To further improve the capabilities necessary to accurately predict biochar properties based on feedstock characteristics, a study correlating feedstock structural components with biochar properties was conducted. To produce biochar, ten different biomass feedstocks were sourced mostly from Austria. The feedstocks gathered were spruce chips; woodchips from broad-leaved forestry; wheat bran; Japanese knotweed; walnut shells; screening overflow from composting; and residues from Mary thistle, rapeseed, hemp, and poppy flower processing. These feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 500 and 700 °C under nitrogen (N2) atmosphere in a customized muffle furnace. The feedstocks were analyzed for their lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, fat content, and other properties. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was performed on the biochar samples, with the highest documented intruded volume being 3.64 cm3/g. Elemental recoveries in the biochar samples were determined and correlated with feedstock structural components (FSC). Additionally, the water solubility of biochar nutrient elements was determined, with K showing the highest solubility of 35.5 ± 18.5% at 700 °C. Elemental recoveries of C/H/N/Cl showed significant correlations with FSC (e.g., Cl showed a significant and strong negative correlation with cellulose, r = - 0.874/p < 0.01). Intruded volume as well as K solubility also showed significant correlations. These results indicate that feedstock structural components can serve as predictors for more biochar properties than currently used in the literature, although the limited sample size requires further research to confirm the findings presented here.

Volatile chemical products (VCPs) represent an emerging and under-recognised source of semi-volatile organic compounds in urban air, contributing to the chemical complexity and secondary formation potential of PM10. Despite growing awareness of their role in atmospheric chemistry and exposure, real-world data on VCP-derived species in ambient particles remain scarce. This study provides the first integrated characterisation of VCP-related compounds in PM10 for Central Europe. PM10 samples were collected from & Uacute;st & iacute; nad Labem, Zdiby, M & ecaron;ln & iacute;k between November 2022 and April 2023 and analysed using TD-GC/MS. A total of 157 compounds were classified, 106 of which were uniquely associated with product emissions. VCP markers accounted for 0.59-2.11 % of all identified organics, equivalent to 0.05-0.43 mu g/m(3). Among conventional sources, traffic and biomass burning dominated over coal, while biogenic markers were regionally variable. Plasticisers were pervasive: phthalate esters (PAEs) and non-phthalate plasticisers (NPPs) occurred at most sites. Given EU restrictions on cosmetic PAEs, their ambient levels (Sigma PAE 18-54 ng/m(3)) mainly reflect polymer and plastic emissions rather than personal-care sources. Sigma NPP 6-14 ng/m(3) were ubiquitous but source-ambiguous; therefore, the Sigma NPP/Sigma PAE ratio is introduced as a new diagnostic indicator of phthalate substitution, revealing a clear regional gradient (& Uacute;st & iacute; 2.6 >M & ecaron;ln & iacute;k 1.1 >Zdiby 0.3). Fragrance-related terpenes showed stronger product than biogenic signatures, and significant fragrance-PAE correlation (r = 0.67) indicates functional coupling in emissions. Overall, concentrations were comparable to or below urban levels reported elsewhere, confirming that Central Europe is undergoing an early yet measurable chemical transition in PM10 composition driven by consumer-product and polymer-related emissions.

Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy remains a major challenge in remote and underserved regions of Uganda, particularly in areas where grid extension is technically difficult or economically unviable. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) offer a promising solution for improving energy access while supporting environmental sustainability. This study assessed the renewable energy resource potential in view of the feasibility of designing and optimizing a sustainable HRES for the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. Statistical and geospatial datasets were employed to assess the availability and spatial distribution of solar, biomass, and wind energy resources. In addition, locally available agricultural residues were characterized through proximate and ultimate analyses, supported by laboratory-scale experiments to determine their suitability for energy conversion applications. The findings revealed that the agricultural residues possess favorable physicochemical and fuel properties, making them suitable feedstocks for both thermochemical and biochemical energy conversion technologies. Resource assessment results indicated considerable renewable energy potential within the settlement, with biomass accounting for approximately 90.50 % and solar energy contributing 9.50 % of the total estimated renewable energy potential of 133.70 GWh.year(-1). These results demonstrate the significant potential of biomass and solar energy to improve energy access in the settlement. The study provides a robust scientific foundation for the design and optimization of a hybrid renewable energy system tailored to local energy demands. The outcomes support sustainable energy planning, enhanced energy security, reduced reliance on conventional fuels, improved livelihoods, and strengthened environmental resilience in refugee-hosting communities and settlements with similar socio-economic and resource characteristics.

