BioEnergy Research最新文献

Advancing lignocellulose biorefining is imperative for the deployment of cellulosic (2G) biofuels. This work investigates the tailoring of the alkaline deacetylation and mechanical refining (DMR) pathway for the bioconversion of sugarcane bagasse. Experiments are conducted at laboratory and pilot scales, varying the pretreatment conditions (70–92 °C; 48–100 g_NaOH/kg) and the mechanical refining technologies (PFI and disk refining). The pretreatments selectively solubilize acetyl groups (> 86%) and lignin (10–63%) while mostly preserving structural carbohydrates in the solid phase. Enzymatic hydrolysis generates hydrolysates of clean sugars (glucose and xylose), with sugar yields increasing up to 81% for glucose and 89% for xylose in response to delignification and mechanical refining. Biochemical methane potential assays reveal specific methane productions of up to 568 NmL CH₄ gVS⁻¹ for alkaline liquor monodigestion and 344 NmL CH₄ gVS⁻¹ for co-digestion with sugarcane vinasse from the conventional (1G) sugarcane ethanol, indicating a strong potential for bioenergy recovery from this process stream. Synergies are identified in integrating 1G ethanol, 2G_DMR processing of bagasse, and anaerobic co-digestion of 1G vinasse and 2G_DMR alkaline liquor. This technology enables sugarcane biorefineries to enhance the co-production of ethanol, methane, and concentrated streams of CO₂.

To improve the efficiency and product quality of biomass pyrolysis, elm wood samples were subjected to Mg(OH)₂-assisted torrefaction at 220, 250, and 280 °C with different mass ratios of Mg(OH)₂, and their subsequent pyrolysis characteristics were systematically investigated. The results showed that, compared with conventional torrefaction, Mg(OH)₂-assisted torrefaction significantly increased CO₂ yield (55.48% at 220 °C compared with approximately 43% for the raw biomass sample), while suppressing the formation of CO, CH₄, and H₂. In terms of liquid products, Mg(OH)₂-assisted torrefaction promoted the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons and reduced the acid fraction to as low as 0.97%, whereas phenolic compounds remained dominant in the conventional samples under the same conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the main pyrolysis peak of Mg(OH)₂-assisted samples became narrower (38%–52%) and higher (15%–28%), with an overall decrease in activation energy and a higher residual char yield above 600 °C. These results indicate that Mg(OH)₂ facilitated the decomposition of cellulose and lignin while enhancing char structural stability.

Winter cover crops provide many ecological benefits, though their economic impacts have been shown to be mixed. While cover crop biomass is typically terminated or used as livestock feed, it can also serve as a feedstock for bioenergy production, offering opportunities for additional revenue. This study evaluated the potential of wild pennycress, CoverCress™, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and field pea biomass for volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production through arrested anaerobic digestion (AAD). Specifically, the effects of harvest timing on cover crop biomass composition and VFAs yield were examined, given the need for effective utilization and storage of early-harvested biomass. The five cover crops were planted in fall 2023 following soybeans and harvested at three different times in 2024. Batch AAD experiments were conducted with a methanogenesis inhibitor added. Results showed that harvest timing significantly affected biomass yield, composition, and VFAs production. Protein content decreased whereas lignin content increased as the crops matured. Total VFA yields ranged from 0.08 to 0.30 g/g-VS (volatile solids), with acetic, butyric, and propionic acids as the main components. The early-harvested cover crops produced similar or higher VFA yields, indicating that AAD is a suitable technology for these feedstocks. Estimated revenues from the produced VFAs were substantial, demonstrating the potential of winter cover crops as feedstocks for VFAs production.

