Renewable Energy and Chemical Sources from the Thermal Conversion of Biomass

A special issue of Resources (ISSN 2079-9276).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 44466

Special Issue Editors

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China
Interests: thermal techniques; biomass waste treatment; thermal properties and dynamics; combustion; heavy metals; bio-oil; biochar and application; waste management; sustainability; element balance and energy evaluation

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Guest Editor
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China
Interests: thermal conversion; biofuels; waste management; biochar; clean fuel; waste water treatment; energy balance and recovery; nutrients; biofuel upgrading; chemical sources from thermal conversion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Energy demand is expecting to increase strongly in the next decades. To recover energy, the conversion of traditional biomass, i.e. lignocellulose, has changed to more diverse and complex biomass wastes like sludge, algae, food waste, MSW, and agricultural waste. The use of faster techniques, thermal techniques, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, liquefaction, and thermal gasification have received a great deal of attention by now. However, the energy recovery of biochar fuel, bio-oil and gas produces byproducts like nutrients containing high N, P and other chemical resources found in the waste water derived from the thermal conversion. More attention should be focused on these critical elements during the thermal processing of biomass waste, which is becoming a large environmental and social issue. In addition, biofuel obtained using thermal techniques and biomass waste is facing challenges, including environmental concerns, upgrading, economics and other challenges to sustainability.

This Special Issue aims to collect contributions describing scientific advancements in the development of renewable energy and chemical sources from thermal conversion of biomass waste, as this is an important issue to support a sustainable approach.

Submission scopes can include:

  • Thermal conversion of biomass waste for energy recovery
  • Nutrient recovery
  • Thermal conversion-derived waste water treatment.
  • Biofuel upgrading
  • Clean production
  • Energy and economic evaluation
  • Thermal properties and combustion
  • Biochar production and application

Prof. Yunbo Zhai
Dr. Tengfei Wang
Guest Editorss

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Keywords

  • Biomass
  • Thermal techniques
  • Nutrients
  • Biochar
  • Elements
  • Energy
  • Economic
  • Sustainability
  • Chemical resources

