Valorizacija ljuske suncokreta nakon konvekcijskog sušenja sjemenki za proizvodnju krutog goriva

Since the initial moisture content in sunflower seeds after the harvest is rather high, seeds must be processed by convection drying so that their quality can be maintained for as long as possible a period of time. Sunflower is an oilseed crop, which can be used as food and as a feedstock for solid fuels production. The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of the convection drying process (at 60 °C, 80 °C and 100 °C) on energy characteristics of seeds of four sunflower hybrids (Apolon, NK Brio, PR 63 A 90 and PR 63 D 82), which by their characteristics belong to early and medium-early hybrids. It will also be determined if the energy used in the drying process can be recovered through utilisation of energy from husk. On the basis of the obtained results, the changes in energy characteristics were identified, namely, the content of non-combustible matters (water, ash, coke, fixed carbon and nitrogen) and of combustible matters (carbon, sulphur, hydrogen, oxygen, volatile matter), as well as higher and lower heating values of sunflower seeds. The resulting data prove that convection drying of sunflower husk has a positive influence on its energy characteristics and that it can be used for solid fuel production.Zbog povišene početne vlažnost nakon žetve, sjemenke suncokreta moraju se doraditi konvekcijskim sušenjem kako bi im se očuvala kvaliteta kroz što dulje vrijeme. Suncokret je uljarica kojoj se osim za prehrambene svrhe može koristiti i u proizvodnji krutih goriva. Cilj ovog rada je utvrditi utjecaj termičkog procesa konvekcijskog sušenja (60 °C, 80 °C i 100 °C) na energetske karakteristike sjemenki 4 različita hibrida suncokreta (Apolon, NK Brio, PR 63 A 90 i PR 63 D 82) koji su po svojim svojstvima rani i srednje rani hibridi. Također će se utvrditi može li se utrošena energija u procesu sušenja vratiti kroz energetsku iskoristivost ljuske. Temeljem dobivenih rezultata određene su promjene energetskih karakteristika, odnosno sadržaj negorivih tvari (voda, pepeo, koks, fiksirani ugljik i dušik) te gorivih tvari (ugljik, sumpor, vodik, kisik, hlapiva tvar), kao i gornja i donja ogrjevna vrijednost sjemenki suncokreta. Dobiveni podaci dokazuju da konvekcijsko sušenje ljuske suncokreta pozitivno utječe na dobra energetske karakteristike ljuske te se može koristiti za proizvodnju krutog goriva

Otpuštanje vode konvekcijskim sušenjem različitim temperaturama iz sjemenki uljane repice

Rapeseed is one of the most important oil plants in the world. The objective of this research was to analyse the influence of thermal treatment temperature on rapeseed quality, i.e. to investigate the content of oil and free fatty acids in chosen rapeseed hybrids: Turan, Traviata, NK Toccata, NK Petrol, PR 46 W 14 and PR 46 W 15. By their characteristics, these varieties are early, medium-early and medium-late hybrids. The initial moisture content of the investigated hybrids ranged from 11.28% to 11.69%. The hybrids were subjected to thermal process of thin-layer convective drying, at temperatures of 40°, 60° and 80°C and air velocity of 1.0 m/s. During the investigation, decomposition of oil due to drying at 80°C and increase of free fatty acids concentration above permitted 2% were observed. Furthermore, based on the obtained results, velocity of water release from seed have been determined, and the drying process was mathematically modelled, whereby determination coefficient (R2) and activation energy were also determined.Uljana repica pripada najznačajnijim svjetskim uljaricama. Cilj istraživanja bio je istražiti utjecaj termičke dorade na kvalitetu uljane repice, odnosno analizirati sadržaj ulja i slobodnih masnih kiselina u izabranim hibridima uljane repice: Turan, Traviata, NK Toccata, NK Petrol, PR 46 W 14 i PR 46 W 15. Po svojim karakteristikama, nabrojeni su hibridi rani, srednje rani i srednje kasni hibridi. Početna vlaga istraživanih hibrida kretala se od 11,28 do 11,69%. Hibridi su podvrgnuti termičkoj doradi konvekcijskim sušenjem u tankome sloju, pri temperaturama 40, 60 i 80°C i brzini strujanja zraka 1,0 m/s. Tijekom istraživanja, uočeno je raspadanje ulja tijekom sušenja na 80°C te povećanje slobodnih masnih kiselina preko dopuštenih 2%. Nadalje, temeljem dobivenih rezultata, određena je brzina otpuštanja vode te je postupak sušenja matematički modeliran, gdje su određeni koeficijent determinacije (R2) i energija aktivacije vode

