Chemical Characteristics of Biomass Ashes Zając, Grzegorz; Szyszlak-Bargłowicz, Joanna; Gołębiowski, Wojciech ...
Energies (Basel),
11/2018, Volume:
11, Issue:
11
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The aim of the conducted research was to obtain information on the main components of ashes from 35 biomass species used in combustion processes to obtain reference data for the development of ...utility possibilities for these ashes, with particular emphasis on agricultural use. The examined biomass samples were divided into groups depending on origin: woody biomass and energetic woody plants I-WWB, herbaceous and grassy energy plants II-EC, agricultural waste III-AR, forest waste IV-FR and waste from the agri-food industry V-AFIW. The analysis of the studied elements contents was carried out in the designated groups. The chemical composition of ash was dominated by the macroelements Ca, K, P and S, which suggests the possibility of their agricultural use. At the same time, the low content of toxic elements such as As and Pb should not be a limiting feature in their use, with the exception of wood biomass. In addition, ashes obtained from the biomass combustion were enriched with microelements such as Zn, Cu and Mn, which further increases their possibilities of fertilizer use. The potential use of ash from each type of biomass in the aspect of its chemical composition should be considered individually, regardless of the division into groups depending on the origin of biomass.
Abstract
Fuels and their components accumulate in soil, and many soil organisms are exposed to this pollution. Compared to intensive research on the effect of conventional fuel on soil, very few ...studies have been conducted on soil ecotoxicity of biofuels. Considering the limited information available, the present study evaluated the changes caused by the presence of biodiesel and diesel fuel in soil. The reaction of higher plants and soil organisms (microbial communities and invertebrates) was analysed. Conventional diesel oil and two types of biodiesel (commercial and laboratory-made) were introduced into the soil. Two levels of contamination were applied—5 and 15% (w/w per dry matter of soil). The plate method was used to enumerate microorganisms from soil contaminated with biodiesel and diesel fuel. Phytotoxicity tests were conducted by a 3-day bioassay based on the seed germination and root growth of higher plant species (
Sorghum saccharatum
and
Sinapis alba
). Fourteen-day ecotoxicity tests on earthworm were performed using
Eisenia fetida
. Based on the results of the conducted tests it was found out that the organisms reacted to the presence of fuels in a diverse manner. As to the microorganisms, both the growth and reduction of their number were noted. The reaction depended on the group of microorganisms, type of fuel and dose of contamination. The lipolytic and amylolytic microorganisms as well as
Pseudomonas fluorescens
bacteria were particularly sensitive to the presence of fuels, especially biodiesel. Fuels, even at a high dose, stimulated the growth of fungi. Monocotyledonous sugar sorghum plants were more sensitive to the presence of fuels than dicotyledonous white mustard. There was also a significant negative impact of contamination level on plant growth and development. Biodiesel, to a greater extent than conventional fuel, adversely affected the survival and volume of earthworms.
This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the emission levels of selected greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, NOx) arising from the combustion of different forms of biomass, i.e., solid ...biomass in the form of pellets and liquid biomass in the example of engine biofuel (biodiesel). Both types of biomass under study are rape-based biofuels. The pellets are made from rape straw, which, as a waste product, can be used for energy purposes. Additionally, biodiesel contains rape oil methyl esters (FAME) designed to power diesel engines. The boiler 25 kW was used to burn the pellets. Engine measurements were performed on a dynamometer bench on an S-4003 tractor engine. An analyzer Testo 350 was used to analyze the exhaust gas. CO2 emission studies do not indicate the environmental benefits of using any alternative fuels tested compared to their conventional counterparts. In both the engine and boiler tests for NOx emissions, no environmental benefits were demonstrated from the use of alternative fuels. The measured average NOx emission levels for biodiesel compared to diesel were about 20% higher, and for rapeseed straw pellets, they were more than 60% higher compared to wood pellets. Only in the case of engine tests was significantly lower CH4 (approx. 30%) emission found when feeding the engine with rape oil methyl esters.
The article presents the studies on the biomass yield, heating value and thermal decomposition process of the shoots of Lavatera thuringiaca L. plants (solid biofuel) of different age (one to three ...years old) grown from He–Ne laser stimulated seeds. Five combinations of Lavatera biomass characterized by different pre-sowing seed exposure times to laser light (1–30 min) were investigated. The results showed that the exposure time of, respectively, 10, 15 and 30 min had the most pronounced effect on the increase of biomass yield for two-year old shoots and the heating values for one-, two- and three-year old shoots biomass in relation to the control. Over the three experimental years, significant differences in the H, N, fixed carbon and ash content between the combinations of shoots were found. For the tested biomass after the exposition to laser light as well as for older plants, the ignition and burnout temperatures were shifted towards higher values. Stimulation with laser light affected the maximum mass loss rate as well as corresponding temperature for the investigated shoots. The two-year old combinations were characterized by better combustion index in comparison to one- and three-year old ones.
As mentioned above, laser light stimulation of Lavatera seeds can contribute to the heating value and biomass yield increase and, as a result, to a more effective fossil fuel replacement.
