Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery最新文献

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the efficiency of unicellular microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultivated in dairy industry wastewater for CO₂ sequestration and its influence on biomass and lipid production. For this purpose, three process parameters—CO₂ (2–10%), wavelength (420–680 nm), and temperature (20–50 °C)—were optimized using the central composite design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM). A total of twenty sets of experimental runs obtained by CCD were studied to optimize the process parameters for maximum biomass (mg L⁻¹), CO₂ fixation (mg L day⁻¹), and lipid yield (%). The highest biomass yield of 1.43 g L⁻¹ and maximum CO₂ fixation of 14.55 (mg L day⁻¹) were obtained with 5% CO₂, a temperature of 35 °C, and a wavelength of 520 nm. On the other hand, a maximum lipid yield of 34.21% was obtained with 5% CO₂, a temperature of 35 °C, and a wavelength of 420 nm. The most influential binary interaction among the selected variables for biomass production and CO₂ sequestration was found to be LED + Temp > CO₂ + Temp > CO₂ + LED. Meanwhile, the behavior of lipid content was highly influenced by the interaction of CO₂ + Temp > CO₂ + LED > LED + Temp. The highest degree of positive correlation was observed between biomass yield and CO₂. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals a strong signal at 1400–1700 cm⁻¹, confirming the existence of a carbonyl group (–COOR–).

The urgency to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions has catalyzed interest in sustainable biomass production and utilization coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS). This review explores diverse facets of biomass production, encompassing dedicated energy crops, agricultural residues, and forest residues, along with sustainable production practices and land management strategies. Technological advancements aimed at enhancing biomass yields, including precision agriculture, genetic engineering, and advanced processing technologies, are examined. Thermochemical methods (gasification, pyrolysis) and biochemical methods (anaerobic digestion, fermentation) for biomass conversion are detailed, highlighting their roles in biomass utilization. Integrated biorefineries are emphasized for maximizing biomass efficiency. The review thoroughly covers CCS, including CO₂ capture and transport advancements, innovative storage solutions, and challenges in implementation. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) strategies for achieving negative emissions are discussed, with insights from case studies like the BIO-CAP-UK project and initiatives in New South Wales, Australia. This review provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable biomass pathways and their critical role in CCS, offering insights into current technologies, limitations, and concluding with implications for climate change mitigation strategies.

The research focuses on exploring the use of cellulose obtained from Thespesia populnea leaves as a strengthening component, in polymer composites. It delves into the characteristics and qualities of this cellulose material. The authors utilized an alkaline treatment method to break down the cellulose-hemicellulose-lignin complex found in Thespesia populnea leaves leading to the extraction of cellulose fibers. Various characterization techniques were applied to the extracted cellulose, such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis. The researchers examined how light interacts with cellulose noting an absorption band within the 250–300 nm wavelength range. XRD analysis revealed a crystallinity index of 73.7% for the cellulose material. FTIR analysis helped identify its groups while FESEM provided insights into the morphology of the cellulose fibers showing an average size of 6.37 μm. The cellulose from Thespesia populnea leaves is thermally stable up to a temperature of 248 °C evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. The main goal was to assess Thespesia leaf celluloses’ suitability as a reinforcing material for polymer composites by understanding its properties and behavior for applications. The study suggests that this leaf-derived cellulose could be a reinforcement agent in polymer composites due to its characteristics. If this cellulose material is effectively integrated into composites, it could improve characteristics, decrease weight, and support the advancement of materials.

This research delves into the fatigue resistance, creep behaviour, and flammability characteristics of epoxy composites toughened with Digitaria ischaemum fibres and finger millet husk biosilica. The main objective of this research study was to extract novel natural fibre and filler from biomass wastes and examine their influence on the load bearing properties of epoxy-based composite. The study begins with synthesis of reinforcements and fabrication of composite plates, inclusion of finger millet husk biosilica of 1, 3, 5 vol.% and fibre of 30 vol.% by hand layup method. The tests were conducted as per American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The evaluation provided critical insights that the influence of fibre and biosilica improved the fatigue resistance. The composite N3 with 3 vol.% biosilica and 30 vol.% of fibre exhibited higher fatigue cycle count of 24,093 for 30% of ultimate tensile stress (UTS). Similarly, creep results elucidate that the N4 composite designation delivers low creep strain about 0.0108, 0.0132, 0.0154, 0.0248, and 0.045 for time intervals of 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 s, respectively. Moreover, it is noted that the presence of biosilica reduced the flammability of composites. The N4 composite designation exhibits comparatively low flame propagation speed of 6.8 mm/min with V-0 grade. The ANOVA results concluded that the results obtained are significant with a P value of 2.7e − 8. Based on the results the novel cellulose fibre improved the load bearing effect along with biosilica of 3 vol.%. However, beyond 3 vol.% of biosilica reduced the load bearing properties. The findings underscore the potential of these composites as sustainable, durable, and fire-safe alternatives for applications ranging from structural engineering to automotives, drones, and defence sector.

