S.R. MANE^1,2, E. K. PATHAN³, G. PATIL⁴, S. G. TUPE⁵, V. GHORMADE⁴, B. P. CHAUDHARI^1,2, M.V. DESHPANDE^5,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.3-4, pp. 219-230, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.3-4.4

Abstract A dimorphic fungus Benjaminiella poitrasii contains high chitin/chitosan (35% of the cell wall) in the mycelial (M) form than its yeast (Y) form (20% of the cell wall). However, the relative proportion of chitosan is more in yeast form cells (chitosan: chitin ratio, 6:1) than mycelial cells (chitosan: chitin ratio, 3:1). Using the Taguchi design of experimental (DOE) approach, interactions among eight different parameters showed that carbon source (starch, 10 g/L), incubation time (48 h), inoculum (M and Y mixed 10%), yeast extract (6 g/L) and peptone (10 g/L), were optimum for maximum biomass production.… More >

Mohammad Fallah^*, Hamed Nozari

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.129, No.2, pp. 927-951, 2021, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2021.017511 - 08 October 2021

Abstract In this paper, a multi-objective sustainable biomass supply chain network under uncertainty is designed by neutrosophic programming method. In this method, for each objective function of the problem, three functions of truth membership, non-determination and falsehood are considered. Neutrosophic programming method in this paper simultaneously seeks to optimize the total costs of the supply chain network, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, the number of potential people hired and the time of product transfer along the supply chain network. To achieve the stated objective functions, strategic decisions such as locating potential facilities and tactical decisions More >

Chia-Nan Wang¹, Hsin-Pin Fu², Hsien-Pin Hsu^3,*, Van Thanh Nguyen⁴, Viet Tinh Nguyen⁴, Ansari Saleh Ahmar⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.69, No.2, pp. 2339-2353, 2021, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2021.016284 - 21 July 2021

Abstract In developing countries, solar energy is the largest source of energy, accounting for 35%–45% of the total energy supply. This energy resource plays a vital role in meeting the energy needs of the world, especially in Vietnam. Vietnam has favorable natural conditions for this energy production. Because it is hot and humid, and it has much rainfall and fertile soil, biomass develops very quickly. Therefore, byproducts from agriculture and forestry are abundant and continuously increasing. However, byproducts that are considered natural waste have become the cause of environmental pollution; these include burning forests, straw, and… More >

Himanshu¹, Kunwar Pal², Sanjeev Jain³, S. K. Tyagi^1,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.5, pp. 1237-1251, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.016489 - 16 July 2021

Abstract A disruptive approach to a fundamental process has been applied in a biomass combustion device with two variable speed fans to supply air for gasification and another for combustion processes, separately. Besides, the preheating of secondary air, required for combustion process was also ensured through annulus chamber before being fed into the combustion chamber. The turbulent flow and homogenous mixing were also ensured by controlling the flow rate resulting in the reduced emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5, particulate matter having aerodynamic diameter <2.5 micron). The design approach applied here… More >

Zihao Wang, Dunxi Yu^*, Jingkun Han, Jianqun Wu

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.5, pp. 1267-1276, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.016107 - 16 July 2021

Abstract Typical biomass torrefaction is a mild pyrolysis process under conditions of ordinary pressure, low temperature (200–300°C) and inert atmosphere. Torrefaction is considered to be a competitive technology for biomass pretreatment, but its impacts on the emissions of particulate matter from biomass combustion are worthy of further study. In this paper, three kinds of biomass, i.e., bagasse, wheat straw and sawdust were selected for torrefaction pretreatment and the impacts of torrefaction on the emission characteristics of PM₁₀ from biomass combustion were investigated. The combustion experiments were carried out on a drop tube furnace. The combustion-generated particulate and… More >

Ruma Arora Soni^1,*, K. Sudhakar^1,3,4,*, R. S. Rana²

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.4, pp. 1045-1056, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.016082 - 31 May 2021

Abstract Spirulina is a sort of algae that grows in both fresh and seawater. It is considered the Earth’s most nutritionally dense food. Certain claims about Spirulina’s beneficial health properties are attributed to the relatively high protein content of the cells. Spirulina’s lipid, fatty acid profile, and biochemical composition have received little attention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature and decomposition of spirulina biomass at various temperatures. In the present investigation, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis were used to study spirulina biomass biochemical characteristics. The optimal content of… More >

Simei Yao^1,2, Yu Jin^2,3, Limin Zhang², Ningfei Lei^1,*, Wei Xue^2,*, Jinsong Chen³, Qian Zhang², Feihai Yu^1,2

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.4, pp. 1259-1271, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.014968 - 27 April 2021

Abstract Soil nutrients are commonly heterogeneously distributed and earthworms are one of the most common soil organisms. While effects of both soil nutrient heterogeneity and earthworms have been well studied, their interactive effect on plant community productivity has rarely been tested. In a greenhouse experiment, we constructed experimental plant communities by sowing seed mixtures of four grasses, two legumes and two forbs in either a heterogeneous soil consisting of low and high nutrient soil patches or a homogeneous soil where the low and high nutrient soil patches were evenly mixed. The earthworm Eisenia fetida was either added… More >

Kangning Zhou¹, Yingying Zhang¹, Jiasen Wu¹, Chunying Dou^1,2, Zihao Ye¹, Zhengqian Ye^1,3,*, Weijun Fu^1,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.4, pp. 1217-1232, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.014951 - 27 April 2021

Abstract

The hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii Hance (S. alfredii) may be employed for zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd)-polluted soil remediation. However, the low phytoremediation efficiency, related to the low biomass production, limits its use with that purpose. In this experiment, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers, and organic manure were applied to investigate the phytoremediation ability of S. alfredii. Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted using Zn-Cd polluted soil. The hydroponic experiment indicated that appropriate fertilizer application could increase (p < 0.05) the amount of accumulated Zn and Cd in S. alfredii. When N supply ranged from 0.5 to 2.5

… More >

Tianyu Liu¹, Chang Wen^1,2,3,*, Wenyu Wang¹, Kai Yan³, Yongjun Xia⁴, Rui Li³, Juan Liu⁴, Yang Zhang¹

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.3, pp. 473-485, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.014870 - 22 March 2021

Abstract Pretreatment before biomass combustion is significant for its efficient utilization and that combined water washing and carbonization can be efficient. An agricultural processing residues sesame stalk was selected and carried out two pretreatments separately, i.e., water washing-torrefaction (W-T) and torrefaction-water washing (T-W), to explore the effect on the fuel properties, combustion characteristics and particulate matter (PM) emission. The obtained biochar was also combusted under air and oxy50 (CO₂:O₂ = 50:50) conditions for the sake of investigating the effect of pretreatment and combustion atmosphere. The results indicate that, W-T and T-W both not only have great effect… More >

P. Murugan¹, S. Dhanushkodi^2,*, K. Sudhakar^3,4,*, Vincent H. Wilson⁵

Energy Engineering, Vol.118, No.3, pp. 435-446, 2021, DOI:10.32604/EE.2021.013491 - 22 March 2021

Abstract The quality of the drying process depends mainly on the efficient use of thermal energy. Sustainable systems based on solar energy takes a leading role in the drying of agro-products because of low operating cost. However, they are limited in use during off–sun periods. Biomass dryer is one of the simplest ways of drying because of its potential to dry products regardless of time and climate conditions. The other benefit is that crop residues could be used as fuel in these systems. However, the major limitation of the dryer is unequal drying because of poor More >