This study examines ongoing gender inequality in Uganda's STEM and renewable energy education pipeline, set against the backdrop of severe energy poverty and gendered burdens. It highlights the societal and innovation costs of women's underrepresentation and explores makerspaces as inclusive, practical environments. The research aims to place girls' and women's STEM pathways within Uganda's energy transition and evaluate makerspaces as a catalyst for gender-responsive learning and skills development. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates: (i) a focused review; (ii) empirical fieldwork at universities and the Makerere University makerspace; and (iii) three iterative Training-of-Trainers cycles, involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, and artefact reviews, alongside quantitative and qualitative analyses of inclusion and pedagogy. Results reveal deeply rooted structural barriers-such as unpaid care, labour-market discrimination, and competitive cultures-that restrict women's participation. Well-designed makerspace training enhanced technical skills, confidence, and perceived relevance; female participation increased across training rounds, although the risk of male dominance remains without targeted measures. The study recommends coordinated, multi-level actions: adopting gender-responsive pedagogy, increasing female representation and mentorship in STEM faculties, and integrating makerspaces into supportive policies and curricula to promote scalable, gender-inclusive, hands-on learning for renewable energy careers.

The thermochemical methanation of solid fuels, such as biomass or coal, involves gasification into syngas and subsequent methanation to produce Substitute Natural Gas (SNG). Recent developments since the late 1990s have seen a surge in interest in biomass-to-SNG processes driven by rising natural gas prices and renewable energy priorities. Industrial-scale demonstration projects, like the GoBiGas plant in Sweden, have marked significant progress, although challenges in gas cleaning and raw SNG conditioning persist. A new solution to streamline these processes lies in electrification, offering simplification through electric heating of the allothermal gasifier and introducing hydrogen from electrolysis for synthesis gas conditioning. A main driver for the approach is the need for green energy carriers and transportation fuels such as GreenLNG. The Horizon Europe project CarbonNeutralLNG focuses on synthesis of renewable liquefied natural gas substitutes production. Key innovations of the project are electrical heating for fluidized bed gasification of biomass and non-adiabatic additively manufactured methanation reactors. The paper concludes with an assessment of the future role of electrically heated processes in generating renewable energy carriers, emphasizing their economic potential in an energy economy dominated by volatile wind and photovoltaic electricity sources.

