FeCo alloys in-situ formed in Co/Co2P/N-doped carbon as a durable catalyst for boosting bio-electrons-driven oxygen reduction in microbial fuel cells

Non-noble metal catalyst with high catalytic activity and stability towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for durable bioelectricity generation in air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Herein, nitrogen-doped (iron-cobalt alloy)/cobalt/cobalt phosphide/partly-graphitized carbon ((FeCo)/Co/Co₂P/NPGC) catalysts are prepared by using cornstalks via a facile method. Carbonization temperature exerts a great effect on catalyst structure and ORR activity. FeCo alloys are in-situ formed in the catalysts above 900 °C, which are considered as the highly-active component in catalyzing ORR. AC-MFC with FeCo/Co/Co₂P/NPGC (950 °C) cathode shows the highest power density of 997.74 ± 5 mW m^?2, which only declines 8.65% after 90 d operation. The highest Coulombic efficiency (23.3%) and the lowest charge transfer resistance (22.89 Ω) are obtained by FeCo/Co/Co₂P/NPGC (950 °C) cathode, indicating that it has a high bio-electrons recycling rate. Highly porous structure (539.50 m² g^?1) can provide the interconnected channels to facilitate the transport of O₂. FeCo alloys promote charge transfer and catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ to ?OH and ?O₂^?, which inhibits cathodic biofilm growth to improve ORR durability. Synergies between metallic components (FeCo/Co/Co₂P) and N-doped carbon energetically improve the ORR catalytic activity of (FeCo)/Co/Co₂P/NPGC catalysts, which have the potential to be widely used as catalysts in MFCs.     

Evaluation of a sulfidogenic system fed with microalgal biomass of Chlorella pyrenoidosa as an electron donor: Sulfate reduction kinetics

In this study, a sulfidogenic reactor fed with microalgal biomass of Chlorella pyrenoidosa as an electron donor was operated in a continuous mode. This study evaluated the influence of various initial sulfate concentration from 1.0 to 2.5 g/L on anaerobic sulfate reduction kinetics by a sulfidogenic enrichment culture predominantly Desulfovibrio sp. VSV2. It was observed that volumetric sulfate reduction rate (VSRR) was consistently increasing with an increase in volumetric sulfate loading rate (VSLR) across the retention time of 7–10 days. For a retention time of 7 days, the maximum VSRR was noted as 0.0050 g/(L.h) with a corresponding VSLR of 0.0089 g/(L.h). When retention time was maintained for 10 days, a maximum sulfate reduction of 65% and a maximum bacterial concentration of 1.632 g/L were achieved for an initial sulfate concentration of 1.5 g/L. It was concluded that VSLR facilitated through both dilution rate and initial sulfate concentration had a significant influence over sulfate reduction kinetics. The results of the study suggested that the microalgal-fed sulfidogenic system could be effectively employed for reduction of sulfate from sulfate-rich wastewater.     

A techno-economic review of biomass gasification for production of chemicals

Gasification is a thermochemical process which can be used as a low-emission and highly efficient method to produce syngas and chemicals such as biomethanol and dimethyl ether (DME). In this paper, a review of technologies and methods for economic production of chemicals through gasification of biomass and other fuels has been carried out. A variety of techno-economic studies and analysis have been proposed in order to better understand the technical and economic assessments during the biomass gasification. Results showed that the methanol production cost for biomass (wood) is from 195 to 935 €/t, for waste residues is from 200 to 930 €/t, for coal is from 160 to 480 €/t, and for natural gas is from 90 to 290 €/t. It also concluded that fuel (wood) cost has positive linear relationship with ethanol production cost, meaning as the feedstock cost increases from 30 to 50 $/day-ton, the ethanol production cost enhances from 1.66 to 1.95 $/gal.     

生物质电厂废弃物草木灰成分分析及成形

生物质热电厂焚烧废弃物的主要成分是草木灰，其产生量大、密度小。大量草木灰不经处理会造成环境污染问题。本文首先分析草木灰的化学成分，确定草木灰的肥料特征，通过添加NH₄H₂PO₄使草木灰的pH达到国家复合肥的相关标准。选用聚天冬氨酸（30%水溶液）作为复合肥的黏结剂，应用于草木灰复合肥的成形造粒，以增加其抗压强度和肥效。研究不同烘干时间、烘干温度、聚天冬氨酸添加量对草木灰复合肥抗压强度的影响规律，通过分析植物的形态及生理指标，进而研究草木灰复合肥的肥效。结果表明：最佳烘干条件为10h、140℃，聚天冬氨酸对草木灰的抗压强度有明显的增强作用，并且草木灰与聚天冬氨酸的复配比为6g∶1mL时肥效最好。此方法解决了元素循环中断、草木灰环境污染，在运输过程中草木灰复合肥易碎，纯草木灰肥效低等问题。     

Catalytic steam reforming of tar for enhancing hydrogen production from biomass gasification: a review

Presently, the global search for alternative renewable energy sources is rising due to the depletion of fossil fuel and rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among alternatives, hydrogen (H₂) produced from biomass gasification is considered a green energy sector, due to its environmentally friendly, sustainable, and renewable characteristics. However, tar formation along with syngas is a severe impediment to biomass conversion efficiency, which results in process-related problems. Typically, tar consists of various hydrocarbons (HCs), which are also sources for syngas. Hence, catalytic steam reforming is an effective technique to address tar formation and improve H₂ production from biomass gasification. Of the various classes in existence, supported metal catalysts are considered the most promising. This paper focuses on the current researching status, prospects, and challenges of steam reforming of gasified biomass tar. Besides, it includes recent developments in tar compositional analysis, supported metal catalysts, along with the reactions and process conditions for catalytic steam reforming. Moreover, it discusses alternatives such as dry and autothermal reforming of tar.     

