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Fulltext Characterization of crude glycerol and glycerol pitch from palm-based residual biomass

Armylisas AHN, Hoong SS, Tuan Ismail TNM

Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2023 Mar 02.
PMID: 37363204 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-023-04003-4

Crude glycerol (CG) and glycerol pitch (GP) are highly alkaline residues from biodiesel and oleochemical plants, respectively, and have organic content which incurs high disposal cost and poses an environmental threat. Characterization of these residues for composition and properties could provide insight into their quality for proper disposal and can help the biodiesel industry to adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing waste and improving the efficiency of the production process, hence minimizing the impact of the biodiesel supply chain to the environment. These data also allow the identification and exploration of new ways for their utilization and transformation into highly value-added products. In this study, we evaluated four CG samples (B, C, D, and E) and two GP samples (F and G) obtained from Malaysian palm oil refineries, and the results were compared with pure glycerol (A). Spectroscopic analysis was performed using FTIR, 1H-, and 13C-NMR. All samples had similar density to A (1.26 g/cm3), except for F (1.31 g/cm3), while the density for E and G could not be determined due to their physical states. The pH and viscosity largely varied in the range of 7.26-11.89 and 43-225 cSt, respectively. The glycerol content of CG (B, C, D, and E) was high and consistent (81.7-87.3%) whereas GP F and G had 71.5 and 63.9% glycerol content, respectively. Major contaminants in CG and GP were water and matter organic non-glycerol (MONG), respectively. The water, ash, soap, and salt content were considerably low, which varied from 3.4 to 14.1%, 3.9 to 13.0%, 0.1 to 5.7%, and 4.1 to 9.2% respectively. Thermal analysis of CG and GP exhibited four phases of decomposition attributed to the impurities compared to the single phase in A. All samples had calorific values lower than A (18.1 MJ/kg) between 9.0 and 17.7 MJ/kg. Based on the results, CG and GP have high glycerol content which reveals their potential to be used as feedstock in bioconversion and chemical or thermal treatment while impurities may be removed by pre-treatment if required. As palm oil is one of the main feedstocks for the oleochemical industry, this work underlines the importance of characterization of the residue generated to provide additional data and information on palm-based agricultural industry wastes, minimize the impact of palm oil supply chain on the environment, and explore its potential usage for value-addition.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13399-023-04003-4.
Fulltext A review of the recent trend in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials derived from oil palm by-product materials

Zakaria NZJ, Rozali S, Mubarak NM, Ibrahim S

Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2022 Feb 11.
PMID: 35194538 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-022-02430-3

Grown only in humid tropical conditions, the palm tree provides high-quality oil essential for cooking and personal care or biofuel in the energy sector. After the refining process, this demand could cause numerous oil palm biomass waste management problems. However, the emergence of carbon nanomaterials or CNMs could be a great way to put this waste to a good cause. The composition of the palm waste can be used as a green precursor or starting materials for synthesizing CNMs. Hence, this review paper summarizes the recent progress for the CNMs production for the past 10 years. This review paper extensively discusses the method for processing CNMs, chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis, and microwave by the current synthesis method. The parameters and conditions of the synthesis are also analyzed. The application of the CNMs from palm oil and future recommendations are also highlighted. Generally, this paper could be a handy guide in assisting the researchers in exploring economic yet simple procedures in synthesizing carbon-based nanostructured materials derived from palm oil that can fulfill the required applications.
Fulltext Advancement of biorefinery-derived platform chemicals from macroalgae: a perspective for bioethanol and lactic acid

Tong KTX, Tan IS, Foo HCY, Lam MK, Lim S, Lee KT

Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2022 Mar 17.
PMID: 35316983 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-022-02561-7

The extensive growth of energy and plastic demand has raised concerns over the depletion of fossil fuels. Moreover, the environmental conundrums worldwide integrated with global warming and improper plastic waste management have led to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly biofuel (bioethanol) and biopolymer (lactic acid, LA) derived from biomass for fossil fuels replacement and biodegradable plastic production, respectively. However, the high production cost of bioethanol and LA had limited its industrial-scale production. This paper has comprehensively reviewed the potential and development of third-generation feedstock for bioethanol and LA production, including significant technological barriers to be overcome for potential commercialization purposes. Then, an insight into the state-of-the-art hydrolysis and fermentation technologies using macroalgae as feedstock is also deliberated in detail. Lastly, the sustainability aspect and perspective of macroalgae biomass are evaluated economically and environmentally using a developed cascading system associated with techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment, which represent the highlights of this review paper. Furthermore, this review provides a conceivable picture of macroalgae-based bioethanol and lactic acid biorefinery and future research directions that can be served as an important guideline for scientists, policymakers, and industrial players.
Fulltext Catalytic reforming of oxygenated hydrocarbons for the hydrogen production: an outlook

Azizan MT, Aqsha A, Ameen M, Syuhada A, Klaus H, Abidin SZ, et al.

Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2020 Oct 23.
PMID: 33110738 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-020-01081-6

The catalytic steam reforming of oxygenated hydrocarbons has been holding an interest in scientific societies for the past two decades. The hydrogen production from steam reforming of glycerol, ethanol and other oxygenates such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are more suitable choice not just because it can be produced from renewable sources, but it also helps to decrease the transportation fuel price and making it more competitive. In addition, hydrogen itself is a green fuel for the transportation sector. The studies on the production of hydrogen from various reforming technologies revealed a remarkable impact on the environmental and socio-economic issues. Researchers became more focused on glycerol steam reforming (GSR), ethanol steam reforming (ESR) and other oxygenates to investigate the catalyst suitability, their kinetics and challenges for the sustainability of the oil and gas production. In the present work, the authors critically addressed the challenges and strategies for hydrogen production via GSR, ESR and other oxygenates reforming process. This review covers extensively thermodynamic parametric analysis, catalysts developments, kinetics and advancement in the operational process for glycerol, ethanol and few other oxygenates. This detailed investigation only highlights the steam reforming process (SRP) of these oxygenates at the laboratory experimental stage. It was found that from this review, there are many technical issues, which lead to economic challenges. The issues are yet to be addressed and thus, these particular applications require faster accelerations at the pilot scale, taking into the consideration of the current pandemic and economic issues, for a safer and greener environment. Graphical abstract.
Fulltext Recent progress on production technologies of food waste-based biochar and its fabrication method as electrode materials in energy storage application

Ismail IS, Othman MFH, Rashidi NA, Yusup S

Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2023 Jan 17.
PMID: 36683845 DOI: 10.1007/s13399-023-03763-3

The abundance of food waste across the globe has called for the mitigation and reduction of these discarded wastes. Herein, the potential of biochar derived from food waste is unquestionable as it provides a sustainable way of utilizing the abundance of available biomass, as well as an effective way of preserving the ecosystem through the reduction of concerning environmental issues. This review focuses on the food waste-based biochar as advanced electrode materials in the energy storage devices. Efforts have been made to present and discuss the current exploration of the food waste utilization, along with the biochar production technologies through thermochemical conversion, including combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis method. Finding its limitation in literatures, discussion on the food waste-based biochar fabrication method as the electrode materials is elaborated, alongside the current food waste-based biochar that has been explored in the energy application thus far. Towards the end, the outlook and perspective on the further development of food waste-based biochar have been outlined.