Advanced Materials Research Vols. 512-515

Abstract: Biodiesel is one kind of renewable fuel produced from biomass oil. To optimize the application of biodiesel on vehicle diesel engines, we conducted the tests on a four cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel-diesel blends of different ratios, measured their power outputs, fuel consumption and emissions, and compared with those of diesel fuel. Experimental results show that fuelled with biodiesel, at external characteristics (speed characteristics of full load), the power performance is almost the same, brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) decreases, smoke and HC emissions decrease, and NOx and CO emissions increase; at load characteristics, BSEC decreases, smoke emission decreases at high loads and keeps almost no change at low and middle loads, NOx emission increases, HC emission decreases at low and middle loads and keeps the same at high loads, and CO emission maintains the same. B20 (biodiesel content of 20%) is an optimum solution for vehicle engines under comprehensive analysis of performances and emissions.

Abstract: Due to the rapid growth of energy consumption, fossil-based fuel is at the verge of extinction. Hence, the world needs new energy to substitute for the non-renewable energy resources. Various biomass resources have been discussed by virtue of the ability of generating alternative fuels, chemicals and energy-related products. To date, the utilization of biomass is mainly thermochemical conversion which involves combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. The focus, currently, is on the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass. A variety of reactors are designed and many new catalysts for the yields of liquid products and upgrading of bio-oil are investigated. Different reactors have their own unique characteristics, and fixed bed reactor is not complicated and can be controlled easily but is difficult to upsize. Fluidized bed has a good suitability for different kinds of biomass but is more complex in structure and more difficult to control. Compared with non-catalytic pyrolysis, the quality of bio-oil improves considerably in the presence of a catalyst. Different catalysts exert different effects on the upgrading of bio-oil. HZSM-5 can reduce a vast output of acid compounds and increases hydrocarbon yields. Au/Al2O3 catalyst leads to an increase of H2 yield. All the catalysts can promote the upgrading of pyrolysis products. Optimal yields and the best quality of bio-oil can be obtained by an appropriate reactor with a proper catalyst.

Abstract: 2, 4-D and picloram were compared for their ability to the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Chinese cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars SC5, SC6, SC7 and SC8. In all four cultivars tested, both 2, 4-D and picloram had the capacity to induce primary somatic embryos from axillary buds. And the two hormones were also suitable for subculture of somatic embryos of three cultivars SC5, SC6 and SC8. However both 2, 4-D and picloram can not keep the activity of somatic embryos of cultivar SC7. For organogenesis, cotyledon matured for 10~15 days were better than others.

Abstract: In the rapid economic development today, the sources of energy and environmental issues have become increasingly prominent. At present, out country adopted a series of measures to improve the resources supply capacity, include to vigorously develop renewable energy. With the development and utilization of biomass energy has been paid close attention. This paper establishes three comprehensive evaluation models on biomass energy utilization’s potential applications in the region, using the method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, hierarchical weight analysis and factor analysis by means of MATLAB, SAS software. According these models we analyze biomass energy utilization’s development prospect and geographical distribution and expound several suggestions on adjustment of biomass energy utilization status in China.

Abstract: The energy-efficient production of fuel ethanol though fixed-bed absorption by use of cassava absorbent was studied. The cassava absorbent was desiccated to absorb the water in the ethanol, making its quality score from 75%~95% up to 99.5%.The absorption performance of cassava power was investigated from the aspects of power size ,quality ratio of absorbent and solution, temperature of absorption and the ratio of airflow. The analysis of the result indicated that the best technological parameter for the above method were as follows: particle size was between 1.6mm and 2.5mm,quality ratio of absorbent and solution was equal to1:6, temperature of absorption was 90°C and the ratio of airflow was 105°C on the characterized temperature.

Abstract: Hydrogen production with waste water can reduce pollution and produce clean energy at the same time. Hydrogen production is affected by many factors. In this experiment, with automatic fermentor, hydrogen and acid production, as well as organic removal rates from brown sugar wastewater by anaerobic cultures at various pH values, are studied. Results showed that the highest hydrogen production efficiency could be achieved when the pH value was maintained at 6.0. The maximum hydrogen production was 61.1mlH2/(g.VSS.d), and COD removal rate reached up to 33.8%, relatively higher than other pH values. The acid production was significantly improved under the condition of pH=4.5. However, the composition of VFAs was similar at the different pH values. The amount of acetic acid and butyric acid was account for about 90% of the final liquor products, and only a little propionic acid has being detected. The TOC removal rate in the system under different pH conditions are increase with pH value, but all below 10%. As the reaction proceeds, the propionic acid accumulation were also observed, higher pH could decrease the producing rate of it.

Abstract: Catalysis was used to increase the H2 production, syngas heating value, enhanced carbon conversion efficiency and cold gas efficiency during gasification. Due to Cu and Zn were abundant in waste according to previous researches, this research discussed the effect of Cu and Zn on artificial waste gasification. The syngas composition and total lower heating value (LHV) were determined in this study. The results showed that the existence of Cu and Zn increased production of H2 and CO. However, the production of CH4 and CO2 decreased. At same time, total LHV was also increased. Additionally, the different Cu concentration affected gas composition and LHV, but the effect of Zn concentration was not significant.

Abstract: The properties of slag and ash generated from a biomass power plant were analyzed by various characterization methods and the sulfur was tracked. The results showed that the slag and ash contain major elements like Si, S, K and Ca etc and primary substances like SiO₂, CaCO₃ etc. Sulfur is in the form of amorphous soluble salts and insoluble materials in residual carbon.

Abstract: In the background of global energy conservation and emission reduction, the wind as the most potential renewable energy for the development has been developed rapidly in multiple countries. In recent years, the wind power generation in China gets fast development supported by many national policies, and accumulative total installed capacity has reached the world's first in 2010. This paper makes the prediction through the gray model, the trend fitting model and MV optimum combined model respectively, and the result shows that the relative accuracy of MV method is higher than the other methods for the prediction of wind generating capacity in China.

Abstract: Combined with practical operation of a biomass direct-fired power pant in South China, the whole life cycle of the process, including biomass growing, transportation, pretreatment, combustion power generation and power plant manufacturing are analyzed by means of LCA. The energy consumption and the impact on environment in each stage are also collected and calculated. The results show that 2182.32 MJ fossil energy is consumed to generate 104 kWh power. The total loading of the impact on environment is 13.45 PET₂₀₀₀ and the mainly impact on environment is soot and ashes. Compared with coal-fired power, biomass direct-fired power plant can reduce 5282.87 kg CO₂ emissions during the process of generating 104 kWh power, which plays a positive part in mitigating greenhouse gases.