25% cow dung, the total amount of biogas produced increased by a factor of two and three, respectively. However, 50% of cow dung only significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved for jack fruit waste by two folds. Therefore, the results indicated that jackfruit waste, banana and pineapple peels can be used for biogas production to augment energy supply. .
文摘This paper concerns with the treatment of bagasse wash water, which is generated after washing the stored bagasse before its use in the paper manufacture. The bagasse wash water, treated earlier in open lagoons, is now treated by the anaerobic process using UASB reactor. This study, based upon an operating unit, shows that the UASB reactor reduces COD of wash water by 85% - 90%, and results in significant emission reductions. Economic analysis carried out by using financial indicators such as DSCR, Payback period and IRR reveals very attractive rate of returns and thus, greatly reduces the risks in financing such projects by the financial institutions.
文摘Techno-economic analysis of an indirect use of carbon dioxide within the route of glycerolysis of glycerol with urea is investigated. The results show that the net present value of the biodiesel-glycerol carbonate production by glycerolysis is higher than the biodiesel-glycerol carbonate production by direct carboxylationat at the end of the 12-year operation with similar capacities. The stochastic model has predicted that using glycerolysis route for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate production might increase the probability of getting positive net present value by about 15%.
文摘In order to reduce the emission of NOx, SOx, and CO2 and mitigate the dependence on the fossil fuel, the use of renewable energy, especially the biomass energy, has been explored. Since most biomass fuels are hard to grind to the very fine size, gasification is the preferred technology of energy conversion. Updraft fixed bed gasification using partial oxidation process is adopted where air less than the stoichiometric quantity is admitted to oxidize the char to CO. The temperature profile within the bed reveals a characteristic temperature peak. The results reveal a correlation between the higher heating value (HHV) of producer gas and the peak gasification temperature (Tpeak). Coal with higher char content (~45%) is blended with biomass of low char content (~20%) in order to produce high quality gas. In this study, the Texas-based mesquite fuel was blended with Wyoming Power River Basin (PRB) coal with mass ratios of 100:0, 90:10, and 80:20 and fired downward into the gasifier. It was found that at a given mesquite to the coal mass ratio, the peak gasification temperature decreased with the increase in ER. With the increase of the coal ratio in the mesquite: coal blend and the peak temperature increased significantly;more combustible gases such as CO, CH4 were generated at the end of product gas, and the HHV of the product gas increased by 10%-20%.
文摘Convective heat transfer coefficients, materializing exchanges between solid wall (here typha) and its environment, influence its behavior under excitation pulse. Temperature of wall and its density of flow vary with these coefficients according to its thickness (in depth). This study therefore focuses on the evaluation of convective heat transfer coefficient on front face and the optimal insulation thickness.
文摘OMEGA is a system for cultivating microalgae using wastewater contained in floating photobioreactors (PBRs) deployed in marine environments and thereby eliminating competition with agriculture for water, fertilizer, and land. The offshore placement in protected bays near coastal cities co-locates OMEGA with wastewater outfalls and sources of CO2-rich flue gas on shore. To evaluate the feasibility of OMEGA, microalgae were grown on secondary-treated wastewater supplemented with simulated flue gas (8.5% CO2 V/V) in a 110-liter prototype system tested using a seawater tank. The flow-through system consisted of tubular PBRs made of transparent linear low-density polyethylene, a gas exchange and harvesting column (GEHC), two pumps, and an instrumentation and control (I&C) system. The PBRs contained regularly spaced swirl vanes to create helical flow and mixing for the circulating culture. About 5% of the culture volume was continuously diverted through the GEHC to manage dissolved oxygen concentrations, provide supplemental CO2, harvest microalgae from a settling chamber, and add fresh wastewater to replenish nutrients. The I&C system controlled CO2 injection and recorded dissolved oxygen levels, totalized CO2 flow, temperature, circulation rates, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and the photosynthetic efficiency as determined by fast repetition rate fluorometry. In two experimental trials, totaling 23 days in April and May 2012, microalgae productivity averaged 14.1 ± 1.3 grams of dry biomass per square meter of PBR surface area per day (n = 16), supplemental CO2 was converted to biomass with >50% efficiency, and >90% of the ammonia-nitrogen was recovered from secondary effluent. If OMEGA can be optimized for energy efficiency and scaled up economically, it has the potential to contribute significantly to biofuels production and wastewater treatment.
