Biofuel, bioenergy, biomass

Carboxydotrophic bacteria (carboxydotrophs) have the ability to uptake carbon monoxide (CO) and synthesize butanol. The aims of this study were to determine the butanol tolerance and biological production of butanol carboxydotrophic strains. In this study, 11 carboxydotrophic strains were exposed to increasing n-butanol concentrations (1–3% vol/vol) to determine their effect on growth. Butanol production by the strains was quantified and the identity of the strains was elucidated using 16S rRNA sequencing. The carboxydotrophic strains possessed inherent tolerance to butanol and tolerated up to 3% n-butanol. Among the 11 strains, T1-16, M2-32 and M3-28 were the most tolerant to butanol. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of these strains was similar (99% nucleotide similarity) to the butanol-tolerant strains Bacillus licheniformis YP1A, Pediococcus acidilacti IMUA20068 and Enterococcus faecium IMAU60169, respectively. The carboxydotrophic strains screened in this study have two distinct features: (1) high tolerance to butanol and (2) natural production of low concentration of butanol from CO, which distinguish them from other screened butanol-tolerant strains. The butanol tolerance of these carboxydotrophic strains makes them ideal for genetic studies, particularly the molecular mechanisms that enable them to survive such hostile environmental conditions and the identification of genes that confer tolerance to butanol.

The collection of residues from staple crop may contribute to meet EU regulations in renewable energy production without harming soil quality. At a global scale, chaff may have great potential to be used as a bioenergy source. However, chaff is not usually collected, and its loss can consist of up to one-fifth of the residual biomass harvestable. In the present work, a spreader able to manage the chaff (either spreading [SPR] on the soil aside to the straw swath or admixed [ADM] with the straw) at varying threshing conditions (with either 1 or 2 threshing rotors [1R and 2R, respectively] in the combine, which affects the mean length of the straw pieces). The fractions of the biomass available in field (grain, chaff, straw, and stubble) were measured, along with the performances of both grain harvesting and baling operations. Admixing chaff allowed for a slightly higher amount of straw fresh weight baled compared to SPR (+336 kg straw ha −1), but such result was not evident on a dry weight basis. At the one time, admixing chaff reduced the material capacity of the combine by 12.9%. Using 2R compared to 1R strongly reduced the length of the straw pieces, and increased the bale unit weight; however, it reduced the field efficiency of the grain harvesting operations by 11.9%. On average, the straw loss did not vary by the treatments applied and was 44% of the total residues available (computed excluding the stubble). In conclusion, admixing of chaff with straw is an option to increase the residues collected without compromising grain harvesting and straw baling efficiencies; in addition, it can reduce the energy needs for the bale logistics. According to the present data, improving the chaff collection can allow halving the loss of residues. However, further studies are needed to optimise both the chaff and the straw recoveries.

Increasing energy demand and environment concerns have prompted an evolution of alternative fuel sources. As an alternative fuel source, biodiesel is attractive because it reduces engine emissions. However, biodiesel produces higher NOx emissions compared to ordinary diesel fuel. Previous researches have established many factors that cause biodiesel to produce elevated NOx emissions. This study reviews the impacts of biodiesel combustion on NOx emissions and their reduction approaches in diesel engines. The first part of this study recaps the NOx formation mechanisms for understanding the kinetics behind the NOxforming reactions. The second part describes the factors affecting on NOx emissions. This paper established that higher NOx emissions are produced for biodiesel combustion which influenced by several factors such as physicochemical properties and molecular structure of biodiesel, adiabatic flame temperature, ignition delay time, injection timing and engine load conditions etc. The final section discusses on the reduction of NOx emissions from biodiesel fuelled engines for both pre and post combustion techniques. The results of reduction approaches of the NOx emissions implies, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and retarded injection timing are effective as well as low cost techniques than others. Between these two techniques, EGR reduces the NOx emissions at 5–25% EGR rate adequately in biofuelled engine by controlling oxygen content and combustion peak temperature with slightly decreasing HC and CO emissions. However this technique shows few penalties on smoke and PM emissions as well as brake specific fuel consumption if not perfectly optimized.

