Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management.
Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals.
Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.
Construction is undoubtedly a profitable industry to be involved in. With high demand and a constant need, you have the potential to achieve great success. However, with desire comes competition. To secure regular jobs, you need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Otherwise, you may find it harder to expand to new markets.
Below we will talk about five tips you can follow to grow your construction business.
Are you interested in learning more? Then keep on reading.
1. Be organized
As you may already be aware, a lot of paperwork is involved in running a construction business. From bidding documents to staff qualifications, you’ll need to have everything readily available to complete work as efficiently as possible.
Office management tips can help with this, but looking into great software is also a good idea. The more tools you have, the easier it will be to stay on top of everything.
2. Discover your niche
There are many different types of construction, and while you may cover various aspects, having one niche is essential. You can grow your customer base by focusing on one specialty rather than multiple.
This is because you’ll be able to streamline your workflow and improve overall productivity. In addition, everyone will know their specific role within your company.
If you’re struggling to find your niche, try to:
Narrow down your best specialty.
Evaluate your current and previous customers.
Consider factors such as cost, location, and available equipment.
3. Hire the right team
When it comes to running a business, employee retention is critical. You won’t be able to build an excellent reputation if you are constantly accepting resignations or firing staff.
Instead, aim to hire experienced and dependable individuals so your team can flourish. But, of course, you should also focus on creating excellent company culture too. The right benefits can prove highly desirable.
4. Prioritize marketing
Marketing for construction industry is a little different than regular retail. You may not be able to join in on trending topics, but there are still ways that you can promote your business.
Naturally, this can be a little bit tricky to navigate if marketing doesn’t come naturally, and it can almost become a full-time occupation. As you’re probably well aware as a busy electrician digital marketing isn’t a top priority, fortunately there are some affordable options for outsourcing that area of expertise.
If you’re having trouble, make sure that you consider the niche you decided upon as well as your target audience. You can find some other great marketing advice here.
5. Make smart investments
Finally, the last tip to follow is to ensure you make smart investments. You won’t be able to move forward if you are using outdated tools. Old equipment will only last so long.
Just remember to be careful with your decisions. On the one hand, hiring latest equipment from other companies can be more expensive, but on the other, you don’t want to waste money on things you don’t regularly need.
Final words
As you can see, growing your construction business will not be easy, but it is possible. You just need to stay organized, have a great plan, and most importantly, be patient. All of your hard work will pay off – it just takes time and dedication.
Lignocellulosic biomass consists of a variety of materials with distinctive physical and chemical characteristics. It is the non-starch based fibrous part of plant material.
Lignocellulose is a generic term for describing the main constituents in most plants, namely cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Lignocellulose is a complex matrix, comprising many different polysaccharides, phenolic polymers and proteins. Cellulose, the major component of cell walls of land plants, is a glucan polysaccharide containing large reservoirs of energy that provide real potential for conversion into biofuels.
First-generation biofuels (produced primarily from food crops such as grains, sugar beet and oil seeds) are limited in their ability to achieve targets for oil-product substitution, climate change mitigation, and economic growth. Their sustainable production is under scanner, as is the possibility of creating undue competition for land and water used for food and fibre production.
The cumulative impacts of these concerns have increased the interest in developing biofuels produced from non-food biomass. Feedstocks from lignocellulosic materials include cereal straw, bagasse, forest residues, and purpose-grown energy crops such as vegetative grasses and short rotation forests. These second-generation biofuels could avoid many of the concerns facing first-generation biofuels and potentially offer greater cost reduction potential in the longer term.
The largest potential feedstock for biofuels is lignocellulosic biomass, which includes materials such as agricultural residues (corn stover, crop straws and bagasse), herbaceous crops (alfalfa, switchgrass), short rotation woody crops, forestry residues, waste paper and other wastes (municipal and industrial). Bioethanol production from these feedstocks could be an attractive alternative for disposal of these residues.
Importantly, lignocellulosic biomass resources do not interfere with food security. Moreover, bioethanol is very important for both rural and urban areas in terms of energy security reason, environmental concern, employment opportunities, agricultural development, foreign exchange saving, socioeconomic issues etc.
