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Thermokinetics of Biochar production.

Thermokinetics of Biochar production.

Due to the need to diversify energy sources and transform the energy system and its decarbonization, new paths for obtaining raw materials are being sought. One of the potential options is to increase the use of grasses’ share in bioenergy production, which has a significant area potential. However, the diversified chemical composition of grasses and their anatomical heterogeneity mean that, between the various cultivars and species, the parameters determining their energetic usefulness may differ significantly, hence the key is to know the appropriate parameters at the variety level of a given species in order to effectively carry out the combustion process. In this experiment, a total of 23 varieties of seven grass species (Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris L.), Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina L.), which had not yet been evaluated in terms of energy utilization, were tested. Proximate analysis showed the average ash content was in the range of 5.73–8.31%, the content of volatile matter in the range of 70.99–82.29% and the content of fixed carbon in the range of 5.96–17.19%. Higher heating value and lower heating value of grasses ranged from 16,548–18,616 kJ∙kg−1, 15,428–17,453 kJ∙kg−1, respectively. The Sheep Fescue turned out to be the most useful species for combustion. It has been shown that there may be statistically significant differences in the parameters determining their combustion suitability between the various varieties of a given species of grass. Therefore the major finding of this work shows that it is necessary to need to know theparameters of a given variety is necessary to optimize the combustion process and maintain the full energy efficiency of the system (especially lower heating value).

Due to the need to diversify energy sources and transform the energy system and its decarbonization, new paths for obtaining raw materials are being sought. One of the potential options is to increase the use of grasses’ share in bioenergy production, which has a significant area potential. However, the diversified chemical composition of grasses and their anatomical heterogeneity mean that, between the various cultivars and species, the parameters determining their energetic usefulness may differ significantly, hence the key is to know the appropriate parameters at the variety level of a given species in order to effectively carry out the combustion process. In this experiment, a total of 23 varieties of seven grass species (Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris L.), Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina L.), which had not yet been evaluated in terms of energy utilization, were tested. Proximate analysis showed the average ash content was in the range of 5.73–8.31%, the content of volatile matter in the range of 70.99–82.29% and the content of fixed carbon in the range of 5.96–17.19%. Higher heating value and lower heating value of grasses ranged from 16,548–18,616 kJ∙kg−1, 15,428–17,453 kJ∙kg−1, respectively. The Sheep Fescue turned out to be the most useful species for combustion. It has been shown that there may be statistically significant differences in the parameters determining their combustion suitability between the various varieties of a given species of grass. Therefore the major finding of this work shows that it is necessary to need to know theparameters of a given variety is necessary to optimize the combustion process and maintain the full energy efficiency of the system (especially lower heating value).

In this study, the agricultural inputs, energy requirements and costs associated with the production of semi-dwarf (PR45 D03 and Avenir) and long-stem (Visby) cultivars of winter oilseed rape were optimized in an experiment with 35-1 fractional factorial design. A field experiment was carried out in the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (north-eastern Poland) in 2008–2011. The study investigated the responses of two morphotypes of hybrid cultivars of winter oilseed rape to key yield-forming factors (seeding date, seeding rate, nitrogen fertilization) and yield protection factors (fungal disease control). Agronomic inputs were tested at three levels. Our findings indicate that production technologies (characterized by a different intensity of agricultural inputs) should target the specific requirements of winter oilseed rape cultivars. Semi-dwarf cultivars of winter oilseed rape (PR45 D03 and Avenir) were characterized by higher yield potential at different input levels than the long-stem cultivar (Visby). Semi-dwarf cultivars required higher levels of agricultural inputs than the long-stem cultivar. Semi-dwarf cultivars grown in high-input technologies were characterized by the highest energy efficiency ratio. In contrast, the long-stem cultivar was characterized by the optimal energy input-energy output ratio in the low-input technology. Regardless of cultivar, high-input production technologies were more profitable because the resulting increase in seed yield significantly outweighed the rise in production costs.

In this study, the agricultural inputs, energy requirements and costs associated with the production of semi-dwarf (PR45 D03 and Avenir) and long-stem (Visby) cultivars of winter oilseed rape were optimized in an experiment with 35-1 fractional factorial design. A field experiment was carried out in the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (north-eastern Poland) in 2008–2011. The study investigated the responses of two morphotypes of hybrid cultivars of winter oilseed rape to key yield-forming factors (seeding date, seeding rate, nitrogen fertilization) and yield protection factors (fungal disease control). Agronomic inputs were tested at three levels. Our findings indicate that production technologies (characterized by a different intensity of agricultural inputs) should target the specific requirements of winter oilseed rape cultivars. Semi-dwarf cultivars of winter oilseed rape (PR45 D03 and Avenir) were characterized by higher yield potential at different input levels than the long-stem cultivar (Visby). Semi-dwarf cultivars required higher levels of agricultural inputs than the long-stem cultivar. Semi-dwarf cultivars grown in high-input technologies were characterized by the highest energy efficiency ratio. In contrast, the long-stem cultivar was characterized by the optimal energy input-energy output ratio in the low-input technology. Regardless of cultivar, high-input production technologies were more profitable because the resulting increase in seed yield significantly outweighed the rise in production costs.

Oil palm becomes an increasingly important source of vegetable oil for its production exceeds soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed. The growth of the oil palm industry causes degradation to the environment, especially when the expansion of plantations goes uncontrolled. Remote sensing is a useful tool to monitor the development of oil palm plantations. In order to promote the use of remote sensing in the oil palm industry to support their drive for sustainability, this paper provides an understanding toward the use of remote sensing and its applications to oil palm plantation monitoring. In addition, the existing knowledge gaps are identified and recommendations for further research are given.

Oil palm becomes an increasingly important source of vegetable oil for its production exceeds soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed. The growth of the oil palm industry causes degradation to the environment, especially when the expansion of plantations goes uncontrolled. Remote sensing is a useful tool to monitor the development of oil palm plantations. In order to promote the use of remote sensing in the oil palm industry to support their drive for sustainability, this paper provides an understanding toward the use of remote sensing and its applications to oil palm plantation monitoring. In addition, the existing knowledge gaps are identified and recommendations for further research are given.