ABSTRACT

With increasing requirement of Bioethanol for Blending for usage in vehicals now pressure is on the various measure to reduce OPEX of producing Bioethanol, from Molasses in particular. Low Temperature evaporation technique can be used for concentration of Vinasse, Water recovery from RO rejects, Cooling tower blowdowns. Concentrated Vinasses at 60% solids is being used as fuel in the boiler for generating steam & Power.Present system uses Multiple Effect Evaporators for concentration of solids before burning it in the Boiler using Steam & Power.
In the new technology purpose is achieved with the help of Power only (without Steam ) resulting in Reduction of Steam requirement by 37.77 % , Water saving by 29.66 % & reduction in Green House Gas emission by more than 58
%.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Humans have used biomass from the earliest known times, as materials for building, clothing, utensils, weapons, and energy; the earliest controlled use of fire was by Homo erectus ca. 1.7 to two million years ago (James et al, 1989) and the earliest fuel was woody biomass. Fast forward to the 4th century BCE, and find that the Chinese were the first to use petroleum as fuel (Deng, 2011). Despite the enormous economic and technological advancements made possible by the use of petroleum, the modern thrust to reduce our dependence on petroleum results largely from the environmental impacts associated with the use and combustion of petroleum fuels. These impacts include increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions leading to global warming and consequent climate change, as well as pollution of water and soil due to oil spills. Technically, petroleum is itself a biofuel, having been formed from mostly plant biomass over geologic time periods by the action of pressure and temperature. This ancient carbon, removed from the Earth’s early atmosphere and sequestered in the form of crude oil, is now being returned to the atmosphere; therein lies the dilemma. Until renewable forms of energy such as solar and wind can be used to provide base load supplies of energy, the use of biomass remains the single most feasible alternative for energy production. Additionally, bioproducts from biomass represent a viable regenerative alternative to petroleum-based products, such as plastics, which remain in the environment indefinitely and cause damage to ecosystems and organisms. There are many available sources of renewable biomass, e.g. grasses, trees, food and animal wastes; however, algae biomass can be the basis for blue bioeconomies providing energy and feedstock for bioproducts while simultaneously reducing GHG emissions, rejuvenating soils, and treating wastewater, thereby reversing the damage done over centuries of petroleum use.

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study is to treat domestic wastewater in a hybrid Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (VFCW-4.2 m2) and Microalgal Treatment System (MTS-1 m2). The objective is not only to treat Domestic wastewater (DW) but also to produce value-added products from microalgal biomass. The domestic wastewater was initially treated by VFCW and the VFCW effluent was further phycoremediated by MTS. Canna indica was used for wetland vegetation and resident microalgal consortium from VFCW effluent was used in MTS. The VFCW and MTS was operated at 1 m3/day (HRT-0.25 m3/m2-day, OLR-400 g/m2-day) and 0.03 m3/day (HRT-0.03 m3/m2-day, OLR-400 g/m2- day), respectively. The integrated system was observed to remove 68.9% COD, 77.4% NH4-N, 75.8% TKN and 63.6% PO4-P. The harvested Naive Biomass (NB) was observed to contain 16.7% of lipids (W/W). The Residual Biomass after Lipid Extraction (RBLE) was used as a substrate for ethanol production. The observed yield of ethanol using RBLE as a substrate was 33.4%. NB, RBLE, and Residual Biomass after Lipid and Sugar Extraction (RBLSE) indicated net biomethane yield (mL/g VS) of 211.8, 134.6 and 107.7, respectively. The present study demonstrated an initial attempt of demonstrating a hybrid wastewater treatment system for the production of value-added products in terms of biofuel.

