Synthesis and characterization of the mer-[RuCl3(NO)(dppb)] isomer. X-ray structures of fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppm)], cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] and mer-[RuCl3(NO)(dppb)] [dppm=1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and dppb=1,4-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane]

The fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppm)] (1) and cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] (2) complexes were obtained with co-crystallization in the solid state from the reaction of RuCl3(NO) with the diphosphine in dichloromethane. mer-[RuCl3(NO)(dppb)] (3) was obtained from [RuCl3(dppb)(H2O)] by bubbling NO for 30 min in the same solvent. The crystal and molecular structures of these three compounds have been determined from X-ray studies. © Elsevier Science Ltd.

Improved activity and stability of Ce-promoted Ni/γ-A1 2O3 catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The CO2 reforming of CH4 was carried out over Ni catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 and CeO 2-promoted γ-Al2O3. The catalysts were characterized by means of surface area measurements, TPR, CO2 and H2 chemisorption, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The CeO2 addition promoted an increase of catalytic activity and stability. The improvement in the resistance to carbon deposition is attributed to the highest CO2 adsorption presented by the CeO2 addition. The catalytic behavior presented by the samples, with a different CH4/CO2 ratio used, points to the CH4 decomposition reaction as the main source of carbon deposition.

Functional nanostructured catalysts based on the niobates to the dry methane reforming and ethylene homologation reactions

Catalytic activity and selectivity of niobate-based nanostructured materials were investigated. Dry methane reforming (DMR) and ethylene homologation reaction (EHR) were selected as test reactions. KSr 2Nb5O15, Sr2NaNb5O 15 and NaSr2(NiNb4)O15 δ niobate powders were prepared by the high energy ball milling method and calcined in a reductor atmosphere. N2 adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy characterization was performed. Hydrogen pretreated niobates showed from low to moderate catalytic initial activity in DMR's test, nevertheless the materials were deactivated rapidly and the kinetic parameters associated to deactivation were estimated. Otherwise, non-treated catalysts showed a high initial activity in EHR's test and KSr2Nb 5O15 catalyst requires 24 h to the total deactivation with a high selectivity to form propylene. A reaction mechanism to the propylene formation is discussed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methane emissions and estimates of ruminal fermentation parameters in beef cattle fed different dietary concentrate levels

Using sorghum silage, the effect of roughage/concentrate ratios was evaluated on nutrient intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters and methane production by beef cattle. Three treatments (0, 30 and 60% of concentrate in DM of the diet) were distributed in three Latin squares, with nine animals and three periods. Dry matter intake increased as the grain concentration in diet increased; pH showed opposite behavior. Methane emissions were lower for animals fed the diet exclusively with sorghum silage as compared with those fed 30% of concentrate, but was similar to that of animals receiving 60% of concentrate. Losses of ingested gross energy as methane were reduced by 33% when grain concentration was increased in the diet. Concentrations of propionic and butyric acids were greater in diets with grain concentrate; acetic acid concentration was not affected. Concentrate in diet increases available energy for the metabolism, measured by lower losses of ingested gross energy as ruminal methane. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Tropical tanniniferous legumes used as an option to mitigate sheep enteric methane emission

This study presents the first results from Brazil using SF6 tracer technique adapted from cattle to evaluate the capability of condensed tannin (CT) present in three tropical legume forages, Leucaena leucocephala (LEU), Styzolobium aterrimum (STA), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIM) to reduce enteric CH4 production in Santa Ins sheep. Twelve male lambs [27.88 +/- 2.85 kg body weight (BW)] were allocated in individual metabolic cages for 20-day adaptation followed by 6 days for measuring dry matter intake (DMI) and CH4 emission. All lambs received water, mineral supplement, and Cynodon dactylon v. coast-cross hay ad libitum. The treatments consisted of soybean meal (710 g/kg) and ground corn (290 g/kg) [control (CON)]; soybean meal (150 g/kg), ground corn (30 g/kg), and Leucaena hay (820 g/kg) (LEU); soybean meal (160 g/kg), ground corn (150 g/kg), and Mucuna hay (690 g/kg) (STA); and soybean meal (280 g/kg), ground corn (190 g/kg), and Mimosa hay (530 g/kg) (MIM); all calculated to provide 40 g/kg CT (except for CON). DMI (in grams of DMI per kilogram BW per day) was lower for LEU (22.0) than CON (29.3), STA (31.2), and MIM (31.6). The LEU group showed emission of 7.8 g CH4/day, significantly lower than CON (10.5 g CH4/day), STA (10.4 g CH4/day), and MIM (11.3 g CH4/day). However, when the CH4 emission per DMI was considered, there were no significant differences among treatments (0.37, 0.36, 0.33, and 0.35 g CH4/g DMI/kg BW/day, respectively, for CON, LEU, STA, and MIM). The sheep receiving STA had shown a tendency (p = 0.15) to reduce methane emission when compared to the CON group. Therefore, it is suggested that tropical tanniniferous legumes may have potential to reduce CH4 emission in sheep, but more research is warranted to confirm these results.

