Analysis of the relation between the cellulose,hemicellulose and lignin content and the thermal behavior of residual biomass from olive trees

The heterogeneity of biomass makes it difficult if not impossible to make sweeping generalizations concerning thermochemical treatment systems and the optimal equipment to be used in them. Chemical differences in the structural components of the biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) have a direct impact on its chemical reactivity. The aim of this research was to study the influence of the organic components of the raw material from olive trees (leaves, pruning residues, and wood) in the combustion behavior of this biomass, as well as to find the component responsible for the higher ash content of olive leaves. Accordingly, the study used a thermogravimetric analyzer to monitor the different states and complex transitions that occurred in the biomass as the temperature varied. The decomposition rates of the different samples were analyzed in order to establish a link between each combustion phase and the composition of the raw materials. Two methods were used to determine the hemicellulose and cellulose contents of biomass from olive trees. Significant differences among the results obtained by the different methods were observed, as well as important variations regarding the chemical composition and consequently the thermal behavior of the raw materials tested.     

微波法稻壳制备活性炭研究

稻壳是稻米加工后产生的大宗农业废弃物,高效、高附加值利用稻壳,对促进循环经济发展具有重要意义。以稻壳为原料,氯化锌为活化剂,采用微波处理,制备出微细孔发达的商业级活性炭。微波法生物质制活性炭,加热时间短,能耗低,是具有商业前景的绿色化学工艺。     

An overview on olive mill wastes and their valorisation methods

Olive mill wastes represent an important environmental problem in Mediterranean areas where they are generated in huge quantities in short periods of time. Their high phenol, lipid and organic acid concentrations turn them into phytotoxic materials, but these wastes also contain valuable resources such as a large proportion of organic matter and a wide range of nutrients that could be recycled. In this article, recent research studies for the valorisation of olive mill wastes performed by several authors were reviewed: second oil extraction, combustion, gasification, anaerobic digestion, composting and solid fermentation are some of the methods proposed. Special attention was paid to the new solid waste generated during the extraction of olive oil by the two-phase system. The peculiar physicochemical properties of the new solid waste, called two-phase olive mill waste, caused specific management problems in the olive mills that have led to the adaptation and transformation of the traditional valorisation strategies. The selection of the most suitable or appropriate valorisation strategy will depend on the social, agricultural or industrial environment of the olive mill. Although some methods are strongly consolidated in this sector, other options, more respectful with the environment, should also be considered.     

Utilization of amorphous rice husk ash for the synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite under low temperature

The present study deals with the production and characterization of ZSM-5 zeolite under low temperature using amorphous rice husk ash as an alternative cheap silica source. Rice husk was combusted at various temperatures for the production of amorphous silica. The resulted amorphous silica ash was then utilized without any other treatment as a starting material for the synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite using low temperature and under atmospheric pressure. For comparison, the high-temperature synthetic approach, the hydrothermal treatment under high temperature and autogenous pressure with the autoclave process, was also applied for the synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite. The low-temperature method led successfully to the synthesis of highly siliceous zeolite of type ZSM-5. The produced materials were characterized using a variety of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermogravimetry analyses, scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersion X-ray analysis and nitrogen porosimetry. The results show that the utilization of an industrial by-product in abundance as a starting material can lead through a simple inexpensive technique to the synthesis of a high value added microporous material with many potential applications.     

Performance of industrial by-products in controlled low-strength materials (CLSM)

As the construction industry continues to recognise the importance of sustainable development, technologies such as controlled low-strength material (CLSM) have come to the forefront as viable means of safely and efficiently using by-product and waste materials in infrastructure applications. CLSM, also known as flowable fill, can be defined as an engineered backfill material containing fine aggregates, Portland cement, water and a by-product material. CLSM can provide an economically and technically feasible alternative to conventional fill materials because of potential cost savings related to its unique and often superior technical properties. In this present experimental study, three industrial by-products, namely fly ash (FA), rice husk ash (RHA) and quarry dust (QD), were used as constituent materials in CLSM. Mixture proportions were developed for CLSM containing these industrial by-products and were tested in the laboratory for various properties, such as flowability, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), stress-strain behaviour, density, water absorption and volume changes. Comparison between the two pozzolanic materials, namely FA and RHA, for their potential to produce an effective CLSM has been made. It can be observed from the results that by-product materials such as FA, RHA and QD can be successfully used in CLSM. This successful utilization of by-product materials is important to sustainable development and is the focus of this research.     

