Alpha Creation Enterprise
Biofuel Research Journal
2292-8782
6
4
2019
12
01
Bio-oil yield and quality enhancement through fast pyrolysis and fractional condensation concepts
1054
1064
EN
Brenda J.
Álvarez-Chávez
0000-0002-9182-8924
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de- Bellevue, Canada.
brenda.alvarezchavez@mail.mcgill.ca
Stéphane
Godbout
Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment (IRDA), Québec, Canada.
Étienne
Le Roux
Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment (IRDA), Québec, Canada.
Joahnn H.
Palacios
Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment (IRDA), Québec, Canada.
Vijaya
Raghavan
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de- Bellevue, Canada.
vijaya.raghavan@mcgill.ca
10.18331/BRJ2019.6.4.2
The influence of operating conditions on the yield and quality of bio-oil obtained from black spruce wood mixture was studied using an auger reactor. Fast pyrolysis optimization through response surface analysis was carried out with four variables: pyrolysis temperature, solids residence time, nitrogen flow, and temperature of first stage of condensation. The optimal conditions obtained for bio-oil production were 555°C, 129 s, 6.9 L/min, and 120°C, respectively. The product yields were 38.61 wt.% of biochar, 25.39 wt.% of liquid, and 36.52 wt.% of non-condensable gases. Two liquid products were produced at the exit of the two condensers, following the concept of fractional condensation. The oily phase yield recovered in the first condenser was 10.59 wt.%, with a 16.86 wt.% of moisture content. Physical properties of the oily phase were analyzed and compared with the ASTM standard D7544-12. Qualitative identification of chemical compounds was carried out for the oily phase which helped in pyrolysis optimization for the bio-oil production targeted towards its use as fuel in commercial burners. In addition, the oil produced here is one of the lowest in water and solids content, attributable to the unique feature of auger reactors without the need for additional treatments.
Bio-oil,Forest biomass,Fast pyrolysis,Fractional condensation,Box-Behnken
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96820.html
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96820_8af16e2c5afcc2e79792fc506c71e029.pdf
Alpha Creation Enterprise
Biofuel Research Journal
2292-8782
6
4
2019
12
01
Investigation of yields and qualities of pyrolysis products obtained from oil palm biomass using an agitated bed pyrolysis reactor
1065
1079
EN
Arkom
Palamanit
0000000328339754
Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Energy Systems, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
arkom.p@psu.ac.th
Phonthip
Khongphakdi
Sustainable Energy Management Program, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
Yutthana
Tirawanichakul
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
yutthana.t@psu.ac.th
Neeranuch
Phusunti
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
neeranuch.p@psu.ac.th
10.18331/BRJ2019.6.4.3
Oil palm biomass is a non-woody lignocellulosic biomass that has a high potential at the south of Thailand for biofuels and bioenergy applications. Pyrolysis of oil palm biomass to produce biofuels such as bio-oil, biochar, and pyrolysis gas is still challenging. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the yields and qualities of pyrolysis products obtained from oil palm trunk (OPT), oil palm fronds (OPF), and oil palm shell (OPS) using an agitated bed pyrolysis reactor. These biomasses were pyrolyzed at pyrolysis temperatures of 400, 450, and 500°C while the other operating parameters were fixed. The results showed that the different types of oil palm biomass and pyrolysis temperatures affected the product yields and qualities. The OPF pyrolyzed at 500°C provided the highest liquid yield. The liquid product contained a relatively high water content with a low pH value, leading to highly-oxygenated compounds as indicated by gas chromatography-electron ionization/mass spectroscopy technique (GC-EI/MS). The higher heating value (HHV) of the liquid product was 18.95-22.52 MJ/kg. The biochar had a relatively high HHV ranging from 25.14 to 28.45 MJ/kg. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the resultant biochar had a porous structure surface with a surface area of 1.15-4.43 m<sup>2</sup>/g as indicated by BET. The pyrolysis gas contained a low composition of combustible gases, leading to a low HHV.
