Mechanical pretreatment of typical agricultural biomass on shape characterization and NO emissions during combustion.

The impact of mechanical pretreatment of corn straw (CS), pea straw (PS), and wheat straw (WS), on shape characterization and NO emissions during combustion were investigated in this research. Particle size ranges were obtained and characterized their shape factors using Image J correction. The thermal properties and NO emissions of the different-sized particles were investigated by TG-MS and fixed-bed reactor. Compared with CS and PS, WS is more likely to break into smaller particles due to its moderate strength. Amine-N completely disappeared after pyrolysis, whereas pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N were the main N functionalities in char-N. During the volatile burning stage, the maximum peak of NO concentration was 270, 354 and 311 ppm for CS, PS and WS, respectively. NO was detected at a steady level during the semicoke combustion stage, and the duration increased with particle size. The NO concentration decreased sharply in a short duration during the fixed carbon combustion stage.

Fluorescence wavelength shifts combined with light scattering for ratiometric sensing of chloride in the serum based on CsPbBr3@SiO2 perovskite nanocrystal composite halide exchanges.

A traditional fluorescence-scattering intensity based ratiometric sensing system utilizes both inherent scattering and fluorescence intensity and has drawn extensive attention owing to its simplicity and self-calibration properties. In this work, we propose a novel ratiometric fluorescence sensing system that combines a fluorescence wavelength shift and scattering in a single window, using second-order scattering (SOS) as the representative scattering signal based on the halide exchange of CsPbBr3@SiO2 perovskite nanocrystal composites. We observe a fast halide exchange within 10 seconds, resulting in an identifiable fluorescence wavelength blue shift, while the scattering wavelength remains relatively constant for self-correction. This system could be applied for ratiometric sensing of Cl- in the serum without any sample treatment. The established wavelength-based ratiometric system demonstrates high reliability and reproducibility, paving a new way for fluorescence sensing.

Traffic light-type ratiometric fluorescence visual sensing of Cs+ in soybean oil based on dimension regulation of 2D perovskite nanosheets.

Determination of cesium ion in soybean oil is of high importance since the increasing risk from releasing of main component of nuclear waste cesium 137. The complex composition and high viscosity of soybean oil make it necessary to convert it into water phase by nitration before detection, so developing a simple, accurate and sensitive method for on-site sensing of Cs+ in soybean oil is still a big challenge. In this work, we report a traffic light-type ratiometric fluorescence strategy for the visual sensing of Cs+ in soybean oil based on dimensional regulation of two dimensional (PEA)2PbI4 perovskite nanosheets (NSs). The PEA+ in (PEA)2PbI4 NSs exchanged with Cs+ and lead to dimension of partial (PEA)2PbI4 NSs progressively increase from 2D to 3D CsPbI3 NCs. Resultantly, the fluorescence of (PEA)2PbI4 NSs decreases with a concomitant fluorescence enhancement of CsPbI3 NCs upon increasing the concentrations of Cs+, and the emission accordingly change from green, yellow to red with a high fluorescence colorimetric resolution up to 5.0 µM, make it successful to achieve on-site sensing of Cs+ in soybean oil just with naked eye in 5 min without any nitration, demonstrating a bright application future for determination of Cs+ in the soybean oil.

Green synthesis of highly stable CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals using natural deep eutectic solvents as solvents and surface ligands.

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have attracted widespread attention as promising materials for the optoelectronic field due to their remarkable photophysical properties and structural tunability. However, their poor stability and the use of toxic organic solvents in the preparation process have severely restricted their practical applications. Herein, a facile, rapid and toxic organic solvent-free synthesis strategy of CsPbBr3 PNCs was developed for the first time via the ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) method using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as solvents and surface ligands. In this method, the NADESs not only functioned as solvents for green synthesis, but also served simultaneously as surface ligands of CsPbBr3 PNCs to significantly improve their optical properties and stability. The as-synthesized CsPbBr3 PNCs exhibited high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY, ∼96.8%), narrow full width at half-maximum (FWHM, ∼18.8 nm) and a high stability that retained 82.9% of PL intensity after 70 days. This work provides a new strategy for the green synthesis of PNCs, which promises feasibility for the industrial large-scale synthesis of high-quality PNCs.

Experimental study on co-combustion of low rank coal semicoke and oil sludge by TG-FTIR.

Co-combustion was proposed as an effective and complementary means for the co-treatment of low rank coal semicoke (LRCS) and oil sludge. The combustion, kinetics and gaseous pollutants emission characteristics during co-combustion of LRCS and oil sludge were investigated by thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR). Results showed oil sludge had more complex weight loss characteristics than LRCS. Proper addition of oil sludge could effectively improve the ignition, burnout and comprehensive combustion performance of blends and 60% was a recommended oil sludge blend ratio. High heating rates could also enhance the combustion performance of blends. The activation energy determined by Coats-Redfern method gradually decreased with the increase of oil sludge blend ratio. DAEM kinetic analysis results showed the maximum activation energy of 113.4 kJ/mol was obtained when conversion rate was 0.4 due to the poor ignition performance of LRCS. All of the CO, CO2, NOx and SO2 emission gradually decreased with the increasing oil sludge blend ratio. LRCS had suppression effect on NOx emission during co-combustion while oil sludge was just the opposite. The low sulfur release rate of oil sludge resulted in the decreasing SO2 emission of blends although oil sludge had promotion effect on SO2 emission.

Kinetic and energy production analysis of pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass using a three-parallel Gaussian reaction model.