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The valorization of fruit peel waste through microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis (MACP) offers a sustainable pathway for producing high-performance functional materials. This study employed a Central Composite Design (CCD) and multi-objective desirability function to engineer biochars tailored for soil amendment (BCop-bf) and pollutant adsorption (BCop-ads). Synergistic effect analysis provided empirical evidence of the superiority of biomass blending, showing significant gains in nitrogen (15.77%), phosphorus (14.29%), and oxygen-containing functional groups (15.44%) compared to theoretical additive values. Optimization for BCop-bf (212.3 °C) maximized macronutrient retention (7.93% N, 7.62% K), while BCop-ads (259.4 °C) yielded a matrix with high surface functionality (3.44 mmol/g of OFG). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) of the optimized products confirmed high thermal recalcitrance, with residual masses exceeding 50% at 800 °C, ensuring long-term carbon stability. Although the BET surface area was modest (10.84 m²/g), textural analysis revealed a predominantly mesoporous structure (pore size of 2.94 nm) that, combined with a versatile point of zero charge (pHpzc = 8.0), facilitates mass transfer and multi-mechanism adsorption. This dual-optimization strategy validates MACP as a robust technology for converting environmental liabilities into application-specific resources for the circular bioeconomy.

This study examines the development of full-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plants in Türkiye deployed for treating organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) between 2011 and 2024, with their current operational status. In 14 years, 23 plants have been established, primarily processing mechanically sorted OFMSW, with total capacity of 4.0 million tons/year in wet weight and with the installed electricity generation capacity of 120 MW, reaching to the total capital investment of $850 million and turnover capacity of $86.8 million/year. In 2024, approximately 2.5 million tons of OFMSW were processed, supplemented by 0.1 million tons of co-substrates. Power generation reached to 78 MW, equal to the capacity utilization of 65%. In initial period, average capacity of newly installed plants increased to 600,000 tons/year, with investments in larger cities. After 2017, this value decreased to approximately 100,000 tons/year, reflecting a shift in investment focus toward smaller municipalities. Dry, thermophilic, and continuous systems account for 95, 86, and 98% of the total capacity. Continuous dry AD has become dominant technology in Türkiye for diverting waste from landfills along with the recovery of value-added products.

Decarbonising aviation sector is imperative for achieving net-zero targets. Biomass-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) represents a carbon-neutral alternative for fossil-based fuels and enables substantial emissions mitigation. This review discusses the advancement of the currently employed Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK) pathway for SAF production through incorporating catalyst-assisted co-gasification. It outperforms conventional gasification by leveraging catalyst and co-feed approaches, reducing energy input while generating high-quality syngas. This comprehensive evaluation examines the interaction among biomass, co-feed, and catalysts, highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing the H₂/CO ratio and FT-SPK selectivity. The role of different catalysts, such as mineral, transition metal, alkali, and alkaline earth metals, carbon-based, and waste-derived catalysts in producing the desired syngas quality (H₂/CO: ~2) are critically reviewed. FT synthesis has been elaborated by emphasizing the catalysts and process mechanism with respect to FT-SPK production. Furthermore, we have explored the economic and environmental challenges associated with FT-SPK production and proposed strategies that align with the circular economy principles, advocating for a transition toward sustainable solutions in aviation fuel production. Eventually, it supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7 guidelines on a reliable and energy-efficient solution that could reflect in the aviation sector.

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The increasing demand for sustainable energy sources has led to significant interest in the development of solid biofuels from biomass. This study employed cassava peel (CP), pine bark (PB), oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), and water hyacinth (WH). An integrated method combining microwave-assisted torrefaction (300 °C, 30 min) with subsequent densification (170 °C, 21.7 MPa, 3 min 45 s) was employed to produce torrefied raw material (T-Raw) and torrefied bio-coke (T-BiC). PB has the highest lignin content (44.90%), fixed carbon (27.80%), and elemental carbon (50.12%), whereas WH has the lowest at 8.01%, 13.80%, and 34.41%, respectively. All T-Raw and T-BiC products have a black appearance, indicating a successful torrefaction process. In all variations, the torrefaction process reduces the volatile matter (marked by the presence of two peaks at 300–450 °C from the DTA curve) and simultaneously augments the fixed carbon. The highest yield is also nominated by PB (83.56%). Torrefaction also alleviates apparent density and compressive strength by 6.31–23.71% and 35.46–83.50%, respectively. In contrast, the process signifies calorific value by 10.80-26.71%. Considering the potential, T-BiC from all variations has properties that exceed standard requirements, except for ash content. Therefore, future studies should consider product refinement methods through acid washing. The government also needs to create policies to support product use as an alternative solid biofuel.