Co-combustion of waste from olive oil production with coal in a fluidised bed

Waste from olive oil production was co-fired with coal in a fluidised bed combustor to study the feasibility of using this waste as an energy source. The combustion efficiency and CO emission were investigated and compared to those of burning 100% of coal. Olive oil waste with up to 20% mass concentration can be co-fired with coal in a fluidised bed combustor designed for coal combustion with a maximum drop of efficiency of 5%. A 10% olive oil waste concentration gave a lower CO emission than 100% coal firing due to improved combustion in the freeboard region. A 20% olive oil waste mixture gave a higher CO emission than both 100% coal firing and 10% olive oil waste mixture, but the combustion efficiency was higher than the 10% olive oil waste mixture due to lower elutriation from the bed.     

Quality assessment of composts prepared with olive mill wastewater and agricultural wastes

The co-composting of solid residue from olive oil production process, exhausted olive cake (EOC), with poultry manure (PM) watered with olive mill wastewater (OMW) was considered as an efficient method for the treatment of olive oil extraction effluent having high organic content including phenolic polluting compounds. The process was carried out by using three aerated windrows of variable compositions. OMW was used continuously during the bio-oxidative period, which lasted three months, to replace water for windrow moistening. The main process parameters (temperature, pH, humidity and C/N) were monitored over four months to ascertain the maturity of the compost. The composting process lasted four months during which 26 moistenings of the mixtures were performed with OMW or water to keep moisture within the ideal range of 45-60% (w/w). At the maturity stage, the C/N ratios were less than 16, pH of the resulting products were slightly alkaline (pH=8) and electrical conductivity was relatively high in the OMW mixtures (5.46-5.48 Sm(-1)) when compared with water application. Nitrates increased (0.16-0.42%) and phenol contents were reduced by more than 49%. Mature composts were then used as an amendment for potato production in a field where no inhibitory effect was observed. Potato productivity increased 10-23% as a result of compost application. No noticeable negative impact of OMW on the soil system was observed. Phenolic compound concentrations in the stabilised composts were comparable in the three studied mixtures (different sites) and averaged 0.24%. Considering previous results and this three year study, it has been observed that the benefit of these composts demonstrated the potential sustainable agronomic production of potato while using locally available recycled organic materials.     

Application of compost of two-phase olive mill waste on olive grove: Effects on soil,olive fruit and olive oil quality

Composting is a method for preparing organic fertilizers that represents a suitable management option for the recycling of two-phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) in agriculture. Four different composts were prepared by mixing TPOMW with different agro-industrial by-products (olive pruning, sheep manure and horse manure), which were used either as bulking agents or as N sources. The mature composts were added during six consecutive years to a typical “Picual” olive tree grove in the Jaén province (Spain). The effects of compost addition on soil characteristics, crop yield and nutritional status and also the quality of the olive oil were evaluated at the end of the experiment and compared to a control treated only with mineral fertilization. The most important effects on soil characteristics included a significant increase in the availability of N, P, K and an increase of soil organic matter content. The application of TPOMW compost produced a significant increase in olive oil content in the fruit. The compost amended plots had a 15% higher olive oil content than those treatment with inorganic fertilization. These organics amendments maintained the composition and quality of the olive oil.     

Combustion studies of high moisture content waste in a fluidised bed

The combustion of three high moisture content waste materials in a fluidised bed combustor has been investigated and a comparison with co-firing of these materials with coal in the same combustor has been made. Waste materials burnt were olive oil waste, municipal solid waste and potato, which is representative of vegetable waste. Mixtures of up to 20% mass concentration water in the waste were fed to the combustor. Above that value the moisture content was too high to sustain combustion without addition of coal. Measurements of CO, NOx, SO2 temperatures were made and the carbon combustion efficiency evaluated. Co-firing with coal resulted in markedly higher combustion efficiencies with an increase of approximately 10-80% when burning the simulated MSW. However, this was much lower than the value of 93% when coal was burnt on its own. It was also much lower than the value obtained, average 90%, when co-firing potato and olive oil waste with coal and there was little difference in the combustion efficiency between the two types of waste and with increasing moisture content. It was concluded that the high ash content of the simulated MSW 26%, compared with 5% in the other two waste materials resulted in slower burning and consequently the char particles were elutriated from the bed without being fully burnt. In term of gaseous emissions during co-combustion, CO emission is relatively insensitive to change in waste fraction. While emission of SO2 can be reduced as the waste fraction increases as a result of fuel-S dilution. But in terms of percent fuel-S converted, it is actually increased by increasing waste fraction. Emissions of NO and N2O increase slightly with MSW fraction.     