This article presents the influence of ash-forming temperature on ash content and the content of selected heavy metals. The biomasses most commonly used in low-power heating boilers, such as miscant, ...oak, pine, sunflower husk, wheat straw and willow, were selected for the research. The biomass was incinerated at temperatures of 600 °C, 700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C, using the X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) for the measurement of element content. The results show that the content of heavy metals in the examined ash was not excessive and could not be considered as potentially dangerous. As the ash-forming temperature increased, the content of Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb decreased, which indicates that, at higher temperatures, they went into the gas phase. Cr, Ni and Fe were thermally stable and less volatile, thus the ashes were enriched with them as the ash-forming temperature increased.
The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of managing the waste resulting from the corn grain drying process as a biofuel characterized by low energy consumption in the compaction process ...and to evaluate the quality of the pellets made of this waste. The waste was agglomerated in the form of corn grain (CG), husks (CH), and cobs (CC), and their mixtures were prepared in a 4:1 volume ratio. The results of the analyses showed that CH was the most advantageous material for agglomeration due to the process’s low energy consumption (47.6 Wh·kg−1), while among the prepared mixtures, CC-CH was the most energy-efficient (54.7 Wh·kg−1). Pellets made of the CH-CC mixture were characterized by good quality parameters, with a satisfactory lower heating value (13.09 MJ·kg−1) and low energy consumption in the agglomeration process (55.3 Wh·kg−1). Moreover, data analysis revealed that the obtained pellets had density (1.24 kg∙dm−3) and mechanical durability (89%), which are important in their transport and storage. The findings of this study suggest that the use of waste from the corn grain drying process, in the form of pellets, may allow obtaining granules with different quality.
The aim of the research was assessment of N, P, K, Ca, Mg content in particular parts of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby), that is leaves, stems and roots, under diversified NPK mineral ...fertilization. The investigation was conducted on experimental plots sown with Virginia mallow, divided by means of narrow technological paths into two parts characterizing with various spacing of plant rows: plot 1 where spacing between rows of plants was 0.75 m and plot 2 where spacing between the rows was 0.50 m. In both cases the spacing between plants in rows was about 0.4-0.5 m and each experimental plot had an area of 2 700 m.sup.2. The highest content of investigated macroelements was noted in leaves of Virginia mallow, while the lowest in its roots. Carried out research indicate lack of significant influence of diversified level of fertilization on content of majority of analysed elements in biomass of Virginia mallow. In most cases, only two levels of fertilization significantly influenced level of calcium in plant material. Elevated content of calcium was observed in leaves of Virginia mallow when lower dose of fertilization was used. Moreover, no accumulation of nitrogen in stems and leaves of Virginia mallow was noted, and content of potassium and calcium observed in leaves and stems of Virginia mallow was several times lower than one recommended in order to ensure their care free usage. Key words: biomass, content of macroelements, cultivation, fertilization, Virginia mallow Celem badan bylo oznaczenie zawartosc N, P, K, Ca, Mg w poszczegolnych czesciach slazowca pensylwanskiego (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby) (lisciach, lodygach, korzeniach) przy zroznicowanym nawozeniu mineralnym (NPK). Badania prowadzono na dzialkach doswiadczalnych obsianych slazowcem pensylwanskim, podzielonych waskimi sciezkami technologicznymi na dwie czesci, rozniace sie rozstawem miedzy rzedami roslin: dzialka 1 o rozstawie miedzy rzedami roslin 0,75 m i dzialka 2 o rozstawie miedzy rzedami roslin 0,50 m. W obydwu przypadkach odleglosc miedzy roslinami w rzedach wynosila 0,4-0,5 m, a kazda dzialka doswiadczalna miala powierzchnie 2 700 m.sup.2. Najwyzsza zawartosc analizowanych makroelementow stwierdzono w lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego, natomiast najnizsza w korzeniach. Z przeprowadzonych badan wynika brak istotnego wplywu zroznicowanego poziomu nawozenia na zawartosc wiekszosci omawianych skladnikow w biomasie slazowca pensylwanskiego. Jedynie zastosowane dwa poziomy nawozenia w wiekszosci przypadkow istotnie wplynely na zawartosc wapnia w materiale roslinnym. Stwierdzono zwiekszona zawartosc wapnia w lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego przy zastosowaniu nizszej dawki nawozenia. Ponadto, nie stwierdzono kumulowania sie azotu w lodygach i lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego a stwierdzona w lisciach i lodygach slazowca pensylwanskiego zawartosc potasu i wapnia byla wielokrotnie nizsza od zalecanej dla zapewnienia ich