Biography:

Tatjana Stevanovic has completed her undergraduate and graduate studies up to PhD at the University of Belgrade at which she was teaching Wood Chemistry and Chemical Transformation of Wood until 1997. Since then she is teaching these same cources at Laval University and performing research on bioactive polyphenols as well as on polymeric applications of lignins. She has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters as well as Wood chemistry textbook. She has deposited a international patent on new organoslv process leading to highly pure lignin along with cellulose pulp and bioactive extractives from pre-extraction.

Abstract:

The transformation of lignocellulosic biomass has become a particular interest for fuel and chemical productions. Lignins are the major polyphenolic polymers available presently from commercial pulping processes (kraft, sulfite). These industrial lignins enclose sulfur in their structures and have relatively important contents of ashes and residual carbohydrates. We are presenting here a new organosolv process which consists of pretreatment of biomass followed by pulping with the same solvent mixture in presence of Lewis acid catalyst. The lignin recovered from this process preserves the native lignin features. This new strategy of organosolv biorefinery allows not only the access to valuable secondary metabolites from the pretreatment, but also to cellulosic pulp and most importantly to high purity lignin. The comparative studies on other organosolv lignins (produced in our laboratory according to the published procedures) like Alcell and Lignol demonstrate that, our lignin has low condensation index (as calculated from FT-IR spectra), preserves the -O-4 moieties (identified in 2D HSQC NMR) and have higher free-phenol content (determined from 31P NMR ). It has high Klason lignin content, low carbohydrate (HPLC analysis) and ash content (ASTM). The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis of our lignin revealed a high Tg (between 140 and 155°C) which is the property to be explored for high value applications in composites and carbon fiber production. The results obtained from melt electro-spinning assay with this high purity organosolv lignin indicate a great potential for its carbon fiber and other high value applications.

Biography:

Álvaro Cruz-Izquierdo has completed his PhD on enzymatic biosynthesis of biodiesel and biopolymers in 2013 from Univeristy of Basque Country (Spain). He has worked on biobased technogly in the last 8 years, and also has teaching experience on Molecular Biology, Enzymology and Analytical Chemistry. He currently works as Research Associate at the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the Univeristy of Bath in the framework of CLEVER (Closed Loop Emotionally Valuable E-waste Recovery) project lead by Dr Janet L. Scott.

Abstract:

Cellulose, the most abundant polymer in nature, is composed of glucose units with the resulting linear polymeric chains having both inter- and intrachain hydrogen bonding in the crystalline polymer. In recent years, ionic liquids have been shown to be exceptional solvents for cellulose and thus hold great promise as biomass pre-treatment media. Additionally, the reconstitution of cellulose after ionic liquid not only facilitates formation of films, but also the pre-treatment increases enzymatic digestibility by cellulases. Different fillers can be also added to cellulose in order to give new properties to the regenerated films, such as greater flame retardancy or hydrophobicity. The aim of this work is to develop new cellulose-based films in order to use them as printing board for electronics. In this way, this new bio-based scaffold will hold conductive ink and different metals that are found in electronics. Moreover, an enzymatic treatement with cellulases will decompose the cellulose scaffolds and will facilitate the recovery of the precious metals in the material. In this work, α-cellulose was solubilised by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and cellulose films were obtained by phase inversion and treated with different fillers (e.g. laponite, amonium polyphosphate) and hydrophobizing agents (e.g. ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, lignin). Different enzymatic studies were carried out in order to understand how they are affected by added fillers, agents and most metals found in e-waste. Moreover, a particular effort was made in order to develop specific method to use lignin as hydrophobizing agent.

Biography:

Yifei Zhang has completed his PhD at the age of 32 years from Harbin Insititute of Technology in 2011 and postdoctoral studies at the age of 36 years from Harbin Insititute of Technology in 2015. In 2011, he started to work in Harbin Insititute of Technology. His major research direction is biomass energy space planning in recent years. He has published 11 papers in reputed journals and published 1 book in China Building Industry Press. In 4 years, he presided 5 research projects (including 1 national research projects) as a head and total research funding is ¥914,000; at the same time, he involved in 2 national research projects.

