Characterization of Palm Oil as Base Feedstock for Bio-lubricant Production

Petroleum-based lubricants have dominated the range of lubricants in industrial and domestic machinery. With the global call to the reduction in fossil fuel consumption and the finite nature of petroleum deposit, interest is increasing in finding alternative lubricants that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. One of such alternatives is lubricant from biomaterials (biomass). In this study, the characterization of palm Oil (oil) as a base oil for bio-lubricant production is carried out with a view to determining the inherent properties of the oil necessary for its use as the base oil for bio-lube production. Three samples of raw palm oil were sourced from open markets within the South-West, South-East and South-South regions in Nigeria. Each of the samples was divided into two in which one half was bleached and the other used as supplied. Prior to bleaching, the sample was degummed, neutralised and then bleached to improve their qualities. Kaolin clay was used to produce the bleaching agent used to bleach the samples. The raw and bleached samples were analysed for their respective lubricating characteristics. The physicochemical properties were tested for and compared with two commercial petroleum-based lubricants. The results show that raw palm oil has inherent lubricating properties that could enable its use as the base oil for bio-lubricants production. It was also observed that irrespective of the source of the oils, all the raw palm oil samples have similar viscosity with the same pattern of viscosity variation with temperature. Furthermore, there was a positive bleaching effect on all the properties of the oils such as improved colour, acid levels, reduced volatile content, high flash point and density

Bioenergy potential from invasive alien plants: Environmental and socio-economic impacts in Eastern Cape, South Africa

South Africa's natural resources and ecosystems are negatively affected by Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs). We used a life-cycle approach to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of using IAPs for electricity generation in South Africa or exported and used for electricity generation in the Netherlands. Supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity from IAPs pellets, excluding land use change-related GHG emissions, are 31.5 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in South Africa and 31.2 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in the Netherlands. An additional 3.9 gCO2eq MJ−1 is accounted for if emissions of land use change are included and land is rehabilitated to its natural state. The removal of IAPs results in water savings when considering any potential land use transition, ranging between 1,263 mm year−1 for annual cropland to 12 mm year−1 for dense forest. The supply chain costs of pellets are 5,344 ZAR Mg−1 (285 € Mg−1) delivered at the power plant in South Africa and 2,535 ZAR Mg−1 (159 € Mg−1) delivered at Rotterdam port. Direct full-time jobs generated from removing IAPs up to the conversion-factory-gate are 604 FTE year−1 for South Africa and 525 FTE year−1 for the Netherlands. There are clear trade-offs between environmental and social benefits and costs. There are generally net carbon losses when considering the land use transitions after IAP removal, even when land is rehabilitated to its natural state. Using IAPs for electricity can be a valuable strategy for South Africa to generate employment, conserve water resources and reduce GHG emissions

Bioenergy potential from invasive alien plants: Environmental and socio-economic impacts in Eastern Cape, South Africa

South Africa's natural resources and ecosystems are negatively affected by Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs). We used a life-cycle approach to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of using IAPs for electricity generation in South Africa or exported and used for electricity generation in the Netherlands. Supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity from IAPs pellets, excluding land use change-related GHG emissions, are 31.5 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in South Africa and 31.2 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in the Netherlands. An additional 3.9 gCO2eq MJ−1 is accounted for if emissions of land use change are included and land is rehabilitated to its natural state. The removal of IAPs results in water savings when considering any potential land use transition, ranging between 1,263 mm year−1 for annual cropland to 12 mm year−1 for dense forest. The supply chain costs of pellets are 5,344 ZAR Mg−1 (285 € Mg−1) delivered at the power plant in South Africa and 2,535 ZAR Mg−1 (159 € Mg−1) delivered at Rotterdam port. Direct full-time jobs generated from removing IAPs up to the conversion-factory-gate are 604 FTE year−1 for South Africa and 525 FTE year−1 for the Netherlands. There are clear trade-offs between environmental and social benefits and costs. There are generally net carbon losses when considering the land use transitions after IAP removal, even when land is rehabilitated to its natural state. Using IAPs for electricity can be a valuable strategy for South Africa to generate employment, conserve water resources and reduce GHG emissions

Potential for solar water heating in Zimbabwe

This paper discusses the economic, social and environmental benefits from using solar water heating (SWH) in Zimbabwe. By comparing different water heating technology usage in three sectors over a 25-year period, the potential of SWH is demonstrated in alleviating energy and economic problems that energy-importing countries like Zimbabwe are facing. SWH would reduce coincident electricity winter peak demand by 13% and reduce final energy demand by 27%, assuming a 50% penetration rate of SWH potential demand. Up to $250 million can be saved and CO2 emissions can be reduced by 29% over the 25-year period. Benefits are also present at individual consumer level, for the electricity utility, as well as for society at large. In the case of Zimbabwe, policy strategies that can support renewable energy technologies are already in current government policy, but this political will need to be translated into enhanced practical activities. A multi-stakeholder approach appears to be the best approach to promoting widespread dissemination of SWH technologies.Solar water heating Demand-side management

