A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thermo-Chemical Properties of Sudanese Biomass for Sustainable Applications

The chemical composition and thermal properties of natural fibers are the most critical variables that determine the overall properties of the fibers and influence their processing and use in different sustainable applications,such as their conversion into bioenergy and biocomposites.Their thermal and mechanical properties can be estimated by evaluating the content of cellulose,lignin,and other extractives in the fibers.In this research work,the chemical composition and thermal properties of three fibers,namely bagasse,kenaf bast fibers,and cotton stalks,were evaluated to assess their potential utilization in producing biocomposites and bioenergy materials.The chemical composition analysis followed the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Standards(TAPPI)methods.The total phenol content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method,while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR)was employed to assess the light absorption by the bonds.To evaluate thermal stability and higher heating values,Thermogravimetric Analysis(TGA),Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC),and bomb calorimetry were performed.The chemical analysis revealed that bagasse contained 50.6%cellulose and 21.6%lignin,kenaf bast fibers had 58.5%cellulose and 10%lignin,and cotton stalks exhibited 40.3%cellulose and 21.3%lignin.The FTIR curves demonstrated a notable similarity among the fibers.The TGA analysis showed degradation temperatures of 321°C for bagasse,354°C for kenaf bast fibers,and 289°C for cotton stalks.The DSC analysis revealed glass transition temperatures of 81°C for bagasse,66.3°C for cotton stalks,and 64.5°C for kenaf bast fibers.The higher heating values were measured as 17.3,16.6 and 17.1 MJ/kg for bagasse,kenaf bast fibers,and cotton stalks,respectively.The three fibers have a high potential for biocomposites and bioenergy material manufacturing.

Effect of biochar on the metabolome of soybean seedlings

The use of biochar can have several effects on plant germination,depending on raw material,preparation method and application dose.However,the molecular mechanisms that lead to those results have yet to be elucidated.The aim of this research was to improve the understanding of these mechanisms by characterizing the metabolic effects of sugarcane bagasse biochar on soybean germination.Three types of biochars were prepared by pyrolysis at 300℃(SCB300),400℃(SCB400)and 600℃(SCB600).Then,each one was mixed into sand at 1%,3%,5%(w/w)dose,respectively.The experiment was performed in 8 days of incubation,when the number of germinated seeds and the average radicle length were determined.To evaluate the metabolome,the dry biomass(DB)was subjected to extraction with a mixture of methanol-d4 and D2O(1:1 v/v).The extracts were submitted to metabolomics analysis by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.The Relative Germination,Relative Average Radicle Growth and Germination Index increased in all treatments compared to control.On the other hand,the DB increased in all treatments,except for SCB300,at doses of 1%and 3%w/w.Seven metabolites(alanine,asparagine,acetic acid,citric acid,glycerol,fatty acids and sucrose)were identified and quantified in DB extracts as the most influential finding for the separation of treatments.Taken together,these results strongly suggested that biochars accelerated the catabolism of triacylglycerols to sucrose and induced a slight osmotic stress.

Prediction of Low Heating Value of Sugar Cane Bagasse as a Fuel for Industrial Boilers in the High Relative Humidity Region: Case of Cameroon

Many attempts have been made to estimate calorific value of bagasse using mathematical equations, which were created based on data from proximate, ultimate, physical and chemical analysis. Questions have been raised on the applicability of these equations in different parts of the globe. This study was initiated to tackle these problems and also check the most suited mathematical models for the Law Heating Value of Cameroonian bagasse. Data and bagasse samples were collected at the Cameroonian sugarcane factory. The effects of cane variety, age of harvesting, source, moisture content, and sucrose on the LHV of Cameroon bagasse have been tested. It was shown that humidity does not change within a variety, but changes from the dry season to the rainy season;the sugar in the rainy season is significantly different from that collected in the dry season. Samples of the same variety have identical LHV. LHV in the dry season is significantly different from LHV in the rainy season. According to the fact that this study was done for cane with different ages of harvesting, the maturity of Cameroonian sugarcane does not affect LHV of bagasse. Tree selected models are much superior tool for the prediction of the LHV for bagasse in Cameroon compared to others. The standard deviation of these validated models is around 200 kJ/kg compared to the experimental. Thus, the models determined in foreign countries, are not necessarily applicable in predicting the LHV of bagasse in other countries with the same accuracy as that in their native country. There was linear relationship between humidity, ash and sugar content in the bagasse. It is possible to build models based on data from physical composition of bagasse using regression analysis.