Biomass pretreatment for depolymerizing lignocellulosics to fermentable sugars has been studied for nearly 200 years. Researches have aimed at high sugar production with minimal degradation to inhibitory compounds. Chemical, physico-chemical and biochemical conversions are the most promising technologies. This article reviews the advances and current trends in the pretreatment of lignocellulosics for a prosperous biorefinery.

Yard waste is either dumped or is being openly burned to get rid of it, instead of using it as a valuable renewable energy source. In this study, hydrothermal carbonization of yard waste was conducted to val-orize it as a solid bio fuel, using a batch reactor. The effect of process parameter on yield, energy and physicochemical properties of the valorized solid bio fuel (hydrochar) was examined in this study by varying reaction temperature (160-200 °C for 2 h) and reaction time (2-24 h at 200 °C). The calorific value of hydrochar was within a range of 17.72-24.59 MJ/kg as compared to 15.37 MJ/kg for untreated yard waste. Hydrochar mass yield decreased from 78.6% at operating temperature-time of 160 °C-2 h to 45.6% at 200 °C-24 h. The plot of atomic ratios (H/C and O/C) demonstrates improvement in the coalification process which was mainly governed by decarboxylation and dehydration reactions. The grindability of the prepared hydrochar was comparable to that of coal. Hydrochar produced at lower reaction condition (160-200 °C at 2 h) have better flowability as compared to that produced at higher reaction condition (4-24 h at 200 °C). The reaction time longer than 12 h has a minimal effect on the yield, energy and physicochemical properties of hydrochar. Increasing reaction time and temperature improved the ignition and burnt temperature of hydrochar. All reaction condition has an energy ratio (energy output to energy input) of more than one making HTC process a net energy producer.

Trata-se de apresentação de seminário, exigido pela disciplina de Biorrefinaria da Lignina ministrada pelo professor Dr. Reinaldo Ruggiero, que compõe o programa de pós-graduação em Biocombustíveis das Universidade Federais do Vale do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri e de Uberlândia.
Foi utilizado o capítulo 19 da obra Bioenergia & Biorrefinaria: cana-de-açúcar & espécies florestais.

A B S T R A C T Nowadays, the lack of a proper waste management in the livestock sector has contributed, not only to climate change with greenhouse gas emissions, but also to soil degradation and water quality deterioration. A case study was carried out in the state of Tabasco, in southeast Mexico, because it holds a significant livestock production that can be compared to some European countries. About 80% of the livestock waste in the region is not properly managed. In this respect, a biomass resource assessment was performed through an adapted methodology to quantify the livestock biomass potential according to livestock production systems, zootechnical functions and technical factors. Additionally, a weighted decision matrix (WDM) was designed to determine the most feasible technologies employing sustainability criteria. Theoretical and technical biomass potentials were obtained corresponding to 7,864,796 tonnes/year and 765,947 tonnes/year, respectively. As a result, the technical bio-mass potential is affected by the livestock production system in the region. A technical energy potential of 396,727 GJ/year was calculated from livestock biomass, which could be used to energise around 7,688,510 refrigerators and replace the use of 64,030 tonnes of wood. Finally, silvopastoral systems, composting and anaerobic digestion were the most feasible technologies and practices according to the WDM.

District heating networks are commonly addressed in the literature as one of the most effective solutions for decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. These systems require high investments which are returned through the heat sales. Due to the changed climate conditions and building renovation policies, heat demand in the future could decrease, prolonging the investment return period. The main scope of this paper is to assess the feasibility of using the heat demand – outdoor temperature function for heat demand forecast. The district of Alvalade, located in Lisbon (Portugal), was used as a case study. The district is consisted of 665 buildings that vary in both construction period and typology. Three weather scenarios (low, medium, high) and three district renovation scenarios were developed (shallow, intermediate, deep). To estimate the error, obtained heat demand values were compared with results from a dynamic heat demand model, previously developed and validated by the authors. The results showed that when only weather change is considered, the margin of error could be acceptable for some applications (the error in annual demand was lower than 20% for all weather scenarios considered). However, after introducing renovation scenarios, the error value increased up to 59.5% (depending on the weather and renovation scenarios combination considered). The value of slope coefficient increased on average within the range of 3.8% up to 8% per decade, that corresponds to the decrease in the number of heating hours of 22-139h during the heating season (depending on the combination of weather and renovation scenarios considered). On the other hand, function intercept increased for 7.8-12.7% per decade (depending on the coupled scenarios). The values suggested could be used to modify the function parameters for the scenarios considered, and improve the accuracy of heat demand estimations. Abstract The concept of energy from waste is getting popular nowadays across the globe, as being capable of producing multi fuels and value-added products from different fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW). The energy recovery technologies under this concept are anaerobic digestion (AD), pyrolysis, transesterification, refuse derived fuel (RDF) and incineration. This concept is very relevant to implementation in countries like Saudi Arabia, who wants to cut their dependence on oil. Moreover, the waste to energy becomes the imperative need of the time because of new governmental policy 'Vision 2030' that firmly said to produce renewable energy from indigenous sources of waste, wind and solar and due to given situations of Hajj and Umrah with massive amounts of waste generation in a short period. This study focused on two waste to energy technologies, AD and pyrolysis for food (40% of MSW) and plastic (20% of MSW) waste streams respectively. The energy potential of 1409.63 and 5619.80 TJ can be produced if all of the food and plastic waste of the Madinah city are processed through AD and pyrolysis respectively. This is equivalent to 15.64 and 58.81 MW from biogas and pyrolytic oil respectively or total 74.45 MW of continuous electricity supply in Madinah city throughout the whole year. It has been estimated that the development of AD and pyrolysis technologies will also benefit the economy with net savings of around US $63.51 and US $53.45 million respectively, totaling to an annual benefit of US $116.96 million. Therefore, in Saudi Arabia and particularly in Holiest cities of Makkah and Madinah the benefits of waste to energy are several, including the development of renewable-energy, solving MSW problems, new businesses, and job creation and improving environmental and public health. Abstract The concept of energy from waste is getting popular nowadays across the globe, as being capable of producing multi fuels and value-added products from different fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW). The energy recovery technologies under this concept are anaerobic digestion (AD), pyrolysis, transesterification, refuse derived fuel (RDF) and incineration. This concept is very relevant to implementation in countries like Saudi Arabia, who wants to cut their dependence on oil. Moreover, the waste to energy becomes the imperative need of the time because of new governmental policy 'Vision 2030' that firmly said to produce renewable energy from indigenous sources of waste, wind and solar and due to given situations of Hajj and Umrah with massive amounts of waste generation in a short period. This study focused on two waste to energy technologies, AD and pyrolysis for food (40% of MSW) and plastic (20% of MSW) waste streams respectively. The energy potential of 1409.63 and 5619.80 TJ can be produced if all of the food and plastic waste of the Madinah city are processed through AD and pyrolysis respectively. This is equivalent to 15.64 and 58.81 MW from biogas and pyrolytic oil respectively or total 74.45 MW of continuous electricity supply in Madinah city throughout the whole year. It has been estimated that the development of AD and pyrolysis technologies will also benefit the economy with net savings of around US $63.51 and US $53.45 million respectively, totaling to an annual benefit of US $116.96 million. Therefore, in Saudi Arabia and particularly in Holiest cities of Makkah and Madinah the benefits of waste to energy are several, including the development of renewable-energy, solving MSW problems, new businesses, and job creation and improving environmental and public health.