bezproblemowego uzytkowania. Slowa kluczowe: biomasa, nawozenie, slazowiec pensylwanski, uprawa, zawartosc makroelementow Badania prowadzono na dzialkach doswiadczalnych obsianych slazowcem pensylwanskim (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby), podzielonych waskimi sciezkami technologicznymi na dwie czesci rozniace sie rozstawem miedzy rzedami roslin: dzialka 1 o rozstawie miedzy rzedami roslin 0,75 m i dzialka 2 o rozstawie miedzy rzedami roslin 0,50 m. W obydwu przypadkach odleglosc miedzy roslinami w rzedach wynosila 0,4-0,5 m, a kazda dzialka doswiadczalna miala powierzchnie 2 700 m.sup.2. W pierwszym roku uprawy dzialki zostaly nawiezione saletra amonowa (N 34%), superfosfatem pojedynczym (P 19%) i siarczanem potasu (K 50%) w proporcji N: P: K = 158: 88: 116 = 1,8: 1: 1,3. Nawozenie azotowe wprowadzono w 2 dawkach. W drugim roku uprawy zmniejszono o polowe ilosc zastosowanych nawozow i dzialki doswiadczalne nawieziono saletra amonowa (N 34%), superfosfatem pojedynczym (P 19%) i siarczanem potasu (K 50%) w proporcji N: P: K = 79: 44: 58 = 1,8: 1: 1,3. Azot rowniez wprowadzono w 2 dawkach. Celem badan bylo oznaczenie zawartosc N, P, K, Ca, Mg w poszczegolnych czesciach slazowca pensylwanskiego (lisciach, lodygach, korzeniach) przy zroznicowanym nawozeniu mineralnym (NPK). Z kazdej dzialki doswiadczalnej pobrano probki gleby oraz poszczegolnych czesci roslin slazowca pensylwanskiego (liscie, lodygi i korzenie) i wysuszono je. Analize fizykochemiczna probek glebowych i analize chemiczna probek roslinnych wykonano w Okregowej Stacji Chemiczno--Rolniczej w Lublinie. Badania prowadzono przez dwa kolejne lata, w drugim i trzecim roku uzytkowania doswiadczenia polowego. Przy analizie probek materialu roslinnego zastosowano metody analityczne: oznaczenie azotu ogolnego PB-70*--metoda destylacyjna, oznaczenie fosforu PB-24*--metoda kolorymetryczna, oznaczenie potasu i wapnia PB-25*--metoda fotometrii plomieniowej, oznaczenie magnezu PB-26*--metoda ASA., (* metoda nieakredytowana). Najwyzsza zawartosc analizowanych makroelementow stwierdzono w lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego, natomiast najnizsza w korzeniach. Z przeprowadzonych badan wynika brak istotnego wplywu zroznicowanego poziomu nawozenia na zawartosc wiekszosci omawianych skladnikow w biomasie slazowca pensylwanskiego. Jedynie zastosowane dwa poziomy nawozenia w wiekszosci przypadkow istotnie wplynely na zawartosc wapnia w materiale roslinnym. Stwierdzono zwiekszona zawartosci wapnia w lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego przy zastosowaniu nizszej dawki nawozenia. Ponadto nie stwierdzono kumulowania sie azotu w lodygach i lisciach slazowca pensylwanskiego a stwierdzona w lisciach i lodygach slazowca pensylwanskiego zawartosc potasu i wapnia byla wielokrotnie nizsza od zalecanej dla zapewnienia ich bezproblemowego uzytkowania.
Aquaculture wastewater contains a huge amount of substances that can cause environmental pollution. However, microalgae can absorb these compounds and convert them into useful biomass. In this study, ...Chlorella minutissima was grown in the wastewater resulting from saline aquaculture. The microalgae were found to effectively utilize nitrogen and phosphorus in the wastewater for its growth. During wastewater treatment, the cell density increased almost fivefold compared to the initial value (OD680 0.502). Moreover, batch culture resulted in the maximum biomass concentration and productivity of 4.77 g/L and 0.55 g/L/day, respectively. The contents of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in wastewater decreased by 88% and over 99%, respectively. In addition, the content of N-NO3 was reduced by 88.6%, N-NO2 by 74.3%, and dissolved orthophosphates (V) by 99%. At the beginning and throughout the experiment, the content of N-NH4 in wastewater remained below 0.05 mg/L. Furthermore, a high lipid content of 46.4% (w/w) was also obtained from the studied microalgae.
The article presents the effect of pre-sowing Lavatera thuringiaca L. seeds stimulation with He-Ne laser light on the chemical composition (P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn content) of ash obtained ...after combustion of shoots of different ages. Results varied, but it was confirmed that pre-sowing exposure of seeds to this physical factor for 10-min has the most pronounced effect on K, Cu and Mn content increase (6%, 20%, 31% increase respectively) in the ash after the first year of vegetation as well as on Cu, K and Zn content increase (9%, 19%, 22% increase respectively) after the second year of vegetation. However, 30-min stimulation significantly increases Ca (8%), Mn (20%) and Fe (72%) content in ash after the second year as well as results in ash richer in Ca (22%), P (48%), K (70%) and Zn (95%) after the third year of Lavatera vegetation. The pre-sowing application of He-Ne laser light depending on the time of stimulation can intensify the content of preferable macro- and microelement groups in Lavatera ash, in respective cultivation years. It can be an innovative method of biomass ash enhancement and its more effective use in agriculture as commercial fertilizers substitute.
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