Distribution of Thermophilic and Thermotolerant Fungi in a Spruce-Pine Chip Pile

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger S. Smith ◽  
A. Ofosu-Asiedu

A study into the distribution of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi in a spruce-pine (Picea spp.—Pinus spp.) wood chip pile at Prince George, B.C., was carried out. Five treatments were examined: pine, spruce, spruce containing a core bag of fines, spruce containing a core bag of sterilized spruce chips and spruce containing a core bag of spruce chips inoculated with a Ptychogaster sp. [probably Chrysosporiumpruinosum (Gilman and Abbott) Carmichael]. Samples of wood chips buried at different locations in the chip pile were examined after 3, 6, and 12 month storage periods. From 100 randomly selected chips from each sample, the fungi were isolated on 2% malt, 2% agar, and 0.5% malic acid medium. Data on temperature during storage, pH of wood chips, moisture content, and weight loss at the time of sampling were calculated for the various sampling positions.Thermophilic fungi colonized the inner regions of the wood chip pile where higher wood substance losses occurred, while thermotolerant fungi inhabited the outer regions. Among the thermophilic fungi listed according to frequency of isolation were Byssochlamysemersonii Stolk-Apinis, Allescheriaterrestris Apinis, Sporotrichumthermophile Apinis, Thermoascusaurantiacus Miehe, and Humicolalanuginosa (Griffon and Maublanc) Bunce. The most common thermotolerant fungi were Aspergillusfumigatus Fresenius and C. pruinosum.Fungal distribution was generally related to position in the wood chip pile. Of the associated factors, temperature (17–60 °C) was most strongly related to fungal distribution, whereas treatment, pH of wood chips, and moisture content did not relate to fungal distribution.

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Del Giudice ◽  
Andrea Acampora ◽  
Enrico Santangelo ◽  
Luigi Pari ◽  
Simone Bergonzoli ◽  
...  

Drying is a critical point for the exploitation of biomass for energy production. High moisture content negatively affects the efficiency of power generation in combustion and gasification systems. Different types of dryers are available however; it is known that rotary dryers have low cost of maintenance and consume 15% and 30% less in terms of specific energy. The study analyzed the drying process of woody residues using a new prototype of mobile rotary dryer cocurrent flow. Woodchip of poplar (Populus spp.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), and grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) pruning were dried in a rotary drier. The drying cycle lasted 8 h for poplar, 6 h for black locust, and 6 h for pruning of grapevine. The initial biomass had a moisture content of around 50% for the poplar and around 30% for grapevine and black locust. The study showed that some characteristics of the biomass (e.g., initial moisture content, particle size distribution, bulk density) influence the technical parameters (i.e., airflow temperature, rate, and speed) of the drying process and, hence, the energy demand. At the end of the drying process, 17% of water was removed for poplar wood chips and 31% for grapevine and black locust wood chips. To achieve this, result the three-biomass required 1.61 (poplar), 0.86 (grapevine), and 1.12 MJ kgdry solids−1 (black locust), with an efficiency of thermal drying (η) respectively of 37%, 12%, and 27%. In the future, the results obtained suggest an increase in the efficiency of the thermal insulation of the mobile dryer, and the application of the mobile dryer in a small farm, for the recovery of exhaust gases from thermal power plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Aniszewska ◽  
Krzysztof Słowiński ◽  
Ewa Tulska ◽  
Witold Zychowicz

AbstractThe paper proposes the use of microwave irradiation to lower the initial moisture content of wood chips. The study involved willow and fir chips fractionated by means of a sieve separator and unfractionated ash chips. The wood chips were exposed to a constant microwave power of 800 W for 30 s, 60 s, 120 s and 180 s. The chips were weighed before and after irradiation to measure loss of moisture. It was found that the decline in moisture content increased with wood chip size for a given irradiation time and microwave power. The initial moisture content of wood chips was not found to significantly affect loss of moisture as the drying rates of wood chips with higher and lower moisture content exposed to microwaves were not statistically different. The results showed that irradiation intensity increased with the time of exposure to microwaves and unit radiant energy per unit of evaporated moisture decreased with increasing wood chip size in the 3.15–31.50 mm range.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3494
Author(s):  
Jakub Lev ◽  
Václav Křepčík ◽  
Egidijus Šarauskis ◽  
František Kumhála

Moisture content is one of the most important parameters related to the quality of wood chips that affects both the calorific and economic value of fuel chips. For industrial applications, moisture content needs to be detected quickly. For this purpose, various indirect moisture content measurement methods (e.g., capacitance, NIR, microwave, ECT, X-ray CT, and nuclear MR) have been investigated with different results in the past. Nevertheless, determining wood chip moisture content in real time is still a challenge. The main aim of this article was therefore to analyze the dielectric properties of wood chips at low frequencies (10 kHz–5 MHz) and to examine the possibility of using these properties to predict wood chip moisture content and porosity. A container-type probe was developed for this purpose. The electrical capacitance and dissipation factor of wood chips with different moisture content was measured by an LCR meter at 10 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, 500 kHz, 1 MHz, and 5 MHz frequencies. Wood chip porosity was also measured using a gas displacement method. Linear models for moisture content and porosity prediction were determined by backward stepwise linear regression. Mathematical model was developed to better understand the physical relationships between moisture content, porosity, and electrical capacitance. These models were able to predict the moisture content of observed quantities of wood chips with the required accuracy (R2 = 0.9−0.99). This finding opens another path to measuring the moisture content and porosity of wood chips in a relatively cheap and fast way and with adequate precision. In addition, principal component analysis showed that it is also possible to distinguish between individual wood chip fraction sizes from the information obtained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Monika Aniszewska ◽  
Arkadiusz Gendek ◽  
Jan Malaťák ◽  
Barbora Tamelová ◽  
Sebastian Smyl

