scholarly journals Characterization of Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) Pellets Torrefied with Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) Reactor

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 321
Author(s):  
Tri Rubiyanti ◽  
Wahyu Hidayat ◽  
Indra Gumay Febryano ◽  
Samsul Bakri

Indonesia has the largest rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) plantation area in the world. Rubberwood is mainly planted for latex production and as latex production declines with age, rubberwood is generally felled. The logging waste and industrial waste of rubberwood-based products could be utilized as raw materials to produce biomass pellets. The quality of biomass pellets can be increased through torrefaction, a thermal process in the temperature range of 200-300°C under an inert atmosphere. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of torrefaction on the characteristics of rubberwood pellets. The torrefaction of rubberwood pellets was conducted using the Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) reactor, a reactor that could perform torrefaction within a short residence time of up to 5 min. The temperature used in this study was 200°C, 250°C, dan 300°C with a residence time of 3 min. The color change, physical properties, chemical composition, and heating value were evaluated. The results showed that the pellet’s color changed from light brown into black pellets, showing the overall color change (∆E*) of 29,12, 54,27, and 66,71, after torrefaction at 200°C, 250°C, and 300°C, respectively. The equilibrium moisture content of the pellets decreased from 12,25% to 3,54%. The water immersion test also showed that the torrefied pellets have a better hydrophobicity, which is an advantage when pellets are stored in a humid condition. The oven-dry density of pellet decreased from 1,15 g/cm3 to 1,09 g/cm3, 1,04 g/cm3, and 0,96 g/cm3, after torrefaction at temperatures of 200°C, 250°C, and 300°C, respectively. Torrefaction caused a decrease of cellulose and hemicellulose contents, an increase of lignin content, and a remarkable increase in the heating value of 1,71-18,32% with increasing torrefaction temperature. The results proposed that torrefaction using the COMB reactor could provide a great improvement in the quality of rubberwood pellets to improve the additional value of the products.Keywords: black pellet, Counter-Flow Multi Baffle, rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), torrefaction

Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Andrea Pizzi ◽  
Daniele Duca ◽  
Giorgio Rossini ◽  
Sara Fabrizi ◽  
Giuseppe Toscano

In the latex production chain, rubber tree seeds (Hevea brasiliensis) represent an underutilized fraction with high potentialities, which can increase the sustainability of the whole process if rightly valorized. In the present study, the quality of all the fractions obtained from the rubber fruit were evaluated, with the aim to identify possible applications for their valorization with a circular economy perspective. Seeds from five different varieties of rubber tree were analyzed. Furthermore, a whole mass and energy balance was defined, which has allowed us to define hypothetical production scenarios. The obtained results show negligible differences among varieties. Shells and capsules have shown a composition similar to woody biomass, with high heating values (more than 16.5 MJ kg−1), low nitrogen content (below 0.5% on weight basis (w/w)) and reduced ash content (0.51% w/w and 1.90% w/w, respectively). Kernels were chemically extracted comparing two different solvents: n-hexane and ethanol. Both solvents showed similar extraction yields, i.e., 49% w/w and 46% w/w for n-hexane and ethanol, respectively. The resulting extraction flour was characterized by a high protein content (around 40% w/w) making it suitable for animal feeding. The rubber seed oil could be used in blends of different vegetable oils for biodiesel production. All this information is useful for improving the sustainability of the latex production chain and to assess the sustainability of possible bioenergy value chains.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Yogi Sulistio ◽  
Indra Gumay Febryano ◽  
Jiho Yoo ◽  
Sangdo Kim ◽  
Sihyun Lee ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to improve the quality of jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) wood pellets through torrefaction with Counter-Flow Multi-Baffle (COMB) reactor and electric furnace (EF). COMB is a reactor that can conduct torrefaction with a short residence time, approximately around 3 to 5 min. The torrefaction with COMB reactor was conducted at 260°C and 280°C C, with a residence time of 3 min. The torrefaction with EF used the temperature of 260°C and 280°C with a duration of 20 min. The pellet properties evaluated include the color changes, physical characteristics, and heating values. The result showed that the color of Jabon wood pellet was totally changed after torrefaction with COMB reactor reaching the highest overall color-change (∆E *) of 21,9 in the long pellets and 21,7 in the short pellets, while torrefaction with EF resulted in the highest ∆E* of 28,6 and 23,2, in the long and short pellets, respectively. The initial moisture content of the long and short pellets of Jabon wood were 12,41% and 12,33%. After torrefaction with COMB the moisture content decreased to 2,85% and 2,61%, while after torrefaction with EF the values decreased to 2,77% and 2,58%. The initial density of the long and short pellets were 1,05 g/cm3 and 0,97 g/cm3. The density decreased to 0,91 g/cm3 and 0,76 g/cm3 after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and decreased to 0,87 g/cm3 and 0,75 g/cm3 after torrefaction with EF. The research result also showed that the initial heating value of long and short pellets of 17,69 MJ/kg increased to 31,79 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 32.02 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with COMB reactor, and increased to 19.74 MJ/kg (long pellets) and 19.99 MJ/kg (short pellets) after torrefaction with EF. Torrefaction with COMB reactor with shorter residence time resulted in a higher improvement in bioenergetic properties of jabon wood pellets in comparison to torrefaction with EF.Keywords: Anthocephalus cadamba, Counter-Flow Multi Baffle, torrefaction


