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Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage
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Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 13918

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ana Ferreira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IDMEC, Mechanical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: biomass valorization (agriculture and forest biomass); biomass conversion processes (e.g., combustion, carbonization, pyrolysis, and gasification); emission; biofuels and biofertilizers; energy and environment (decarbonization); life cycle analysis; sustainability; biomass and society
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is accepted by the scientific community that the Earth's climate has changed through history in cycles; however, in recent years, global warming has been mainly attributed to human activity, specifically, due to greenhouse gases (GHG) like carbon dioxide (CO2). Moreover, smog, acid rain, and local air quality are also severe issues for public health, mostly associated with the transport and industry. Emissions of GHG and other pollutants are coherently related to local and global energy consumption, which has been rising incessantly, and is largely influenced by population growth, industrialization, and urbanization. In the last 40 years, primary energy demand has more than doubled, leading to an equivalent increase in CO2 emissions. Therefore, society’s concern regarding environmental issues and sustainability has increased in the last decades. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the quality of water, and the quality of the soils are at the center of the discussion on global climate change policies, which aim to implement new solutions to respond to these concerns. It is fundamental to find new resources, and to develop new products and applications to mitigate the negative environmental impacts, increasing the investment and use of renewable energy sources.

It is with great pleasure that I invite authors to submit articles for this Special Issue, so that together we can help make the world more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This Special Issue addresses various topics, namely, biomass, conversion technology, renewable energy, biofuels, hydrogen, biofertilizers, energy, emissions, environment, decarbonization, life cycle analysis, and sustainability.

Dr. Ana Ferreira
Guest Editor

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

  • biomass
  • conversion technology
  • renewable energy
  • biofuels
  • hydrogen
  • biofertilizers
  • energy
  • emissions
  • environment
  • decarbonization
  • life cycle analysis
  • sustainability

