Energy potential of yam and plantain peels

    Peels are the wastes produced when yam and plantain are processed for human consumption.  This study evaluated the potential use of these wastes as energy feedstocks by conducting thermal decomposition studies in a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled to a Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and in a differential scanning calorimeter.  The peels have ash contents of about 8%-9% hence a slightly lower energy contents in comparison to other biomass feedstocks.  The pyrolysis process for both yam and plantain peels was found to consist of two main stages - moisture loss at temperatures less than 150oC, and decomposition of the dry matter component that peaked at temperature of 300oC.  Both samples reached exothermic reactions that also peaked at 300oC.  Based on FTIR analysis, the major gases that evolved during pyrolysis were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetic acid, methane, methyl isocyanate and ethanol.   Keywords: thermal decomposition, syngas, waste, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyze

Effect of Microcrystalline Cellulose, Species, and Particle Size on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Particleboard

Particleboards made from both sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and southern pine (Pinus spp.) were made at a small and large particle size and at 0 and 10% microcrystalline cellulose loading. Modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, work to maximum force, and thickness swell (after 2 and 24 h) were measured for all treatment combinations. An increase in particle size had a positive influence on mechanical properties but also allowed for more thickness swell, particularly for the southern pine furnish. Conversely, adding cellulose actually decreased mechanical properties, increased thickness swell, and decreased springback. In the field, the ability to manipulate particle size to control particleboard mechanical properties is perhaps more cost-effective and practical than cellulose addition. Replacing southern pine with sweetgum was viable with equal or better mechanical and physical properties. This suggests that the hardwood species could be a feasible substitute for pine as the demand for woody resources in the southern US continues to grow

Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Forest Biomass Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Regression

Fourier transform infrared reflectance (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to predict properties of forest logging residue, a very heterogeneous feedstock material. Properties studied included the chemical composition, thermal reactivity, and energy content. The ability to rapidly determine these properties is vital in the optimization of conversion technologies for the successful commercialization of biobased products. Partial least squares regression of first derivative treated FTIR spectra had good correlations with the conventionally measured properties. For the chemical composition, constructed models generally did a better job of predicting the extractives and lignin content than the carbohydrates. In predicting the thermochemical properties, models for volatile matter and fixed carbon performed very well (i.e., R2 > 0.80, RPD > 2.0). The effect of reducing the wavenumber range to the fingerprint region for PLS modeling and the relationship between the chemical composition and higher heating value of logging residue were also explored. This study is new and different in that it is the first to use FTIR spectroscopy to quantitatively analyze forest logging residue, an abundant resource that can be used as a feedstock in the emerging low carbon economy. Furthermore, it provides a complete and systematic characterization of this heterogeneous raw material

Menulis Kreatif Cerita Fiksi Anak

<p>Predictive performance of TG-based chemometric models versus kinetic models.</p

ASSESSMENT OF PINE BIOMASS DENSITY THROUGH MID-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AND MULTIVARIATE MODELING

The assessment of wood biomass density through multivariate modeling of mid-infrared spectra can be useful for interpreting the relationship between feedstock density and functional groups. This study looked at predicting feedstock density from mid-infrared spectra and interpreting the multivariate models. The wood samples possessed a random cell wall orientation, which would be typical of wood chips in a feedstock process. Principal component regression and multiple linear regression models were compared both before and after conversion of the raw spectra into the 1st derivative. A principal component regression model from 1st derivative spectra exhibited the best calibration statistics, while a multiple linear regression model from the 1st derivative spectra yielded nearly similar performance. Earlywood and latewood based spectra exhibited significant differences in carbohydrate-associated bands (1000 and 1060 cm-1). Only statistically significant principal component terms (alpha less than 0.05) were chosen for regression; likewise, band assignments only originated from statistically significant principal components. Cellulose, lignin, and hemicelllose associated bands were found to be important in the prediction of wood density

