Miscanthus biomass quality composition and methods of feedstock preparation for conversion into synthetic diesel fuel

Abstract

When developing various technologies designed for biomass conversion into biofuels, it is important to establish the suitability of raw material of lignocellulotic, non-food plants such as Miscanthus, whose biomass has a good energy potential. Biomass productivity, quality and its suitability for processing under more northern climatic conditions are important factors to be considered. Experiments were aimed to estimate quality and technological parameters of Miscanthus growing, harvesting and processing into synthetic diesel, to evaluate chemical, physical and mechanical properties of biomass and to determine energy consumption necessary for biomass preparation for conversion into synthetic diesel. The study object was biomass of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu) produced under Lithuanian and German climate conditions. Miscanthus harvested in the autumn produced up to 9.42 t ha -1 dry matter (DM) yield, which was significantly higher in the treatments fertilised with a higher nitrogen rate. The content of cellulose (413-456 g kg -1 DM) and hemicellulose (204-236 g kg -1 DM) was very similar at all fertilisation levels. The highest content of lignin (117 g kg -1 DM) was established in the treatments fertilised with 120 kg ha -1 N. The spring-harvested Miscanthus biomass had significantly lower moisture content and the yield was significantly lower, too. While preparing the biomass as feedstock for synthetic diesel the greatest reduction in moisture content (to 8.59 ± 1.38%) occurred when Miscanthus biomass was chopped, pre-dried and milled, and particles larger than 2 mm accounted for the largest share. The energy use for chopping of autumn-harvested biomass was lower and chopping efficiency was higher compared with the spring-harvested biomass. The composition of major components of synthetic fuel from Miscanthus biomass was very similar to that of mineral diesel.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic responses of human lung cells to combustion smoke particles of Miscanthus straw, softwood and beech wood chips

“…using appropriate boilers, dry biomass fuels and complete combustion conditions, combined with cleaner biomass fuels producing limited emissions and exhibiting low toxicity is strongly recommended (Fachinger et al, 2017; Kaivosoja et al, 2013; Leskinen et al, 2014). Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) is a high-yielding perennial grass with the potential to meet biomass fuel production criteria (Atkinson, 2009; Kadžiulienė et al, 2014). It is also economically viable and plays an important role in the sustainable production of renewable fuels and chemicals via thermo-chemical conversion (Sørensen et al, 2008).…”

Energy Evaluation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Reed Plant Pelletizing and Utilization as Solid Biofuel

“…The maximum compression force of reed was the highest of all the plants under investigation and reached 549.2 N. The maximum compression force of bulrush pellets was 543.2 N and that of reed canary grass pellets reached only 324.2 N. Therefore, pellets made from these plants would be the least resistant to adverse effects during transportation, storage, or loading into a furnace of a boiler (Figure 1). Latvian scientists investigated the strength of 36 mm diameter cylindrical briquettes [43]. The density of their investigated briquettes was of 1135 kg m −3 dry matter (this density was similar to that of our tested pellets), and critical breaking pressure varied from 99 to 115 N mm −1 .…”

“…where: w -pellet moisture content, %; a and b -coefficients of the equation. Latvian scientists investigated the strength of 36 mm diameter cylindrical briquettes [43]. The density of their investigated briquettes was of 1135 kg m −3 dry matter (this density was similar to that of our tested pellets), and critical breaking pressure varied from 99 to 115 N mm −1 .…”

“…The fractional composition of the mill was determined by weighing the mass accumulated on the sieves. The sieves with different holes, 0.25, 0.5, 0.63, 1.0, and 2.0 mm, were used [43]. Each test was repeated five times.…”

Assessment of Herbal Plant Biofuel Pellet Quality Indicators

“…After performed tests, research data will be processed by statistical -mathematical methods. Averages and their confidence intervals, estimated substantial difference in the threshold at 95 % probability are calculated during data processing time (Kadžiulienė et al, 2014).…”