Biomass,Biofuels,Oil palm biomass,Pyrolysis,Pyrolysis products
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96821.html
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96821_d817642353c7ffc05fb5575d42f4b0e3.pdf
Alpha Creation Enterprise
Biofuel Research Journal
2292-8782
6
4
2019
12
01
Comparison of pretreatment methods that enhance biomethane production from crop residues - a systematic review
1080
1089
EN
Reckson
Kamusoko
0000-0001-7000-1752
Chinhoyi University of Technology, P. Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.
rkamsoko.kamusoko@gmail.com
Raphael Muzondiwa
Jingura
Chinhoyi University of Technology, P. Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.
Wilson
Parawira
Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
parawiradr@yahoo.co.uk
Walter Tendai
Sanyika
Chinhoyi University of Technology, P. Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.
10.18331/BRJ2019.6.4.4
A systematic literature review was conducted to compare the efficacy of biological, chemical, physical, and combined pretreatments in enhancing biomethane production from crop residues (CR). Three electronic databases viz., Science Direct, EBSCOhost, and PubMed were used to identify the studies in literature. The pretreatment methods were compared in terms of their advantages and disadvantages with reference to techno-economic aspects. The techno-economic aspects considered included rate of hydrolysis, energy use, effectiveness, cost, and formation of toxic compounds. A total of 3167 studies, covering the period 2014 - 2018, were screened for relevance to the study. Forty-four records (n=44) consisting of 36 research papers (n=36) and eight narrative reviews (n=8) met the inclusion criteria. The results show that physical and chemical methods are the most effective and fastest. These methods have limited utility due to high cost of resources, operation, and energy as well as formation of inhibitory by-products. Despite generation of toxic compounds, combined methods are regarded as fast and costeffective. Biological method is inexpensive, eco-friendly, and low energy-consuming. However, it is a nascent technology that is still developing. A combination of trends in research and development provide the best pretreatment alternative to improve the biomethane production from CR.
anaerobic digestion,Biogas,Biomethane potential,Feedstock,Organic Matter
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96822.html
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96822_42ab74f858e5d26b75431021228c7a37.pdf
Alpha Creation Enterprise
Biofuel Research Journal
2292-8782
6
4
2019
12
01
New insights into the application of microbial desalination cells for desalination and bioelectricity generation
1090
1099
EN
Halima
Alhimali
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud, 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
squ20092011@hotmail.com
Tahereh
Jafary
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud, 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
tahereh.jafary@yahoo.com
Abdullah
Al-Mamun
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud, 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
aalmamun@squ.edu.om
Mahad Said
Baawain
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud, 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
G. Reza
Vakili-Nezhaad
Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khoud, 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
vakili@squ.edu.om
10.18331/BRJ2019.6.4.5
Microbial desalination cell (MDC) is considered as a cost-effective substitution to the present energy-intensive desalination methods. Transfer of salt ions through ion exchange membranes towards the counter electrodes takes place through the utilization of self-generated bioelectricity and the concentration gradient. Ions transportation is one of the main challenges faced in MDCs to which less attention has been paid during the course of development. Therefore, new insights into the application of MDCs for efficient utilization of the generated bioelectricity for desalination are of high demand. In light of this, the present research thoroughly investigated the behavior of ions transportation and bioelectricity generation in three MDCs using three different salt solutions; NaCl, synthetic and artificial seawater. The findings obtained suggested that the efficiency of ions transportation and fouling behavior were influenced by salt compositions and concentration of the salt solution. Multivalent ions (i.e. Mg<sup>2+</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup>) were found more prone to precipitation on the CEM forming a scaling layer, whereas, inorganic deposition and biofouling development were more likely to happen on the AEM. This study also confirmed the occurrence of a significant back diffusion of K<sup>+</sup> from catholyte into desalination chamber. Such back diffusion could limit the use of potassium buffer in catholyte in real-scale applications. Moreover, the coefficients of salt transfer and ion diffusion were calculated using mathematical model and Excel solver in three running MDCs. Low salt transfer and ion diffusion coefficients values obtained for all three MDCs could explain the general low performance of MDCs. Further studies are required to optimize the salt transfer and ion diffusion coefficients to boost MDC performance in general; affecting their real-scale implementation.
Microbial desalination cell,Bioelectricity generation,Ion exchange membrane,Membrane Fouling,Salt transfer,Ion diffusion
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96823.html
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96823_61d48def2dd36d6c67d5b98adfcfb5bc.pdf