New process of maize stalk amination treatment by steam explosion

Amination treatment of straw proceeds slowly at the low environmental temperatures. Although the aqueous ammonia has a relatively good effect, it has high volatility and an irritant odor. Steam explosion has the advantage of short reaction time, but it cannot improve the nitrogen content of the straw for animal feed. A new process combined with the two methods for maize stalk pretreatment was studied to improve its nutritive value. The results showed that nitrogen sources coupled with steam explosion modified the treated materials. Except for urea, other nitrogen sources promoted the degradation of hemicellulose and the increase of the soluble sugars content. Decrease of hemicellulose treated with 5% (NH₄)₂SO₃ was highest (58.0%), but no significant changes were detected in cellulose and lignin content using chemical methods after nitrogen source addition. Compared with steam explosion pretreatment, amination by steam explosion increased the nitrogen content of maize stalk. The highest total nitrogen content (2.30%) was obtained by adding urea. The treatment of 5% (NH₄)₂SO₃ led to the highest retention of added nitrogen (84.0%) and 15% NH₄OH led to the lowest percentage of retention (18.1%). Amination by steam explosion effectively increased the potential digestibility of DM, and the maximum digestibility value (71.2%) was obtained when 5% (NH₄)₂SO₃ was added. Amination by steam explosion shortened the amination time and was a rapid and effective method of improving the nutritive value of straw.     

Removal of NOx by microwave reactor with ammonium bicarbonate and Ga-A zeolites at low temperature

Microwave reactor with the mixture of ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) and Ga-A zeolites was set up to study the removal of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) from waste gas with excess oxygen concentration (14–19%) at low temperature (80–120 °C). The results showed that the microwave reactor filled with NH₄HCO₃ and Ga-A zeolites could reduce NO_x to nitrogen with the best purifying efficiency of 95.45% and the best denitrification amount of 89.28 mg h⁻¹. The optimal microwave power and residence time (RT) on denitrification was 259–280 W and 0.259 s, respectively. Microwave denitrification effect of the experiment using ammonium bicarbonate and Ga-A zeolites was much higher than that using ammonium bicarbonate or Ga-A zeolites only. The mechanism for microwave-induced NO_x reduction can be explained as the microwave-induced catalytic reaction between NO_x and ammonium bicarbonate with Ga-A zeolites being the catalyst and microwave absorbent.     

Characterizations and photocatalytic activity comparisons of N-doped nc-TiO2 depending on synthetic conditions and structural differences of amine sources

N-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by using 1° and 2° alkyl and alcohol amines [n-propylamine (nPRYL), ethanolamine (ETOH), propanolamine (PROH), diethylamine (DETYL), dipropylamine (DPRYL), diethanolamine (DETOH), and ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH)] as nitrogen sources through microwave and hydrothermal growth (HT) methods. Characterization of the nanoparticles was done by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and BET analysis techniques. Nitrogen species in TiO₂ lattice were interstitial impurities. Nitrogen content of the particles depended on the preparation conditions and structural differences of nitrogen sources. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was carried out under Xenon lamp irradiation. N-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited higher photocatalytic activity, compared to undoped ones. Acidity differences of amine sources and irradiation differences of synthetic conditions had an effect on photocatalytic activity. Although N doping into TiO₂ lattice was the least effective in the particle prepared by the use of nPRYL as the amine source and HT as the synthetic condition, its photocatalytic activity was slightly better compared to others.     

From piggery wastewater nutrients to biogas: Microalgae biomass revalorization through anaerobic digestion

Microalgae grown in swine wastewater were used as a promising strategy to produce renewable energy by coupling wastewater bioremediation and biomass revalorization. The efficiency of a microalgae consortium treating swine slurry at different temperature (15 and 23 °C) and illumination periods (11 and 14 h) was assessed for biomass growth and nutrient removal at two NH₄⁺ initial concentrations (80 and 250 mg L⁻¹ NH₄⁺). Favourable culture conditions (23 °C and 14 h of illumination) and high ammonium loads resulted in higher biomass production and greater nutrients removal rates. The initial N–NH₄⁺ load determined the removal mechanism, thus ammonia stripping and nitrogen uptake accounted similarly in the case of high NH₄⁺ load, while nitrogen uptake prevailed at low NH₄⁺ load. Under favourable conditions, nitrogen availability in the media determined the composition of the biomass. In this context, carbohydrate-rich biomass was obtained in batch mode while semi-continuous operation resulted in protein-rich biomass. The revalorization of the resultant biomass was evaluated for biogas production. Methane yields in the range of 106–146 and 171 ml CH₄ g COD⁻¹ were obtained for the biomasses grown in batch and semi-continuous mode, respectively. Biomass grown under favourable conditions resulted in higher methane yields and closer to the theoretically achievable.     

Direct interspecies electron transfer in bulk solution significantly contributes to bioelectrochemical nitrogen removal

A bioelectrochemical anaerobic ammonium oxidation via direct interspecies electron transfer in bulk solution was first found in an anaerobic reactor equipped with a pair of bioelectrode polarized at 0.6 V. The removal of ammonium along with a decrease in nitrite and alkalinity was observed when ammonium and nitrite are available as electron donor and acceptor, respectively, in a bioelectrochemical reactor. The requirements of nitrite nitrogen and alkalinity for the removal of ammonium nitrogen are around 0.58 mg NO₂N/mg NH₄N and 2.0 mg as CaCO₃/mg NH₄N, respectively. The bioelectrochemical ammonium oxidation does not produce nitrate as a by-product as well. The microbial groups involved in bioelectrochemical ammonium oxidation are electroactive autotrophs and can be enriched from anaerobic digestion sludge from sewage treatment plant by the polarized electrode. This bioelectrochemical ammonium oxidation is a novel approach recommended for treatment of nitrogen-rich wastewater.     

Supercapacitive properties of activated carbon electrode using ammonium based proton conducting electrolytes

In this study, we demonstrated the usefulness of proton conducting electrolytes (such as ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)) for electrochemical energy storage devices using activated carbon (AC) as the electrode material. The cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed the presence of rectangular shaped cyclic voltammograms indicating the presence of electrical double layer capacitance in AC electrode using NH₄SCN and NH₄NO₃ electrolytes. The mechanism of charge-storage in AC electrode using the proton conducting electrolytes has been studied in detail using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (Nyquist and Bode plots). The galvanostatic charge-discharge analysis revealed that a maximum specific capacitance of AC electrode using NH₄SCN and NH₄NO₃ electrolytes was found to be 136.75 mF cm^?2 and 113.38 mF cm^?2 at a current density of 0.5 mA cm^?2. This study would open a new avenue for the use of ammonium based proton conducting electrolytes for supercapacitor applications.     

Incorporation of fish by-product into the semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion of pre-treated lignocellulose and cow manure,with recovery of digestate's nutrients

Norway's fish processing industry generates large amounts of fish waste every year. The high-risk waste fraction with most of its oil removed has not yet been tested for energy production. The stability of an anaerobic digestion process that incorporates this material with steam exploded Salix and cow manure was tested using mesophilic, semi-continuous laboratory-scale digesters. The effects of recycling the liquid digestate fraction were also investigated. The removal of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and phosphate (PO₄³⁻) from the rejected digestate using struvite precipitation and bentonite adsorption were tested to generate a nutrient-enriched, final solid fertiliser. Adding 20% fish by-product (volatile solids basis) increased methane yields by 35%, while recycling the digestate caused a slight increase. The NH₄⁺–N levels reached 4–5 g l⁻¹ in the reactors with recirculation and fish feed. Although these levels may threaten methanogenesis, the stability of the process was maintained during the entire period due to the good balance between the lignocellulose, proteins and fats provided by the co-digestion mixture and the positive effects of recirculation. The NH₄⁺ and PO₄³⁻ were successfully removed from the rejected liquid digestate. The reductions using struvite reached 87% and 60% (pH 9.5 and Mg²⁺:NH₄⁺:PO₄³⁻ ratio of 1.2:1:1), while bentonite achieved 82% and 52%, respectively.     