SPANISH BROOM (SPARTIUM JUNCEUM L.) – FEEDSTOCK FOR BIOPLASTIC AND BIOENERGY INDUSTRY

Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum L.) is a Mediterranean plant of various usage possibilities. Its fibres were known since ancient time but in some point of last century, more accurately in 1950s, their production was abandoned due to the negative economic effect. Another drawback was large time consumption, especially during the old tradition method – Spanish Broom maceration in salt water. Nowadays, due to technology development and ecological awareness, it is much easier to produce Spanish Broom fibres of enhanced quality. One of the fibre extraction methods is the one assisted with microwave oven. Demerit of such fibre production is in large residue content after obtaining fibres - approx. 90 % of initial Spanish Broom weight. Due to the need for finding sustainable solutions in the development of new materials, the usage of Spanish Broom fibres in the service of reinforcement for biopolymer poly (lactic acid) (PLA) matrix was investigated. Obtained results target our further research into the direction of Spanish Broom fibres and PLA application in the production of green composites. The aim of this research was to prove that developed product can be categorized under the biodegradable group by investigating its degradation properties using serine endopeptidase enzyme. The results show positive degradation effect while using 50 wt.% (on weight of material) enzyme concentration during a 5-day treatment. Stem residues of Spanish Broom plant derived from salty water and microwave maceration were further investigated for their potential as raw material for second-generation biofuel production. Examination of its energy properties consisted of determination of proximate and ultimate properties of the biomass. The results show low moisture content (6.5 % - 7.5 %), ash content below 5 % and higher values of fixed carbon and volatile matter content of 13.2 % and 75 %, respectively. Higher heating values that were determined (17.2 - 18.8 MJ/kg) indicate a high quality biomass that can be used most effectively in solid biofuel production

THE POSSIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCES USE IN ANIMAL FEEDING

Porastom broja stanovnika u svijetu povećava se i potrošnja mesa peradi i jaja, što rezultira i povećanjem peradarske proizvodnje. Za takvu je proizvodnju potrebno osigurati i velike količine hranjivih tvari, među ostalim i bjelančevina, dobrog aminokiselinskog sastava što će podmiriti potrebe brzorastućih hibrida peradi te modernih hibridnih nesilica konzumnih jaja. Uobičajeno se pri tome koristi soja, cijelo zrno odnosno neki od oblika dobivenih njenom preradom. No njena cijena, problemi s transportom, GMO i sl. sve više vode ka istraživanjima o mogućnosti uvođenja alternativnih izvora bjelančevina u hranidbi peradi. Ovdje svakako pripadaju i insekti. Hranidbena vrijednost insekata je vrlo raznolika i to uglavnom zbog velikog broja i varijabilnosti vrsta. Insekti također imaju dobar sastav masnih kiselina te vitamina i pokazalo se da mogu parirati ribljem brašnu, koje je također nekad bilo jedan od glavnih izvora životinjskih bjelančevina u hranidbi životinja, posebice peradi. Ovim se radom daje pregled mogućnosti korištenja alternativnih izvora bjelančevina, odnosno insekata, u hranidbi životinja te istražuje potencijalna upotreba posliježetvene biomase kao novog i inovativnog supstrata za uzgoj jestivih insekata. Posliježetveni ostatci sadrže ogromnu količinu potencijalnog supstrata za hranidbu raznih insekata. Pojedini insekti imaju sposobnost transformirati nutritivno siromašnu posliježetvenu biomasu s niskim udjelom proteina i visokim udjelom antioksidanata i tvrdokornih ugljikohidrata (celuloze i hemiceluloze) u esencijalne hranjive tvari potrebne za njihov rast modulacijom njihove probavne i bazalne diferencijalne ekspresije gena. Konverzija posliježetvene biomase u biomasu insekata za hranu za životinje mogla bi značajno pridonijeti zadovoljavanju budućih potreba na bjelančevinama za hranidbu peradi čiji će se proizvodi koristiti za prehranu sve bržerastuće svjetske populacije.As the number of inhabitants in the world is increasing, the consumption of poultry meat and eggs is also increasing, resulting in an increase in poultry production. Such production requires the provision of large quantities of nutrients, including protein, with a good amino acid composition that will meet the needs of fast-growing poultry hybrids and modern laying hens hybrids. Usually, soybeans, whole grains or some of the forms obtained by their processing are used. However, its cost, transportation problems, GMOs, etc. are increasingly leading to research into the possibility of introducing alternative protein sources to poultry feeding. Insects certainly belong here. The nutritional value of insects is very diverse, mainly due to the large number and variability of species. Insects also have a high fatty acids and vitamins content and have proved that they can compete with fish meal, which also used to be the main source of animal protein in animal feed, especially poultry. This paper provides an overview of the possibilities of using alternative sources of protein, or insects, in animal nutrition, and explores the potential use of postharvest biomass as a novel and innovative substrate for the edible insects growing. Postharvest residues contain a huge amount of potential substrate for various insects feeding. Certain insects are capable of transforming nutritionally poor postharvest biomass with low protein content and a high antioxidants and dominant carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose) content into essential nutrients necessary for their growth by modulating their digestive basal and differential gene expression. The conversion of postharvest biomass to insect biomass for animal feed could make a significant contribution to meeting future needs in proteins for the poultry feeding, whose products are used to feed rapidly growing world population