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5978 KiB  
Article
Thermochemical Properties for Valorization of Amazonian Biomass as Fuel
by João Moreira, Alan Carneiro, Diego Oliveira, Fernando Santos, Danielle Guerra, Manoel Nogueira, Hendrick Rocha, Félix Charvet and Luís Tarelho
Energies 2022, 15(19), 7343; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197343 - 06 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1314
Abstract
The use of agroforestry residues for energy purposes has long been a reality in Brazil. About 84.8% of the produced electricity comes from renewable resources; vegetable biomass contributes 9.1% to this total. This percentage has the potential to increase if Amazon biomass residues [...] Read more.
The use of agroforestry residues for energy purposes has long been a reality in Brazil. About 84.8% of the produced electricity comes from renewable resources; vegetable biomass contributes 9.1% to this total. This percentage has the potential to increase if Amazon biomass residues are processed to be used as fuel. The major difficulty for this scenario is the lack of available information on energy properties, mainly the HHVs for Amazon agroforestry biomass types. Considering that there are important deviations in the equations for predicting the HHVs of Amazon biomass types in the literature, the main objective of this work was to propose equations to determine the HHVs of these biomass types using the proximate or ultimate analysis results as input. The methodology adopted to develop such equations was simple and multiple linear regression methods, using experimental results for HHVs and proximate and ultimate analyses for biomass types from the north region of Brazil. Four distinct equations were considered based on ranges from the proximate and ultimate analyses of the biomass types to deliver better results. The obtained equations were validated by application to 28 other biomass types from the same region. The proposed HHV equations presented good agreement between predicted and experimental values, with errors below 5% for equations based on proximate analysis and below 3% for equations based on ultimate analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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17 pages, 2562 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Biomass and Biochar of Maritime Pine as a Porous Medium for Water Retention in Soils
by Rodrigo V. Santos, Miguel A. A. Mendes, Carlos Alexandre, Manuela Ribeiro Carrott, Abel Rodrigues and Ana F. Ferreira
Energies 2022, 15(16), 5882; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15165882 - 13 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
Pinewood biomass in Portugal can be considered a major source of biochar for soil physical, chemical, and biological edaphic amendment. This work intended to evaluate the aptitude of lab produced biochar for upgrading soil moisture dynamics’ relationships considering mixtures of biochar with silica-based [...] Read more.
Pinewood biomass in Portugal can be considered a major source of biochar for soil physical, chemical, and biological edaphic amendment. This work intended to evaluate the aptitude of lab produced biochar for upgrading soil moisture dynamics’ relationships considering mixtures of biochar with silica-based sand. The methodology used focused on the carbonization of pine biomass with inert atmosphere at 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C, followed by a chemical proximate and thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, numerical modeling, and characterization of biochar porosity by gas adsorption (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and mercury porosimetry. The results showed the increased amounts of soil water retention and plant available water, evaluated through pF curves, due to biochar application. The thermogravimetric analysis mass loss patterns and FTIR transmittance, reflected major structural modifications in carbonized products by comparison with raw biomass. Mercury porosimetry showed that biochar pores between 392 and 250 μm and 32 μm and 6 μm gave the highest pore volume for water retention with a major increase from carbonization, by comparison with physical activation. The used methodologies allowed us to conclude that the carbonaceous feedstock can potentiate the improvement of soil water relations aiming at agricultural land use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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18 pages, 1784 KiB  
Article
Possibilities and Generated Emissions of Using Wood and Lignin Biofuel for Heat Production
by Aleksandras Chlebnikovas, Dainius Paliulis, Artūras Kilikevičius, Jaroslaw Selech, Jonas Matijošius, Kristina Kilikevičienė and Darius Vainorius
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8471; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14248471 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2247
Abstract
Energy (including thermal) needs are growing rapidly worldwide thus leading to increased energy production. Considering stricter requirements for the employment of non-renewable energy sources, the use of biofuel in energy facilities appears as one of the best options, having high potential for growth [...] Read more.
Energy (including thermal) needs are growing rapidly worldwide thus leading to increased energy production. Considering stricter requirements for the employment of non-renewable energy sources, the use of biofuel in energy facilities appears as one of the best options, having high potential for growth that will increase in the long run both in the Baltic region and the European Union as a whole. This publication investigates the possibilities of using various blends of biofuel containing lignin for heat production and emissions to the air during combustion processes. The paper examines the chemical composition of lignin and bottom ash and explores the impact of a different ratio of lignin in the fuel mixture, the effect of the power of biofuel combustion plants (boilers) and the influence of fuel supply to the combustion chamber on gaseous pollutants (CO, NOx, SO2) and particulate matter emissions. The results of the conducted study demonstrate that, in contrast to pure lignin, the concentrations of alkali metals, boron and, to a lesser extent, nickel and chlorine have increased the most in bottom ash. The use of lignin can effectively reduce the need for conventional biofuel by 30–100% and to increase the temperature of exhaust gases. The lowest emissions have been observed using a mixture of 30% of lignin and biofuel at the lowest range of power (2.5–4 MW). Under the optimal oxygen/temperature mode, carbon monoxide concentrations are approximately 20 mg/Nm3 and those of nitrogen oxides–500 mg/Nm3. Particulate matter emissions reach 150 mg/Nm3, and hence applying air treatment equipment is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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14 pages, 2448 KiB  
Article
Land-Use Change and Bioenergy Production: Soil Consumption and Characterization of Anaerobic Digestion Plants
by Giovanni Ferrari, Federico Ioverno, Marco Sozzi, Francesco Marinello and Andrea Pezzuolo
Energies 2021, 14(13), 4001; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14134001 - 02 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2312
Abstract
The exploitation of bioenergy plays a key role in the process of decarbonising the economic system. Huge efforts have been made to develop bioenergy and other renewable energy systems, but it is necessary to investigate the costs and problems associated with these technologies. [...] Read more.
