Sustainable Biofuel Production from Agricultural Waste: Advances in Biochemical and Thermochemical Conversion Pathways | Chapter 8 | Current Research Progress in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 6

Introduction: Agricultural waste represents an underutilized renewable resource with significant potential for biofuel production. As global energy demands increase and climate change concerns intensify, the need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels has become critical. Agricultural residues and by-products offer a promising feedstock option that avoids competition with food production while addressing waste management challenges. These materials, primarily composed of lignocellulosic biomass, can be converted through various biological and thermochemical processes to produce liquid biofuels and biogas, potentially contributing to greenhouse gas mitigation efforts while supporting rural economies.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the latest advancement in the production of biofuels from agricultural waste.

Materials and Methods: The study examines various types of agricultural waste, including crop residues, animal manure, and agro-industrial by-products, analysing their composition and suitability for biofuel production. Different conversion pathways are investigated, including fermentation, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and gasification. The research evaluates pretreatment methods, enzyme production pathways, and synthesis processes for various biofuels like ethanol, butanol, and diesel substitutes. Case studies of operational plants and feasibility studies are analysed to assess technical and economic viability at commercial scale. Environmental impact assessments focus on greenhouse gas emissions, soil nutrient cycling, and sustainability metrics.

Results: The analysis reveals that agricultural waste can be effectively converted to biofuels through multiple pathways, each with specific advantages and challenges. Fermentation and anaerobic digestion show promising results for bioethanol and biogas production, while thermochemical processes demonstrate potential for producing advanced liquid fuels. Case studies indicate that commercial-scale operations are technically feasible, though economic viability varies with feedstock availability and processing efficiency. Environmental assessments show significant greenhouse gas reductions compared to fossil fuels, with additional benefits in waste management and soil nutrient recycling when properly implemented.

Discussion: While agricultural waste shows promise as a biofuel feedstock, several challenges must be addressed for widespread adoption. These include feedstock logistics, seasonal availability, and heterogeneous composition affecting conversion efficiency. Pretreatment technologies and process optimization remain critical areas for improvement. Economic viability depends on scale, technology selection, and policy support. Environmental benefits are significant but require careful management of soil health and nutrient cycling. Future research should focus on improving conversion efficiencies, developing integrated biorefinery concepts, and establishing sustainable supply chains.

Conclusion: Agricultural waste represents a viable and sustainable feedstock for biofuel production when integrated with appropriate conversion technologies. The review finds that while technical feasibility has been demonstrated at various scales, continued advancement in pretreatment technologies, process efficiency, and supply chain management is needed. Environmental benefits are substantial, particularly in greenhouse gas mitigation and waste management. Success in commercialization will require supportive policy frameworks, improved technology integration, and demonstration of long-term sustainability. The sector shows significant potential for contributing to renewable energy goals while supporting agricultural waste management and rural development.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Francis Mekunye
Auburn University, Alabama, USA.

 

Peter Makinde
Ohio University, Athens, USA.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crpas/v6/3285

Promising Recovery Directions for Waste Plastic as an Energy Source: A Brief Overview | Chapter 5 | Current Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Science Vol. 1

 The goal of this research is to present a summary of energy recovery from waste plastics, which could be used as an alternative energy source in the near future. For a developing country like India, energy security and the transition to a thriving low-carbon economy are vital. India may be able to increase its energy security, encourage small businesses and farmers to engage the energy industry, and cut emissions by combining locally produced ethanol with gasoline. However, the increasing use of plastic objects creates considerable disposal issues as well as environmental concerns. Some researchers believe that pyrolysis-produced waste plastic fuel could be utilised to replace fossil fuels. The recycling and disposal of waste plastic has the potential to save and recover a lot of energy. The chemical properties of waste plastic fuel vary based on the type of plastic and the pyrolysis procedure used to make it. The possibilities for recovering energy from waste plastics are examined and summarised.

Author(S) Details

S. Padmanabhan
School of Mechanical and Construction, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr.Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India.

T. Vinod Kumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India.

S. Arunkumar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India.

S. Ajith Arul Daniel
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India.

Vijay Ananth Suyamburajan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai, India.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/CAGEES-V1/article/view/5186

Experimental Investigation Highlighting Performance and Emission Characteristics of Algae Bio-Fuelled Diesel Engine | Chapter 9 | Challenges and Advances in Chemical Science Vol. 3

 The rising usage of fossil fuels has prompted a search for alternate energy sources in recent years. Microalgae has emerged as one of the potential sources of biofuels from algae, and it is favoured since it is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Spirulina and chlorella microalgae oil was extracted using a pyrolysis process at 350°C, and the bio-oil properties were studied. When compared to spirulina bio-oil, the viscosity and density of chlorella bio-oil were extremely similar to ordinary diesel fuel. The experiment was carried out for B10 mix for spirulina and chlorella algae bio-fuel in a single cylinder four stroke diesel engine under various loading circumstances. CL10D90's maximum output power at 100 percent load was approximately identical to that of diesel fuel, and its specific fuel consumption was virtually identical to that of diesel. CL10D90 has a 4 percent greater brake thermal efficiency than SP10D90 and a 2% higher brake thermal efficiency than diesel, as well as a higher combustion characteristic of peak heat release rate. At full load, HC and CO emissions are reduced, whereas NOX emissions are slightly increased. The experiment's findings show that using CL10D90 bio-oil in a diesel engine is a viable alternative.