The kinetic and energy productions of pyrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass were investigated using a three-parallel Gaussian distribution method in this work. The pyrolysis experiment of the pine sawdust was performed using a thermogravimetric-mass spectroscopy (TG-MS) analyzer. A three-parallel Gaussian distributed activation energy model (DAEM)-reaction model was used to describe thermal decomposition behaviors of the three components, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. The first, second and third pseudocomponents represent the fractions of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, respectively. It was found that the model is capable of predicting the pyrolysis behavior of the pine sawdust. The activation energy distribution peaks for the three pseudo-components were centered at 186.8, 197.5 and 203.9kJmol(-1) for the pine sawdust, respectively. The evolution profiles of H2, CH4, CO, and CO2 were well predicted using the three-parallel Gaussian distribution model. In addition, the chemical composition of bio-oil was also obtained by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument (Py-GC/MS).

TG-MS analysis and kinetic study for thermal decomposition of six representative components of municipal solid waste under steam atmosphere.

Thermal decomposition of six representative components of municipal solid waste (MSW, including lignin, printing paper, cotton, rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and cabbage) was investigated by thermogravimetric-mass spectroscopy (TG-MS) under steam atmosphere. Compared with TG and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves under N2 atmosphere, thermal decomposition of MSW components under steam atmosphere was divided into pyrolysis and gasification stages. In the pyrolysis stage, the shapes of TG and DTG curves under steam atmosphere were almost the same with those under N2 atmosphere. In the gasification stage, the presence of steam led to a greater mass loss because of the steam partial oxidation of char residue. The evolution profiles of H2, CH4, CO and CO2 were well consistent with DTG curves in terms of appearance of peaks and relevant stages in the whole temperature range, and the steam partial oxidation of char residue promoted the generation of more gas products in high temperature range. The multi-Gaussian distributed activation energy model (DAEM) was proved plausible to describe thermal decomposition behaviours of MSW components under steam atmosphere.

Multi-Gaussian-DAEM-reaction model for thermal decompositions of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin: comparison of N2 and CO2 atmosphere.

Thermal decompositions of three components of biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) were studied using nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under both oxidative and inert atmospheres at a heating rate of 10 K min(-1). The multi-Gaussian-distributed activation energy model (DAEM)-reaction model was first developed to describe thermal decomposition behaviors of three components. Results showed that the presence of CO2 enhanced the thermal decompositions of three components in high temperature range, but made little difference in low temperature range. Decomposition behaviors under CO2 were analyzed by the two-stage reaction mechanism corresponding to the pyrolysis process of original materials and the gasification process of char. During gasification stage, CO2 was reduced to CO, which provided a possibility of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, more CO was produced, and therefore the thermal value of gas was improved. The findings imply that CO2 gasification technology of biomass has great research significance.

TG/FTIR analysis on co-pyrolysis behavior of PE, PVC and PS.

The pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis behaviors of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) under N2 atmosphere were analyzed by Thermal gravimetric/Fourier transform infrared (TG/FTIR). The volatile products were analyzed to investigate the interaction of the plastic blends during the thermal decomposition process. The TGA results showed that the thermal stability increased followed by PVC, PS and PE. The pyrolysis process of PE was enhanced when mixed with PS. However, PS was postponed when mixed with PVC. As for PE and PVC, mutual block was happened when mixed together. The FTIR results showed that the free radical of the decomposition could combine into a stable compound. When PE mixed with PVC or PS, large amount of unsaturated hydrocarbon groups existed in products while the content of alkynes was decreased. The methyl (-CH3) and methylene (-CH2-) bonds were disappeared while PVC mixed with PE.

Gasification kinetic analysis of the three pseudocomponents of biomass-cellulose, semicellulose and lignin.

The gasification kinetic analysis of the three pseudocomponents (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) of biomass decomposition in the agent of CO2 were investigated. The Multi-peaks method was used to fit the Gaussian distribution model of DTG curves. The Friedman method was used to estimate the effective Eα, and the master plot method was used for the determination of the kinetic model. The results showed that there were two reaction stages for semi-cellulose and lignin. The DTG curves of semicellulose and lignin cannot be fitted by Gaussian distribution model. The Eα were ranged from 80 to 220kJmol(-1) for the three pseudocomponents. The Fn model could describe the kinetic process of stage I of semi-cellulose decomposition. Both cellulose and stage II of semicellulose decomposition could be described by An model and the two reaction stages of the lignin were fitted the Rn model very well.

Steam reforming of bio-oil from rice husks fast pyrolysis for hydrogen production.

Steam reforming of two kinds of bio-oil from rice husks fast pyrolysis was conducted for hydrogen production at three temperatures (650, 750 and 850 °C) with Ni-based catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor. The gas composition and organic compounds in liquid condensate were detected by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. In addition, the carbon deposition was also investigated. The results showed that the mole fraction range of hydrogen was within 55.8-61.3% at all temperatures and more hydrogen was produced at the higher temperature. The highest H2 efficiency of bio-oil steam reforming was 45.33% when extra water was added. The bio-oil with lower content of chemical compounds has a higher H2 efficiency, but its hydrogen volume was less. Analysis of the liquid condensate showed that most of the organic compounds were circularity compounds. The carbon deposition can decrease the bio-oil conversion, and it was easier to form at the temperature of 750 °C.

Effect of hot vapor filtration on the characterization of bio-oil from rice husks with fast pyrolysis in a fluidized-bed reactor.

To produce high quality bio-oil from biomass using fast pyrolysis, rice husks were pyrolyzed in a 1-5 kg/h bench-scale fluidized-bed reactor. The effect of hot vapor filtration (HVF) was investigated to filter the solid particles and bio-char. The results showed that the total bio-oil yield decreased from 41.7% to 39.5% by weight and the bio-oil had a higher water content, higher pH, and lower alkali metal content when using HVF. One hundred and twelve different chemical compounds were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The molecular weight of the chemical compounds from the condenser and the EP when the cyclone was coupled with HVF in the separation system decreased compared with those from the condenser and EP when only cyclone was used.