Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ute C. Marx, John Roles, Ben Hankamer
Summary: Research shows that by harvesting Sargassum from the sea, its blooms can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the issues it poses for residents, economies, and the environment.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jamison Watson, Buchun Si, Zixin Wang, Tengfei Wang, Amanda Valentine, Yuanhui Zhang
Summary: Biocrude oil distillates derived from hydrothermal liquefaction of food waste show potential as transportation fuel blendstock after distillation to improve chemical and physical properties, but blending with other fuels is still necessary to enhance certain characteristics.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matteo Pecchi, Marco Baratieri, Alex R. Maag, Jillian L. Goldfarb
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) are two distinct processes differentiated by the reaction temperatures. Solvents are commonly used to extract bio-oil and separate the primary char and secondary char. Lipid hydrolysis begins at around 220 degrees C and is complete at 250 degrees C and above. Lower HTL temperature reduces energy cost and maximizes lipid hydrolysis, resulting in liquid fuel precursors with up to 70% energy recovery.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Muhammad Uzair Javed, Hamid Mukhtar, Muhammad Tahir Hayat, Umer Rashid, Muhammad Waseem Mumtaz, Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai
Summary: Nearly 15 billion metric tons of fossil fuels are consumed each year, leading to the depletion of non-renewable energy resources. The global energy demand is projected to increase significantly, creating a need for alternative energy sources. This review article discusses various biomass conversion technologies and their potential to meet future energy needs.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zakariya Y. Mahssin, Muzakkir Mohammad Zainol, Norhidayah Abdul Hassan, Haryati Yaacob, Mohd Hafiz Puteh, Nor Aishah Saidina Amin
Summary: The study evaluated a bio-product recovered from food waste as a potential non-petroleum-based binder in asphalt pavement. By optimizing the liquefaction reaction, the recovered product from the liquefied food waste can substitute conventional asphalt binders.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sayed Ahmed Ebrahim, Gilles Robertson, Xin Jiang, Elena A. Baranova, Devinder Singh
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of commercial catalysts in improving the yield and quality of bio-crude produced from food waste. The results show that different catalysts and operating gases have an impact on the bio-crude yield, HHV, and asphaltenes content.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jayaraman Rajagopal, Kannapan Panchamoorthy Gopinath, Rajendran Neha, Krishnan Aakriti, Ramesh Sai Jayaraman, Jayaseelan Arun, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
Summary: This study investigates the production of bio-hydrogen from household mixed waste through hydrothermal gasification (HTG) and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) experiments. The results show that both HTG and HTL processes can yield high amounts of hydrogen and bio-oil under specific temperature and solvent to waste ratios, providing support for the utilization of household mixed waste as an energy source.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sabrina Summers, Siyu Yang, Jamison Watson, Yuanhui Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the production and fuel quality of diesel blends through emulsification of HTL biocrude using centrifugation and ultrasonification. The emulsion treatment improved the HHV, viscosity, and TAN of the fuel blends compared to the HTL biocrude oil, achieving high solubility levels with surfactant addition and increased retention time. The emulsions had maximum biocrude solubilities of 65.43 wt% for centrifugation and 75.67 wt% for ultrasonification, and the highest HHV was 45.39 MJ/kg for centrifuge emulsion and 45.73 MJ/kg for ultrasonic emulsion. Emulsification led to lower viscosities (5.91 and 6.06 mm2/s) and TAN values (14.18-41.31 for centrifugation, 16.22-50.31 for ultrasonification) compared to the biocrude. The study demonstrates that emulsification of HTL biocrude is an efficient and economical pathway for producing renewable diesel blends.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aisha Matayeva, Andrea Fasolini, Daniele Bianchi, Stefano Chiaberge, Jacopo De Maron, Francesco Basile
Summary: The hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process of protein-rich biomass produces biocrude with a high nitrogen content. Nitrogen compounds mainly exist in the form of fatty acid amides (FAAs) and nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (NAs), with different hydro-denitrogenation reactivity. It is important to shift reaction pathways towards less recalcitrant compounds and reduce the nitrogen content of biocrudes. The study found that NAs are more recalcitrant compared to FAAs, and a higher lipid content inhibits the generation of NAs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhi-Cong Wang, Xiao-Ke Hou, Yi-Bo Wang, Elendu Collins, Pei-Gao Duan
Summary: In this study, steam explosion was used to pretreat soybean straw (SS) and produce pretreated soybean straw (PSS). Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of SS and PSS was conducted in deionized water (DW), lower layer (LL), and upper layer (UL). The UL yielded the highest bio-oil, with SS and PSS accounting for 31.30 wt% and 31.77 wt% of the bio-oil yield respectively, possibly due to the high gas content of the UL. Bio-oil is not suitable as a fuel, but can be used for high-value-added chemical production.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gilles Robertson, Kusuma Virginna Adiningtyas, Sayed Ahmed Ebrahim, Ludmila Scoles, Elena A. Baranova, Devinder Singh