Lignocellulosic biomass consists mainly of lignin and the polysaccharides cellulose and hemicellulose. Compared with the production of ethanol from first-generation feedstocks, the use of lignocellulosic biomass is more complicated because the polysaccharides are more stable and the pentose sugars are not readily fermentable by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
In order to convert lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels the polysaccharides must first be hydrolysed, or broken down, into simple sugars using either acid or enzymes. Several biotechnology-based approaches are being used to overcome such problems, including the development of strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can ferment pentose sugars, the use of alternative yeast species that naturally ferment pentose sugars, and the engineering of enzymes that are able to break down cellulose and hemicellulose into simple sugars.
Lignocellulosic biomass processing pilot plants have been established in the EU, in Denmark, Spain and Sweden. The world’s largest demonstration facility of lignocellulose ethanol (from wheat, barley straw and corn stover), with a capacity of 2.5 Ml, was first established by Iogen Corporation in Ottawa, Canada. Many other processing facilities are now in operation or planning throughout the world.
Economically, lignocellulosic biomass has an advantage over other agriculturally important biofuels feedstock such as corn starch, soybeans, and sugar cane, because it can be produced quickly and at significantly lower cost than food crops.
Lignocellulosic biomass is an important component of the major food crops; it is the non-edible portion of the plant, which is currently underutilized, but could be used for biofuel production. In short, biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass holds the key to supplying society’s basic needs without impacting the nation’s food supply.
In recent years more and more people are getting behind local shopping and local eating. As a result, we see more farmers’ markets popping up to help those trying to shop locally. CSA is the modern-day savior of the industry for anyone who grew up on a farm or cared about the farming industry.
But many of us are still unfamiliar with precisely what CSA Farming is and how it can benefit farmers and our communities as a whole. So let this be your introduction to the concept.
What is a CSA Farm?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A) refers to CSA as a local community’s pledge to support a local farm.
The most traditional practice that a CSA farm will have is members buying a share of the production well before the crop season begins. Then, once harvesting seasons start, that farmer or member can pick up their bounty and resell their crop at a better price.
While this was the original way to do this, many CSA’s have taken their own rules and structure as they continue to get more popular.
The farm belongs to the community, in other words. The practice of Community Supported Agriculture came from its original creators across the Atlantic. But in 1986, The Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Farm in New Hampshire adopted the policies.
Cons to CSA Farms
CSA Farms are significant in terms of what they do to support the environment, farm-to-table eating, and the farm itself. But as with anything, there are some drawbacks to consider.
You are committed, which we will stress throughout the article. This means that if the tomatoes go wrong, these are your tomatoes and your loss. That’s why choosing a farm can be an essential process.
You get to eat seasons, but you also have limited options at certain times because of this. So the idea is to eliminate the middleman that is transported.
While it teaches you not to waste food, if you do so, this is your loss. Once you purchase a certain amount, this is what you are committed to. It guarantees that it all gets picked up. Or at the very least it guarantees that the farmer gets paid.
So How Do CSA Farms Benefit Farmers?
CSA’s absolutely benefit farmers, but they aren’t the only ones who get to take advantage of a CSA. Since CSA’s are community-led, both the eater and the farmer will take the same benefits as they do the same risks.
In addition, there is a financial security element for farmers as the farming industry generally weighs risk when crops don’t turn out right, natural disasters strike, etc., which can ruin their livelihood and earnings.
Let’s Address Some of the Main Benefits
Here are some more direct benefits you can count on when you join a CSA farm share.
Since the local community is directly involved in the crop, there is much more transparency in the food process. In addition, CSAs are a direct connection from consumer to producer, which means less food gets wasted.
Eating seasonally becomes an option as the gap between farm to plate closes. This is usually a costly option but with a member-price led CSA, this becomes more of an affordable opportunity rather than a trend.
This is an incredibly environmentally friendly approach to farming thanks to less waste. In recent times we have seen many of the CSA farms take into consideration other efficient farming methods such as use of hydroponic farming especially in the region experiencing freezing winters making traditional outdoor work impossible for almost 5-6 months. The farmers found a way to extend their growing season by adding indoor hydroponic container systems to their existing CSA farms through such container farm procedures – something to keep an eye from a long term impact purpose.
CSA farming introduces tight-knit communities and social activities within a community that offers a positive effect and outreach. It’s a hands-on type of experience with what you put on your plate.
These are just a few main benefits, but many more can be found once you join a specific community with its own set of guidelines.
What is the difference between a CSA and a Farmer’s Market?
