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Trends and Perspectives in Biomass and Bioenergy with Energy Efficient Technologies

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 7501

Special Issue Editors

Department of Mechanical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Interests: mechanical wood processing; wood raw material; structural timber; carbon footprint in wood construction; forest biomass and post-production wood biomass for industrial and energy purposes; sustainability in forestry and the wood industry; energy-efficient technologies in the wood industry; cogeneration in the wood industry; product life cycle; recycling of wood products; pro-environmental and economic directions for the development of biomass-based energy security
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Wood Science and Thermal Techniques, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
Interests: wood technology; adhesives and lacquer products; wood based materials; wood modification; non-wooden materials; energy-saving sources of energy for curing and hardening of lacquer products and adhesives; economical and technological aspects of gluing and finishing technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges we experience in the modern world. In recent years, ecological, economic and political aspects have contributed to the adaptation and introduction of legislation responding to the challenges of sustainable development, including standards relating to energy issues. Therefore, when countering climate change, there is a tendency to seek solutions to reduce energy demand and increase the share of renewable sources in the overall balance of acquired energy. Paths of economic development based on the needs of the environment must found urgently, through the implementation of innovative technological solutions for manufacturing products, using environmentally friendly technologies, and via opportunities to finance green energy sources or green technologies that will allow the development of a low-carbon economy and a climate-resilient society.

Accordingly, research is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Principles of financing green technologies for the processing of renewable materials such as wood, wood plastics, and biomass, including investment elements related to environmental protection and investment decisions on the use and production of energy;
  • Updated research reviews using economic analysis methods that address investments related to the acquisition or rational use of renewable energy with positive environmental impacts;
  • Discussion of the main energy and economic challenges in the forest-wood area and suggestions of possible ways to overcome the shortage of solid fuels and related socio-economic problems;
  • The possibilities of using post-consumer wood, including wood composite materials, for energy purposes;
  • The use of modern solutions related to the introduction of environmentally friendly energy materials and energy-efficient technologies to process lignocellulosic materials

Contributions to research with the application of mathematical and econometric programming tools used for the analysis and evaluation of case studies are also appreciated.  All papers will undergo a thorough review process in accordance with Energies quality standards. The papers must contain original research and illustrations should refer to actual case studies for which data should be provided (either in the paper or as supplementary material) to ensure that the results can be verified. The papers should contribute novel and noteworthy research to the relevant literature.

Dr. Marek Wieruszewski
Dr. Tomasz Krystofiak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change energy policy
  • renewable energy
  • biomass as a solid fuel
  • energy-efficient technologies for processing wood and other lignocellulosic materials
  • economic and technological aspects of obtaining and using energy biomass
  • climate regulations in the processing of wood and wood-based materials
  • legal, economic and technological aspects of the use of bioenergy
  • sustainable development of wood production and use of renewable energy

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 8742 KiB  
Article
Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engine’s Energy Parameter Research Using Variable (HVO) Biodiesel and Biobutanol Fuel Blends
by Gintaras Valeika, Jonas Matijošius, Olga Orynycz, Alfredas Rimkus, Artūras Kilikevičius and Karol Tucki
Energies 2024, 17(1), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17010262 - 04 Jan 2024
Viewed by 964
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of different biofuels, such as pure hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and biobutanol, as well as their blends, on the non-energetic operational characteristics of a compression ignition internal combustion engine. The research investigations were conducted using a [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of different biofuels, such as pure hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and biobutanol, as well as their blends, on the non-energetic operational characteristics of a compression ignition internal combustion engine. The research investigations were conducted using a turbocharged direct injection compression ignition engine that was put within a Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI automobile. Throughout the investigation, the primary emphasis was placed on analyzing energy characteristics such as power, brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and other related factors. The analysis involved the utilization of multiple combinations of bio-based fuels, namely four mixes of HVO with biobutanol (HVO100, HVOB5, HVOB10, and HVOB20), which were subsequently compared to fossil diesel (D100). The findings of the study indicate that the utilization of HVO100 fuel results in notable reductions in power output and mass fraction when compared to D100 gasoline. HVO100 fuel demonstrates superior performance to D100 gasoline, exhibiting a range of 1.7% to 28% improvement in brake-specific fuel consumption. Additionally, at an engine speed of 4500 rpm, the use of HVO100 fuel leads to a decrease in brake thermal efficiency of 4.4%. Full article
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17 pages, 2273 KiB  
Article
Studies on Engine Oil Degradation Characteristics in a Field Test with Passenger Cars
by Ruslans Smigins, Karlis Amatnieks, Aivars Birkavs, Krzysztof Górski and Sviatoslav Kryshtopa
Energies 2023, 16(24), 7955; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16247955 - 07 Dec 2023
Viewed by 743
Abstract
Nowadays, a car’s engine oil change interval is an essential factor in reducing wear. The correct choice depends on various factors. This study analyzes the changes in the composition of three different engine oils (0W30, 5W30, and 5W40) during the generally accepted oil [...] Read more.
Nowadays, a car’s engine oil change interval is an essential factor in reducing wear. The correct choice depends on various factors. This study analyzes the changes in the composition of three different engine oils (0W30, 5W30, and 5W40) during the generally accepted oil change interval (15,000 km) in gasoline and diesel cars during the post-warranty period. Commercially available low-level biofuel blends (B7 and E10) were used to power test vehicles in a field test. Engine oil samples were taken every 3000 km for more detailed analysis and tested in an accredited laboratory. The contaminants in the engine oil were determined using several testing methods: spectrometric analysis, gas chromatography, etc. Studies have shown that all used cars have an increase in the number of iron particles, an increased concentration of silicon, and also an increase in the number of nickel particles above 12,000 km. Tests also showed a sharp drop of molybdenum anti-friction additives 4.5 times and a gradual increase in fuel concentration for the Opel Insignia over 12,000 km, but over 9000 km, a significant increase in the concentration of chromium particles. Based on this research results, it is preferable to choose a maintenance interval of no more than 12,000 km for cars during the post-warranty period. In this way, the intensity of engine wear can be reduced due to the loss of adequate protective properties of the engine oil. Full article
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18 pages, 2830 KiB  
Article
Avocado Tree Pruning Pellets (Persea americana Mill.) for Energy Purposes: Characterization and Quality Evaluation
by José Alberto Soria-González, Raúl Tauro, José Juan Alvarado-Flores, Víctor Manuel Berrueta-Soriano and José Guadalupe Rutiaga-Quiñones
Energies 2022, 15(20), 7514; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207514 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
The energy use of fruit tree pruning represents a current alternative to achieving an energy transition toward clean biomass resources, which can substitute for fossil fuels and mitigate polluting emissions. In Mexico, avocado is one of the most important fruit crops, with approximately [...] Read more.
The energy use of fruit tree pruning represents a current alternative to achieving an energy transition toward clean biomass resources, which can substitute for fossil fuels and mitigate polluting emissions. In Mexico, avocado is one of the most important fruit crops, with approximately 260,000 ha planted. The pruning of avocado trees generates large amounts of biomass that are not fully exploited, lacking studies that analyze in depth the energy potential of pruning. This study aims to determine the potential energy use of avocado pruning as densified solid biofuels. The physical, chemical and energetic properties of two pruning fractions defined as class B (branches) and class BAL (branches and leaves) were determined. From class B, pellets were made, and their physical and mechanical properties were determined. Subsequently, the evaluated parameters of the pellets obtained were compared to European quality regulations to determine their quality and identify their potential uses. The characterization of avocado pruning indicates that class B generally has better physicochemical characteristics than class BAL to be used as solid biofuel. It was found that class B has a high calorific value (19.61 MJ/kg) and low ash content (1.2%), while class BAL contains a high amount of ash (7.2%) and high levels of N (1.98%) and S (1.88%). The manufactured pellets met most of the quality requirements for immediate use in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors at the regional level. Full article
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Review