Rural energy planning needs an integrated technical, economic, and social model for sustainability. In this work, a rural energy village concept was adopted. In this context, an energy village referred to a small town or community comprising of between 100 to 12000 households. Development of the energy village for the selected community of Bidibidi Refugee Camp involved characterization of the settlement for energy uses, potential and formulation of optimal energy supply option. From household surveys, a typical household in the settlement comprised of an average of 6 persons who depend predominantly on biomass (92%) to meet their key energy demand for cooking. Cooking accounted for 84% of the energy uses in the settlement. Total energy demand for cooking, electrical appliances and water pumping was 3,610 MWh/year with peak load of 410 kW, respectively. Renewable energy potential indicated average hourly wind speed of 2.6 m/s, average solar irradiation for an 8hour sunshine hour of 0.7 kW/m2 and biogas potential of 246 & times; 106 m3/year. Considering the daily equivalence of the biogas potential, this can be used as fuel for the biogas generators to meet up to 39.7% of the total demand. Optimal generation capacity for solar and biogas systems obtained using MATLAB optimization modeling were 341.4 kW and 225.0 kW, respectively. The configured solar photovoltaic (PV) system had a rating of 0.40 kWp and three 75 kW rated biogas generators able to meet the load demand of the community. The total investment cost to realize this project was estimated as $ 1,185,805. Considering a subsidized tariff of 0.10 $/kWh and 0.15 $/kWh for systems operation at 100%, 75%, 50% and 30% capacities, payback period, Net Present Value (NPV) and Cost Benefit Ratio (CBR) were calculated. A positive NPV for 17 years project lifespan and CBR values greater than 1 showed economic feasibility of the project. More so, the average Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was 0.04 $/kWh as compared to 0.34 $/kWh for bioenergy sources. This low LCOE value is advocated to the energy subsidy in the funding projection of the project and tariff over the entire project lifespan with an annual CO2 saving of 68.4%. Therefore, harnessing the renewable energy sources from the community has the potential of ensuring attainment of energy independence as well as improving livelihoods and creating jobs for the people.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of pistachio shells was performed in a high-pressure batch reactor at 200 ^∘C for 2 h, yielding a carbon-enriched hydrochar. Elemental analysis shows an increase in carbon mass fraction from 44.76

In addition to conventional pyrolysis processes, pyrolytic decomposition also plays a major role in gasification and combustion. In all of these thermochemical conversions, biomass particles of varying sizes are used. Factors such as mass and size of virgin biomass influence exothermicity during pyrolysis of large wood particles. This study introduces a new method for analysing the exothermic behaviour of batches of lignocellulosic feedstock while simultaneously considering multiple influencing factors. As an example, the influence of 1) wood species and 2) pyrolysis temperature (Tset) is investigated. Wood cubes (side length 3cm) of larch (Larix) and spruce (Picea) are allothermically pyrolysed, while centre temperatures are recorded. Tset is 375°C or 450°C. Exothermicity parameters are developed to compare influencing factors. CHN and thermogravimetric analyses are applied; size and weight of cubes are measured. Results show exothermic reactions in all experimental sets. Larch exhibits stronger exothermicity than spruce, and higher Tset leads to more intense but shorter reactions. The maximum temperature reached in the centre depends on both factors. Swelling and shrinking behaviours differ between species: larch swells and cracks, while spruce shrinks without cracking. This method enables systematic comparison of diverse factors influencing pyrolysis behaviour in lignocellulosic materials.

This study evaluates the CO2 adsorption performance of activated biochars derived from heavy metal (HM)contaminated biomass, presenting a sustainable approach that integrates waste valorization with environmental remediation. HM-enriched biomass was converted into high-performance CO2 adsorbents through pyrolysis followed by activation via CO2 and steam gasification under varying conditions. Comprehensive characterization using ICP-OES, SEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and N2 adsorption analyses revealed high microporosity and surface area, with negligible structural differences between biochars from contaminated and uncontaminated biomass. The highest CO2 uptake (2.10 mmol g-1 at 25 degrees C) was achieved for pine-based biochar activated under pure CO2 at 800 degrees C for 120 min. Adsorption isotherms measured at 25-75 degrees C were well described by both Langmuir and Freundlich models. Kinetic analysis showed strong agreement with the pseudo-first-order, pseudosecond-order, and Avrami models, with the latter providing the best fit, indicating surface-limited physisorption as the dominant mechanism. Adsorption-desorption cycling over ten consecutive runs confirmed the structural stability and reusability of the optimized biochar. Comparative evaluation demonstrated superior performance of these biochars over commercial activated carbons. Notably, the presence of heavy metals had an insignificant effect on CO2 adsorption capacity, highlighting the dominant role of physicochemical properties in adsorption performance. These results underscore the potential of HM-contaminated biomass as a low-cost and effective precursor for CO2 adsorbent production, contributing to both climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability.