Many people confuse CSAs for Farmers Markets. Farmer’s markets and CSAs have a lot of similarities in the types of groups they serve. However, they are different in their ways of operation. The easiest way to understand the difference is to put them side by side.
A farmer’s market and a CSA both bring local communities together, but they do it in different ways.
A farmer’s market brings together individual business owners and farmers to sell their products just as they would at a grocery store. A CSA brings locals together to work on one farm and share the produce through a different buying method.
You can go in and get just what you need at a farmer’s market. However, you are more committed to purchasing a half or quarter share of the produce at a CSA. Sometimes smaller amounts are offered since this is a lot of food.
In general, CSAs are the next big step to being environmentally friendly, supporting farm culture, and living sustainably.
How to Find a Local CSA Farm
For those who love the idea, the next step would be finding a local CSA farm that you can be a part of. Luckily, the process of finding a farm share isn’t too tricky. The CSA directory has a list of farm shares where you can search by what you are looking for, the area you are looking in, and you can even look at other categories like farmer’s markets, food hubs, and so much more.
If you also want to find good local CSAs, search for farming blogs that cover topics like CSAs and farmer’s markets to get the full low down on a specific CSA. You can also learn more about trending practices within these communities.
Should You Join a Local CSA?
CSAs are not for everyone but everyone; it doesn’t take long to get used to the standards. However, it allows them to not only share their love for farming but also participate in healthy habits and behaviors. This provides you with a farm-fresh feel without the expensive costs.
Even some of the drawbacks of a CSA have positive effects. For example, while you are committed to a reasonable sum of produce that is seasonal, it teaches you and your loved ones not to be wasteful with that food. Bring on the kale! And while it may be upsetting to have a bad batch of crops you invested in, you are supporting and protecting local farms and food that may go out of business without this type of investment plan.
This allows everyone to have access to healthy food while positively impacting the environment.
Weather risks include extreme temperatures, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, and other natural disasters. The cost of these events can be devastating for both households and businesses.
But with strategic planning and early preparation, you can reduce the risk of weather-related losses. It all starts with a solid understanding of essential weather risk management tools.
This article will help you better understand the various weather risk management tools and their uses.
What is Weather Risk Management?
Weather Risk Management (WRM) is an umbrella term that refers to any combination of strategies used to protect against the impact of weather on business operations. WRM includes everything from developing contingency plans to managing customer expectations.
The key to successful WRM is understanding how weather impacts businesses and what steps can be taken to mitigate those effects. For example, if you’re in the logistics business, you need to know about the most common weather hazards and how they could impact your customers. If you own or manage real estate, you should know about the potential damage caused by flooding and the best ways to prepare for such events.
Why is Weather Risk Management Important?
In today’s world, extreme weather events have become more frequent and severe. The impact on human lives and property has been significant. According to the Insurance Information Institute, weather-related claims hit USD$42 billion in just the first half of 2021.
Climate change is a leading cause of these extreme weather events, and different tools, such as weather sensors, would be required to monitor the changes in climate patterns. There are many reasons why weather risk management is important. Some of them are listed below:
To protect against life & property loss
To improve business continuity
To ensure the safety of workers
To avoid legal liability
To save money
To provide emergency services
It’s without a doubt that weather risk management is vital for every business. But it’s not always easy to implement. That’s why tools are needed to help make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
Here are some essential tools for weather risk management that every organization should know about:
1. Storm Surge Protection System
The most common type of natural disaster is a storm surge. A storm surge occurs when large amounts of water move into coastal areas during heavy rainstorms. When this happens, high tides cause the sea level to rise, which can flood low-lying land and buildings.
Storm surge protection systems are designed to prevent this kind of damage. One of the main components of a storm surge system is a berm. A berm is a wall made up of sandbags or concrete blocks. These walls act like barriers between the ocean and the shoreline. They also absorb the energy of the waves, keeping them from breaking over the beach.
2. Weather Station Sensors
A weather station sensor measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, pressure, etc. It’s usually placed at strategic locations within the building where it will collect data.
These devices are beneficial because they allow you to measure the conditions outside your building. You can use the data to predict future weather conditions and plan accordingly. For example, you can see whether there will be a lot of rain the next day and decide whether you’ll need to close down operations.
3. Flood Warning and Mitigation Systems
Flooding is another common hazard faced by people near rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. Flooding can occur due to natural disasters (like hurricanes) or manmade activities (like construction).
