Optimizacija proizvodnje biodizela kukuruznog ulja metanolizom katalizovanom pepelom kurdeljke

The use of low-cost or priceless feedstocks such as byproducts in biodiesel production results in a reduced overall process costs. The present paper reports the use of corn germs and corn cobs as byproducts from corn-based starch production in the biodiesel production by the methanolysis of the oil extracted from corn germs, catalyzed by the ash produced by combustion of corn cobs. The major aim was to optimize the methanol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst loading, and reaction time in a batch stirred reactor with respect to the content of methyl ester fatty acids (FAME). The statistical modeling and optimization were carried out using a second-order polynomial (quadratic) model developed by the response surface methodology combined with a 33 factorial design with 3 central points. The FAME content was determined by a high-pressure liquid chromatography method. The analysis of variance showed that only the catalyst amount, the reaction time, the catalyst amount interaction with reaction time and all three quadratic terms were the significant model terms with the confidence level of 95 %. The optimum reaction conditions (the catalyst amounts of 19.8 %, the methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 9.4 mol/mol and the reaction time of 31 min) provided the FAME content of 98.1 %, which was in an excellent agreement with the predicted FAME content (98.4 %). Thus, both corn germs and corn cobs may be suitable feedstocks for biodiesel production.Upotreba jeftinih ili bezvrednih sirovina, kao što su sporedni proizvodi, u proizvodnji biodizela ima za rezultat smanjene ukupne troškove procesa. U ovom radu su prikazani rezultati upotrebe kukuruznih klica i okrunjenog kukuruznog klipa (kurdeljke, krudeljke) kao sporednih proizvoda iz proizvodnje kukuruznog skroba u proizvodnji biodizela metanolizom ulja izdvojenog iz kukuruznih klica, katalizovane pepelom dobijenim sagorevanjem kurdeljke. Glavni cilj je bila optimizacija molskog odnosa metanol-ulje, količine katalizatora i reakcionog vremena u šaržnom reaktoru sa mešanjem u odnosu na sadržaj metilestra masnih kiselina (MEMK). Statističko modelovanje i optimizacija izvršeni su korišćenjem kvadratnog modela, razvijenog metodologijom odzivne površine, u kombinaciji sa 33 faktorijelnim planom sa 3 centralne tačke. Sadržaj MEMK-a je određen metodom tečne hromatografije pod visokim pritiskom. Analiza varijanse je pokazala da su samo uticaji količine katalizatora, reakcionog vremena, interakcije količine katalizatora sa reakcionim vremenom i sva tri kvadratna člana statistički značajni sa nivoom pouzdanosti od 95 %. Pod optimalnim reakcionim uslovima (količina katalizatora 19,8 %, molski odnos metanol/ulje 9,4 mol/mol i reakciono vreme 31 min) dobijen je sadržaj MEMK-a od 98,1 %, koji se slaže sa predviđenim sadržajem MEMK-a (98,4 %). Prema tome, i kukuruzne klice i kurdeljka mogu biti pogodne sirovine za proizvodnju biodizela

Impact of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Grain Yield in Winter Triticale Grown on Degraded Vertisol

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) the effects of fertilization, environment, and their interactions on the thousand grain weight (TGW), hectolitre weight (HW) and grain yield (GY) of winter triticale, and (2) the correlations between these traits in different environments. The invariable nitrogen (80 kg N ha(-1)), potassium (60 kg K2O ha(-1)) and two phosphorus (60 and 100 kg P(2)O(5)ha(-1)) doses were used in Kragujevac location in central Serbia. Nitrogen was applied individually and in combination with two phosphorus rates and one rate of potassium fertilizer. Eight fertilization treatment controls and N-80, P-60, P-100, N80P60K60, N80P100K60, N(80)P(60)and N(80)P(100)were examined during three growing seasons. The yield and quality of triticale significantly varied across years and treatments. The average yield of all treatments in the 2015 growing season was significantly greater than in the previous years (3.597 t ha(-1)). Combined usage of NPK fertilizer (80 kg N ha(-1), 100 kg P(2)O(5)ha(-1)and 60 kg K2O ha(-1)) represented the excellent base for optimum supply of major nutrients, resulting in maximum GY (4.0 t ha(-1)). Negative and significant correlation was found between grain GY and TGW (-0.392*) in 2015, and positive highly significant correlation were in 2013 (0.648*) and 2014 (0.493*). The positive effect over complete application of fertilizer is the result of a lower pH value of the soil, as well as the low content of available phosphorus and potassium in Vertisol soil type. Optimizing fertilization for maximum profitability is of great importance in the future triticale production in Pannonian Environments

Effects of rates of nitrogen on yield and yield components of winter triticale

Due to the high genetic potential for yield and favourable nutritional value, triticale is a promising plant species. For achieving high and stable yields, it is necessary to have favorable agroclimatic conditions of the locality, variety and advanced agricultural techniques, with special emphasis on fertilizing. This study examines the effect of increasing rates of nitrogen on yield and yield components of five cultivars of winter triticale: Odisej, Kg-20, Triumph, Rtanj and Tango. The three-year trial (2009-2012), which was set up in a randomized block system with three replications, included control and three different doses of nitrogen fertilization (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1). In all variants of fertilization, 80 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O were added beside nitrogen. The obtained results showed that the use of nitrogen had a positive effect on yield and yield components in all variants and in all cultivars. The variety Tango had the highest average grain yield, while the variety Kg-20 had the lowest. Also, Tango had the highest value of the 1000 grain mass and the number of grains per spike, while Triumph had the highest value of hectoliter weight. The application of fertilizers led to a very large and significant increase of yield compared with the control. Accordingly, all studied cultivars had the highest yield with the highest quantities of nitrogen (120 kg ha-1). Considering that triticale is intended mainly for feeding livestock, the results of these studies would be valuable in terms of its growing as a forage crop as well as in terms of its breeding for grain quality and productivity

