Engineering Commons^™

Experimental Design And Testing In A Pilot-Scale Rotary Kiln For The Torrefaction Of Beech Wood Under System Restrictions, Jorge López-Ordovás, Ibai Funcia-Muguerza, Katie Chong, Javier Gil, Raúl Pérez-Vega, Tony Bridgwater

Bio-Char II: Production, Characterization and Applications

The torrefaction process increases the energy density of the torrefied feedstock through the loss of volatiles and moisture. The anhydrous weight loss (AWL) measures the loss of volatiles and it is easily correlated with the net calorific value (NCV) of the torrefied product.

This work has two different parts. The first part consists of the design of the experiments and the second includes the experiments with results. The system used in CENER, where the simulation and experiments were completed, is a rotary kiln with a maximum capacity of 500 kg/h and a range of operating temperatures between 220-310°C. The innovative …

Conference Program, Huimin Zhao, John Wong

Enzyme Engineering XXV

No abstract provided.

Conference Program, Franco Berruti, David Chiaramonti, Ondrej Masek, Manuel Garcia-Perez

Bio-Char II: Production, Characterization and Applications

No abstract provided.

Biochar Beyond Carbon Sequestration: Life-Cycle Emission Reductions, Nutrient Recycling And Food Security, Johannes Lehmann

Bio-Char II: Production, Characterization and Applications

Carbon dioxide withdrawal from the atmosphere is increasingly seen as an indispensable approach to mitigate climate change in concert with emission reductions from fossil fuel use. Conversion of biomass into biochar decreases mineralizability by one to two orders of magnitude and typically constitutes half of life-cycle emission reductions of biochar systems focusing on crop or forestry residues. In addition, emission reductions related to changes in nitrous oxide emissions or photosynthesis may contribute to climate change mitigation. While impacts of pyrolyzing carbon-rich crop or forestry residues on greenhouse gas emissions have been widely investigated, less attention has been paid to nutrient-rich …

Bioinspired Materials For Water Collection, Water Purification And Oil-Water Separation, Bharat Bhushan

Nature-Inspired Engineering

Access to a safe supply of water is a human right. However, with growing populations, global warming, and contamination due to human activity, it is one that is increasingly under threat. It is hoped that nature can inspire the creation of materials to aid in the supply and management of water, from water collection and purification to water source clean up and rehabilitation from oil contamination.

Many living species thrive in even the driest places, with some surviving on water harvested from fog^1,2,3. Due to temperatures lower than dew point in the deserts at night, water condensation also …

Structure-Property Relations Of Highly Ordered Bio-Nanocomposites, Suellen Pereira Espindola, Ben Norder, Jure Zlopasa, Stephen J. Picken

Nature-Inspired Engineering

Bio-nanocomposites with superior mechanical, transport and flame-retardant properties can be produced from the combination of biopolymers and silicate nanoclay platelets, such as montmorillonite (MMT) [1,2,4]. The highly ordered nanostructure observed in such systems is often compared to natural ones, such as in the brick-and-mortar arrangement of aragonite plates in nacreous materials [3]. Previous work on nacre-mimetic alginate/MMT nanocomposites has shown good compatibility between the biopolymer and inorganic filler and a dependence on MMT concentration to the level of alignment [4]. In this study, we investigate the effect of gelation on the orientation of nanoparticles and its impact on clay stacking …

A Nature-Inspired Passive Airflow System For Carbon Capture And Sequestration, James Niffenegger, Michael Aziz

Nature-Inspired Engineering

Increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions continue to threaten communities and biodiversity worldwide. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), where CO₂ is removed from the air and stored so it cannot return to the atmosphere, has the potential to reduce these impacts. However, CCS systems are unpopular due to their high energetic and financial costs [1]. To-date, few systems exist that can effectively remove CO₂ from ambient air and the majority are designed solely to remove CO₂ from flue gas produced by power plants. Although half of global emissions can be captured from flue gas, …

Conference Program, Marc-Olivier Coppens, Bharat Bhushan

Nature-Inspired Engineering

No abstract provided.

Trade-Offs In Computer-Aided Biomimetics, Ruben Kruiper, Julian J.F.V. Vincent, Jessica Chen-Burger, Ioannis Konstas, Rupert C. Soar, Marc P.Y. Desmulliez

Nature-Inspired Engineering

Biomimetics, the application of mechanisms observed in nature to inform technical solutions, is inherently cross-disciplinary. For the most part, however, practitioners are only expert in one domain, e.g., engineering. Being a layman in the other domain, biology, can make it hard and time-consuming to find and understand relevant information. Computer-Aided Biomimetics (CAB) involves the development of computational tools to overcome this domain-expertise mismatch.