Sustavi žetve biomase Miscanthus x giganteus: Pregled

The agricultural biomass classification includes the biomass obtained from fast growing energy crops. One of these crops is the perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus, which after the third and fourth year of plantation forms a high-density stand with exceptionally high and firm shoots. Thus, special emphasis should be put on the harvesting systems. For Miscanthus harvesting, haymaking and silage making machinery is mainly used by applying single-phase or multi-phase techniques. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the Miscanthus x giganteus biomass harvesting systems with regard to the form of harvested biomass, either shredded or/and baled biomass. In addition to application of fertilizers, biomass harvest is the only agro-technical measure that is used when a plantation reaches full maturity and it should be applied with the lowest possible energy input and biomass loss. Due to increased interest in production of energy from Miscanthus x giganteus biomass, the existing machinery is being adjusted to these new requirements and new specialised machines are being developed.Klasifikacija poljoprivredne biomase uključuje biomasu dobivenu iz brzo rastućih energetskih usjeva. Jedna od takvih kultura je i višegodišnja trava Miscantus x giganteus koja nakon treće, četvrte godine formira gusti sklop s izuzetno visokim i čvrstim izbojma. Stoga se poseban naglasak treba staviti na sustave žetve. U žetvi Miscanthusa uglavnom se koristi mehanizacija za sjenažu i silažu primjenom jednofazne ili višefazne tehnike. Cilj ovog rada je dati pregled sustava za sakupljanje biomase Miscanthus x giganteusa s obzirom i na oblik požete biomase, bilo usitnjene ili/i balirane. Uz primjenu gnojiva, berba biomase je jedini agrotehnički zahvat koji se provodi kada nasada dosegne punu zrelost te ga je potrebno provesti uz što manji utrošak energije i gubitak biomase. Zbog povećanog interesa za proizvodnju energije iz biomase trave Miscantus x giganteus dolazi do adaptacije postojeće mehanizacije i razvoja novih, specijaliziranih strojeva

Theoretical Estimation of Biomethane Production from Miscanthus × giganteus in Croatia

Although grass Miscanthus × giganteus biomass is currently used mostly as a raw material for direct combustion, an increasing consideration is now given to its potential use in production of biogas, namely biomethane. The aim of this paper is to determine the yield of dry-matter (DM) and organic dry matter (oDM) from the crop Miscanthus × giganteus in three different harvest times and at three different locations, and, based on these values, to calculate the biomethane yield on the abandoned agricultural surfaces in Croatia. The investigations which were conducted for this purpose determined the average values of dry matter yield (24.77 t/ha) and organic dry matter yield (24.11 oDM/ha) as well as the biomethane yield of 5976 Nm3/ha. In relation to total natural gas consumption and percentage of the abandoned agricultural land, Croatia could replace between 1.6% to 4.8% of the consumed natural gas by introducing Miscanthus × giganteus grass on 5% to 15% of the abandoned agricultural lands in three of its counties (Sisačko-moslavačka, Karlovačka and Ličko-senjska)

Effect of “Cooking” Method on the Hulled and Unhulled Barley Grain Composition

Barley is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and in the past represented a significant grain in human nutrition. The main purpose of barley cultivation today is for the livestock needs and the brewing industry, where it is used in the form of malt, but also is increasingly used in human nutrition as barley porridge. During the barley grain processing for human consumption, to provide better digestibility, barley is hulled and such grain has a reduced nutritional value. To improve the nutritional properties of barley after hulling, the grains are subjected to a thermal cooking treatment due to the starch gelatinization. This investigation includes two varieties of hulled and unhulled barley Vedran and Titan. In all samples, the nutritional composition according to standard methods was investigated, namely the content of moisture, ash, fat, protein and starch were determined. After the cooking method (adapted "cooking" method), at a pressure of 0.5 bar and a time of 10 and 15 minutes and convection drying of samples with air temperatures of 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C, the nutritional composition of all samples was also determined. The research showed that the cooking method and drying affected the change in the nutritional composition of hulled and unhulled barley, and in all investigated nutritional composition parameters there were changes compared to the initial samples

