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Because of concerns about global climate change, possible global oil depletion, and because of potential benefits for both urban air pollution and rural employment and industry, many countries both in and out of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), are promoting liquid biofuels as a replacement for oil-based transport fuels, and global output is rising steadily. In fact, bioenergy use in general is promoted, and is expected to play a major role in climate change mitigation. But bioenergy use in general faces competition for resources such as land, water and fertiliser from the two other general biomass uses, food production and biomaterials. Ethically, food production should take precedence over the other two uses (and at present all bioliquids are made from foodstuffs), and using biomass for biomaterials will in many situations reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than using the same amount of biomass for energy. Where a given amount of biomass is available for transport energy use, it will usually produce more greenhouse gas reductions per vehicle-km if used to produce electricity rather than liquid biofuels. Finally, there is signs that internal combustion engine vehicles could be phased out in the coming decades. If so, liquid biofuels will be phased out along with existing oil-based transport fuels. In conclusion, except for specialist uses, liquid biofuels do not appear to have a long-term future.

The first EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) served as an effective push for world-wide research efforts on biofuels and bioliquids, i.e. liquid fuels for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity, heating, and cooling, which are produced from biomass. In December 2018 the new RED II was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Therefore, it is now the right time to provide a comprehensive overview of achievements and practices that were developed within the current perspective. To comply with this objective, the present study focuses on a comprehensive and systematic technical evaluation of all key aspects of the different distributed energy generation pathways using bioliquids in reciprocating engines and micro gas turbines that were overseen by these EU actions. Methodologically, the study originates from the analyses of feedstock and fuel processing technologies, which decisively influence fuel properties. The study systematically and holistically highlights the utilisation of these bioliquids in terms of fuel property specific challenges, required engine adaptations, and equipment durability, culminating in analyses of engine performance and emissions. In addition, innovative proposals and future opportunities for further technical improvements in the whole production-consumption cycle are presented, thus serving as a guideline for upcoming research and development activities in the fast-growing area of bioliquids. Additionally, the paper systematically addresses opportunities for the utilisation of waste streams, emerging from the ever increasing circular use of materials and resources. With this, the present review provides the sorely needed link between past efforts, oriented towards the exploitation of bio-based resources for power generation, and the very recent zero-waste oriented society that will require a realistic exploitation plan for residuals originating from intensive material looping.

fff; International audience; Catalytic hydrogenolysis in the medium of supercritical organic solvents is a promising way of wood lignins depolymerization into liquid products.In this study, for the first time, the catalytic properties of bifunctional catalysts Ru/C, Pt/ZrO2, NiCuMo/SiO2, containing nanosized metal particles on acidic groups are compared in the processes of aspen wood and ethanol lignin hydrogenolysis in supercritical ethanol.The most active catalysts are Ru/C and Pt/ZrO2 which provide the high conversion of wood (to 78.0 wt%), significant yield of liquid products (to 50.6 wt%) and low yield of solid rest (to 22.0 wt%) at temperature 250 °C and H2 pressure 9.0 MPa. These catalysts increase the yield of monomeric compounds in liquid products from 10.5 % to 50.4 % on mass of lignin.GC–MS analysis shows that alkyl derivatives of methoxyphenols (mainly propyl syringol and propyl guaiacol) are dominated in liquid products. Solid products of aspen wood catalytic hydrogenolysis contain mainly cellulose (to 82.2 wt%). Therefore, the catalytic hydrogenolysis in supercritical ethanol in the presence of by functional catalysts Ru/C and Pt/ZrO2 allows to fractionate the aspen wood biomass on cellulose and liquid products enriched with propyl syringol and propyl guaiacol.In catalytic hydrogenolysis of ethanol lignin the yield of alkyl derivatives of methoxyphenols is lower compared to wood. This is probably due to the reduced content of reactive β-O-4 bonds in the structure of ethanol lignin compared to native lignin of aspen wood. As follows from the results obtained, native lignin of wood is easier depolymerized to monomeric compounds in the process of catalytic hydrogenolysis than ethanol lignin, isolated from wood.According to GPC data, the catalysts shift to the region of lower molecular mass the molecular mass distribution of liquid products of aspen wood and ethanol lignin hydrogenolysis.