Finding a bridge between engineering and biology has been challenging. Although a plethora of methodological approaches have been proposed to bridge the engineering and biology domains, Biomimetics remains adventitious and research intensive. We give an overview of …

The Statistics Of Directed Evolution: From Library Generation To High Throughput Screens, Keith Tyo

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXI

Directed evolution has been recognized as a powerful approach to creating enzymes and cells with desirable properties, such as growth on a new substrate, thermotolerance, or even novel reaction mechanisms. The directed evolution approach is to generate diversity through genetic mutations and screen the diversity for mutants that have improved properties compared to the parent. This diversification and screening can be repeated to generate mutants with superior properties.

While the concept is straightforward, the devil is in the details. How should I create diversity (error prone PCR, mutagenic primers, transposons…)? How much diversity do I need (10³, 10 …

K-Fit: Parameterizing Kinetic Models Of Metabolism Using Multiple Fluxomic Datasets, Costa Maranas

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXI

Kinetic models predict the metabolic flows by directly linking metabolite concentrations and enzyme levels to reaction fluxes. Robust parameterization of organism-level kinetic models that faithfully reproduce the effect of different genetic or environmental perturbations remains an open challenge due to the intractability of existing algorithms. This paper introduces K-FIT, an accelerated kinetic parameterization workflow that leverages a novel decomposition approach to identify steady-state fluxes in response to genetic perturbations followed by a gradient-based update of kinetic parameters until predictions simultaneously agree with the fluxomic data in all perturbed metabolic networks. The applicability of K-FIT to large-scale models is demonstrated by …

A Novel Technique To Characterize The Surface Hydrophobicity Of Proteins Using Inverse Liquid Chromatography, Dilip Sethi, Sarah Hedberg, Daryl Williams

Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex Fluids III: Protein Self-Assembly, Rheology and Interfacial Properties

This work presents a novel technique to characterize the surface hydrophobicity and other surface properties of proteins. The surface properties of industrial and therapeutic proteins are key to understanding their behavior in-situ, in the laboratory and in processes. Protein surface hydrophobicity is a marker for three dimensional structure, stability and function. Inverse Liquid Chromatography of Proteins (ILCP) with small molecule hydrophobic probes can be used to obtain direct measurements of the surface hydrophobicity of column resin-bound proteins using changes in probe retention behavior. The dimensionless hydrophobicity factor (H_f) for Lysozyme and BSA was obtained with changing pH …

Biophysical Characterization Approaches To Aid The Selection Of Protein Formulations By Predicting Their Physical Stability During Long-Term Storage, Hristo Svilenov, Gerhard Winter

Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex Fluids III: Protein Self-Assembly, Rheology and Interfacial Properties

The formulation of therapeutic proteins is a critical process which aims at finding the most suitable conditions that impede protein degradation during long-term storage. One degradation path of high interest is the non-native aggregation¹. The latter can be greatly suppressed by the selection of suitable solution conditions². Over the years, various biophysical techniques have been explored as tools to quickly select the most promising formulations for long-term storage.

In this talk, we share the experience in our lab how some of these techniques can be integrated into protein formulation studies. We discuss the application of differential …

Conference Program, Samiul Amin, Saad Khan, Srinivasa Raghavan

Colloidal, Macromolecular and Biological Gels II

No abstract provided.

Biologicalisation: A Nature-Based Digital Manufacturing Revolution, William Whitford

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXI

Industry 4.0 is changing our manufacturing concepts [1]. Biologicalisation is the use of 4.0 principals in concert with biological and bio-inspired materials, chemistries and functions to support an efficient and sustainable manufacturing schema. From product design, to development and manufacturing, biomimetic product designs and bio-integrated manufacturing systems describe this biological transformation of manufacturing [2].

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract.