Summary: Structural and thermal analysis showed that petroleum-derived asphaltenes have a higher aromatic ring content and molecular weight compared to bio-asphaltenes derived from food-waste and wood residues. The carbon residue and glass transition temperature also differed significantly between petroleum and bio-asphaltenes, indicating distinct properties between the two types.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Swathi Mukundan, Jonathan L. Wagner, Pratheep K. Annamalai, Devika Sudha Ravindran, Girish Kumar Krishnapillai, Jorge Beltramini
Summary: This study presents an efficient method for converting prosopis juliflora biomass into high-quality bio-oil through catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction. By using polypropylene as a substitute and metal oxide catalysts, a synergistic effect between the biomass and plastic waste was observed. The results show that the temperature and substitution ratio of polypropylene play important roles in the liquefaction process, and the Nb/Al2O3 catalyst performs well with high recyclability.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ren-Xuan Yang, Kalsoom Jan, Ching-Tien Chen, Wan-Ting Chen, Kevin C-W Wu
Summary: This review summarizes the current research status, commercial implementation status, and current challenges and future perspectives of catalytic thermochemical conversion of plastic waste.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tejas M. Ukarde, Hitesh S. Pawar, A. M. Joe Cyril Harrish, Vishwanath Haily Dalvi, Aniruddha B. Pandit
Summary: This manuscript elucidates the liquefaction kinetics of a PolyE-IL-catalyzed CTL process for organic biodegradable waste. The results show that the CTL process achieves high conversion (>80%) under specific operating conditions. The effects of reactor parameters such as slurry concentration, temperature, and time were investigated. The study provides insights into the reaction pathways and kinetics of the CTL process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tianchi Shen, Yayong Yang, Ekkachai Kanchanatip, Dwi Hantoko, Feng Chen, Cheng Chen, Mi Yan
Summary: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an efficient method to convert wet food waste into hydrochar. However, the by-product of this process, HTC wastewater, contains highly polluting chemicals. In this study, hydrochar was produced through HTC process and further processed into activated carbon (AC) using KOH activation. The obtained AC was used to catalyze the degradation of HTC wastewater. The optimal condition for the catalytic process was determined, achieving a COD removal efficiency of 78.94%.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Susobhan Das, Subhankar Saha, Mrinmay Sahu, Amit Mondal, C. Malla Reddy
Summary: This study presents a rare example of a dynamic crystal involving the heavy transition metal rhenium, displaying initial two-face elasticity and elasto-plastic deformation at room temperature, followed by transformation into a rotator crystal phase at approximately 105 degrees C. The mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction, mu-Raman, and polarized light microscopy experiments reveal that the elasto-plastic deformation involves molecular rotations and slip, while malleability in the rotator phase is facilitated by reorientational motions and increased symmetry. Connecting plastically bendable crystals with rotator phases is important for designing multi-functional dynamic crystals.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Shreya Mahato, Amit Mondal, Mainak Das, Mayank Joshi, Partha Pratim Ray, Angshuman Roy Choudhury, C. Malla Reddy, Bhaskar Biswas
Summary: The study introduces a novel type of M(II)-Ce(IV) complex salts and highlights their potential in designing smart functional materials. Structural and morphological properties of the compounds are revealed through analytical and spectroscopic methods. The complex salts were utilized to construct Schottky devices to investigate their role in charge-transport phenomenon.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shibani Mohata, Kaushik Dey, Surojit Bhunia, Neethu Thomas, E. Bhoje Gowd, Thalasseril G. Ajithkumar, C. Malla Reddy, Rahul Banerjee
Summary: Utilizing graphene as a grafting layer, a new method for preparing Janus-type COF-graphene thin films was proposed, demonstrating the fabrication of two distinct Janus-type films with heterogeneous surface morphologies and porosity.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Michael G. Mazzotta, Christopher M. Reddy, Collin P. Ward
Summary: The study found that marine microbes can degrade cellulose diacetate (CDA) based materials in a matter of months, challenging the belief that CDA-based materials persist in the ocean for decades. This discovery could lead to the identification of high-utility, biobased plastics with low environmental persistence.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nneka B. Ekwe, Maksim Tyufekchiev, Ali A. Salifu, Geoffrey A. Tompsett, Heather O. LeClerc, Elizabeth R. Belden, Emmanuel O. Onche, Ayten Ates, Klaus Schmidt-Rohr, Shichen Yuan, Zhaoxi Zheng, Winston O. Soboyejo, Michael T. Timko
Summary: This study evaluates the mechanochemical pretreatment of bamboo for waste-free production of renewable sugars. The pretreatment increases reactivity by increasing the accessible surface area and amorphizing the crystalline cellulose. The results are used for ethanol production analysis in Nigeria and show potential for utilizing local resources without generating new chemical wastes.