The synthesized corn-based activated carbon (CCAC) is used as an adsorbent to remove the methyl orange (MO) dye from the dye’s aqueous solution. By using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and comparing the results with activated carbon (AC), the CCAC was shown to have been formed accordingly. Also, analysis of the Zero-point Charge of the CCAC (pH_PZC = 5.12), moisture contents (12.5%), ash content (4.56%), pore volume (25%), and surface area (346.2 m²/g). The batch process was used to investigate the effect of different parameters on adsorption such as contact time, initial concentration, temperature, and % of Coke. At 30 min, 99.1% of the MO was removed at room temperature, and at 45 °C 98.4% within 20 min. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were taken to see the surface morphology of the CCAC before and after adsorption, and calculated the average particle size of the adsorbent (1.955 µm). The experiment was designed at three different temperatures (25 °C, 35 °C, and 45 °C) to study adsorption isotherms using one-, two-, and three-parameters of adsorption isotherm models, which were fitted using the origin lab program. Among the three different temperatures, considering the R² value in different adsorption isotherms, the temperature 45 °C condition was well-fitted with all the adsorption isotherms, balancing with other parameters. The better-fitted adsorption isotherms were like—Langmuir > Freundlich > Temkin > Toth > Redlich–Peterson > Dubinin-Radushkevich > Fowler–Guggenheim > Henry’s Isotherm. Analyzing the thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorption process indicates the adsorption was a spontaneous, exothermic, and pseudo-second-order adsorption process. Therefore, the results of this study reveal that the two-parameter adsorption isotherms (like Langmuir > Freundlich > Temkin) were well fitted for the removal of the MO dye by using the easily available, eco-friendly and cheap agricultural waste- corn cob-based activated carbon which could be a choice as an adsorbent.

Chemical plasticizers are water-reducing agents used in concrete to minimize the use of water. Most plasticizers are synthetic and have liquid formulations that are equally hazardous. Bio-based sources are abundant in glycols, glycerol, and polyphenols, which, when chemically treated, make them effective plasticizers. This study extracted a solid plasticizer from the lemon grass residue. We applied chemical treatments to the lemongrass residue, which included alkali treatment, the reflux process, flocculation, and purification. We subsequently subjected the obtained solid plasticizer to physiochemical investigation and Fourier transform spectroscopy for characterization. The plasticizer has a low density of 0.982 g/cm³ and an average yield of 35.5%. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that the crystallites measured 15.03 nm in size and had the lowest crystallinity index (45.5%). The scanning electron microscopy study revealed that the plasticizer exhibited a honeycomb structure. The UV analysis of plasticizers reveals active absorption, similar to liquid plasticizers like glycerol and glycols. The glass transition temperature of the plasticizer, 87.67 °C is obtained using differential scanning electron microscopy analysis. The roughness parameters exhibit a clear orientation in the extracted plasticizer. This solid plasticizer was dissolved in water and added as a plasticizer in M30-grade cement concrete, up to 6% by weight of cement. We discovered that adding 6% bioplasticizer to the concrete improved its slump and compressive strength by 1.5% and 5%, respectively. As a result, the characteristics of plasticizers boost their utility in the construction sector.

Traditional plastic contributes significantly to environmental pollution due to their non-biodegradable nature, while banana peels, a common agro-industrial waste, are often discarded without proper utilization. The research envisages to develop an eco-friendly solution by creating biodegradable composite pots from banana peels. Banana peel powder and deoiled rice bran plasticized by cashew nut shell liquid and glycerol into pellets. Pellets were molded into pots using injection molding at suitable temperature and pressure. Processing resulted in significant changes in physical properties of the pot and raw materials. CNSL and biopolymers demonstrated strong physical interaction during the construction of a 3D network of pots. The novelty of the work lies in its innovative integration of waste management and sustainable product development. By employing principal component analysis (PCA) for characterization and classification, the research introduces a sophisticated analytical method to evaluate the properties and performance of the composite material. The pots made from 12% CNSL exhibited better mechanical and physical properties in comparison to pots made from glycerol. However, water binding capacity, porosity, and water solubility index (WSI) were higher in pots containing glycerol. SEM analysis evidenced a homogeneous and smoother surface in pots with CNSL. Pots with 12% GL and 12% CNSL degraded in 17 and 15 weeks, respectively. The study not only advances the application of banana peels in the development of sustainable products but also sets a precedent for the systematic analysis and optimization of biodegradable materials.

The increasing trend of heavy metals in soil and aquatic ecosystems, driven by urbanization and industrialization advancements, has raised environmental concerns. While various remediation methods exist, they often lack scalability and sustainability. Biochar has emerged as a promising solution due to its eco-friendly nature and multifunctional properties. In particular, engineered biochar, modified to enhance its surface area and functional groups, exhibits superior performance in heavy metal adsorption. Biochar’s diverse morpho-physicochemical features, such as increased surface area and cation exchange capacity, facilitate heavy metal adsorption through various processes. The choice of feedstock materials and modification methods significantly influences biochar’s sorption capacity. Numerous reviews address the toxicity and treatment methods for heavy metals in soil and water. This study aims to advance the research by identifying key challenges and offering insights into engineered biochar production, characteristics, and applications for heavy metal cleanup in soil and water ecosystems. By exploring biochar potential with suitable interventions, we can develop sustainable solutions to mitigate metal toxicity and protect environmental and public health. Further research is necessary to overcome limitations and challenges, addressing research gaps and future directions in utilizing biochar as an eco-friendly, cost-effective technology for heavy metal remediation.

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