Among the most pressing energy and environmental strategic challenges today is to identify and deploy viable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based energy systems  The barriers to deployment are systematic, leading to a state of affairs described as ‘carbon lock-in’ (Unruh
2000; Neuhoff 2007). Simply stated, even if alternative energy systems are cost-competitive in theory, the prime movers that control their diffusion throughout society –
for example, conversion and distribution infrastructure; financing mechanisms; skilled labour force; attitudes toward particular kinds of energy production activities and energy services – exhibit a preference for incumbent carbon-intensive fossil energy resources. Carbon lock-in represents path dependencies within energy systems including sunk-cost in prevailing infrastructure and entrenched political interests along with positively reinforcing relationships with broader system dynamics, from global financial logics that continue to monetise unburned carbon through energy
futures contracts to our everyday practices and expectations about mobility, comfort, and overall
well-being that underpin regular visits to the gasoline station. All of this is to say that energy systems are sociotechnical in nature, characterised by deep and often subtle interdependencies between technological, social, political-economic, and cultural processes which operate across the energy supply chain and at all scales of energy system operation (Miller, Richter, and O’Leary 2015).

Biogas and biofertilizer production from anaerobic digestion of local organic solid waste in Algeria is an attractive choice for greener and cleaner environment. In this paper, the study focused on the effect of co-digestion of municipal solid organic wastes (MSW) and camel dung (CD) for the quality production of biogas (methane) and bio fertilizer products. The concentration of methane production is the preeminent aim of this work. The experiment was set by feedstocks preparation where organic waste was mixed with tap water at 1:1 ratio and it allowed to digest at temperature of 40 °C. The operating hydraulic retention time (HRT) was set at 35 days. Physicochemical properties of feedstocks and constituent elements of the digestate were determined by American Public Health Association methods. The experimental study indicated that underdefined operational conditions such as constant organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.6 kg per day, hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 35 days and temperature of 40C from MSW and MSW and CD mixtures of ratio at one to one resulted in a higher methane production (57.3%) compared to mono-digestion of camel dung that produced 45.6% of CH4) in a pH range between 7.0 to 8.1. The improvement has also found related to high biodegradability of the MSW, the slight ammonium concentration, the optimization of the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N 25.8:1) and to the well-balanced nutrients content of the feedstock. The digestate coming from anaerobic co-digestion has also used as bio-fertilizer and this by-product has a benefit to avoid the harmful effect in the digester system and in the surrounding environment. It is shown clearly that the MSW and CD are highly desirable substrates for anaerobic co-digestion with regards to their good biodegradability, high methane yield and good bio-fertilizer quality

Cellulosic bioenergy feedstock such as perennial grasses and crop residues are expected to play a significant role in meeting US biofuel production targets. We used an improved version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to forecast impacts on watershed hydrology and water quality by implementing an array of plausible land-use changes associated with commercial bioenergy crop production for two watersheds in the Midwest USA. Watershed-scale impacts were estimated for 13 bioenergy crop production scenarios, including: production of Miscanthus 9 giganteus and upland Shawnee switchgrass on highly erodible landscape positions, agricultural marginal land areas and pastures, removal of corn stover and combinations of these options. Water quality, measured as erosion and sediment loading, was forecasted to improve compared to baseline when perennial grasses were used for bioenergy production, but not with stover removal scenarios. Erosion reduction with perennial energy crop production scenarios ranged between 0.2% and 59%. Stream flow at the watershed outlet was reduced between 0 and 8% across these bioenergy crop production scenarios compared to baseline across the study watersheds. Results indicate that bioenergy production scenarios that incorporate perennial grasses reduced the nonpoint source pollutant load at the watershed outlet compared to the baseline conditions (0–20% for nitrate-nitrogen and 3–56% for mineral phosphorus); however, the reduction rates were specific to site characteristics and management practices.

Globally, the environmental awareness is driving the research towards energy resources that are more beneficial to milieu. Biofuel is considered to be a remarkable option for that. Among the sources of biofuels, vegetable oils are the cheapest, easily available and in abundant quantity. However, some processes are needed to make vegetable oils suitable for engines because vegetable oils have certain detrimental properties. In this study, three potential feedstocks, namely, moringa, sesame and rice bran oils are critically investigated as potential sources for biodiesel production. The work was divided into several steps: firstly, the production of biodiesel from the three feedstocks; secondly, the measurement of the important physical and chemical properties of biodiesels; and finally, the development of mathematical equations with the help of polynomial curve fitting method for biodiesel–diesel and biodiesel–biodiesel blends to predict the most important properties, such as kinematic viscosity, flash point, calorific value, CFPP of the blended biodiesel. The experiment has shown that the three feedstocks can be considered to be feasible sources for biodiesel. It is seen from the experiment that biodiesel blends have notable effect on properties; for instance, the viscosity of the rice bran oil is improved to 5.1631 mm2 s
1 from 5.3657 mm2 s
1, when mixed with sesame biodiesel at a volume ratio of 3 : 1. Moreover, it is improved to 5.0921 mm2 s
1, when mixed with moringa biodiesel at a volume ratio of 3 : 1. Moreover, flash point and CFPP of rice bran biodiesel are also improved, when mixed with sesame or moringa biodiesel in any percentage.