Abstract:

In order to alleviate the energy shortage problem in northeast China, we apply “Energy landscape” theories and methods to guide and control the development of biomass energy from the perspective of spatial planning, and try to make full use of the rich resource of agricultural biomass in Heilongjiang province. By analyzing biomass energy production potential, we have established development orientation of biomass energy in Heilongjiang, which is to develop agriculture and limit deforestation. Further, we make analyze energy supply and energy demand as the key affecting factors, and improve strategy of space planning with biomass energy’s space network model on the basis of cross research between energy planning and spatial planning. In the revising process, we try to reveal laws of quantitative relation between settlements’ positions and transportation cost with GIS analysis tools. On the basis of theory, we select Fujin county as the research target to explore the optimal layout forms of biomass power plant development network, and this is the core research content for founding biomass energy’s space network model. Because different towns’ layout density and positions’ relation can impact space network model’s forms, we revise the model’s structure and shapes to make it to be more economical. By drawing up development strategy and founding biomass energy’s spatial network model, we can optimize the biomass energy consumption structure and reduce non-renewable energy consumption indirectly, and this kind of crucial energy-saving strategy should be promoted in the coming decades to slow down the process of problem of energy crisis getting worse.

Biography:

I have completed my PhD from the University Putra Malaysia and with a postdoctoral studies offered from the Institute of tropical Forest , University Putra malaysia . Iam the research coodinatore of the faculty of environmental studies, Kaduna state university Nigeria and projector coordinator of the department of enviironmental managemen of the same faculty. I have published more than 23 papers in reputed journals and I have won three international research grants.

Abstract:

The tropical forest ecosystem play a critical role in the forest carbon input and it is important to understand the rate of occurrences by quantifying the forest biomass and its effect on soil properties in relation to microclimate condition and environmental factors. The study was conducted in the tropical forest ecosystem of Malaysia. The aim of the study was to estimate the forest carbon input and its effects on changes soil properties in the tropical forests. The Malaysia lowland tropical forest was found to be a carbon sink with an accumulation rate of total above ground biomass (TAGB), below ground biomass (BGB) and total forest carbon (SOCs) of 2788.64 to 3009.97, 100.88 to 134.94 and 2996.13 to 3088.98 mg ha-1 respectively and varied between February and September and October and January. The soil properties; total organic carbon (TOC), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil carbon stock (SOCstock) varied in relation to forest biomass at a ranges of 1.1 to 3.0, 1.1 to 5.89 and 58.01 to 70.46 mg ha-1 , respectively. The forest biomass gradually increase over time and also influence the concentration and increase in soil properties in present of environmental factors responsible for physiological activity. The multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation indicated a strong positive correlation (R2=0.98, p<0.01) between forest biomass, soil properties and environmental factors. The tropical lowland forest of Malaysia indicated to increase the forest biomass over time and significantly influenced the concentration of soil properties.

Biography:

Saida has a master degree in functional materials (2015). Actually, she is a PhD student in Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in collaboration with National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA).

Abstract:

The growing demand for energy, water and high value-added products have considerable economic and environmental issues and highlights the need to recycle and valorize the wastes. The Valorization of wastes is one of the routes that can contribute to a future sustainable economy; the challenge is to find the appropriate technologies that can convert wastes into bioenergy and by-products. In this process, organic waste and lignocellulosic biomass appear naturally as the main renewable materials able to providing not only alternative energy sources but also intermediate molecules derived from green chemistry and enabling access to a range of new products and formulations. The production of bio-fertilizers from wastes and lignocellulosic biomass appear as promising alternative to chemical fertilizers that can be contribute to increase of soil fertility and agriculture efficiency in sustainable farming . The aim of this study is to develop and produce different new bio-fertilizers using different technologies such as pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, composting and microalgae cultivation. Different technologies and bio-fertilizers developed in this study were be compared in term of soil fertility, energy efficiency and environmental impact.

