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We report the removal of paracetamol from aqueous systems using a fixed-bed packed with biochar obtained from pyrolysis of malt bagasse residue (MBR). MBR biochar was characterized by carbonization yield, pH, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and specific surface area (BET method). High surface area biochar (308.6 m² g-1) was fixed in a bed sorption column and sorption capacity was studied by varying the mass of sorbent and sorbate flow rate. Sorption isotherms (breakthrough curves) in the traditional "S" shape were observed in the assays. The nonlinear models of Thomas, Bohart-Adams and Yan-Viraraghavan were applied to the experimental data, with the model of Yan-Viraraghavan best describing the behavior of the isotherms, with a good mean coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9883. Breakthrough times were greater at lower flow rates and greater sorbent amounts, and the effect of sorbent mass alone upon adsorption capacity (q exp) was not significant for a given flow rate. Thus, beer processing residue can be a source of raw material for the production of value-added MBR biochar, since it showed good sorption results of paracetamol in the biochar fixed-bed column, reaching sorption capacities at equilibrium up to 27.65 mg g-1 depending on the experimental parameters adopted. [Display omitted] • Malt bagasse residue from brewery industry used for the production of biochar. • Mesoporous biochar presented specific surface area of 308.6 m² g-1. • Biochar employed in the adsorption of paracetamol in a fixed bed column. • Nonlinear models of Thomas, Bohart-Adams and Yan-Viraraghavan were evaluated. • Sorption capacities at equilibrium up to 27.65 mg g-1 were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pyrolysis is an interesting option for the disposal of malt bagasse. • The temperature showed significant and negative effect for biochars surface area. • The best condition to produce the biochar was 500 °C and holding time of 10 min. • A biochar with a mesoporous and amorphous structure was produced. • Hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) represents 27.30% of the bio–oil composition. Pyrolysis of malt bagasse was carried out to obtain simultaneously a mesoporous biochar and an oil fraction rich in palmitic acid. The best result for biochar production was at 500 °C with holding time of 10 min. The yields of biochar and pyrolytic oil in this condition were, 29.7 and 33.9 wt%, respectively. The pyrolysis temperature and holding time influenced the yields of the products. An increase in pyrolysis temperature (from 500 to 700 °C) and holding time (from 10 to 50 min) caused a decrease in biochar yield, a reduction in the volatile matter content and an increase in the amount of ash. Additionally, in the range studied in this work, the increase of the pyrolysis temperature caused a decrease in the specific surface area and total pore volume of the biochar. Meanwhile, the biochar presented interesting functional groups and a mesoporous character, which can be a precursor to obtain adsorbents, or even, be used as adsorbent. The pyrolytic oil was composed of oxygenated aromatic compounds, the main fraction being palmitic acid (27.3%), which can be used in a number of applications, including biodiesel production. This work demonstrated that an available and problematic waste, malt bagasse, can be converted simultaneously into a mesoporous biochar and, into a pyrolytic oil rich in palmitic acid. Biochar and pyrolytic oil, in turn, are products of great value and can be applied in several fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel catalysts were prepared from malt bagasse, the main waste of brewery industry, and were employed in the synthesis of the ethylic biodiesel of soybean oil. Catalysts C1 and C2 were prepared by impregnation of KOH solution either on a previously calcined malt bagasse (C1) or on dried malt bagasse, followed by calcination (C2). Catalyst C1 presented 14.3% K+ w/w and specific surface area (S BET) of 2.495 m2 g−1, while these figures were 37.6% K+ w/w and 1.138 m2 g−1 for C2. Catalysts were further characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and lixiviation tests. A factorial design (23) was used to optimize the reaction time and the oil/ethanol molar ratio upon the biodiesel yield, being the reaction temperature (65 °C) and the catalyst amount (10% w/w catalyst/oil) fixed. Under optimum conditions, biodiesel yield was 91.8 ± 1.0% using C1, employing an 1:12 oil/ethanol molar ratio and 2 h of reaction time. Specific mass, cinematic viscosity and acidity index values of the biodiesel obtained in optimum conditions agree with the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the European Standards (EN). Catalyst C1 was reused once, affording the biodiesel in 88.7% yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewery Spent Grain (BSG) is a fibrous residue composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. It