ADVANCED SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Stephen A. Wise, Ryan P. Rodgers, Christopher M. Reddy, Robert K. Nelson, Elizabeth B. Kujawinski, Terry L. Wade, Andres D. Campiglia, Zhanfei Liu
Summary: Analytical techniques for chemical analysis of oil and its transformation products have greatly benefited from research following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Advanced gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry have provided a better understanding of the composition and complexity of oil, while novel separation approaches have increased the information available on spilled oil. The development of these techniques is important for future oil spills and investigations into the fate and effects of petroleum and dispersants.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeffrey R. Page, Heather O. LeClerc, Philip Smolitsky, Joseph P. Esposito, Douglas P. Theberge, Azadeh Zaker, Alex R. Maag, Sanket Sabnis, Edward B. Ledford, John Coleman, Wei Fan, Siwen Wang, Jesse Q. Bond, Bernardo Castro-Dominguez, Michael T. Timko
Summary: The study found that the combination of nano-ZSM-5 and 15 wt% water loading resulted in the highest conversion rate of palmitic acid and yield of one-ring aromatics, indicating that reducing particle size and optimizing water content are beneficial for achieving desired reaction outcomes; furthermore, further research revealed that the catalyst can be reused up to four times without reduction in yields under these conditions.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Christopher M. Reddy, Robert K. Nelson, Ulrich M. Hanke, Xingqian Cui, Roger E. Summons, David L. Valentine, Ryan P. Rodgers, Martha L. Chacon-Patin, Sydney F. Niles, Carlos E. P. Teixeira, Luis E. A. . Bezerra, Rivelino M. Cavalcante, Marcelo O. Soares, Andre H. B. Oliveira, Helen K. . White, Robert F. Swarthout, Karin L. Lemkau, Jagos R. . Radovic
Summary: From August 2019 to June 2021, viscous oil residues appeared along the Brazilian coast, and the exact source of this mystery oil remains undetermined. However, analysis of samples collected from the coastal zone of Ceara state in 2019 suggests that the oil shares a common origin with samples collected from other regions of Brazil. Possible sources include illegal discharges from vessels, leaking offshore platforms, natural seeps, and historic shipwrecks. The composition of the oil samples indicates a blending of different petroleum products.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anna N. Walsh, Michael G. Mazzotta, Taylor F. Nelson, Christopher M. Reddy, Collin P. Ward
Summary: Sunlight can chemically transform marine plastics into various products, but the impact of these light-driven transformations on microbial degradation is not well understood. This study examined the interplay between photochemical and biological degradation of cellulose diacetate (CDA) fabrics, revealing that photodegradation enhanced biodegradation and that the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) accelerated the process. These findings highlight the importance of plastic formulation on its environmental fate and suggest that the synergy between photochemical and biological degradation should not be overlooked in assessing marine plastic persistence.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nneka B. B. Ekwe, Maksim V. V. Tyufekchiev, Ali A. A. Salifu, Klaus Schmidt-Rohr, Zhaoxi Zheng, Alex R. R. Maag, Geoffrey A. A. Tompsett, Charles M. M. Cai, Emmanuel O. O. Onche, Ayten Ates, Winston O. O. Soboyejo, Robert Krueger, Michael T. T. Timko
Summary: This study focuses on using bamboo as a feedstock for the production of renewable sugars and highlights its potential as a rapid route to decarbonization in low- and middle-income economies. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of delignification and amorphization pretreatments in obtaining high yields of sugars. Furthermore, a comparison with corn stover reveals the economic advantages of bamboo-based bio-refineries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muntasir Shahabuddin, Eduardo Italiani, Andrew R. Teixeira, Nikolaos Kazantzis, Michael T. Timko
Summary: This study examines the application of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology in biofuel production and highlights the importance of transportation costs and modular plant design. The research findings indicate that a modular plant design capable of handling 60 dry tons per day can significantly reduce the fuel selling price.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heather O. LeClerc, Jeffrey R. Page, Geoffrey A. Tompsett, Sydney F. Niles, Amy M. McKenna, Julia A. Valla, Michael T. Timko, Andrew R. Teixeira
Summary: Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising strategy for converting energy-dense waste into fuels. Mixed-feed HTL allows for the utilization of local resources and lowers costs. This study investigates the effects of feed composition on product distributions and mechanisms in HTL conditions using food and green waste. The findings reveal the emergence of numerous chemical compounds and highlight the influence of feedstock blending on product outcomes.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heather O. LeClerc, Rasha Atwi, Sydney F. Niles, Amy M. McKenna, Michael T. Timko, Richard H. West, Andrew R. Teixeira
Summary: Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising strategy for converting organic waste into energy-dense biocrude. This study investigates the distribution and reaction pathways of nitrogen in different hydrothermal products generated from food waste. The results suggest that the Maillard reaction is the dominant pathway for converting reactive nitrogen intermediates into observed products.
