fast measurement by infrared spectroscopy as support to woody biofuels quality determination

The increase in the demand for energy supply during the past few decades has brought and will bring to a growth in the utilisation of renewable resources, in particular of solid biomasses. Considering the variability in the properties of biomass and the globalisation of the timber market, a chemical and physical characterisation is essential to determine the biomass quality. The specific international standards on solid biofuels (ISO 17225 series) describe proper specification and classification of wood chip and pellet, to ensure appropriate quality. Moreover, standard requires information about origin and source of the biomass, normally only to be declared by the producers. In order to fulfill the requirements for the biomass quality, the origin and the source should be assessed, even if currently is hard to determine, in particular on milled or densified biomass. Infrared spectroscopy can provide information on the biomass at the chemical level, directly linked also to its origin and source. This technique is fast and not destructive thus suitable also for online monitoring along the biofuel production chain. In this study, 60 samples belonging to 8 different species were collected and related spectra were acquired using a Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectrometer equipped with a module for solid analysis and analysed by principal component analysis. The results obtained show that the method is very efficient in the identification between coniferous and deciduous wood (99% confidence level) and good results were obtained in the recognition of coniferous/deciduous mixtures, too. Nevertheless, some clear differences have been also noted among intra-class grouping, but additional tests should be carried out. This technique can provide useful information to solid biofuel stakeholders about wood quality and origin, important especially for sustainability issues. Further work will be oriented to the development of IR methodologies for the fast measurement of other important biomass parameters (e.g., ash content, high calorific value, nitrogen content, etc.)

Integrated assessment of the chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological effects of a bio-packaging end-of-life in compost

The present study aimed to i) assess the disintegration of a novel bio-packaging during aerobic composting (2 and 6 % tested concentrations) and evaluate the resulting compost ii) analyse the ecotoxicity of bioplastics residues on earthworms; iii) study the microbial communities during composting and in ‘earthworms’ gut after their exposure to bioplastic residues; iv) correlate gut microbiota with ecotoxicity analyses; v) evaluate the chemicophysical characterisation of bio-packaging after composting and earthworms' exposure. Both tested concentrations showed disintegration of bio-packaging close to 90 % from the first sampling time, and compost chemical analyses identified its maturity and stability at the end of the process. Ecotoxicological assessments were then conducted on Eisenia fetida regarding fertility, growth, genotoxic damage, and impacts on the gut microbiome. The bioplastic residues did not influence the earthworms' fertility, but DNA damages were measured at the highest bioplastic dose tested. Furthermore bioplastic residues did not significantly affect the bacterial community during composting, but compost treated with 2 % bio-packaging exhibited greater variability in the fungal communities, including Mortierella, Mucor, and Alternaria genera, which can use bioplastics as a carbon source. Moreover, bioplastic residues influenced gut bacterial communities, with Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Legionella, and Saccharimonadales genera being particularly abundant at 2 % bioplastic concentration. Higher concentrations affected microbial composition by favouring different genera such as Pseudomonas, Ureibacillus, and Streptococcus. For fungal communities, Pestalotiopsis sp. was found predominantly in earthworms exposed to 2 % bioplastic residues and is potentially linked to its role as a microplastics degrader. After composting, Attenuated Total Reflection analysis on bioplastic residues displayed evidence of ageing with the formation of hydroxyl groups and amidic groups after earthworm exposur

Environmental Sustainability of Heating Systems Based on Pellets Produced in Mobile and Stationary Plants from Vineyard Pruning Residues