When floods happen, it’s hazardous for people who live nearby. If you’re caught in a flood, your chances of survival decrease significantly if you aren’t prepared.
One way to prepare for flooding is by installing a warning system. These systems alert you whenever there’s an imminent threat of flooding.
In cases of severe flooding, mitigation systems may be used. These systems are designed to reduce the impact of flooding on your home or business. The most common types of mitigation systems include:
Sandbag Walls: These are built from sandbags filled with soil. They are meant to hold back the flow of water until it recedes.
Dikes: These are constructed using reinforced concrete. They are meant to keep out the water completely.
Levees: These are built using earth and rock. They are intended to protect against overflow from rivers and creeks.
Pumps: They drain out excess water from the ground and are usually located near drains and sewers so the water can flow directly into them.
4. Drought Monitoring Devices
Droughts are also very common in certain parts of the world. Farmers often struggle to get enough water to grow crops during droughts, leading to lower crop yields and higher food prices.
Drought monitoring devices can help identify drought conditions early before they turn into a disaster. They do this by measuring soil moisture levels and analyzing satellite data.
5. Wind Prediction Systems
The wind is another major factor that contributes to extreme weather events. It can cause damage to structures and power lines. In addition, wind can blow debris around, causing further problems.
Severe wind prediction systems predict the direction and speed of strong winds. They can also determine whether a tornado is approaching.
6. Heat Wave Warning Systems
Heat waves are extremely dangerous because they can affect people who aren’t prepared. People in hot climates are more vulnerable to heat waves than those in cooler regions.
Heatwave warning systems are designed to warn people about impending heat waves. They measure temperature and humidity levels to determine if a heat wave is coming.
7. Rain Gauges
Rain gauges are essential for tracking how much rain has fallen over time. They’re especially useful for identifying trends in precipitation patterns.
For businesses, knowing how much rain falls on their property is necessary. The amount of rain determines how many customers they’ll have at different times of the day.
8. Emergency Operations Plan
Finally, an emergency operations plan (EOP) is a document that outlines how your company will respond to emergencies, such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and storms. In addition to these events, you might want to consider preparing for terrorist attacks, chemical spills, and pandemics.
The purpose of an EOP is to ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. It should also contain procedures for contacting local authorities, notifying customers, and evacuating the premises.
Final Thoughts
Extreme weather events continuously increase as climate change progresses. To protect themselves against these disasters, people need to be aware of what’s happening with the weather. These eight tools might assist you in keeping track of everything that could go wrong. You never know when you’ll require any one of them.
Over the last decade, it seems that the cost of electricity has risen in most areas. This is one of the reasons why so many people are getting solar energy systems installed in their homes. Due to its rise in popularity, we have seen prices for solar panels and other equipment needed to make your home more eco-friendly decrease.
Because solar energy is still fairly new technology, many people still know very little about the industry. To help you out, we have compiled a few interesting facts about solar panels which you might find interesting.
As the industry grows, you will probably be hearing much more about solar panels and the benefits of using this eco-friendly method to provide energy for your home. Below are solar panel FAQs to remember:
1. The First Solar Panel Cell was Discovered in 1941
Although it seems like solar panels have only been around for the last few decades, the world’s first solar panel cell was invented by Russell Ohl in 1941. Shortly after the invention of the first solar panel cell was invented, Bell Laboratories came up with the world’s first commercial panel in 1954.
Although it seems we are still at the stone age of solar power, photovoltaic (the conversion of light into electricity) was discovered by French scientist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel in 1839.
2. In the Long Run, Solar Power can help Save you Money
Although the initial cost of installing a solar system in your home might be frightening, the overall running cost of the system can save you a lot of money. Although prices of installation and equipment are becoming more affordable, it still is expensive for the average household.
However, try to keep in mind that you won’t ever have to pay to heat or cool down your house again (assuming your solar panels power system can provide enough energy throughout the year for your home). The average household spends $1,300 annually on their electricity bill.
Throughout the world, it seems more and more governments are trying to encourage homeowners and business owners to invest in solar panels. Lots of governments have offered people incentives and tax breaks in the hope that the number of households using this eco-friendly method will increase. In some states in America, people who purchase solar panels are eligible for a 30% tax break. Also, some states allow those who own solar power to sell their excess energy, so they can make some profit from their system.
