Recruitment of long short-term memory for envisaging the higher heating value of valorized lignocellulosic solid biofuel: A new approach

ABSTRACT

The valorization of lignocellulosic wastes via the concept of bio-based circular economy to achieve the sustainable development goals of clean energy, safe life on land, and climate change mitigation is a worldwide scope nowadays. Lignocellulosic wastes are considered sustainable energy resources; consequently, it is crucial to find a cost-effective and time-saving method for predicting its higher heating value (HHV) to qualify its feasibility as a solid biofuel. In this study, the long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm as a deep-learning (DL) approach has been applied in a pioneering step to calculate the HHV from 623 proximate analyses of various lignocellulosic biomasses. The relatively high value of the correlation coefficent of determination (R² 0.8567) and low values of mean square error (MSE 0.67), root-mean-square error (RMSE 0.819), mean absolute error (MAE 0.597), and average absolute error (AAE 0.0319) confirmed the exceptional accuracy of the suggested LSTM model. Thus, recommending applying DL-LSTM as a new approach for building models since it provides an accurate prediction of HHV without the need for time-consuming and complicated experimental measurements or the conventional regression analysis and statistical modeling.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher heating value
• lignocellulosic wastes
• LSTM modeling
• proximate analysis
• solid biofuel
• valorization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Notes on contributors

Ahmed F. Al-Sadek

Ahmed Farouk Al-Sadek received his PhD degree in Computer Science from Cairo University. He is working as a Researcher Climate Change Information Center, Renewable Energy and Expert System (CCICRES). He is also the program leader for Computer Science Pathway in October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA). His research interests include computational chemistry, molecular modeling and material science. Applying the molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning algorithms is his believed approach to understand the molecular behavior. Dr. Al-Sadek has many Scopus publications in the field of AI.

Beshoy K. Gad

Bishoy Kamal Gad is BSc graduate, Faculty of Computer Science, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA). His research interest includes the Quantum Computing field also applying the machine and deep learning algorithms to solving the scientific computing problems.

Hussein N. Nassar

Dr. Hussein Nabil Nassar is a researcher in the field of Environmental Biotechnology. He is a Member in Petroleum Biotechnology Lab, Process Design & Development Department at Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Egypt. He is a Lecturer for Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology in October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) University, Cairo, Egypt. He is also a member in Technology Innovation Support Center (TISC) office and Center of Excellence, in the same university. He is also a scientific member of Liquid Chromatography and Water unit at Central Analytical Laboratories, EPRI. He is a former lecturer in Faculty of Nanotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, Sheikh Zayed Branch Campus. He has received his PhD in the field of petroleum and environmental biotechnology from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. He has published 6 chapters, 2 book, and 45 research papers, and supervised 4 PhD theses in the field of biofuels, biocorrosion, environmental pollution, bioremediation, valorization of agro-industrial wastes, nanobiotechnology, and wastewater treatment. He has awarded a Diploma in “Environmental Management”. Dr Nassar is also an editor and reviewer in 10 and 11 international journals, respectively, in the field of environmental biotechnology and pollution, bioenergy, nanobiotechnology, and petroleum microbiology and biotechnology. He participated as a research member in research projects concerning with; bioethanol from lignocellulosic wastes; application of nanobiotechnology in upgrading of petroleum and bioremediation of petroleum polluted environment. He has participated in 47 international workshops and training courses, and 38 international conferences. Dr Nassar is a member in many international associations concerned with petroleum industry, environmental health and sciences and awarded “Best Researcher Award 2021 on Engineering, Science and Medicine” from India.

Nour Sh. El-Gendy

Dr. Nour Shafik El-Gendy is a Professor in the field of Environmental Sciences and Nanobiotechnology. She is Head Manager of Petroleum Biotechnology Lab., Former Acting and Vice Head of Process Design & Development Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI). El-Gendy is the Head of Technology Innovation Support Center (TISC) office, Vice Head of Center of Excellence and member in Entrepreneurship Hub in October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, MSA University. She is a Member in Technical, Monitoring and Performance Evaluation Office and the coordinator of Water, Energy and Environment Committee in the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT). She is the Former Advisor for the Egyptian Minster of Environment. El-Gendy is the Former Coordinator of Nanobiotechnology Program, Faculty of Nanotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, Sheikh Zayed Branch Campus. She is the Vice Coordinator of the Scientific Research Committee and member in Rural Woman Committee, National Council for Women (NCW) of Egypt. El-Gendy is an Ambassador for the Egyptian Young Academy of Sciences (EYAS). She is a member of many technical committees for the preparation of regulations of different faculties concerned with Energy, Environmental and Biochemical Engineering. Awarded Professional Diploma in “Preparing Arab Women Leaders Internationally and Regionally” documented by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. El-Gendy is expert in the assessment of environmental pollution and its remediation, wastewater treatment, biofuels, petroleum upgrading, green chemistry, nanobiotechnology, valorization of wastes, biocorrosion and its mitigation. El-Gendy awarded Diploma in “Environmental Management”. She has published 10 chapters, 7 books and 118 research papers, and supervised 27 MSc and PhD theses. Dr. El-Gendy is also an editor and reviewer in 79 and 147 international journals, respectively. She participated also as PI, Co-PI or research member in research projects concerning with; biovalorization of wastes, solid waste management, bioethanol from lignocellulosic wastes; biofuels from algae, application of nanobiotechnology in upgrading of petroleum and bioremediation of polluted environment. Dr. El-Gendy participated in 83 international workshops and training courses, and 88 international conferences and seminars. Dr. El-Gendy established 3 ongoing research schools; petroleum and environmental biotechnology, environmental nanobiotechnology, and biofuels. Dr. El-Gendy is a member in many international associations and organizations concerned with petroleum industry, environmental health and sciences. She is also an active member in national committees concerning with; sustainable development, water desalination, wastewater treatment, biofuel standards, petroleum pollution, chemical engineering and biotechnology. She is in international collaboration with different foreign international universities. She has also teaching experience (Chemical Engineering Department – Faculty of Engineering - The British University in Egypt BUE, Faculty of Biotechnology, and Chemical Engineering Department – Faculty of Engineering - Modern Sciences and Arts MSA University, Faculty of Science - Monofiya University, Chemical Engineering Department - Faculty of Engineering - Cairo University and Biotechnology Program - Faculty of Science, Cairo University). She was honored in many scientific forums. She was awarded from India the International Scientist Award 2021 on Engineering, Science and Medicine and Best Women Scientist Award 2021 from College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, USA. Her biography is recorded in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering.