Optimization of Algae Residues Gasification: Experimental and Theoretical Approaches

Gasification is one of the thermochemical pathways of biomass conversion that produces synthesis gas, tar, and char. This study aims to convert algal residues via gasification at different operating conditions; temperature, equivalence ratio, and biomass loading. The study was carried out in 3 steps; (1) testing the outcomes of temperature and loading effects on synthesis gas yield, (2) experimental optimization of gasification via Design Expert, and (3) theoretical optimization of gasification via Aspen Plus simulation. Temperature and equivalence ratio highly influenced synthesis gas composition, while loading demonstrated less effect on the synthesis gas composition. The experimental and simulated gasification outcomes were compared to obtain optimized conditions that produce high H2 and CO yields. The data were validated using root mean square error. The optimized temperature, loading, and equivalence ratio were found for both algal residues that produced 36.38 and 13.28mol% of H2 and CO, respectively for lipid extracted algae (LEA) and 47.99 and 26.05mol% of H2 and CO, respectively for fucoidan extracted seaweeds (FEA). There was a considerable variation between experimental and simulated data due to the simulation and experimental limitations. The average Carbon Conversion Efficiency values were 66.36 and 80.42% for LEA and FES, respectively, denoting that LEA produced less carbon-containing products, while FES produced more carbon containing products. In conclusion, LEA gasification yielded more H2 while FEA produced more CO

Production, Processes and Modification of Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Agro-Waste: A Review

Nanocrystalline cellulose is a renewable nanomaterial that has gained huge attention for its use in various applications from advanced biomedical material to food packaging material due to its exceptional physical and biological properties, such as high crystallinity degree, large specific surface area, high aspect ratio, high thermal resistance, good mechanical properties, abundance of surface hydroxyl groups, low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. However, they still have drawbacks: (1) sources of raw materials and its utilization in the production of nanocomposites and (2) high chemical and energy consumption regarding the isolation of macro-sized fibers to nano-sized fibers. The incorporation of hydrophilic nanocrystalline cellulose within hydrophobic polymer limits the dispersion of nano-sized fibers, thus resulting in low mechanical properties of nanocomposites. Hence, surface modification on nano-sized fiber could be a solution to this problem. This review focuses on the advanced developments in pretreatment, nanocrystalline production and modifications, and its application in food packaging, biomedical materials, pharmaceutical, substitution biomaterials, drug excipient, drug delivery automotive, and nanopaper applications

Mechanical Properties of Longitudinal Basalt/Woven-Glass-Fiber-reinforced Unsaturated Polyester-Resin Hybrid Composites

This work represents a study to investigate the mechanical properties of longitudinal basalt/woven-glass-fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester-resin hybrid composites. The hybridization of basalt and glass fiber enhanced the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. The unsaturated polyester resin (UP), basalt (B) and glass fibers (GF) were fabricated using the hand lay-up method in six formulations (UP, GF, B7.5/G22.5, B15/G15, B22.5/G7.5 and B) to produce the composites, respectively. This study showed that the addition of basalt to glass-fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin increased its density, tensile and flexural properties. The tensile strength of the B22.5/G7.5 hybrid composites increased by 213.92 MPa compared to neat UP, which was 8.14 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was used to observe the fracture mode and fiber pullout of the hybrid composites

Advanced functional materials based on nanocellulose/Mxene: a review.

The escalating need for a sustainable future has driven the advancement of renewable functional materials. Nanocellulose, derived from the abundant natural biopolymer cellulose, demonstrates noteworthy characteristics, including high surface area, crystallinity, mechanical strength, and modifiable chemistry. When combined with two-dimensional (2D) graphitic materials, nanocellulose can generate sophisticated hybrid materials with diverse applications as building blocks, carriers, scaffolds, and reinforcing constituents. This review highlights the progress of research on advanced functional materials based on the integration of nanocellulose, a versatile biopolymer with tailorable properties, and MXenes, a new class of 2D transition metal carbides/nitrides known for their excellent conductivity, mechanical strength, and large surface area. By addressing the challenges and envisioning future prospects, this review underscores the burgeoning opportunities inherent in MXene/nanocellulose composites, heralding a sustainable frontier in the field of materials science