3. A Communal Effort
Community solar systems are becoming more common these days. Instead of just having an individual solar system in your home, more communities are investing in community solar systems instead.
Over the last 15 years or so, instead of each household having individual systems installed, whole communities are getting together and investing in a system that will provide energy for the entire community. If you are considering making your home more eco-friendly, why not speak to others in your community to see if everybody on the block is interested in getting a communal solar system installed instead?
4. The Industry is Growing Extremely Fast
Between 2018 and 2010, the number of households and businesses having solar power installed in their buildings grew 23 times in the United States. Solar power is not only becoming more appealing to homeowners in the United States, but it seems like people all over the world are deciding to go green and install solar power systems into their homes.
China uses more solar power than any other country on the planet. The Chinese government has been offering the residents of the country plenty of incentives that has resulted in many people installing a solar power system in their home.
If you are thinking about installing a solar power system inside your home, check out Solar Panels Network USA for more information. If you are still on the fence about joining the solar power movement, ask them for advice.
5. Maintaining a Solar Power System
Maintaining your solar power system tends to be fairly cheap too. In fact, once the system is fully installed there is actually very little maintenance needed. Apart from cleaning the panels now and again, and making sure that it’s getting sunlight and not shaded, it should work smoothly. You may have to trim some trees at times but that’s about it.
Most solar panels have been installed on a tilted roof, so when the rain hits it will clean any dust and dirt from the panel so you won’t have to clean it too often.
Most solar power system suppliers offer 25 year warranty, but it is not too uncommon to see a quality solar power system last for 40 years. If your system does manage to last for that length of time, you can imagine how much money you will save on electricity.
As the climate warms, it’s more important than ever to consider how you can lower your carbon footprint as a homeowner.And lowering your carbon footprint has another huge benefit: you can often save money as a result of green upgrades to your home. For example, solar energy can save you around $600 a year in energy costs. Of course, there are many other reasons why you should use solar energy, but the primary reason to use it is that it is a renewable source, i.e., it will last for billions of years.
Besides making structural changes—like adding solar panels, for example, to your home, there are other ways to save on your utility bills such as turning off lights you’re not using. Below, we’ve gathered our tops tips for saving money on utility bills – and helping out the planet, too!
1. Take advantage of sunshine during the winter
The sun is basically free heat for your home. Homeowners can take advantage of what’s called passive solar design. During the day, open the curtains on south-facing windows to let the sunshine inside so it can warm up your house. This will keep your home considerably hotter during the colder months.
Don’t forget to close the curtains when the sun sets so you can keep as much of that trapped solar heat as possible. Consider investing in thick, insulated curtains, which will help keep heat inside your living spaces.
2. Pay attention to your ceiling fan’s rotation in winter and summer
As you may know, warm air rises. Instead of letting that warm air go up, up and away, you can leverage your ceiling fan to keep that warm air close to you and your family. Reverse your ceiling fan’s rotation so that it turns clockwise instead of counterclockwise. This will keep the hot air in your living spaces. And during the hotter months, make sure the fan is spinning counterclockwise to pull hot air away from you. It is also advisable to hire reputed electricians like ADC Electric who provide quality service and safety to electrical systems in residential properties.
3. Get a new roof
A new roof can make a huge difference in your energy savings. Best of all? Energy-efficient roofing helps you save money in both the colder and warmer months. Many new types of roofing are “cool roofs” which reflect more of the sun’s rays instead of allowing solar heat to permeate into the home. This means that you don’t have to run the AC as low or as often. In the winter, a new roof helps prevent warm air from escaping.
Plus, in many areas, you might be eligible for a government tax incentive for replacing an old roof with an energy-efficient version.
4. Seal drafts around windows, doors, and other areas of your home
One of the best methods for determining what areas of your home can be more energy-efficient is by conducting a DIY energy audit. To do an energy audit, light an incense stick and watch to see if smoke is pulled to cracks in the windows or under the doors. You can also sometimes feel drafts by simply putting your palm up around the edges of windows and doors. Once you find drafty areas, it’s important to seal up those holes with weather stripping or caulking.
Fixing air leaks will benefit you both in the summer and the winter because it helps keep your HVAC system from working overtime.
5. Invest in a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat is a prudent investment, especially if you regularly forget to turn off the A/C or heat when you leave for work or errands. That wasted energy can add up to a big utility bill at the end of the month. A smart thermostat regulates the temperature and automatically programs a specific range to keep you comfortable but turns off in unoccupied rooms.
