The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Amit Kumar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hydrothermal liquefaction of lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstock to produce biofuels parametric study and products characterization
Fuel, 2020Co-Authors: Ankit Mathanker, Amit Kumar, Deepak Pudasainee, Rajender GuptaAbstract:Abstract In this work, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of corn stover, obtained from north Alberta farms, was performed at different temperatures of 250, 300, 350 and 375 °C, initial pressures (Pi) of 300 and 600 psi and retention time (tr) of 0, 15, 30 and 60 min. All experiments were performed in a 250 mL autoclave reactor with 5 g corn stover and 30 mL de-ionized water (corresponding feed to water ratio of 1:6) in inert N2 condition. The highest yield of heavy oil (29.25 wt%) was obtained at 300 °C, final pressure (Pf) of 2200 psi and 0 min retention time. The highest yield of hydrochar (30.21 wt%) was obtained at 350 °C, Pf of 3150 psi and tr of 15 min. Based on elemental analysis and energy calculation, highest carbon content and higher heating value for heavy oil was 76.32 wt% and 35.13 MJ/kg at 375 °C, Pf of 600 psi and tr of 15 min; and for hydrochar it was 68.23 wt% and 24.7 MJ/kg at 350 °C, Pf of 3150 psi and tr of 15 min. The GC–MS results for heavy oil indicated that majority of the compounds were phenolic in nature. SEM and FTIR results confirmed the presence of oxygen containing function groups on hydrochar surface. The gas was mainly composed of CO2, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H6, C4H8, C4H6, C5H12, C6H14, and C6H12.
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Techno-economic assessment of wet and dry torrefaction of Biomass Feedstock
Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Maryam Akbari, Adetoyese Olajire Oyedun, Amit KumarAbstract:Abstract Biomass can be converted to coal-like products known as hydrochar or biochar. Raw Biomass generally has high moisture content. Wet torrefaction has gained considerable interest recently because of the unique characteristics of processing high-moisture content to a solid coal-like product. Five Biomass Feedstocks – wheat straw, pine, grape pomace, animal manure, and algae – were analyzed. The characteristics, as well as mass and energy yields of hydrochars and biochars from these Feedstocks, were compared. Process simulation models were developed for both processes for each Feedstock and techno-economic assessments conducted. The results indicate that hydrochars have superior characteristics, more coal-like properties, lower yields, and a higher cost of production (COP) than biochars for all cases except the pathways using manure as Feedstock, where hydrochar COP is lower. The lowest production costs (without carbon credit) can be achieved through dry and wet torrefaction of grape pomace at 2.29 $/GJ and 4.14 $/GJ, respectively. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were also conducted for all pathways to understand the effects on production cost of varying different technical and economic factors. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into coal alternative products, especially in jurisdictions (like Alberta, Canada) planning to phase out coal plants.
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A review on the current status of various hydrothermal technologies on Biomass Feedstock
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018Co-Authors: Mayank Kumar, Adetoyese Olajire Oyedun, Amit KumarAbstract:Hydrothermal processing, a thermochemical approach, is an excellent method of converting energy-rich Biomass into useful products. This approach offers the advantage of handling Biomass with relatively high moisture content by precluding an energy-intensive pretreatment step. Hydrothermal processing is of world-wide interest in view of depleting fossil-fuel reserves and increased environmental greenhouse gas emissions. There is potential to develop this novel technology at demonstration scale. This paper reviews the three hydrothermal technologies, namely hydrothermal liquefaction, gasification and carbonization, to provide insight into the likelihood of commercialization. The study discusses the role of different process parameters that have key impacts on the quality and yield of the desired products. This study also identifies the gaps in the literature including the need to establish a baseline to develop key process models and to perform a techno-economic assessment to get a better sense of the viability of the technology in future.
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Techno-economic assessment of pellets produced from steam pretreated Biomass Feedstock
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2016Co-Authors: Hassan Shahrukh, Amit Kumar, Adetoyese Olajire Oyedun, Bahman Ghiasi, Linoj Kumar, Shahab SokhansanjAbstract:Abstract Minimum production cost and optimum plant size are determined for pellet plants for three types of Biomass Feedstock – forest residue, agricultural residue, and energy crops. The life cycle cost from harvesting to the delivery of the pellets to the co-firing facility is evaluated. The cost varies from 95 to 105 $ t −1 for regular pellets and 146–156 $ t −1 for steam pretreated pellets. The difference in the cost of producing regular and steam pretreated pellets per unit energy is in the range of 2–3 $ GJ −1 . The economic optimum plant size (i.e., the size at which pellet production cost is minimum) is found to be 190 kt for regular pellet production and 250 kt for steam pretreated pellet. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were carried out to identify sensitivity parameters and effects of model error.
