Volume 19 Issue 4

In the production of wood fuel pellets, starch is frequently used as an additive to enhance bonding and durability. This study investigated the effectiveness of four different kinds of starches as additives, each at a concentration of 5% (dry basis), when combined with sawdust from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The starches tested included plain wheat flour, hydrothermally treated wheat starch, wheat starch with amylose-like properties, and nearly pure amylopectin obtained from waxy rice flour. All pellets were produced at a die temperature of 100 °C using a Single Pellet Press, with varying moisture contents of 5%, 8%, 11%, and 14% (wet basis). The pellets were evaluated for compression work, back pressure, physical density, hardness, and moisture content. Additionally, chemical bonding was assessed using FT-IR spectroscopy. Compression energy was found to be influenced by moisture content, irrespective of starch utilization, and it decreased with increasing moisture levels, especially between 5 to 8% (wb). The inclusion of starch led to notably higher pellet hardness, with amylose yielding the hardest pellets, 34±3 kg when the moisture content was 11%. Based on this study, it is recommended to use hydrothermally treated wheat flour, as it consistently produced high-quality pellets.

The extraction methods used to obtain natural products face some problems, such as solvent toxicity, high extraction time, and low yields. Supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction (SFE-CO₂) is an encouraging extraction system for obtaining high-yield of natural extracts. In this work, Schinus terebinthifolia fruits were extracted via SFE-CO₂ using two conditions: A (static extraction) (SE) for 15 min, followed by dynamic extraction (DE) for 45 min, and B (without SE but with DE for 60 min). The extract yield was 0.205 g and 0.236 g via condition A and B, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography assessment revealed the occurrence of several constituents with high quantities in the extract at condition B. The well diffusion test showed inhibition of 26 ± 0.1, 25 ± 0.2, 29 ± 0.1, 33 ± 0.2, 27 ± 0.1, and 8.0 ± 0.1 mm zones using the extract at condition B, while at condition A there were low inhibition zones towards Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas areginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger, correspondingly. Lipase (obesity stimulant) and butyrylcholinesterase (Alzheimer stimulant) were inhibited by the extract at condition B with IC₅₀ quantities of 27.03 and 4.83 μg/mL, while it was 37.45 and 17.57 μg/mL, respectively at condition A.

The US Pulp and Paper (P&P) industry heavily relies on fossil sources, with lime kiln operations posing a significant challenge for achieving zero on-site fossil emissions. This study assesses the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential and costs associated with alternative fuels in lime kiln operations for linerboard production. Various options, including bio-based fuels including pulverized biomass, gasification of biomass, crude tall oil, bio-methanol, and traditional fuels such as fuel oil and petcoke, were analyzed through detailed process simulations and Life Cycle Assessment. Results indicate that per ton of product, 2,789 kg of CO₂-eq is emitted, with 69% being biogenic CO₂ and 31% fossil CO2-eq. Notably, replacing the natural gas boiler with a biomass boiler reduces Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 41%, while switching lime kiln fuel to biofuels achieves a 5.5% reduction. Combining a biomass boiler with pulverized biomass fuel use in the lime kiln yields a substantial 93.1% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, at a cost of $76/ton of CO₂-eq avoided.

An innovative approach was pursued for sustainable packaging design using Cycle Generative Adversarial Networks (CycleGANs), tailored for wood packaging engraving. The methodology includes four phases: user participatory design, assembly scheme design, detailed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) optimization, and computer numerical control (CNC) engraving production. Each phase targets sustainability from design to final product, minimizing environmental impact and economic costs. Emphasizing early user participation helps adapt designs to user needs and environmental standards. Innovations such as real-time updates of packaging patterns via cloud-based iterations and an FEA optimization system enhance durability and aesthetics. This approach improves the environmental footprint and recyclability of conventional wood packaging. The research aims to shift perceptions in the packaging industry towards more sustainable practices, showcasing the practical applications of advanced digital tools in traditional manufacturing. It offers a scalable model for integrating sustainability into packaging design, providing valuable insights and inspiring future innovations in environmentally friendly practices across the industry.

This study aimed to determine the most suitable woody species that can be used to reduce the pollution of Sr, Mo, and Sn, which are heavy metals that are harmful to the ecosystem and human and environmental health. Within the study’s scope, samples were taken from the wood parts of 16 woody species growing under similar conditions in Düzce province, which is among the five cities with the most polluted air in Europe. The wood part is the largest organ of higher plants in terms of mass; it traps heavy metals within itself for many years and can remove heavy metals to a great extent. Therefore, plants with a high potential for heavy metal accumulation in the wood part are among the most suitable plants for phytoremediation studies. The study determined Sr, Mo, and Sn concentrations in the wood parts of 16 tree species via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and compared them using statistical methods. Results indicate that Robinia pseudoacacia and Cedrus atlantica species were suitable for reducing pollution by Mo and Sn, while Platanus orientalis and Populus alba species were suitable for reducing Sr pollution.

