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Ebrahimian, F. & Mohammadi, A. (2024). Bioprocess Design and Technoeconomic Analysis of 2,3-Butanediol Production in Wood-Based Biorefineries. Waste and Biomass Valorization
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bioprocess Design and Technoeconomic Analysis of 2,3-Butanediol Production in Wood-Based Biorefineries
2024 (English)In: Waste and Biomass Valorization, ISSN 1877-2641, E-ISSN 1877-265XArticle in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

2,3-Butanediol (BDO) is a crucial precursor in various industries, traditionally derived from fossil resources, raising environmental concerns. This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of producing BDO from wood residues, a sustainable resource abundantly available in Nordic countries. By modeling a biorefinery plant with a daily capacity of 100 metric tons of wood chips, three scenarios (Sc.) were explored: Sc. 1, where BDO is the sole product; Sc. 2, where BDO is produced alongside methane and biofertilizer; and Sc. 3, which incorporates a combined heat and power system using biogas from the waste stream. The analysis emphasizes the minimum selling price (MSP) of BDO, revealing it to be lowest in Sc. 1 at USD2.97/kg, compared to USD3.20/kg and USD3.48/kg for Sc. 2 and Sc. 3, respectively. Notably, sensitivity analysis highlighted the impact of processing capacity on economic performance, suggesting a potential for higher scalability and profitability in Sc. 2. This study contributes novel insights into the role of processing capacity and fermentation yield in optimizing BDO production, providing a valuable framework for technology developers aiming to establish wood-based biorefineries. These findings not only enhance understanding of economic thresholds but also underscore the importance of resource efficiency and strategic planning in bio-based production setups. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Science+Business Media B.V., 2024
Keywords
Minimum selling price, Net present value, Payback period, Renewable resources, Wood residue, Economic analysis, Refining, Sensitivity analysis, Wood products, Bioprocess design, Biorefineries, Butanediol, Payback periods, Processing capacities, Renewable resource, Selling prices, The net present value (NPV), Wood residues, Investments
National Category
Environmental Engineering
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-101197 (URN)10.1007/s12649-024-02611-3 (DOI)2-s2.0-85198382305 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-07-23 Created: 2024-07-23 Last updated: 2024-07-23Bibliographically approved
Abrougui, K., Khemis, C., Guebsi, R., Ouni, A., Mohammadi, A., Amami, R., . . . Chehaibi, S. (2024). Efficient management of potato fields: integrating ground and UAV vegetation indexes for optimal mechanical planting parameters. EURO-MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Efficient management of potato fields: integrating ground and UAV vegetation indexes for optimal mechanical planting parameters
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2024 (English)In: EURO-MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION, ISSN 2365-6433Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

In the Mediterranean area, the potato is a crucial crop and can be cultivated throughout the year. However, environmental and operational issues related to warming, such as mechanical planting settings may negatively effect on potato production and tuber quality, endangering the Mediterranean region's productivity. The research aim was to evaluate how various combinations of planting parameters affected potato yield in the Mediterranean region, integrate UAV-based RGB imaging with ground-level sensors, identify optimal planting combinations, and compare the effectiveness of UAVs versus ground sensors. This study evaluated 24 potato crop plots (Solanum tuberosum L.), comparing 8 different treatment combinations of planting parameters: interplant spacing (cm)*Interrow spacing (cm)*Planting depth (cm). The specific combinations were as follows: 1 (28*90*10), 2 (35*90*10), 3 (28*90*20), 4 (35*90*20), 5 (28*100*10), 6 (35*100*10), 7 (28*100*20), 8 (35*100*20), 9 (control: 32*80*15). Agricultural drone (UAV) provided with image sensor and field cameras were used to measure canopy vegetation and leaf area indexes. The ground and UAV RGB vegetation indices indicated a strong correlative among yield and vegetative indexes. Yield variation from the proximal, aerial, and combined datasets was explained by multivariate regression models in 69.4, 87.9, and 88.4% accordingly. The close resemblance among the proximal and aerial results in this study underscored the output advantages of RGB UAV HTPPs and demonstrates how HTPPs can be used to evaluate the effects of various planting features on optimal planting conditions. Future research should focus on validating these findings across different regions, incorporating advanced sensors, conducting long-term monitoring, performing economic analyses, and applying the methodology to other crops to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2024
Keywords