BioResources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 5821-5837
Author(s):  
Wen-Yu Qi ◽  
Cai Liu ◽  
Xiao-Lian Wu ◽  
Ji-Qing Li ◽  
Xin Guan ◽  
...  

Castanopsis fargesii is among the most prevalent hardwood species in South China. To improve the poor dimensional stability of C. fargesii wood, heat treatments were performed using vacuum or sand as the medium at four temperatures from 170 °C to 215 °C for 4 h. As a medium, vacuum or sand can create a low oxygen environment. The results showed that, as the temperature increased, the oven-dry density decreased, whereas the dimensional stability and the total color change (∆E*) increased with both media, two different changing patterns of a* and b* were observed, the lignin content increased, and the holocellulose content decreased. The oven-dry density decreased 9.4% and 25.5%, volume shrinkage ratio decreased 27.8% and 37.7%, and the ∆E* was 19.63 and 45.52, the lignin contents increased from 17.62% to 28.62% and 42.87%, and the holocellulose contents decreased from 80.49% to 69.43% and 51.04% when C. fargesii wood was heated under vacuum and with sand at 215 °C, respectively. Overall, sand heat treatment affected wood physical and chemical properties more than vacuum heat treatment. The analysis of functional groups and crystallinity also showed that there were severe changes in C. fargesii wood under sand heat treatment.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2111
Author(s):  
Athip Boonsiriwit ◽  
Myungho Lee ◽  
Minhwi Kim ◽  
Pontree Itkor ◽  
Youn Suk Lee

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is highly perishable because of its high respiration rate, which continues after harvesting and leads to weight loss, increased hardness, color change, and limited shelf life. Melatonin is an indoleamine that plays an important role in abiotic stress. This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin on the quality attributes of green asparagus during cold storage. Green asparagus was soaked in a melatonin solution (50, 100, and 200 μM) for 30 min and then stored at 4 °C under 90% relative humidity for 25 days. The results indicated that melatonin treatment delayed the post-harvest senescence of asparagus and maintained high chlorophyll and vitamin C levels. Melatonin treatment hindered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase activities and reduced lignin content, thereby delaying the increase in firmness. Moreover, melatonin treatment enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, leading to reduced hydrogen peroxide content. These results indicate that melatonin treatment can be used to maintain the post-harvest quality and prolong the shelf life of green asparagus.