Biography:

Charles Wyman has been the Ford Motor Company Chair in Environmental Engineering at CE-CERT and a professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Riverside since 2005. Dr. Wyman’s research focuses on aqueous processing of cellulosic biomass for sustainable production of transportation fuels via biological and catalytic conversion. Prior to joining UCR, he was the Paul E. and Joan H. Queneau Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering Design at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Dr. Wyman is also the cofounder, Chief Development Officer, and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Mascoma Corporation, a startup company focused on biomass conversion to ethanol and other products. Wyman has a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, MA and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from Princeton University, and an MBA from the University of Denver. He also has substantial experience leading R&D in a national laboratory and industry.

Abstract:

Our team recently invented a novel pretreatment called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation (CELF) that applies renewable, water-miscible tetrahydrofuran (THF) with dilute sulfuric acid to fractionate cellulosic biomass and achieve high yields of sugars or furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and levulinic acid for biological or catalytic conversion, respectively, into fuels and chemicals. Recovering highly volatile THF for recycle from post CELF liquid precipitates nearly pure low molecular weight lignin for its potential valorization into fuels and chemicals. For biological conversion, CELF recovers about 90% of available sugars from hemicellulose while removing similar fractions of lignin. Of note, hydrolysis of CELF solids with just 2 mg enzyme/g glucan achieves nearly theoretical glucan yields, and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) hydrolyzes and ferments about 90% of these solids at 5 mg-enzyme g-glucan-1. Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) with Clostridium thermocellum solubilizes most CELF glucan in 1 day without external enzyme addition. Alternatively, operating CELF at more severe conditions converts about 87% of pentose sugars to furfural for catalytic conversion, and glucan-rich solids can be further reacted with dilute acid to levulinic acid at about 75% of theoretical yield or digested to glucose with high yields at very low enzyme loadings. Additionally, CELF realized similar results with agricultural residues and recalcitrant hardwoods. In addition to its potential impact in increasing yields and reducing costly enzyme loadings for biomass deconstruction to sugars, the remarkable features of CELF can also be invaluable for gaining new insights into biomass deconstruction that suggest advanced approaches to overcoming recalcitrance, the key economic obstacle to fuels and chemicals from biomass. For example, enzymes show prolonged high activity over weeks for application to CELF pretreated solids at low enzyme loadings and do not suffer from the rapid drop off in enzyme action witnessed when such low enzyme loadings are applied to pure cellulose or solids produced by dilute acid or hydrothermal pretreatments. In addition to providing more details into application of CELF pretreatment to deconstruction of cellulosic biomass, an overview will be given of process strategies that can capitalize on these unique features.

Biography:

Craig Faulds completed his PhD in 1989 from the University of East Anglia in Norwich while at the Institute of Food Research. He has subsequently worked in Madrid at CIB-CSIC, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and now is a Professor of Biochemistry att he Polytech School of Engineering in Aix Marseille University. He is the head of the mixed research unit of INRA looking at exploiting the natural biodivesity of filamentous fungi for the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass. He has published more than 110 papers in reputed journals and is an editorial board member of Fungal Biology and Biotechnology.