Author (S) Details

J. Kuberan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, S. K. P. Engineering College, Thiruvannamali (T.N.), India.

N. Alagumurthi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry, India.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CACS-V3/article/view/2955

Study Investigation on Pyrolysis of Shivee Ovoo Coal from Mongolia | Chapter 3 | Current Advances in Chemistry and Biochemistry Vol. 10

Our current Shivee Ovoo coal research aimed to characterise the initial coal as well as its hard and liquid components after pyrolysis. For starters, proximal and ultimate studies of Shivee Ovoo coal revealed that it is an oxidised brown lignite coal with the B2 mark. The thermal degradation process of Shivee Ovoo coal was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer, which for the first time determined the thermal stability of the coal sample by determining thermal indices from the TG curve, such as T5 percent -71.85°C; T15 percent -321.18 °C; T25 percent -490.64°C, which are lower thermal stability characteristics.

Pyrolysis of Shivee Ovoo coal at various heating temperatures was used to determine the yields of produced hard, liquid, and gas products. The best heating temperature was 500°C, which resulted in a -6.28 percent higher yield of condensed liquid product (tar). The yield of all liquid (tar and pyrolysis water) and gas products (44%) shows that the coal organic material underwent more intensive thermal decompositions and conversions. This verifies Shivee-Ovoo coal's previously reported and determined reduced thermal stability characteristics, implying that it is better suited for gasification and liquefaction. Furthermore, when compared to the initial coal sample, the yield of hard product (semi-coke) is 56.48 percent at 500oC, indicating that it can be used as a smokeless fuel. Its proximate analysis results show that the volatile matter content decreased three times and the caloric value increased by 1000 kcal/kg, indicating that it can be used as a smokeless fuel.

The chemical composition of pyrolysis tar in group organic components determined by chemical analysis reveals that the tar is primarily composed of neutral oils (81.9%), asphalteines (13.6%), free carbons (3.93%), and organic bases, organic acids, and phenolic compounds (less than 1.0 percent ). The tar was also distilled at room temperature, yielding a yellow coloured light fraction -15.93 percent (18-180°C), a brown coloured intermediate fraction -15.44 percent (180-330°), and a black coloured heavy fraction -44.53 percent (330°>).

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of generated activated carbon from pyrolyzed hard residue differ from those of the initial coal sample. The SEM image of the original coal sample shows compact solid chunks. The SEM image of carbonised and activated coal sample exhibits a porosity structure with meso and macro pores in comparison to the initial coal sample. The solubility and chemical composition of neutral oil obtained from Shivee Ovoo coal pyrolysis tar were investigated using GC/MS analysis, which gave a total of 68 peaks (signals) for the soluble in hexane, The soluble in toluene fraction has 100 peaks, while the soluble in a combined solvent of methylene chloride and methanol (1:1 volume ratio) fraction has 100 peaks. From each connected entirely recorded peak, 22 organic compounds soluble in hexane, 45 organic compounds soluble in toluene, and 21 organic compounds soluble in a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol fractions have been determined and identified. The Shivee Ovoo coal has been certified as a low-rank lignite coal of B2 mark, suitable for thermal processing including pyrolysis, based on proximal and ultimate examination.

Author (S) Details

S. Batbileg
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

B. Purevsuren
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

D. Batkhishig
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

A. Ankhtuya
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

M. Battsetseg
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

J. Namkhainorov
Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 4th Building of MAS, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CACB-V10/article/view/2623

Awareness Adds to Knowledge. Stage of the Art Waste Processing Facilities and Industrial Waste Treatment Development | Chapter 10 | Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research Vol. 4

 Annually, over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are created worldwide, with a growing tendency. Diverse countries have different techniques and techniques to combat the ever-growing garbage problem, with varying levels of sustainability. Waste can be dealt in a variety of ways, and the importance of activities related to the circular economy, for example, has lately been recognised on the sustainability front. The value of recycling is also recognised, and fortunately, the waste management sector is moving toward more holistic approaches and attempting to reduce trash discharge to landfills. However, landfills will almost certainly continue to exist in some form for waste that cannot be recycled or disposed of in any other way. To restrict the amount of garbage transported to landfills and to manage landfills more efficiently, it is necessary to understand what kind of landfills will be regarded necessary and why. This investigation examined one of the most efficient and modern state-of-the-art waste facilities from a technical and waste processing standpoint. Based on the information gathered, the authors propose technologically based solutions for addressing waste handling/processing issues and reducing the need for landfills.

Author(s) Details

Maria Kilpeläinen
Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.

Ari Happonen
Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CASTR-V4/article/view/1044