薏米壳生物炭的制备及其对Cr（Ⅵ）的吸附性能

采用限氧控温热分解法在不同温度下制备了薏米壳生物炭。研究了薏米壳生物炭对低浓度Cr（Ⅵ）的吸附性能及吸附机理。随碳化温度升高,薏米壳管状通道微孔结构逐渐显现,薏米壳生物炭表面芳香化程度增强。薏米壳生物炭对Cr（Ⅵ）的吸附行为采用Langmuir等温吸附模型吻合度更高,吸附属于单分子层化学吸附,吸附过程是自发的、熵增吸热反应,吸附过程遵循准二级吸附动力学模型,膜扩散和颗粒内扩散共同控制吸附过程。     

Analyzing alternative bio-waste feedstocks for potential biodiesel production using time domain (TD)-NMR

Production of biodiesel is currently limited due to lack of economically beneficial feedstocks. Suitability of municipal wastewater sludge and olive mill waste as feedstocks for biodiesel production was evaluated. The various bio-waste sources were analyzed for their oil content and fatty acid composition using conventional analyses complemented with time domain (TD)-NMR analysis. TD-NMR, a rapid non-destructive method newly applied in this field, yielded good correlations with conventional methods. Overall biodiesel yields obtained by TD-NMR analysis were 7.05% and 9.18% (dry wt) for olive mill pomace and liquid wastes, and 11.92%, 7.07%, and 4.65% (dry wt) for primary, secondary, and anaerobically stabilized sludge, respectively. Fatty acid analysis indicated fundamental suitability of these agro-industrial waste resources for biodiesel production. Evaluation of bio-waste materials by TD-NMR revealed the potential of this tool to identify waste-oil sources cost effectively and quickly, supporting expansion of a sustainable biodiesel industry in Israel and other regions.     

Agricultural waste as household fuel: Techno-economic assessment of a new rice-husk cookstove for developing countries

In many rural contexts of the developing world, agricultural residues and the organic fraction of waste are often burned in open-air to clear the lands or just to dispose them. This is a common practice which generates uncontrolled emissions, while wasting a potential energy resource. This is the case of rice husk in the Logone Valley (Chad/Cameroon). In such a context household energy supply is a further critical issue. Modern liquid fuel use is limited and traditional solid fuels (mainly wood) are used for daily cooking in rudimentary devices like 3-stone fires, resulting in low efficiency fuel use, huge health impacts, increasing exploitation stress for the local natural resources. Rice husk may be an alternative fuel to wood for household energy supply. In order to recover such a biomass, the authors are testing a proper stove with an original design. Its lay-out (featuring a metal-net basket to contain the fuel and a chimney to force a natural air draft) allows a mix of combustion/gasification of the biomass occurring in a completely burning fire, appropriate for cooking tasks. According to results obtained with rigorous test protocols (Water Boiling Test), different lay-outs have been designed to improve the performance of the stove. Technical and economic issues have been addressed in the development of such a model; building materials have been chosen in order to guarantee a cost as low as possible, using locally available items. The feasibility of the introduction of the stove in the studied context was assessed through an economic model that keeps into account not only the technology and fuel costs, but also the energy performance. According to the model, the threshold for the trade-off of the stove is the use of rice husk to cover 10–15% of the household energy needs both with traditional fireplaces or with improved efficiency cookstoves. The use of the technology proposed in combination with improved woodstove would provide householders with an appropriate and convenient cooking technology portfolio, increasing the opportunities of choice of the preferred energy system for the user and allowing significant savings for the family budget (up to 50% of the total annual cooking energy expenditure). The proposed model may be used also as a tool for the evaluation of the affordability or for the comparison of different cooking technologies also in other similar contexts, given their specific techno-economic parameter values.     

Agroindustry by-products as a carrier resource for plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Bacillus subtilis

The traditional carriers viz., lignite and peat used in the biofertiliser industry are non-renewable, costly, non eco-friendly and have very limited reservoirs in India. Therefore, the present work in this paper was undertaken to check and evaluate whether the agroindustry by-products, viz., peanut shells, corn cobs, sawdust, paddy husk and pressmud, can be used as alternatives to the traditional carriers. Evaluation of the carriers was done by studying the survival of Bacillus subtilis at 28, 37 and 45?°C for a period of 3?months on a weekly basis by the viable plate count method. Physico-chemical characteristics of the agroindustry by-products showed that paddy husk has pH 6.66, 6.65?% (w/w) moisture content, 0.31 % (w/w) ash content, potassium 0.037?% (w/w) and other element content such as Co, Rb, Ag, Hg, Bi and Th is more as compared to that in lignite. The viable count of Bacillus subtilis was highest in paddy husk at 28 and 37?°C, which was 2.458?×?10⁵ and 2.470?×?10⁵ cfu/g, respectively. Thus, paddy husk is found to be an alternative carrier to lignite which is very cheap, renewable, eco-friendly, more easily available and is a very clean technology. Since it is the by-product of the agroindustry, its use as a carrier will give a value-added product and also protect the bacterial cells from desiccation.     