The impact of heat production from vineyard pruning pellets has been evaluated in this paper. The study considers two different systems: the first one based on a mobile pelletizer (PS1) and the second one based on a stationary pellet plant (PS2). The analysis conducted is from “cradle to grave”; the systems under analysis includes pruning harvesting, transport to storage area, pelletization (mobile system or stationary production plant), transport to consumer and combustion. The functional unit selected is 1 MJ of thermal energy produced. The impact assessment calculation methods selected are Eco-Indicator 99 (H) LCA Food V2.103/Europe EI 99 H/A with a midpoint and endpoint approach, and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) V1.10. Considering Life Cycle Assessment results, Eco-indicator shows a total impact of 4.25 and 4.07 mPt for mobile pelletizer and stationary pellet plant, respectively. Considering the three damage categories, PS1 has values of 2.4% (Human Health), 3.8% (Ecosystem Quality) and 17.3% (Resources), more impactful than PS2. Contribution analysis shows that direct emissions are the major damage contributor, followed by wood ash management. From a comparison between the baseline scenario and a scenario with an avoided product (wood ash as a standard potassium fertilizer), PS1 and PS2 with an avoided product approach are 41% and 40% less impactful than in the baseline scenarios. When testing the impact of mobile pelletizer while considering transportation as a factor, a reduction of distance for pellet has been evaluated. Reducing the distance from 100 to 10 km, the total impact of PS1 almost reaches the impact of PS2 with a difference of around 4.6% (Eco-indicator 99 method). The most impactful processes are pellet production, direct emissions and ash management, while a less impactful factor is the electricity consumption. Transportation shows the lowest impact. Considering the ReCiPe impact calculation method with a midpoint approach, the results confirm what was found with Eco-indicator 99; the PS1 shows a slightly higher impact than PS2

Valutazioni di sostenibilità energetico ambientale effettuate tramite analisi LCA per l'innovazione di prodotti orticoli trasformati

Il lavoro di ricerca ha riguardato l’analisi dell’impatto ambientale delle produzioni orticole trasformate attraverso lo strumento LCA (ISO 14040 ISO 14044) e di alcune Product Category Rules. Per le realtà aziendali, Ambruosi & Viscardi e Promarche, sono state analizzate rispettivamente: la produzione di piantine in pane di terra per quattro specie di insalate in serra e delle stesse la lavorazione di I gamma, includendo anche delle misure di mitigazione; la produzione di fagiolino e spinacio di III gamma, considerando scenari alternativi di gestione in campo e di trattamento dei residui di produzione. Per stesura e rielaborazione degli inventari e calcolo degli impatti è stato utilizzato il software SimaPro. Tutti i dati inseriti sono stati raccolti con interviste a tecnici di campo e responsabili per le diverse attività oppure con la consultazione dei sistemi informatici gestionali aziendali. Nel caso A&V, per le misure di mitigazione alla produzione di insalate sono state proposte delle sostituzioni: il substrato attuale con del compost; il sistema di semina a vassoi con cubi di torba compressa; i vassoi in EPS a cono con vassoi a piramide. Per quanto riguarda i prodotti di I gamma, sono stati confrontati due scenari: base, nel quale i residui di lavorazione sono avviati a digestione anaerobica e l’energia proviene da impianti fotovoltaici; ex-ante, che prevede lo smaltimento in discarica e l’energia acquistata dalla rete. Per Promarche, sono stati analizzati gli impatti della produzione di fagiolino confrontando due scenari di trattamento fitosanitario ed erbicida. Nel caso dello spinacio sono stati confrontati due scenari di concimazione ed è stato inserito un processo di bio-trattamento dei residui tramite H. illucens, verificando la capacità dell’insetto di degradare lo scarto. Riguardo ai risultati: la produzione di piantine in serra mostra impatti in linea con quanto reperibile in letteratura e le mitigazioni proposte risultano efficaci; lo stesso vale per la produzione di insalate di I gamma e il confronto tra scenari mostra un risparmio in termini di impatto medio del 52% a favore del sistema attuale; per fagiolino e spinacio i confronti tra sistemi di gestione dei trattamenti fitosanitari e della concimazione mostrano come gli scenari alternativi siano meno impattanti; la produzione di compost ottenuto dall’allevamento di H. illucens su residui di spinacio mostra impatti paragonabili a quelli dell’attuale sistema di smaltimento.The present research work concerned the environmental impact analysis of processed horticultural products through LCA tool (ISO 14040 ISO 14044) and some Product Category Rules. For the companies, Ambruosi & Viscardi and Promarche, were analysed respectively the following themes: the production of seedlings in polystyrene trays for four species of salads in greenhouse and the same after industry processing, including mitigation measures (A&V); the production of frozen string bean and spinach, considering alternative field and treatment management of production and residues treatment scenarios. The SimaPro software was used to draw up and rework the inventories and calculate the impacts. All the data entered were collected with interviews with field technicians and responsible for the various activities or with the consultation of the company management information systems. In the A&V case, substitutions have been proposed for the mitigation measures for salads production: the current substrate with compost; the sowing system with trays with compressed peat cubes; EPS cone trays with pyramid trays. Regarding fresh products, two scenarios were compared: base, in which the processing residues are sent to anaerobic digestion and the energy comes from photovoltaic systems; ex-ante, which provides for landfilling and energy purchased from the network. For Promarche, the impact of green bean production was analysed by comparing two scenarios of phytosanitary and herbicide treatment. For spinach, two fertilization scenarios were compared and a process of bio-treatment of residues was introduced through H. illucens, verifying the ability of the insect to degrade the waste. Regarding the results: the production of greenhouse seedlings shows impacts in line with what can be found in literature and the proposed mitigations are effective; the same is valid for salad production. The comparison between scenarios shows a saving in terms of average impact of 52% in favour of the current system; for green beans and spinach, comparisons between phytosanitary treatment and fertilization treatment systems show how alternative scenarios are less impactful; the production of compost obtained from the breeding of H. illucens on spinach residues shows impacts comparable to those of the current disposal system

