Transforming olive-processed waste and almond shells into high-quality Biofuels: a comprehensive development and evaluation approach

ABSTRACT

Amidst the energy crisis, biomass energy has emerged as a pivotal solution, given its abundant distribution, impressive storage capabilities, and carbon-neutral nature. The study aims to develop biofuels of good quality using various agroalimentary waste products, Examining the pelletization process of including wet olive pomace (wet olive pomace (2 phases)(OP)), de-oiled olive pomace (DOP), olive stones (OS), and almond shells (AS), this research assesses its effectiveness in enhancing both bulk and energy densities, highlighting it as the optimal method for such enhancement. The preparation of these biofuels without binder has yielded promising results in terms of bulk density, hardness, calorific value, and ash content. Tests comparing biofuels to commercial olive pomace pellets (COP) showed the following: Using biomass with moisture content below 15%, granulometry of 1 mm or smaller, and no binder produces high-quality pellets. These pellets had high density (889, 675, 643, and 621 kg/m³), high hardness (99.18%, 99.80%, 98.92%, and 99.14%), and high heating values (18.93, 20.29, 22.51, and 20.38 MJ/kg) at average temperatures and pressures. These results are comparable to those of commercial products. In general, biomass and solid biofuels offer credible alternatives to produce energy in the form of electricity, heat, or both, using various processes, such as combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification. The knowledge gained from this research is very helpful in developing and improving bioenergy systems and promoting sustainable methods of producing energy from agricultural wastes.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofuels
• de-oiled olive pomace
• energy
• olive pomace
• pelletization

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2024.2374747

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank IRESEN for their financial support in the completion of this work, undertaken as part of the GREEN-INNO project. Additionally, our sincere appreciation goes to both the Analysis and Characterization Center (CAC) and the Innovation Center (CIM) at Cadi Ayyad University for their invaluable assistance with material characterization techniques.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Imad Rabichi

Rabichi Imad is a Ph.D. student at the Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Biomass, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University. He specializes in environmental engineering, focusing on the valorization of waste and agro-alimentary waste on a pilot scale for renewable energy. His research involves biofuel production and transforming waste into biochar for water treatment and soil amendment.

Fatima Ezzahra Yaacoubi

Fatima Ezzahra Yaacoubi is a Ph.D. student at the Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Biomass, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University. She works in the field of agro-alimentary protection of food and water treatment by transforming olive waste into activated carbon.

Karima Ennaciri

Karima Ennacir is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of Engineering of Quality Control. Dr. Ennaciri’s research focuses on the optimization processes of activated carbon preparation and water treatment.

Chaima Sekkouri

Chaima Sekkour is a Ph.D. student at the Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Biomass, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University. She works in the field of environmental protection by valorizing agro-alimentary waste to produce high-quality biochar for use as fertilizer in soil amendment

Abdelaziz Bacaoui

Bacaoui Abdelaziz is a Professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of Engineering of Quality Control. His research focuses on biochar production and application, renewable energy (including biomass and hydrogen), extraction and valorization of low-grade phosphates, and the preparation and application of activated carbon.His disciplines include Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Mathematical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Mining Engineering. Prof. Abdelrani’s expertise covers wastewater treatment, chemometrics, water quality, separation techniques, extractive metallurgy, adsorption, environmental chemistry, porous materials, waste, materials chemistry, water treatment, material characterization, mesoporous materials, activated carbon, methylene blue, and inorganic chemistry.

Abdelrani Yaacoubi

Yaacoubi Abdelrani is a Professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of Engineering of Quality Control. His work includes Vocational Education, Science Education, Higher Education, Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry. Prof. Abdelrani’s expertise encompasses adsorption, surface adsorption, kinetics, porous materials, heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst characterization, BET surface area measurement, catalyst synthesis, mesoporous materials, surface properties, kinetic modeling, material characterization, nanomaterials, photocatalysis, advanced oxidation processes, applied chemistry, physisorption, and photodegradation. His research also focuses on biochar production and application, extraction and valorization of low-grade phosphates, and activated carbon preparation and application.