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4719 KiB  
Communication
Modeling of Some Operating Parameters Required for the Development of Fixed Bed Small Scale Pyrolysis Plant
by Istvan Bacskai, Viktor Madar, Csaba Fogarassy and Laszlo Toth
Resources 2019, 8(2), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8020079 - 24 Apr 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4474
Abstract
In recent years, we have read a lot of research aimed at creating a small, easy-to-mobilize pyrolysis unit. But these devices were not efficiently designed. According to literature data, small equipment (5.0–50 kW) has to be considered differently on the combustion aspects, compared [...] Read more.
In recent years, we have read a lot of research aimed at creating a small, easy-to-mobilize pyrolysis unit. But these devices were not efficiently designed. According to literature data, small equipment (5.0–50 kW) has to be considered differently on the combustion aspects, compared to a larger pyrolysis unit. The main purpose of our research is to determine the operating characteristics of a small fixed bedding CHP (combined heat and power) pyrolysis power plant. At the design stage, it is also critical to know the properties of the biomass (usually different biological wastes) used on the input side. The use of a wide diversity of biomass waste may result in the volume of material remains and the energy produced is not usable in the right form. To obtain a clear picture of the combustion conditions, a fixed bedding pilot pyrolysis device was made. With the measurements in the experimental apparatus, we have a clearer picture of the changes in some of combustion parameters. We have examined exactly how the size and hardness of biomass materials affect the efficiency of pyrolysis. By modelling the “mass change”—with the knowledge of the material content, physical characteristics, and the parameters of the pyrolysis equipment—the amount of the expected material remains, and combustion conditions can be predicted with a mathematical function. We have found an appropriate mathematical model (R2 = 0.8758) to describe the relationship between gas production and material structure for a given period. Full article
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7 pages, 1438 KiB  
Communication
Thermal Conversion of Municipal Biowaste Anaerobic Digestate to Valuable Char
by Roberto Nisticò, Federico Guerretta, Paola Benzi, Giuliana Magnacca, Davide Mainero and Enzo Montoneri
Resources 2019, 8(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8010024 - 23 Jan 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3950
Abstract
The municipal biowaste anaerobic digestate of a typical waste treatment plant is pyrolyzed under a mild condition (i.e., 540 °C) to directly yield N-doped biochar without performing any subsequent functionalization process. The results confirmed the integration of nitrogen heteroatoms within the carbonaceous framework. [...] Read more.
The municipal biowaste anaerobic digestate of a typical waste treatment plant is pyrolyzed under a mild condition (i.e., 540 °C) to directly yield N-doped biochar without performing any subsequent functionalization process. The results confirmed the integration of nitrogen heteroatoms within the carbonaceous framework. The morphological characterization, instead, evidenced the formation of a rather dense biochar with a very low surface area. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 2582 KiB  
Review
Biomass Sources and Energy Potential for Energy Sector in Myanmar: An Outlook
by Maw Maw Tun and Dagmar Juchelková
Resources 2019, 8(2), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8020102 - 28 May 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 12889
Abstract
Nowadays, renewable energy utilization plays a key role in developing countries to fulfill the additional energy requirements of a country and reduce dependency on fossil fuels and traditional biomass consumption. As Myanmar has an agriculture-based economy and 48% of forest-cover (32.2 million hectares); [...] Read more.
Nowadays, renewable energy utilization plays a key role in developing countries to fulfill the additional energy requirements of a country and reduce dependency on fossil fuels and traditional biomass consumption. As Myanmar has an agriculture-based economy and 48% of forest-cover (32.2 million hectares); biomass is one of the major renewable energy sources, contributing around 50% of total energy consumption. Therefore, the study aimed to highlight the available biomass sources and energy potential for the energy sector in Myanmar. In order to achieve the aim, the study collated the types, quantity and qualities of biomass resources, and energy utilization around Myanmar. Besides, the study synthesized and evaluated the energy potential of the major biomass resources coming from the agriculture sector, forest sector, livestock and poultry sector, and municipal sector. It was estimated that the total energy potential of the major biomass sources amounted to approximately 15.19 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2005 and 17.29 Mtoe in 2017, respectively. The unexploited biomass energy potential around the country was estimated to be nearly 50% higher than that of the projected biomass energy utilization during 2015–2019. Finally, the study concluded with recommendations to provide the future sustainable development of biomass energy in Myanmar. Full article
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19 pages, 3135 KiB  
Review
Biomass Energy: An Overview of Biomass Sources, Energy Potential, and Management in Southeast Asian Countries
by Maw Maw Tun, Dagmar Juchelkova, Myo Min Win, Aung Myat Thu and Tomáš Puchor
Resources 2019, 8(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8020081 - 25 Apr 2019
Cited by 80 | Viewed by 22554
Abstract
Potential depletion of fossil fuel and climate change have globally accelerated the demand in renewable and alternative energy. Most of the Southeast Asian countries have an abundance of biomass sources for the energy sector due to their agriculture-based economy and enormous forest resources. [...] Read more.
Potential depletion of fossil fuel and climate change have globally accelerated the demand in renewable and alternative energy. Most of the Southeast Asian countries have an abundance of biomass sources for the energy sector due to their agriculture-based economy and enormous forest resources. Therefore, the study aimed at highlighting an overview of biomass energy in the Southeast Asia countries to convey the environmental and economic benefits from the available biomass sources in the region. In order to achieve the aim, the study synthesized and evaluated the biomass sources, energy potential, utilization, and management in the region, based on the published research papers, review papers, and country reports. It was found that the major biomass sources in this region were fuelwood, wood residues, rice husk, rice straw, sugarcane residues, oil palm residues, and coconut residues. The total annual quantity of the biomass potential from agriculture and forest sector in the region was estimated at more than 500 million tons per year and equal to over 8000 million gigajoules of total energy potential. In order to implement the sustainable utilization of biomass sources, the study specified the barriers and challenges of biomass utilization in these countries and proposed a sustainable approach of biomass energy, by comparing the way of traditional biomass utilization. Full article
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