The first EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) served as an effective push for world-wide research efforts on biofuels and bioliquids, i.e. liquid fuels for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity, heating, and cooling, which are produced from biomass. In December 2018 the new RED II was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Therefore, it is now the right time to provide a comprehensive overview of achievements and practices that were developed within the current perspective. To comply with this objective, the present study focuses on a comprehensive and systematic technical evaluation of all key aspects of the different distributed energy generation pathways using bioliquids in reciprocating engines and micro gas turbines that were overseen by these EU actions. Methodologically, the study originates from the analyses of feedstock and fuel processing technologies, which decisively influence fuel properties. The study systematically and holistically highlights the utilisation of these bioliquids in terms of fuel property specific challenges, required engine adaptations, and equipment durability, culminating in analyses of engine performance and emissions. In addition, innovative proposals and future opportunities for further technical improvements in the whole production-consumption cycle are presented, thus serving as a guideline for upcoming research and development activities in the fast-growing area of bioliquids. Additionally, the paper systematically addresses opportunities for the utilisation of waste streams, emerging from the ever increasing circular use of materials and resources. With this, the present review provides the sorely needed link between past efforts, oriented towards the exploitation of bio-based resources for power generation, and the very recent zero-waste oriented society that will require a realistic exploitation plan for residuals originating from intensive material looping.

Summary Solar pyrolysis of renewable biomass has huge potential for sustainable production of fuel or chemical feedstock for the activated carbon materials. Here, we report a method for producing high-quality carbon nanofiber (CNF) precursor and subsequently CNFs as a low-cost and eco-friendly energy storage material. Specifically, pinewood is pyrolyzed with solar energy to generate a phenol-rich bioliquid precursor that is found to be a strong candidate for synthesizing binder-free flexible electrode materials via electrospinning. The CNFs prepared with 30% solar-driven bioliquids and 70% polyacrylonitrile have a high specific surface area and rich microstructure, which are the key to its electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacitance (349 F g−1 at the current density of 0.5 A g−1) with notable rate performance, reversibility, and cycling stability in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Thus, solar bioliquids are feasible CNF precursors, and such derived CNFs have potential to be applied in energy storage devices.

Biofertigation was generated with three areas of agricultural knowledge involved: soil fertility, soil microbiology, and irrigation. Bioliquids have evaluated sheep manure vermicompost with Bacillus subtilis and applied as biofertigation on apple yield and nutrition. The application efficiency of the water was 90.2% and the deficiency 9.8%. The vermicompost period had 59 days, the mesophyll with 4 days, the thermophilic with 31 days, the cooling of 15 days, and the maturation of 9 days. The salinity was 16.51 dS/m in the liquid of vermicompost; the level of 3 L/ha presented the highest concentration of elements. The maximum population of B. subtilis was 28.3 × 106 CFU/mL; in the root, it was 1.07 × 104 CFU/g; and the highest yield was 12.17 t/ha with 3 L/ha and maximum response. The foliar concentration was sufficient in N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Si and deficient in P, Fe, Zn, B, and Se.

The direct utilization of first-generation (coal, woody materials) fossil fuel resources as well as the rapid fluctuations in crude oil prices will lead to the consciousness of environmental problems, so the scientists as well as many researchers focused on the necessity of the liquid biofuels (bioethanol or biobutanol) from various feedstocks. One approach, in this way, some researchers identified, is the generation of clean renewable biofuels or bio-oils or bioliquids from different types of solid lignocellulosic biomass materials, such as forest wood, agricultural, and municipal solid wastes, because they have high potential as well as are valuable substitutes for achieving the conventional (gasoline) fuel security. Generally, the structural framework of any lignocellulosic biomass material comprises 30%–50% cellulose, 15%–35% hemicellulose, and 10%–20% lignin. Initially, the solid biomass materials are crumpled down into small ingredients and followed by hydrolysis to produce simple fermentable reducing sugar moieties, which upon fermentation form biofuels (bioethanol and biobutanol). The obtained biobutanol shows tremendously superior fuel properties as compared to bioethanol. Furthermore, the utilization of biodiesel or bioethanol needs some significant modifications in automobile engine parts, but the use of biobutanol does not require any such modifications in engines, because biobutanol shows superior unique fuel properties as well as is easily blended in any ratio with petrol- or petroleum-based gasoline. The major obstacle for the production of biobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass materials is the efficient pretreatments of biomass followed by enzymatic hydrolysis processes. In this regard an outlook on the major conversion technologies for producing biobutanol from various lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks by focusing on their typical performances has been established along with their applications. The effective pretreatment processes for enhancing the relevant techniques, the genetically engineered and modified acetone, butanol, and ethanol fermentation processes are also evaluated. The different routes, say chemical and microbial fermentation for the production of biobutanol, are generally discussed.

Three different waste animal fats (bone, chicken, and tallow) have been studied to evaluate whether they could be used as bioliquids according to the European Regulation (EC) No.1069/2009. The analyses showed that they contained an unsuitable amount of free fatty acids (FFA) and impurities content (total sediment) if compared with the standards for power generation (set by UNI 6579:2009), with the exception of tallow fat (class C, UNI/TS 11163:2018). A series of physical-chemical processes already applied at industrial scale have been considered to manage the acid value and the impurities content. The FFA esterification was carried out with methanol, comparing two acid catalysts (sulfuric acid or Amberlyst – 15), followed by neutralization of the residual acidity with two different bases (ammonia solution or solid sodium carbonate monohydrate) when necessary. The final purification has been achieved by treatment with powdered activated carbon. In particular, the bone fat was studied as reference material, having the worst initial physical-chemical characteristics. The UNI/TS 11163:2018 standard would allow to classify the bioliquid from bone fat belonging to class B, while the one from chicken would require further degumming and purification processes to reduce the metals, sulfur, and phosphorus content.