Comparison of the combustion and emission characteristics of NH3/NH4NO2 and NH3/H2 in a two-stroke low speed marine engine

As a marine engine fuel of great concern, ammonia needs to be mixed with another high reactive fuel to improve its combustion performance. In this work, the combustion performance of NH₃/NH₄NO₂ and NH₃/H₂ was compared under different boundary conditions (excess air coefficient, initial temperature, pressure and mixing ratio). The numerical simulation of compression combustion is carried out under different power loads. The addition of ammonium nitrite decreases the ignition requirement of ammonia and shortens the ignition delay time of the mixture fuel. The boundary conditions of compression ignition can be reduced by mixing hydrogen and mixing ammonium nitrite, but it is not enough to achieve compression ignition under NH₃/H₂ mode. The addition of 30% ammonium nitrite can reduce the intake temperature to 300–360 K, which makes the compression ignition of the mixed fuel feasible. Meanwhile, in order to reduce the high in-cylinder combustion pressure and improve the combustion performance of the mixed fuel, the fuel injection strategy was proposed to achieve constant combustion pressure of 30 MPa under the premise of less power loss, which is a potential solution for the combustion of ammonia fuel.     

Study on the nitrogen transformation during the primary pyrolysis of sewage sludge by Py-GC/MS and Py-FTIR

The nitrogen transformation with attention to the intermediates and NO_x precursors has been investigated during the primary pyrolysis of sewage sludge by using Pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and Pyrolyzer-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (Py-FTIR). A three-stage process of nitrogen transformation during the sewage sludge pyrolysis was suggested. The decomposition of labile protein and inorganic ammonium salt mainly occurred in the first stage (<300 °C), giving rise to a small amount of NH₃. In the second stage (300–600 °C), the macromolecular protein firstly cracked into small molecular amine compounds, and then went through deamination process, contributed to a large release of NH₃. In the third stage (600–900 °C), the amine compounds converted into nitriles, and generated a large amount of HCN, while the formation of NH₃ slowed down accordingly.     

Growth promotion of Chlorella vulgaris by modification of nitrogen source composition with symbiotic bacteria,Microbacterium sp. HJ1

To increase algal growth in treated livestock waste water, we designed a culture system targeting symbiotic bacteria. Microbacterium sp. HJ1 is a symbiotic bacteria associated with Chlorella vulgaris, which was found to increase the growth rate when controlled by nitrogen addition. The validated analysis model for nitrogen source mixture was used to analyze the growth and final pH of Microbacterium sp. HJ1, in different compositions of nitrogen sources, by elucidating the functions of each nitrogen ions such as NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, and NH₄⁺. By modifying the growth medium made from treated livestock waste water with additional nitrogen source, we were able to increase dry cell weight (DCW) of C. vulgaris by 65.7% and chlorophyll a contents by 78.8%. This is an example of an indirect method to increase algal biomass by changing the population of symbiotic bacteria, and it is the practical application of positive effects from symbiotic bacteria to the host.     

Hydrogen release from sodium borohydride by Fe2O3@nitrogen-doped carbon core-shell nanosheets as reasonable heterogeneous catalyst

Due to the high volumetric density and environmentally friendly hydrolysis products, sodium borohydride as a promising candidate for chemical hydrogen storage has been intensively employed, but it needed expensive noble metals or complicated materials or processes. In this work, a new type of catalyst with very simple synthetic route form available and low-cost precursors has been introduced for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride with high efficiency. Fe₂O₃ nanosheets were synthesized with a straightforward route using glucose, urea and ferric nitrate and then the core sheets were coated by nitrogen doped carbon material using citric acid and urea as carbon and nitrogen sources. The core-shell nanosheets have been well confirmed by TEM images. Moreover, the elemental compositions were fully addressed by XPS analysis. Because of the acidic and basic groups on the presented material, the catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity with hydrogen production rate of 637 mL (H₂) min⁻¹·g_cat ⁻¹. It is notable that the rate was calculated based on the whole amount of the catalyst, while in other reports the metal active sites have been employed for calculations. To find the most promising nanostructure of α-Fe₂O_3, influence of Fe₂O₃ morphology on the catalytic activity was also investigated.     

