Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An investigation on the impact of demineralization of lignocellulosic corncob biomass using leaching agents for its utilization in industrial boilers

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biomass is considered a suitable coal alternative energy source because of its lower net emissions and acceptable heating values. The direct combustion of biomass in an industrial boiler can cause slagging and fouling of the boiler tubes because of the high content of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) such as Na, Ca, Mg, and K present in the biomass. These minerals especially Na and K lower the melting point of ash and hinder complete combustion of the biomass. To mitigate such issues, biomass valorization methods are recommended out of which demineralization using acidic and basic reagents is notable. In this study, the effect of HCl, HNO3, and NaOH reagents on the physiochemical and thermal properties of corncob is investigated. Results show that the demineralization significantly affects the physiochemical and thermal characteristics of the biomass. Percent ash reduction is found highest (92.81%) when biomass is treated with 0.3 M HCl. However, the acidic treatment also dissolves cellulose and hemicellulose which degrades the thermal characteristics of the biomass. Treatment with NaOH is found less effective in removing AAEM; however, it increases the heating value of biomass by 11.02% and decreases the sulfur content by 68.89%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. United Nations (2015) The Paris Agreement. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

  2. Hutt R Pakistan has planted over a billion trees. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/07/pakistan-s-billion-tree-tsunami-is-astonishing/

  3. British Petroleum (2017) BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2017. 66:52 . doi: bp.com/statisticalreview

  4. Farooq MK, Kumar S (2013) An assessment of renewable energy potential for electricity generation in Pakistan. Renew Sust Energ Rev 20:240–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Raveendran K, Ganesh A, Khilar KC (1995) Influence of mineral matter on biomass pyrolysis characteristics. Fuel 74:1812–1822

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Asonja A, Desnica E, Radovanovic L (2017) Energy efficiency analysis of corn cob used as a fuel. Energy Sources, Part B Econ Planning, Policy 12:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Finance Ministry of (2012) Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12. In: Pakistan Econ. Surv. 2011-12. http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey_1112.html

  8. Brunner T, Kanzian W, Obernberger I, Theissl A (2011) Combustion properties of maize cobs – results from lab and pilot-scale tests. In: 19th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition. pp 944–951

  9. Saidur R, Abdelaziz EA, Demirbas A, Hossain MS, Mekhilef S (2011) A review on biomass as a fuel for boilers. Renew Sust Energ Rev 15:2262–2289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Foley KM (1978) Chemical properties, physical properties, and uses of The Anderson’ corncob products. The Andersons, Cob Division

  11. Fahmi R, Bridgwater AV, Darvell LI, Jones JM, Yates N, Thain S, Donnison IS (2007) The effect of alkali metals on combustion and pyrolysis of Lolium and Festuca grasses, switchgrass and willow. Fuel 86:1560–1569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2006.11.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jenkins B, Baxter L, Miles T, Miles T (1998) Combustion properties of biomass. Fuel Process Technol 54:17–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3820(97)00059-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Aslam U, Ramzan N, Iqbal T, Kazmi M, Ikhlaq A (2016) Effect of demineralization on the physiochemical structure and thermal degradation of acid treated indigenous rice husk. Pol J Chem Technol 18:117–121. https://doi.org/10.1515/pjct-2016-0057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Easterly JL, Burnham M (1996) Overview of biomass and waste fuel resources for power production. Biomass Bioenergy 10:79–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cui H, Turn SQ, Tran T (2010) Biomass pretreatment for gasification. In: 8th International Symposium on Gas Cleaning at High Temperatures, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. pp 23–25

  16. Sulzbacher L, Rathbauer J (2014) Maize cobs for energetic use–properties and challenges as fuel for small scale combustion. In: Proceedings of the International Conference of Agricultural Engineering, 6–10 July, Zurich

  17. Davidsson KO, Korsgren JG, Pettersson JBC, Jäglid U (2002) The effects of fuel washing techniques on alkali release from biomass. Fuel 81:137–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-2361(01)00132-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Fahmi R, Bridgwater AV, Donnison I, Yates N, Jones JM (2008) The effect of lignin and inorganic species in biomass on pyrolysis oil yields, quality and stability. Fuel 87:1230–1240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2007.07.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Eom IY, Kim KH, Kim JY, Lee SM, Yeo HM, Choi IG, Choi JW (2011) Characterization of primary thermal degradation features of lignocellulosic biomass after removal of inorganic metals by diverse solvents. Bioresour Technol 102:3437–3444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.10.056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tabish AN, Patel HC, Aravind PV (2017) Electrochemical oxidation of syngas on nickel and ceria anodes. Electrochim Acta 228:575–585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2017.01.074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jiang L, Hu S, Sun L s, Su S, Xu K, He L m, Xiang J (2013) Influence of different demineralization treatments on physicochemical structure and thermal degradation of biomass. Bioresour Technol 146:254–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ounas A, Aboulkas A, El harfi K, Bacaoui A, Yaacoubi A (2011) Pyrolysis of olive residue and sugar cane bagasse: non-isothermal thermogravimetric kinetic analysis. Bioresour Technol 102:11234–11238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.09.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yu CT, Chen WH, Men LC, Hwang WS (2009) Microscopic structure features changes of rice straw treated by boiled acid solution. Ind Crop Prod 29:308–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2008.06.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the facilitation of management of “CERAD Lab” to carry out the experimentation work.

Funding

It was a self-funded research project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Energy Research and Development (CERAD), University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, KSK Campus, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

    Muhammad Hassan Zafar, Mohsin Kazmi, A. N. Tabish, Chaudhry Haider Ali, Fahim Gohar & M. Usman Rafique

  2. Department of Chemical, Polymer, & Composite Material Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, KSK Campus, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

    Mohsin Kazmi, A. N. Tabish & Chaudhry Haider Ali

Authors
  1. Muhammad Hassan Zafar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohsin Kazmi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. N. Tabish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chaudhry Haider Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fahim Gohar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Usman Rafique
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. N. Tabish.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zafar, M.H., Kazmi, M., Tabish, A.N. et al. An investigation on the impact of demineralization of lignocellulosic corncob biomass using leaching agents for its utilization in industrial boilers. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 10, 1035–1041 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-019-00528-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-019-00528-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation