• Energy Research

Diversification of fuel sources is imperative to address the energy security, climate change, and sustainable development issues; therefore, it is essential to address the energy crisis through the extensive utilization of abundant renewable energy resources, such as biomass energy, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. Improving energy services for poor households in developing countries remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the development community. Earlier studies suggest in South Asia the households are likely to follow the energy ladder comprising fuels like dung, crop residue, firewood, kerosene, gobar gas, LPG, and electricity for cooking purposes. Evidence suggests that while it is possible to observe such transition in urban and semi-urban areas, the change is very slow in rural areas. In rural Pakistan, the access to commercial energy resources is limited, the majority of the households still heavily rely on traditional methods of using wood, animal waste and crop waste for domestic fuel needs. Efficiencies of use are very low and most of the potential is wasted because of non-scientific conventional technologies. Consequently there is an obligatory need to develop modern bio-energy technologies since renewable resources may serve to supplement the long-term energy needs of Pakistan to a significant level. Though the bio-resource base of Pakistan is substantial, its contribution to useful energy is low. In this paper we called attention to issues and challenges in biomass utilization for energy in Pakistan in context of sustainable development. This paper has identified areas in Pakistan where there is considerable scope to modernize biomass energy production delivery systems to provide varied energy carriers such as electricity, industrial and domestic fuel and gases. Barriers are examined over the whole biomass energy spectrum and policy issue and institutional roles and responsibilities are discussed.

Diversification of fuel sources is imperative to address the energy security, climate change, and sustainable development issues; therefore, it is essential to address the energy crisis through the extensive utilization of abundant renewable energy resources, such as biomass energy, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. Improving energy services for poor households in developing countries remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the development community. Earlier studies suggest in South Asia the households are likely to follow the energy ladder comprising fuels like dung, crop residue, firewood, kerosene, gobar gas, LPG, and electricity for cooking purposes. Evidence suggests that while it is possible to observe such transition in urban and semi-urban areas, the change is very slow in rural areas. In rural Pakistan, the access to commercial energy resources is limited, the majority of the households still heavily rely on traditional methods of using wood, animal waste and crop waste for domestic fuel needs. Efficiencies of use are very low and most of the potential is wasted because of non-scientific conventional technologies. Consequently there is an obligatory need to develop modern bio-energy technologies since renewable resources may serve to supplement the long-term energy needs of Pakistan to a significant level. Though the bio-resource base of Pakistan is substantial, its contribution to useful energy is low. In this paper we called attention to issues and challenges in biomass utilization for energy in Pakistan in context of sustainable development. This paper has identified areas in Pakistan where there is considerable scope to modernize biomass energy production delivery systems to provide varied energy carriers such as electricity, industrial and domestic fuel and gases. Barriers are examined over the whole biomass energy spectrum and policy issue and institutional roles and responsibilities are discussed.

Biomass utilization has received much attention for production of high density solid fuels. Utilization of cheap and naturally available precursors through environmentally friendly and effective processes is an attractive and emerging research area. Pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) are well-known technologies available for production of solid biofuel using conventional or microwave heating. Microwave heating is a simpler and more efficient heating method than conventional heating. This study presents a critical review on microwave pyrolysis and microwave HTC for solid fuel production in terms of yield and quality of products. Moreover, a brief summary of parameters of microwave pyrolysis and microwave HTC are discussed. The fuel, chemical, structural and thermal weight loss characteristics of solid fuels produced from different biomass are discussed and compared.

Biomass utilization has received much attention for production of high density solid fuels. Utilization of cheap and naturally available precursors through environmentally friendly and effective processes is an attractive and emerging research area. Pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) are well-known technologies available for production of solid biofuel using conventional or microwave heating. Microwave heating is a simpler and more efficient heating method than conventional heating. This study presents a critical review on microwave pyrolysis and microwave HTC for solid fuel production in terms of yield and quality of products. Moreover, a brief summary of parameters of microwave pyrolysis and microwave HTC are discussed. The fuel, chemical, structural and thermal weight loss characteristics of solid fuels produced from different biomass are discussed and compared.

This study investigated the conversion of corn stalk to bio-oil by solvothermal liquefaction using ethanol as a solvent. Effect of reaction temperature, time and solvent to biomass ratio on the yield and the properties of bio-oil and biochar was studied. Analysis of corn stalk and bio-oil were done to determine the surface functional groups, existing bonds and molecular structure of specified compounds. Investigations were done to identify different compounds in bio-oil, the thermal stability, and weight loss kinetics of biochar. Study shows that percentage yield of bio-oil increases with increase in temperature and time, up to a specific level, and then starts declining. Further, the heating value, carbon content, and fixed carbon content of both bio-oil and biochar increased to 30.52, 22.8 MJ/kg, and 66.42 and 61.25%, 26.10 and 27.97% respectively from those (19.55 MJ/kg, 51.12 and 6.36%) of the corn stalk. This study suggests that the bio-oil contained mostly phenolic compounds and its derivatives. Two major DTG peaks were observed at 380 and 620 °C indicating the improvement in thermal stability of the biochar after solvolysis liquefaction process. Investigation results can be very useful in optimizing process parameters for solvothermal liquefaction.