Effect of the nitrogen source on the hydrogen production metabolism and hydrogenases of Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009

Investigations were carried out to determine the effect of various concentrations of organic and ammonium nitrogen sources on fermentative hydrogen production by the strain Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009. The results indicated that the H₂-producing metabolism of the strain is favoured within the range (0.56–0.062 g_N/L) of peptone and (NH₄)₂SO₄. Optimal overall performance (i.e. 1.43 ± 0.08 mol H₂/mol glucose and 1.08 ± 0.03 mL_H2/h, respectively) was achieved with 0.062 g_N/L of casein peptone. The study of the amino acid uptake and the gene expression pattern for four [FeFe]-hydrogenases and the nitrogenase showed that nitrogen was in excess in all the experiments with a nitrogen concentration above 0.062 g_N/L and, at that optimal concentration, the expression of the HydB2 gene would be responsible for the much higher H₂ yield.     

Mild temperature hydrogen production by methane decomposition over cobalt catalysts prepared with different precipitating agents

Hydrogen production by methane decomposition has been studied using different cobalt catalysts obtained by reduction of cobalt oxide precursors synthesized in ethylene glycol and using three different precipitating agents: sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide and urea. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts precursors vary with the precipitating agent, which shows a significant influence in their catalytic performance. Thus, the catalysts obtained from precursors precipitated with Na₂CO₃ or CO(NH₂)₂ show remarkable catalytic activity at lower temperatures, which in both cases has been assigned to the lower particle size and aggregation degree of the final metallic Co phase. Accordingly, the use of urea as precipitating agent led to the catalyst with the highest H₂ production at 600 °C after 12 h of time on stream. Likewise, it is worth mentioning that the catalyst prepared using Na₂CO₃ shows significant activity in this reaction even at temperatures as low as 400 °C.     

Effects of ammonia substitution on combustion stability limits and NOx emissions of premixed hydrogen–air flames

The combustion stability limits and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions of burner-stabilized premixed flames of ammonia (NH₃)-substituted hydrogen (H₂)–air mixtures at normal temperature and pressure are studied to evaluate the potential of partial NH₃ substitution to improve the safety of H₂ use. The effects of NH₃ substitution, nitrogen (N₂) coflow and mixture injection velocity on the stability limits and NO_x emissions of NH₃–H₂–air flames are experimentally determined. Results show a reduction of stability limits with NH₃ substitution and coflow, supporting the potential of NH₃ as a carbon-free, green additive in H₂–air flames and indicating a different tendency from that for no coflow condition. The NO_x emission index is almost constant even with enhanced NH₃ substitution, though the absolute value of NO_x emissions increases in general. At fuel-rich conditions, the NO_x emission index decreases with increasing mixture injection velocity and the existence of coflow. The thermal deNO_x process in the post-flame region is involved in reducing NO_x emissions for the fuel-rich flames.     

CONVECTIVE LAYERS GENERATED IN SOLAR PONDS WITH FERTILIZER SALTS

This paper investigates the generation of convective layers on sidewalls of a solar pond with fertilizer salts. The fertilizer salts used in the pond are urea, potassium nitrate (KNO₃), mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) and mono potassium phosphate (MKP). Furthermore, the paper reports the effects of the surface roughness heights of the wall, on the growth of the generated convective layers and the stability of the solar pond. It was found that urea and potassium nitrate tend to have the least active generated convective layers in the 90° and 30° tanks when compared with the other salts investigated, while mono ammonium phosphate resulted in less activities for the layers generated in the vertical tank. The mono potassium phosphate showed less activity for the convective layers in the 60° tank. The addition of surface roughness to the inclined wall reduced the growth of the convective layers by as much as 55.6% as the height of the surface roughness was increased.     