Thermoelectric and thermoelectrokinetic phenomena have been studied in liquids that could serve as analogs for biological liquids, namely, physiological (Ringer’s) solution that is isotonic to blood plasma and iron (III) hydroxide colloid solution. The thermoelectric (Seebeck) coefficient and thermoelectrokinetic coefficient have been measured. The results indicate that the above phenomena are associated with the electrical properties of bioliquids representing charged colloids and may play an essential role in them.

The development of renewable energy sources (RES) is considered to be a key instrument in addressing climate change. However, different RES have different potential and economic feasibility depending on country-specific conditions and mitigation ambitions. Understanding the relative importance of each RES could help policymakers focus their efforts on the most promising options. In this paper, we focus on Ukraine and explore the potential of biomass use under two mitigation scenarios – with 68% and 83% of greenhouse gas emissions reduction in 2050 relative to the 2010 level. First, using the TIMES-Ukraine energy system model, we show that biomass would play a major role in the future climate mitigation. If constrained at the baseline scenario level (due to political or other reasons), mitigation costs would be substantially higher – by 14.0–19.6 B € or 10.8–14.3 €/tCO2-eq., over the 2020–2050 time frame. Second, we quantify the importance of each biomass source. We show that woody biomass and bioliquids are the most important biofuels under the high-ambition climate scenario, while biowaste and bioliquids play a key role in the lower ambition pathway. Finally, we analyse the current policy environment in the context of future biomass development and conclude with a set of policy recommendations toward the realization of the biomass potential in Ukraine. We believe that findings presented in the paper would be relevant not only for supporting the decision-making process in Ukraine, but could also provide useful insights for other countries with similar conditions.

Single and combined fiber optic probes for key spectroscopy methods (Raman scattering, Mid IR-absorption, Diffuse NIR-reflection, and auto-fluorescence) were compares to detect malignant tissue in clinical environment. All four methods were tested on cancer diagnostics on biopsies (stomach, colon and kidney) and bioliquids (serum, plasma and urine) of patients.

Increased public concerns and stricter regulatory frameworks promote the role of bioliquids (liquid fuel for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity and heating and cooling, produced from biomass). This is a driving force for development and employment of micro-gas turbines (MGTs) due to their ability to combust bioliquids with less favorable properties in a decentralized manner. Gas turbines are characterized by relatively high combustion efficiency at relatively low concentrations of harmful emissions, relatively high effective efficiency and durability when utilizing a common portfolio of gas turbine approved fuels. It is thus desired to preserve these advantages of gas turbines also while burning bioliquids and further relying on their scalability that is crucial to efficient support of decentralized energy production at small scales. To support these objectives, MGT technology needs to allow for utilization of bioliquids with much wider spectrum of physical and chemical properties compared to common commercially available MGTs in a single MGT-based plant. In this view, the present study is providing the first thorough overview of challenges and solutions encountered by researchers across the wide area of bioliquids in MGTs.

The promotion of biofuels in the EU aims at the substitution of fossil fuels and the reduction of carbon emissions. Therefore, the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC obliges EU Member States to make sure that until 2020 in transport at least 10% of the final energy consumption is derived from renewable sources or that at least a 6% greenhouse gas emission reduction is achieved. In order to safeguard that the production of biomass does not result in negative impacts on greenhouse gas stocks or on biodiversity, the promotion of biofuels and bioliquids is accompanied by sustainability requirements.

This paper aimed at studying the current state of development of liquid biofuels’ world market. The authors considered the theoretical bases of liquid biofuels production, their types, disadvantages and advantages. The world experience of introducing stimulation mechanisms of development and their influence on the sectors’ growth is analyzed. In this study’s frame, there is outlined the world leaders in the production of liquid biofuels. The findings represent the peculiarities of state regulation in implementing mandates for creating transport fuels with bioliquids. The current state of investment in the production of liquid biofuels was investigated. The obtained results contribute to the prospects for promoting world production of liquid biofuels to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals by 2030 under the sustainable development scenario.