Response surface optimization of process parameters for reduction roasting of low-grade pyrolusite by bagasse

The reduction roasting processes for low-grade pyrolusite using bagasse as the reducing agent was statistically analyzed. The central composite rotatable design （CCD） was used to optimize this reduction roasting processes. The three process parameters studied were the mass ratio of bagasse to ore, the roasting temperature and the roasting time. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） was used to analyze the experimental results. The interactions between the process parameters were done by using the linear and quadratic model. The results revealed that the linear and quadratic effects as well as the interaction are statistically significant for the mass ratio and roasting temperature but insignificant for the roasting time. The optimal conditions of 0.9：10 of mass ratio, the roasting temperature of 450 ~C, the roasting time of 30 min were obtained. Under these conditions, the predicted leaching recovery rate for manganese was 98.1%. And the satisfied experimental result of 98.2% confirmed the validity of the model.

Screening of Starch-degrading Strains in Bagasse and Identification of Strains s2g5-1 and s3g4-8

[Objective]The study aimed to screen the starch-degrading bacterium in bagasse and carry on the identification of strains s2g5-1 and s3g4-8.[Method]By using a variety of selective media,varieties of starch degrading bacterium were isolated from the sugar cane bagasse form different stages of natural fermentation,then,primary screening and secondary screening were performed.[Result] Starch-degrading strains s2g5-1 and s3g4-8 were screened,and they were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens according to their morphological,physiological,biochemical and molecular characteristics.[Conclusion]The research provided theoretical basis for factory application of bagasse.

Production of aryl oxygen-containing compounds from catalytic pyrolysis of bagasse lignin over LaTixFe1xO3

A new approach,named production of aryl oxygen-containing compounds from the catalytic pyrolysis of bagasse lignin(BL) over perovskite oxide,was proposed,A series of LaTixFe1-xO3(LTF-x) samples were prepared by the solid state reaction method.The crystal phase and morphology of LTF-x were characterized by XRD and SEM respectively.Catalytic pyrolysis performance of LTF-x was performed by TG-DTG and the distribution patterns of gaseous,liquid and solid products from BL was investigated using a fixed-bed micro-reactor.The optimal reaction conditions were determined:the pyrolysis temperature was 600℃,the mass ratio of mBL:mLTF-0.2 was 3:1,the veloeity of earrier gas was 100 ml·min-1.The gaseous produets were mainly eomposed of CO2,CO,CH4 and CnHm(n=2-4,m=2 n+2 or m=2 n),The main aryl oxygen-containing compounds in liquid products were phenolics,guaiacols,syringols and phenylates,the rest were benzenes,furans,esters and carboxylic acid.The total contents of aryl oxygencontaining compounds were from 62% up to more than 72% under the action of the perovskite.Moreover,the LTF-0.2 sample had nice regenerability.

Effects of exogenous enzymes, Lactobacillus acidophilus or their combination on feed performance response and carcass characteristics of rabbits fed sugarcane bagasse

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus（LAC）, exogenous enzymes of ZAD（exogenous enzyme preparation） or their combination on feed conversion, and dressing of rabbits fed different treatments of sugarcane bagasse（SCB）. Five rations were allotted randomly to five groups of New-Zealand White（NZW） rabbits（n=10） with initial live body weight of（838±42.4） g and 5 weeks of age. Rabbits were fed on diets with different sources of fiber as follows,（i） a control diet composed of 100% berseem hay and 0% SCB,（ii） 50% berseem hay and 50% untreated SCB（USCB）,（iii） 50% berseem hay and 50% SCB treated with L. acidophilus（LAC）,（iv） 50% berseem hay and 50% SCB treated with ZAD（ZAD）, and（v） 50% berseem hay and 50% SCB treated with a combination of LAC＋ZAD（LZ）. Treatments of SCB with L. acidophilus, ZAD and LAC＋ZAD had the highest feed conversion ratio than both USCB and control. The dressing percentage of rabbits that fed the LAC and LZ diets was higher（P〈0.05） compared with that in the other groups. Performance index（PI） for LAC group was improved（P〈0.05） compared to that for the other groups; however, PI for USCB group was the lowest（P〈0.05）. It could be concluded that treating SCB with L. acidophilus, exogenous enzymes of ZAD or their combination improved feed conversion and performance with more positive effects with L. acidophilus than the other treatments.