Advanced Technologies And Computational Modeling In Continuous Bioprocessing Heather Brooke, Pall Corporation, Usa, Heather Brooke, Edita Botonjic-Sehic

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXI

Biotech companies have been emphasizing the implementation and utilization of process analytical technology (PAT) and chemometrics in biomanufacturing. Advanced technologies and computation modeling have contributed significantly in making this capability come to life. Although there are still gaps in the area of advanced analytics for the process, computation modeling has started to contribute towards process characterization, which will lead to real-time process control. PAT and modeling infrastructure can be utilized in integrated continuous bioprocessing to gain better process understating, reduce production cycle time, improve yield, advance efficiency by converting from a batch process into a continuous process, and reduce cost …

Aggregation Challenges In The Formulation Development Of Multi-Dose Peptide Products, Jingtao Zhang, Katelyn Smith, Wei Xu, Yongchao Su, Suzanne D’Addio, Yogita Krishnamachari, Jameson Bothe, Daniel Yin, Xinpei Mao

Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex Fluids III: Protein Self-Assembly, Rheology and Interfacial Properties

The formulation development of parenteral peptide therapeutics frequently encounters aggregation challenges. In-depth biophysical understanding of the molecule and formulation are required to achieve formulation robustness. Further, unique considerations need to be given for peptide products that require multi-dose as the use of preservatives can promote aggregation while preservative effectiveness can also be impacted by its interaction with the peptide. This presentation will focus on the reversible and irreversible fibril aggregates in peptide formulations. Biophysical characterization of aggregation and formulation will be discussed in detail. Formation of reversible aggregates and the impact of excipients especially preservatives will be discussed. For the …

Conference Program, Christina Chan, Mattheos Koffas, Steffen Schaffer, Rashmi Kshirsagar

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXI

No abstract provided.

Conference Program, Samiul Amin, Paolo Arosio, Miguel Rodrigues

Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex Fluids III: Protein Self-Assembly, Rheology and Interfacial Properties

No abstract provided.

En-Fuels From Solid Waste Biomass By Thermo-Catalytic Reforming, Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher, Robert Daschner, Nils Jäger, Jan Grundwald

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Intermediate pyrolysis describes a process of converting feedstock by heating it up in the absence of oxygen under moderate, “intermediate” conditions. Typical conditions are a residence time for solids between 5 to 30 minutes, low heating rates and temperatures between 350 °C - 450 °C. Due to these conditions intermediate pyrolysis has remarkable advantages regarding the feedstock, compared to other processes based on flash pyrolysis. Large particles, like pellets or chips can be used. Dry matter content can be below 50% from a technical point of view. For economic reasons the dry matter should be more than 70 % to …

Anaerobic Digestion Of The Aqueous Pyrolysis Condensate, Franco Berruti, Cesar Miguel Moreira Valenzuela, Lars Rehmann, Connie Wen

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Fractional condensation of biomass pyrolysis vapors allows the segregation of different pyrolysis fractions and a separation of an aqueous pyrolysis condensate from an organic rich dry bio-oil fraction. Aqueous pyrolysis condensate is often referred at as “wood vinegar” or “pyroligneous acid” since it contains 70-80% water together with 10-20% acetic acid, and smaller quantities of acetone and methanol mixed with hundreds of other chemicals in small concentrations. Such aqueous pyrolysis condensate cannot be easily disposed of, and it may represent a valuable resource. For example, the significant percentage of acetic acid offers the opportunity to attempt its conversion into methane …

Hydrothermal Conversion Of Micro-Algae As New Biomaterials For Pavement, Clemence Queffelec, Emmanuel Chailleux, Ilef Borghol, Bruno Bujoli, Dorothée Laurenti, Christophe Geantet, Nolven Guilhaume, Christophe Lombard

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Bitumen is a non-renewable petroleum-derived product whose market is under pressure due to the fossil fuel depletion and the environmental pollution concerns. It is therefore important to anticipate the replacement of this material, heavy fraction of petroleum distillation, used mostly in road construction as a matrix of an aggregate composite material. In that context, it is necessary to look for alternatives or substitution products and find processes that can valorize new renewable biomasses.

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract.