Effect of “Cooking” Method on the Hulled and Unhulled Barley Grain Composition

Barley is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and in the past represented a significant grain in human nutrition. The main purpose of barley cultivation today is for the livestock needs and the brewing industry, where it is used in the form of malt, but also is increasingly used in human nutrition as barley porridge. During the barley grain processing for human consumption, to provide better digestibility, barley is hulled and such grain has a reduced nutritional value. To improve the nutritional properties of barley after hulling, the grains are subjected to a thermal cooking treatment due to the starch gelatinization. This investigation includes two varieties of hulled and unhulled barley Vedran and Titan. In all samples, the nutritional composition according to standard methods was investigated, namely the content of moisture, ash, fat, protein and starch were determined. After the cooking method (adapted "cooking" method), at a pressure of 0.5 bar and a time of 10 and 15 minutes and convection drying of samples with air temperatures of 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C, the nutritional composition of all samples was also determined. The research showed that the cooking method and drying affected the change in the nutritional composition of hulled and unhulled barley, and in all investigated nutritional composition parameters there were changes compared to the initial samples

Effect of Hydrothermal Treatment on the Improvement of Wheat and Triticale Grain Properties

Since ancient times, grain has been used for human consumption and feeding of animals. In post-harvest cereal technology, it is important to process and store the grain well, in order to maintain quality until use. In the process of grain processing, the most important is hydrothermal processing. When processing grain for human consumption and animal nutrition, a hydrothermal steaming process is used, the so-called "cooking", which is a technological process of grain treatment with the aim of gelatinizing starch, i.e., to improve the nutritional properties and better digestibility of grain. This research presents the results of changes in the nutritional properties of wheat grains of two cultivars, Kraljica and Srpanjka, and on two cultivars of triticale, Goran and Ranko. The thermal treatment by convection drying was performed at (50°C, 60°C and 70°C), as well as the cooking process in a period of 10 and 15 minutes at a pressure of 0.5 bar. In the drying process, the Srpanjka variety released water faster than other investigated samples at all temperatures. From all the obtained results, it can be concluded that the hydrothermal treatment leads to a change in the nutritional properties of wheat and triticale, or to a change in the content of ash, fat and starch in the grain

Production technology and storing of corn silage in biogas production

Globalne potrebe za energijom u stalnom su porastu, što je u posljednje vrijeme vidljivo i kroz povećanje cijena energenata. Iz navedenog razloga, obnovljivi izvori predstavljaju sve značajniji izvor energije. Prema zadnjim europskim trendovima, a zbog stupanja na snagu novih Europskih direktiva jednogodišnje kulture postaju neodgovarajuće za uzgoj zbog negativnog učinka na prehrambeni sektor, ali i zbog sve većeg utjecaja na klimatske promjene. Jedna od takvih sirovina je silažni kukuruz, odnosno kukuruzna silaža koja se koristi kao sirovina u proizvodnji bioplina. U ovom radu dat je pregled dosadašnjih spoznaja o tehnologiji proizvodnje, ali i skladištenju kukuruzne silaže i njene primjene u proizvodnji bioplina. Cilj rada je dati odgovor na pitanje zašto je kukuruz konzerviran u obliku silaže postao učestalo korištena jednogodišnja energetska kultura u proizvodnji biogoriva, ali i ukazati na probleme njegovog korištenja ukoliko se isti trend nastavi u budućnosti.Global energy demands are constantly growing, which can be seen lately in rising energy prices. Because of that, renewable sources became an important source of energy. According to the latest European trend and due to the entry of new European directives annual crops are becoming unsuitable for cultivation due to the negative impact on the food sector, but also due to the growing impact on climate change. One of the raw materials is corn silage, which is used in biogas production. This paper provides an overview of current knowledge on production technology, but also on storage of corn silage and its application in biofuel production. This paper aims to answer the questions why corn preserved in form of silage has become a frequently used one-year energy crop in biofuel production, but also to point out the problems of its use if the same trend continues in the future