Abstract:

Filamentous fungi are an invaluable source of enzymes able to deconstruct the complex lignocellulosic plant cell wall. The wealth of genomic data obtained recently from wood-rotting fungi has revealed the diversity of lignocellulolytic enzymes they produce. The CIRM-CF collection hosted in our lab (https://www6.inra.fr/cirm/Champignons-Filamenteux) is dedicated to such fungi originating from specific temperate and tropical biotopes. This provides a unique tool to explore fungal functional biodiversity with applications in various fields of biotechnology, including the pretreatment and saccharification of biomass as well as the biotransformation of biomass-derived compounds into platform chemicals for food and non-food application. Beyond the comparison of genome portfolios, the analysis of transcriptome profiles in vivo allows identification of the sets of genes encoding the enzyme machineries expressed according to the organisms’ strategy for plant cell wall degradation/modification. These analyses reveal which enzymes are produced during the different stages of plant cell wall deconstruction, whether it will be drastic disruption or more subtle modifications, and under challenging environmental conditions, such as marine environments. Under the auspices of a Joint Genome Initiative-sponsored project from the US Department of Energy, we are currently establishing the genomic, transcriptomic and secretomic data from 40 Polyporales species grown on complex (Pine chips, Aspen chips, Wheat Straw) and simple (cellulose, xylan, maltose) substrates. This compliments previous studies on selected fungi and the ligninolytic enzymes they produce and allows us to identify novel enzymes and try to elucidate the different mechanisms in nature involved in biomass deconstruction.

Biography:

Leo Rummel has finished MSc and MBA in Tallinn University of Technology and is currently doing a PhD in Thermal Power Engineering under the supervision of prof. Aadu Paist. He is working as a By-Product Development Manager in the Estonian national energy company Enefit. He is the Deputy Chairman of Estonian Thermal Power Engineers Association.

Abstract:

This article gives an overview of the first results of a long-term research on work regimes and behaviour of mineral matter in biomass boiler systems. As woody biomass is gaining importance as an energy source for electricity and heat we need to investigate with scientific methodology the main problems that occur with biomass boiler systems. There is more research on large power plants and lab scale batch boilers, but the results are often not applicable in case of small and medium size biomass boilers on which the research has been limited. In this article two small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) plant industrial boilers systems are compared based on design and measured operating data. One boiler system uses grate firing and the other one bubbling fluidised bed technology. Both CHP plants have capacities of 2 MW electrical and 8 MW thermal. Previous research on the subject is reviewed, the set-up of the experiment is described and the results are provided and analysed. First conclusions on a more suitable technology for a mixed woody biomass fuel are drawn.

Biography:

Dr. Thomas Foust is the Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Bioenergy and Biofuels Center. He has over 25 years of experience in the biofuels field. His areas of expertise include feedstock production, biomass conversion technologies to fuels and products, and environmental and societal sustainability issues associated with biofuels. He has over 100 publications in the biomass field covering all aspects of biofuels technology. Dr. Foust has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer.

Abstract:

The world desires both higher efficiency engines and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting biofuels. To achieve these goals a large number of countries have passed provisions that require higher efficiency engines and lower GHG fuels. Unfortunately, these provisions have largely been developed independent of each other and can conflict with each other. For example the requirement to blend in ethanol at the 10% level into gasoline in the US decreases the distance traveled per volume basis (km/l) in current spark ignition engine powered cars due to the lower energy content of ethanol. A better approach would be to develop biofuels that as a minimum maintain status quo with current gasoline, diesel and jet fuels but ideally allow for higher engine and thus vehicle efficiencies. This talk will discuss some possibilities for producing biofuels that look promising for being superior to current petrol, diesel and jet fuels for use in the next generation of higher efficiency light and heavy duty engines.

Biography:

Filip Harasimiuk is a PhD student of the Department of Aquatic Sozology of Faculty of Food Science and Fisheries West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries at the Agricultural University in Szczecin. In the circle of scientific interests doctoral student is to optimize biomass production of selected species of microalgae. In addition, research interests also apply to the issue of the interdisciplinary use of microalgae, in particular biotechnological processes used in environmental protection and in various branches of food industry.