Wood gasification produces gasification char (GC), a carbonaceous by-product with limited sustainable valorisation strategies. The physical activation of wood-based GC as a precursor has received insufficient attention, likely due to the inherent challenges associated with the precursor, namely its soft skeleton, high degree of graphitisation, ash content, and reduced porosity. This study investigates methods to enhance the porosity and adsorption properties of renewable activated carbon (AC) derived from GC while maximising yield using a Design of Experiments approach. Yield-oriented porosity optimisation revealed that mild H2O activation (<= 750 degrees C, >20 min) was the most effective, followed by CO2 activation at 817 degrees C and 16.2 min. The AC with the highest overall porosity was produced by sequential activation, leveraging the high surface area obtained from H2O activation (812 m2/g) and the high micropore fraction from CO2 activation (49.3 vol%). In micropollutant adsorption assays, this AC (maximum adsorption capacity qmax for metoprolol: 89.9 mg/g) partially outperformed commercial AC (89.1 mg/g). We found that the utilisation of GC for AC production represents a fundamentally distinct starting point when compared to previously employed precursors, as evidenced by significantly reduced activation times and temperatures. This study provides valuable insights for the efficient conversion of GC into high-value AC, a pathway of significant interest for industrial applications.

A cold flow model (CFM) study was conducted to investigate the operation and performance of a fluidized continuous biomass char separation unit (segregator). Char separation from a binary char/bed material stream is obtained through density-difference induced segregation and subsequent pneumatic discharge. The segregator is a substantial part of a novel multi fluidized bed reactor system for an electrically assisted sorption enhanced biomass steam gasification process (extension of the "classical" dual fluidized bed reactor concept). The process combines enhanced biomass-to-product gas conversion as well as extraction and discharge of concentrated CO2. Electric heating at certain positions in the process and the continuous char separation enable operation with high biomass conversion while avoiding/minimizing the need of oxy-combustion. In the CFM experiments the effect of the fluidization and the solid flowrate on the separation efficiency and purity of the separated char stream were determined. Our results indicate that char segregation is most effective under mild fluidization conditions (U/U-mf < 3), achieving char separation efficiencies of approximately 90 %, while droping rapidly thereafter to 45 % at U/U-mf = 4.1. With the chosen segregator design, no effect of the solid flowrate on the separation efficiency was identified. Bed material loadings carried with the separated char streams of 1.2-5.8 kg(bed)/kg(char) - correlating positively with the applied gas velocity - have been determined. According to process simulation based on the empirically determined parameter ranges, a net electricity input of 0.17-0.39 kW(el)/kW(LHV,org) is required yielding a net cold gas efficiency of 0.75-0.77 kW(LHV,PG)/ kW(LHV,org+el) and a net carbon capture ratio of 0.29-0.46 kg(C,capt)/kg(C,biomass).

An advanced multi-fluidized bed (MFB) reactor system for electrically assisted sorption enhanced gasification (E-SEG) of biomass is proposed, which enables improved biomass conversion and separation of a concentrated CO2 stream via the integration of electricity as external heat source. Conventional SEG, realized by utilizing limestone as heat-and CO2 carrier in a dual fluidized bed (DFB) reactor, is a promising process for the in-situ and simultaneous generation of a H2-enriched product gas suitable for synthesis and a separate CO2-enriched flue gas stream. The extension of the DFB system with two additional reactors enables char separation from carbonated sorbent as well as electrically driven high temperature char gasification (fixed carbon) and flameless calcination of CaCO3. Process simulation shows that cutting down on char combustion through direct electrification can lead to an increase of the specific product gas yield by up to 80 % (1.58 Nm3db/kgdaf) and to a roughly 12 % higher cold gas efficiency (0.79 MWLHV,PG/MWLHV,org+el) compared to state-of-the-art SEG. The required electricity demand accounts to about 39 % of the thermal fuel input. E-SEG and SEG are further compared in terms of carbon and exergy flow diagrams. Additionally, design considerations as well as technical requirements and challenges of such a reactor system are discussed and the impact of critical process parameters on key performance indicators is studied via a sensitivity analysis.