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ranking of Biomass pellets by integration of economic environmental and technical factors
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2012Co-Authors: Arifa Sultana, Amit KumarAbstract:Abstract Interest in Biomass as a renewable energy source has increased recently in response to a need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The objective of this study is to develop a multi-criteria assessment model and rank different Biomass Feedstock-based pellets, in terms of their suitability for use in large heat and power generation plants and show the importance of environmental, economical and technical factors in making decision about different pellets. Five pellet alternatives, each produced from a different sustainable Biomass Feedstock i.e., wood, straw, switchgrass, alfalfa and poultry litter, are ranked according to eleven criteria, using the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment and Evaluation (PROMETHEE). Both quantitative and qualitative criteria are considered, including environmental, technical and economic factors. Three scenarios, namely base case, environmental and economic, are developed by changing the weight assigned to different criteria. In the base case scenario, equal weights are assigned to each criterion. In the economic and environmental scenarios, more weight is given to the economic and environmental factors, respectively. Based on the PROMETHEE rankings, wood pellets are the best source of energy for all scenarios followed by switchgrass, straw, poultry litter and alfalfa pellets except economic scenario, where straw pellets held higher position than switchgrass pellets. Sensitivity analysis on weights, threshold values, preference function and production cost indicate that the ranking was stable. The ranking in all scenarios remained same when qualitative criteria were omitted from the model; this indicates the stronger influence of quantitative criteria.
Quentin Bellouard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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solar thermochemical gasification of wood Biomass for syngas production in a high temperature continuously fed tubular reactor
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Stephane Abanades, Sylvain Rodat, Quentin Bellouard, Nathalie DupassieuxAbstract:Abstract Biomass gasification is an attractive process to produce high-value syngas. Utilization of concentrated solar energy as the heat source for driving reactions increases the energy conversion efficiency, saves Biomass resource, and eliminates the needs for gas cleaning and separation. A high-temperature tubular solar reactor combining drop tube and packed bed concepts was used for continuous solar-driven gasification of Biomass. This 1 kW reactor was experimentally tested with Biomass feeding under real solar irradiation conditions at the focus of a 2 m-diameter parabolic solar concentrator. Experiments were conducted at temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1400 °C using wood composed of a mix of pine and spruce (bark included) as Biomass Feedstock. This Biomass was used under its non-altered pristine form but also dried or torrefied. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of syngas production in this reactor concept and to prove the reliability of continuous Biomass gasification processing using solar energy. The study first consisted of a parametric study of the gasification conditions to obtain an optimal gas yield. The influence of temperature, oxidizing agent (H2O or CO2) or type of Biomass Feedstock on the product gas composition was investigated. The study then focused on solar gasification during continuous Biomass particle injection for demonstrating the feasibility of a continuous process. Regarding the energy conversion efficiency of the lab scale reactor, energy upgrade factor of 1.21 and solar-to-fuel thermochemical efficiency up to 28% were achieved using wood heated up to 1400 °C.
Sylvain Rodat - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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insights into the influence of Biomass Feedstock type particle size and feeding rate on thermochemical performances of a continuous solar gasification reactor
Renewable Energy, 2019Co-Authors: Srirat Chuayboon, Stephane Abanades, Sylvain RodatAbstract:Abstract The solar-driven steam gasification of different lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstocks was experimentally investigated with a 1.5 kWth continuously particle-fed solar reactor at high temperature using real high-flux solar radiation provided by a parabolic dish concentrator. Experiments were carried out with five carbonaceous materials under different Biomass feeding rates in the range of 0.8–2.7 g/min at 1300 °C in order to optimize the synthesis gas production and composition. Increasing Biomass feeding rate (at constant slightly over-stoichiometric steam/Biomass ratio) noticeably promoted the syngas yields that reached up to 83.2 mmol/gBiomass. The syngas yield (especially H2) was more affected by the Biomass Feedstock (chemical composition) than by the particle size in the considered range (0.3–4 mm). The calorific value of the Biomass was solar upgraded up to 24% through the syngas produced with a carbon conversion above 90%, thereby accomplishing efficient solar energy storage into the produced syngas. Increasing the Biomass feeding rate inherently shortened the solar processing duration (for a given Biomass amount). Thus, the solar energy input and the heat losses were reduced while the overall syngas production capacity was increased, which in turn drastically enhanced both the thermochemical reactor efficiency and the solar-to-fuel energy conversion efficiency with maximum values typically beyond 25%.