Abstract:

Treatment of wastewater from industry creates serious technical and technological problems. The direct method is related to the fact that most of the waste water is characterized by a non-uniform composition, high concentrations of organic compounds and the content of specific substances. Additionally wastewater may also be characterized by the presence of simple phosphates and organic phosphorus. A perfect example of such contaminants are effluent from fish farming. Because of the potential negative impact of the plant on natural systems, it is necessary standardization allowable concentrations of pollutants in waste water emitted. The organic phosphorus compounds are a major problem in the purification of this kind of treatment, as they are difficult to remove. Same because conventional methods of disposal of sewage are not always effective. So far the problem has not been completely solved and the technology their rapid removal from wastewater has not been developed. Therefore fully reasonable to searching for new methods of removal of phosphorus from waste water from fish farming. The aim of the study was to determine the applicability of microalgae Monoraphidium controtum reductions of organic forms of phosphorus from waste water from closed circuit farming (RAS). The presented results indicate that, during seven days of the process it is possible to remove about 30% organic phosphorus. At the same time it has been observed increase in biomass microalgae determined from measurements of chlorophyll "a" of at ok.1700%. Analyzing the results of the above it can be concluded that the solution proposed in the study can be competitive solution for traditional methods of sewage treatment with loads of phosphorus technology currently used.

Biography:

Nwokolo Nwabunwanne is currently enrolled for Doctor of philosophy in Physics at University of Fort Hare South Africa. She completed her Masters of Science in physics in May 2014 at the same instuition. She also holds a bachelor of engineering in Electronics and Computer Engineering. She has published two papers in Elsevier Journals and have one currently under review. Her current study is on Heat recovery form biomass gasification system.

Abstract:

Gasification of biomass for the generation of heat and power gives off product gases that are contaminated mostly by carbon particulates and tars. The degree of contamination depends on the gasification process, type of gasifier and type of biomass used. The use of downdraft gasifier minimizes the production of tar to a tolerable limit; however carbon particles still pose a challenge particularly with integration of heat exchanger for heat recovery from the product gas. Although the presence of carbon particles in the product gas does not affect the quality and quantity of heat contained in the product gas, it does influence the heat recovery process and materials used in the recovery. Hence there is need for characterization of these carbon particles to ascertain their chemical compositions, thermal properties and morphological features. This study aims at evaluating the characteristic features of carbon particles recovered from the syngas stream during gas cleaning at the cyclone. The elemental analysis of the carbon particle sample was performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An electron beam from scanning electron microscopy was passed through the sample surface at a magnification of 1000 and accelerating voltage of 15 kV to determine the morphological features. The thermal properties were investigated using thermo gravimetric analyzer. Silicon, oxygen and carbon were found to be the dominating elements in the carbon particulate. The final paper will present the final result

Biography:

Markku Saloheimo has completed his PhD in 1991 from Helsinki University and postdoctoral studies in University of Hannover. He is a Research team leader at VTT Technical Research Centre. He has published about 90 peer-reviewed papers and is an inventor in 23 patent families.

Abstract:

In biotechnical production processes of biofuels and chemicals from plant biomass, lignocellulose is converted to C5 and C6 sugars by hydrolytic enzymes. They form a major cost factor for the whole process. For this reason a lot of research and development work has been recently invested into making more efficient lignocellulose degradation enzyme cocktails and creating more efficient enzyme production strains. The major production host for biorefinery enzymes is the fungus Trichoderma reesei that can produce enzyme titres of over 100 g/l. Our institute has over 30 years of experience in the molecular, systems and synthetic biology as well as in strain improvement and bioprocess optimisation in this production system. We have used a number of different approaches to develop more potent hydrolytic enzyme mixtures and production strains with improved efficiency. For example, we have discovered novel enzymes from other filamentous fungi that can boost up the efficiency of the lignocellulose degradation enzyme mixtures. We have identified and deleted genes encoding major proteases that hamper the production of enzymes in T. reesei, in particular ones from a foreign organism. Furthermore, we have used systems biology approaches to identify new transcription factors regulating enzyme production, and enhanced enzyme productivity by modifying the expression of these factors. The establishment of better enzyme production and hydrolysis technology by these means will be discussed in the presentation.

