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Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 40209

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Prof. Dr. Janusz Lasek

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Department of Energy Transition, IChPW Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal, Zabrze, Poland
Interests: waste-to-energy; biomass; combustion; torrefaction; photocatalysis; NOx
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Dr. Chao-Wei Huang

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Interests: catalyst synthesis; material characterization; reaction system design for photocatalytic reaction; SCR de-NOx reaction; VOC elimination reaction
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Prof. Dr. Yueh-Heng Li

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Guest Editor

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Interests: combustion; biomass; laser diagnostics; combined heat and power system; soot; waste-to-energy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to dwindling fossil fuel resources and efforts to protect the natural environment, we are looking for new energy resources. One of the possible ways to maintain the energy balance is the application of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) as well as Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste (IW) in the energy area. Thus, MSW and IW can be considered directly as energy source, and they can also play a role as material resources in the energy area. We would like to invite you to submit the papers in a wide variety of such field. Papers on the fundamental and practical aspects will be considered. The following subjects are welcome:

Waste-to-energy;
Processing and thermal treatment (torrefaction/pyrolysis/gasification/combustion) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste (IW) in terms of the Energy field;
Materials recovery from MSW and IW for Energy applications;
MSW and IW in energy storage field;
MSW and IW in hydrogen technologies.

Prof. Dr. Janusz Lasek
Prof. Dr. Chao-Wei Huang
Prof. Dr. Yueh-Heng Li
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

waste-to-energy
municipal solid waste (MSW)
industrial solid and liquid waste (IW)
waste thermal treatment (torrefaction/pyrolysis/gasification/combustion)
MSW and IW in energy storage technologies
MSW and IW in hydrogen technologies

Related Special Issue

Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area, 2nd Edition in Applied Sciences (3 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 179 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on the Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area

by Janusz Andrzej Lasek

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11332; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011332 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 661

Abstract

Municipal [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

Research

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14 pages, 303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomass from Green Areas and Its Use for Energy Purposes

by Miłosz Zardzewiały, Marcin Bajcar, Bogdan Saletnik, Czesław Puchalski and Józef Gorzelany

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6517; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116517 - 26 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 881

Abstract

In the current situation, fossil fuels are the primary source for electricity production. As a result of activities related to environmental protection, other sources are also used to produce energy. One of the renewable sources is biomass, which is becoming more and more popular for economic reasons. Biomass produced in green areas is a source of energy that has not been used in an appropriate way so far. This scientific article presents the possibility of using biomass from parks and gardens for the production of pellets and the assessment of their properties in terms of the possibility of using them for energy purposes. Coniferous sawdust was an additional component of the pellets. The produced pellets were tested for mechanical, thermogravimetric, and calorimetric properties. It was found that pellets made of biomass consisting of fir (493.12 N) and pine (450.84 N) cones with an addition of coniferous sawdust were the most resistant to mechanical damage. The amount of ash in the analyzed pellets was below 3%, and their calorific value ranged from 16.95 to 19.54 MJ·kg⁻¹. Additionally, during pellet combustion, the lowest emission of sulfur dioxide was recorded for pellets made of sawdust from coniferous trees and acorns (1.01 mg·m³), while the lowest emission of nitrogen oxides was recorded for pellets made of a mixture of coniferous sawdust and pinecones (65.33 mg·m³). The emission of the tested gases decreased as a result of the addition of coniferous sawdust to the tested types of biomass. On the basis of the conducted research, it was noted that waste biomass formed in green areas can be a raw material for energy production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

10 pages, 402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Possibility of Using Waste Biomass from Selected Plants Cultivated for Industrial Purposes to Produce a Renewable and Sustainable Source of Energy

by Miłosz Zardzewiały, Marcin Bajcar, Czesław Puchalski and Józef Gorzelany

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3195; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053195 - 02 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1611

