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The Energy Potential of White Mulberry Waste Biomass
White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a tree growing up to 15 m in height. It is a plant whose cultivation is historically associated with silk production. Mulberry leaves are the only food source of the mulberry silkworm caterpillars (Bombyx mori L.). The cultivation of this tree has recently gained renewed importance. Due to the content of numerous bioactive substances, mulberry is a valuable raw material for the food, pharmaceutical and herbal industries. This article presents the results of tests on pellets from 1-, 3- and 5-year-old branches, which are waste biomass remaining after pruning mulberry shrubs cultivated to obtain leaves to feed silkworms. Additionally, analyses of pellets from mulberry leaves were also carried out. For the specified mulberry biomass yield, analyses of chemical composition of mulberry biomass (branches and leaves) were carried out, and energy properties (heat of combustion and calorific value) and energy potential were calculated. The heat of combustion of pellet from mulberry branches was, on average, 19,266 MJ∙Mg−1, and the calorific value was 17,726 MJ∙Mg−1. The energy potential, on the other hand, was, on average, 159 GJ∙ha−1 and 44 MWh∙ha−1. The obtained results indicate the possibility of the effective use of mulberry branches after the annual pruning of bushes in plantations for energy purposes.
Agricultural plant residues as potential co-substrates for biogas production
Plant biomass can be used in many directions for bioenergy production. Biogas can be produced from a most diverse group of substrates compared to liquid or solid biofuels. The choice of substrates and technologies is crucial because it will allow getting the expected results. Not without significance is also the price and availability of substrates. Therefore, waste and residues are increasingly being used. Accordingly, the aim of the review was to analyze the potential of biogas production from agricultural plant residues and the effectiveness of using this feedstock as a co-substrate in anaerobic digestion. In this article, selected agricultural plant residues are collected, and their advantages and disadvantages as substrates for biogas production are described. Moreover, the effective technology of biogas production by anaerobic digestion on an industrial scale and calculations to obtain biogas and methane efficiency of the substrates are also included. In addition, the summarized biogas efficiency of selected plant agricultural waste under mesophilic conditions studied by many researchers is shown. On the basis of the analyzed results of this research, it can be concluded that agricultural plant residues have great potential as co-substrates for biogas production. It is important to experimentally determine both the biogas and the methane efficiency of the substrate, representing a potential raw material for the production of gaseous biofuels. The use of artificial neural networks in the prediction of biogas emission is future-proof and should facilitate the management of biogas plants. The use of waste from the cultivation and processing of plant raw materials will not only help to manage this waste rationally, but also contribute to the increase in production of renewable energy sources. Accordingly, the circular economy in terms of the management of agricultural plant residues to produce biogas will have a multi-faceted, positive impact on the environment. On the basis of this review, it can be concluded that numerous agricultural plant residues can be used as potential co-substrates for biogas production.
Environmentally Friendly Biofuel Production
Changes in the environment and climate conditions, as well as economic growth and the increase in energy consumption, have led to an intensification of research on alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels [...]
Hemp Biomass as a Raw Material for Sustainable Development
Hemp cultivation is becoming increasingly common worldwide, although it still raises many concerns. These plants are gaining popularity due to their versatility and the ability to use virtually every part of them in almost all economic branches. Hemp products are sought after and appreciated by consumers. The cultivation of hemp does not place a large burden on the environment. All this makes hemp an ideal plant in terms of land use, which is closely related to the idea of sustainable development. This paper describes the legal aspects of hemp cultivation in Europe and briefly presents its breeding and cultivation. The possibilities of their versatile use are presented, with particular reference to biofuel production. Moreover, the suitability for ecological cultivation, description of the economic and social aspects of industrial hemp cultivation, as well as future outlooks, are also described.