Biography:

Huang Juanjuan has got her Master Degree from Lanzhou University in 2012. She is a engineer in Key Laboratory of Complementary Energy System of Biomass and Solar Energy, Gansu Province, China.

Abstract:

Solar heated biogas production technology, not only helps to improve the rate of anaerobic fermentation and biogas production yield, but also solves the problems like low yield or no biogas production under the cold circumstance very effectively. This technology supplies the energy efficiently and steadily with solar and bio-energy, and it has become a research focus for renewable energy, both in China and other countries. The summary of the related research status and the exploration about the prospects of this research development can contribute to the improvement of the technology. For this purpose, we have worked on the solar warming systems for small biogas production systems and biogas projects, including operation principle, thermal performance, biogas productivity, advantages and disadvantages, system applicability and so on. The prospective development of various solar heated biogas production systems is also discussed. Focusing on the cost-effective aspect of solar and biomass energy complementary CCHP with biogas system, and the solar and biomass energy complementary CHP with biogas systems was found to be the promising in the direction of small-scale solar warming biogas production systems and biogas project with solar energy. The results serve to guide the biogas production systems with solar warming and its engineering demonstration application; they also have significant value for the beautiful village and ecological civilization construction of China.

Biography:

Saloua is currently doing her PhD at the Center for Advanced Materials, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Agronomic Research. She works on biofertilizers based on biopolymers. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in physical and chemical sciences (2010). In 2015, she obtained her engineering degree in process, energy and environment (Head of the class with the highest honor).

Abstract:

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the production of food will need to increase by 70% in order to supply the population which expected to reach approximately 9.5 billion in 2050. To respond on this exponential growth of the global population food need, fertilizers are one of the most important elements to increase the agriculture efficiency for objective to insure the global food security. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the three major elements required for plant growth. In the other hand, plant benefits just from a small quantity of conventional fertilizers (30–60% N, 10–20% P and 30–50% K), and the rest is lost by volatilization in the atmosphere, leaching into the groundwater or fixation in the soil. This fertilizers class has a negatively impact on the environment and are not economically efficient. The aim of our project is to produce a new generation of biofertilizers, using an eco-friendly coating based on biomass and biopolymers derived from biomass (cellulose, pectin, alginate, and chitin). These different produced biofertilizers are compared in term of the soil fertility, the physical properties, the nutrient release rate, the biodegradability in the soil after the total release and the environmental impact.

Biography:

Professor Joe Wood completed a BEng degree in Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University and PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge (2001). He has three years of industrial experience with BP and Albright and Wilson. Since 2001 he has worked at the University of Birmingham, where he was awarded a Chair in 2012 and leads the Chemical Reaction Engineering Group in the School of Chemical Engineering. He has published 72 journal papers and four book chapters.

Abstract:

With depleting oil reserves and increased worldwide demand for transportation fuels and chemicals, the need for an alternative fuel source is becoming increasingly apparent. Bio-oil is produced through fast pyrolysis or hydrothermal liquefaction routes1, 2. But the produced bio-oil has a high oxygen content, leading to a low heating value and lower stability over time. Hence methods to upgrade bio-oil to make it more closely resemble crude oil are urgently sought. Catalytic hydrotreatment is as one of the most promising technologies for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) biofuel upgrading. In the current study, HTL bio-oil produced from a chlorella microalgae slurry in a continuous flow reactor was hydrotreated with bio-Pd/C. Bio-Pd-C uses metallic NP-decorated whole bacterial cells as chemical catalysts. The activity of the Bio-Pd/C catalyst was evaluated against commercial Pd/C. The upgrading potential of the bio-Pd/C was investigated under three variables; time, temperature and oil to catalyst ratio in a stirred reactor. Both catalysts Pd/C and bio-Pd/C showed similar activity under similar upgrading condition. Oxygen and nitrogen content were reduced by 65% and 35%, respectively, at 325°C in 4 h reaction time and bio-oil to catalyst ratio of 20. Further analysis of upgraded oil by GC-MS, Sim-Dist, and elemental analysis attributed to improvement in the fuel properties of bio-oil. Catalyst analysis with ICP-MS, TGA and elemental analyzer attributed that the biomass from bio-Pd/C contributed to bio-oil yield. 1. Xiu, S, Shahbazi, A., Renew. Sustain. Energy Reviews 2012, 16, 4406. 2. Mortensen, P.M. et al., Appl. Catal. A: Gen 2011, 407, 1.