Efficient metallization of magnetite concentrate by reduction with agave bagasse as a source of reducing agents

The reduction behavior and metallization degree of magnetite concentrate with agave bagasse were investigated in an inert atmosphere.The effects of temperature,biomass content,and residence time on reduction experiments and metallization degree were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.Compared with other types of biomass,agave bagasse had lower contents of nitrogen,sulfur,and ash.X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the metallization degree improved with increasing temperature and biomass content.Complete metallization was achieved at 1100℃ for 30 min with 65:35 and 50:50 ratios of the magnetite concentrate to the agave bagasse.These results demonstrate that agave bagasse promotes the efficient metallization of magnetite concentrate without the external addition of a reducing agent.Therefore,this biomass is a technical suitable alternative to replace fossil fuels in steelmaking.

Production of hydrogen and syngas via pyrolysis of bagasse in a dual bed reactor

Pyrolysis of bagasse followed by thermal cracking of tar was carded out at atmospheric pressure using a dual bed reactor. The first bed was used for the pyrolysis and the second bed was used for thermal cracking of tar. Iron fillings were used as the packed bed material in the second bed. The effects of reaction time （20 to 40 rain）, reactor temperature （600 to 900 ℃） and packed bed height （40-100 mm） on the product （char, tar and gas） yield and gas （H2, CO, CO2, CH4, CnHm） composition were studied. Over the ranges of the experimental conditions used, the operating conditions were optimized for pyrolysis temperature around 850 ℃, a reaction time of 30 min and packed bed height of 100 mm, thus we could obtain a gas richer in hydrogen and carbon monoxide and poorer in carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. It was observed that compared with single bed process, dual bed process increased the gas yield from 0.397 to 0.750 m3/kg and decreased the tar yield from 0.445 to 0.268 g/g while the heating value of the product gas remained almost constant （10-11 M J/m3）.

Mechanical Properties and Wettability of Bagasse-reinforced Composite

Bagasse fibers were modified using NaOH, KH550, and NaOH/KH550, respectively, and used as reinforcement to prepare bagasse/starch/PVA composite. A combination of Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to investigate the chemical composition. The surface of bagasse fibers and cross-sectional morphologies for bagasse/starch/PVA composite were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Contact angles were measured to test the wettability of the resulting composite. After the chemical treatment with NaOH/KH550, the mechanical properties of the composite can be greatly improved. The contact angle is larger, indicating the variation of surface property from hydrophilicity into hydrophobicity.

Gypsum-bonded particleboard manufactured from agricultural based material

Gypsum-bonded particleboard(GBPB) panels were made from various mixtures of particles of bagasse(Saccharum officinarum L.) and wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.), bonded with different ratios of particle/gypsum. This study examined the feasibility of bagasse and wheat straw particles in the production of GBPB. One-layer experimental GBPBs with a density of 1.05 or 1.20 g·cm 3were manufactured at different ratios of bagasse/wheat straw, i.e., 100%/0%, 93.75%/6.25%, 87.5%/12.5%, 75%/25%, 50%/50%, 25%/75% and 0%/100% using two particle/ gypsum composite ratios, i.e., 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 by weight. Thickness swelling(TS), water absorption(WA), modulus of rupture(MOR), modulus of elasticity(MOE) and internal bond strength(IB) properties of the boards were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine the possible feasibility of these agricultural residues for use in commercial GBPB manufacturing. We determined that WA of panels decreases as the amount of straw increases to 100% and the LR/G(wood/gypsum) ratio decreases to 1/3.25, whereas the TS of panels decreases as the proportion of straw decreases to 0% and the LR/G ratio increases to 1/2.75. The experimental results also show that the MOR and MOE of panels containing 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75 were higher than those of panels made from 25%–100% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75, as well as those from all other percentages of straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/3.25. On the other hand, the IB of panels containing more than 12.5% straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 were lower than those of panels made from 0–12.5% straw also with both LR/G ratios. Panels consisting of 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 met the minimum EN standard requirements of mechanical properties for general purposes. All of the panels containing 0–100% wheat straw with a LR/ G ratio of 1/2.75 or 1/3.25 met the required level of TS for 24-h immersion.