Using WGM resonators allow achieving high accuracy in determining the substances permittivities due to the high Q-factor. The resonator with a microfluidic channel is promising for the study of small-volume liquids, which is especially important for bioliquids. In a Ka-band a sapphire resonator with microfluidic channel has been proposed as a measurement cell, but in the sub-THz range a quartz resonator has more suitable characteristics due to its high Q-factor. In the paper we propose a measurement cell for the determination of complex permittivity of liquids in sub-THz range on the basis of quasi-optical quartz resonator with a layer of plastic comprising a microfluidic channel. Experimental studies of the resonator structure are carried out and a model for numerical research in the software COMSOL Multiphysics is proposed. By means of c omparing the resonator frequencies and Q-factors values with the corresponding values obtained with the numerical model the correction of the model has been carried out for the water-filled microfluidic channel. It is shown that the model for numerical studies correctly describes the resonator structure. The values of the resonator frequency and Q-factor obtained experimentally and numerically, for the microfluidic channel filled with the substances with well-known complex permittivity (methanol, propanol, ethanol, acetone), are in good agreement, which indicates the possibility of using the resonator as a measurement cell allowing the research on small-liquid permittivity using the special calibration procedure.

In this study, the evaporation temperature behaviors of various liquids in silica and activated carbon pores were investigated, and applicability of bioliquid in coal pores was reported. In countries around the world, to reduce the potential carbon dioxide, solid phase biomasses, such as wood chips and pellets, have been mixed with coal to make fuel for coal-fired power plants. However, the liquid phase biomass (bioliquid) has a phase different from coal in atmospheric conditions and evaporates at a relatively low temperature. As a result, it has been difficult to use biomass in the existing coal-fired power plants due to a number of problems, such as fuel injection, the reduction of combustion efficiency in coal, spontaneous combustion, and the risk of explosion during drying. To address these challenges, evaporation behaviors of bioliquids were evaluated using silica and activated carbon that have various pores and surface characteristics. The impregnation of bioliquids was accelerated on a support that had the same hydrophilic or hydrophobic characteristics, and the evaporation temperature increased at the hydrophilic surfaces or in small pores. In addition, evaporation behaviors were assessed by filling bioliquids into coal pores that originated from ash and fixed carbon. These results increase understanding of coal pore characteristics and will enable better choices of bioliquids that can be used together with coal in the existing coal-fired power plants.

A reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as an increase in the share of renewable energy are the main objectives of EU energy policy. In Poland, biofuels play an important role in the structure of obtaining energy from renewable sources. In the case of biofuels obtained from agricultural raw materials, one of the significant components of emissions generated in their full life cycle is emissions from the cultivation stage. The aim of the study is to estimate and recognize the structure of GHG emission from biomass production in selected farms in Poland. For this purpose, the methodology that was recommended by the Polish certification system of sustainable biofuels and bioliquids production, as approved by the European Commission, was used. The calculated emission values vary between 41.5 kg CO2eq/t and 147.2 kg CO2eq/t dry matter. The highest average emissions were obtained for wheat (103.6 kg CO2eq/t), followed by maize (100.5 kg CO2eq/t), triticale (95.4 kg CO2eq/t), and rye (72.5 kg CO2eq/t). The greatest impact on the total GHG emissions from biomass production is caused by field emissions of nitrous oxide and emissions from the production and transport of fertilizers and agrochemicals. Emissions that were generated at the stage of production, storage, and transport of seeds and during the use of fuels in agricultural and forestry machinery have a significantly smaller share in the total GHG emissions from biomass production.

This study reports the results of a detailed analysis of 203 samples of bioliquid used as a substitute for heavy fuel oil in oil-fired power plants. Bioliquid is a mixture of various vegetable oils, animal fats and its byproducts. The heating value of bioliquid is approximately the same as that of heavy fuel oil; however, bioliquid has significantly less N and S components and exhibits better combustion reactivity. For a commercial electricity generation, demonstration tests firing bioliquid in 75, 90, and 100 MW oil-fired boilers were conducted, and the results were compared with those obtained by firing heavy fuel oil. Further, the impacts of bioliquid fuel characteristics on combustion and boiler operation were also investigated. During the bioliquid firing, the heat absorption in the furnace decreased and the furnace exit gas temperature increased in comparison to the heavy fuel oil firing. No serious problems occurred in the boiler operation, and NOx and SOx emissions remarkably decreased. With minor modifications on the fuel transfer system and atomization devices, bioliquid could successfully replace heavy fuel oil in the existing oil-fired boilers. The limited values for 18 fuel properties of bioliquid are suggested by considering the stable boiler operation and environmental safety.

At present, coal is considered one of the main components for the production of cheap, high-energy and environmentally attractive slurry fuels. The latter can be produced on the basis of low-grade coal dust or coal processing wastes. Thus, coal-water slurries and coal-water slurries containing petrochemicals are produced. The involvement of coal and oil processing wastes expands the scope of raw materials, reduces the fuel costs from traditional energy sources and modifies the main economic characteristics of power plant performance. However, it also increases the impact of coal-fired thermal power stations on the environment. In the last 30–50 years, many efforts have been made to decrease the negative impact of human industrial activity on climate. Involving plant-based components in the process of energy generation to save energy and material resources looks very promising nowadays. This research studies the influence of adding typical bioliquids (bioethanol, turpentine, glycerol) on the concentration of anthropogenic emissions from coal-water slurry combustion. Relative mass concentrations of bioliquids varied in a small range below 20%. We focused on the concentration of the most hazardous sulfur and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of typical filter cakes, as well as plant-containing slurries. It was established that the concentration of sulfur oxides can be decreased (as compared to coal) by 75%, whereas that of nitrogen oxides by almost 30%. Using a generalizing criteria expression, we illustrated the main benefits of adding bioliquids to slurry fuels in comparison with coal. Adding 20% of glycerol was found to provide maximum advantages.

