Unravelling the Effect of Activators used in The Synthesis of Biomass-Derived Carbon Electrocatalysts on the Electrocatalytic Performance for CO₂ Reduction

N-doped carbon materials can be efficient and cost-effective catalysts for the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). Activators are often used in the synthesis process to increase the specific surface area and porosity of these carbon materials. However, owing to the diversity of activators and the differences...

Hybrid sol-gel coatings for reducing wettability and storage degradation of biomass pellets

Long transport distances and extended storage of biomass pellets especially in humid environments provide a suitable setting for enhanced degradation in the form of moisture sorption, cracking and attrition. We developed an optically transparent, low-cost and environmentally friendly coating to reduce moisture sorption and storage degradation...

Hydrothermal liquefaction of Elaeis guineensis trunks: Lessons learned from a case study in Guatemala

The oil palm industry has been under public scrutiny during the last decades due to environmental and social issues related to its practices. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) trunks (OPTs) are of special interest as they are left idle in the field after the replanting process which is performed every 25 years. This common practice results...

Numerical Evaluation of Biochar Production Performance of Downdraft Gasifier by Thermodynamic Model

A theoretical evaluation of the biochar production process using a biomass gasifier has been carried out herein. Being distinguished from the previous research trend examining the use of a biomass gasifier, which has been focused on energy efficiency, the present study tries to figure out the effect of biochar production rate on the overall...

Estimation of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis product yields using artificial neural networks

As the push towards more sustainable ways to produce energy and chemicals intensifies, efforts are needed to refine and optimize the systems that can give an answer to these needs. In the present work, the use of neural networks as modelling tools for lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis main products yields estimation was evaluated. In order to...

The potential of biomass-derived hydrogen in west-andalusia

Hydrogen is believed to be an important energy vector in the transition to a more sustainable future. However, there is a scarcity of relevant studies analysing the realistic potential for hydrogen production in specific European regions. In this study, the potential for biomass-derived hydrogen is comprehensively analysed considering a...

Gasification of woody biomass in a novel indirectly heated bubbling fluidized bed steam reformer

Within this work, a novel 50 kW_th indirectly heated bubbling fluidized bed steam reformer (IHBFBSR) is presented, along with its commissioning experiments. In the IHBFBSR, heat is provided through two radiant tube natural gas burners in the bed and the freeboard area. The aim of this innovative design is sufficient heat provision...

The Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Degradation Behavior of Biomass Pellets

Biomass pellets provide a pivotal opportunity in promising energy transition scenarios as a renewable source of energy. A large share of the current utilization of pellets is facilitated by intensive global trade operations. Considering the long distance between the production site and the end-user locations, pellets may face fluctuating storage...

Biomass pyrolysis TGA assessment with an international round robin

The large variations found in literature for the activation energy values of main biomass compounds (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) in pyrolysis TGA raise concerns regarding the reliability of both the experimental and the modelling side of the performed works. In this work, an international round robin has been conducted by 7 partners...

The Effect of Biomass Pellet Length, Test Conditions and Torrefaction on Mechanical Durability Characteristics According to ISO Standard 17831-1

With the recent increase in biomass pellet consumption, the mechanical degradation of pellets during transport and handling has become more important. ISO standard 17831-1 is an accepted global standard that is commonly used amongst researchers and industries to determine the mechanical durability of pellets. However, the measured mechanical...

Breakage behavior of biomass pellets: An experimental and numerical study

The presence and generation of fines and dust in the bulk of biomass pellets have inflicted several problems in the supply chain during transportation and storage, and the breakage behavior of pellets has been scarcely studied so far. Fines and dust are the consequences of impact and abrasive forces through the whole supply chain; however, the...

Biomass pellet breakage: A numerical comparison between contact models

The breakage behaviour of biomass pellets with a diameter of 6 mm under uniaxial compression test was studied experimentally and numerically using the discrete element method (DEM). Two types of the available bonding contact models in EDEM software were used to compare the macroscopic properties including the maximum stress at failure, strain at...

The Effect of Pellet Length on Mechanical Durability and Breakage Behaviour of Torrefied Biomass

The transportation, handling, and storage of biomass pellets are challenging due to pellet breakage and fines generation. The amount of fines generated during transportation and handling of biomass pellets is mostly measured in the laboratory using mechanical durability testers such as tumbling can method according to ISO 17831-1. This standard...