O acúmulo de dejetos animais de atividades agropecuárias acaba resultando em grandes impactos negativos no meio ambiente, visando propor uma destinação sustentável para tais, foi montado um biodigestor contínuo para a produção de biofertilizante por meio da decomposição de esterco e restos de alimentos.  A biomassa inserida no instrumento apresentou proporção 1:1 (2,5kg de resíduo + 2,5L de H2O) sendo colocada semanalmente alternando o tipo de material orgânico.  O biofertilizante obtido foi aplicado em uma amostra de areia lavada e contou com outra amostra testemunha (sem aplicação). Ambas foram analisadas no ITPS-SE pelo método de Mehlich-1. O resultado das análises das duas amostras evidenciou um aumento nos teores de K e P, 322 mg.dm³ e 19,9 mg.dm³ respectivamente, tornando assim os resultados satisfatórios e comprovando a viabilidade do instrumento para finalidades de adubação seja foliar ou aplicação direta ao solo.

O Theobroma cacao L. denominado de cacaueiro é
uma planta de importância econômica e principalmente
cultural para a região sul da Bahia, conhecida
como “Região Cacaueira”, que produz o cacau,
matéria-prima para a fabricação do chocolate. O declínio
na produção de cacau, principalmente em função
da “vassoura-de-bruxa”, ocasionou mudanças
regionais, nos aspectos sociais e econômicos. Com
o surgimento de novas tecnologias, alterações na
produção e no mercado do cacau, este trabalho tem
como objetivo avaliar possíveis novas perspectivas
para o aproveitamento integral do cacau de forma
sustentável, incluindo a utilização dos resíduos de
sua cadeia produtiva no campo da bioenergia, visto
que a história da região sul da Bahia permanece vinculada
à cultura do cacau. A casca do cacau pode
ser aplicada na produção de biofertilizante, biogás,
enzimas microbianas com segmentos biotecnológicos,
briquetes, entre outros. A pesquisa foi realizada
fundamentalmente por meio de revisão bibliográfica
e dados secundários de órgãos de pesquisa vinculados
ao cacau.

A quantitative method applicable for various biomass species to determine their chemical constituents was explored. The widely used wood analytical method was found to be not entirely applicable to different biomass species. It was then demonstrated that by incorporating protein and starch determinations, by ash-correcting the Klason lignin and holocellulose and also by protein-correcting Klason lignin and holocellulose of high protein content species, reliable summative results that enable comparison between different types of biomass materials were achieved. Thus, an analytical method with starch and protein determinations as well as ash and protein corrections was proposed for quantitative assay of chemical composition of various biomass species.