6. Schedule regular maintenance
Routine maintenance is essential to promote the longevity of your HVAC system and to ensure that your home isn’t wasting energy. Make sure to replace filters at least once a month and keep tabs on how old your HVAC system is, most systems need to be replaced every 15-20 years.
Takeaways
There are a variety of reasons as to why it’s in your best interest to find ways to make your home greener. Not only do green upgrades ultimately save you money, they also help the planet during a time when a climate emergency is threatening our very existence. If you want to see a smaller utility bill and live a more eco-friendly life, utilize some of the tips mentioned in this article. You’ll save money and help save earth, too. However, if you can’t pay your bills with savings, consider getting a loan. KashPilot does not consider your credit history when granting loans.
Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is produced mainly via biochemical route. The three major steps involved in the biochemical method for ethanol production are pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation. Biomass is pretreated to improve the accessibility of enzymes. After pretreatment, biomass undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis for conversion of polysaccharides into monomer sugars, such as glucose and xylose. Subsequently, sugars are fermented to ethanol by the use of different microorganisms.
Pretreated biomass can directly be converted to ethanol by using the process called simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF). Pretreatment is a critical step which enhances the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass.
Basically, it alters the physical and chemical properties of biomass and improves the enzyme access and effectiveness which may also lead to a change in crystallinity and degree of polymerization of cellulose. The internal surface area and pore volume of pretreated biomass are increased which facilitates substantial improvement in accessibility of enzymes. The process also helps in enhancing the rate and yield of monomeric sugars during enzymatic hydrolysis steps.
Pretreatment methods can be broadly classified into four groups – physical, chemical, physio-chemical and biological. Physical pretreatment processes employ the mechanical comminution or irradiation processes to change only the physical characteristics of biomass. The physio-chemical process utilizes steam or steam and gases, like SO2 and CO2. The chemical processes employs acids (H2SO4, HCl, organic acids etc) or alkalis (NaOH, Na2CO3, Ca(OH)2, NH3 etc).
The acid treatment typically shows the selectivity towards hydrolyzing the hemicelluloses components, whereas alkalis have better selectivity for the lignin. The fractionation of biomass components after such processes help in improving the enzymes accessibility which is also important to the efficient utilization of enzymes.
The pretreated biomass is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase enzymes to convert the cellulose to fermentable sugars. Cellulase refers to a class of enzymes produced chiefly by fungi and bacteria which catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose by attacking the glycosidic linkages. Cellulase is mixture of mainly three different functional protein groups: exo-glucanase (Exo-G), endo-glucanase(Endo-G) and ?-glucosidase (?-G).
The functional proteins work synergistically in hydrolyzing the cellulose into the glucose. These sugars are further fermented using microorganism and are converted to ethanol. The microorganisms are selected based on their efficiency for ethanol productivity and higher product and inhibitors tolerance. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used commercially to produce the ethanol from starch and sucrose.
Escherichia coli strain has also been developed recently for ethanol production by the first successful application of metabolic engineering. E. coli can consume variety of sugars and does not require the complex growth media but has very narrow operable range of pH. E. coli has higher optimal temperature than other known strains of bacteria.
Lower GHG emissions and empowerment of rural economy are major benefits associated with bioethanol
The major cost components in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass are the pretreatment and the enzymatic hydrolysis steps. In fact, these two process are someway interrelated too where an efficient pretreatment strategy can save substantial enzyme consumption.
Pretreatment step can also affect the cost of other operations such as size reduction prior to pretreatment. Therefore, optimization of these two important steps, which collectively contributes about 70% of the total processing cost, are the major challenges in the commercialization of bioethanol from 2nd generation feedstock.
Enzyme cost is the prime concern in full scale commercialization. The trend in enzyme cost is encouraging because of enormous research focus in this area and the cost is expected to go downward in future, which will make bioethanol an attractive option considering the benefits derived its lower greenhouse gas emissions and the empowerment of rural economy.
Biofuels are renewable and sustainable forms of energy. They can reduce greenhouse emissions by almost 30%, which means that although they do release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, they do so in a very limited manner.