Author(s):  
J. M. Makavana ◽  
P. N. Sarsavadia ◽  
P. M. Chauhan

Bio-char is carbon-rich product generated from biomass through batch type slow pyrolysis. In this study, the effects of pyrolysis temperature and residence time on the yield and properties of bio-chars obtained from shredded cotton stalks were investigated. Safely said that the quality of bio-char of shredded cotton stalk obtained at 500°C temperature and 240 min is best out of the all experimental levels of variables of temperature and residence time. At this temperature and residence time, the quality of bio-char in terms higher heating value (8101.3cal /g or 33.89 MJ/kg), nitrogen (1.56%), Carbon (79.30%), and C/N ratio (50.83) respectively. The quality of bio-char for various applications is discussed along with different quality parameters. The bio-char could be used for the production of activated carbon, in fuel applications, and water purification processes. Average bulk density of whole cotton stalk and shredded cotton stalk was found as 29.90 kg/m3 and 147.02 kg/m3 respectively. Thus density was increased by 3.91 times. The value of pH, EC and CEC of shredded cotton stalk biomass was found as 5.59, 0.03 dS/m and 38.84 cmol/kg respectively. Minimum and maximum values pH, EC and CEC of its bio-char was found as 5.85 to9.86, 0.04 to 0.10 dS/m and 38.02 to 24.39 cmol/kg at 200°C and 60 min and; 500°C and 240 min temperature and residence time respectively. Moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon of shredded cotton stalk biomass were found as, 12.5, 5.27, 80.22, and 14.51 (%, d.b) respectively. The minimum and maximum value of bio-char in terms of ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon of bio-char were found as 5.5 to 15.56, 48.02 to 79.48 and 15.02 to 36.40 (%, d.b) respectively. Calorific value of cotton stalk biomass was found as 3685.3 cal /g. The minimum and maximum higher heating value of its bio-char was found as 4622.0 cal/ g and 8101.3 cal/g at 200°C and 60 min and; 500˚C and 240 min temperature and residence time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Wahyu Hidayat ◽  
Irma Thya Rani ◽  
Tri Yulianto ◽  
Indra Gumay Febryano ◽  
Dewi Agustina Iryani ◽  
...  

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunches (EFB) have not been utilized optimally. Currently, it is considered as a resource with low economic value. This biomass can be converted into bioenergy through a torrefaction process. Torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis at temperatures ranging between 200 and 300 °C, and it is generally performed under an inert atmosphere. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of torrefaction using Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) on the properties of oil palm EFB pellets. Torrefaction was conducted at 280 °C temperature with a residence time of 4 minutes. The results showed a decrease in the equilibrium moisture content and an increase in hydrophobicity after torrefaction using the COMB reactor. The change in the hygroscopic property could make the oil palm EFB pellet more stable against chemical oxidation and microbial degradation, hence self-heating and auto-ignition during storage could be prevented. The heating value of biomass increased after torrefaction. Torrefaction with the COMB reactor resulted in a heating value of 17.90 MJ/kg, which is comparable with the results of oxidative torrefaction (with longer residence time) of 18.28 MJ/kg. The results suggested that torrefaction using the COMB reactor could provide a great improvement in the quality of the bioenergetic properties of oil palm EFB pellets. However, the high ash content of the EFB pellets implied that the EFB pellets suitable for a small-scale application, but not yet for cofiring in power plants or as a feedstock for gasification.Keywords: Counter-Flow Multi Baffle; oil palm empty fruit bunches; renewable; torrefactionA B S T R A KTandan kosong kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis) belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal. Saat ini bahan tersebut masih dianggap sebagai sumber daya bernilai ekonomi rendah. Tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) dapat dikonversi menjadi bioenergi melalui proses torefaksi. Torefaksi merupakan proses pirolisis ringan pada suhu berkisar antara 200 dan 300 °C dan umumnya dilakukan di bawah kondisi inert. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh torefaksi dengan reaktor Counter-Flow Multi Baffle (COMB) terhadap sifat-sifat pelet TKKS. Torefaksi dilakukan pada suhu 280 °C dengan waktu tinggal 4 menit. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa torefaksi menyebabkan penurunan kadar air kesetimbangan dan menjadi hidrofobik setelah torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB. Perbaikan sifat higroskopis dapat membuat pelet TKKS lebih stabil terhadap oksidasi kimia dan degradasi mikroba, sehingga pemanasan sendiri dan pembakaran spontan selama penyimpanan dapat dicegah. Nilai kalor biomassa meningkat setelah torefaksi. Torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB menghasilkan nilai kalor 17,90 MJ/kg, yang sebanding dengan hasil torefaksi oksidatif dengan waktu tinggal lebih lama, sebesar 18,28 MJ/kg. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa torefaksi dengan reaktor COMB dapat meningkatkan kualitas energi pelet TKKS. Tetapi pelet TKKS masih memiliki kadar abu yang tinggi sehingga biomassa hasil torefaksi belum sesuai untuk cofiring di pembangkit listrik atau sebagai bahan baku untuk gasifikasi.Kata kunci: Counter-Flow Multi Baffle; tandan kosong kelapa sawit; terbarukan; torefaksi 


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Junghyun Lim ◽  
Jong-Seok Song ◽  
Sangheum Eom ◽  
Jung Woo Yoon ◽  
Sang-Hye Ji ◽  
...  

