Biomass Controls

Abstract Green leaves are gaining traction as an emerging protein source and a sustainable alternative to animal-based protein as leaf proteins often possess good nutritional and functional properties. Current methods for producing protein isolates from leaves include partially or fully denaturing conditions, diminishing protein solubility and functionality. Here, we characterize the performance of a multi-stage, membrane-based green biorefinery concept capable of producing a native protein product from clover grasses devoid of attributes such as green color and grassy smell/taste. By sampling at each step along the process, we obtain insights on the fate of proteins and pigments over each unit operation. The process efficiently removes green pigments (>99.9%), when comparing the product stream with the initial feed stream, based on UV/Vis analysis. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics, two complementary quantification strategies, and subsequent bioinformatic analysis, this can particularly be ascribed to a very selective retention (>99%) of unwanted membrane-associated and pigment-binding proteins in the first-stage filtration. In the second-stage filtration and subsequent diafiltration stage, residual unwanted proteins, fragments, and pigments are efficiently washed out while retaining the overall protein composition. The product maintains the high RuBisCO content of green juice and is furthermore enriched in proteins with known antioxidant properties while depleted in known food allergens. This work presents an in-depth understanding of protein-level selectivity in membrane-based green biorefinery and can help guide process optimization towards improved yields and quality. Highlights Streams from a two-stage membrane-based green biorefinery were characterized >99.9% pigment-binding proteins were removed primarily in first stage filtration The 2 nd filtration and diafiltration removed residual pigment and retained protein The full process efficiently removed >99.9% of chlorophylls and carotenoids The soluble product is rich in RuBisCO and enriched in known antioxidant proteins

Thermochemical conversion technologies are emerging as preferred resource recovery practices for managing animal manure in agricultural regions. Although the implementation of such technologies has been previously studied, difficulties exist in maintaining balance between high rate of resource recovery and low environmental, economic, and social impacts, particularly in rural regions with limited resources. We developed a data-driven framework by integrating machine learning with life cycle thinking that can be used as an open-source tool to help overcome these barriers. The framework was applied to compare two emerging technologies: pyrolysis versus hydrothermal carbonization for managing the excess poultry litter in a rural agricultural region. Among different machine learning models, random forest regression was the most successful to predict resource recovery of both technologies. Next, sustainability analysis indicated that the environmental (global warming), economic (annual worth), and social (system intrusiveness) impacts of pyrolysis was lower than hydrothermal carbonization. Finally, the framework revealed that implementation of pyrolysis at 600 °C for 1 h with the heating rate of 20 °C/min would result in the highest rate of resource recovery that corresponded to the lowest impacts. These results can be helpful in providing operational conditions for implementing emerging resource recovery technologies in rural agricultural regions.

Innovations that enable cost-effective and resource-conserving treatment of human waste are required for the 4.2 billion people in the world who currently lack safe and reliable sanitation services. Onsite treatment and reuse of blackwater is one strategy towards this end, greatly reducing the need to transport wastewater over long distances either via sewers or trucks. Here, we report on the field testing of a prototype onsite blackwater treatment system conducted over a period of 8 months. The system was connected to a women's toilet in a public communal ablution block located in an informal settlement near Durban, South Africa. Liquid waste was treated by separation and diversion of large solids, settling of suspended solids, and filtration through activated carbon prior to disinfection by electrochemical oxidation. System performance was monitored daily by measurement of chemical and physical water quality parameters onsite and confirmed by periodic detailed analysis of chemical and biological parameters at an offsite lab. Daily monitoring of system performance indicated that the effluent had minimal color and turbidity (maximum 90 Pt/Co units and 6.48 NTU, respectively), and consistent evolution of chlorine as blackwater passed through the system. Weekly offsite analysis confirmed that the system consistently inactivated pathogens (E. coli and coliforms) and reduced chemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids to meet ISO 30500 category B standards. Significant reductions in total nitrogen load were also observed, though these reductions often fell short of the 70% reduction required by ISO 30500. No significant reduction in total phosphorus was observed. Maintenance requirements were identified, and the resilience of the system to restart following a prolonged shutdown was demonstrated, but significant improvements are required in the design of the solid/liquid separation mechanism for application of this system in a wiping culture.

Levulinic acid can be hydrodeoxygenated either to γ-valerolactone or to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran over the Co/SiO2 catalyst. Selectivity was controlled by the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst.

Fate of cyanobacterial species within full-scale water treatment/recycling processes and real-time treatment adjustment usingin-situfluorescence measurement.