Abstract

Waste biomass generated during agricultural production is a popular source of energy used in many developed and developing countries, due to economic factors and easy availability. Pellets produced from waste biomass generated during the cultivation of plants for industrial purposes are a good substitute for fossil fuels, the consumption of which should decrease for environmental reasons. This article presents the results of research on the use of waste biomass generated during the cultivation of plants for industrial purposes, such as sunflower, tobacco, and Jerusalem artichoke for the production of pellets. In addition, coniferous sawdust was used for the production of pellets. Mechanical, calorimetric, and thermogravimetric properties were tested. It was noted that pellets made of Jerusalem artichoke biomass (1591.45 N) were the most resistant to mechanical damage. The calorific value of the tested fuels ranged from 16.35 to 17.70 MJ·kg⁻¹, and the ash content was below 5%. In addition, during the combustion of pellets, the lowest emissions of nitrogen oxides were recorded for pellets made of tobacco stalks—45.56 mg·m⁻³ and sulfur dioxide for pellets consisting of a mixture of coniferous sawdust and tobacco stalks—1.88 mg·m⁻³. The addition of coniferous sawdust to each type of biomass tested resulted in a reduction in the emission of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, and an increase in the emission of nitrogen oxides. Based on the research, we found that the waste biomass generated during the cultivation of the tested plants for industrial purposes is a suitable raw material for the production of pellets used for industrial and non-industrial purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

13 pages, 2715 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Camphor-Soothed Banana Stem Biowaste in the Productivity and Sustainability of Solar-Powered Desalination

by Ajay Kumar Kaviti, Siva Ram Akkala, Vineet Singh Sikarwar, Pilli Sai Snehith and Moodapelly Mahesh

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031652 - 28 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2138

Abstract

The increasing need for clean water can be attributed to a number of reasons, such as population growth, industrial development, and climate change. As a result of modern industrial and agricultural methods, the amount of trash generated daily is also on the rise. Waste management and increasing demand for freshwater are two of the most pressing problems facing the human race today and in the future. This study makes an attempt to strike a balance between these two concerns by repurposing a common biowaste, the banana stem, to collect solar energy for a desalination application. Banana stems work well for interfacial solar desalination because of their capillarity and the fact that they float. Camphor-soothed banana stems were placed in a solar still to collect solar thermal energy and to transfer it to the water surrounding them, speeding up the evaporation process and resulting in more freshwater. Over the course of three days, measurements were taken with the water level held constant and the stem thickness of the bananas varied between 0.5 and 1.5 cm. Enviro-economic studies and water quality analysis were used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide mitigation, and the carbon credits obtained. Compared to a standard still, a maximum yield of 934 mL was achieved at an efficiency of 36.35 percent. The CPLs (costs per liter) for the MSS (modified solar still) and the CSS (conventional solar still) were USD 0.0503 and USD 0.0665. In comparison to its CSS counterpart, the MSS had a CPL that was 32.21 percent lower. The treated water retained a 95.77% reduction in TDS compared to salt water. The MSS is predicted to release 219.62 kg of carbon dioxide, 1.67 kg of sulfur dioxide, and 0.69 kg of nitrous oxide over its lifetime. In addition, the MSS saved USD 20.94 in carbon credits after avoiding the emission of 2.09 tonnes of CO₂. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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19 pages, 3848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of a Double Gas Hydrate Particle Ignition

by Olga Gaidukova, Sergey Misyura, Dmitrii Razumov and Pavel Strizhak

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(12), 5953; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12125953 - 11 Jun 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical research findings for the conditions and characteristics of methane-propane hydrate particle ignition. The curves of the ignition delay times of a hydrate particle versus its size and ambient temperature were obtained. The effect of the rates of phase transformations (evaporation and dissociation) on the hydrate particle ignition behavior was analyzed. Following the mathematical modeling of the processes under study using different heating schemes of gas hydrates, the patterns of processes developing in a particle during the induction period were identified. It was established that the ignition behavior of methane, propane, and other gases was significantly different from that of other gases produced from hydrate decomposition. The established differences form the basis for predicting the characteristics of gas hydrate ignition at different power plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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27 pages, 21657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flue Gas Composition and Treatment Potential of a Waste Incineration Plant

by Qahtan Thabit, Abdallah Nassour and Michael Nelles

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5236; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105236 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8828