Bioenergy, used for the mitigation of climate change, has in recent years increased the pressure on land and thereby on agriculture, natural and near natural habitats. The European Union Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EU establishes for the first time environmental limitations that not only impact the drafting of climate change policy but also are specifically aimed at regulating its impact. Biofuels and bioliquids can only be supported by the States if they comply with certain limitations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and requirements on the protection of biodiversity. Although several issues are not sufficiently addressed, such as socio-economic issues or indirect land-use changes, the mechanism can nonetheless serve as a blueprint for regulation in other sectors. This is particularly true for the recognition mechanism, which benchmarks voluntary certification standards against the sustainability criteria. Valuable experiences may be drawn both for the design of certification systems and for the requirements on meta-standards.

While biofuel is one of the ways through which dependency on fossil fuels can be reduced, it is controversial, not least because it may entail a conflict between food production and the rights of local communities on the one hand, and subsidised access to renewable, non-fossil fuel on the other. As a means to reduce these tensions, a large number of voluntary sustainability schemes have emerged, particularly after the EU Renewable Energy Directive was adopted in 2009. If biofuel actors in the EU are to have their biofuels counted within the 10 per cent renewable target, to be attractive, these voluntary schemes must comply with the EU sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids and be approved by the EU. When analysing the voluntary sustainability schemes applying to biofuel, the theory of reflexive law is applied. By highlighting the social dimension of sustainability, more specifically the human rights to participation, land and food, it is found that those schemes that have been develo...

ARTICLE TELECHARGEABLE JUSQU'AU 10 JUINhttps://authors.elsevier.com/c/1WwUU14Z6tTF8h; International audience; The price volatility of fossil resources, the uncertainty of their long-term availability and the environmental, climatic and societal problems posed by their operation, lead to the imperative of an energy transition enabling the development and utilization of other alternative and sustainable resources. Acknowledging that indirect land-use change can increase greenhouse gas emission, the European Union (EU) has reshaped its biofuel policy. It has set criteria for sustainability to ensure that the use of biofuels guarantees real carbon savings and protects biodiversity. From a sustainability perspective, biofuels and bioliquids offer indeed both advantages (e.g., more secure energy supply, emission reductions, reduced air pollution and production of high added-value molecules) as well as risks (monocultures, reduced biodiversity and even higher emissions through land use change). Approaching economic, environmental and social sustainability at the local level and in an integrated way should help to maximize benefits and minimize risks. This approach has been adopted and is described in the present work that combines chemical, biological, social and territorial studies on the management of pruning waste residues from olive trees in the Sierra Mágina olive-growing area in Spain. The biological and social analyses helped to orientate the research towards an attractive chemical process based on extraction and pyrolysis, in which high added value molecules are recovered in the extracts and in which the residual biochar may be used as pathogen-free fertilizer. In this region where farmers face declining economic margins, the new intended method may both solve greenhouse gas emission problems and provide farmers with additional revenues and convenient fertilizers. Further research with a larger partnership will consolidate the results and tackle issues such as the logistic one, which stemmed from the geographic analysis.

In the present work, the measurement cell for investigation of small-volume liquids in sub-THz range is proposed. The proposed measurement cell is based on the whispering-gallery mode quartz resonator covered with the plastic layer comprising the microfluidic channel and allows obtaining the complex permittivity of the liquid filling the microfluidic channel. Investigation of the resonator structure was carried out experimentally and using the numerical model of the structure. It is shown that the resonator structure can be used as a measurement cell with additional calibration procedure.

