Thermochemical characterisation of various biomass feedstock and bio-oil generated by fast pyrolysis

The projected decline in fossil fuel availability, environmental concerns, and security of supply attract increased interest in renewable energy derived from biomass. Fast pyrolysis is a possible thermochemical conversion route for the production of bio-oil, with promising advantages. The purpose of the experiments reported in this thesis was to extend our understanding of the fast pyrolysis process for straw, perennial grasses and hardwoods, and the implications of selective pyrolysis, crop harvest and storage on the thermal decomposition products. To this end, characterisation and laboratory-scale fast pyrolysis were conducted on the available feedstocks, and their products were compared. The variation in light and medium volatile decomposition products was investigated at different pyrolysis temperatures and heating rates, and a comparison of fast and slow pyrolysis products was conducted. Feedstocks from different harvests, storage durations and locations were characterised and compared in terms of their fuel and chemical properties. A range of analytical (e.g. Py-GC-MS and TGA) and processing equipment (0.3 kg/h and 1.0 kg/h fast pyrolysis reactors and 0.15 kg slow pyrolysis reactor) was used. Findings show that the high bio-oil and char heating value, and low water content of willow short rotation coppice (SRC) make this crop attractive for fast pyrolysis processing compared to the other investigated feedstocks in this project. From the analytical sequential investigation of willow SRC, it was found that the volatile product distribution can be tailored to achieve a better final product, by a variation of the heating rate and temperature. Time of harvest was most influential on the fuel properties of miscanthus; overall the late harvest produced the best fuel properties (high HHV, low moisture content, high volatile content, low ash content), and storage of the feedstock reduced the moisture and acid content.

European biorefineries:implications for land, trade and employment

Biorefineries are expected to play a major role in a future low carbon economy and substantial investments are being made to support this vision. However, it is important to consider the wider socio-economic impacts of such a transition. This paper quantifies the potential trade, employment and land impacts of economically viable European biorefinery options based on indigenous straw and wood feedstocks. It illustrates how there could be potential for 70-80 European biorefineries, but not hundreds. A single facility could generate tens of thousands of man-years of employment and employment creation per unit of feedstock is higher than for biomass power plants. However, contribution to national GDP is unlikely to exceed 1% in European member states, although contributions to national agricultural productivity may be more significant, particularly with straw feedstocks. There is also a risk that biorefinery development could result in reduced rates of straw incorporation into soil, raising concerns that economically rational decisions to sell rather than reincorporate straw could result in increased agricultural land-use or greenhouse gas emissions. © 2013.

Supply chain optimisation of pyrolysis plant deployment using goal programming

This paper presents a goal programming model to optimise the deployment of pyrolysis plants in Punjab, India. Punjab has an abundance of waste straw and pyrolysis can convert this waste into alternative bio-fuels, which will facilitate the provision of valuable energy services and reduce open field burning. A goal programming model is outlined and demonstrated in two case study applications: small scale operations in villages and large scale deployment across Punjab's districts. To design the supply chain, optimal decisions for location, size and number of plants, downstream energy applications and feedstocks processed are simultaneously made based on stakeholder requirements for capital cost, payback period and production cost of bio-oil and electricity. The model comprises quantitative data obtained from primary research and qualitative data gathered from farmers and potential investors. The Punjab district of Fatehgarh Sahib is found to be the ideal location to initially utilise pyrolysis technology. We conclude that goal programming is an improved method over more conventional methods used in the literature for project planning in the field of bio-energy. The model and findings developed from this study will be particularly valuable to investors, plant developers and municipalities interested in waste to energy in India and elsewhere. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experiments on the generation of activated carbon from biomass

Activated carbon is generated from various waste biomass sources like rice straw, wheat straw, wheat straw pellets, olive stones, pistachios shells, walnut shells, beech wood and hardcoal. After drying the biomass is pyrolysed in the temperature range of 500-600 °C at low heating rates of 10 K/min. The activation of the chars is performed as steam activation at temperatures between 800 °C and 900 °C. Both the pyrolysis and activation experiments were run in lab-scale facilities. It is shown that nut shells provide high active surfaces of 1000-1300 m/g whereas the active surface of straw matters does hardly exceed 800 m/g which might be a result of the high ash content of the straws and the slightly higher carbon content of the nut shells. The active surface is detected by BET method. Besides the testing of a many types of biomass for the suitability as base material in the activated carbon production process, the experiments allow for the determination of production parameters like heating rate and pyrolysis temperature, activation time and temperature as well as steam flux which are necessary for the scale up of the process chain. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intermediate pyrolysis of biomass energy pellets for producing sustainable liquid, gaseous and solid fuels