Abstract

Waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration is an important technique in waste management systems and waste hierarchy. It is used to treat approximately 63% of the waste in European countries. The flue gas volumetric rate and its composition are essential to determine and monitor the emissions from waste incineration plants. This paper presents two methodologies used to evaluate the emissions from incinerators during the design phase. The first consists of a set of equations applicable in Excel (calculation model), while the second is the built-in components in Ebsilon 13.2 software which simulates the emissions from a furnace. This paper also proposes a comprehensive flue gas cleaning system for a simulated waste incineration plant in Jordan. According to Ebsilon, the results showed that for a 25 kg/s loading rate, there was 258,514 mg/Nm³, 749.90 mg/Nm³, 890.20 mg/Nm³, and 717 mg/Nm³ of CO₂, NO₂, SO₂, and HCL, respectively. It was noted that these values relate to 1.5 of excess air ratio, where the effect of excess air ratio as the main driver for any combustion process was examined. The calculation method (set of equations) evaluated the flue gas volumetric rate, the CO₂ emissions, and N₂O and SO₂ levels. Ebsilon allows for simulation of the treatment stages and calculates the amount of materials required. Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) (a built-in component in the Ebsilon library) was used to treat the NO₂ emissions. For 1.5 of excess air ratio, those emissions were reduced from 749 mg/Nm³ to 180 mg/Nm³, while the Ca(OH)₂ injector used to treat the SO₂ and HCL emissions reduced emissions from 890.20 mg/Nm³ and 717 mg/Nm³ to 44 mg/Nm³ and 7.16 mg/Nm³, respectively. Regarding the reduction in CO₂, the spherical carbon absorption concept was simulated using 9.4 kg/s of carbon which was adequate to verify a 91% reduction rate of CO₂. Furthermore, the calculation model was validated and approved as a valuable model to predict the flue gas volume, the oxygen required, and flue gas emissions at the design stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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23 pages, 6206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Steam Pyrolysis of Oil Sludge for Energy-Valuable Products

by Kirill Larionov, Albert Kaltaev, Konstantin Slyusarsky, Dmitriy Gvozdyakov, Andrey Zenkov, Maria Kirgina, Ilya Bogdanov and Vladimir Gubin

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031012 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2711

Abstract

Experimental studies of the steam pyrolysis of oil sludge were performed using a flow-type pilot plant with 300 kg/h capacity (raw material) to obtain energy-valuable products, such as liquid hydrocarbons (30.4 wt%), semi-coke (39.6 wt%), non-condensable gas-phase compounds (26.5 wt%), and bitumen (3.5 wt%). The pyrolysis process was conducted at a temperature of 650 ° C and with a steam flow rate of 150 kg/h. Liquid hydrocarbons were considered a target product. Comprehensive studies of their physicochemical characteristics, atomization process, droplet ignition, and combustion were carried out. The studied sample had physicochemical characteristics similar to traditional fuel oil (calorific value—42.6 MJ/kg, sulfur content—0.8 wt%). The jet spraying angle was 25° in view of the improved rheological properties of the test sample, with a homogeneous jet structure and a predominant droplet diameter of no more than 0.4 mm. The flame combustion process was accompanied by the formation of microexplosions, the frequency and intensity of which depended on the temperature of the air (T_g = 450–700 °C). This study, in view of its applied nature, is of interest in the design of new installations and technological systems for hydrocarbon pyrolysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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Review

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32 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bricks Using Clay Mixed with Powder and Ashes from Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Review

by Ines Labaied, Omar Douzane, Marzouk Lajili and Geoffrey Promis

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(20), 10669; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010669 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3543

Abstract

The production of fired or stabilized bricks from lignocellulosic biomass ash is thoroughly examined in this article. Bricks are typically made through the high-temperature firing process or by stabilizing the mixture with binders such as lime and cement. These bricks have a large carbon footprint and high levels of grey energy. In many parts of the world, the excessive use of clay as a natural raw material for the production of conventional bricks will lead to its scarcity. The mixing of clay with lignocellulosic ash during brick manufacturing leads to a better and more reliable solution that conserves scarce natural resources and reduces the impact of environmental pollution. This study aims to review the state of the art in the production of bricks based on lignocellulosic ashes and their physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The most recent data in the literature related to the manufacture of lignocellulosic ash-based bricks either by firing, cementing or geopolymerization, the design of mixtures, as well as the identification of the main factors influencing the performance and durability of these bricks are presented and discussed. Despite extensive research, there is still very little commercial use of waste bricks in general and lignocellulosic biomass ash in particular. Various toxicity issues of lignocellulosic ash used in brick production limit their use on an industrial scale due to a lack of appropriate standards. In order to achieve practical production of bricks from lignocellulosic ash, research is still needed on standardizing and sustaining biomass ash recycling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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18 pages, 1781 KiB