This study investigated the conversion of corn stalk to bio-oil by solvothermal liquefaction using ethanol as a solvent. Effect of reaction temperature, time and solvent to biomass ratio on the yield and the properties of bio-oil and biochar was studied. Analysis of corn stalk and bio-oil were done to determine the surface functional groups, existing bonds and molecular structure of specified compounds. Investigations were done to identify different compounds in bio-oil, the thermal stability, and weight loss kinetics of biochar. Study shows that percentage yield of bio-oil increases with increase in temperature and time, up to a specific level, and then starts declining. Further, the heating value, carbon content, and fixed carbon content of both bio-oil and biochar increased to 30.52, 22.8 MJ/kg, and 66.42 and 61.25%, 26.10 and 27.97% respectively from those (19.55 MJ/kg, 51.12 and 6.36%) of the corn stalk. This study suggests that the bio-oil contained mostly phenolic compounds and its derivatives. Two major DTG peaks were observed at 380 and 620 °C indicating the improvement in thermal stability of the biochar after solvolysis liquefaction process. Investigation results can be very useful in optimizing process parameters for solvothermal liquefaction.

Abstract The preceding decades witnessed hydrothermal processes being actively utilized all over the world, specifically in the developed zones. Their optimum usage is primarily sought for in terms of conversion of biomass into valuable solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Indeed, Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an effective and environment friendly technique; it possesses extensive potential towards producing high-energy density solid fuels. However, the production and quality of solid fuels from HTC depends upon several parameters; temperature, feed type, residence time, pressure and catalyst being the eminent ones. This study investigates the influence of operating parameters on solid fuel production during HTC. The biomass quality has also been analyzed in HTC by extending existing literature work through experiments that have been performed. Data including chemical composition, heating value, proximate analysis and ultimate analysis for different types of biomass was consequently collected and analyzed. It was found that reaction temperature, residence time and type of feed material are the primary factors that influence the HTC process. At higher temperatures, lower solid product is obtained; the carbon content increases, whilst the hydrogen and oxygen content decrease. Further, it has been found that higher lignin content in biomass leads to an increased solid fuel production.

Abstract The preceding decades witnessed hydrothermal processes being actively utilized all over the world, specifically in the developed zones. Their optimum usage is primarily sought for in terms of conversion of biomass into valuable solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Indeed, Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an effective and environment friendly technique; it possesses extensive potential towards producing high-energy density solid fuels. However, the production and quality of solid fuels from HTC depends upon several parameters; temperature, feed type, residence time, pressure and catalyst being the eminent ones. This study investigates the influence of operating parameters on solid fuel production during HTC. The biomass quality has also been analyzed in HTC by extending existing literature work through experiments that have been performed. Data including chemical composition, heating value, proximate analysis and ultimate analysis for different types of biomass was consequently collected and analyzed. It was found that reaction temperature, residence time and type of feed material are the primary factors that influence the HTC process. At higher temperatures, lower solid product is obtained; the carbon content increases, whilst the hydrogen and oxygen content decrease. Further, it has been found that higher lignin content in biomass leads to an increased solid fuel production.

Diversification of fuel sources is imperative to address the energy security, climate change, and sustainable development issues; therefore, it is essential to address the energy crisis through the extensive utilization of abundant renewable energy resources, such as biomass energy, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. Improving energy services for poor households in developing countries remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the development community. Earlier studies suggest in South Asia the households are likely to follow the energy ladder comprising fuels like dung, crop residue, firewood, kerosene, gobar gas, LPG, and electricity for cooking purposes. Evidence suggests that while it is possible to observe such transition in urban and semi-urban areas, the change is very slow in rural areas. In rural Pakistan, the access to commercial energy resources is limited, the majority of the households still heavily rely on traditional methods of using wood, animal waste and crop waste for domestic fuel needs. Efficiencies of use are very low and most of the potential is wasted because of non-scientific conventional technologies. Consequently there is an obligatory need to develop modern bio-energy technologies since renewable resources may serve to supplement the long-term energy needs of Pakistan to a significant level. Though the bio-resource base of Pakistan is substantial, its contribution to useful energy is low. In this paper we called attention to issues and challenges in biomass utilization for energy in Pakistan in context of sustainable development. This paper has identified areas in Pakistan where there is considerable scope to modernize biomass energy production delivery systems to provide varied energy carriers such as electricity, industrial and domestic fuel and gases. Barriers are examined over the whole biomass energy spectrum and policy issue and institutional roles and responsibilities are discussed.