The Application Of Pyrolysis Biochar For Wastewater Treatment, Serge Kaliaguine, Raoof Bardestani

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Pyrolysis as a common method of biocrude oil and biochar productions, is the thermal conversion of biomass under limited concentration of oxygen. Biochar, the solid product of pyrolysis process, is largely used in the applications connected with surface density of acidic functional groups (FGs) and biochar specific surface area (SSA), such as adsorption, catalysis, and soil amendment. In this work, the application of pyrolysis biochar in the adsorption of lead cations from aqueous solutions was investigated. Biochar was provided by Pyrovac Inc. (Québec, Canada) from shredded wood comprising 20% volume of spruce/fir and 80% pine (stem of Pinus strobus without …

Slow Pyrolysis Of Lignin Rich Residue From Lignocellulosic Biorefining Operations, Paola Giudicianni, Corinna Maria Grottola, Raffaele Ragucci

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Europe is committed to have a bio-based economy in 2030. It follows that a huge contribution of biorefinery products on the European demand for chemicals, energy, materials and fibers is expected in the near future. To be environmentally and economically sustainable, biorefinery will need to be flexible, versatile, energy and cost efficient [1]. In a lignocellulose based biorefinery, the sugar platform that leads to bioethanol and added-value products through biochemical processes represents a challenging option. After ethanol distillation a lignin reach residue (LRR) is produced and used as energy source. However, it is currently underutilized with about 60% more lignin …

Evaluation Of The Antifungal Activity Of Cattle Manure Bio-Oil, Matheus Pinheiro Carvalho, Alberto Wisnievski Junior, Ingred Suellen Carvalho Carregosa, Wyllian Winckler Sartori, Maria Lucileide Nogueira Santos Ramos

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Plant diseases are a threat to the health and functionality of both natural and man-made ecosystems. Diverse methods and strategies are being employed to prevent, ameliorate or control plant diseases. Unsustainable practices such as use and misuse of synthetic fungicides have caused severe harm to human health, wildlife and the environment (1). Fungal cause the most destructive plant diseases and impose major losses to both natural and production systems, and one of it is the fungi. Botanical fungicides are particularly sought after because they are abundant, selective, readily degraded, and are not toxic to mammals (2).

Bio-oils produced by rotatory …

Characterization Of Hydroprocessed Fast Pyrolysis Oil Fractions, Mariefel V. Olarte, Asanga B. Padmaperuma

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Production of renewable fuel from biomass has both environmental and national security implications. Considering that liquid transportation fuels massively affects the way we live, technology to produce fuels need to be both technologically-appropriate and economical. Fast pyrolysis remains as one of the most promising thermochemical processing technologies for converting solid biomass into a liquid that can be further upgraded into hydrocarbon fuels. The presence of various types of oxygen-containing functional groups confer pyrolysis oils with unwanted fuel properties such as acidity and low heating value. In order to remove these oxygen functionalities, catalytic hydrodeoxygenation or hydroprocessed is needed. This process …

Ternary System Of Pyrolytic Lignin, Mixed Solvent, And Water: Phase Diagram And Implications, Mingyang Li, Mingming Zhang, Yun Yu, Mingyang Li

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Bio-oil from biomass fast pyrolysis is considered to be an important feedstock for the production of renewable fuels and green chemicals. Fast pyrolysis bio-oil generally contains a water-soluble fraction (excluding water), a water-insoluble fraction (i.e., pyrolytic lignin, PL), and water in a single phase. However, phase separation can occur during bio-oil transport, storage, and processing. In this study, a mixed solvent (MS) is developed based on the compositions of various fast pyrolysis bio-oils produced from a wide range of feedstocks and reactor systems. Experiments are then carried out to investigate the phase behavior of the PL/MS/water ternary system. Several ternary …

Depolymerization Of Fractionated Wood By Hydrothermal Liquefaction, Felipe Buendia-Kandia, Nicolas Brosse, Guillain Mauviel, Anthony Dufour

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

Direct thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass produces a mixture of compounds that have to be separated to produce purified building blocks. Moreover, lignin derived products have a detrimental effect on further biological conversion processes, such as fermentation. For all these reasons, it is important to develop an integrated approach for a better fractionation and valorisation of macromolecules (carbohydrates and lignin) in bio-refineries.

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract.

Influence Of Reactor Type On Production Cost Of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil, Nicolaus Dahmen, Axel Funke, Jörg Sauer

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

The design of a fast pyrolysis reactor to convert biomass has a decisive influence on quality and yield of fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO). Quality requirements are comparably low for the application of FPBO as gasifier fuel for subsequent conversion to synthesis gas, e.g. in the case of the bioliq® concept to convert (ash-rich) agricultural residues to drop-in, 2^nd generation biofuels. Within this concept, one optimization parameter of fast pyrolysis is to maximize carbon yield in the liquid product while keeping product requirements that allow feeding into a high-pressurized entrained flow gasifier. This optimization space allows for a more flexible …

Catalytic Pyrolysis, Sasha R.A. Kersten

Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes

No Abstracts.