Potato yield, Mechanical planting, Phenotyping, UAV/drone, Proximal sensor, RGB indexes, LAI, NGRDI
National Category
Agricultural Science
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-102521 (URN)10.1007/s41207-024-00705-x (DOI)001366654400001 ()2-s2.0-85210593363 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-12-19 Created: 2024-12-19 Last updated: 2024-12-19Bibliographically approved
Mohammadi, A., Anukam, A. I., Ojemaye, M., Nyamukamba, P. & Yamada, T. (2024). Energy Production Features of Miscanthus Pellets Blended with Pine Sawdust. Bioenergy Research, 17, 491-504
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Energy Production Features of Miscanthus Pellets Blended with Pine Sawdust
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2024 (English)In: Bioenergy Research, ISSN 1939-1234, E-ISSN 1939-1242, Vol. 17, p. 491-504Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the qualities of Miscanthus pellets blended with pine sawdust at various ratios (Miscanthus/pine sawdust-0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0) and relate them to energy generation potential under typical production conditions of the widely used bioenergy production technologies according to literature. Samples of each material were milled to the required sizes and blended in the proportions mentioned above. Water was added (6%) to each mixture to achieve a uniform moisture content of 10% on wet basis. The mixtures were then subjected to pressure agglomeration in the form of mechanical compression using a single pellet press so that homogeneously sized fuel pellets were obtained. Thereafter, the pure and blended pellet samples were examined using a range of analytical techniques to reveal any alterations in characteristics important to the utilization of the pellets as a green energy source. The results showed that, although temperature variations generally caused an estimated 6% moisture loss on a wet basis during pelleting with positive influence on the features of the pellets, the quality of the pellets in terms of ash composition (2-4%), hardness (41-46 kg/pellet), and heating value (20-21 MJ/kg) was in general more desirable for the blended pellets than for pure Miscanthus pellet. Structural analysis also revealed low levels of hydrophobic groups in the blends relative to pure Miscanthus, which were consistent with the fractions of pine sawdust and were also the reason for the pellets' increased hardness.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2024
Keywords
Wood residues, Fuel pellets, Energy crops, Biogenic origin, Pelleting attributes
National Category
Bioenergy
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-97089 (URN)10.1007/s12155-023-10671-x (DOI)001067065500001 ()2-s2.0-85171265358 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Vinnova
Available from: 2023-10-19 Created: 2023-10-19 Last updated: 2025-02-17Bibliographically approved
Ipakchi, H. & Mohammadi, A. (2024). Letter re: Polymers from renewable resources: Plant-based nanoparticles [Letter to the editor]. Polymers from Renewable Resources
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Letter re: Polymers from renewable resources: Plant-based nanoparticles
2024 (English)In: Polymers from Renewable Resources, ISSN 2041-2479Article in journal, Letter (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2024
National Category
Polymer Technologies
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-101315 (URN)10.1177/20412479241266956 (DOI)2-s2.0-85199799995 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-08-12 Created: 2024-08-12 Last updated: 2024-08-12Bibliographically approved
Al-Hazmi, H. E., Łuczak, J., Habibzadeh, S., Hasanin, M. S., Mohammadi, A., Esmaeili, A., . . . Saeb, M. R. (2024). Polysaccharide nanocomposites in wastewater treatment: A review. Chemosphere, 347, Article ID 140578.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Polysaccharide nanocomposites in wastewater treatment: A review
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2024 (English)In: Chemosphere, ISSN 0045-6535, E-ISSN 1879-1298, Vol. 347, article id 140578Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In modern times, wastewater treatment is vital due to increased water contamination arising from pollutants such as nutrients, pathogens, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues. Polysaccharides (PSAs) are natural, renewable, and non-toxic biopolymers used in wastewater treatment in the field of gas separation, liquid filtration, adsorption processes, pervaporation, and proton exchange membranes. Since addition of nanoparticles to PSAs improves their sustainability and strength, nanocomposite PSAs has gained significant attention for wastewater treatment in the past decade. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of PSA-based nanocomposites used for efficient wastewater treatment, focusing on adsorption, photocatalysis, and membrane-based methods. It also discusses potential future applications, challenges, and opportunities in adsorption, filtration, and photocatalysis. Recently, PSAs have shown promise as adsorbents in biological-based systems, effectively removing heavy metals that could hinder microbial activity. Cellulose-mediated adsorbents have successfully removed various pollutants from wastewater, including heavy metals, dyes, oil, organic solvents, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues. Thus, PSA nanocomposites would support biological processes in wastewater treatment plants. A major concern is the discharge of antibiotic wastes from pharmaceutical industries, posing significant environmental and health risks. PSA-mediated bio-adsorbents, like clay polymeric nanocomposite hydrogel beads, efficiently remove antibiotics from wastewater, ensuring water quality and ecosystem balance. The successful use of PSA-mediated bio-adsorbents in wastewater treatment depends on ongoing research to optimize their application and evaluate their potential environmental impacts. Implementing these eco-friendly adsorbents on a large scale holds great promise in significantly reducing water pollution, safeguarding ecosystems, and protecting human health. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2024
Keywords
Adsorption, Membranes, Nanocomposites, Photocatalysis, Polysaccharides, Wastewater treatment
National Category
Water Treatment Environmental Management
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-97596 (URN)10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140578 (DOI)2-s2.0-85177487788 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-11-29 Created: 2023-11-29 Last updated: 2025-02-10Bibliographically approved
Jaya, S. T., Frodeson, S., Mohammadi, A. & Govindarajan, V. (2024). Thermal Pretreatment Technologies for Moisture Removal and Upgrading the Biomass Quality. In: Virendra Bisaria (Ed.), Handbook of Biorefinery Research and Technology: (pp. 1-41). Springer
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Thermal Pretreatment Technologies for Moisture Removal and Upgrading the Biomass Quality
2024 (English)In: Handbook of Biorefinery Research and Technology / [ed] Virendra Bisaria, Springer, 2024, p. 1-41Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

The supply-chain logistics – storage and transportation over long distances – and downstream processes in biofuel production are adversely impacted by the moisture content in the biomass feedstock. Most woody, herbaceous, low-cost biomass resources such as municipal organic solid wastes and forest residues have moisture content over 30% (of the wet-biomass mass). This makes them less amenable to thermochemical biomass-to-biofuel conversion technologies like pyrolysis and gasification. If pyrolyzed or gasified, the resulting biofuels have a higher moisture content, which truncates their calorific values. During storage, there is a loss of dry matter owing to a tendency to compost aerobically/anaerobically, which is detrimental to the quality of the biomass as a potential source of biofuel. Beyond that, fire hazards due to the spontaneous combustion of wet biomass are not uncommon, necessitating storage in a dry condition. However, drying high-moisture biomass is energy-intensive. The quality of the product and the efficiency of drying are affected by particle sizes and drying technologies adopted. Within this chapter, the authors focus on managing and controlling the moisture content of the biomass utilized in the biofuels sector by resorting to drying and torrefaction technologies. The chapter dwells on drying principles, models and media in drying systems, types of drying systems, mechanical dewatering and torrefaction, the impact of drying, dewatering, and torrefaction on the physical and chemical properties of the end-product, and techno-economic analysis of torrefaction.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2024
Keywords
Biomass, Chemical composition, Drying, Drying techniques, Torrefaction, Moisture content, Techno-economic analysis
National Category
Other Environmental Engineering Bioenergy
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-98625 (URN)10.1007/978-94-007-6724-9_49-1 (DOI)978-94-007-6724-9 (ISBN)978-94-007-6724-9 (ISBN)
Available from: 2024-02-20 Created: 2024-02-20 Last updated: 2025-02-17Bibliographically approved
Ebrahimian, F., Khoshnevisan, B., Mohammadi, A., Karimi, K. & Birkved, M. (2023). A biorefinery platform to valorize organic fraction of municipal solid waste to biofuels: An early environmental sustainability guidance based on life cycle assessment. Energy Conversion and Management, 283, Article ID 116905.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A biorefinery platform to valorize organic fraction of municipal solid waste to biofuels: An early environmental sustainability guidance based on life cycle assessment