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solar thermochemical gasification of wood Biomass for syngas production in a high temperature continuously fed tubular reactor
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Stephane Abanades, Sylvain Rodat, Quentin Bellouard, Nathalie DupassieuxAbstract:Abstract Biomass gasification is an attractive process to produce high-value syngas. Utilization of concentrated solar energy as the heat source for driving reactions increases the energy conversion efficiency, saves Biomass resource, and eliminates the needs for gas cleaning and separation. A high-temperature tubular solar reactor combining drop tube and packed bed concepts was used for continuous solar-driven gasification of Biomass. This 1 kW reactor was experimentally tested with Biomass feeding under real solar irradiation conditions at the focus of a 2 m-diameter parabolic solar concentrator. Experiments were conducted at temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1400 °C using wood composed of a mix of pine and spruce (bark included) as Biomass Feedstock. This Biomass was used under its non-altered pristine form but also dried or torrefied. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of syngas production in this reactor concept and to prove the reliability of continuous Biomass gasification processing using solar energy. The study first consisted of a parametric study of the gasification conditions to obtain an optimal gas yield. The influence of temperature, oxidizing agent (H2O or CO2) or type of Biomass Feedstock on the product gas composition was investigated. The study then focused on solar gasification during continuous Biomass particle injection for demonstrating the feasibility of a continuous process. Regarding the energy conversion efficiency of the lab scale reactor, energy upgrade factor of 1.21 and solar-to-fuel thermochemical efficiency up to 28% were achieved using wood heated up to 1400 °C.
Tareq Alansari - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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enhancing waste to hydrogen production through Biomass Feedstock blending a techno economic environmental evaluation
Applied Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Ahmed Alnouss, Gordon Mckay, Tareq AlansariAbstract:Abstract Concerns related to global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels have propelled the global community to explore alternative renewable energy sources. Biomass is a nonconventional and renewable energy resource that can potentially be utilised for the production of sustainable heat and power. The thermal gasification process is an effective Biomass conversion and utilisation method producing syngas as the product gas. This study details a Biomass gasification process and subsequent optimisation, considering multiple parameters, including the type of Feedstock and gasifying agent (gasifier) to maximise hydrogen production. Aspen Plus software is used to develop three agent-based Biomass gasification models considering the characteristics of certain materials from Qatar built environment. The ultimate goal of the study is to optimise the gasification processes to yield different Biomass blending options satisfying the maximisation of hydrogen generation through different scenarios. The capabilities of the built-in activated analysis package using Aspen Energy Analyser and Aspen Process Economic Analyser are utilised to evaluate the environmental and economic perspectives. The results demonstrate the excellence of steam-only Biomass gasification in providing profitable and cleaner products. The yield of hydrogen production from blending of Biomass Feedstock achieved a high fraction of 5.23% with the steam-only gasification, while the yield increased from 1.63% to 5.22% for the oxygen/steam gasification when maximising the hydrogen fraction. Moreover, the selective limiting of Biomass capacity enhances the quality of syngas through enriching the hydrogen production and lowers the need for subsequent adjustment and the manipulation of gasifying agent quantity and operating energy.
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a comparison of steam and oxygen fed Biomass gasification through a techno economic environmental study
Energy Conversion and Management, 2020Co-Authors: Ahmed Alnouss, Gordon Mckay, Tareq AlansariAbstract:Abstract Economically, fossil fuels remain the main source of energy despite their high emissions of greenhouse gases. However, Biomass, a renewable fuel with CO2 neutrality, has experienced widespread attention as a potential contributor to sustainable development of the energy sector. Gasification is an important thermochemical process that converts Biomass Feedstock into H2-rich combustible gases, which are favoured by wide downstream applications. The use of pure steam or oxygen as a gasifying agent is preferred to increase the yield of combustible gases. Consequently, hydrogen is utilised as an important intermediary in the generation of value-added products such as urea, fuels and power. This study compares the Biomass gasification using oxygen-only and steam-only gasifying agents. Moreover, the study examines a poly-generation system that consumes Biomass Feedstock of multiple sources to produce high grade Fisher-Tropsch liquids, methanol, urea, and power. To achieve this aim, four Aspen Plus simulation flowsheets are developed considering both gasifiying agents and compared utilising the built-in economic and environmental capabilities. The results obtained from the economic and environmental evaluation demonstrate the excellence of steam-only Biomass gasification in providing profitable and cleaner products. The methanol production using steam gasification is the most economical solution with a net profit per input of $0.12 per kg of Biomass input and the lowest emissions pathway with 0.68 kg of CO2-e per Biomass input. The relative nature of the results can offer diverse perspectives depending on the market situation of the products. Consequently, analysing the results relative to production capacity, power generation using steam gasification achieves a net profit approximated at $0.80 per kg of product, whilst methanol production using steam gasification remains the lowest environmental impact solution with 2.32 kg of CO2-e per output product.