Open AccessReview

On the Issues of NO_x as Greenhouse Gases: An Ongoing Discussion…

by Janusz Andrzej Lasek and Radosław Lajnert

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(20), 10429; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010429 - 16 Oct 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5797

Abstract

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x = NO + NO₂) emitted from a stationary combustion chamber (including waste to energy plants) or engines cause numerous undesirable environmental effects. These include negative influences on human and animal health, detrimental effects on plants and vegetation, acid rain, and smog. These negative influences are commonly accepted by the scientific community. However, the impact of NO_x on the greenhouse effect (GHE) is not generally accepted by the scientific community. In this paper, the issue of the impact of NO_x on the GHE is discussed, and it was analyzed and explained that NO_x are an indirect greenhouse gas (GHG). However, the impact of NO_x on the GHE is a complex process affected by different parameters (cooling and warming nature is possible). It has been estimated that NO_x emitted from stationary, ground-placed sources (such as boilers and furnaces) have little impact on the GHE compared to CO₂ and other direct GHGs. The contribution of NO_x in the GHE compared to the emission of all GHGs is less than 3%. NO_x sources from waste incineration and co-incineration plants were especially considered and analyzed. The co-incineration in smaller plants (capacity range of 1 ÷ 5 MW) gives more benefits to the environment due to a decrease in the NO_x emission standards when the share of the waste increases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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21 pages, 1908 KiB

Open AccessReview

Trends for the Thermal Degradation of Polymeric Materials: Analysis of Available Techniques, Issues, and Opportunities

by Grzegorz Gałko and Marcin Sajdak

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 9138; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189138 - 12 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3513

Abstract

This paper examines the degradation trends of polymeric materials during heat conversion and solvolysis processes. The presence of different fractions of polymeric materials, such as PET, PP, SBR, ABS, resin, and tier waste, necessitates the use of different procedures for degradation, transformation, and further elimination from the natural environment. A significant part of the work was devoted to discussing the issue of thermal pyrolysis, taking into account the chemical composition and the possible impact of the process reaction mechanism, the type of raw material used, and the influence of the process temperature on the yields of low, medium, and high boiling products. The issue was extended to the possibility of decomposition of polymers based on the use of catalytic additives for the improvement and efficiency of the process and the structural modification of reactors. The major goal of this investigation of these various options was to generate a spectrum of accessible strategies for polymeric material degradation. The optimal technique depends on the polymer type and predicted final product qualities. Different catalysts, such as ZSM-5 (Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 one of the most efficient catalysts), ZSM-5 with ammonium groups, and ZSM-5 with 10% Ni, improved the efficiency of several heating processes. The final products after polymeric material degradation were determined by the type and conditions of the degradation processes, results of the materials characterisation, and the scale of the reactors utilised. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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24 pages, 1970 KiB

Open AccessReview

Combustion, Pyrolysis, and Gasification of Waste-Derived Fuel Slurries, Low-Grade Liquids, and High-Moisture Waste: Review

by Ksenia Vershinina, Galina Nyashina and Pavel Strizhak

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031039 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6141

Abstract

The article discusses the modern achievements in the field of thermal recovery of industrial and municipal waste. The average accumulation rate and calorific value of typical wastes were analyzed. The focus is on the opportunities to exploit the energy potential of high-moisture waste, low-grade liquid components, and fuel slurries. We consider the relevant results in the field of combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification of such fuels. The main attention is paid to synergistic effects, the influence of additives, and external conditions on the process performance. Vortex combustion chambers, boilers with burners, and nozzles for fuel injection, grate, and fluidized bed boilers can be used for the combustion of waste-derived liquid, high-moisture, and slurry fuels. The following difficulties are possible: long ignition delay, incomplete combustion, low combustion temperature and specific calorific value, high emissions (including particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), fast slagging, and difficult spraying. A successful solution to these problems is possible due to the use of auxiliary fuel; boiler modifications; oxy-fuel combustion; and the preparation of multi-component fuels, including the use of additives. An analysis of methods of waste recovery in the composition of slurries for fuel gas production showed that there are several main areas of research: pyrolysis and gasification of coal–water slurry with additives of oil waste; study of the influence of external conditions on the characteristics of final products; and the use of specialized additives and catalysts to improve the efficiency of the pyrolysis and gasification. The prospects for improving the characteristics of thermochemical conversion of such fuels are highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Municipal/Industrial Solid and Liquid Waste in Energy Area)

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