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2023 (English)In: Energy Conversion and Management, ISSN 0196-8904, E-ISSN 1879-2227, Vol. 283, article id 116905Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The biorefining of biowastes, specifically the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), into biofuels and high-value products is an energy-demanding process, still immature, and largely dependent on the process configuration and efficiency of employed microorganisms. Such issues might undermine the environmental sustainability of the biorefinery by inducing adverse impacts on human health, ecosystem quality, climate change, and resources, which need to be explored before the process scale-up. Hence, this study was performed as early sustainability guidance to investigate the environmental impacts of different biorefinery platforms for biofuels production from OFMSW. More specifically, three pretreatment methods (i.e., acetone organosolv, acid, and hot water), two hydrolysis treatments (i.e., acidic and enzymatic), and two fermentation alternatives (i.e., ethanolic fermentation and acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation) were investigated. Based on European Commission's Joint Research Center instruction, the environmental impacts were studied using consequential life cycle assessment for the macro-level decision context. The results demonstrated that ABE fermentation scenarios were not environmentally favorable because the avoided impacts from final products were not sig-nificant enough to compensate for the induced environmental burdens from acetone pretreatment. On the contrary, the ethanolic fermentation scenarios with either acid or hot water pretreatment outperformed both ABE fermentation and ethanolic fermentation with acetone pretreatment. Based on the results, the scenario including simultaneous dilute acid pretreatment and hydrolysis of OFMSW followed by ethanolic fermentation manifested the best performance in all damage categories, as compared to those including acetone pretreatment or higher consumption of enzymes. Such improvements in this scenario led to the highest net saving of-842 potentially disappeared fraction (PDF)/m2/yr,-249.95 kg CO2 eq, and-3275.22 MJ primary per ton of OFMSW on ecosystem quality, climate change, and resources, respectively, and the lowest net burden of 1.54 x 10-5 disability-adjusted life years (DALY) per ton of OFMSW on human health. The results of sensitivity analysis on this scenario demonstrated that the substitution of excess heat for marginal heat with fossil origin can consid-erably decrease impacts on human health.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2023
Keywords
ABE fermentation, Butanol, Ethanol, Bioenergy, Biowaste, Sustainability analysis
National Category
Environmental Engineering
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-94373 (URN)10.1016/j.enconman.2023.116905 (DOI)000959286600001 ()2-s2.0-85150226370 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-04-20 Created: 2023-04-20 Last updated: 2023-05-15Bibliographically approved
Ebrahimian, F., Denayer, J. F. .., Mohammadi, A., Khoshnevisan, B. & Karimi, K. (2023). A critical review on pretreatment and detoxification techniques required for biofuel production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Bioresource Technology, 368, Article ID 128316.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A critical review on pretreatment and detoxification techniques required for biofuel production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste
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2023 (English)In: Bioresource Technology, ISSN 0960-8524, E-ISSN 1873-2976, Vol. 368, article id 128316Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) is a widely-available promising feedstock for biofuel production. However, the presence of different inhibitors originating from fruit and food/beverage wastes as well as recalcitrant lignocellulosic fractions hampers its bioconversion. This necessitates a pretreatment to augment the biodigestibility and fermentability of OFMSW. Hence, this review aims to provide the in-vogue inhibitory compound removal and pretreatment techniques that have been employed for efficient OFMSW conversion into biofuels, i.e., hydrogen, biogas, ethanol, and butanol. The techniques are compared concerning their mode of action, chemical and energy consumption, inhibitor formation and removal, economic feasibility, and environmental sustainability. This critique also reviews the existing knowledge gap and future perspectives for efficient OFMSW valorization. The insights provided pave the way toward developing energy-resilient cities while addressing environmental crises related to generating OFMSW.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2023
Keywords
Bioenergy, Biowaste, Biorefinery, Inhibitor removal, Organic fraction of municipal solid waste
National Category
Environmental Engineering Energy Systems
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-92519 (URN)10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128316 (DOI)000902347700003 ()36375700 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85141941607 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2022-11-20 Created: 2022-11-20 Last updated: 2023-01-31Bibliographically approved
Ebrahimian, F. & Mohammadi, A. (2023). Assessing the environmental footprints and material flow of 2,3-butanediol production in a wood-based biorefinery. Bioresource Technology, 387, Article ID 129642.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Assessing the environmental footprints and material flow of 2,3-butanediol production in a wood-based biorefinery
