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Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications

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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 (10 September 2024) | Viewed by 12711

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Filippo Marchelli

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Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Interests: biomass; thermochemical conversion; modeling; fluidization

Dr. Roberta Ferrentino

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Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
Interests: anaerobic digestion; sewage sludge; wastewater treatment; solid waste disposal
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Dr. Cristina Moliner

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Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genova, Via all’Opera Pia 15a, 16145 Genova, GE, Italy
Interests: biomass thermochemical conversion; combustion; bioplastics; circular economy; process simulation
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Dr. Lucas Massaro Sousa

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Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich, Medway Campus, Central Ave, Gillingham, Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK
Interests: biomass handling and trasport; fluidization; waste valorization; CFD simulation; combustion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass has been used as an energy source since the early days of humankind. The emergence of urgent problems, such as global warming and the depletion of resources, has fostered research on its valorization for energy purposes in the recent decades. today, the large number of existing technologies permits converting various types of biomass in a flexible and efficient way. Nonetheless, several of these technologies are not mature yet, and more studies are necessary to make them fully reliable and convenient and ensure that the largest variety of biomass can be successfully employed to generate energy.

This Special Issue is dedicated to recent advances in the field of biomass energy, either based on new processes or making the existing ones more flexible, efficient, and sustainable. Both experimental and theoretical studies are encouraged, including scale-up and feasibility analyses that demonstrate how innovative processes can be applied to real-life scenarios. The coupling of different techniques or their application to underexploited feedstocks are also of interest.

Dr. Filippo Marchelli
Dr. Roberta Ferrentino
Dr. Cristina Moliner
Dr. Lucas Massaro Sousa
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biomass pretreatment
biomass thermochemical conversion
hydrothermal conversion
fermentation
biofuels post-processing
process scale-up and intensification
biorefineries

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Decomposition of Methane in Capillary Tubes of Different Materials: Corundum, Titanium, Nickel, and Stainless Steel

by Mikhail S. Vlaskin, Anatoly V. Grigorenko, Aleksandr O. Dudoladov, Matvey S. Galtsov-Tsientsiala, Vinod Kumar and George E. Valyano

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(23), 12663; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132312663 - 25 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1174

Abstract

The effect of capillary tube material on the process of thermal decomposition of methane at 1100 °C and methane supply at a rate of 2 L/h without the use of catalysts was studied. The materials used were corundum, titanium, nickel, and stainless steel. The reactor was a capillary tube, which was heated from the outside with a propane burner; the length of the heating zone was about 8 cm. It was found that the efficiency of methane decomposition decreases in a number of materials: Al₂O₃ > Ni > Ti > stainless steel. The highest hydrogen yield (73.35 vol. %) was achieved in the experiment with a corundum tube with an inner diameter of 4 mm, and the lowest (27.75 vol. %) was achieved in the experiment with a stainless steel tube with a diameter of 6 mm. Nickel and titanium showed worse hydrogen yield results than corundum: for nickel, the volume content of hydrogen after pyrolysis was 71.27%, and for titanium, 41.51%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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19 pages, 2526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From the Cultivation of Arthrospira platensis at an Increased CO₂ Concentration to the Bio-Oil Production by Hydrothermal Liquefaction

by Kirill G. Ryndin, Aleksey V. Butyrin, Anatoly V. Grigorenko, Elizaveta A. Chunzhuk, Nadezhda I. Chernova, Sofya V. Kiseleva, Sergey Y. Malaniy, Ekaterina A. Bakumenko, Olga V. Slavkina, Konstantin Ossipov, Tatiana A. Maryutina, Vinod Kumar and Mikhail S. Vlaskin

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(17), 9950; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179950 - 3 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1789