A Comparative Study of Intensive Litopenaeus vannamei Culture on Four Bottom Substrates Without Water Change

The effect of four bottom substrates, oyster shell powder(OP), sugarcane bagasse(SB), a mixture of OP and SB(OS) and fresh soil(FS), on the water quality and bacterial and zooplankton density of intensive shrimp(Litopenaeus vannamei) culture tanks without water change and the growth performance of cultured shrimp were compared in this study. At the end of a 110 days culturing trial, the total ammonium-N(TAN) of the water on SB and the nitrite nitrogen(NO2-N) on OS was significantly lower than that on the other substrates(P<0.05), which coincided with the high density of ammonium- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in the water on SB and OS, respectively. The concentration of chlorophyll a(Chl a) increased slowly on OP, SB and OS but remained low on FS. The density of total bacteria on OP, SB and OS was one order of magnitude higher than that on FS, and the density of zooplankton on SB and OS was significantly higher than that on FS or OP(P<0.05). The improved water quality and increased density of bacteria and zooplankton on SB and OS may have had a synergistic effect on shrimp culture, improving its growth performance(high survival rate and yield and low feed conversion rate). SB and OS were more effective for improving the growth performance of intensively cultured L. vannamei without water change than OP and FS. To our knowledge, this study presents the first evidence regarding the effect of different bottom substrates on intensive shrimp culture.

Slow Pyrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse for the Production of Char and the Potential of Its By-Product for Wood Protection

Sugarcane bagasse was pyrolyzed using a laboratory fixed bed reactor to produce char and its by-product(pyrolysis liquid).The pyrolysis experiments were carried out using different temperatures(400℃ and 500℃),heating rate(1℃/min and 10℃/min),and holding time(30 min and 60 min).Char was characterized according to its thermal properties,while the pyrolysis liquid was tested for its anti-fungal and anti-termite activities.Pyrolysis temperature and heating rate had a significant influence on the char properties and the yield of char and pyrolysis liquid,where a high-quality char and high yield of pyrolysis liquid can be obtained at a temperature of 500℃ and a heating rate of 10℃/min.The yield of char and pyrolysis liquid was 28.97%and 55.46%,respectively.The principal compounds of pyrolysis liquid were water,acetic acid,glycolaldehyde,1-hydroxy-2-propanone,methanol,formic acid,levoglucosan,furfural,followed by some phenol compounds and guaiacol derivatives.Pyrolysis liquid at a concentration of 0.20%and 0.25%(v/v)caused a 100%inhibition of Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor,respectively,when performing inhibition growth tests in Petri dishes.Filter paper treated with 10%of pyrolysis liquid caused 100%of termite mortality,while only 5.65%–7.03%of the treated filter papers consumed by termites at such concentration.Pyrolysis liquid is potentially effective to be used in the formulation of wood protection against fungi and termites.

Removal of β-Naphthalenesulfonic Acid from Aqueous Dilute Solution Using Bagasse Fly Ash

Bagasse fly ash was converted into an inexpensive adsorbent andutilized for the removal of β- naphthalenesulfonic acid in dilutesolution. The effect of pH, temperature, adsorbent concentration, andco-existed acids on the removal of β-naphthalenesulfonic acid wasexamined. The adsorption data have been correlated with both Langmuirand Freundlich adsorption models. Thermodynamic parameters obtainedindicate the feasibility of the process, and kinetic studies providedthe necessary mechanistic information of the removal process.

Influence of Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber Size on Biodegradable Composites of Thermoplastic Starch

Although thermoplastic starch(TPS)is biodegradable,its low mechanical resistance limits its wide application.Sugarcane bagasse(SB)fibers can be used as reinforcement in TPS matrix composites,but the influence of fiber size on the properties of the composite is still unknown.In this study,TPS composites reinforced with SB short fibers of four sizes were processed and characterized in order to analyze the influence of fiber size on the mechanical properties of the TPS/SB composite.It was observed that the interaction between fiber and matrix was good and optimized when the fibers are sifted in sieves between 30 and 50 mesh,obtaining fibers with average length of 1569±640μm and average diameter of 646±166μm.For these composites,increases of more than 660%in the modulus and more than 100%in the maximum tension were verified when compared to the pure TPS.

Biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Selected Waste Materials: Adsorption and Characterisation Studies

The efficacy of coconut tree sawdust (CTS), eggshell (ES) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as alternative low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity. The optimum biosorption condition was found at pH 6.0, 0.1 g biomass dosage and at 90 min equilibrium time. The adsorption data were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption capacity and affinity of CTS, ES and SB were evaluated. The Freundlich constant (n) and separation factor (RL) values suggest that the metal ions were favourably adsorbed onto biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 3.89, 25.00 and 23.81 mg/g for CTS, 34.48, 90.90 and 35.71 mg/g for ES, and 3.65, 21.28 and 40.00 mg/g for SB, respectively. The characterisation studies were performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). Interaction with metal ions led to the formation of discrete aggregates on the biosorbents surface. The metal ions bound to the active sites of the biosorbents through either electrostatic attraction or complexation mechanism.

Evaluation of graphite depressants in a poly-metallic sulfide flotation circuit

Synthetic dyes are commonly used for graphite depression in poly-metallic flotation circuits; however,these dyes can be very expensive. The aim of this study is to evaluate performance of certain low-cost alternative depressants for a complex lead-zinc(Pb-Zn) ore rich in graphite(Gr-C) on a conventional mini pilot-scale flotation circuit. The reagents used were commercial and industrial grade starch; agro-based waste-sugarcane bagasse and charred(burnt) bagasse powder. The primary evaluation criteria were quality(grades) of lead and zinc concentrates, their recoveries(%), and graphite rejection(%) in the tails.Benchmark tests using nigrosine as graphite depressant showed 94.3% rejection of Gr-C. The results with commercial starch were found as effective with 93.8% graphite rejection. Furthermore, bagasse powder showed potential in improving product quality(36.4% and 65.6% Pb grade and recovery) with an intermediate effectiveness in graphite rejection(85.6%). The order of effectiveness in Gr-C rejection follows nigrosine % commercial starch > bagasse > industrial starch > charred bagasse. In addition, the effect these depressants on silver(byproduct) grade and recovery was also investigated.

Application of experimental design in optimization of crude oil adsorption from saline waste water using raw bagasse

Experimental design was applied in the optimization of crude oil adsorption from saline waste water using raw bagasse.The application of response surface methodology(RSM) was presented with temperature,salinity of water,pH,adsorbent dose,and initial oil content as factors.A quadratic model could be used to approximate the mathematical relationship of crude oil removal on the five significant independent variables.Predicted values and experimental values are found to be in good agreement with R2 of 97.44%.The result of optimization shows that the maximum crude oil removal is equal to 67.38% under the optimal condition of temperature of 46.53 °C,salinity of 37.2 g/L,pH of 3,adsorbent dose of 9 g/L and initial oil content of 300×10-6.

Cascade Enzymatic Hydrolysis Coupling with Ultrafine Grinding Pretreatment for Sugarcane Bagasse Saccharification

The biorefinery process for sugarcane bagasse saccharification generally requires signifcant accessibility of cellulose. We reported a novel method of cascade cellulase enzymatic hydrol- ysis coupling with ultrafine grinding pretreatment for sugarcane bagasse saccharification. Three enzymatic hydrolysis modes including single cellulase enzymatic hydrolysis, mixed cellulase enzymatic hydrolysis, and cascade cellulase enzymatic hydrolysis were compared. The changes on the functional group and surface morphology of bagasse during cascade cellulase enzymatic hydrolysis were also examined by FT-IR and SEM respectively. The results showed that cascade enzymatic hydrolysis was the most efficient way to enhance the sugarcane bagasse saccharification. More than 65% of reducing sugar yield with 90.1% of glucose selectivity was achieved at 50 ℃, pH=4.8 for 72 h （1200 r/min） with cellulase I of 7.5 FPU/g substrate and cellulase II of 5 FPU/g substrate.

Chemical structures and thermochemical properties of bagasse lignin

The chemical structures of bagasse EMAL （enzymatic hydrolysis/mild acidolysis lignin） were revealed quantitatively with ^31p-NMR, DFRC （derivatization followed by reductive cleavage）. The thermochemical characteristics of bagasse and bagasse EMAL were evaluated with thermogravimetry. The results show that bagasse EMAL is mainly formed by the phenolic hydroxyl group of guaiacyl and syringyl units. The DBDO content in bagasse EMAL was found to be 0.180 mmol.g^-1. The decomposition characteristics of bagasse EMAL under elevated temperature were much different from that of bagasse.