Laser-assisted preparation of monolithic acidic catalysts for biomass conversion

5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF) is a vital platform molecule from which a variety of high-value-added fine chemicals and polymerizable monomers can be prepared. The use of solid acids to catalyze the conversion of biomass into 5-HMF is environmentally friendly and economical. However, exploiting the high yield of 5-HMF in a highly concentrated reactant system is challenging. Herein, we present a laser-assisted method for preparing highly acidic monolithic acidic catalysts. A monolithic acidic catalyst based on metal Zr sheets was synthesized and used to catalytically convert 30 wt% fructose into 5-HMF (conversion rate: 96%; yield: 95%). The catalyst was immediately separated from the reaction solution by direct removal at the end of the reaction. Catalytic efficiency was largely unaffected after 10 cycles of use, and the same catalytic efficiency was observed after laser-regeneration, highlighting the potential industrial applicability of the developed catalyst.     

Conversion of aqueous extracts from thermochemical treatment of bagasse into functional emulsifiers

Synthetic emulsifiers in food industries are being replaced with a customer-friendly food ingredient that is derived from biomass using sustainable green technologies. After hydrothermal liquefaction treatment, raw bagasse (21%), pith (26%), and rind portions (25%) were obtained with reduced ash contents. As aqueous extracts, with oligosaccharides and lignin residues, it was used in the preparation of oil-in-water emulsions with 5% soybean oil. Results showed that the emulsions stabilised the oil droplets with particle size between 11 and 17 µm by steric repulsion with raw bagasse-stabilised emulsion showing a better stability at 25 °C (31 days). It was demonstrated that raw bagasse extracts, without alteration, maybe a potential unconventional source for food-grade emulsifiers by integrating a versatile thermochemical conversion of waste without the use of chemicals.     

新型镍基镁渣催化重整松木热解挥发分焦油析出特性研究

采用过量浸渍法制备了镍基镁渣催化剂，并在小型气流床气化炉上开展了松木热解挥发分的催化重整研究。评估了煅烧/催化温度、镍含量和水碳比对焦油组分的影响，同时在不同煅烧/催化温度下与Ni/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂进行了裂解焦油性能的对比。采用比表面积测试（BET）、X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）和透射电镜（TEM）对催化剂进行了表征。结果表明，当镍含量为3%，煅烧/催化温度为800℃，水碳比为0.5时，镍基镁渣催化剂表现出最优异的催化裂解焦油能力：大幅度降低了重质多环芳烃的相对含量，并且焦油转化率达到95.69%，同时焦油露点温度降至40.2℃。XRD结果表明，Ni、Fe、Ca、Mg相互作用可以形成多种活性中心，进而协同提高催化剂活性。     

Ensuring the future of functional foods

Consumption of functional foods suggests a strategy to reduce the incidence of chronic health disorders. This message has resonated with consumers and driven market growth. Functional food research has significantly increased over the last decade but few studies have addressed the bioavailability of active ingredients for clinical efficacy. Baked goods such as bread, biscuits and cake are popular categories for innovation due to their widespread consumption. These new developments have often impacted on organoleptic properties of the finished products and thus consumer acceptance. Blending of bioactive ingredients may overcome this deficit. However, an understanding of the role of the microbiome in health has indicated that the efficacy of functional foods is unlikely to be uniform within the population. Further growth in the functional foods market, is likely to require greater evidence of the bioavailability of active ingredients, clinical effect and support for health claims by regulators especially in the EU.     

炭化活化条件对Cu/AC表面Cu价态及其催化降解苯酚的影响

采用前体浸渍法研制了生物质基载铜活性炭催化剂（Cu/AC），利用N₂-吸附脱附、X射线光电子能谱等技术对Cu/AC性质进行了表征，在固定床反应器中研究了不同炭化活化条件所得Cu/AC催化湿式氧化降解苯酚性能。结果表明：Cu/AC表面Cu物种以Cu²⁺和（Cu⁺+Cu⁰）共存。随着制备Cu/AC炭化温度的升高，炭化过程中产生更多的挥发分，促进Cu²⁺还原为Cu⁺和Cu⁰，（Cu⁺+Cu⁰）含量增大，Cu/AC降解苯酚催化活性逐渐升高；随着炭化时间延长，（Cu⁺+Cu⁰）含量下降，Cu₂O、CuO较好地并入载体使晶格氧含量增加，催化活性先升高后下降；随着活化温度升高和活化时间延长，Cu/AC比表面积达到1096.1m²/g并有大量微孔生成，大量含氧官能团分解将炭化过程中还原生成的（Cu⁺+Cu⁰）氧化为Cu²⁺，晶格氧含量增加，催化活性随着活化温度的升高而升高，随着活化时间的延长先升高后下降。催化湿式氧化降解苯酚过程中，Cu/AC具有良好的稳定性和低的Cu离子浸出浓度。Cu/AC的最优制备条件为炭化温度800℃，炭化时间2h，活化温度880℃，活化时间为2h，所得Cu/AC在反应8.5h时实现98.5%的苯酚转化率和91.1%的COD转化率。