Abstract

In this work, the path from the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis at an increased concentration of CO₂ to the production of bio-oil by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of the grown biomass is realized. The cultivation was carried out in a 90 L photobioreactor at an initial CO₂ concentration of 8 vol.% for 15 days. During the cultivation stage, the optical density for microalgae suspension, pH and chemical composition of nutrient medium were monitored. The grown biomass was separated from the nutrient medium with a 100 µm mesh and then subjected to HTL at 330 °C for 1 h. The biomass growth rate was 82 ± 4.1 mg × L⁻¹day⁻¹ and the pH was in the range from 9.08 ± 0.22 to 8.9 ± 0.24. Biochemical and CHNS analyses were applied for the obtained biomass. The contents of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in the grown biomass were 38.7 ± 0.4 wt.%, 37.4 ± 0.5 wt.% and 3.8 ± 0.4 wt.%, respectively. Bio-oil yield after the HTL procedure was 13.8 wt.%. The bio-oil composition and properties were determined by GH-MS, TLC-PID and ICP-MS techniques. ICP-MS revealed the contents of 51 metals in bio-oil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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Block scheme of the experiment: cultivating Arthrospira platensis for 15 days (initial concentration of CO2 8 vol.%) and further bio-oil production from it by the hydrothermal liquefaction method and its analysis. Full article ">Figure 2
Biomass density and pH changes during the 15-day cultivation of Arthrospira platensis. Full article ">Figure 3
Change in CO2 concentration in the atmospheric gas chamber during a 15-day cultivation of Arthrospira platensis at an initial CO2 concentration of 8 vol.%. Full article ">Figure 4
Biochemical composition of the initial (inoculate) biomass (cultivated at atmospheric CO2 concentration) in comparison with Arthrospira platensis cultivated at 8% CO2. Full article ">Figure 5
Change in the elemental analysis of the initial biomass of Arthrospira platensis relative to the biomass at the end of the 15-day cultivation at an initial CO2 concentration of 8 vol.%. Full article ">Figure 6
The product yield of Arthrospira platensis hydrothermal liquefaction (wt.%) when cultivating Arthrospira platensis in an atmospheric medium (a) [<a href="#B50-applsci-13-09950" class="html-bibr">50</a>] or in a medium with an initial CO2 concentration of 8 vol.% (b). Full article ">

16 pages, 4539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic Assessment of an Innovative Small-Scale Solar-Biomass Hybrid Power Plant

by José Antonio Vélez Godiño and Miguel Torres García

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(14), 8179; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148179 - 13 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1302

Abstract

The current context of the climate emergency highlights the need for the decarbonization of the energy sector by replacing current fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. In this regard, concentrating solar power (CSP) technology represents a commercially proven alternative. However, these types of plants are associated with high production costs and difficulties in controlling production during temporary variations in solar resource availability. In order to minimize these drawbacks, this study proposes the hybridization of CSP technology with direct biomass combustion, with the particularity of an innovative process scheme that does not correspond to traditional series or parallel configurations. This paper focuses on the techno-economic evaluation of this novel configuration in a small-scale power plant. To achieve this, both solar resource and biomass production, which are dependent on the selected location, were analyzed. Additionally, the plant was characterized from both technical and economic perspectives. The obtained results allowed for the characterization of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) based on various parameters such as the size of the solar field and biomass boilers, as well as limitations on biomass consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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Figure 1
Average daily global horizontal irradiation (kWh/m2) [<a href="#B28-applsci-13-08179" class="html-bibr">28</a>]. Full article ">Figure 2
Forest biomass production in Andalusia (green: pinus, orange: eucalyptus, brown: quercus) [<a href="#B29-applsci-13-08179" class="html-bibr">29</a>]. Full article ">Figure 3
Direct normal irradiance (DNI, W/m2) of the design year. Full article ">Figure 4
Hourly evolution of direct normal irradiance (DNI, W/m2) for 4 representative days. Full article ">Figure 5
Process diagram of the proposed power plant (water/steam side). Full article ">Figure 6
Workflow corresponding to the applied methodology. Full article ">Figure 7
Hourly evolution of biomass consumption (kg/s) and gross electric power generated (MW) for the four representative days (SM = 1, BFF = 100%). Full article ">Figure 8
Hourly evolution of biomass consumption (kg/s) and gross electric power generated (MW) for the four representative days (SM = 1, BFF = 50%). Full article ">Figure 9
Annual biomass consumption (kton/year) as a function of SM and biomass consumption limit for the two considered BFF values. Full article ">Figure 10
Annual gross electric energy generated (GWh/year) as a function of SM and biomass consumption limit for the two considered BFF values. Full article ">Figure 11
LCOE (cEUR/kWh) as a function of SM and biomass consumption limit for the two considered values of BFF. Full article ">Figure 12
LCOE (cEUR/kWh) (left) and biomass contribution (%) to annual electricity production as a function of SM for the case without biomass consumption limits for the two considered values of BFF. Full article ">Figure 13
LCOE (cEUR/kWh) as a function of SM for a 50% biomass contribution limit for the two considered values of BFF. Full article ">Figure 14
LCOE (cEUR/kWh) as a function of gross output (MW) for a 50% biomass contribution limit for the two considered values of BFF (SM = 1.5). Full article ">

