Published in 2023

EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF SUGARCANE BIOMASS IN THE HÉCTOR RODRÍGUEZ SUGAR FACTORY USING THE RESIDUE-TO-PRODUCT RATIO

Authors: Diubel Humberto Bretón Glean, José Carlos Tornés Peraza, Lizet Rodríguez Machín

Journal: Revista Centro Azúcar

Published in 2023

The effect of citric acid pretreatment on composition and stability of bio-oil from sugar cane residues using a continuous lab-scale pyrolysis reactor

Authors: Lizet Rodríguez-Machín, Luis Ernesto Arteaga-Pérez, Raydel Manrique, M. Pala, J. Feys, Stef Ghysels, W. Prins, Frederik Ronsse

Journal: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis

Published in 2022

Removal of Hydrocarbons from Wastewater Using Sugarcane Bagasse

Authors: DE LA CONCEPCIÓN MARTÍNEZ-NODAL, P., RODRÍGUEZ-RICO, I. L., DOMÍNGUEZ, E. R. & RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L.

Journal: Water Air Soil Pollut

Description:

The presence of hydrocarbons in wastewater causes innumerable problems for ecosystems and is a pollution problem that needs to be solved. This paper shows the results obtained in the removal of hydrocarbons (diesel) using natural sugar cane bagasse (BN). Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of the biosorption process were carried out at two temperatures: 25 °C and 35 °C and studies in a column packed with (BN) at granulometry (+1–2 mm). The results obtained in the equilibrium and sorption studies were adjusted using the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherm models. The thermodynamic parameters show a predominance of a physical sorption; in a process is exothermic and spontaneous. The pseudo second-order model better fits the kinetics of hydrocarbon biosorption with natural bagasse (R2 ≥0.98). The rupture curve where the point is reached at 6 h of operation was obtained experimentally. Scanning electron microscopy studies coupled to EDX of depleted BN show that it undergoes changes in its structure, showing a degree of surface dismemberment. The increase in the C/O ratio shows the presence of hydrocarbons that were adsorbed. In the thermogravimetric study, the anaerobic pyrolysis stage of cellulose (200 °C and 400 °C) decreases energetically and the loss of mass is less; this behavior is associ- ated with the adsorbed hydrocarbon (diesel). The results obtained showed that BN has potential as a hydrocarbon biosorbent, with removals of 60.3% of total hydrocarbons (HCT) present in real wastewater, coming from a Power Plant that operates with diesel.

Published in 2022

Impact of Alkalis and Chlorides from Sugarcane Agriculture Residues on High Temperature Corrosion: A Review.

Authors: LARIOT-SÁNCHEZ, C., RIVAS-GUTIERREZ, A., RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L., RUBIO-GONZÁLEZ, A. & ITURRIA-QUINTERO, P. J.

Journal: Oxidation of Metals

Description:

Biomass combustion for electric energy production is associated with corrosion. The formation of unwanted deposits on heat-exchanger surfaces with significant concentrations of alkaline species of K and Na, as well as S and Cl, are the cause. Modern biomass power plants operate at temperatures that exceed those where corrosion is not so severe. At high temperatures, molten salts deposits increase the corrosion rate. Molten sulfates are the most common cause of molten-salt corrosion, as they can dissolve the protective oxide layer, even on stainless steels alloys. Active oxidation occurs in an oxidizing environment in the presence of chlorine (KCl or NaCl) at high temperatures. Molten chlorinated compounds have great influence despite the fact that the melting temperature of KCl (s) is 774 °C, since this compound together with other substances forms eutectic at much lower temperatures that increase the corrosion rate. The high corrosiveness of biomass requires the use of more resistant steels and proposals are made for the most effective alloys. Additionally, to reduce the effect of alkalis and chlorides, variants are analysed as co-combustion with biomass less loaded in alkalis and chlorides, the addition of sulphur compounds to convert the chlorides of low melting point into sulfates of higher melting point; the pretreatment by leaching of the biomass to reduce compounds that compromise its use or to include solutions in the design of the plants that prevent the arrival of corrosive compounds to the superheated.