is rich in proteins, fermentable sugars, and bioactive compounds. These characteristics make BSG an essential feedstock for obtaining different products with high added value. Although it is widely used for animal feed, its use as a commodity for other applications has aroused interest. In this sense, this review article aims to provide an updated overview of the main uses and potential applications of BSG, from a critical perspective. For that, research articles were selected according to pre-established criteria using ScienceDirect and Scopus databases. The bibliographic research showed that BSG is rich in protein and amino acids, which make it attractive to animal feed. BSG has been employed to biogas production due to its energy value. The chemicals element presence, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus show that the BSG is a nutrient font to plant and microorganism used in several bioprocesses. Also, BSG is a lignocellulosic material that makes it attractive to produce biochar used in soil remediation, as adsorbent, and biocatalyst. Besides of these uses, its potential for application in biorefinery especially to bioproducts obtention, such as enzyme, biopolymers, biocides, and biofuel have been highlighted. It was evident that BSG has been used for several industrial applications. However, studies of operational conditions, cost, and energy efficiency assessments, product performance studies, among many others, are still necessary for the consolidation of BSG as a feedstock. [Display omitted] • The protein, fiber, and amino acids content in BSG makes it attractive to animal feed. • BSG has been used to anaerobic digestion due to its energy value. • BSG can be used to cationic and anionic species adsorption, especially metals and dyes. • The BSG is nutrient font to plants and microorganisms due to N, P and C content. • BSG has been employed to bioproducts obtention, such as enzyme and biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biochars were produced from malt bagasse by activation with CO 2 and ZnCl 2. • The materials were used to treat effluents containing 2-chlorophenol. • Biochars presented surface areas of 161 m² g−1 (CO 2) and 545 m² g−1 (ZnCl 2). • ZnCl 2 -biochar exhibited an efficiency of 98 % in the treatment of effluents. The application of adsorption using biochars for the remediation of effluents containing emerging contaminants, including chlorophenols, is a hotspot and trend development in the literature. This treatment is more interesting when using readily available wastes and at no cost, such as malt bagasse, for example. Here, the biochars were produced from malt bagasse, by physical and chemical activation (with CO 2 and ZnCl 2 , respectively) and employed as adsorbents in the remediation of effluents containing 2-chlorophenol. Results revealed that the activated biochars have mesoporous structures and surface areas of 161 m² g−1 (CO 2) and 545 m² g−1 (ZnCl 2). For both activated biochars, adsorption of 2-chlorophenol was favored under acid conditions, with the highest adsorption capacities found using ZnCl 2 -activated biochar. The maximum adsorption capacity using ZnCl 2 -activated biochar was 150 mg g−1. The process was endothermic and spontaneous. ZnCl 2 -activated biochar exhibited an efficiency of 98 % (using a dosage of 10 g L−1) in the treatment of industrial effluents containing 2-chlorophenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New biodegradable trays based on cassava starch blended with sugarcane bagasse (SB), as the main component, and cornhusk (CH), malt bagasse (MB), or orange bagasse (OB) have been investigated. Gelatinized cassava starch solution was used as binder. The resulting trays displayed thickness between 3.505 ± 0.18 and 3.964 ± 0.52 mm and density between 0.199 ± 0.01 and 0.213 ± 0.02 g/cm3. All the biodegradable trays presented high water sorption capacity during storage under high or medium relative humidity. Mechanical analyses revealed that addition of different amounts of agroindustrial residues (CH, MB, or OB) to the materials affected resistance, making the biodegradable trays more rigid than EPS trays. Biodegradability tests demonstrated that all the trays fabricated from agroindustrial residues were more susceptible to degradation. Trays containing over 20% OB were completely degraded within 60 days. In conclusion, fibrous agroindustrial residues can be potentially employed to produce biodegradable trays, especially the combination of sugarcane bagasse and cornhusk. Image 1 • Trays containing sugarcane and malt or orange bagasse or cornhusk were prepared. • All the biodegradable trays were more rigid than traditional EPS trays. • Addition of 20 and 30% MB or OB produced less mechanically resistant trays. • Trays stored under medium and high relative humidity had high water sorption. • After analysis for 60 days, trays with 20 or 30% OB were completely degraded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]