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Highlights: [•] Production of bio-oil from sewage sludge. [•] Iron mass balance. [•] Characterization of bio-oil, char and gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Four types of Canadian waste biomass were used for the fast pyrolysis using a mobile pyrolysis unit. [•] The effects of pyrolysis temperature were investigated on the properties of pyrolysis products for each precursor. [•] Comprehensive characterization of 4 feedstocks collected from 3 main sources of Canadian biomass (agricultural wastes, forest residue and animal manure) was performed. [•] Bio-char and bio-oil are characterized to evaluate their energy and agronomic potentials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was the full characterization of pruning residue from macrophyte Cyperus giganteus from tertiary wastewater treatment plant (WTP), Ponte dos Leites, located in Araruama, RJ, Brazil. Analyses aimed to systematically assess the feasibility of using the pruning residues as an energy resource. To do so, macrophytes were submitted to experimental analyses of their physical properties (real density: 0.44–0.77 g cm−3, bulk density: 0.08–0.09 g cm−3, among other characteristics), chemical and proximate analyses, and thermal analysis. Results of thermal behavior characterized the biomass as a viable energy source (high heat value, 14–16 MJ kg−1). C. giganteus different samples fractions analyses confirmed that molecular structures of the macrophyte (lignin: 17.3–26.8 wt %, cellulose: 27.8–32.6 wt %, hemicellulose: 30.1–31.5 wt %; depending on the plant part) affect thermal decomposition behavior. Maximum mass losses ranged from 83.43 to 75.91%. Energy production potential from biomass pruning residues generated at Ponte dos Leites was estimated to be around 92,400 MJ mês−1. This shows the effectiveness of using pruning residues biomass from macrophyte Cyperus giganteus for energy production, highlighting its energy potential, and support its use as inputs in thermal conversion processes. [Display omitted] • Physical-chemical characterization of Cyperus giganteus pruning residues from CW. • Assessment of C. giganteus biomass thermal properties (TGA, LHV, HHV and UHV). • Potential use of C. giganteus biomass for bioenergy production (biochar). • Potential use of biochar from C. giganteus biomass for agricultural purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pyrolysis of rice straw to create biochar for soil amendment appears to be a promising method to address concerns with regard to improving soil fertility, increasing Carbon storage and decreasing Green House Gas emissions. However, the ability of rice straw-derived biochar to affect these factors might vary depending on its characteristics. It is therefore essential to investigate the properties before large-scale application of rice straw-derived biochar. In this study, rice straw-derived biochars produced at different temperatures (300, 400, 500, 600 & 700 °C) and residence time (1, 2, 3 & 5 h) were characterized using a suite of analytical techniques. Results showed that pyrolysis temperature had a greater influence than residence time on the chemical composition and structure of rice straw-derived biochar produced at low heating rate. The rice straw-derived biochars especially produced at 400 °C had high alkalinity and cation exchange capacity, and high levels of available phosphorus and extractable cations. These properties indicate potential application of rice straw-derived biochar as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that higher pyrolysis temperatures promote condensation reactions. Rice straw-derived biochars contained turbostratic crystallites at 400 °C, and displayed a high level of aromatization at 500 °C. Increasing charring temperature will increase the aromaticity of biochar, and might include its recalcitrance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the current scenario of climate change, the search for alternative energy sources is very important to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Undesired biomass (weed) from agricultural fields can be used to produce biofuels through nano catalysts enhanced gasification and process. Lignocellulosic part of weedy plants represents a potential alternative feedstock for economic production of bioethanol. Large numbers of weedy plant species are growing all over the world. However, high energy requirements and poor-quality biofuel products are the major constraints for utilization of this technology. Nanomaterials could be used as a catalyst to enhance the energy use efficiency and product quality. So, present study was conducted to produce bio-gas, bio-diesel and bio-char from mixed weed biomass of weeds like Carthamous oxyacantha, Asphodelus tenuifolius and Chenopodium album through gasification process using nano-materials as catalysts. Nickel and cobalt nano-particles were used as nano-catalysts to expedite the bio-chemical reactions for the generation of these products at lower temperatures i.e. (400 C°) in a muffle furnace. Further, these products were characterized using GC-MS analysis. It was observed that biodiesel contained 65.47% esters, which indicates its better quality than the normally produced biodiesel having 15–20% esters contents. Similarly, GC-MS analysis of biogas produced from mixed weed biomass showed 3.76% Methane, 8.32% Propane, 50.16% Ethene, 3.12% Propyne and 34.64% Methanol. The present results clearly exhibited the improved product quality and better energy use efficiency in gasification of weed biomass for bioenergy production. Image 1 • Strategic recycling of weed biomass into useful biofuels and biochar using nano-catalysts. • Nano-catalysts can accomplish gasification of weed biomass at lower temperatures. • Biodiesel of weed biomass is of better quality and environment friendly. • The biochar produced from weed biomass can be used as soil amendment. • Biogas produced from weed biomass is a good source of hydrocarbon fuel gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]