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Here we developed a flow-based system resulting in improved performance of enzyme cascade-based biofuel cells. A paper-based biofuel cell with passive laminar flow was build to show the impact of flow on the performance of two different enzyme cascades – methanol and ethanol cascade. Both cascades demonstrated enhanced electrochemical output as a consequence of the decreased diffusion path of reaction intermediates identifying the intermediates diffusion in between enzymatic active sites as the rate limiting step in cascade operating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Densified biomass pellets using waste wood sawdust (S) as main materials and wrapping paper fiber (P) as “solid bridge”, named as P/S-BPs, was prepared by a hydraulic press powder pelletizer under room temperature and pressure lower than10MPa. The effects of the addition of P to S and the compressed pressure on the density, resiliency (R), abrasion resistance (AR), impact resistance index (IRI)) and the combustion behavior of the P/S-BPs were investigated. The results showed that the addition of P to S greatly reduced the negative effects of resiliencies on the densities and mechanical properties of P/S-BPs during storage. For example, P/S-BPs compressed at 6MPa in a P/S mass ratio of 1–3 showed the smooth surface and low resiliency of 10% with a high relaxed density of 1.08kgm−3. This is due to the strengthened interlocking bonds through fabricating “solid bridge” and increasing attracting force by adding P to resist the disruptive force created by elastic recovery even under low pressure. Combustion results showed that the addition of P decreased the soot index (SI) due to the lower devolatilization rate and burnout rate, and increased the HHV per unit volume because of its high relaxed density. Thus, compression of waste P and S in a P/S mass ratio of 1–3 at room temperature under 6MPa is a cost-effective process to produce densified sustainable bio-fuel from waste S and P as well as dispose them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a research which investigates the bioconversion of paper sludge (PS) into bioethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using a PS based cellulase from Acremonium cellulolyticus and thermotolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae TJ14. It is stated that using cellulase of PS origin minimized biofuel production costs, as the culture broth containing cellulase can be used directly. Results showed that ethanol concentration increased with increasing PS organic material (PSOM) concentration, up to 150 g/l. An increase in cellulase concentration or the yeast inoculum did not result in significant improvement in ethanol yield.

Abstract: There is an extensively growing interest in using paper or paper-like substrates for batteries and other energy storage devices. Due to their intrinsic characteristics, paper (or paper-like) batteries show outstanding performance while retaining low cost, multifunctionality, versatility, flexibility and disposability. In this overview, we review recent achievements in paper (or paper-like) batteries as well as their applications. Various types of paper power devices are discussed including electrochemical batteries, biofuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and nanogenerators. Further scientific and technological challenges in this field are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into monomeric sugars is a key economic difficulty hindering the profitable use of plant biomass as energy. The production of cellulase is a main factor in the cellulose hydrolysis. Among the main cellulase producers are the filamentous fungi. Therefore, many efforts have been made in obtaining new microorganisms with high cellulase secretion capacity. The cellulase secretory capacity of 28 isolates of Trichoderma was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated. The detection of cellulolytic fungi was correlated with both Congo red and the dinitrosalicylic acid reagent methods. Based on qualitatively assays, sixteen of the isolates revealed carboxymethyl cellulose degradation ability, where the Trichoderma POS7 isolate showed the highest increase in filter paper activity, endo-1,4-ß-glucanases and ß-glucosidases activities (p<0.05) in a short incubation time. This isolate was molecularly identified as Trichoderma koningiopsis, based on internal transcribed spacer sequences. Our results provide new information and reveal new microorganism in the hydrolysis of cellulose material. The phylogenetic analysis revealed close positioning of T. koningiopsis clade with T. viride, T. viridescens and T. petersenii clades in a closely related group, in concordance with the current taxonomic classification of Trichoderma genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulp and paper industry together with lignocellulosic biofuel production provides plentiful streams of lignin and lignin-derived molecules (LDMs) that currently remain underutilized. The heterogeneity and complexity of lignin along with the lack of convenient tools significantly hamper its