The rise of fast fashion has led to challenges in sustainable production and recycling of polyester textile waste. Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) and the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET textiles may offer two solutions for bio and circular clothing. This study designed and simulated scaled enzymatic hydrolysis of fossil PET into ethylene glycol (r-EG) and purified terephthalic acid (r-PTA), the production of bio-EG and bio-PTA from the wheat straw ethanol (EtOH) and corn stover isobutene (IBN), respectively, and the production of PET polyester textile fibres from these monomers. The research goal was to determine whether bio-PET, r-PET, or their mixture achieves better positive profitability and NPV 2023 and carbon neutrality in textile fibres. The financial returns and carbon emissions for r-PET fibres with a bio-PET content of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% to 100% was estimated for scenario 1 (a newly constructed plant), scenario 2 (no capital costs for the EtOH or IBN processes), and scenario 3 (no capital costs for the EtOH, IBN, and enzymatic hydrolysis processes). While scenario 1 was not able to generate positive net profits or NPV 2023 , scenarios 2 and 3 were able to attain financial sustainability when the bio-PET content was ≤ 40%. On the other hand, increasing the amount of bio-PET content in the polyester fibre from 0 to 100 wt.% decreased its carbon footprint from 2.99 to 0.46 kg CO 2 eq./kg of PET fibre.

The ignition of wood is a multistage process, with the first major thermo-chemical conversion step being the pyrolytic disintegration of the material, forming a highly reactive intermediate, charcoal. Dependent on the pyrolysis temperature and duration, charcoal can exhibit different properties. In this study, preliminary results from a recently started project, concerned with the impact of the pyrolysis temperature and duration on the reactivity and the propensity for chemisorption of oxygen on freshly formed charcoal, are reported. Milled beech and spruce wood are examined in a Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer (STA) by first being pyrolyzed at six consecutive heat treatment temperatures (HTT), 350 ℃ to 600 ℃, with 50 ℃ increments under nitrogen flow. After cooling to room temperature, a combustion step is performed in air to a maximum temperature of 600 ℃. During this heating step an increase in the mass (TG signal) of the charcoal samples can be seen and at same time the DSC signal already exhibits exothermal events. These exothermal events are considered to be the result of oxygen being chemisorbed on the porous charcoal structure with a high internal surface and one of the reasons for self-ignition of charcoal. By producing wood char at specific HTT followed by a combustion step, the propensity of the charcoal of two of the most used European wood species towards chemisorption of oxygen and heterogeneous combustion are methodically analyzed at a microscale.

Biomass gasification has increased due to its ability to provide high-temperature heat, making it promising for the decarbonisation of industrial processes. The economic and technical challenges of large-scale operations need to be addressed by focusing on small-sized gasifiers, while the use of low-grade biomass, is essential to increase the flexibility and sustainability of the plant. However, the utilisation of low-grade biomass is hindered by challenges stemming from variations in the particle distribution and shape, which significantly impact the fluidisation process and overall. In this research, the gasification of shredded municipal waste wood in a pilot-scale bubbling fluidised bed reactor was demonstrated, and the fluid-dynamics and gas production were assessed. The gasification process was yielding a gas with a lower heating value between 3.5 MJNm(-3) and 3.9 MJNm(-3) and a cold gas efficiency (CGE) of 46.4 %-48.6 %. Notably, these CGE values are consistent with pilot-scale setups, where CGE values above 50 % are typically not achievable because of poor insulation standards. The reactor's conical shape facilitated dynamic fluid regime transitions, ensuring efficient gas-solid interactions. This design allowed optimisation of fluidisation by accommodating particles of varying sizes throughout the reactor's height, thereby promoting efficient gasification suitable for industrial applications with diverse biomass feedstocks.

