2024-03-28T18:49:45Z
https://www.biofueljournal.com/?_action=export&rf=summon&issue=13104
Biofuel Research Journal
BRJ
2019
6
4
Editorial Board
2019
12
01
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96824_67e6f0b5a785fa9205848e6d9ba43493.pdf
Biofuel Research Journal
BRJ
2019
6
4
Bio-oil yield and quality enhancement through fast pyrolysis and fractional condensation concepts
Brenda J.
Álvarez-Chávez
Stéphane
Godbout
Étienne
Le Roux
Joahnn H.
Palacios
Vijaya
Raghavan
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
2019
12
01
1054
1064
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96820_8af16e2c5afcc2e79792fc506c71e029.pdf
Biofuel Research Journal
BRJ
2019
6
4
Investigation of yields and qualities of pyrolysis products obtained from oil palm biomass using an agitated bed pyrolysis reactor
Arkom
Palamanit
Phonthip
Khongphakdi
Yutthana
Tirawanichakul
Neeranuch
Phusunti
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 m2/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
2019
12
01
1065
1079
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96821_d817642353c7ffc05fb5575d42f4b0e3.pdf
Biofuel Research Journal
BRJ
2019
6
4
Comparison of pretreatment methods that enhance biomethane production from crop residues - a systematic review
Reckson
Kamusoko
Raphael Muzondiwa
Jingura
Wilson
Parawira
Walter Tendai
Sanyika
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
2019
12
01
1080
1089
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96822_42ab74f858e5d26b75431021228c7a37.pdf
Biofuel Research Journal
BRJ
2019
6
4
New insights into the application of microbial desalination cells for desalination and bioelectricity generation
Halima
Alhimali
Tahereh
Jafary
Abdullah
Al-Mamun
Mahad Said
Baawain
G. Reza
Vakili-Nezhaad
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. Mg2+, Ca2+, and PO43-) 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+ 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
2019
12
01
1090
1099
https://www.biofueljournal.com/article_96823_61d48def2dd36d6c67d5b98adfcfb5bc.pdf