Piper crocatum is one of medicinal herbal plants with a large number of benefits. Usually herbal plants have activity as antibacterial agent. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to obtain information on antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts of Piper crocatum againts four types of bacteria, in that Staphylococcus, Bacillus substilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aerugino-sa and then to analyze the phytochemistry of the leaf extracts of Piper crocatum. The leaves of Piper crocatum were extracted by maceration and reflux using ethanol 30%. The assays of the antibacterial activities and phytochemistry on the extracts were carried out using the method of Maria Bintang. Results showed that the yield of the extraction using ethanol by maceration method was 20.8%. Meanwhile, using the reflux method, the yield was obtained about 26.25%. The phytochemistry analysis showed that the leaf extracts of Piper crocatum contained alkaloid, steroid and tanin. According to this study, it was found that the leaf extract of Piper crocatum can be used to inhibit the growth of B. subtilis and P. aeuruginosa, but can not inhibit the growth of E.coli and S. aureus. ABSTRAK Piper crocatum adalah tanaman obat herbal dengan sejumlah besar manfaat. Biasanya ta-naman herbal memiliki fungsi sebagai antibakteri. Oleh karena itu tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mendapatkan informasi mengenai aktivitas antibakteri dari ekstrak daun sirih merah (Piper croca-tum) terhadap empat jenis bakteri, yaitu Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus substilis, Escherichia coli, dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa, serta untuk menemukan senyawa fitokimia pada ekstrak daun sirih merah tersebut. Daun sirih merah diekstraksi dengan metode maserasi dan reflux menggunakan etanol 30%. Pengukuran aktivitas antibakteri dan fitokimia dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Maria Bintang. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, diperoleh rendeman dari ekstrak etanol dengan metode maserasi sebesar 20.8, sedangkan dengan metode reflux rendeman yang dihasilkan sebesar 26.25%.

The mining industry in the Zambian Copperbelt has polluted the environment with heavy metals, the effects of which are a source of concern to host communities. It is globally known that remediation of polluted mine environments is expensive, and can be as high as US$48 000 or more per hectare, depending on the severity of contamination, using traditional physical and chemical approaches. These methods also often leave significant liabilities for host communities. This paper reviews available opportunities for mining companies in the Zambian Copperbelt to use integrated phytomining and production of ethanol, and its coproducts, to minimize the costs for remediating polluted mine environments. The benefits of using this approach are manifold and include additional income streams from extracted metals and ethanol, creation of additional jobs for mine host communities, assured livelihoods for mine host communities even beyond mine closure, reclaimed land for food production and other activities, and improved corporate image for mining companies.

Integrated pelletization of torrefied biomass is used to improve the energy density, handling, and combustion properties of produced solid biofuels. The goal of this study was to use a mixture of corn cob and khat stem through a combination of torrefaction and co-pelletization processes. The response surface methodology was used to investigate the optimization of copelletization parameters. Torrefied biomass blending ratio and particle size were chosen as independent factors. The dependent variables were heating value, bulk density, and durability of torrefied mixed pellets. According to the analysis of variance, the biomass blending ratio and particle size were discovered to be significant study parameters that influenced the heating value, bulk density, and durability. The interaction effects of the parameters chosen are well fit by the second-order quadratic model equation. For a maximum heating value of 26.4 MJ/kg, a bulk density of 808 kg/m 3 , and durability of 94.48%, the optimum values of the influencing parameters were 0.33 g/g % mixing ratio and 0.5-mm particle size. The physicochemical properties of the mixed torrefied pellet obtained under optimal conditions were compared to those of torrefied corn cob and khat stem. Pelletization of torrefied bio-residues had a significant effect on all of the properties studied, according to the findings. The torrefied pellet produced had good properties in terms of heating value, bulk density, and durability.

Oil was extracted from Balanite aegyptiaca (Desert Dates) using Soxhlet extraction method. The physicochemical properties of oil such as specific gravity, saponification value, acid value , free fatty acid, viscosity were determine and found to be closer to standard value. Biodiesel was produced from desert dates oil (DDO) using trans-esterification method with methanol and sodium hydroxide as catalyst. Three variable were considered at two levels 2 4 experimental design. The operated condition are methanol oil ratio (3:1-9:1) catalyst concentration (0.5%-0.9%) and Temperature (50 o C-75 o C). From the RSM quadratic polynomial equation was obtained through multiple regression analysis for the production of optimum response for the yield of Biodiesel. The results obtained shows the average optimum yield of 94.5% in the methanol oil ration 7:1, catalyst concentration 0.9% and a temperature of 60 o C respectively. Also the Blend biodiesel (B20) was produce at optimum condition and the cetane number was determine in higher temperature as 77.7 at 70 o C with catalyst concentration of 0.9% and oil ratio 7:1

