[en] A laboratory study was conducted to assess the effect of reclamation treatment on the aerobic degradation rate of organic matter composed of horse faeces, urine, and straw bedding. It was hypothesized that different physical treatments of soil removed during the mining process would alter the rate of organic matter decomposition. The soils were from the B horizon of reclaimed prime farmland. The B horizon was reconstructed using one of two treatments: soil direct hauled from the mining site to the reconstruction site; soil hauled from a 6-month-old stockpile. The soil that was immediately replaced exhibited organic matter degradation rates similar to a control whereas the stockpiled soil organic matter degradation rates were depressed. This implies that stockpiling adversely affects the microbial population. Prescription limiting, typically done during reclamation, did have the desired effect on pH and did not interfere with organic matter degradation. 15 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs

[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] 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] The Activation energy of PA6/Bagasse particles blends was evaluated as a function of particle compositions. The composite was prepared in compositions of weight %PA 6%/weight Bagasse particles, that is 95/5, 90/10 and 87.5/12.5 respectively using a twin screw extruder at 40 rpm and 220 °C blending temperature. The Activation energy is determined based on rheological testing with using a capillary rheometer on constant heating method. In this test, it is obtained the relationship of viscosity and temperature of melting composite. Arrhenius linear plot between viscosity to 1/T. can be obtained the activation energy. (paper)

[en] At the Cauca Department, manures are using obtained by means of compost of agricultural and cattle waste, with base in a Central American formula (Bocashi). Fifteen days after their preparation, these manures are applied to different crops. It is sought to replace some components to give it use to agro industrial waste that have not been found utility, among them residual fine dust of bagasse cane (marrow) generated during paper production; vinasse and husk of coffee and hen-dung that is expensive and of difficult access for all farmers. The humification process is also evaluated in 60 days period. Three bio-organic fertilizers were prepared by means of compost of materials: coffee husk until 26.7%. Fine dust until 11% and vinasse until 34% the following parameters were evaluated: humification degree by determination of organic matter (MO), humic acid, fulvic acid, humification relationships, cation exchange capacity (CIC) and C/N relationship. Physicochemical parameters like: temperature, pH, and content of nutrients. The presence of fine dust in manure improved the physicochemical properties achieving a better microbial development that is translated in a better humification process and bigger content of nutrients. The results demonstrate that at 15 days it is still incipient the maturation process, and that in the evaluated period it has not finished the humification; that hen-dung can be replaced by cattle manure whenever it is in fine e dust presence and that coffee husk is useful for obtaining bio-organic fertilizers

[en] The neutral red dye is used in textile and leather industries and in environmental research. Therefore, the removal of this dye from the factory wastewaters is environmentally significant. In this research, two very inexpensive, abundant and easily available adsorbents, i.e. sugarcane bagasse and sawdust, were employed to remove the neutral red from water. The effects of various conditions such as pH, electrolyte concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time and agitation rate were studied for the removal of the dye in a concentration of 100 mg L/sup -1/. The obtained conditions were applied for various concentrations of the dye (100 - 400 mg L/sup -1/) and in all the cases, an efficiency of more than 96 % was attained. Adsorption isotherms were studied which were well in line with both Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The possibility of employing columns was studied and good results were achieved. The method was applied for the removal of dye from real samples of different waters. (author)

[en] The efficiency of biopurification systems to treat pesticide-contaminated water was previously studied in microcosms. To validate the obtained results, macrocosm systems were set-up. Four pesticides (linuron, isoproturon, bentazone, and metalaxyl) were continuously applied to ten different organic substrate mixes. Retention of the pesticides was similar and in some cases slightly lower in the macrocosms compared to the microcosms. Differences in retention between the different mixes were however minimal. Moreover, the classification of the retention strength of the pesticides was identical to that observed in microcosms: linuron > isoproturon > metalaxyl > bentazone. Monod kinetics were used to describe delayed degradation, which occurred for isoproturon, metalaxyl and bentazone. No breakthrough of linuron was observed, thus, this pesticide was appointed as the most retained and/or degraded pesticide, followed by isoproturon, metalaxyl and bentazone. Finally, most of the matrix mixes efficient in degrading or retaining pesticides were mixes containing dried cow manure. - Transport of pesticides in macrocosm containing organic substrates

[en] The importance of farm yard manure and green manuring is well established for better crop production. The availability of farm yard manure is becoming difficult due to mechanized farming. An experiment was conducted with farm yard manure application in less quantity i.e. 5000 kg per hectare through fermenter with irrigation water as concentrated solution of farm yard manure. Four levels of nitrogen i.e. 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg/ha were applied through soil to Cotton crop planted on bed-furrows. Two years average results indicated that application of FYM at the rate of 5 metric ton per hectare through fermenter with 0, 50, 100 and 150 kgN/ha through soil increased seed cotton by 7 percent, on over all average basis of all fertilizer levels, as compared with no farm yard manure application. There was 6 percent increase with first 50 kgN/ha in the presence of FYM where as 100 kgN/ha gave 15% increase in seed cotton yield over no nitrogen application. It indicated that the efficiency of nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg/ha in the presence of farm yard manure was increased. There was 7, 15 and 20 percent increase in seed cotton with 50, 100 and 150 kgN/ha over no nitrogen on over all average basis of farm yard manure variables. Benefit cost ratio was more with FYM application alone.(author)

[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] Papers contributed to the European seminar on collective biogas plants held at Herning, Denmark on October 22-23 under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities, Directorate-General for Energy (DG XVII) are presented. Within the framework of the THERMIE programme, a network of OPETs (Organizations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies) was set up in order to disseminate information on new energy technologies throughout the European communities. The potential for further implementation of centralized capacity for the conversion of animal manures and other organic wastes to bio-fuels, not only in central and eastern Europe but also in the developing countries, is discussed in addition to the relevant technologies. Actual biomass conversion plants are described and details are given on operational experience and plant management. Agricultural, economic and policy aspects are also dealt with. (AB)