Disc Granulation Process of Carbonation Lime Mud as a Method of Post-Production Waste Management

Upcycling of sugar refining mud solid waste as a novel adsorbent for removing methylene blue and Congo red from wastewater

The feasibility of utilizing the mud solid waste (MSW) produced during the carbonation process of sugar refining as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for the water removal of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR), being highly utilized organic dyes representing cationic and anionic species, respectively is presented. Prior to its use, the MSW was dried at 110 °C for 24 h and sieved through a 100-mesh screen. The chief constituent of the MSW utilized was CaCO3, with a point of zero charge (PZC) found at pH 8.4 and 7.96 m2 g-1 total surface area. XRD and FTIR data indicate the presence of interactions between the dyes and the MSW surface, indicating effective adsorption. Different variables, such as initial dye concentration, MSW weight, solution pH, contact time, and temperature, were all examined to determine the optimal dye removal conditions. A central composite design (CCD) approach based on response surface methodology (RSM) modeling was utilized to identify statistically significant parameters for MB and CR adsorption capacities onto the MSW adsorbent. The removal equilibrium was typically reached in 120 minutes, with the greatest removal efficiency of CR taking place at pH 2 and 328 K, while the highest MB removal efficiency was obtained at pH 12 and 296 K. Kinetic studies suggest the adsorption of both dyes on the MSW follow pseudo-second-order rates, as evident through the high correlations obtained. Linearized and non-linearized Langmuir models showed strong correlations indicating maximum adsorption capacities of 86.6 and 72.3 mg g-1 for MB and CR, respectively. High regeneration and reusability potential of the MSW was demonstrated especially for the adsorption of CR, where the removal efficiency was nearly constant throughout five adsorption cycles, ranging from 93 to 91%, while the reduction in the removal for MB was much more significantly impacted, diminishing from 95 to 79% after the five cycles.

Production of Agglomerates, Composite Materials, and Seed Coatings from Tannery Waste as New Methods for Its Management

This paper presents methods for managing waste produced by the leather industry, including tanning shavings derived from chrome tanning technologies and collagen preparations. Shavings were classified according to their shape (in accordance with Zingg's shape classification). The content of individual elements was determined, together with the content of volatile organic compounds. Two new products were developed as part of the completed works: agglomerates (methods of non-pressure granulation) and composite materials were produced on the basis of tanning shavings and mineral fillers. Young's modulus values classify these composite materials in the group of polymers and certain materials from the group of elastomers. A method for seed coating (on the example of legumes and rape) was also developed using a disc granulator, including collagen preparations in one of the layers as a solution for preventing the effects of droughts (biostimulant). The analyses of selected properties of the new products confirm the wide possible application of waste shavings and collagen preparations in a circular economy, especially in the construction, packaging, and agricultural sectors.

The Promotive Effect of Cyanobacteria and Chlorella sp. Foliar Biofertilization on Growth and Metabolic Activities of Willow (Salix viminalis L.) Plants as Feedstock Production, Solid Biofuel and Biochar as C Carrier for Fertilizers via Torrefaction Process

The effect of foliar application of Cyanobacteria and Chlorella sp. monocultures on physiological activity, element composition, development and biomass weight of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) and the possibility to prepare biofuel from it in the fortification process was studied. Triple foliar plant spraying with non-sonicated monocultures of Cyanobacteria (Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, Microcystis aeruginosa MKR 0105) and Chlorella sp. exhibited a considerably progressive impact on metabolic activity and development of plants. This biofertilization increased cytomembrane impermeability, the amount of chlorophyll in plants, photosynthesis productivity and transpiration, as well as degree of stomatal opening associated with a decreased concentration of intercellular CO2, in comparison to control (treatments with water, Bio-Algeen S90 or with environmental sample). The applied strains markedly increased the element content (N, P, K) in shoots and the productivity of crucial growth enzymes: alkaline or acid phosphorylase, total dehydrogenases, RNase and nitrate reductase. Treatments did not affect energy properties of the burnt plants. These physiological events were associated with the improved growth of willow plants, namely height, length and amount of all shoots and their freshly harvested dry mass, which were increased by over 25% compared to the controls. The effectiveness of these treatments depended on applied monoculture. The plant spraying with Microcystis aeruginosa MKR 0105 was a little more effective than treatment with Chlorella sp. and Anabaena sp. or the environmental sample. The research demonstrate that the studied Cyanobacteria and Chlorella sp. monocultures have prospective and useful potential in production of Salix viminalis L., which is the basic energy plant around the word. In this work, a special batch reactor was used to produce torrefaction material in an inert atmosphere: nitrogen, thermogravimetric analysis and DTA analysis, like Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The combustion process of Salix viminalis L. with TG-MS analysis was conducted as well as study on a willow torrefaction process, obtaining 30% mass reduction with energy loss close to 10%. Comparing our research results to other types of biomasses, the isothermal temperature of 245 °C during thermo-chemical conversion of willow for the carbonized solid biofuel production from Salix viminalis L. biomass fertilized with Cyanobacteria and Chlorella sp. is relatively low. At the end, a SEM-EDS analysis of ash from torrefied Salix viminalis L. after carbonization process was conducted.