Biography:

Laura Vieira de Sousa Maia is an undergraduate student in Energy Engineering, at the University of Brasilia. Is a fellow of the Institutional Extension Program Scholarships since 2014 in Macaria project: Macaúba and Engineering : Oil production of pulp and almond of Macaúba and Gasification of its Waste . Has an article published in the Annals of the VI Meeting of Science and Technology Faculty Gama called Gasification of Macaúba: the Technical and Chemical Aspects Assessment.

Abstract:

The species Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. Ex Mart. Macaúba common name, is an oleaginous fruit which has 4.000kg oil yield per hectare, ten times greater than soy. It is distributed throughout Brazil, its highest concentration in the Southeast, North and Midwest of the country. Their exploitation, as subsistence crop has become an alternative for the production of biodiesel, bio-kerosene for aviation and by-products of forest products.

The culture of macaúba is in domestication phase, and is still practiced an extractived in a small-scale culture. In this condition, many fruits of macaúba are lost by deterioration of endogenous enzymatic and/or microbial activity, damaging the quality of the oil. Thus, gasification is presented as an alternative use of these residues to generate electricity primarily for its internal use in agro-extractive communities.

This study is divided into four parts: pyrolysis, characterization of the fruit, chromatography of gases and generation of electricity. The steps of pyrolysis and characterization of the fruit have been completed, and it was possible to obtain high values of yield of pyrolysis and Potential Higher Calorific, 30, 54% and 23.1244 MJ / kg, respectively. The values obtained for the fixed carbon content, volatile content and ash content were respectively 74,615%, 23.18% and 5.44%.

Biography:

Darshit Upadhyay is working as an Assistance Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department, Nirma University. He is pursuing PhD from the same institution. He has published one paper in International Reputed Journal( Energy).           
 

Abstract:

Large availability of agricultural land in India provides the country with abundant biomass energy resource of 500 million metric tonnes per year. With programmes like Make in India, Digital India putting the country on a fast track growth coupled with existing power deficit, it might be very difficult to meet the energy needs. India’s Energy Development Programme has been put to severe pressure with the ever increasing demand supply gap. Many interior regions of India also known as dark zones are yet to be connected with power grid. Biomass also happens to be the third largest primary source of energy after coal and oil. The current power production through biomass is 2,667 MW compared to the potential of about 18,000 MW . Uneven geographic distribution of biomass, improper supply chain distribution, availability of easier direct combustion methods restrict use of other efficient advanced technologies. Converting biomass into producer gas by gasification is one of the suitable ways for off grid power solution. This paper analyzes various challenges restrict the growth of biomass gasification in India. Thermal and Electrical routes for power generation from biomass are reviewed from technical and economical point of view.  Production of biomass and utilization are critically reviewed from yesteryears till the latest developments. Government policies and financial support is also brought under the purview of analysis. The analysis suggests a combined approach to promote awareness as well as subsidize or provide grants to overcome these challenges. Also, decentralized collection of biomass can lead extensive growth of small scale off grid biomass gasifier. In last few years, lots of research institutes and industries in India like IISC, TERI, ANKUR etc. have contributed a lot in all over growth of gasification technology in the country.