Advanced Biofuels steadily developed during recent year, with several highly innovative processes and technologies explored at various scales: among these, lignocellulosic ethanol and CTO (Crude Tall Oil)-biofuel technologies already achieved early-commercial status, while hydrotreating of vegetable oils is today fully commercial, with almost 3.5 Mt/y installed capacity worldwide. In this context, microalgae grown in salt-water and arid areas represent a promising sustainable chain for advanced biofuel production but, at the same time, they also represent a considerable challenge. Processing microalgae in an economic way into a viable and sustainable liquid biofuel (a low-cost mass-product) is not trivial. So far, the most studied microalgae-based biofuel chain is composed by microorganism cultivation, lipid accumulation, oil extraction, co-product valorization, and algae oil conversion through conventional esterification into Fatty Acids Methyl Esters (FAME), i.e. Biodiesel, or Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), the latter representing a very high quality drop-in biofuel (suitable either for road transport or for aviation). However, extracting the algae oil at low cost and industrial scale is not yet a mature process, and there is not yet industrial production of algae-biofuel from these two lipid-based chains. Another option can however be considered: processing the algae through dedicated thermochemical reactors into advanced biofuels, thus approaching the downstream processing of algae in a completely different way than separation. The present work examines the possible routes for thermochemical conversion of microalgae into liquid biofuels, distinguishing between dry-processes (namely Pyrolysis, PO) and wet-processes (near critical-water HydroThermal Liquefaction, HTL). A literature review on algae-HTL was carried out, distinguishing between batch and continuous experiments, and compared to original results from algae pyrolysis. In particular, pyrolysis was carried out on both starved (lipid-accumulated) and non-starved microalgae. Typical composition of major products is given for both PO and HTL, comparing the main characteristic of the products. Major engineering advantages and challenges in thermochemical conversion of algae into liquid biofuels were identified and discussed for both processes, in view of the production of a transport biofuel and the full exploitation of this renewable feedstock in energy and biorefinery complexes.

The aim of this thesis has been the research on reactivity of protic metabolites with chloroformates and its application for GC-MS analysis of biofluids. The research was conducted in three separate studies and the results are three new, original methods for GC-MS determination of low- molecular protic metabolites in biological material especially in biofluids. The first study explores the discovery of fast derivatization of alicyclic hydroxyl groups by fluoroalkyl chloroformates (FCFs) under anhydrous conditions [1]. FCF fully converts the hydroxyl group into a corresponding carbonate and the step can easily be coupled with liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) of the arising derivatives into organic phase. The reaction of the alicyclic OH group with FCFs was tested on 12 clinically relevant steroids and 4 tocopherols. The analytical properties of determined analytes were described and the method was validated for the GC-MS determination of 6 diagnostic sterols and 4 tocopherols in human serum and amniotic fluid. The new method was further successfully used for determination of sterols and tocopherols in tissues of the bug Pyrrhocoris apterus [2]. The second study was focused on the reactions of protic, particularly urinary metabolites with FCFs, mainly heptafluorobutyl chloroformate (HFBCF)....

Increasing bioenergy production from forest harvest residues decreases litter input to the soil and can thus reduce the carbon stock and sink of forests. This effect may negate greenhouse gas savings obtained by using bioenergy. We used a spatially explicit modelling framework to assess the reduction in the forest litter and soil carbon stocks across Europe, assuming that a sustainable potential of bioenergy from forest harvest residues is taken into use. The forest harvest residue removal reduced the carbon stocks of litter and soil on average by 3% over the period from 2016 to 2100. The reduction was small compared to the size of the carbon stocks but significant in comparison to the amount of energy produced from the residues. As a result of these land-use-related missions, bioenergy production from forest harvest residues would need to be continued for 60-80 years to achieve a 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction in heat and power generation compared to the fossil fuels it replaces in most European countries. The emission reductions achieved and their timings varied among countries because of differences in the litter and soil carbon loss. Our results show that extending the current sustainability requirements for bioliquids and biofuels to solid bioenergy does not guarantee efficient reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the short-term. In the longer-term, bioenergy from forest harvest residues may pave the way to low-emission energy systems.

Fast pyrolysis liquid or bio-oil has been used in engines with limited success. It requires a pilot fuel and/or an additive for successful combustion and there are problems with materials and liquid properties. It is immiscible with all conventional hydrocarbon fuels. Biodiesel, a product of esterification of vegetable oil with an alcohol, is widely used as a renewable liquid fuel as an additive to diesel at up to 20%. There are however limits to its use in conventional engines due to poor low temperature performance and variability in quality from a variety of vegetable oil qualities and variety of esterification processes. Within the European Project Bioliquids-CHP - a joint project between the European Commission and Russia - a study was undertaken to develop small scale CHP units based on engines and microturbines fuelled with bioliquids from fast pyrolysis and methyl esters of vegetable oil. Blends of bio-oil and biodiesel were evaluated and tested to overcome some of the disadvantages of using either fuel by itself. An alcohol was used as the co-solvent in the form of ethanol, 1-butanol or 2-propanol. Visual inspection of the blend homogeneity after 48 h was used as an indicator of the product stability and the results were plotted in a three phase chart for each alcohol used. An accelerated stability test was performed on selected samples in order to predict its long term stability. We concluded that the type and quantity of alcohol is critical for the blend formation and stability. Using 1-butanol gave the widest selection of stable blends, followed by blends with 2-propanol and finally ethanol, thus 1-butanol blends accepted the largest proportion of bio-oil in the mixture.