Pine, birch, and cotoneaster wood chips were segregated and exposed to microwave radiation. Moisture content was measured before and after microwave treatment, and the surface temperature of wood chip samples was recorded. The results showed that due to the selective nature of the process, the duration of microwave radiation should be adjusted taking into account the size fraction of the examined material. Wood chips exposed to microwaves for more than 30 s heated up to over 100 °C. Finer wood chips were found to lose moisture more slowly.


Environments ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Oveisi ◽  
Shahab Sokhansanj ◽  
Anthony Lau ◽  
Jim Lim ◽  
Xiaotao Bi ◽  
...  

In this study, the moisture content, calorific value, and particle size of recycled wood chips were measured. The wood chips were used to fuel an 8.5 MWth updraft gasifier to produce syngas for combustion in a steam-producing boiler. In-situ syngas composition and tar concentrations were measured and analyzed against biomass fuel properties. No efforts were made to adjust the properties of biomass or the routine operating conditions for the gasifier. A sampling device developed by CanmetENERGY-Ottawa (Ottawa, ON, Canada) was used to obtain syngas and tar samples. Wood chip samples fed to the gasifier were taken at the same time the gas was sampled. Results indicate that as the fuel moisture content increases from 20% to 35%, the production of CO drops along with a slight decrease in concentrations of H2 and CH4. Tar concentration increased slightly with increased moisture content and proportion of small fuel particles (3.15–6.3 mm). Based on the findings of this study, biomass fuel moisture content of 20% and particles larger than 6.3 mm (1/4″) are recommended for the industrial updraft gasifier in order to achieve a higher syngas quality and a lower tar concentration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 151-156
Author(s):  
Baibhaw Kumar ◽  
L. Gábor Szepesi ◽  
Zoltán Szamosi

Solid biofuels such as woodchips have always been a significant source of fuel in the field of renewable energy. However, the drying of wood chips has been a challenge in preparing biofuels and other applications. The moisture content of below 25% in the wood chips of grade EN 14961 is considered the premium wood chip material. Solar drying emerged as a leading solution for the drying of wood chips. The paper investigates the comparison of moisture removal rate using a natural convective solar dryer compared to open sun drying developed at Miskolc, Hungary (48°06'15.0"N 20°47'30.0"E).


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3931
Author(s):  
Nerijus Pedišius ◽  
Marius Praspaliauskas ◽  
Justinas Pedišius ◽  
Eugenija Farida Dzenajavičienė

Wood chips and logging residues currently comprise the largest share of biomass fuels used for heat generation in district heating plants and are provided by a variety of suppliers. Ash and moisture contents, as well as the calorific value, may vary considerably depending on the composition of the fuel, seasonality, location, and other factors. This paper provides the summarized results of the main characteristics of wood chip moisture and ash content and calorific value, experimentally tested for a significant range of samples. Chip samples were collected from two district heating companies and tested for a significant range of samples. Chip samples were collected from two district heating companies and tested for a 3-year period. The data on fuel chip prices were taken from the electronic wood chip trading platform. The tests were performed using standard express methods, where two sub-samples were taken and analyzed from every chip sample. It was determined that the moisture content of the wood chips varied from 35% to 45%, the calorific value from 18.4 to 19.6 MJ/kg, and the ash content from 0.5% to 4.5%. The calculated relative expanded uncertainty of the moisture content measurement was ±2.1%, of calorific value—±1.5%, and of ash—±1.0%. The repeatability of the results was estimated as the pooled standard deviation.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1360
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Budenkova ◽  
Stanislav Sukhikh ◽  
Svetlana Ivanova ◽  
Olga Babich ◽  
Vyacheslav Dolganyuk ◽  
...  