utilization. Selective separation of these LDMs from streams using specific tools would allow the recovery of aromatic compounds, as well as facilitate biological processes aiming at lignin valorization. To this end, here we report the isolation and characterization of single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies against ferulate, coumarate, and caffeate, which are the molecular representatives of LDMs. Binders for the target LDMs were enriched by interrogating a synthetic scFv library with the phage display technique. As a result, scFv binders specific against each of the target molecules were obtained with affinities in the micromolar range. The selectivity of scFvs towards specific LDMs was proved by recovering caffeate from simulated LDM solution, Kraft lignin, and rice straw hydrolysate samples. Further proof of concept studies with model compounds demonstrated the applicability of antibody-based binders as a detection tool for monitoring microbial LDM conversion. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of scFv binders as a specific toolset for lignin compound recovery and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning from gasoline and petroleum‐based products to biofuels and green chemicals is a paradigm shift that will lead to the development of the bioeconomy. In this sense, the role of biorefineries in countries like Brazil is very important as the country generates a huge amount of second generation (2G) biomass every year and also has an attractive consumable market. However, technological innovations are still required to unleash the fullest potential of biomass conversion to biofuels and biochemicals, although successful examples are already a reality. For example, Amyris Inc. has developed renewable products for cosmetics (squalene), healthcare (artemisinin), and flavors / fragrances, and Suzano Papel e Celulose has developed sustainable technologies for the production of pulp and paper, and lignin‐derived adhesives (Ecolig). First‐generation ethanol in Brazil is an established source of transportation fuel but 2G ethanol production with low production costs is still a challenge at commercial scale, and companies like Raízen and GranBio continue making efforts to improve the economic feasibility of the adopted processes. In this context, the RenovaBio Policy launched by the Federal Brazilian Government in December 2017 aims to boost the production and utilization of biofuels and green chemicals in the country. Considering the matters mentioned above, this paper discusses the Brazilian biorefinery developments, technological advances, and current industrial scenario for the production of biofuels and chemicals. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass (LB) is widely used in the field of renewable energy production because of its low price and easy availability. Many kinds of fuels from LB have been developed and are being used in our daily lives. The LB energy has become an indispensable part in the energy mix on account of its steady and sustainable supply. However, there are some neglected issues and misconceptions regarding its development and utilization, although it has numerous advantages over other energy sources. Firstly, its development and utilization can change the living environment of organisms and decrease biodiversity to some extent, relative to using other sources of energy. Secondly, it is not a completely carbon-neutralized fuel as has been claimed in some literature. Finally, its excessive exploitation can seriously damage the environment and biosystems. This editorial will give a brief discussion on some neglected issues and misconceptions during its development and utilization for its suitable exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper evaluates system aspects of biorefineries based on biomass gasification integrated with pulp and paper production. As a case the Billerud Karlsborg mill is used. Two biomass gasification concepts are considered: BIGDME (biomass integrated gasification dimethyl ether production) and BIGCC (biomass integrated gasification combined cycle). The systems analysis is made with respect to economic performance, global CO2 emissions and primary energy use. As reference cases, BIGDME and BIGCC integrated with district heating are considered. Biomass gasification is shown to be potentially profitable for the mill. The results are highly dependent on assumed energy market parameters, particularly policy support. With strong policies promoting biofuels or renewable electricity, the calculated opportunity to invest in a gasification-based biorefinery exceeds investment cost estimates from the literature. When integrated with district heating the BIGDME case performs better than the BIGCC case, which shows high sensitivity to heat price and annual operating time. The BIGCC cases show potential to contribute to decreased global CO2 emissions and energy use, which the BIGDME cases do not, mainly due to high biomass demand. As biomass is a limited resource, increased biomass use due to investments in gasification plants will lead to increased use of fossil fuels elsewhere in