2023 (English)In: Bioresource Technology, ISSN 0960-8524, E-ISSN 1873-2976, Vol. 387, article id 129642Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study aims to scrutinize and compare the environmental impacts of biobased 2,3-butanediol (BDO) and its fossil-based counterpart. BDO is a fundamental chemical in various industries, traditionally derived from petroleum sources. Wood residues, largely available in Nordic countries, are sustainable alternative feedstocks, offering potential environmental benefits. Material flow analysis followed by consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) were employed to quantify the potential environmental burdens associated with various biorefinery stages of wood-based BDO production. The findings indicated that refraining from wood combustion and, instead, utilizing wood in a biorefinery to produce BDO as the main product, with methane and fertilizer as coproducts from the waste residue, resulted in 125%, 52%, and 90% better environmental performance regarding human health, climate change, and resource scarcity, respectively, compared to fossil-based BDO production. The results offer valuable insights for technology developers and policymakers, empowering them to make informed decisions and support sustainable practices.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2023
Keywords
Birch wood, Circular bioeconomy, Climate change, Life cycle assessment, Resource scarcity, Sustainability assessment
National Category
Environmental Engineering Chemical Engineering
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-96304 (URN)10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129642 (DOI)001062456900001 ()37558103 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85167405343 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2022-01942
Available from: 2023-08-09 Created: 2023-08-09 Last updated: 2023-09-22Bibliographically approved
Mohammadi, A., Granström, K. & Ebrahimian, F. (2023). Biorefinery processes for value addition from forest residues: Sustainable and innovative scenarios. In: : . Paper presented at 4th International Conference Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Environmental Sustainability, Lake Garda,Italy, May 14-17, 2023.. Lake Garda, Italy: Elsevier
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Biorefinery processes for value addition from forest residues: Sustainable and innovative scenarios
2023 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Bio-based resources from well managed forests play important roles in the transition to a sustainable society, especially in heavily-forested countries like Sweden and Finland. With limited supply, and multiple utilisation pathways, bio-based resources have to be used efficiently. In the project WoodPro, a critical review is carried out to develop and discuss holistic process chains for the value addition from wood-based residues. The goal is to produce biomaterials in a sustainable fashion. The study investigates the usefulness of ubiquitous forest residues, by moving away from energy recovery towards materials recovery and product development. The current incineration of forest residues followed by landfilling of ash is a convenient practice, but it leads to loss of valuable organic material and plant nutrients.

The considered value added-products from valorisation of forest-based biomass (such as bark, sawdust, pulp & paper mill sludge) would be 2,3-butanediol, biopolymer, biogas, hydrochar and biochar. The products were chosen to be economically viable and of interest in industrial processes. The study thus encompasses three types of products: fine chemicals of high purity, small scale industrial production of specialiczed products, and large scale production of products used in bulk. Several technological scenarios have been developed to increase value addition to biomass residues from forest operations and wood manufacturing through their conversion to the above-mentioned bioproducts.

The biomaterials chosen are chemicals of importance in the manufacture of paints, biopolymers for production of protective sheaths for forest tree seedlings, and biochar for soil amendment that will enhance soil fertility and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.   

The results of this review would assist policy makers in development and commercialization of lignocellulose-based bioproducts and facilitate transition to a carbon neutral economy which is a priority issue in Sweden and in the European Union (EU).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Lake Garda, Italy: Elsevier, 2023
Keywords
Forest residue valorization, Biochemical conversion, Bioeconomy, High-value product, Sustainable society
National Category
Forest Science Environmental Sciences
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-98996 (URN)
Conference
4th International Conference Bioresource Technology for Bioenergy, Bioproducts & Environmental Sustainability, Lake Garda,Italy, May 14-17, 2023.
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2022-01942
Available from: 2024-03-22 Created: 2024-03-22 Last updated: 2024-03-27Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-8300-2786

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