An effective and eco-friendly technology is needed to prevent postharvest loss of onion bulbs during cold storage. This study investigated the effect of gaseous ozone on the decay and quality of onion bulbs during storage at 2 °C and 70% relative humidity for two months. Gaseous ozone was adjusted to a concentration of 1.27 ± 0.024 ppm in the storage room by generating a high voltage discharge in air. After two months of storage, gaseous ozone significantly reduced the counts of aerobic bacteria (e.g., Rahnella aquatilis) and fungi (e.g., yeast and mold) in the onion bulbs by 4 log (CFU g−1) and 0.92 log (CFU g−1) compared with those of an untreated control, respectively. The microbial reduction by gaseous ozone resulted in a lower rotten rate of the onion bulbs, which was less than 20.0% compared with that of the untreated control. Moreover, the ozone exposure extended the storage life of the onion bulbs by delaying its color change and softening during storage. Our results suggest that gaseous ozone can control the decay of onion bulbs safely during storage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janduir Egito da Silva ◽  
Guilherme Quintela Calixto ◽  
Rodolfo Luiz Bezerra de Araújo Medeiros ◽  
Marcus Antônio de Freitas Melo ◽  
Dulce Maria de Araújo Melo ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aims to analyze the products of the catalytic pyrolysis of naturally colored cotton residues, type BRS (seeds from Brazil), called BRS-Verde, BRS-Rubi, BRS-Topázio and BRS-Jade. The energy characterization of biomass was evaluated through ultimate and proximate analysis, higher heating value, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content, thermogravimetric analysis and apparent density. Analytical pyrolysis was performed at 500 °C in an analytical pyrolyzer from CDS Analytical connected to a gas chromatograph coupled to the mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The pyrolysis vapors were reformed at 300 and 500 °C through thermal and catalytic cracking with zeolites (ZSM-5 and HZSM-5). It has been noticed that pyrolysis vapor reforming at 500 °C promoted partial deoxygenation and cracking reactions, while the catalytic reforming showed better results for the product deoxygenation. The catalyst reforming of pyrolysis products, especially using HZSM-5 at 500 °C, promoted the formation of monoaromatics such as benzene, toluene, xylene and styrene, which are important precursors of polymers, solvents and biofuels. The main influence on the yields of these aromatic products is due to the catalytic activity of ZSM-5 favored by increased temperature that promotes cracking reactions due expanded zeolites channels.


Revista CERES ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-292
Author(s):  
Cristiane Fortes Gris ◽  
Edila Vilela de Resende Von Pinho ◽  
Maria Laene de Moreira Carvalho ◽  
Rafael Parreira Diniz ◽  
Thaís de Andrade

Differences in levels of lignin in the plant between conventional and transgenic cultivars RR has been reported by several authors, however, there are few studies evaluating the influence of spraying of glyphosate on the lignin in the plant and RR soybean seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of RR transgenic soybean seeds and the lignin contents of plants sprayed with the herbicide glyphosate. The assays were conducted both in greenhouse and field in the municipality of Lavras, MG, in the agricultural year 2007/08. The experiment was arranged in a splitplot design with four replicates, considering the treatments hand weeding and herbicide glyphosate as plots, and five RR soybean cultivars (BRS 245 RR, BRS 247 RR, Valiosa RR, Silvânia RR and Baliza RR) as splitplots. In the greenhouse, the cultivars tested were BRS 245 RR and Valiosa RR in a randomized block design with four replicates. The sprayings were carried out at stages V3, V7 and early R5 (3L/ha). The 1000 seed weight, mechanical injury, germination and germination velocity index, emergence velocity index, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and water soaking seed test, lignin content in the seed coat, in the stem and legumes were determined. The spraying of glyphosate herbicide, in greenhouse and field, did not alter the physiological quality of seeds and the lignin contents in the plant.


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