12 pages, 2256 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Novel Design for Rotary Burner for Low-Quality Pellets

by Michal Holubcik, Peter Durcansky, Jozef Jandacka, Jan Najser and Andrej Klacko

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3053; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053053 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

The burning of low-quality fuels causes several problems in the operation of combustion equipment, which can negatively affect the equipment’s efficiency. The possibilities for the burning of pellets made from low-quality raw materials are limited mainly by the fusibility of the ash, which settles and melts on the surfaces of the burner, gradually causing it to clog. Smelted ash also causes a decrease in heat transfer efficiency, which negatively affects the overall efficiency of the heat source. A possible solution is provided by burners with a rotating combustion chamber, where the contact time of the molten ash with the walls of the burner is shortened, and thus there is no significant melting of the ash in the burner. This manuscript is dedicated to summarizing the current state of development of burners with a rotary chamber, presenting a novel design for such a burner, and providing an analysis of that design. To conclude, the results of experimental measurements on a classic burner and a burner with a rotary chamber are presented, including a comparison and evaluation mainly in terms of emissions. The novel-designed rotary burner achieved a higher heat output than the retort burner, but a similar thermal efficiency. The rotary burner produced 32.5% lower CO emissions, 12.5% higher NOx emissions, 23% lower OGC emissions, and 44.7% higher PM emissions in comparison with a retort burner under the same conditions. This novel rotary burner concept could, after optimization, be a suitable option for efficient combustion of alternative biofuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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Figure 1
Patent no. KR101426660 B1. Full article ">Figure 2
Schematic diagram of novel rotary burner. Full article ">Figure 3
Air flow in proposed burner (P—primary air, S—secondary air). Full article ">Figure 4
Secondary-air-controlling aperture. Full article ">Figure 5
Furnace experiment setup. 1—chimney; 2—automatic pellet boiler; 2—weight; 3—chimney draft sensor; 4—PM probe (solid pollutants); 6—emissions probe; 7—thermometer for measuring flue gas; 8—anemometer; 9—fan; 10—supply pipe; 11—drainage pipe; 12—control center; 13—flue gas analyzer; 14—computer; 15—measuring station; 16—Vernon thermometer; 17—fuel tank. Full article ">Figure 6
Typical time courses of heat output of heat source in different types burners from experiments. Full article ">Figure 7
Typical time courses of CO emissions depending on the type of burner from experiments. Full article ">Figure 8
Typical time courses of NOx emissions depending on the type of burner from experiments. Full article ">

13 pages, 2534 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Advanced Assessment of Biomass Materials Degradation in Pneumatic Conveying Systems: Challenges and Applications

by Gulab Singh, Tong Deng, Michael S. A. Bradley and Richard Ellis

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1960; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031960 - 2 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1778