According to the renewable energy directive 2009/28/EC, the European Union Member States should increase by 2020 the use of renewable energy to 20% of gross final energy consumption and to reach a mandatory share of 10% renewable energy in the transport sector. This study aims to quantify the impact of 2020 bioenergy targets on the land use in the EU, based on the projections of the National Renewable Action Plans in four scenarios: Scenario 1. Bioenergy targets according to NREAPs; Scenario 2. Bioenergy targets according to NREAPs, no second generation biofuels; Scenario 3. Bioenergy targets according to NREAPs, reduced import of biofuels and bioliquids; Scenario 4. Bioenergy targets according to NREAPs, high imports of biofuels and bioliquids. This study also considers the credit for co-products generated from biofuel production. The analysis reveals that the land used in the EU for bioenergy would range between 13.5 Mha and 25.2 Mha in 2020. This represent between 12.2% and 22.5% of the total arable land used and 7.3% and 13.5% of the Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA). In the NREAPS scenario, about 17.4 Mha would be used for bioenergy production, representing 15.7% of arable land and 9.4% of UAA. The increased demand from biofuels would lead to an increased generation of co-products, replacing conventional fodder for animal feed. Considering the co-products, the land used for bioenergy would range between 8.8 Mha and 15.0 Mha in 2020 in the various scenarios. This represent between 7.9% and 13.3% of the total arable land used in the EU and 4.7% and 8.0% of the UAA. In the NREAPS scenario, when co-products are considered, about 10.3 Mha would be used for biofuels, bioliquids and bioenergy production, representing 9.3% of arable land and 5.6% of agricultural land. This study further provides detailed data on the impact on land use in each Member State.

The renewable energy directive (RED) of the EU sets mandatory targets for increasing the use of renewable energy in EU member states by 2020. The RED introduces sustainability criteria for transportation biofuels and other bioliquids in order to ensure that their increasing production does not cause serious environmental and social problems. Bio-oil production through fast pyrolysis is one technology under development. The aim of this paper is to explore whether bio-oil derived from logging residues in Finland meets the GHG performance criteria set by the EU. The pyrolysis reactor is assumed to be integrated with a combined heat and power production plant (CHP). Special attention is paid to uncertainty analysis. An emission reduction target of 60% as compared to the reference fuel is exceeded if the pyrolysis reactor and the CHP plant are considered as separate units, and changes in soil carbon balances are ignored. On the contrary, the particular target is not met using a 20-year time frame for changes in soil carbon balances. The results depend in large measure on the selection of parameters set and the interpretation of the definitions provided in the RED to set the system boundary for the pyrolysis reactor and the CHP plant.

Introduction of biofuels in place of heating oils and biocomponents of heating oils is fraught with technological and technical difficulties. The final product - microemulsion bioliquid must have in its composition more appropriately selected emulsifiers package designed to maintain a constant characteristic HLB resistant to variation of bioliquid components. Final microemulsion bioliquid should be stable at a wide range of temperature, the certain period of time, and should be produced under conditions easy to apply in industry. The paper presents preliminary results focused on liquid waste from dairy industry using as microemulsion bioliquid component and an economic analysis of microemulsion bioliquids application in supplying of electricity to local grids accordingly to their needs.

In an effort to reduce fossil fuel consumption, the use of woody biomass for heat and power generation is growing. Key destination markets will be countries within the European Union, particularly the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium. While demand from Asia (particularly South Korea and Japan) will also increase, it will continue to play a secondary role. Across the EU, adoption of sustainability criteria for forest biomass based on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) 2009/28/EC or similar criteria is likely. In the United Kingdom, the largest market for traded wood pellets, such criteria have already been proposed. As of 2015, only forest biomass that achieves at least a 60% reduction in GHG emissions, relative to the EU fossil fuel electricity average, can be used for bioenergy production and proof of SFM is required. In the Netherlands, the energy industry and non-governmental organisations achieved principal agreement on sustainability criteria for solid biomass, but issues of compliance testing and monitoring must still be addressed. In Flemish Belgium, the sustainability requirements for bioliquids may soon be applied to woody biomass. In Denmark, a voluntary industry agreement is set to ensure that all bioenergy production by 2019 is conducted sustainably. At present, internationally traded wood pellets from temperate and boreal biomes originate primarily from the United States, Canada and Russia. Among these, Canada offers large stretches of SFM-certified forests, but the US Southeast has seen the strongest increase in wood pellet production and export in recent years. The expansion of pellet production in the Southeast United States is mainly linked to available forest inventory (pulpwood in particular) and the competitive advantage gained by the relative proximity to demand markets in the EU. In addition to the mobilisation barriers observed in supply chains at the local and national scale, limitations in the supply of forest biomass for international trade will be influenced by regulatory measures that could restrict the trade of specific feedstock fractions.