This work describes the use of intermediate pyrolysis system to produce liquid, gaseous and solid fuels from pelletised wood and barley straw feedstock. Experiments were conducted in a pilot-scale system and all products were collected and analysed. The liquid products were separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase (pyrolysis oil) under gravity. The oil yields were 34.1 wt.% and 12.0 wt.% for wood and barley straw, respectively. Analysis found that both oils were rich in heterocyclic and phenolic compounds and have heating values over 24 MJ/kg. The yields of char for both feedstocks were found to be about 30 wt.%, with heating values similar to that of typical sub-bituminous class coal. Gas yields were calculated to be approximately 20 wt.%. Studies showed that both gases had heating values similar to that of downdraft gasification producer gas. Analysis on product energy yields indicated the process efficiency was about 75%. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental comparison of fibre and grating-based dispersion compensation schemes for 40 channel 10Gb/s DWDM systems

We report an experimental comparison between broadband fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) and conventional dispersion compensating fibre (DCF) for a 40 x 10Gb/s DWDM system over 525km. A performanceoptimised configuration using FBG compensators is presented.

Experimental validation of a predictive pyrolysis model in AspenPlus®

A novel simulation model for pyrolysis processes oflignocellulosicbiomassin AspenPlus (R) was presented at the BC&E 2013. Based on kinetic reaction mechanisms, the simulation calculates product compositions and yields depending on reactor conditions (temperature, residence time, flue gas flow rate) and feedstock composition (biochemical composition, atomic composition, ash and alkali metal content). The simulation model was found to show good correlation with existing publications. In order to further verify the model, own pyrolysis experiments in a 1 kg/h continuously fed fluidized bed fast pyrolysis reactor are performed. Two types of biomass with different characteristics are processed in order to evaluate the influence of the feedstock composition on the yields of the pyrolysis products and their composition. One wood and one straw-like feedstock are used due to their different characteristics. Furthermore, the temperature response of yields and product compositions is evaluated by varying the reactor temperature between 450 and 550 degrees C for one of the feedstocks. The yields of the pyrolysis products (gas, oil, char) are determined and their detailed composition is analysed. The experimental runs are reproduced with the corresponding reactor conditions in the AspenPlus model and the results compared with the experimental findings.

Rewarding Non-productivity In the Hospitality Industry

The industry has not clearly focused on many important problems, such as rewarding service workers based on productivity. Instead, many industry leaders have focused on "straw men issues," issues that are more rhetoric than substance. The authors examine some of these so-called is- sues in detail: governmental wage policies, immigration laws, the quality of the work force, service worker training, and gratuity management, to provide a fresh look at worker productivity beyond the rhetoric and myths that prevail

Obtenção e caracterização de um eco-compósito à base de látex e bainha da palha do coqueiro para isolamento térmico e acústico

With the emergence of new technologies, has grown the need to use new materials, and this has intensified research on the collection and use of materials from renewable sources, is to reduce production costs and / or environmental impact. In this context, it was found that the sheath coconut straw, can be utilized as raw material for the production of a eco-composite that can be used as a thermal and acoustic insulator. After selected from the coconut sheaths were subjected to treatment with aqueous 2 % sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The composite study was produced with the sheath and coconut natural latex, with coconut sheath percentage in the proportions 15%, 25% and 35% of the total compound volume. Physical, thermal and acoustic properties of the composites were analyzed in order to obtain data on the use of viability as thermoacoustic insulation. The CP15 composites, CP25 and CP35 showed thermal conductivity 0.188 W/m.K, 0.155 W/m.K and 0.150 W/m.K, respectively. It can be applied as thermal insulation in hot systems to 200 ° C. The CP35 composite was more efficient as a thermal and acoustic insulation, providing 20% noise reduction, 31% and 34% for frequencies of 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz, respectively. The analyzes were based on ABNT, ASTM, UL. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the eco-composite produced the hem of coconut can be used as thermal and acoustic insulation. Thus, it gives a more noble end to this material, which most often is burned or disposed of improperly in the environment.

