Articles

Biohydrogen – An Alternate Promising Future Energy Source

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In the global market, the demand for energy is increasing along with the increasing population. To meet the demands, the source of energy plays an important role in the development of a nation’s economic growth and development. But in the current situation due to depletion of fossil fuel sources, renewable energy acts as an alternate energy source with their own advantages and limitations. Even energy production technologies from various sources have to be cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient. Many studies emphasized hydrogen as the better feasible and alternative energy source produced even from biomass of food, agricultural wastes, fossil fuels, and even wastewater with a wide variety of applications. Hence this review mainly focused on hydrogen production by biological methods. Along with its proper storage and handling which plays an important role in acting as an efficient energy source for hydrogen fuel cells.  Among biological methods, processes like Photobiological, Fermentative, and Anaerobic digestion were used for the generation of Hydrogen obtained by recycling food waste, and agricultural wastes. Hence the researchers are aiming at various strategies to increase the yield of Biohydrogen, to reach the demands of energy across the globe.

Combustion Properties of Biochar Briquettes Blend of Goat Manure Charcoal, Saboak Shell and Other Biomass

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This study aims to determine the quality of combustion properties of biochar briquettes mixed with goat manure charcoal, lontar shell and other biomass. The completely randomized design was applied with 4 different combinations tested, as follows: T1= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lontar male fruit; T2= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% lamtoro twigs; T3= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% rice husk and T4= 50% goat manure charcoal + 40% lontar shell + 10% corn cob. The variables studied were combustion temperature, combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. The average values obtained consecutively from T1-T4 are as follows: combustion temperature 272.9; 231.5; 228.8 and 280.8˚C; combustion rate 2.03; 1.61; 1.67 and 2.03 g/min; combustion resistance 210.0; 205.0; 195.0 and 225.0 min; flame color and combustion smoke 3.70; 3.65; 3.60 and 3.75. The results of variance analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on combustion temperature, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on combustion rate, combustion resistance, flame color and combustion smoke. It was concluded that the biochar briquettes produced had good combustion properties with indications of high combustion temperature (253.5°C), slow combustion rate (1.83 g/min), long combustion resistance (208.75 min), bluish red flame colour and no smoke emitted (score 3.68). The best treatment was shown in the mixture of 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% palm shell charcoal +10% corn cob charcoal (T4).

Business and Financing Strategic in Entering a Biomass New Business (Case Study: PT ABC, in West Java)

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Biomass is a renewable alternative fuel source that is more environmentally friendly than other fuels. Currently PT ABC has a biomass plant that produces wood chips and wood pellets in the West Java region. The purpose of this study is to analyse the business strategy and funding needed by PT ABC to enter the biomass industry in West Java. The research method used is a combination of descriptive and case study methods, with data collection through interviews, document analysis, and direct observation. SWOT, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces analyses were conducted to evaluate the company’s internal and external situation. Furthermore, this research designs the right funding strategy based on 5 funding alternatives sourced from venture capital, Angel Investors, Banks, IPOs and Bonds. Based on the comparison results, alternative 3 (Bank Loan) is more profitable. This alternative provides NPV of Rp 8,503,386,171.21, Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 31%, Payback Period (PP) for 4 years. This alternative will increase the value of the company in several ways such as diversification of financial risks, tax benefits on interest payments, guaranteed retained earnings, quick disbursement of funds, and maintaining the balance of shareholders’ equity. The findings of this study highlight the huge potential of the biomass market in West Java and Indonesia, and the importance of an appropriate funding strategy. This research provides valuable insights for companies looking to enter the biomass industry.

Effect of Goat Dung Charcoal Blend of Lontar Shell and Other Biomass on Physical and Chemical Properties of Biocharcoal Briquettes

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This study aims to determine the physicochemical properties of biocharcoal briquettes blend of goat dung charcoal, lontar shell charcoal and various biomasses. This study used a completely randomised design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates. The treatments were T1: 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% lontar shell charcoal + 10% lontar male fruit charcoal, T2: 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% lontar shell charcoal + 10% rice husk charcoal, T3: 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% lontar shell charcoal + 10% corn cob charcoal, T4: 50% goat dung charcoal + 40% lontar shell charcoal + 10% lamtoro twigs charcoal. The variables studied were briquette yield, density, moisture content, ash content, calorific value, volatile matter, and fixed carbon. The statistical analysis showed that the treatment had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on density, moisture, ash content, calorific value, volatile matter, and fixed carbon, but no significant effect (P>0.05) on yield. The average of yield 56.41%, density 0.68g/cm3, moisture  5.39%, Ash 22.24%, fixed carbon 43.04%, volatile matter of 29.34% and calorific value 4555.67 cal/g.  It was concluded that biocharcoal briquettes produced blend of goat dung charcoal, lontar shell, and various biomasses (lontar male fruit, rice husk, corn cob and lamtoro twigs) had varying physical and chemical properties, but in this study using lontar male fruit charcoal, rice husk and lamtoro twig, were better.

Effect of Nutrients on Biomass Production of Helminthosporium Tetramera A Leaf Spot Pathogen of Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum)

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Helminthosporium tetramera was a pathogen of Saccharum Officinarum, was isolated from diseased Saccharum Officinarum, leaves from Nashik district and used for the present study. Pathogen was grown on the Czapek-Dox liquid medium substituting or adding different carbon, nitrogen to study biomass production. The growth as dry mycelial biomass was observed on the 8th day of incubation period.
A grate extent of growth variation was observed on different carbon, nitrogen. Among the carbon source, fructose shows maximum biomass while glucose with minimum biomass. From nitrogen source cobalt nitrate and barium nitrate shows maximum and control condition with minimum biomass was recorded.