Hot-water extraction of Miscanthus × giganteus prior to soda-AQ pulping: a biorefining perspective

Agricultural residues, such as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus, a hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus), show a great potential for use in lignocellulosic biorefiner...

Effect of Tire-Char Ash on the Extent of Synergy during CO2 Cogasification with Hydrochar from Potassium-Rich Coconut Fiber

The influence of inherent tire char ash during co-gasification with coconut hydrochar prepared at different intensities was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis to ascertain the extent to which synergistic interaction, reactivity, and activation energy reduction were altered. High-ash tire tread (TT) and low-ash sidewall (SW) both exhibited enhanced synergy, reactivity, and activation reduction upon co-gasification with hydrochars; however, the extent of promotion was more pronounced in SW-hydrochar blends. This difference was caused by the inhibiting nature of TT inherent ash, particularly the role of Si-containing compounds. Inhibition in TT-hydrochar blends was mainly due to the pr…

Potassium demineralization of coconut fiber via combined hydrothermal treatment and washing: Effect on pyrolysis kinetics, mechanisms, and bio-oil composition

Abstract Producing clean energy from waste biomass via pyrolysis is critical in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and alleviating their environmental impacts. Inherent potassium in low energy density coconut fibers reduces bio-oil yield and compromises bio-oil quality and the integrity of reactors within which pyrolysis occurs. The effect of consecutive hydrothermal treatment (180°C-220 °C) and water washing on coconut fiber demineralization, pyrolysis behavior, and bio-oil composition was investigated. Chemical fractionation method classified the most occurring inorganic (potassium) as ~76% water-soluble, ~19% ion-exchangeable, and ~5% acid-soluble species. Demineralization results show …

Psychrophiles: A source of cold-adapted enzymes for energy efficient biotechnological industrial processes

Biocatalysts are the backbone of bioprocessing industries that are going through a phase of transition with reference to the requirement of extraordinary enzymes for various biochemical processes. This transition is well reported and documented by various researchers through elucidation of different features and applications of mesophilic and thermophilic enzymes. However, there is little information available about psychrophilic enzymes and their involvement in industrial processes. Therefore, understanding the features and functions of psychrophilic enzymes could suggest some of their novel applications in various industries such as food, agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and waste…

Fast pyrolysis of hot-water-extracted and soda-AQ-delignified okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and miscanthus (miscanthus x giganteus) stalks by Py-GC/MS

Abstract The thermochemical behavior of various samples of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) and miscanthus ( Miscanthus x giganteus ) stalks (initial, hot-water-extracted, and those from sulfur-free delignification) were studied by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). In all cases, major GC-amenable condensable products were measured semi-quantitatively and classified into several product groups. The formation of these product groups from different feedstock samples with varying mass portions of their structural constituents (carbohydrates and lignin) was investigated at 500 °C and 700 °C with a residence time of 5 s and 20 s. The main product groups were aliphatic comp…

Biocides in papermaking chemistry

Organics in soda-anthraquinone black liquors from hot-water-extracted non-wood feedstocks

The chemical compositions of black liquors (BLs) obtained from the soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping of untreated and hot-water-extracted non-wood feedstocks (okra stalk, miscanthus stalk, and wheat straw) were determined. These under-utilized renewable and widely available feedstocks could provide a cheaper source for producing fiber and precursors for manufacturing green chemicals. These BLs were mainly characterized in terms of carbohydrate-derived volatile carboxylic acids (acetic and formic acids) and non-volatile carboxylic acids (hydroxy acids) as well as lignin. Additionally, in each case, the average molar mass and molar mass distribution of the dissolved lignin were measured. Result…

Characterization of triphenylamino-based polymethine dyes

In this high-technology application, age functional dyes especially polymethine dyes have captured much attention of the researchers due to their immense potential for high-tech uses. Polymethine dyes show promising absorption spectra in the visible range, which can be easily exploited for the use of written text copying, photographic imaging, or photothermographic recording materials. Keeping this in mind, our research is composed of an investigation of two triphenylamino-based polymethine dyes, a known polymethine dye 3 and a new one polymethine dye 5, which have been synthesized by the reaction of 4-(diphenylamino) benzaldehyde 2 and 4,4′-(phenylazanediyl) dibenzaldehyde 4 with 4,4′-viny…

Green biocides, a promising technology: current and future applications to industry and industrial processes

The study of biofilms has skyrocketed in recent years due to increased awareness of the pervasiveness and impact of biofilms. It costs the USA literally billions of dollars every year in energy losses, equipment damage, product contamination and medical infections. But biofilms also offer huge potential for cleaning up hazardous waste sites, filtering municipal and industrial water and wastewater, and forming biobarriers to protect soil and groundwater from contamination. The complexity of biofilm activity and behavior requires research contributions from many disciplines such as biochemistry, engineering, mathematics and microbiology. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive an…

Advanced biorefinery concepts related to non-wood feedstocks

Agricultural residues, such as wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), okra stalk (Abelmoschus esculentus), and giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus, a hybrid of M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus) were investigated to assess their possible consumption for integrated lignocellulosic biorefining. The efficient fractionation and recovery of all important chemical components (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin) of such feedstocks are a prerequisite for realistic biorefinery concepts. Water is one of the most eco-friendly solvents with the highest potential for industrial use, and it is also suitable for full-scale biorefinery purposes. For example, under pressure at elevated temperatures over 1…