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21 pages, 2399 KiB  
Review
Thermochemical Production of Hydrogen from Biomass: Pyrolysis and Gasification
by José Juan Alvarado-Flores, Jorge Víctor Alcaraz-Vera, María Liliana Ávalos-Rodríguez, Erandini Guzmán-Mejía, José Guadalupe Rutiaga-Quiñones, Luís Fernando Pintor-Ibarra and Santiago José Guevara-Martínez
Energies 2024, 17(2), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020537 - 22 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1181
Abstract
Today, hydrogen is one of the best options for generating electrical energy, for both industrial and residential use. The greatest volume of hydrogen produced today derives from processes that utilize petroleum. Although hydrogen has numerous benefits, continuing to produce it by these means [...] Read more.
Today, hydrogen is one of the best options for generating electrical energy, for both industrial and residential use. The greatest volume of hydrogen produced today derives from processes that utilize petroleum. Although hydrogen has numerous benefits, continuing to produce it by these means is undesirable. This document presents a review of the literature on biohydrogen production based on an analysis of over 15 types of terrestrial and marine biomasses. The fundamental components of different production systems are described, with a focus on the thermochemical processes of pyrolysis and gasification, which have been identified as two of the most effective, practical ways to produce hydrogen from biomass. It also discusses catalysts, solid residues, and residual water that are used in the thermochemical production of biohydrogen. The article ends with an analysis of hydrogen and its benefits as an energy option with great potential in the short term to participate in the transition from fossil fuels. Full article
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23 pages, 1727 KiB  
Review
The Potential of the Bioenergy Market in the European Union—An Overview of Energy Biomass Resources
by Marek Wieruszewski and Katarzyna Mydlarz
Energies 2022, 15(24), 9601; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15249601 - 17 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2331
Abstract
One of the bases of the European policy and energy strategy is the biomass and bioenergy obtained from it. It is estimated that by 2023, the annual demand for biomass will have increased from the current level of 7 EJ to 10 EJ. [...] Read more.
One of the bases of the European policy and energy strategy is the biomass and bioenergy obtained from it. It is estimated that by 2023, the annual demand for biomass will have increased from the current level of 7 EJ to 10 EJ. There are significant differences between estimates of the bioenergy potential due to the fact that the authors of publications do not use consistent methodology and assumptions. Forest biomass, agricultural residues, and energy crops are the three main sources of biomass for energy production. Energy crops are likely to become the most important source of biomass. Land use and its changes are a key issue in the sustainable production of bioenergy as the availability of biomass determines its potential for energy security. This article is a review of the latest publications on the bioenergy potential of the member-states of the European Union. The consumption of energy and its potential were presented, with a special focus on renewable sources, especially biomass. The potential of biomass resources was presented and the types of biomass and its sources of origin were indicated. The research was conducted on the member-states of the European Union, whose policy is based on long-term development from the dependence on fossil resources to the dominance of renewable resources. As results from the research, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the potential of both forest biomass (from 4.8 EJ per annum to the forecasted 15 EJ per annum) and agricultural biomass from (from 2.3 EJ per annum to the forecasted 7 EJ per annum). The increase in the demand for energy biomass in the EU member-states is balanced by partial imports from non-EU countries. Full article
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