K C Ting - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Biomass Feedstock preprocessing and long distance transportation logistics
Gcb Bioenergy, 2016Co-Authors: Tao Lin, Luis F Rodriguez, Yogendra Shastri, Tony E. Grift, Sarah C Davis, Madhu Khanna, Steve Long, K C TingAbstract:Biomass-based biofuels have gained attention because they are renewable energy sources that could facilitate energy independence and improve rural economic development. As Biomass supply and biofuel demand areas are generally not geographically contiguous, the design of an efficient and effective Biomass supply chain from Biomass provision to biofuel distribution is critical to facilitate large-scale biofuel development. This study compared the costs of supplying Biomass using three alternative Biomass preprocessing and densification technologies (pelletizing, briquetting, and grinding) and two alternative transportation modes (trucking and rail) for the design of a four-stage Biomass-biofuel supply chain in which Biomass produced in Illinois is used to meet biofuel demands in either California or Illinois. The BioScope optimization model was applied to evaluate a four-stage Biomass-biofuel supply chain that includes Biomass supply, centralized storage and preprocessing (CSP), biorefinery, and ethanol distribution. We examined the cost of 15 scenarios that included a combination of three Biomass preprocessing technologies and five supply chain configurations. The findings suggested that the transportation costs for Biomass would generally follow the pattern of coal transportation. Converting Biomass to ethanol locally and shipping ethanol over long distances is most economical, similar to the existing grain-based biofuel system. For the Illinois-California supply chain, moving ethanol is $0.24 gal-1 less costly than moving Biomass even in densified form over long distances. The use of Biomass pellets leads to lower overall costs of biofuel production for long-distance transportation but to higher costs if used for short-distance movement due to its high capital and processing costs. Supported by the supply chain optimization modeling, the cellulosic-ethanol production and distribution costs of using Illinois Feedstock to meet California demand are $0.08 gal-1 higher than that for meeting local Illinois demand. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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an overview of lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstock harvest processing and supply for biofuel production
Biofuels, 2013Co-Authors: Zewei Miao, Tony E. Grift, Alan C. Hansen, K C TingAbstract:The US Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee has envisioned a 30% replacement of the current US petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030 [1–3]. This goal implies that the demand for cellulosi...
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lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstock transportation alternatives logistics equipment configurations and modeling
Biofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2012Co-Authors: Zewei Miao, Yogendra Shastri, Tony E. Grift, Alan C. Hansen, K C TingAbstract:Lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstock transportation bridges Biomass production, transformation, and conversion into a complete bioenergy system. Transportation and associated logistics account for a major portion of the total Feedstock supply cost and energy consumption, and therefore improvements in transportation can substantially improve the cost-competitiveness of the bioenergy sector as a whole. The Biomass form, intended end use, supply and demand locations, and equipment and facility availability further affect the performance of the transportation system. The sustainability of the delivery system thus requires optimized logistic chains, cost-effective transportation alternatives, standardized facility design and equipment configurations, efficient regulations, and environmental impact analysis. These issues have been studied rigorously in the last decade. It is therefore prudent to comprehensively review the existing literature, which can then support systematic design of a Feedstock transportation system. The paper reviews the major transportation alternatives and logistics and the implementation of those for various types of energy crops such as energy grasses, short-rotation woody coppices, and agricultural residue. It emphasizes the importance of performance-based equipment configuration, standard regulations, and rules for calculating transport cost of delivery systems. Finally, the principles, approaches, and further direction of lignocellulosic Feedstock transportation modeling are reviewed and analyzed. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
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a review of remote sensing methods for Biomass Feedstock production
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2011Co-Authors: Tofael Ahamed, Lei Tian, Yuanhui Zhang, K C TingAbstract:Abstract Monitoring and maximization of bioenergy yield from Biomass Feedstock has recently become a critically important goal for researchers. Remote sensing represents a potential method to monitor and estimate Biomass so as to increase Biomass Feedstock production from energy crops. This paper reviews the biophysical properties of Biomass and remote sensing methods for monitoring energy crops for site-specific management. While several research studies have addressed the agronomic dimensions of this approach, more research is required on perennial energy crops in order to maximize the yield of Biomass Feedstock. Assessment of established methods could lead to a new strategy to monitor energy crops for the adoption of site-specific management in Biomass Feedstock production. In this article, satellite, aerial and ground-based remote sensing’s were reviewed and focused on the spatial and temporal resolutions of imagery to adopt for site-specific management. We have concluded that the Biomass yield prediction, the ground-based sensing is the most suitable to establish the calibration model and reference for aerial and satellite remote sensing. The aerial and satellite remote sensing are required for wide converge of planning and policy implementations of Biomass Feedstock production systems.