The growing global demand for cleaner and renewable energy sources has intensified interest in bioethanol production from agro-industrial byproducts such as molasses. This study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment of bioethanol production from sugarcane molasses to evaluate its environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and associated uncertainties. The analysis employs the ReCiPe 2016 and cumulative energy demand methods to quantify midpoint and endpoint environmental impacts along with total energy use across the production chain. A gate-to-gate system boundary was adopted, encompassing molasses preparation, fermentation, distillation, and dehydration processes. Results indicate that electricity and steam generation are the dominant contributors to environmental burdens, particularly influencing global warming, fine particulate matter formation, and human toxicity categories. The total energy requirement was found to be 26.98 MJ per kg of ethanol produced, with fossil energy accounting for 93% of this demand. Despite this, the process demonstrated a slightly positive energy balance, reflected by a net energy ratio of 1.04, confirming marginally favorable energy performance. Uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulation revealed stable results with low variability, indicating model robustness. Human non-carcinogenic toxicity and global warming potential were identified as the impact categories contributing most significantly to the overall uncertainty in the results. Overall, the findings suggest that molasses-based bioethanol is a viable renewable fuel option with potential to reduce fossil energy dependence, provided that efficiency improvements in electricity and steam usage are implemented. The study underscores the importance of integrating energy and uncertainty analyses for more reliable environmental sustainability assessments of biofuel systems.

This study critiques the integration of biochar as a precision-engineered component in sustainable agriculture, shifting the narrative from a waste-management byproduct to a tunable chemical interface. Analyzing the soil-biochar matrix through the lens of a multi-phase catalytic reactor, we evaluate how nutrient flux and microbial dynamics are governed by adsorption kinetics and electron-transfer mechanisms. We specifically dissect the thermochemical variables, peak temperature and vapor residence time, that dictate the structural aromaticity and pore-size distribution of the resulting carbon scaffold. Furthermore, the review evaluates advanced functionalization pathways, such as mineral-organic doping and surface grafting, to overcome the inherent chemical limitations of raw char. By synthesizing the cross-functional benefits of carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) suppression, we propose a “designer biochar” framework. This approach prioritizes site-specific soil configuration over uniform application, concluding with a critical assessment of the economic and energy-balance trade-offs required for industrial-scale deployment.

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products through pyrolysis offers significant potential for sustainable agriculture; however, studies on the integrated production of biochar and liquid smoke from Neolamarckia cadamba remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties, structural features, and chemical composition of biochar and liquid smoke produced at different pyrolysis temperatures (350–550 °C) to identify optimal conditions for generating high-quality agricultural amendments. The results showed that increasing pyrolysis temperature significantly altered the characteristics of both products. Biochar yield decreased with temperature, yet carbonization increased, accompanied by higher pH, reduced volatile matter, and enhanced aromaticity. The highest water holding capacity (WHC) and substantial micropore development were observed at 450 °C, indicating improved structural suitability for soil applications. Liquid smoke exhibited a decrease in yield but a marked increase in phenolic enrichment with temperature. GC–MS analysis confirmed temperature-driven shifts in chemical composition, with higher temperatures favoring phenolic compounds derived from lignin depolymerization, while lower temperatures contained more sugar-derived oxygenates. Overall, the study identifies 450–500 °C as the optimal pyrolysis window for producing high-quality N. cadamba biochar with enhanced porosity and water retention, and liquid smoke with the richest phenolic profile. These findings highlight N. cadamba as a promising feedstock for generating dual bio-products that support soil improvement, natural biopesticide development, and broader circular bioeconomy initiatives.