A powerful carbon-based solid acid catalyst and furfural were obtained from rice straw (RS) biomass resource. The acid catalyst was prepared through the carbonization and sulfonation of RS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption, and ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) were used to characterize the catalysts. The effect of sulfonation time (4 h to 16 h) on the structure and acidity of the catalysts was elucidated. After 16 h of sulfonation, the BET surface area and the total acidity of the catalyst reached 415 m²/g and 7.48 mmol/g, respectively. Moreover, strong acid sites accounted for more than 63% of acidity. The catalyst was then used for the conversion of RS into furfural in water. The influence of reaction temperature and time while using the catalyst on the conversion process was also investigated. The catalyst exhibited high activity in the conversion of RS, with a furfural yield of 68.3 g/kg RS at 160 °C in 5 h.

This research explored the isolation of cellulose from coconut shells using ultrasound. It involved two types of cellulose isolation: alkali and bleached cellulose (ABC) and ultrasound-alkali-assisted isolated cellulose (UAIC). The products were characterized using various techniques, including attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The ATR-FTIR results confirmed the effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose in the ABC and UAIC samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the production of micro-sized cellulose. The TGA and XRD results showed improved thermal stability and crystallinity in ABC and UAIC, attributed to the elimination of non-cellulosic constituents. However, the thermal stability and crystallinity of UAIC were lower compared to ABC, likely due to the cavitation effect caused by sonication. The findings suggest that ultrasonication is an efficient and promising method for isolating cellulose.

The sulfate process for bamboo pulp production encounters silicon interference during the pulping stage, necessitating desilication before the alkali recovery section. This study investigated the desilication of bamboo pulping black liquor (BPBL), demonstrating that silicon was removed effectively by adding Mg/Al compound desilication agent to the BPBL via burning at high temperature. The desilication extent can reach 84% when the desilication agent is added in the proportion of Mg/Al (magnesium sulfate and sodium metaluminate) in the ratio 1.25:0.75. Subsequently, less-silicon white mud (LSWM) can be prepared after black liquor (BL) combustion desilication. LSWM was compared with normal WM as a blank sample, and the morphology and physicochemical properties of two kinds of WM were characterized. X-ray diffractometry revealed that both types of WM are primarily composed of calcite crystalline CaCO₃ and hydrated CaSiO₃. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and particle size analysis demonstrated the reduced content of CaSiO₃ generated in the LSWM. This result indicated that the Mg/Al compound desilication agent removed the silicon from the green liquor (GL), thereby reducing the residual silicon in WM. This reduction is beneficial to the calcination recovery and comprehensive utilization of WM.

Low nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of conventional chemical fertilizers has resulted in the loss of costly nutrients and related environmental implications. Consequently, enhancing crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency are major challenges. In this backdrop, a field experiment was conducted to study the impact of pine oleoresin (POR) and neem oil (NO) coated urea (CU) fertilizers on crop productivity and nutrient recovery efficiency in maize-wheat cropping system grown on Vertisols of central India. The treatment combinations were POR-CU and NO-CU at 100% and 75% of recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF); normal urea (100% RDF); and an unfertilized control. Two years results indicated that the increment in grain yields due to POR-CU and NO-CU applications were 18.8% and 11.7% for maize and 11.6% and 3.49% for wheat, respectively, over normal urea. The apparent recovery efficiency of N (RE_N) for POR-CU, NO-CU, and normal urea at 100% RDF were 65.8%, 64.2%, and 51.4% in maize and 43.2%, 37.0%, and 34.6% in wheat, respectively. There was no significant difference noticed between POR-CU and NO-CU with respect to grain yield and N recovery efficiency. Hence, the study suggested that POR-CU could be a possible alternative option to NO-CU for improving crop yield and NUE. However, further research is needed to determine how effective POR-CU is in diverse agricultural systems and climatic conditions.

Mechanical properties and behaviors of bamboo joined by different connections were considered in this work. Makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makinoi) culms from Taiwan were used as the connection material to explore the form of cross-lap joints. Since the cross-lap joint is a common joint in bamboo structures, the mechanical properties of tension, slip, and rotation were evaluated for three types of joints: lashing joint, iron wire joint, and steel bracket joint, under different load conditions. The results showed that the ultimate load of bamboo culms under lateral partial compression has a positive correlation with the number of bamboo nodes and the relative distance to the base-section of the bamboo culms. The mid-sections and end-sections have similar uniaxial compressions in the transverse orientation. According to results of tensile testing, the tensile stiffness of the three joint types is as follows in descending order: iron wire joint, lashing joint, and steel bracket joint, with the reverse order for ultimate load testing. In terms of slip testing, the withstanding of ultimate loads and increases in slip stiffness can be attributed to bamboo nodes that assist in creating slip stiffness in lashing joint. However, ultimately, steel bracket joints hold the highest slip stiffness. Our findings for rotation stiffness value show the following tendency: steel bracket joint > lashing joint > iron wire joint.