This study investigated a mechanical-press torrefaction-assisted carbonization route for producing Napier grass-derived bio-coke. Napier grass was first torrefied under mechanical pressure at 280–340 °C and 20–70 MPa, followed by carbonization at 1000 °C. The effects of torrefaction temperature and pressure on the properties of the torrefied products and resulting bio-cokes were evaluated. Mechanical-press torrefaction densified the biomass and enabled the formation of consolidated bio-cokes after carbonization. Although the carbonization yield increased on a torrefied-precursor basis, severe pretreatment reduced the overall bio-coke recovery from the original biomass. On a whole-sample dry basis, the carbon contents and HHVs of the pretreated bio-cokes ranged from 69.20 to 72.65 wt% and from 25.97 to 27.30 MJ kg−1, respectively, compared with 70.06 wt% and 26.48 MJ kg−1 for BC-Raw NP. BC-TNP-340-45 exhibited the highest carbon content, HHV, and apparent density of 1.03 g cm−3, whereas the highest compressive strength of 41.7 MPa was obtained for BC-TNP-320-70. Raman analysis showed a slight decrease in the ID/IG ratio from 1.158 for BC-Raw NP to 1.037 for BC-TNP-340-45, indicating a modest change in carbon structure. CO2-TGA-DTG-DSC analysis showed that pretreatment shifted the principal CO2 gasification region toward higher temperatures, with Tmax increasing from 881.34 to 970.26 °C. A preliminary Fe2O3 reduction test provided qualitative evidence of metallic Fe formation. Overall, mechanical-press torrefaction effectively modified and densified Napier grass before carbonization, producing bio-cokes with improved mechanical integrity and higher characteristic CO2 gasification temperatures, while also upgrading fuel characteristics under selected pretreatment conditions.
Raw goat milk was explored as a source of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with potential probiotic properties. Following 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PP101-STR and Lactococcus lactis PP104-STR were selected for further probiotic assessment. L. plantarum PP101-STR exhibited broad antagonistic activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, especially Salmonella enterica ATCC 13312 and maintained high viability (> 83
The study presents a comparative evaluation of three reuse approaches for oxalic acid in the pretreatment of sugarcane leaves, Napier grass, and pandan pulp for bioethanol production. The optimal pretreatment conditions were established at 6
Dynamic compaction is widely employed as a ground improvement technique; however, its influence on soil–structure interface behaviour is rarely incorporated into design practice. In particular, limited attention has been given to how dynamic compaction–induced densification may influence soil-concrete interface parameters in low-compressibility silts through indirect assessment methods. This study presents a CPT-based analytical framework to infer changes in soil-concrete interface friction parameters in an ML-type silt deposit subjected to dynamic compaction. Field investigations were conducted before and after dynamic compaction using a custom-fabricated conical tamper, and subsurface conditions were characterized through static cone penetration tests (CPT). Soil friction angles were derived from normalized CPT parameters using established correlations, and corresponding soil–concrete interface friction angles were estimated under an adopted interface reduction factor. Results indicate that dynamic compaction leads to a substantial increase in cone resistance and CPT-inferred soil friction angle within the improved zone. Under the stated reduction framework, these changes propagate analytically to an estimated enhancement in soil–concrete interface shear capacity. The study provides a structured CPT-based inference approach that enables estimation of ground improvement effects on interface parameters in the absence of direct interface shear testing.
Probabilistic condition and safety maintenance strategies on concrete highway bridges with chloride-based deterioration are cost-prioritized, using a self-developed Monte Carlo platform. Practical probabilistic data of four maintenance types are gathered; Silane treatment (SL), Cathodic protection (CP), Minor concrete repair (CR), and Rebuild (RB). Six combined maintenance strategies (2–3 maintenance types) are proposed. From the study, the combined strategy of SL + RB is found cost-optimum based on 50-year present value of expected cumulative cost, nevertheless there is 55