Techno-economic performance of sustainable international bio-SNG production and supply chains on short and longer term

Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and natural gas substitute. Using the Netherlands as a case study, this paper evaluates the most economic and environmentally optimal supply chain for the production of biomass based SNG (so-called bio-SNG) for different biomass production regions and location of final conversion facilities, with final delivery of compressed natural gas at refueling stations servicing the transport sector. At a scale of 100 MWth, in, delivered bioSNG costs range from 18.6 to 25.9$/GJdelivered CNG while energy efficiency ranges from 46.8–61.9$ GJdelivered CNG −1. BioSNG production in Ukraine and transportation of the gas by pipeline to the Netherlands results in the lowest delivered cost in all cases and the highest energy efficiency pathway (61.9%). This is mainly due to low pipeline transport costs and energy losses compared to long-distance Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport. However, synthetic natural gas production from torrefied pellets (TOPs) results in the lowest GHG emissions (17 kg CO2e GJCNG −1) while the Ukraine routes results in 25 kg CO2e GJCNG −1. Production costs at 100 MWth are higher than the current natural gas price range, but lower than the oil prices and biodiesel prices. BioSNG costs could converge with natural gas market prices in the coming decades, estimated to be 18.2$ GJ−1. At 1000 MWth, bioSNG becomes competitive with natural gas (especially if attractive CO2 prices are considered) and very competitive with oil and biodiesel. It is clear that scaling of SNG production to the GWth scale is key to cost reduction and could result in competitive SNG costs. For regions like Brazil, it is more cost-effective to densify biomass into pellets or TOPS and undertake final conversion near the import harbor

Techno-economic performance of sustainable international bio-SNG production and supply chains on short and longer term

Synthetic natural gas (SNG) derived from biomass gasification is a potential transport fuel and natural gas substitute. Using the Netherlands as a case study, this paper evaluates the most economic and environmentally optimal supply chain for the production of biomass based SNG (so-called bio-SNG) for different biomass production regions and location of final conversion facilities, with final delivery of compressed natural gas at refueling stations servicing the transport sector. At a scale of 100 MWth, in, delivered bioSNG costs range from 18.6 to 25.9$/GJdelivered CNG while energy efficiency ranges from 46.8–61.9$ GJdelivered CNG −1. BioSNG production in Ukraine and transportation of the gas by pipeline to the Netherlands results in the lowest delivered cost in all cases and the highest energy efficiency pathway (61.9%). This is mainly due to low pipeline transport costs and energy losses compared to long-distance Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport. However, synthetic natural gas production from torrefied pellets (TOPs) results in the lowest GHG emissions (17 kg CO2e GJCNG −1) while the Ukraine routes results in 25 kg CO2e GJCNG −1. Production costs at 100 MWth are higher than the current natural gas price range, but lower than the oil prices and biodiesel prices. BioSNG costs could converge with natural gas market prices in the coming decades, estimated to be 18.2$ GJ−1. At 1000 MWth, bioSNG becomes competitive with natural gas (especially if attractive CO2 prices are considered) and very competitive with oil and biodiesel. It is clear that scaling of SNG production to the GWth scale is key to cost reduction and could result in competitive SNG costs. For regions like Brazil, it is more cost-effective to densify biomass into pellets or TOPS and undertake final conversion near the import harbor

Bioenergy potential from invasive alien plants: Environmental and socio-economic impacts in Eastern Cape, South Africa

South Africa's natural resources and ecosystems are negatively affected by Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs). We used a life-cycle approach to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of using IAPs for electricity generation in South Africa or exported and used for electricity generation in the Netherlands. Supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity from IAPs pellets, excluding land use change-related GHG emissions, are 31.5 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in South Africa and 31.2 gCO2eq MJ−1 for electricity generation in the Netherlands. An additional 3.9 gCO2eq MJ−1 is accounted for if emissions of land use change are included and land is rehabilitated to its natural state. The removal of IAPs results in water savings when considering any potential land use transition, ranging between 1,263 mm year−1 for annual cropland to 12 mm year−1 for dense forest. The supply chain costs of pellets are 5,344 ZAR Mg−1 (285 € Mg−1) delivered at the power plant in South Africa and 2,535 ZAR Mg−1 (159 € Mg−1) delivered at Rotterdam port. Direct full-time jobs generated from removing IAPs up to the conversion-factory-gate are 604 FTE year−1 for South Africa and 525 FTE year−1 for the Netherlands. There are clear trade-offs between environmental and social benefits and costs. There are generally net carbon losses when considering the land use transitions after IAP removal, even when land is rehabilitated to its natural state. Using IAPs for electricity can be a valuable strategy for South Africa to generate employment, conserve water resources and reduce GHG emissions