the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here, a highly flexible and anisotropic strain sensor based on sustainable biomass‐derived materials is fabricated through a facile, low‐cost, and scalable approach. The commercially available crepe paper made of the abundant and renewable cellulose is converted into a conductive network by carbonization. The fabricated strain sensor based on this carbonized crepe paper (CCP) exhibits high flexibility, fast response time (<115 ms), high durability (>10 000 cycles), and negligible hysteresis. Especially, the CCP strain sensor shows dramatically different gauge factors (10.10 and 0.14, respectively) between tensile bending perpendicular and parallel to the fibers direction. This anisotropic sensing performance is inherited from the crepe paper's unique anisotropic structure, i.e., aligned cellulose fibers and a corrugated surface, which is well maintained in the CCP. In addition, the CCP strain sensors' practical use in detecting complex human motions and controlling a 2‐degree‐of‐freedom machine is demonstrated, indicating their potential applications in multidimensional wearable electronics and smart robots. A highly flexible and anisotropic strain sensor based on the sustainable carbonized crepe paper with aligned cellulose fibers is fabricated through a facile, low‐cost, scalable, and green process. The working mechanism of this sensor that has the anisotropic sensing performance is investigated. Its applications in detecting complex human motions and controlling multiaxial robot as wearable sensors are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugarcane industry has assumed an increasingly important role at a global level, with countries such as Brazil and India dominating the field. However, this causes environmental problems, since the industry produces large amounts of waste, such as sugarcane bagasse. This by-product, which is energetically partially recovered in sugar mills and in the pulp and paper industry, can make a significant contribution to the general use of biomass energy, if the usual disadvantages associated with products with low density and a high moisture content are overcome. From this perspective, thermochemical conversion technologies, especially torrefaction, are assumed to be capable of improving the fuel properties of this material, making it more appealing for potential export and use in far-off destinations. In this work, sugarcane samples were acquired, and the process of obtaining bagasse was simulated. Subsequently, the bagasse was dried and heat-treated at 200 and 300 °C to simulate the over-drying and torrefaction process. Afterward, product characterization was performed, including thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, calorimetry, and energy densification. The results showed significant improvements in the energy content, from 18.17 to 33.36 MJ·kg−1 from dried bagasse to torrefied bagasse at 300 °C, showing that despite high mass loss, there is potential for a future value added chain for this waste form, since the increment in energy density could enhance its transportation and use in locations far off the production site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood has always been an indispensable material in human society throughout history. Its efficient utilization is even more crucial today in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, its production, trade, use, and recycling are seldom systematically assessed, with Germany being an exception due to the extensive work conducted by the University of Hamburg and the Thünen Institute over the years. To provide a more precise account of wood use, this study employs oven-dry metric tonne as the reference unit to construct a static wood flow based on the material flow analysis and wood resource balance in Germany in 2020. The Sankey diagrams comprehensively visualize the flow and stock of wood in various sectors, including forests, sawmills, pulp mills, buildings, energy, and waste. Results showed that forest felling volume exceeded growth due to significant wood demand and export, while forest carbon sinks increased because more hardwood was retained in German forests. The building and construction sector was the largest consumer of primary wood products, accounting for 52.1 % of the total, followed by furniture (29.5 %) and packaging (14.0 %). All waste paper was used to produce recycled fiber pulp, whereas only 14 % of waste wood was employed in particle board production. The woody biomass energy, amounting to 142.4 TWh, provided approximately 4.4 % of Germany's primary energy consumption, with around half of it used in private households. In addition to apparent data, this study also uses resource allocation, carbon storage, and cascade potential as examples to demonstrate that wood flow is applicable for further in-depth analysis, supporting wood efficient utilization. It can even be applied to any country and period with sufficient data and conversion factors, but here, they also prevented this study from comprehensively describing past and future wood flows. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrolysis is the most commonly employed technology to convert widely available biomaβ materials into useful products like biofuels. In the present study, pyrolysis of paper mulberry (Brouβonetia papyrifera) was performed in order to observe the effect of temperature and particle size on product distribution and yield, and application of biochar product to improve growth and yield of maize. The experiments were performed in a fixed-bed reactor using three pyrolysis temperatures (350°C, 450°C, 550°C) and three particle sizes (1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm) of B. papyrifera. The pyrolysis products were collected within three different groups as gaseous products, liquids and solid biochar. The results showed that the maximum biochar product was obtained at 350°C and 3 mm particle size while the highest bio-oil yield was attained at 450°C and 2 mm particle size. However, the optimum gas yield was achieved at 550°C and 1 mm particle size. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of produced biochar on maize plant emergence, growth and yield. The results showed a substantial increase in plant height, shoot dry weight and maize yield compared to untreated control. These findings revealed that the production of biofuels can be improved by optimizing operating conditions and biochar produced during pyrolysis could be used as soil amendment for improving growth and yield of maize. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a mediator-less and compartment-less glucose/air enzymatic biofuel cell (BFC) was introduced into microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μ-PADs) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs)-modified paper electrode as the anodic and cathodic substrate, respectively, to implement self-powered, sensitive, low-cost and simple DNA detection. As a further development of the analytical equipment, an all-solid-state paper supercapacitor (PS) was designed and integrated into the BFC for current amplification, and a terminal digital multi-meter detector (DMM) was introduced for the current detection. A highly sensitive DNA sensor was fabricated by covalently immobilizing the capture DNA in the AuNPs-modified anode. The nanoporous gold conjugated with bienzymes, glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase, which were used as electrochemical labels. The electrons generated at the anode flow through an external circuit to the PtNPs-modified cathode that catalyzed the reduction of oxygen with the participation of protons. In addition, the generated current could be collected and stored by the PS. After that, the PS was automatically shorted under the control of a switch to output an instantaneously amplified current, which could be sensitively detected by the terminal DMM. At the optimal conditions, the paper-based analytical platform can detect DNA at the femtomole level. This approach also shows excellent specificity toward single nucleotide mismatches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work presents the results from the development of bio-cathodes for the application on paper-based biofuel cells. Our main goal here is to demonstrate the possibility of using different designs of air-breathing bio-cathodes and ink-based bio-cathodes for this new type of paper based electrochemical cell. The electrochemical performance for the bio-electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction was studied by using open circuit voltage and amperometry measurements, as well as polarization curves to probe the four-electron reduction reaction of ambient oxygen catalyzed by bilirubin oxidase (BOx). The electrochemical measurements showed that all procedures allowed the direct electron transfer from the active site of the bilirubin oxidase to the electrode surface with a limiting current density of almost 500μAcm−2 for an air-breathing BOx cathode and 150μAcm−2 for an ink based BOx cathode. Under a load of 300mV a stable current density was obtained for 12h of continuous operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper investigates online moisture measurement of biofuel employing a strip line cavity resonator at approximately 366 MHz, attached above and below the conveyor belt. An existing sensor design is modified for the factory assembly, and the correct operation has been tested prior to this paper with a small number of measurement points and collected reference samples (n = 67). The purpose is now to concentrate on the accuracy of the measurement and increase the number of measurement points (n = 367). The measurements were made in 5 different lots, and the thickness and moisture properties of the biomaterial mat were varied between minimum and maximum levels by adjusting the settings of the belt filter press that presses pulp slush into a mat. In order to further reduce inaccuracy, at the maximum one standard deviation was allowed from the average height of the equivalent water layer for each dataset, and consequently the number of samples was reduced to 235. A linear fit and a parabola fit were determined for thickness of the equivalent water layer vs. the relative resonant frequency shift: R2 = 0.82 and R2 = 0.78. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The MixAlco™ process biologically converts biomass to carboxylate salts that may be chemically converted to a wide variety of chemicals and fuels. This study looked at the viability of the following substrates: office paper, pineapple residue, Aloe vera rinds, wood molasses, sugar molasses, and glycerol. All agricultural substrates were initially tested to determine their carbohydrate and lignin content because lignin reduces substrate digestibility. Only pineapple residue had a high enough lignin content (18.3%) to necessitate pretreatment. Pineapple residue was treated with excess lime (300gkg−1 Ca(OH)2 on dry biomass, t =1h) and then neutralized with CO2, which reduced the lignin content to 4.89%. All substrates were anaerobically fermented in batch culture with marine microorganisms for 24 days. The acid concentrations (g mixed acid L−1) were Aloe vera (25.5), office paper (24.0), glycerol (22.6), pineapple residue (17.2), wood molasses (19.4) and sugar molasses (18.9). The conversions (g volatile solids digested g−1 volatile solids fed) were Aloe vera (0.59), office paper (0.50), glycerol (0.62), pineapple residue (0.52), wood molasses (0.42) and sugar molasses (0.82). The selectivities (g acetic acid equivalents g−1 VS digested) were Aloe vera (0.64), office paper (0.62), glycerol (0.51), pineapple residue (0.39), wood molasses (0.61) and sugar molasses (0.33). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics (HDPE (high density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate)) has been performed in a fixed-bed reactor in presence of cobalt based alumina, ceria and ceria-alumina catalysts to analyze the product distribution and selectivity. Catalysts are synthesized using co-precipitation method and characterized by BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area and XRD analysis. The effect of catalytic co-pyrolysis at different temperature with product distribution has been evaluated. The results have clearly shown the synergistic effect between biomass and plastics, the liquid products gradually increases forming with rise in the plastic content in the blend. Gaseous products have yielded most during pyrolysis of blend having biomass/plastics ratio of 5:1 with the presence of 40% Co/30% CeO 2 /30% Al 2 O 3 catalyst with hydrogen gas production touched its peak of 47 vol%. Catalytic performance enhanced with increase with the cobalt loading, with best performance attributing to 40% Co/30% CeO 2 /30% Al 2 O 3 catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviews the hot topics at the 18th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water, and Environment Systems (SDEWES) held from 24 to 29 September 2023 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The selected papers, including aspects of biomass energy application, energy saving in building, low-carbon development and climate change adaptation, hybrid application of sustainable energy, energy storage system, and other measures in sustainable development, are published in this Special Issue of Energies. The 12 selected papers in Energies and corresponding literature that relates to the above topics and has been published in the most recent year are reviewed. In particular, diversifying energy applications are trending towards comprehensive integration with more efficient clean energy capacities for global energy procurement, which can also offer increased resilience and sustainability, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance energy security through a mix of renewable sources and innovative technologies. Meanwhile, energy storage has become increasingly important, which can manage the intermittent of renewable energy, stabilize the grid, and improve energy security and resilience against disruptions. In addition to conventional solar energy storage, biomass energy storage, building energy storage, water storage, etc., can also reduce the overall energy costs, deferring investments in additional transmission infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A fundamental goal of second generation ethanol production is to increase the ethanol concentration to 10% (v/v) or more to optimise distillation costs. Semi simultaneous saccharification and fermentations (SSSF) were conducted at small pilot scale (5L) utilising fed-batch additions of solid shredded copier paper substrate. Early addition of Accellerase® 1500 at 16FPU/g substrate and 30U/g β-glucosidase followed by substrate only batch addition allowed low final equivalent enzyme concentrations to be achieved (3.7FPU/g substrate) whilst maintaining digestion. Batch addition resulted in a cumulative substrate concentration equivalent to 65% (w/v). This in turn resulted in the production of high concentrations of ethanol (11.6% v/v). The success of this strategy relied on the capacity of the bioreactor to perform high shear mixing as required. Further research into the timing and number of substrate additions could lead to further improvement in overall yields from the 65.5% attained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]