Yield and Nutritional Status of Different Maize Genotypes in Response to Rates and Splits of Mineral Fertilization

Efficient fertilizer management in maize production is based on supplying adequate amounts of nutrients for optimum economic yield, while minimizing losses to the environment. Exploiting genotypic differences in fertilizers use is required for achieving nutrient-use efficiency and higher yield. This two-year field study was designed to evaluate the influence of different fertilizer combinations on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake patterns, and yield in novel maize hybrids. Four divergent maize hybrids NS 4023, NS 6010, NS 6030 and NS 640 were grown under eight NPK combinations: 1: P60K60; 2: P60K60 N-min (spring); 3: P60K60 + N40autumn Nmin (spring); 4: P60K60 +/- N-60spring; 5: P60K60 N-100spring; 6: P60K60 N-40autumn N-60spring Zn; 7: P60K60 +/- N-40autumn N-80spring Zn; 8: P60K60 + N-160spring + Zn in both years of study. Different NPK combinations significantly improved NPK contents in leaves and grains along with substantial increase in 1000-grain weight, grain yield, grain protein contents and net returns of all tested hybrids; however, hybrids behaved differently in this regard. The highest N content in maize leaves was found in NS 4023 (2.39%), potassium in NS 6030 and NS 6010 (1.73%). Fertilizer combinations with N addition in autumn and spring + Zn, fertilization based on N correction in spring, showed positive effects on N content in grain and leaves; however P contents in leaves were not affected with fertilization systems. Moreover, P and K concentrations in leaves and grains decreased, which may be associated to better efficiency of maize hybrids. The highest yield was obtained with P60K60 + N-40 autumn + N-60 spring Zn followed by fertilizer combinations, P601(60 N40 autumn + N-80 spring Zn and P60K60 + N-40 autumn + N-min spring. The highest net benefit of 2091.6 and 2043.9 $ ha(-1) was obtained in treatments: P60K60 +N-40 (autumn) + N-60 Zn-spring and P60K60 N - (40 autumn) + N-min (spring). In conclusion, the amount and timings of nutrients application significantly affect the yield and could help in determination of genotype potential. Moreover, the treatment combination, P60K60 + N-40 (autumn )+ N-60 (spring) Zn harvested maximum maize yield along with highest net benefits and benefit: cost ratio

Kinetic, thermodynamic and optimization study of the corn germ oil extraction process

Corn germ oil (CGO) was recovered from the ground corn germ by maceration using n -hexane at the ranges of the temperature and the solvent:germ ratio (SGR) of 20-70 degrees C and 3:1-10:1 mL/g, respectively. The obtained CGO contained mainly the unsaturated fatty acids (87.09 +/- 0.37%) with linoleic and oleic acid as the most abundant while the main saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid. The CGO extraction yield was statistically analyzed, modeled and optimized combining the response surface methodology with the 33 full factorial design with replication. All individual process variables (maceration temperature, SGR and maceration time), the interaction of maceration temperature with SGR and the quadratic terms of maceration temperature and SGR had a statistically significant influence on the CGO yield. For the kinetic modeling of the CGO maceration, three models, namely the phenomenological model, the model that included instantaneous washing and diffusion and the diffusional model, were tested. Although all models successfully described the kinetics of CGO extraction (MRPD values lt = 2%), the diffusional model was less accurate. The thermodynamic analysis of CGO extraction showed that the extraction process was spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible

Biodiesel production from corn oil: A review

This paper deals with biodiesel production from corn oil as a feedstock via the transesterification and esterification reactions. To date, corn oil has not been considered a viable biodiesel feedstock because of its high edible value and relatively high price, but some industrial corn processing co-products, such as corn germ and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), have potential for this application after the extraction of corn distillers oil (CDO). Here, after brief discussion of the issues related to corn botany, cultivation, and use, as well as the corn germ and oil composition, properties and use, the methods of corn processing for germ and DDGS recovery are presented. In addition, the mechanical and solvent extraction techniques for oil recovery from whole ground corn kernels, germs, and DDGS are considered. Furthermore, biodiesel production from corn oil, waste frying corn oil, and CDO is critically analyzed. It is expected that further investigation will be directed toward developing simpler, more effective and energy-saving technologies for biodiesel production from corn oil-based feedstocks, especially from CDO. The integration of biodiesel production directly into corn-based ethanol production will advance the overall economy of industrial plants. Furthermore, the fuel properties, performances and exhaust gas emissions of corn-based biodiesel and its blends with diesel fuel are discussed, taking into account the biodiesel quality standards. Finally, issues related to the environmental and socio-economic impacts of corn-based biodiesel production and use are also tackled