The exploitation of bioenergy plays a key role in the process of decarbonising the economic system. Huge efforts have been made to develop bioenergy and other renewable energy systems, but it is necessary to investigate the costs and problems associated with these technologies. Soil consumption and, in particular, soil sealing are some of these aspects that should be carefully evaluated. Agricultural biogas plants (ABPs) often remove areas dedicated to agricultural activities and require broad paved areas for the associated facilities. This study aimed to (i) assess the surfaces destined to become facilities and buildings in ABPs, (ii) correlate these surfaces with each other and to the installed powers of the plants, and (iii) estimate the consumption of soil in bioenergy applications in Italy. Two hundred ABPs were sampled from an overall population of 1939, and the extents of the facilities were measured by aerial and satellite observations. An ABP with an installed power of 1000 kW covers an average surface area of up to 23,576 m2. Most of this surface, 97.9%, is obtained from previously cultivated areas. The ABP analysis proved that 24.7 m2 of surface area produces 1 kW of power by bioenergy. The obtained model estimated a total consumption of soil by ABPs in Italy of 31,761,235 m2. This research can support stakeholders in cost-benefit analyses to design energy systems based on renewable energy sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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10 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
Separate Collected Versus Mechanical Segregated Organic Fractions in Terms of Fertilizers Suitability
by Przemysław Seruga and Małgorzata Krzywonos
Energies 2021, 14(13), 3971; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133971 - 02 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1395
Abstract
Nowadays, municipal solid waste (MSW) management is one of the most critical issues. MSW may threaten the environment; however, the concerning high organic fraction content can be useful. This study aimed to compare the suitability of mechanically sorted organic fraction (OF) of MSW [...] Read more.
Nowadays, municipal solid waste (MSW) management is one of the most critical issues. MSW may threaten the environment; however, the concerning high organic fraction content can be useful. This study aimed to compare the suitability of mechanically sorted organic fraction (OF) of MSW and source-segregated biowaste for biofertilizer usage. The compost and the effluents compositions were analyzed. Compost derived from biowaste can be applied to the soil, while, after processing OFMSW, the metal contents are too high. The exceeding limit values were noted, e.g., lead (over 80 mg/kg) and chrome (75 mg/kg). Effluents from biowaste treatment fulfill the national and UE fertilizers’ requirements, considering the heavy metal contents, while effluents from OFMSW treatments exceed the limit values. The biggest exceedings were observed for nickel (over 3 mg/kg) and zinc (over 500 mg/kg). In general, the heavy metal contamination of byproducts from the OFMSW treatment was much higher. At the same time, the biogenic elements, e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, were much lower than the biowaste treatment byproducts; however, even for them, the concentrations of the biogenic elements were too low to meet EU requirements. The compost and effluents derived from the biowaste treatment may be suitable for crop applications, considering the current national requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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20 pages, 3287 KiB  
Article
Size-Segregated Particulate Matter from Gasification of Bulgarian Agro-Forest Biomass Residue
by Ricardo Ferreira, Tsvetelina Petrova, Ana F. Ferreira, Mário Costa, Iliyana Inaydenova, Stela Atanasova-Vladimirova and Bogdan Ranguelov
Energies 2021, 14(2), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020385 - 12 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2062
Abstract
The main purpose of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of the gasification process of three different types of agro-forest biomass residue (rapeseed, softwood, and sunflower husks) along with the characterization of size-segregated particulates’ emissions. The experiments were carried out in [...] Read more.
The main purpose of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of the gasification process of three different types of agro-forest biomass residue (rapeseed, softwood, and sunflower husks) along with the characterization of size-segregated particulates’ emissions. The experiments were carried out in a drop tube furnace (DTF), using two different gasifying agents (O2/N2 and O2/N2/CO2) at atmospheric pressure and a constant temperature of 1000 °C. In focus was the effect of biomass and the gasifying agent on syngas composition (CO, H2, CH4, and CO2), cold gas and carbon conversion efficiency, and on the emissions of by-products, such as particulate matter (PM), known for having negative environmental and health impacts. The collected particulates were characterized by SEM/EDS and XPS analysis. The results reveal that: (i) the introduction of CO2 increased the production of CO and CH4 and syngas’ lower heating value (LHV), thus leading to higher cold gas and carbon conversion efficiency; (ii) CO2 decreased the production of H2, leading to lower H2/CO ratio (between 0.25 and 0.9). Therefore, the generated syngas is suitable for the synthesis of higher hydrocarbons, (iii) CO2 lowered the emissions of char (cyclone) particles but increased the overall PM10–0.3. Submicron size PM was the dominant fraction (PM1–0.3) in O2/N2 and (PM1.6–0.3) in O2/N2/CO2. Unimodal PM size distribution was observed, except for sunflower husks gasification in O2/N2/CO2; (iv) the SEM/EDS and XPS analysis confirmed that submicron-sized PM1–0.3 contain above 80% of carbon associated to soot, due to incomplete oxidation, whereas in cyclone (char) particles, carbon decreased to about 50%. The SEM/EDS results showed that K and Cl are typical constituents of the submicron size PM, whereas the alkaline earth metals were detected mainly in fine and coarse particulates. Detailed analysis of the XPS (C1s) spectra showed that the most common oxygen-containing groups on the PM1 surface were carbonyl and carboxyl. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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24 pages, 5320 KiB  
Review
The Use of Plants from the Lemnaceae Family for Biofuel Production—A Bibliometric and In-Depth Content Analysis
by Małgorzata Krzywonos, Zdzisława Romanowska-Duda, Przemysław Seruga, Beata Messyasz and Stanisław Mec
Energies 2023, 16(4), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16042058 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2190
Abstract
Plants of the Lemnaceae family are becoming increasingly popular among researchers. The goal of the study was to characterize trends in scientific research related to the use of aquatic plants from the Lemnaceae family for energy purposes, especially for the production of biogas, [...] Read more.
Plants of the Lemnaceae family are becoming increasingly popular among researchers. The goal of the study was to characterize trends in scientific research related to the use of aquatic plants from the Lemnaceae family for energy purposes, especially for the production of biogas, bioethanol, and other biofuels. These plants fit perfectly into the concept of a circular economy. This study performed a bibliometric and in-depth content analysis to review the use of plants from the Lemnaceae family for biofuel production. A set of 666 articles published from 2008 to 2022 was identified from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Different analytical scientometric tools (topic mapping and overlay visualization networks) were used to analyze 141 articles; the most influential countries, institutions, authors, journals, and articles were identified. Depth content analysis reveals five research areas: (i) development of duckweed growth and starch accumulation; (ii) development of the pretreatment techniques; (iii) development of ethanol fermentation; (iv) hydrothermal liquefaction and bio-oil production; and (v) anaerobic digestion and biogas production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable and Circular Systems for Biofuel Production and Usage)
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