ABSTRACT

The global depletion of high quality oil reserves and water resources comes in parallel with the worldwide increased inhabitants, elevated industrial and agricultural activities, besides the increased concern with the climate change and environmental pollution. The sustainable development goals aim to solve these problems to cover successfully its three pillars; economy, society and environment. Valorization of wastes into sustainable, biodegradable, and cleaner combustible biofuels are feasibly considered alternative and/or complementary for the traditional transportation fuels. However, there are many bottlenecks in biofuel processing and management of its water consumption and waste byproducts, which increase its overall cost. Application of artificial intelligence, statistical and response surface optimization for biofuel production are very important for decreasing water and feedstock consumption, saving energy, effort and time. The integration of waste biomass valorization into biofuels, nano-biocatalysts and other value added products with the bioupgrading of transportation fuels, and wastewater treatment for its reuse is also very mandatory for achieving zero-waste and maximize the concept of circular economy.   

ABSTRACT

GranBio is an industrial biotechnology company with focus on biomass conversion to biofuels, biochemicals and renewable materials. The Company developed technologies to produce greener products, strongly supporting the reduction in climate changes. GranBio’s owns the biggest 2G Ethanol plant in the world, in Alagoas, Brazil, with 100% proprietary technology being used and process sugarcane straw to produce Ethanol. The adoption of this technology using only half of sugarcane straw in Brazil it is possible to increase 50% the Ethanol production without increase not even one hectare of sugarcane planting area. GranBio also develops an energycane breeding program since 2011 and has registered eleven varieties of Energycane Vertix®, the most competitive biomass in terms of photosynthetic efficiency known. The energycane breeding is based on crosses between access of Saccharum spontaneum (wild types of sugarcane) and modern varieties. The F1 individuals are very vigorous, high yield, high fiber and low sugars in the juice. These individuals are called energycane type 2 and can produce 4 times drier biomass per year than eucalyptus for instance and with low production cost. Additionally, due to the presence of rhizomes and a well-developed root system this type of varieties can be planted in marginal land not competing with food. When we cross these F1 individual with modern varieties we get the energycane Type 1, with are intermediate between energycane type 2 and commercial sugarcane varieties. This type of material can be cultivated with other commercial varieties using the same machinery and the same industrial process and can be allocated in poor environment where commercial varieties doesn’t produce economically. In summary, energycane is the most yield, economic and competitive source of biomass for the tropic and subtropic regions across the world.

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen is considered as the next gen fuel. Production of hydrogen from biomass and industrial wastewater using microbial cultures is a promising, very cost effective and eco-friendly alternative. Obligate anaerobes are central to the anaerobic fermentation process producing high value reduced end products like hydrogen, acids, alcohols, and methane. Hydrogen being a zero-emission gas with high calorific value has attracted researchers worldwide to develop new bioprocesses to enhance its production to cater the current and future demand for fuels. Several strategies of biohydrogen production exists, the most efficient one is via dark fermentation where obligate anaerobes are inevitable. Hence, a better knowledge in the microbiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of obligate anaerobes is essential for the development of a sustainable biohydrogen production technology. In such scenario, the different strategies of biological hydrogen production and application of obligate anaerobes in efficient conversion of biomass and industrial effluents to biohydrogen is worth exploring. In our group, we consider the strategies to overcome inhibition and enhance production of hydrogen yield via dark fermentation process using obligate anaerobes using sustainable complex feedstocks such as distillery wastewater, rice straw, etc.

ABSTRACT

The cell voltage in alkaline water electrolysis cells remains high despite the fact that water electrolysis is a cleaner and simpler method of hydrogen production. A multiphysical model for the cell voltage of a single cell electrolyzer was realized based on a combination of current-voltage models, simulation of electrolyzers in intermetent operation (SIMELINT), existing experimental data and data from the experiment conducted in the course of this work. The equipment used NaOH as supporting electrolyte and stainless steel as electrodes. Different electrolyte concentrations, interelectrode gaps, and electrolyte types were applied and the cell voltages recorded. Concentrations of 60 wt. % NaOH produced lowest range of cell voltage (1.15 - 2.67 V), an interelectrode gap of 0.5 cm also presented the lowest cell voltage (1.14 - 2.71 V). The distilled water from air conditioning led to a minimum cell voltage (1.18 - 2.78 V). The water from a factory presented the highest flow rate (12.48 x 10-1cm3/min). It was found that the cell voltage of the alkaline electrolyzer was reduced considerably by reducing the interelectrode gap to 0.5 cm, and using electrolytes that produce less bubbles. A maximum error of 1.5% was found between the mathematical model and experimental model, indicating that the model is reliable.