SOME ENERGY PROPERTIES OF NON-TIMBER FOREST TREE RESIDUES FOR FUEL

A study was undertaken to determine some energy properties of three non-timber forest tree residues: Bush Mango (Irvingia), Achi (Brachystegia eurycoma) and Para Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) shells for fuel. The ultimate properties (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Sulphur and Nitrogen contents) of the ground shells were determined. The proximate properties determined were volatile matter, ash and fixed Carbon contents, and calorific values. The shells for the three samples were reduced with a hammer mill to 1.00 mm, 2.00 mm and 4.75 mm particle sizes. The mean of the energy properties of the samples were compared using the New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test to determine if there were significant differences at (P ≤ 0.05). Results obtained showed that Irvingia shells had the highest volatile matter content of 75.03% and calorific value of 19.53 MJ/kg. The volatile matter content of the three shells was of the order: Irvingia (75.03%) &gt; Rubber (62.33%) &gt; B. eurycoma (58.77%). The higher heat value of Rubber, B. eurycoma and Irvingia shells were 15.87, 15.20 and 19.53 MJ/kg, respectively. The ash content obtained from the shell samples were of the order: Irvingia (5.10%) &lt; Rubber (21.57%) &lt; B. eurycoma (23.20%) while, fixed carbon were of the order: Rubber (2.50%) &lt; Irvingia (7.17%) &lt; B. eurycoma (10.70%). Bulk density of the shell samples were of the order: B. eurycoma (431.3 kg/m3) &gt; Rubber (247.3 kg/m3) &gt; Irvingia 121.7 kg/m3). The Irvingia shell had the most favourable energy properties for fuel due to its high calorific values, volatile matter content and it also had the least ash content.

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Raw and Thermally Treated Lignin Using Different Acidic Zeolites

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the temperature (500, 550, and 600 °C) and shape-selective zeolite catalyst of different acidity on the aromatic hydrocarbon yield from raw and torrefied lignin pyrolysis. Catalyst acidity was found to be highly favorable for aromatic hydrocarbon production in the case of both raw and torrefied lignin pyrolysis. A high amount of aromatic hydrocarbons (∼35 wt % C) was produced from torrefied lignin pyrolysis using a zeolite catalyst with a SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of 30 at 600 °C. Under the same conditions, the total carbon yield from catalytic pyrolysis of torrefied lignin was about 46 wt %. The study showed that torrefaction favors high aromatic hydrocarbon production from catalytic pyrolysis of lignin

Viscoelastic properties of restructured sweetpotato puree

Summary The viscoelastic properties of sweetpotato (SP) puree restructured with alginate were determined and compared with those of non-restructured SP puree. Results from oscillatory shear experiments showed that both purees behaved like a gel with the storage modulus (G¢) predominant over the loss modulus (G¢¢). The addition of a calcium/alginate complex increased the firmness of SP puree. Gel strength of both restructured and nonrestructured puree was highest at room temperature (25°C)

Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Forest Biomass Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Regression

Fourier transform infrared reflectance (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to predict properties of forest logging residue, a very heterogeneous feedstock material. Properties studied included the chemical composition, thermal reactivity, and energy content. The ability to rapidly determine these properties is vital in the optimization of conversion technologies for the successful commercialization of biobased products. Partial least squares regression of first derivative treated FTIR spectra had good correlations with the conventionally measured properties. For the chemical composition, constructed models generally did a better job of predicting the extractives and lignin content than the carbohydrates. In predicting the thermochemical properties, models for volatile matter and fixed carbon performed very well (i.e., R2 > 0.80, RPD > 2.0). The effect of reducing the wavenumber range to the fingerprint region for PLS modeling and the relationship between the chemical composition and higher heating value of logging residue were also explored. This study is new and different in that it is the first to use FTIR spectroscopy to quantitatively analyze forest logging residue, an abundant resource that can be used as a feedstock in the emerging low carbon economy. Furthermore, it provides a complete and systematic characterization of this heterogeneous raw material