Physicochemical characteristics of corn stover pretreated by soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) and low- moisture anhydrous ammonia (LMAA) were compared and investigated. The glucan digestibility of the treated biomass reached 90 % (SAA) and 84 % (LMAA). The LMAA pre- treatment enhanced the digestibility by cleaving cross- linkages between cell wall components, whereas the SAA pretreatment additionally improved the digestibility by effi- ciently removing a major portion of the lignin under mild reaction conditions without significant loss of carbohydrates. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear mag- netic resonance (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) revealed the structural and chemical transformations of lignin during the pretreatments. Both pretreatments effectively cleaved ferulate cell wall cross-linking that is associated with the recalcitrance of grass lignocellulosics toward enzymatic saccharification. Extracted lignin from SAA pretreatment was extensively depolymerized but retained "native" character, as evidenced by the retention of β-ether linkages.

India is developing at a faster rate in the current era. It needs usage of large amount fuel and electricity, which leads to increase the import of crude oil and huge greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Hence, air pollution in the metro cities is increased. To reduce these emissions, alternative fuel is to be used which emits less GHG emissions in the atmosphere. This review highlights the potential materials such as sweet Sorghum, Neem seed, Mahua seed, Sugarcane molasses, Jatropha etc. for producing biofuels. This article also discusses the promising blends and their effects on GHG emissions. This will helps India to sustainably develop its economy.

O Brasil consolidou sua experiência de trinta anos de produção de álcool de Cana-de- açúcar utilizando em larga escala o etanol de origem primária em sua matriz energética. Os números da produção anual traduzem um mercado promissor com índices favoráveis para sua exportação. Com o aumento da demanda, a força de trabalho envolvida no setor sucroalcoleiro representa uma parcela significativa de empregos formais. A região Nordeste passou por um período de reestruturação produtiva com o aproveitamento do Bioetanol e a cogeração de energia renovando o apoio estatal. Apesar dos grandes investimentos, principalmente tecnológicos, é no estado da Bahia onde se concentra a maioria dos trabalhadores analfabetos envolvidos no corte manual da cana. O trabalho de cortar a cana manualmente é árduo, repetitivo e altamente degradante. O Trabalhador adoece e se afasta quebrando a cadeia produtiva do Bioetanol imprimindo baixos índices na sua produção, comprometendo a receita econômica e o desenvolvimento do estado da Bahia no setor sucroenergético. O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar a incidência de doenças osteomusculares relacionadas ao corte manual da cana-de-açúcar para a produção de Bioetanol no estado da Bahia no período de 1999 – 2012. Como objetivos específicos, quantificar o número de acidentes de trabalho ocorridos no período de 1999 a 2012, verificar o percentual de doenças osteomusculares no período analisado, identificar qual a doença de maior prevalência segundo a classificação internacional de doenças (CID). Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de caráter quantitativo descritivo. Serão analisados dados da Base de dados históricos de acidentes de trabalho publicados pelo DATAPREV para o ministério da previdência social no período de 1999 a 2013. O grupo alvo é composto por trabalhadores envolvidos no corte manual da cana-de-açúcar para a produção de Bioetanol no estado da Bahia contratados em regime seletivo e segurados pelo INSS.

Many technical studies related to the development of biomass energy have been conducted. However, for technical solutions to contribute to economic development, they must be accepted in the market. Furthermore, improved knowledge on biomass supply and policy effects is critical in facilitating an increased flow from source to end user. The special issue “Bioenergy markets” contains ten articles which give new insight into the importance of the behaviour of market agents, the function of markets, and biomass supply. It also sheds light on the challenges of both competition between fuel-related and other uses of biomass and competition between biomass and other energy solutions. Moreover, it illustrates the importance of environmental factors and the role of policy in this area.

Aula sobre a produção de biodiesel a partir da mamona e do sebo animal como critério de obtenção de créditos na disciplina de Óleos Vegetais e suas vertentes, integrante do doutorado em biocombustíveis da Universidade de Uberlândia - UFU, ministrada pelo professor Dr. Ricardo Reis Soares.