Genetically engineered deletion in the N-terminal region of nifA1 in R. capsulatus to enhance hydrogen production

NifA is the primary activator of nitrogenase, and the N-terminal domain of nifA is sensitive to ammonium concentration. In this work, a mutant Rhodobacter capsulatus ZX01 with a genetically engineered deletion in the N-terminal region of nifA1 was constructed by employing overlap extension PCR to mitigate the inhibition of ammonium on nitrogenase expression in photosynthetic bacteria. The effects of different ammonium ion concentrations on the growth and photo-fermentative hydrogen production performance of wild-type strain R. capsulatus SB1003 and mutant ZX01 with glucose and volatile fatty acids as the carbon sources were studied, respectively. When the ratio of NH₄⁺-N was 20% and 30%, the hydrogen yield of the mutant ZX01 was enhanced by 14.8% and 20.9% compared with that of R. capsulatus SB1003 using 25 mM acetic acid and 34 mM butyric acid as the carbon source, respectively. In comparison, using 30 mM glucose as the carbon source, the hydrogen yield of ZX01 was increased by 17.7% and 22.2% compared with that of R. capsulatus SB1003 when the ratio of NH₄⁺-N was 20% and 30%, and the nitrogenase activity of ZX01 was also enhanced by 38.0% and 47.6%, respectively. When using 10 mM NH₄⁺ as a single nitrogen source, ZX01 showed a 2.6-fold increase in H₂ production. These results indicated that ZX01 demonstrated higher ammonium tolerance and better hydrogen production performance than the wild-type. The deletion in the N-terminal region of nifA1 could partially de-repress the nitrogenase activity inhibited by ammonium.     

Modeling and performance analysis of an absorption chiller with a microchannel membrane‐based absorber using LiBr‐H2O,LiCl‐H2O,and LiNO3‐NH3

In order to develop compact absorption refrigeration cycles driven by low heat sources, the simulated performance of a microchannel absorber of 5‐cm length and 9.5 cm³ in volume provided with a porous membrane is presented for 3 different solution‐refrigerant pairs: LiBr‐H₂O, LiCl‐H₂O, and LiNO₃‐NH₃. The high absorption rates calculated for the 3 solutions lead to large cooling effect to absorber volume ratios: 625 kW/m³ for the LiNO₃‐NH₃, 552 kW/m³ for the LiBr‐H₂O, and 318 kW/m³ for the LiCl‐H₂O solutions given the studied geometry. The performance of a complete absorption system is also analyzed varying the solution concentration, condensation temperature, and desorption temperature. The LiNO₃‐NH₃ and the LiBr‐H₂O solutions provide the largest cooling effects. The LiNO₃‐NH₃ can work at a lower temperature of the heating source, in comparison with the one needed in a LiBr‐H₂O system. The lowest cooling effect and coefficient of performance are found for the LiCl‐H₂O solution, but this mixture allows the use of lower temperature heating sources (below 70°C). These results can be used for the selection of the most suitable solution for a given cooling duty, depending on the available heat source and condensation temperature.     

Nutrient sources and harvesting frequency on quality biomass production of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for biofuel