European Hophornbeam Biomass for Energy Application: Influence of Different Production Processes and Heating Devices on Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability has recently shifted towards biodiversity protection via governmental and intergovernmental initiatives (e.g., the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, MA). The life cycle assessment, the widespread method for assessing environmental sustainability, was not created to evaluate impacts on biodiversity. However, several authors recognize its ability to estimate biodiversity loss drivers (impact indices on land use change and ecosystem). The study aims to apply LCA to the forest sector, precisely to the wood–energy chain of Hophornbeam, to cover suggestions of the MA for the biodiversity impact assessment. Six different scenarios for stove (3) and fireplace (3) wood production were analyzed, evaluating two baselines and four alternative scenarios, including sensitivity analyses related to transport distances for the raw materials. The functional unit is 1 MJ of energy. The fireplace combustion scenarios are relatively more sustainable than the stove ones are (2.95–3.21% less). The global warming potential (around 3 g CO2 eq/MJ) is consistent with current European directives on the sustainability of biofuels and scientific literature. The scenarios showed similarities regarding the impact of the categories related to MA drivers. Although biodiversity is protected by limiting forest management, some authors argue that for some species (e.g., Hophornbeam), a rational tree felling could produce biofuels, increasing biodiversity

Pellet Production from Residual Biomass of Greenery Maintenance in a Small-Scale Company to Improve Sustainability

Replacing fossil energy sources with renewable energy sources is a key strategic action to limit environmental issues. To achieve this goal, substitution with biomass is beneficial due to its versatility in various fields. In terms of circular economy and sustainability, the possibility of energy exploitation of residual biomass is particularly desirable in small-medium enterprises. The use of supply chain by-products can improve sustainability and create opportunities for companies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the suitability of residual biomass of conifers and broad-leaved trees to produce quality pellets using an agri-pellet machine activated by the power take-off of a tractor. This system can be employed at the farm level. Wood biomass of four species was tested; poplar, stone pine, black locust, and oak. Wood chips samples were analyzed to determine their qualitative characteristics following the technical standard ISO 17225-4. Based on the results, different wood blends were created to produce pellets, subsequently characterized according to ISO 17225-2. The analyses carried out on wood chips and pellets were bulk density, moisture, ash content, calorific value, elemental composition, chlorine, sulfur, and heavy metals. In addition, particles size was measured only for wood chips, while the length, diameter, mechanical durability, and ash melting behaviors were determined only for pellets. Some of the analyzed mixtures show acceptable values according to the current ISO technical standards. The values related to the apparent pellet bulk density and the durability test highlight that not all the mixtures are suitable to produce quality pellets. Results also represent a good starting point for future studies

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS

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