Detrimental effects of olive mill wastewater on the composting process of agricultural wastes

In order to study the suitability of composting olive mill wastewater (OMW-L) by repeated applications, OMW-L was added to one mixture of lawn trimmings and olive husks as bulking agents. The composting process of this mixture was compared with another pile having 35% of olive mill wastewater sludge (OMW-S) obtained from evaporation ponds and a third, as a control, without olive mill wastewater. The repeated applications of OMW-L resulted in a sharp decrease in respiration measurements after the first 20 days of composting and showed a re-increase after 40 days following the substituting of OMW-L by water. The OMW-L addition increased the rate of water-soluble phenols in the compost and caused the appearance of a phenol fraction of high molecular-mass (510 kDa) at the end of composting. OMW-L addition also caused a clear decrease in both thermophilic bacteria and thermophilic eumycete counts. A longer persistence of phytotoxicity was observed in comparison with the other piles. However, the OMW-S produced a compost with a high degree of maturity.     

Effects of olive mill wastewater and olive mill pomace on soil physicochemical properties and soil polyphenols

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Every year, worldwide olive oil extraction processes produce huge amounts of by-products such as (olive mill wastewater and olive mill pomace) in a...     

Treatment of olive mill waste water with activated carbons from agricultural by-products

A series of activated carbons prepared by a two-step steam activation of olive stone and solvent extracted olive pulp (SEOP) have been used in an attempt to investigate the total phenol removal and chemical oxygen demand (COD) decrease in olive mill waste water (OMWW). The temperature of carbonization and activation were kept constant at 850 and 800 degrees C, respectively. One of the carbons was prepared by a single-step process at 800 degrees C. Activated carbons have been characterized by adsorption of N2 at 77 K and mercury porosimetry. Their iodine values were also determined. Surface oxides of activated carbons were determined using the Boehm's method. The porosity development and the surface chemistry of carbons were correlated to increasing removal ability of organic molecules. Kinetics of adsorption was evaluated by applying the Lagegren model while adsorption isotherm data were fitted to Langmuir model. Mesoporosity seems to be the key factor for total phenol removal while micoporosity controls the adsorption of total organics as expressed by the COD decrease in OMWW. For carbons with similar structure, the adsorption of phenols or total organics might be affected by the presence of carbonyls.     

Reuse of Selected Lignocellulosic and Processed Biomasses as Sustainable Sources for the Fabrication of Nanocellulose via Ni(II)-Catalyzed Hydrolysis Approach: A Comparative Study

This study investigates for the first time the feasibility of isolating nanocellulose from several selected feedstocks via a novel Ni(II)-hydrolysis process, including lignocellulosic biomasses (oil palm trunk, banana peel and coconut husk) and processed biomasses (newspaper, tissue paper and cotton linter), with an obtained gravimetric yield ranging from 59.6 to 86.2%. The isolation of nanocellulose products from these selected feedstocks was verified by the successive removal of most of their non-cellulosic components (lignin and hemicellulose) and cellulose amorphous regions, the increase in the crystallinity index and the nanoscale of the individual crystals. Most importantly, the resultant nanocellulose products rendered better thermal stability than that of corresponding original sources, which are highly potential to be utilized as the new renewable sources of reinforcement materials with potential applications in bio-nanocomposites and thermoplastics. Therefore, this work proves the viability of direct production of nanocellulose from a variety of cellulosic sources by using Ni(II)-based transition metal salt catalyst. The results suggested that the concept of waste to wealth could be well executed from the obtained nanocellulose, which are greatly potential for various industrial applications.     

Potential of olive mill wastes for soil C sequestration

The present work deals with the potential of olive mill wastes as a C source for soil C sequestration strategy, which is based on the high lignocellulosic content that makes these wastes to degrade slowly during composting and after land application. A C balance was performed during the whole life cycle of two different two-phase olive mill wastes (TPOMW): C losses were calculated during the composting process and after soil application of the composting mixtures under laboratory conditions. The effect of the degree of stabilization of TPOMW on the overall C waste conservation efficiency was also evaluated. C losses after 34 weeks of TPOMW composting ranged from 40.58% to 45.19% of the initial C, whereas the amount of C evolved as CO2 after 8 months of incubation of soil amended with mature composts only represented between 20.6% and 21.9% of the added C. The total C losses considering the whole life cycle of the TPOMW showed lower losses compared to composts prepared with organic residues of different origin. Conversely to the typical behaviour of other organic wastes, the stabilisation degree of the TPOMW composting mixtures did not show any significant effect on the total C losses measured during composting and later land application. The low rate of degradation of TPOMW both during composting and after soil application makes the use of TPOMW as a C source an attractive strategy for soil C sequestration.     

Analysis and optimization on the biodegradable plate making process parameters using RSM-based Box–Behnken Design method

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The present research work focused on fabricating Biodegradable Plate (BD plate) composed of rice husk ash, bagasse and corn starch which is...