Biography:

Jose Gaspar It is an agricultural engineer and doctoral studies at the Instituto Superior Politecnico Jose Antonio Echeverria- CUJAE in Havana, Cuba. He is the College Professor of ISPTEC (Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Science). Specialist cooperatives by the Catholic University of Goias in Goiania, Federative Republic of Brazil. Was Head of Department of Promotion and Assistance Techniques in Agriculture Ministry. He was Head of Section Project of Angola Cooperatives Union and is Advisor to the National Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture Seed Angola.

Abstract:

The present work has as main objective the technological assessment of Waste (vinasse) to generate electricity from the biogas generated in the anaerobic fermentation to the study object of BIOCOM a plant located in the municipality of Cacuso, Malanje Province. The vinasse is the main residue from the distillation of fermented wine of sugar cane, which is produced in bulk and has both nutritional characteristics and pollutants. The stillage has a high organic load, this load that is fermented in anaerobic digesters and reactors. The digestion is the fermentation of organic fillers in anaerobic environments produce a gas rich in methane. The biogas produced in the process can be recovered through chambers and piping systems that deliver gas to washing and subsequent use in heat engines. The technical analysis of the work aims to measure and qualify tools, machines and reactors required for the digestion occurs efficiently and that produces biogas with methane enough to power internal combustion engine.

Biography:

Phil Longhurst is a Reader in Environmental Technology with research interests in resource management, bioenergy, and the diversion of materials from landfill. His current research focusses on the recovery of metal contaminants and energy from phytoremediation crops (EPSRC project “Cleaning Land for Wealth”) to form valuable particles. His work aims to assist the creation of new processes and give confidence to investors seeking innovative methods to retain resource value. Cranfield is part of a UK university consortium on resource efficiency project (EPSRC CORE network) developing new industrial processes and challenging the way in which we use materials throughout their lifecycle.

Abstract:

Widespread pollution from the release of elemental contaminants is a growing concern. Elements such as arsenic, nickel and platinum group metals increasingly pollute the biosphere from contaminated sites. Phytoremediation - the process of accumulating elements within plant biomass has the potential to treat contaminated sites at low cost. This presentation discusses the scope for an approach that combines land remediation with biomass post-processing to achieve energy conversion from crops alongside the recovery of high value elements. Process performance and return on investment are key factors in establishing phytoremediation. This presentation explains an analytical review of plant species for phytoremediation to assess viability. The study includes the application of Monte Carlo simulation to look at the project risk in achieving adequate biomass yields. It then considers options for recovery of elements from the biomass - low energy, low cost and resource recovery from land remediation.

Biography:

J.P. Paredes-Sánchez, is a lecturer in the Department of Energy at the University of Oviedo, Spain. He has been associated with energy projects at the Oviedo Higher Technical School of Mining and Engineering since 2007. He is the author or co-author of papers, books and conferences on energy. He is also involved in EU programs for updating renewable energy research and higher education.

Abstract:

Forest biomass has turned out to be one of the most interesting energy sources in the change to a sustainable energy model, because of its consideration as a renewable resource as well as a reducing agent of the greenhouse effect gas emissions. Forest residue can be an energy source to substitute the use of CO2-emitting fossil fuel. Therefore, the management of the forests can affect the global carbon cycle. Asturias is a region located in the North part of Spain. The natural vegetation is formed by characteristic species of humid areas. Forest biomass is studied like forest residue suppliers and natural key resources for a bioenergy industry. For forest the cleaning is not carried out in a periodic way, mainly because the management of this kind of residue is very complicated as a consequence of the orography and the lack of suitable machinery. Nowadays, in general, biomass residues from cleaning, thinning and forest exploitation (branches, etc.) have no clear application in Asturias. A fraction of the residue due to the nature of the raw material was unavoidable, but improvements in evaluation, operating practices and processing equipment can improve the situation. The results show forest biomass as an alternative energy resource to fossil fuels at regional level.