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Comparative Study on Quality of Fuel Pellets from Switchgrass Treated with Different White-Rot Fungi

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  • Onu Onu Olughu

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Lope G. Tabil

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Tim Dumonceaux

    (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada)

  • Edmund Mupondwa

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada)

  • Duncan Cree

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

Abstract

Fungal pretreatment of switchgrass using Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC), Trametes versicolor 52J (TV52J), and the Trametes versicolor mutant strain (m4D) under solid-state fermentation was conducted to improve its pellet quality. For all three fungal strains, the fermentation temperature had a significant effect ( p < 0.05) on pellet unit density and tensile strength. The p -values of the quadratic models for all the response variables showed highly significant regression models ( p < 0.01) except for dimensional stability. In addition, 3.1-fold and 2.8-fold increase in pellet tensile strength were obtained from P. chrysosporium - and T. versicolor 52J-treated materials, respectively. Microstructural examination showed that fungal pretreatment reduced pores in the pellets and enhanced pellet particle bonding. Among the fungal strains, PC had the shortest optimum fermentation time (21 d) and most positive impact on the pellet tensile strength and hydrophobicity. Therefore, switchgrass pretreatment using PC has the potential for resolving the challenges of switchgrass pellet transportation and storage and reducing the overall pelletization cost. However, a detailed comparative technoeconomic analysis would be required to make definitive cost comparisons.

Suggested Citation

  • Onu Onu Olughu & Lope G. Tabil & Tim Dumonceaux & Edmund Mupondwa & Duncan Cree, 2021. "Comparative Study on Quality of Fuel Pellets from Switchgrass Treated with Different White-Rot Fungi," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:22:p:7670-:d:680521
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rouches, E. & Herpoël-Gimbert, I. & Steyer, J.P. & Carrere, H., 2016. "Improvement of anaerobic degradation by white-rot fungi pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 179-198.
    2. Sarkar, Madhura & Kumar, Ajay & Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar & Patil, Krushna N. & Bellmer, Danielle D., 2014. "Gasification performance of switchgrass pretreated with torrefaction and densification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 194-201.
    3. Mupondwa, Edmund & Li, Xue & Tabil, Lope & Sokhansanj, Shahab & Adapa, Phani, 2017. "Status of Canada's lignocellulosic ethanol: Part I: Pretreatment technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 178-190.
    4. Zamorano, M. & Popov, V. & Rodríguez, M.L. & García-Maraver, A., 2011. "A comparative study of quality properties of pelletized agricultural and forestry lopping residues," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 3133-3140.
    5. Azargohar, Ramin & Nanda, Sonil & Kang, Kang & Bond, Toby & Karunakaran, Chithra & Dalai, Ajay K. & Kozinski, Janusz A., 2019. "Effects of bio-additives on the physicochemical properties and mechanical behavior of canola hull fuel pellets," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 296-307.
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    7. Onu Onu Olughu & Lope G. Tabil & Tim Dumonceaux, 2021. "Ultrasonic Delignification and Microstructural Characterization of Switchgrass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, January.
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    1. Chukwuka Onyenwoke & Lope G. Tabil & Tim Dumonceaux & Duncan Cree & Edmund Mupondwa & Phani Adapa & Chithra Karunakaran, 2022. "Investigation of Steam Explosion Pretreatment of Sawdust and Oat Straw to Improve Their Quality as Biofuel Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-19, September.

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