Sustainable Drying and Torrefaction Processes of Miscanthus for Use as a Pelletized Solid Biofuel and Biocarbon-Carrier for Fertilizers

Miscanthus is resistant to dry, frosty winters in Poland and most European Union countries. Miscanthus gives higher yields compared to native species. Farmers can produce Miscanthus pellets after drying it for their own heating purposes. From the third year, the most efficient plant development begins, resulting in a yield of 25-30 tons of dry matter from an area of 1 hectare. Laboratory scale tests were carried out on the processes of drying, compacting, and torrefaction of this biomass type. The analysis of the drying process was conducted at three temperature levels of the drying agent (60, 100, and 140 °C). Compaction on a hydraulic press was carried out in the pressure range characteristic of a pressure agglomeration (130.8-457.8 MPa) at different moisture contents of the raw material (0.5% and 10%). The main interest in this part was to assess the influence of drying temperature, moisture content, and compaction pressure on the specific densities (DE) and the mechanical durability of the pellets (DU). In the next step, laboratory analyses of the torrefaction process were carried out, initially using the Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA and Differential Scaning Calorimeter DSC techniques (to assess activation energy (EA)), followed by a flow reactor operating at five temperature levels (225, 250, 275, 300, and 525 °C). A SEM analysis of Miscanthus after torrefaction processes at three different temperatures was performed. Both the parameters of biochar (proximate and ultimate analysis) and the quality of the torgas (volatile organic content (VOC)) were analyzed. The results show that both drying temperature and moisture level will affect the quality of the pellets. Analysis of the torrefaction process shows clearly that the optimum process temperature would be around 300-340 °C from a mass loss ratio and economical perspective.

Industrial Verification and Research Development of Lime–Gypsum Fertilizer Granulation Method

This work concerns non-pressure granulation of mineral materials used for the production of agricultural fertilizers for soil deacidification. In order to expand the product range of Nordkalk Poland sp. z o. o. located in Poland, the granulation conditions of the gypsum–lime mix were examined with the use of various granulation methods. The processed mixture was Jurassic lime flour mined in the Sławno mine (Poland) and waste gypsum (sulfogypsum) obtained from the largest coal-fired power plant in the EU, Bełchatów Power Plant (Poland). This paper presents the results of the optimization of the gypsum–lime fertilizer granulation process. The results of the study of granulation of gypsum–lime mixture realized in one-stage technology in a disc granulator were compared with the effects of two-stage agglomeration. During the research, a mixture (in a 1:1 ratio) of waste sulfogypsum and lime flour was used. Such a weight ratio provides maximum use of the sulfogypsum waste while maintaining good mechanical properties of the granulate. The granulated bed was moistened with a lignosulfonate solution. The process was carried out periodically. After the experiment, the grain composition of the granulate obtained was determined and tests were performed to determine the strength of the product. The test results were compared with analogous ones obtained during granulation with the use of molasses (waste from sugar production). The results obtained were verified during a trial carried out on an industrial scale.

Obtaining Granules from Waste Tannery Shavings and Mineral Additives by Wet Pulp Granulation

This paper presents the results of research on the granulation process of leather industry waste, i.e., tanning shavings. It is economically justified to granulate this waste together with mineral additives that are useful in the processes of their further processing. Unfortunately, the granulation of raw, unsorted shavings does not obtain desired results due to their unusual properties. In this study, the possibilities of agglomeration of this waste were examined by a new method consisting of the production and then the granulation of wet pulp. During granulation, no additional binding liquid is added to the granulated bed. As part of this work, the specific surface of granulated shavings, the granulometric composition of the obtained agglomerates, and their strength parameters were determined. The use of a vibrating disc granulator, the addition of a water glass solution (in the pulp), dolomite, and gypsum made it possible to obtain durable, mechanically stable granules.

Modeling of Transport of Loose Products with the Use of the Non-Grid Method of Discrete Elements (DEM)

The application of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) allows simulating the movement of a particle of any shape in a conveyor. The DEM method uses the assumptions of the Lagrange calculation model, in which each particle in the domain is tracked individually. It makes it possible to conduct a thorough examination of the behavior of the entire bulk material bed consisting of a set of elements with characteristic physicochemical properties. Therefore, the deposit is not considered according to averages and constants, e.g., strength values, but as a set of elements that can be described individually. The article presents the results of a simulation, with the use of the Discrete Elements Method (DEM), of the process of soft fruit transport in the food industry. The results of the research and exemplary simulations of blueberry fruit transport are presented. The influence of the type of a transport device on the values of normal and tangential forces occurring between the blueberry fruit and structural elements of the transport device, as well as the interaction between the fruits, were modeled. In addition, based on the amount of energy absorbed by each fruit due to collisions, the analysis of the energy spectrum of collisions of particles was carried out to determine the likelihood of damage to the fruit in transport and to identify the phenomena that favor it.

Acquisition of Torrefied Biomass from Jerusalem Artichoke Grown in a Closed Circular System Using Biogas Plant Waste

The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of biogas plant waste on the physiological activity, growth, and yield of Jerusalem artichoke and the energetic usefulness of the biomass obtained in this way after the torrefaction process. The use of waste from corn grain biodigestion to methane as a biofertilizer, used alone or supplemented with Apol-humus and Stymjod, caused increased the physiological activity, growth, and yield of Jerusalem artichoke plants and can limit the application of chemical fertilizers, whose production and use in agriculture is harmful for the environment. The experiment, using different equipment, exhibited the high potential of Jerusalem artichoke fertilized by the methods elaborated as a carbonized solid biofuel after the torrefaction process. The use of a special design of the batch reactor using nitrogen, Thermogravimetric analysis, Differential thermal analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and combustion of Jerusalem artichoke using TG-MS showed a thermo-chemical conversion mass loss on a level of 30% with energy loss (torgas) on a level of 10%. Compared to research results on other energy crops and straw biomass, the isothermal temperature of 245 °C during torrefaction for the carbonized solid biofuel of Jerusalem artichoke biomass fertilized with biogas plant waste is relativlely low. An SEM-EDS analysis of ash from carbonized Jerusalem artichoke after torrefaction was performed after its combustion.