Abstract A method using a combination of ball milling, acid hydrolysis, and ultrasound was developed to obtain high yield cellulose nanofibers from flax fibers microcrystalline (MCC). Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared with these additives by solution‐casting technique. The nanocomposite films that produced characterized Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission microscopy. Nanofibers...

This work reviews two mechanical separation technologies (screw press and decanting centrifuge) which could be used in the dairy, beef, pig anaerobic digestion sectors nutrient-vulnerable zones order to improve sustainability of manure digestate management by decreasing agricultural phosphorus loss reducing environmental impact on water quality. Capital operating costs, efficiency throughput, processing separated fractions, including transport impacts biosecurity solids for export, were...

Mechanical separation of anaerobic digestate has been identified as a method to reduce pollution risk waterways by partitioning phosphorus in the solid fraction and reducing its application land. Separators have adjustable parameters which affect efficiency, hence degree phosphorous partitioning, but information on how these performance is limited literature. Two well known technologies were investigated, decanter centrifuge screw press, determine most efficient separation. Counterweight...

The European Union’s (EU) climate and energy package requires all EU countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% 2020. Based on current trends, Ireland is track miss this target with a projected reduction of only 5% 6%. agriculture sector has consistently been the single largest contributor Irish GHG emissions, representing 33% in 2017. Small-scale anaerobic digestion (SSAD) holds promise as an attractive technology for treatment livestock manure organic fraction...

Anaerobic digestion provides renewable energy through waste valorisation, but the digestate by-product is underutilised and presents a risk to water quality. Mechanical separation partitions phosphorous into solid fraction further processing fuel pellet can provide an additional source of revenue. Previous economic analyses looked only at aspects system (e.g. operational costs solely) requires investigation determine viability. In this paper, assessment production farm-scale anaerobic plants...

Animal manure contains valuable plant nutrients which need to be stored until field application. A significant proportion of slurry nitrogen is volatilized in the form ammonia (NH3) during storage. This impacts human health, biodiversity, air and water quality thus urgent action needed reduce NH3 emissions. In this experiment, we evaluated emission mitigation potential biochars derived from miscanthus (MB) solid separated anaerobic digestate (DB), orthophosphoric acid activated MB (AMB) DB...

As agricultural activity intensifies across Europe there is growing concern over water quality. Agricultural run-off a leading cause of freshwater degradation. Simultaneously continually increasing drive to promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Willow coppice planted as riparian buffer has been suggested solution help mitigate these problems. However, limited research into the use such system several key knowledge gaps remain, as, ratio not known, fully harvested site...

Assessments of dew-, water-, and enzyme-retted fibers for differences in fineness, strength, caustic weight loss, acid detergent fiber, neutral fiber cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, lipid, ash, nine minerals were compared this study. Distinct retted-fiber samples observed all the parameters tested. The also analyzed by derivative thermogravimetry, which revealed that losses two decomposition bands 240–400°C 400–520°C correlated with fineness weight-loss...

This study has demonstrated biorefining steps for ryegrass and silage at a pilot scale to extrude fibre cake the production of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), potentially green biomaterial replacing conventional fillers in manufacture polymer composites. Further treatments processed fibres with mechanical shearing, microfluidising, hydrochloric acid (HCl)/sulphuric four stage {ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, hypochlorite HCl} hydrolysis yielded 43.8, 36.1, 25.6 39.8 kg...

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been recognised as an effective means of simultaneously producing energy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite having a large agriculture sector, Ireland experienced little uptake the technology, ranking 20th within EU-28. It is, therefore, necessary to understand general opinions, willingness adopt, and perceived obstacles potential adopters technology. As likely primary users this survey Irish cattle farmers was conducted assess on-farm AD for...

Abstract Mathematical modeling of anaerobic digestion is a powerful tool to predict gas yields and optimize the process. The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) widely implemented model for this purpose. However, full-scale biogas plants challenging due extensive substrate parameter characterization required. This study describes modification ADM1 through simplification individual process phases, characteristic components required parameters. Consequently, ability simplified simulate...

Optimal plant design and management are critical components for the successful operation of farm-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. However, this often proves challenging due to difficulties in designing sizing based on specific site conditions. The current investigation aims address these by developing a universal decision support tool assist optimal agriculture-based AD plants, accounting site-specific practicalities implications. consists various mathematical functions, which enable...

The changes in fibre structure caused by the realignment of microfibrils and yarn samples treated with swelling agents, such as NaOH, LiOH, ZnCl2, butyltrimethyl ammonium hydroxide (BTMAH), both under tension slack, were studied light electron microscopy. structural effects treatment ultimate fibres correlated measured variations tenacity moisture regain. results differential thermogravimetric analysis suggested that cellulosic crystals had taken place during treatments.

The technical, environmental and economic analysis of generating electricity and/or heat together with biochar from poultry litter (PL) waste is the subject this study. To carry out study, process simulation software ECLIPSE used. Modelling have been conducted over selected system: pyrolysis/gasification integrated an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). facility will initially be capable processing 1500 kg PL at 30% moisture content every hour. expansion plans are underway to deal 3000 per Based on...

Substrates from three mushroom compost facilities in Northern Ireland, employing similar production technologies, were examined to assess the quality of produced. Biochemical investigation highlighted changes substrates through each step cycle. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provided useful information on fiber fraction content and extent substrate breakdown. A comparison productivity, chemical, thermal data permitted assessment degree bioconversion that had occurred decomposition raw...