ABSTRACT

Every year, during the post-monsoon season (September-November), extensive agricultural crop residue burning takes place mainly in the northwestern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh,”. “The emissions from the burning of Paddy Straw in Punjab locations travel thousands of kilometers downwind, from west to east,”. Paddy residue is burnt in the fields, emitting large amounts of submicron aerosols and traces gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Paddy Straw can be utilized as Boiler for many industries and ca be replacement with Fossil fuel (coal, Furnace Oil, HSD etc.).

ABSTRACT

Biogas is a dirty gas it requires prior cleaning before turning into raw material for its use in energy production or other product like Biomethane. The BTS-MPdry is a multifunctional technology for biogas cleaning that delivers a high-level biogas cleaning with low OPEX, is useful too for biogas capture and for that reason can be applied to any biogas production facilities mainly in WWTP and Landfill. This technology is based on the removal impurity technique combination for biogas cleaning. The technology is the result of the R&D work of the BGasTech group, It allows for the removal of water vapor content, siloxanes, halogenated compounds, and H2S by physical chemicals for achieving adequate biogas for its use. It can work both in suction conditions (vacuum) and in impulsion (load) of the biogas stream. This paper presents its operating principle and the results achieved in its application, in WWTP, as well as the benefits provided by the company that has it applied.

ABSTRACT

Energy is the prime mover of economic growth of any country and is vital to the sustenance of modern economies. Future economic growth in crucially depends on the long-term availability of energy from the sources that are affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly as well. Renewable energy is a basic ingredient for overall sustainable development and a potential to provide energy supplies for an indefinite period of time. However most of the present primary energy requirements in countries are made through fossil fuel like coal, oil and natural gas. But due to its increasing demands and uses there is depletion of the world petroleum reserves coupled with the global environment problems which stimulated the search for alternative sources that is renewable, sustainable besides being cheap and locally available. Among the various alternative energy sources, biodiesel has become the emerging area of research due to its eco-friendly energy source. Biodiesel is power behind the green tomorrow and a key future asset for sustainability.

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ABSTRACT

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) region generates about 40 million metric tonnes (MMT) of forest biomass (or residues) and 27 MMT of forest biomass surplus annually [1]. The biomass surplus is the biomass left after the various utilities, such as animal feeding, bedding material, domestic fuel, roof thatching, composting, soil incorporation, and sold to industry or other farmers. The available forest biomass surplus has the potential to produce 980 GWh/MMT annually [2]. Gasification seems to be a pathway for extracting the electric potential and generating clean cooking fuel (biochar) from forest biomass surplus. Gasification is a thermochemical process that transforms biomass into syngas or producer gas, char, and tars. The product gas obtained from biomass gasification can be effectively utilized to generate electricity by a modified gas engine coupled with an alternator. The char produced from gasification can be used in various ways, such as clean cooking fuel, soil enhancer, and construction material [3]. Decentralized biomass gasification could provide reliable electrification in rural or remote areas, precisely where grid electricity is not accessible with minimum transmission and distribution losses, better usage of local resources, and lower biomass transportation costs [4]. Moreover, it can enhance the livelihoods and well-being of Himalayan people by creating employment opportunities, reducing pollution and fire hazards. However, an efficient biomass supply chain is required to improve the utilization and conversion of forest biomass into bioenergy. The optimal architecture of the supply chain is crucial for providing the most outstanding service to consumers at the lowest possible cost. A typical biomass supply chain may contain a combination of the following processes: field preparation, cultivation, harvesting, storage, field/forest transport, road transport, and biomass utilization at the production station [5]. This review study presents a basic framework for forest biomass supply chain to promote decentralized biomass gasification.