This review examines the use of steam reforming to convert bioliquids, such as ethanol, glycerol, butanol, vegetable oil, bio-oils and biodiesel, into hydrogen gas. The focus of the research was to investigate the research being undertaken in terms of catalyst developments for the steam reforming of the aforementioned feedstock, and to determine the perspective opportunities in this area. Hydrogen production by steam reforming of bio-oil, ethanol and pure glycerol has been widely investigated; several thermodynamic and catalytic investigations are available restricting new investigations. In contrast, hydrogen production from waste streams, vegetable oil, biodiesel and butanol is very recent and has room for further developments.

Anaerobic digestion promotes a valorisation of residual and dedicated biomass of agricultural origin. The EU Directive 2009/28/CE mandates a minimum 35% saving in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission for biofuels and bioliquids. National legislations add further limits, such as a 70 km maximum distance in the supply of biomass for energy uses (Short chain support scheme in Italy). In order to assess if the substitution of fossil fuels with biogas complies with such obligations and which are the factors most influencing GHG savings, a simulation study was carried out on a digester fed by maize silage, as many plants built in the frame of the current incentives. A simplified balance was drawn between the CO2 emitted and saved by a 1000 kWel digester aimed for heat and electricity co-generation. The simulation output was the operational radius of feedstock supply and digestate disposal allowing a 35% CO2 saving in a standard scenario. A sensitivity analysis was also run by varying several traits concerning process efficiency, feedstock characteristics, logistic aspects, plus the amount of net thermal energy actually exploited and CH4 and N2O emissions from the stored digestate. The standard scenario involving a 35% CO2 saving allowed an operational radius of 192 km, almost three times as large as the maximum distance prescribed by the Short chain scheme. As an alternative, a 50% CO2 saving was possible at a radius of 70 km. Varying the process, feedstock and logistic traits by ±10% determined variations in the break-even distance associated with a 35% CO2 saving, ranging from ±20% (total solids; volatile solids; anaerobic biogasification potential; biogas CH4 content), to ±15% (energy efficiency), to only ±5% (CO2 emissions in the cropping phase; the carrying capacity of transport means). Actual heat utilisation and digestate GHG emissions, respectively set at 100% and 0% in the standard scenario, are traits with a high uncertainty in the normal practice. Therefore, a respective variation of −50% and +50% was adopted in the sensitivity analysis, determining in both cases a strong reduction (50%) of the break-even distance. In order to overcome the critical points represented by the amount of net thermal energy actually valorised and by GHG emissions from the stored digestate, special care is needed in planning biogas plants, in order to ensure a good utilisation of heat and recycle residual CH4 within the process.

In live organisms of biological liquids are formed various органоминеральные units (a bone and tooth fabric, nephritic, salivary and scales in a human body etc.). It is known that the major property of any liquid is its viscosity. Viscosity renders a great influence for speed of movement of a liquid, resistance which it renders to particles at their moving, thereby defines a direction and intensity of many biochemical reactions, including processes of formation of mineral phases in vivo. Change is viscous – elastic properties influences a number of physical and chemical parametres of biological system, affects speed of the chemical reactions proceeding in bioliquids. Such bioliquid is synovial a liquid (SL, synovial) the person, it is one of the basic components of a joint and substantially defines its morfo-functional condition, carries out the important role in realisation of functions of a joint and maintenance of its communication with other fabrics. The key characteristic of the given bioliquid is its viscosity which provides normal mobility of a joint, reduces a friction and provides functional congruence. Viscosity синовии considerably fluctuates depending on рН, concentration of salts, temperatures. In comparison with other bioliquids viscosity synovial liquids is high enough [Veresov, etc., 2004,], in communication, with what the purpose given work is the establishment of influence of viscosity of modelling solution synovial on processes of a bone mineralization. According to earlier spent thermodynamic calculation [Lemeshev, 2010], it is shown that within the limits of the chosen thermodynamic model in an investigated range рН in solutions probably formation of following substances (tab. 1): Са10 (РО4) 6 (IT) 2, β-Ca3 (РО4) 2, MgHPO4·3Н2О, Ca4H(РО4)3·2.5Н2О, СaHРО4·2Н2О, CaCO3-kaltsit, CaCO3-aragonite, α-Ca3 (РО4) 2. Thus for each system of value рН the sedimentation beginnings slightly soluble connections are various.

The investigation of upgraded bio-fuels production processes was carried out via the development of efficient catalysts for oxy-organic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) processes. It was found that Ni–Cu catalysts are more attractive than single Ni catalysts in HDO under mild conditions. Copper facilitates the nickel oxide reduction at temperatures lower than 300 °C. Moreover, copper prevents methanization of oxy-organics at 280–350 °C. The catalyst supports play also a key role in hydrotreatment of oxygen-containing compounds. Screening of catalyst supports showed that CeO 2 and ZrO 2 are most effective in the target processes because of possible additional activation of oxy-compounds on the support surface. The prepared catalysts have non-sulfided nature and can be used for upgrading of bioliquids with a low sulfur content.