[en] Sugarcane bagasse was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with the different heating rates, and nitrogen carrier from 30 to 800℃. Through decreasing the sample's mass by temperature, the stage of thermal decomposition could be determined. Specifically, there were three stages of decomposition including moisture escape stage, decomposition of cellulose stage, hemicellulose and lignin decomposition stage. On the other hand, based on the results of TGA the activation energy of decomposition process was determined by the inverse of the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) method and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method. The calculated results were compared with the activation energy by the Coats-Redfern method and Criado method in order to find the kinetics of bagasse pyrolysis process. Accordingly, when the conversion of reaction was lower than 75 %, corresponding to the decomposing process of hemicellulose and cellulose, the thermal decomposing process of bagasse obeyed diffusion kinetics of model D₂, D₃ and D₄. (author)

[en] Introduction: Energy resource assessments should be used to determine the size or energy production capacity of an area, or to make a decision on the location of a plant. The evaluation of the sugarcane biomass potential that could be obtained, in a sustainable way, varies significantly and covers a large range since all the estimates are based on different criteria and assumptions. Objective: To assess the behavior of potential sugarcane biomass, by the residue to product ratio method, in the period between 2007 and 2021 at the Héctor Rodríguez sugar mill for its use in power generation. Materials and Methods: The residue-to-product ratio calculation method is used, by means of the statistical information of cane and bagasse production obtained from the industry. Results and Discussion: The results allowed obtaining the values of the average RRP 0.3 and the average of the potential biomass 108 974 tbagasse that enable the evaluation of the sugarcane biomass in the Héctor Rodríguez sugar company. Conclusions: The closeness of the average RRP calculated to values reported in the literature supports the result obtained. The determined average potential biomass allows planning the use of the bagasse energy resource in the Héctor Rodríguez sugar company. The technological changes made as of 2016 suggest the need for a new evaluation to determine the potential sugarcane biomass in the aforementioned sugar company.

[en] Introduction: The shortage of fossil fuels implies the new sources of energy to replace it search. The bagasse generated from sugar cane contains lignocellulosic residues from which fuel bioethanol can be obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis. Objective: This work aims to design the process for obtaining fuel bioethanol by enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse using the SuperPro Designer software. Materials and Methods: A sequential procedure was used which covers all the aspects that must be considered for the optimal design of an industrial plant. The SuperPro Designer V. 10.0 program was used for the process design and simulation. Continuous operation mode was defined (Annual operation of 7.920 hours, 24 hours in 330 days). Results and Discussion: The quantities of cane bagasse with the most profitable economic indicators are 72 t, 90 t, 108 t, 126 t, and 144 t of cane bagasse and an internal rate of return between 9.14% for 72 t to 31.33% in 144 t of bagasse. Quantities less than 54 t of sugarcane bagasse report a negative net present value. Therefore, these quantities not generate profitable processes. Conclusions: The economic indicators with the highest profitability are between 64 t to 144 t of sugarcane bagasse.

[en] The paper industry is one of the largest consumers of energy and energy consumption has been increased several times in last few decades. Bagasse chemical pulping has very low yield about 45–55% and also generates high pollution load in the effluent as compared to mechanical pulping, g. Thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP). On the other hand,->e.g. thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP). On the other hand, the specific energy consumption is very high for TMP pulps. ETMP (Energy efficient Thermo-Mechanical Pulping) or ECTMP (Energy efficient Chemi-Thermo Mechanical Pulping) is an innovative idea for reducing the energy demand in TMP refining. In the present investigation, energy efficient mechanical pulping potential of bagasse was studied using TMP, CTMP and ECTMP pulping methodology with electron irradiation pretreatment. It is evident from the results that more than 50% energy saving potential of irradiation pre-treatment was achieved. - Highlights: • The energy savings potential of bagasse chemi-mechanical pulp after irradiation pretreatment was studied. • The effects of high energy electron irradiation pre-treatment on bagasse were determined. • Irradiation pretreatment has the potential for reducing specific energy consumption. • More than 50% energy saving potential of bagasse after irradiation pre-treatment was achieved.

[en] Sugarcane bagasse is divided into two major components. They are pith and rind. Pith is the inner part of sugarcane bagasse while rind is the outer part of it. In this study, the flexural properties of pith reinforced poly (vinyl chloride) composites were compared to that of rind composites with the same matrix in variation of fibre content. The composites were produced by compression moulding method. The fibre contents were 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% in weight. Three-point bending tests were carried out to measure the flexural properties of the composites. It has been found that, in general, the addition of fibre improved the flexural modulus of the materials. Meanwhile, the rind composites were of superior flexural properties compared to the pith composites.