Abstract

In this study, the degradation of wood pellets and dry roasted coffee beans in a pneumatic conveyor was evaluated for high-speed impacts. The change in particle size and generation of fine particles were used as an indicating parameter for the degradation. A four-bends industrial scale conveying system was used for the degradation study in lean phase pneumatic conveying. The effects of operating parameters on the degradation were investigated, including the conveying velocity of particles and particle concentration. The experimental results showed that the degradation and the fines generation increased with an increase in particle velocity. An opposite trend was observed with an increased solid concentration in the pipeline. It was found that the two types of wood pellets traveled at different particle velocities with the same operating conditions, which resulted in significant differences in the degradation. Compared to the wood pellets, roasted coffee beans were found to travel at air velocity. In conclusion, the degradation in a pneumatic conveying system is complex and challenging to evaluate because there are many influential factors, such as the type of materials, equipment, and operation conditions. Early assessments in a laboratory will be beneficial to evaluate the degradation at all controlled operative conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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Figure 1
(a) Fresh wood pellets, (b) Aged wood pellets, (c) Degraded aged wood pellets, (d) Roasted coffee beans, and (e) Degraded coffee beans. Full article ">Figure 2
Full-scale industrial pneumatic conveying the test rig at The Wolfson Centre with a Line diagram showing bends in proximity at the end of the pipe with the full-scale test rig (pipe dimensions in the line diagram are not scaled). Full article ">Figure 3
Measurement of localized particle velocity and average feed rate with 0.2 kg/s air flow rate and feeder speed of 5 RPM during conveying with bends in proximity; (a) Particle velocity at each bend, solid feed rate, (b) standard deviation in particle velocity measurement each second. Full article ">Figure 4
Measurement of localized pressure and air velocity with 0.2 kg/s air flow rate and feeder speed of 5 RPM during conveying with bends in proximity, (a) Pressure measurement at each bend (Bend 1–4) and inlet of pipe, (b) Air velocity measurement at each bend (Bend 1–4). Full article ">Figure 5
Velocity profiles at the inlet of the pipe and before bends with 0.24 kg/s air flow rate and 0.2 kg/s solid flow rate. Full article ">Figure 6
Velocity profiles for coffee beans at 0.27 kg/s air mass flow rate and 0.2 kg/s solid flow rate. Full article ">

23 pages, 6670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy-Exergy Analysis of Diesel Engine Fueled with Microalgae Biodiesel-Diesel Blend

by Chandrabhushan Tiwari, Tikendra Nath Verma, Gaurav Dwivedi and Puneet Verma

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031857 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2490

Abstract

Renewable energy is getting more attention in recent times due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Production and consumption of biofuels derived from biomass has significantly increased. In the present work, Spirulina microalgae have been chosen as feedstock for biodiesel production. Diesel and biodiesel were mixed in different volumetric ratios to prepare fuel blends (SBF₀, SBF₂₀, SBF₄₀, SBF₆₀, SBF₈₀, and SBF₁₀₀). Energy and exergy analysis has been performed on a four-stroke, single-cylinder diesel engine. Experimentation was done under varying loads at 1500 RPM. The effect of multiple loads and blends was investigated for brake power (BP), cooling water losses (Q_w), exhaust gas losses (Q_exh), and unaccounted losses (Q_un). Pure diesel SBF₁₀₀ has the highest and lowest exergy efficiencies, respectively equaling roughly 31.65% and 29.75%. It has been observed that BP and Q_w increase with the increase in load whereas Qexh and Qun show a decreasing trend. It was also observed that with an increase in blending, Qw increases while Qexh decreases. In the exergy analysis, it was observed that the exergy destruction rate has a maximum fraction of input exergy values of 46.01% and 46.29% for Diesel and SBF₂₀ respectively. The system engine sustainability index was in the range of 1.27 to 1.46, which is directly related to exergy efficiencies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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Review

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27 pages, 1440 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Trends and Future Direction for Utilization of Woody Biomass in Japan

by Junnan Zhou and Tomohiro Tabata

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 2205; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14052205 - 6 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484

Abstract

After nearly a decade of rapid development, woody biomass has been widely used in Japan for power generation and heating. However, it has faced bottlenecks in recent years, leading to a decline in its popularity. This study aimed to elucidate the current status of woody biomass utilization in Japan by reviewing relevant research papers on upstream resource supply and downstream case studies in the supply chain. The supply potential of woody biomass estimated by reviewed articles ranges from 1.2 to 5.5 m³/year/ha, yet a significant portion of this potential cannot be exploited. The utilization of government subsidies, mechanization, and aggregated forests can substantially enhance the availability. The utilization of woody biomass has garnered widespread attention from the Japanese government and private enterprises, presenting an economic impact ranging from 66 to 249 million JPY/t, along with a GHG emission reduction spanning from −17.29 to 202.44 kg-CO_2eq/GJ. However, balancing cost and scale remains the primary challenge facing woody biomass utilization in Japan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Biomass Energy: Recent Technologies and Applications)

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