文摘Recent interests in biochar stem from its agronomic benefits and carbon sequestration potentials in soil applications. As a not fully understood newer concept, adding biochar as a bulking agent to animal manure composting has the potential to enhance the performance of composting process and reduce associated N2O emissions. This short report presents emerging trends and knowledge gaps in this research area, and provides an introduction to understand the mechanism by which biochar impacts manure composting performance and N2O fluxes.
文摘The paper discusses the features of the Biomass Boiler drum water level. Conventional PID Control System can not reach a satisfaction result in nonlinearity and time different from Biomass Boiler Drum Water Control System. In this study, a kind of fuzzy self-adaptive PID controller is described and this controller is used in biomass boiler’s drum water level control system. Using the simulink tool of MATLAB simulation software to simulate the fuzzy adaptive PID and conventional PID control system, the result of the comparison shows that the fuzzy self-adaptive PID has the strong anti-jamming, flexibility and adaptability as well as the higher control precision in Biomass Boiler Drum Water.
文摘Anaerobic digestion technology provides a new approach to treat organic waste while generating </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">greenhouse gas</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">GHG</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">)</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> savings. Moreover, the methane gas produced during the process can be used to generate electricity. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In order to</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> ensure that Australia stays on its trajectory towards a </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">carbon neutral</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> future, the use of anaerobic digestion technology to treat its abundant organic waste streams should be considered</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thirty million tonnes</span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Mt</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">)</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> of organic waste was produced in 2017. The use of anaerobic digestion to treat 1 tonne of waste could result in </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">0.143 </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tonne</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> of CO</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-e in GHG saving</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. In contrast, other more widely employed waste disposal methods such as landfilling, composting </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> incineration may generate GHG emissions. Additionally, the use of methane for electricity production also generates the least GHG emissions per MWh. This is </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">approximately</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 3 times lower than crude oil, 4 times lower than black coal </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 5 times lower than brown coal. However, the adoption and implementation of anaerobic digestion technology in Australia face several immediate constraints. Firstly, anaerobic digestion technology is deemed unprofitable, incurring </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">high</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> initial capital cost, operating costs </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> extremely long payback periods. Secondly, there is a lack of government support in terms of a national target for biogas production via anaerobic digestion. This review will provide an in-depth analysis </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">into</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> the current state of the Australian biogas sector. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In addition</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, the review discusses the opportunities to make anaerobic digestion technology more financially viable and to accelerate the growth of the Australian biogas sector.
文摘Low-world oil prices but supportive government policies provide growing environmental and energy security support favorable for the bioethanol market. The need to generate large and sustainable supply of biomass to make bioethanol will require the development of crops grown specifically for bioenergy production. Given the existing history of genetic improvement and infrastructure available for sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids will be one of the several species dedicated as energy crop and the subject of this study. Texas A & M University Sorghum Breeding Program has developed hybrid sorghum varieties with high protein digestibility and improved starch digestibility. Most of the previous research on grain sorghum focused on the digestibility of sorghum protein from the nutritional point of view. The aim of the current study was to select best sorghum lines from? relatively large and diverse sorghum samples that breeders are currently working with for the development of new low energy input liquefaction, saccharification and fermentation methodologies to produce bioethanol. Limited researches studies report on the performance of sorghum varieties in ethanol fermentation in relation to the protein and starch digestibility of sorghum.
文摘Biomass gasification is a thermochemical conversion process that dates back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, designing and operating a gasifier system is not an easy task. Every biomass feedstock has different characteristics and the gasifier needs to be designed according to those qualities. Hence, many laboratory analyses on bamboo were carried out for this study. This study also concentrates on finding the best possible process variables for a bamboo fueled downdraft gasifier through a sensitivity analysis. A software program called Thermoflex was used for this purpose and the effect of gasifier temperature, air-fuel-ratio, moisture content of the fuel and temperature of pre-heated air on the syngas composition were simulated. The results show that bamboo is a decent gasification feedstock because of its low ash and sulfur content and satisfactory energy value. The simulations reveal that the best gas quality is obtained with the gasifier temperature between 700℃ and 800℃, A/F-ratio of 1.25 - 1.75 and dry basis moisture content between 10% and 15%.