Published in 2022

Pretreatment of Sugarcane Residues for Combustion in Biomass Power Stations: A Review.

Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L., PILOTO-RODRÍGUEZ, R., RUBIO-GONZÁLEZ, A., ITURRIA-QUINTERO, P. J. & RONSSE, F. .

Journal: Sugar Tech.

Description:

Bioenergy plants in Cuba that generate electricity from sugarcane bagasse have limited use of sugarcane trash (SCT) of up to 10% due to some technical problems, mainly associated with sintering, deposits, incrustations and corrosion, reducing the efficiency, and increasing maintenance and energy production costs. This publication is a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art knowledge in this field to identify actual trends, experiences, and the most effective treatments to reduce these drawbacks. Here, we review the most used pretreatment methods, classified into physical, chemical, biological, and multiple or combinatorial pretreatments. Our main findings are that the best option for handling SCT is to leave ca. 50% on the field and take the other 50% to the factory together with the cane, where a dry cane cleaning system is installed, and that among the most effective dry cleaning designs for SCT separation are vibratory roller systems and pneumatic cleaning. Additionally, SCT needs to be mixed with bagasse before firing. Biological pretreatments employ microorganisms that degrade lignin and hemicellulose, and their use is outside the context of thermochemical conversion of SCT.

Published in 2021

PROPIEDADES DEL MARABÚ (DICHROSTACHYS CINEREA L.) COSECHADO CON MÁQUINAS, COMO COMBUSTIBLE PARA LA GENERACIÓN DE ELECTRICIDAD (PRIMERA PARTE)

Authors: RUBIO-GONZÁLEZ, A., ITURRIA QUINTERO, P. J., RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L. & PALMERO MARÍN, D.

Journal: Centro Azúcar

Published in 2021

Effect of citric acid concentration on demineralization and pyrolysis of sugarcane residues as analalyzed by analytical pyrolysis

Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L., ARTEAGA-PÉREZ, L. E., CHENAF, Y., VEITÍA-RODRÍGUEZ, N., PRINS, W. & RONSSE, F.

Journal: Afinidad -Barcelona

Description:

Citric acid (CA) has been proven to be an appropriate leaching agent for sugarcane residues en route to produce upgraded bio-oils via fast pyrolysis. Moreover, it is evident that economic feasibility of sugarcane residues pretreatment via acid leaching, heavily relies on the acid concentration. Therefore, in this study we report on the effect of pretreating sugarcane trash (SCT) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with different concentrations of CA to achieve the demineralization of biomass. A comparison between CA and H2SO4 regarding demineralization is also presented. The pretreated SCT and SCB were subject to fast pyrolysis and the chemical composition of pyrolysis vapors was correlated to the biomass demineralization. The ash removal was found to decrease in both residues upon a decrease in the concentration of the leaching solution. Studies of pretreated SCT and SCB showed an increase in the production of levoglucosan with respect to the raw feedstock, demonstrating a clear indication of the undesirable effect the alkali and alkaline earth metals have on native feedstock during analytical pyrolysis at 500 °C. The nonparametric analysis of results revealed that the pretreatment with lowest concentrations for CA (0.096 kg/dm3) and 0.251 kg/dm3 for H2SO4 have similar influence on the production of levoglucosan than higher concentrations tested.

Published in 2021

Fast pyrolysis of raw and acid-leached sugarcane residues en route to producing chemicals and fuels: Economic and environmental assessments

Authors: RODRÍQUEZ-MACHÍN, L., RONSSE, F., CASAS-LEDÓN, Y. & ARTEAGA-PÉREZ, L. E.

Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production

Description:

In this paper, we report on the economic and environmental issues associated with a pyrolysis plant for processing sugarcane residues. The analyses consider four scenarios: (i) rawsugarcane bagasse (SCB), (ii) raw sugarcane trash (SCT) and acid-leached (iii) sugarcane bagasse (L-SCB) and (iv) sugarcane trash (L- SCT). The systems were studied by integrating a comprehensive mathematical model and experimental data. The environmental impact assessment was performed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, including agriculture and sugar industry stages into the system boundaries. The results demonstrate that the process economy heavily depends on the bio-oil composition, yield, feedstock cost, and leaching conditions. Bio-oil from L-SCT and L-SCB contained more than 30 wt%. levoglucosan, which made it a candidate to produce fermentable sugars or other valuable chemicals instead of being burnt in low-efficiency boilers. The unitary cost of bio-oil produced from L-SCT (0.89 USD/L) and L-SCB (0.75 USD/ L) was below that obtained for raw biomass, even when the Total Investment Costs behaved differently. The environmental impacts, expressed in damage categories, associated with L-SCB and L-SCT, were nearly 86% higher than for SCB and SCT. The highest impact could be attributed to the citric acid (CA) production chain, biomass transport, and harvesting operations.

Published in 2021

Biomass-based heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production: A comprehensive review

Authors: TOBÍO-PÉREZ, I., DOMÍNGUEZ, Y. D., MACHÍN, L. R., POHL, S., LAPUERTA, M. & PILOTO-RODRÍGUEZ, R.

Journal: International Journal of Energy Research

Description:

Biodiesel is one of the most widely used alternative fuels to reduce exhaust emissions and the use of conventional fossil fuels. It can be synthesized from a transesterification reaction from vegetable oils or animal fats in the presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. Some drawbacks of using homo- geneous catalysts increased attention to heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production. Recently, heterogeneous catalysts derived from biomass have risen to the forefront of biodiesel production due to their sustainability, economical and eco-friendly nature. In addition, they are easily recovered and constitute an alternative to eliminate biomass residues. This review highlights several biomass sources used as precursors for the production of heterogeneous cata- lyst. Furthermore, methods for preparing heterogeneous catalysts, the reaction mechanisms, catalyst advantages and drawbacks, their performance in biodie- sel production, as well as the methodologies developed for their effective recov- ery are discussed in detail. Among lignocellulosic biomass-based precursors, the paper takes into account those based on biochar, ash, carbonaceous sub- strate, and seed oil cake. Those catalysts obtained by both preparation methods (calcination and activation) have good catalytic activity for waste cooking oil or neat oils. Biomass ash or biochar-based catalysts are also promising routes in biodiesel synthesis, but significant reductions in catalyst load, reaction time, temperature, and methanol-to-oil ratio must be reached.

Published in 2019

Influence of citric acid leaching on the yield and quality of pyrolytic bio-oils from sugarcane residues

Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-MACHÍN, L., ARTEAGA-PÉREZ, L. E., PALA, M., HERREGODS-VAN DE PONTSEELE, K., PÉREZ-BERMÚDEZ, R. A., FEYS, J., PRINS, W. & RONSSE, F.

Journal: J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis

Description:

The effects of leaching (25 °C and 1 h) sugarcane trash (SCT) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with citric acid (CA) on the yields and quality of fast pyrolysis bio-oils were studied. A comparison was made with commonly used leaching agents such as water or solutions of HCl and H2SO4. The quality of the obtained bio-oils was assessed using a set of analytical techniques including elemental analysis, total acid number (TAN) and water content determinations, combustion calorimetry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Results from the fast pyrolysis of SCT or SCB pretreated with acids reveal higher yields on raw-feedstock basis (38–45 wt. %) of the organic bio-oil fraction than those from raw and water–leached feedstock, but lower yields of water (7.6–10.2 wt.%) and char (13.1–14.9 wt.%). More than 90% of non-condensable gases were CO and CO2. The most important observations related to the effect of leaching with CA on the chemical composition of the bio-oil are a significant increase of the relative abundance of sugars from 15.1% in raw SCT to 44.7% in CA-pretreated SCT, as well as a decrease in carboxylic acids, ketones, furans and phenols with respect to the raw biomasses. These results were close to those obtained from well-known leaching agents such as HCl and H2SO4. The bio-oil from the pyrolysis of CA–leached SCT and SCB have slightly higher HHVs than those obtained from reference leaching solutions (HCl and H2SO4). In addition, the TAN showed the lowest acidity among all pretreated SCB samples.