With the aim of building a green new world, and eliminating the need for fossil fuel and other traditional energy sources, people are now turning towards biofuel to meet their daily needs. Thus, we see biofuel being used for transportation in many countries. It’s also being used to generate electricity. The rural areas in many underdeveloped and developing countries will use biofuel for their cooking purposes as well. All in all, this particular fuel has diverse uses.
Biofuel is produced from biomass, which itself is treated as a clean energy source. We can produce biofuel from biomass through a series of steps. These steps can be performed even in our houses if we have the right materials. A quick overview of the whole biofuel production process is described below.
1. Filtration
The purpose of the filtration process is to get rid of the unnecessary particles from the biomass. In this step, we take the waste vegetable oil and then heat it to a certain degree. Once the liquid has been heated, the waste particles will automatically separate themselves from the main mixture. Afterward, we just have to filter it with a regular filter paper.
2. Water removal
Next, we need to remove water from the residual gangue. If the water is allowed to stay in the mixture, it’ll end up delaying the overall process. By removing all the water, we can make the reaction move a lot faster. The easiest way to remove water from the mixture is by heating it steady at 212 degrees F for some time.
3. Titration
Titration is conducted on the mixture to determine the amount of chemical catalyst (like lye) that will be needed. The catalyst is a key component in any chemical reaction. It pretty much determines how fast and how much of a product we’re going to receive. Thus, this step is very important in the biofuel manufacturing process.
4. Sodium methoxide preparation
In this step, we take methanol (18-20% of the waste vegetable oil) and mix it with sodium hydroxide. This gives us sodium methoxide, which is also used as a catalyst in the reaction. It helps perform synthesis reactions on the reagents and facilitates the overall reaction process. Sodium methoxide is a key ingredient in this manufacturing process. It’s considered to be a standard substance used to accelerate the reaction, and yield better results.
5. Mixing and heating
Next, we heat the residue between 120-130 degrees F. Afterward, we mix it properly. This process aims to evenly distribute the mixture. This will help the mixture to settle down later on, and cool off, after which we can begin the extraction process. In a way, the mixing and heating stage can be seen as the final preparation before extraction.
6. Setting
Once the mixing is completed, the liquid is allowed to cool and settle down, after which we can extract the final product, i.e. the biofuel.
7. Separation
After the liquid has cooled, the biofuel can be extracted from the top of the mixture. It’ll be found floating on top, like oil in water. To get the biofuel, we’ll have to remove the glycerin underneath it. This can be done by simply draining it out from the bottom, and keeping the fuel afloat. The biofuel is finally ready.
The whole process described above is for a small-scale operation. However, it can be scaled up as needed, given that you have the right tools, ingredients, and setup.
It should also be noted that chemical catalysts (such as lye) are used in the manufacturing process as well. Recently, however, scientists and researchers are looking into the use of ultrasonics as additional catalysts. According to recent observations, a combination of chemicals and ultrasonics can lead to a higher yield of fuel, and reduce the overall processing time. This also leads to better utilization of biomass.
Companies such as Coltraco (https://coltraco.com/) are now using ultrasonic systems and technology in a wide variety of fields, one of which is the renewable energy industry. And while the technology’s use in other fields has gained more traction in recent times, it shouldn’t be long before it’s used in biofuel manufacturing, as well as in other renewable energy sectors, in full swing.
Are you looking forward to making a cryptocurrency investment? Well, 2022 is the right time to get into crypto investment, if you haven’t already. Undoubtedly cryptocurrency investment has picked up the pace, and people are showing interest in cryptocurrencies at https://immediate-edge.pl. This is not just limited to investment. Even big organizations are investing thousands of dollars in acquiring bitcoin. Hence we can say that bitcoin is gaining popularity and is the future of the financing system.
For a starter in the crypto trading world, the task can be overwhelming. Filtering out the best cryptocurrency from more than 10,000 options available in the market, choosing the right trading platform, and formulating the best trading strategies that can give positive outcomes, everything can be challenging task if You are not aware of how the crypto market operates. Hence this guide is an attempt to take you through some of the key aspects of the crypto domain that will help you in deciding your course of action in crypto investment.
Get The Inside Scoop On The Crypto Market!
There are more than 10,000 cryptocurrencies in the market, and the number is only going to increase with all the options that are available in the market; bitcoin continues to reign supreme.
Being a pioneer in the crypto world, this cryptocurrency enjoys a special position in the market.
It also has the highest capitalization value of $650 billion and hence is one of the most popular choices of investors.