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose-containing raw materials, using Aspergillus niger, were studied. Filter paper, secondary cellulose-containing or starch-containing raw materials, miscanthus cellulose after alkaline or acid pretreatment, and wood chip cellulose, were used as substrates. The study focused on a wild A. niger strain, treated, or not (control), by ultraviolet (UV) irradiations for 45, 60, or 120 min (UV45, UV60, or UV120), or by UV irradiation for 120 min followed by a chemical treatment with NaN3 + ItBr for 30 min or 80 min (UV120 + CH30 or UV120 + CH80). A mixture of all the A. niger strains (MIX) was also tested. A citrate buffer, at 50 mM, wasthe most suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis. As the UV exposure time increased to 2 h, the cellulase activity of the surviving culturewas increased (r = 0.706; p < 0.05). The enzymatic activities of the obtained strains, towards miscanthus cellulose, wood chips, and filter paper, were inferior to those obtained with commercial enzymes (8.6 versus 9.1 IU), in some cases. Under stationary hydrolysis at 37 °C, pH = 4.7, the enzymatic activity of A. niger UV120 + CH30 was 24.9 IU. The enzymatic hydrolysis of secondary raw materials, using treated A. niger strains, was themost effective at 37 °C. Similarly, the most effective treatment of miscanthus cellulose and wood chips occurred at 50 °C. The maximum conversion of cellulose to glucose was observed using miscanthus cellulose (with alkaline pretreatment), and the minimum conversion was observed when using wood chips. The greatest value of cellulase activity was evidenced in the starch-containing raw materials, indicating that A. niger can ferment not only through cellulase activity, but also via an amylolytic one.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kamisaka ◽  
K Kamiya ◽  
K Iwatsu ◽  
N Iritani ◽  
Y Iida ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Weight loss (WL) has been considered as a prognostic factor in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the prognosis and associated factors of WL in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have remained unclear. Purpose This study aimed to examine the prevalence, prognosis, and clinical characteristics of worse prognosis based on the identified WL after discharge in HFpEF. Methods The study was conducted as a part of a multicenter cohort study (Flagship). The cohort study enrolled ambulatory HF who hospitalized due to acute HF or exacerbation of chronic HF. Patients with severe cognitive, psychological disorders or readmitted within 6-month after discharge were excluded in the study. WL was defined as ≥5% weight loss in 6-month after discharge and HFpEF was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% at discharge. Age, gender, etiology, prior HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), anemia (hemoglobin; male &lt;13g/dL, female &lt;12g/dL), serum albumin, Geriatric Depression Scale, hand grip strength and comorbidities were collected at discharge. Patients were stratified according to their body mass index (BMI) at discharge as non-obese (BMI &lt;25) or obese (BMI ≥25). We analyzed the association between WL and HF rehospitalization from 6 month to 2 years after discharge using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Cox regression analysis adjusted for age and gender, and clinical characteristics associated to worse prognosis in WL using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders in HFpEF. Results A total of 619 patients with HFpEF were included in the analysis. The prevalence of WL was 12.9% in 482 non-obese and 15.3% in 137 obese patients. During 2 years, 72 patients were readmitted for HF (non-obese: 48, obese: 24). WL in non-obese independently associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio: 2.2: 95% confidence interval: 1.13–4.25) after adjustment for age and sex, while WL in obese patients did not. Logistic regression analysis chose age (odds ratio 1.02 per 1 year; 1.00–1.05), anemia (2.14; 1.32–3.48), and BNP ≥200pg/mL or NT-proBNP ≥900pg/mL (1.83; 1.18–2.86) as independent associated factors for worse prognosis of WL in non-obese patients. Conclusion In HFpEF, WL in early after discharge in non-obese elderly patients may be a prognostic indicator for HF rehospitalization. HF management including WL prevention along with controlling anemia is likely to improve prognosis in this population. Kaplan Meier survival curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Trzciński ◽  
Łukasz Tymendorf ◽  
Paweł Kozakiewicz

Transport of wood biomass is one of the key operations in forestry and in the wood industry. An important part is the transport of shredded wood, where the most common forms are chips and sawdust. The aim of the research was to present the variability of the total weight of trucks (gross vehicle weight, GVW), the weight of the empty trucks (tare), and loads of chips and sawdust in different periods of the year. Changes in specific parameters were analyzed: GVW; tare weight; trailer capacity; use of the trailer load capacity; bulk volume and bulk density of wood biomass loads; solid cubic meter (m3) and weight of 1m3 of the load; and load weight depending on the season, with simultaneous measurements of wood chips and sawdust moisture. More than 250 transports from four seasons of the year were analyzed in the research. It was found that the total weight of trucks (GVW) was at a comparable level, on average from 39.42 to 39.64 Mg with slight differences (with SD 0.29 and 0.39). The weight of empty trucks was 16.15 Mg for chip-bearing trucks and 15.93 Mg for sawdust-bearing trucks (with SD 0.604 and 0.526). The type of wood material has an influence on the transported volume. The average quantity of load in the bulk cubic meter was 64.783 m3 for wood chips (SD 3.127) and 70.465 m3 (SD 2.516) for sawdust. Over 30% differences in the volume of transported wood chips and approximately 18% for sawdust were observed. The use of the loading capacity of the trailer was on average 72.58% (SD 5.567) for the transport of wood chips and 77.42% (SD 3.019) for the transport of sawdust. The sawdust bulk density was from 0.3050 to 0.4265 Mg⋅m−3 for wood chips and 0.3200 to 0.3556 Mg⋅m−3 for sawdust. This parameter is significantly dependent on moisture content, and the determined correlation functions can be used for estimating and predicting bulk density. The abovementioned absolute moisture content of chips and sawdust also depends on the season, which also affects the selected parameters of wood biomass loads.


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