This study explores the techno-economic feasibility of, both off-grid and on-grid, hybrid renewable energy systems for remote rural electrification in Thala City, located in the highest region of Tunisia, using wind and biomass resources. Employing Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources based on different scenarios includes grid-connected and stand-alone configurations with pumped storage hydropower and lead acid battery storage while minimizing the levelized cost of energy, the net present cost, and greenhouse gas emissions. The optimal configuration wind/biomass/pumped-hydro storage/Converter grid-connected, minimizes the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and net present cost (NPC), resulting in a cost of 501,540 US$ and LCOE of 0.042 US$/kWh. Notably, 7% of electricity is generated from olive mill waste, 69% from wind turbines, and 24% is purchased from the grid. This hybrid system emits 342 tons/year of CO2, 76% less than a grid-alone system, contributing to an annual CO2 reduction of 1000 tons.

In recent years, biochar became a promising resource to reduce our global carbon footprint and another step towards a circular economy. To produce biochar, ten different biomass feedstocks were mostly sourced in Austria. These feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 500 and 700 °C under nitrogen (N2) atmosphere in a customized muffle furnace with a capacity of two feedstock batches, 200-500 g each, per experiment. Heating rate was 10 °C/min. The feedstocks were analyzed for their lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, fat content and other properties. The produced biochars were analyzed for a variety of parameters e.g. elemental composition, inorganic nutrient elements. Elemental recoveries in the biochar samples were determined and correlated with feedstock properties. Additionally, water solubility of biochar nutrient elements was determined and also correlated with feedstock properties. Significant correlations were found for several feedstock and biochar properties.The results provided in this paper highlight the significance of feedstock choice for biochar properties.

Conventional mechanical recycling of waste plastics is limited in its scale and ability to deliver quality materials to reproduce plastic products like tyres. While plastic waste is often combusted as fuel for energy production, other thermochemical processes such as gasification, combined with methanol synthesis, and methanol to olefins (MTO) or methanol-to-aromatics (MTA) technologies, may offer a better solution to reproduce plastic products from olefin and aromatic chemicals. To explore these possibilities, this study focused on ascertaining the economic feasibility and carbon footprint of a refinery's large scale conversion of waste plastic methanol (MeOH) into ethylene (ET) via MTO, its capture and conversion of on-site CO2 emissions for the production of benzene (plan A), the outsourcing of bio-benzene produced via the wood methanol-to-aromatics (MTA) process (plan B), and the conversion of benzene and ET into styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). The material and energy inputs and outputs for these chemicals processes, were simulated in the bio-chemical engineering software SuperPro Designer (SPD). A Microsoft Excel Green SBR Refinery (MSE-Ref._Green-SBR) template tool file was designed and uploaded with the simulation's process flows, financial data, and global warming potential (GWP) factors in kg CO2eq. to complete the pre-scripted formulas for techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA). The results concluded that the SBR refinery could achieve maximum profitability if it allocates roughly 25.0 % of its plastic MeOH for SBR production, with the remainder sold as ET on the market, and converts a maximum of 25.0 % of its CO2 emissions for SBR production. However, profitability depends on a financial grant covering at least 60.0 % of the total fixed capital investment (TFCI) cost. Switching to plan B reduced the grant needed by 30.0 %. The SBR products in both plan A and plan B had a lower CO2eq. footprint compared to other examples sampled, with the SBR product in plan A offering a slightly better carbon neutrality at 0.38 kg CO2eq./kgSBR, than plan B at 0.39 kg CO2eq./kgSBR. While the waste plastic MeOH feedstock accounted for the highest operational cost and most of the plant's carbon emissions (41.1 %), with future technical developments the cost and carbon footprint of upcycling plastic MeOH into SBR could be improved, or with bio-MeOH. By granting the public free access to the resources, data, and tools (e.g., MSE-Ref._Green-SBR file) utilised, this study's objective is to provide a template and methodology for the reader to modify or update the data, assumptions, and calculations it contains for their own academic or professional purposes. Thereby helping promote research and development in plastic waste and CO2 upcycling.