Big organizations are investing thousands of dollars in Bitcoin; for example, MicroStrategy Inc. purchased more than $1 billion of Bitcoin in 2020.
There are around 15,000 organizations globally accepting bitcoin payments.
You can now make payment for your coffee or pizza with bitcoin or even make travel bookings using bitcoin
Bitcoin – What You Need To Know About The Future Of Cryptocurrency
Many financial investors consider Bitcoins that is equal to gold. Despite the downfall in its value, it has not affected the interest of the investors in this cryptocurrency. The concept of bitcoin was introduced after the great recession of 2009.
Although in 2009, bitcoin did not gain much acceptance, there were several apprehensions surrounding the cryptocurrency. By 2013 the scenario completely changed, and today it is considered to be one of the most popular and profitable investment assets.
As per Deloitte, more than 2300 businesses across the US or now accepting bitcoins as the mode of payment. Going figure highlights that bitcoin is a great investment as it is, and you should consider it as a part of your investment profile.
The Future of Bitcoin: How to Invest Now and Profit Later
Now that you know about the crypto market and the development that has taken place in this field over the years, the next big step is to start investing in it. However, as a fresher, you must know about the right steps to invest in it. The following tips are going to help you in the same:
Begin with basic research about crypto trading platforms. One of the first and most important steps is to finalize the best trading platform where you can register yourself and explore the different cryptocurrencies. As an investor, you would like to invest in different cryptocurrencies, and hence the trading platform that you are you are choosing should offer you this feature.
Since the crypto market is susceptible to volatility, it is always recommended that one should invest in different cryptocurrencies to reduce the impact of price volatility. For example, the value of bitcoin plummeted in 2022; conversely, in 2021, the value of bitcoin had risen to $65,000. Diversifying your portfolio reduces the impact since you’re your investment is not dependent on just one cryptocurrency.
If you are a beginner and this is your first move in the crypto world, it is recommended that you should begin with a smaller investment, and once you have an understanding of how the market is operating, you can increase your investment.
Conclusion
This brief information on the crypto world and how crypto trading operates will help you in defining your investment strategies and ensure that your journey as a crypto trader is profitable.
Biomass residue from palm oil industry are attractive renewable energy fuel in Southeast Asia. The abundance of these biomass resources is increasing with the fast development of palm oil industry in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. In the Palm Oil value chain there is an overall surplus of by-products and the utilisation rate of these by-products is low.
Palm kernel shells (or PKS) are the shell fractions left after the nut has been removed after crushing in the palm oil mill. Palm kernel shells are a fibrous material and can be easily handled in bulk directly from the product line to the end use. Large and small shell fractions are mixed with dust-like fractions and small fibres.
Moisture content in kernel shells is low compared to other biomass residues with different sources suggesting values between 11% and 13%. Palm kernel shells contain residues of Palm Oil, which accounts for its slightly higher heating value than average lignocellulosic biomass. Compared to other residues from the industry, palm kernel shells are a good quality biomass fuel with uniform size distribution, easy handling, easy crushing, and limited biological activity due to low moisture content.
Press fibre and kernel shell generated by the palm oil mills are traditionally used as solid fuels for steam boilers. The steam generated is used to run turbines for electricity production. These two solid fuels alone are able to generate more than enough energy to meet the energy demands of a palm oil mill.
Most palm oil mills in the region are self-sufficient in terms of energy by making use of kernel shells and mesocarp fibers in cogeneration. The demand for palm kernel shells has increased considerably in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand resulting in price close to that of coal. Nowadays, cement industries are using palm kernel shells to replace coal mainly because of CDM benefits.
PKS has also emerged as a hot biomass commodity in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in South Korea and Japan, where PKS is being used to power huge biomass power plants. PKS is also getting traction in Europe as an attractive alternative fuel.
The problems associated with the burning of these solid fuels are the emissions of dark smoke and the carry-over of partially carbonized fibrous particulates due to incomplete combustion of the fuels can be tackled by commercially-proven technologies in the form of high-pressure boilers.
Dual-fired boilers capable of burning either diesel oil or natural gas are the most suitable for burning palm Oil waste since they could also facilitate the use of POME-derived biogas as a supplementary fuel. However, there is a great scope for introduction of high-efficiency CHP systems in the industry which will result in substantial supply of excess power to the public grid.
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