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Thailand has plentiful rubberwood biomass for biofuel and bioenergy applications, as well as for carbon material production. One of the keys to choosing a biomass conversion process is its effects on the physicochemical properties. In addition, thermochemical conversion of biomass also requires knowledge of its thermal decomposition behavior and kinetics for reactor design; and specification of operating conditions. Thus, the aims of this research were to explore the physicochemical properties of rubberwood biomasses (RWBs) generated alternatively from branches, trunks, and roots. The rubberwood biomass with the best energy properties was then selected to investigate its thermal decomposition behavior and kinetics. The physicochemical properties of RWBs determined were the gross and elemental components, energy properties, lignocellulosic components, and major noncombustible elements. Thermal decomposition observations were carried out by using the thermogravimetric analyzer under a nitrogen atmosphere at heating rates of 5, 10, 20, and 30 °C min−1. The kinetic analysis was conducted by applying the iso-conversional model-free methods of Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW). Based on statistical analysis, the results highlighted that the trunks (RTT) possessed the best energy properties. The lignocellulosic and elemental components of RWBs had small differences. The activation energy derived from iso-conversional methods demonstrated consistency with previous studies. The activation energies were in the ranges 159.11–210.61, 168.89–175.06, and 169.96–176.01 kJ mol− 1 according to the Friedman, KAS, and OFW methods, respectively. These explorations are useful for applying the RWB as feedstock in torrefaction and pyrolysis applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar food drying is a well-established food-conserving process in India. Various researchers had developed solar dryer models which were usually validated using experimental observations and numerical simulation processes that are time-consuming and money-consuming. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software facilitates the simulation of the models and gives same results in a comparatively small frame of time. This research paper is focused on CFD simulation, validation of design, energy analysis and numerical computation for domestic direct-type solar dryer for which experimental observations were performed at Ludhiana in November 2006. The design and simulation of the domestic direct-type multi-shelf dryer at no load condition are performed using ANSYS Fluent 14.0 software. The temperature of the air inside the dryer is found to be 326 K, which validates the design and purpose of the domestic direct-type multi-shelf dryer. The embodied energy of the constituents used in the construction of dryer is obtained as 339.015 kWh, and the energy payback time and carbon credit are found to be 7.57 years and INR 2055, respectively. The convective heat transfer coefficient for the dryer varies from 2.4 to 2.8 W m−2 °C−1. Coefficient of determination is estimated to be 0.98 under no load condition which shows the fare agreement between predicted and experimental value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]