Abstract
This paper reviews nitrogen (N) cycle of effluent-irrigated energy crop plantations, starting from wastewater treatment to thermo-chemical conversion processes. In wastewater, N compounds contribute to eutrophication and toxicity in water cycle. Removal of N via vegetative filters and specifically in short-rotation energy plantations, is a relatively new approach to managing nitrogenous effluents. Though combustion of energy crops is in principle carbon neutral, in practice, N content may contribute to NOx emissions with significant global warming potential. Intermediate pyrolysis produces advanced fuels while reducing such emissions. By operating at intermediate temperature (500°C), it retains most N in char as pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N, quaternary-N and amines. In addition, biochar provides long-term sequestration of carbon in soils.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 675-682 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 IndiaKeywords
- carbon and nitrogen sequestration
- intermediate pyrolysis
- nitrogen cycle
- nitrogen fixation
- NOx emission
- vegetative filters
- wastewater treatment