Improper management of cattle manure and poultry litter from confined animal farming are usually source of water pollution. However, appropriate application of these products on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) field can enhance biomass yield and promote nutrient recycling. We evaluated the effects of harvest frequency and nutrient sources on yield and quality of switchgrass for biofuel feedstock. The experiment was carried out at Perkins and Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma, from 2009 to 2011 using split plot design with four replications. The main plot treatments were two harvest frequencies single (June), and twice (June and November). The subplot treatments were nutrient sources: 1) cattle manure (CM), 2) poultry litter (PL), 3) urea (nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻¹), 4) combined chemical fertilizer (nitrogen-P₂O₅–K₂O) with nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻¹, P₂O₅ at 40 kg ha⁻¹, and K₂O at 20 kg ha⁻¹, 5) inter-seeded Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and 6) control. Mean biomass yield was higher (12.4 Mg ha⁻¹) in 2010 than other years possibly due to optimum moisture and temperature in 2010. At Perkins in 2010, application of CM and PL increased biomass yield significantly by 30 and 23% compared with combined chemical fertilizer (12.9 Mg ha⁻¹). The effect of nutrient sources on cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content was not significant at both locations. Cumulative biomass from twice harvest was similar to single harvest except in 2011 due to dry weather after the first cut. The cellulose and lignin content were significantly higher for single harvest compared with twice harvest at both locations.     

Runoff,sediment, nitrogen,and phosphorus losses from agricultural land converted to sweetgum and switchgrass bioenergy feedstock production in north Alabama

Renewable energy sources such as bioenergy crops have significant potential as alternatives to fossil fuels. Potential environmental problems arising from soil sediment and nutrient losses in runoff water from bioenergy crops need to be evaluated in order to determine the sustainability and overall feasibility of implementing bioenergy development strategies. This paper discusses runoff, sediment, N, and total P losses from agricultural land (continuous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)) converted to short-rotation sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua L.) plantations with and without fescue (Festuca elatior L.) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) bioenergy crops, compared to corn (Zea mays L.), on a Decatur silt loam soil in north Alabama, from 1995 to 1999. Runoff volume was significantly correlated to total rainfall and sediment yield in each year, but treatment differences were not significant. Sweetgum plots produced the highest mean sediment yield of up to 800 kg ha⁻¹compared to corn and switchgrass plots, which averaged less than 200 kg ha⁻¹. Runoff NH₄⁺ N losses averaged over treatments and years for spring season (3.1 kg ha⁻¹) were three to five times those for summer, fall, and winter seasons. Runoff NO₃⁻ N for no-till corn and switchgrass plots in spring and summer were five to ten times that for sweetgum plots. No-till corn and switchgrass treatments had 2.4 and 2.1 kg ha⁻¹ average runoff total P, respectively, which were two to three times that for sweetgum treatments. Growing sweetgum with a fescue cover crop provides significantly lower risk of water pollution from sediment, runoff NH₄⁺ N, and NO₃⁻ N.     

Formation of HNCO, HCN, and NH3 from the pyrolysis of bark and nitrogen-containing model compounds

Bark pellets have been pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed reactor at temperatures between 700 and 1000 °C. Identified nitrogen-containing species were hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH₃), and isocyanic acid (HNCO). Quantification of HCN and to some extent of NH₃ was unreliable at 700 and 800 °C due to low concentrations. HNCO could not be quantified with any accuracy at any temperature for bark, due to the low concentrations found. Since most of the nitrogen in biomass is bound in proteins, various protein-rich model compounds were pyrolyzed with the aim of finding features that are protein-specific, making conclusions regarding the model compounds applicable for biomass fuels in general. The model compounds used were a whey protein isolate, soya beans, yellow peas, and shea nut meal. The split between HCN and NH₃ depends on the compound and temperature. It was found that the HCN/NH₃ ratio is very sensitive to temperature and increases with increasing temperature for all compounds, including bark. Comparing the ratio for the different compounds at a fixed temperature, the ratio was found to decrease with decreasing release of volatile nitrogen. The temperature dependence implies that heating rate and thereby particle size affect the split between HCN and NH₃. For whey, soya beans, and yellow peas, HNCO was also quantified. It is suggested that most HCN and HNCO are produced from cracking of cyclic amides formed as primary pyrolysis products. The dependence of the HNCO/HCN ratio on the compound is fairly small, but the temperature dependence of the ratio is substantial, decreasing with increasing temperature. The release of nitrogen-containing species does not seem to be greatly affected by the other constituents of the fuel, and proteins appear to be suitable model compounds for the nitrogen in biomass.