Obtenção e caracterização de um eco-compósito à base de látex e bainha da palha do coqueiro para isolamento térmico e acústico

With the emergence of new technologies, has grown the need to use new materials, and this has intensified research on the collection and use of materials from renewable sources, is to reduce production costs and / or environmental impact. In this context, it was found that the sheath coconut straw, can be utilized as raw material for the production of a eco-composite that can be used as a thermal and acoustic insulator. After selected from the coconut sheaths were subjected to treatment with aqueous 2 % sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The composite study was produced with the sheath and coconut natural latex, with coconut sheath percentage in the proportions 15%, 25% and 35% of the total compound volume. Physical, thermal and acoustic properties of the composites were analyzed in order to obtain data on the use of viability as thermoacoustic insulation. The CP15 composites, CP25 and CP35 showed thermal conductivity 0.188 W/m.K, 0.155 W/m.K and 0.150 W/m.K, respectively. It can be applied as thermal insulation in hot systems to 200 ° C. The CP35 composite was more efficient as a thermal and acoustic insulation, providing 20% noise reduction, 31% and 34% for frequencies of 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz, respectively. The analyzes were based on ABNT, ASTM, UL. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the eco-composite produced the hem of coconut can be used as thermal and acoustic insulation. Thus, it gives a more noble end to this material, which most often is burned or disposed of improperly in the environment.

Irrigation regime affected SOC content rather than plow layer thickness of rice paddies : A county level survey from a river basin in lower Yangtze valley, China

Acknowledgements This work was funded by Natural Science Foundation of China under grant numbers of 41071337 and 40830528 and jointly by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China.

A comparison of individual cow versus group concentrate allocation strategies on dry matter intake, milk production, tissue changes, and fertility of Holstein-Friesian cows offered a grass silage diet

A diverse range of concentrate allocation strategies are adopted on dairy farms. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects on cow performance [dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, body tissue changes, and fertility] of adopting 2 contrasting concentrate allocation strategies over the first 140 d of lactation. Seventy-seven Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were allocated to 1 of 2 concentrate allocation strategies at calving, namely group or individual cow. Cows on the group strategy were offered a mixed ration comprising grass silage and concentrates in a 50:50 ratio on a DM basis. Cows on the individual cow strategy were offered a basal mixed ration comprising grass silage and concentrates (the latter included in the mix to achieve a mean intake of 6 kg/cow per day), which was formulated to meet the cow’s energy requirements for maintenance plus 24 kg of milk/cow per day. Additional concentrates were offered via an out-of-parlor feeding system, with the amount offered adjusted weekly based on each individual cow’s milk yield during the previous week. In addition, all cows received a small quantity of straw in the mixed ration part of the diet (approximately 0.3 kg/cow per day), plus 0.5 kg of concentrate twice daily in the milking parlor. Mean concentrate intakes over the study period were similar with each of the 2 allocation strategies (11.5 and 11.7 kg of DM/cow per day for group and individual cow, respectively), although the pattern of intake with each treatment differed over time. Concentrate allocation strategy had no effect on either milk yield (39.3 and 38.0 kg/d for group and individual cow, respectively), milk composition, or milk constituent yield. The milk yield response curves with each treatment were largely aligned with the concentrate DMI curves. Cows on the individual cow treatment had a greater range of concentrate DMI and milk yields than those on the group treatment. With the exception of a tendency for cows on the individual cow treatment to lose more body weight to nadir than cows on the group treatment, concentrate allocation strategy had little effect on either body weight or body condition score over the experimental period. Cows on the individual cow treatment had a higher pregnancy rate to first and second service and tended to have a higher 100-d in calf rate than cows on the group treatment. This study demonstrates that concentrate allocation strategy had little effect on overall production performance.

Potential to decrease GHG emissions from biomass resources in China

This paper describes the environment issues which are caused by fossil fuel utilization, and the available of biomass resources and relevant applications in China and relevant policy for supporting biomass resources development. In addition the sustainable technology for energy and fuels generation in China and the advantages and disadvantages of technologies are presented as well. This paper aims to find out how the policy can promotes the biomass resource development and from environment aspect to see why the biomass resources should replace fossil fuels in the future. In this paper the life cycle assessment of straw biomass resource will be as an example to present the same amount of energy produced by straw and coal, the different amount of emission will be emitted.