[en] The objective of this study was to determine endogenous phosphorus excretion in sheep fed with different diets. Sixteen male growing sheep, received a basic diet with: 42% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse (HSB), 45% lucerne hay (LH) plus 14% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse, and 30% citrus pulp (CTP) plus 40% hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse. A dose of 7.7 MBq ³²P was injected into the left jugular vein of each animal. The P endogenous fecal losses were: 1.69, 2.50, 2.33 and 1.45 g/animal for treatments HSB, LH, and CTP respectively (P>0.05). The type of diet influenced slight endogenous P excretion but altered excretion of P in urine. Endogenous P excreted in feces (P_F) comes mainly from saliva and represents an important loss of P. The estimation of net requirements of phosphorus (P) for ruminants includes endogenous losses, which is also essential for calculating true absorption of this mineral. Physical structure of the feed may influence endogenous losses, altering the metabolism of P and also the demand of this mineral, therefore being important to know how different feeds affect endogenous P losses. (author)

[en] Introduction: This research arises from the need to have criteria that support the versatility of sugarcane bagasse, not only used as fuel for the process that produces it, but also its use in the ways that farming industry residues are currently used, in the form of pellets. Objective: To review in the bibliography what is exposed about the use, properties and pretreatments applied to sugarcane bagasse, which are the cause of its potential as an energy carrier in the form of pellets. Materials and Methods: References from the last ten years were consulted, in relation to the use of bagasse, its chemical and energetic properties, the different types of pre-treatments that can receive before being used as an energy carrier and the substances that are extracted. Results and Discussion: From the physical properties analyzed, low nitrogen and sulfur contents were found. In addition, the caloric power was observed in a range of 17-19 MJ/kg. Among its lignocellulosic components, cellulose is the one with the highest percentage. Like pellets, the presence of lignin is essential during compaction. The characteristics of the biomass pellets were searched, observing that the sugarcane bagasse complies with the standards. Conclusions: The review carried out is the starting point for research directed towards the study of the use of agro-industrial waste as an energy carrier in the form of pellets.

[en] Semi-solid state fermentation route of hydrogen production from agro-waste sugar cane bagasse was tried using the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas (BHU strain-1) and the non-photosynthetic Enterobacter aerogenes MTCC2822. The process seems an alternative to submerged fermentation that requires high volumes of nutrient broth. Bagasse (10 g) pre-hydrolyzed with NaOH (2%, w/v) was coated with Ca-alginate (1.5%, v/v) containing Rhodopseudomonas and E. aerogenes in the co-immobilized state (300 μg bacterial biomass ml^-1). The fermenting medium was just 150 ml to sustain the moistened bagasse in a 0.5 L fermenter kept in light. A parallel set of free bacterial cells served as control. Hydrogen production by the immobilized sets reached 30 L within 60 h with the average rate of 0.177 L H₂ h^-1. For free cells, the values for hydrogen output (20 L) or the rate 0.1125 L H₂ h^-1 were approximately 1.5-fold low. It is proposed that semi-solid fermentation route of hydrogen production from bagasse will be a cost-effective technology in countries generating this agro-waste. (authors)

[en] Bagasse is a waste product which was produced from the sugar industry. These wastes produce lots of environment pollution in development. Effective utilization of these wastes can reduce lots of environment pollution. In this study, a literature review is carried out to observe the bagasse as reinforcement in the development of composite. From the literature, it was notified that bagasse can be used in the development of composite. (paper)

[en] Biomass densification has encouraged significant interest around the world as a technique for utilization of agro and forest residues as an energy source, and pellets/briquettes production has grown rapidly in last few years. The cutting process is one of the most important steps for biomass preparation prior densification. This stage helps to homogenize the raw material and therefore facilitate handling, feeding and filling in the briquetting equipment. The aim of this work was to study the behavior of sugarcane bagasse submitted to cutting, as a function of its moisture content, angle of the blade edge and cutting speed. The specific cutting energy and peak cutting force were measure using an experimental facility developed for this series of experiments. An analysis of the results of the full factorial experimental design using a statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. The response surfaces and empirical models for the specific cutting energy and peak cutting force were obtained using statistical analysis system software. Low angle of the blade edge and low moisture content are, in this order, the most important experimental factors in determining a low specific cutting energy and a low peak cutting force respectively. The best cutting conditions are achieved for an angle of blade edge of 20.8° and a moisture content of 10% w. b. The results of this work could contribute to the optimal design of sugarcane bagasse pre-treatment systems. (full text)