Effect of lipid sources with different fatty acid profiles on the intake, performance, and methane emissions of feedlot Nellore steers

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Methane emission by Nellore cattle subjected to different nutritional plans

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Marandu grass management and supplementation on performance and methane mitigation of Nellore bulls

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Quantification of ruminal microbiota and production of methane and carbonic dioxide from diets with inclusion of glycerin

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Glycerol combined with oils did not limit biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acid but reduced methane production in vitro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of starch-based supplementation level combined with oil on intake, performance, and methane emissions of growing Nellore bulls on pasture

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of supplementation frequency on the ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production of beef cattle grazing in tropical pastures

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Intake, performance and estimated methane production of Nellore steers fed soybean grain

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Applications and Potentials for Biogenic Methane Recovery Operations in Nebraska Agriculture, Industry, and Economic Development

ABSTRACT: This thesis report illustrates the applications and potentials of biogenic methane recovery in Nebraska’s agricultural and industrial sectors and as a means for increasing sustainable economic development in the state’s rural communities. As the nation moves toward a new green economy, biogenic methane recovery as a waste management strategy and renewable energy resource presents significant opportunities for Nebraska to be a national and world leader in agricultural and industrial innovation, advanced research and development of renewable energy technology, and generation of new product markets. Nebraska’s agricultural economy provides a distinct advantage to the state for supporting methane recovery operations that provide long-term economic and environmental partnerships among producers, industry, and communities. These opportunities will serve to protect Nebraska’s agricultural producers from volatile energy input markets and as well as creating new markets for Nebraska agricultural products. They will also serve to provide quality education and employment opportunities for Nebraska students and businesses. There are challenges and issues that remain for the state in order to take advantage of its resource potential. There is a need to produce a comprehensive Nebraska biogenic methane potential study and digital mapping system to identify high-potential producers, co-products, and markets. There is also a need to develop a web-based format of consolidated information specific to Nebraska to aid in connecting producers, service providers, educators, and policy-makers.

Revealing archaeal diversity patterns and methane fluxes in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, and their association to Brazilian Antarctic Station activities

The study of Antarctic archaeal communities adds information on the biogeography of this group and helps understanding the dynamics of biogenic methane production in such extreme habitats. Molecular methods were combined to methane flux determinations in Martel Inlet, Admiralty Bay, to assess archaeal diversity, to obtain information about contribution of the area to atmospheric methane budget and to detect possible interferences of the Antarctic Brazilian Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF) wastewater discharge on local archaeal communities and methane emissions. Methane fluxes in Martel Inlet ranged from 3.2 to 117.9 mu mol CH(4) m(-2) d(-1), with an average of 51.3 +/- 8.5 mu mol CH(4) m(-2) d(-1) and a median of 57.6 mu mol CH(4) m(-2)d(-1). However, three negative fluxes averaging -11.3 mu mol CH(4) m(-2) d(-1) were detected in MacKellar Inlet, indicating that Admiralty Bay can be either a source or sink of atmospheric methane. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that archaeal communities at EACF varied with depth and formed a group separated from the reference sites. Granulometric analysis indicated that differences observed may be mostly related to sediment type. However, an influence of wastewater input could not be discarded, since higher methane fluxes were found at CF site. suggesting stimulation of local methanogenesis. DGGE profile of the wastewater sample grouped separated from all other samples, suggesting that methanogenesis stimulation may be due to changes in environmental conditions rather than to the input of allochtonous species from the wastewater. 16S ribosomal DNA clone libraries analysis showed that all wastewater sequences were related to known methanogenic groups belonging to the hydrogenotrophic genera Methanobacterium and Methanobrevibacter and the aceticlastic genus Methanosaeta. EACF and Botany Point sediment clone libraries retrieved only groups of uncultivated Archaea, with predominance of Crenarchaeota representatives (MCG, MG1, MBG-B, MBG-C and MHVG groups). Euryarchaeota sequences found were mostly related to the LDS and RC-V groups, but MBG-D and DHVE-5 were also present. No representatives of cultivated methanogenic groups were found, but coverage estimates suggest that a higher number of clones would have to be analyzed in order to cover the greater archaeal diversity of Martel Inlet sediment. Nevertheless, the analysis of the libraries revealed groups not commonly found by other authors in Antarctic habitats and also indicated the presence of groups of uncultivated archaea previously associated to methane rich environments or to the methane cycle. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.