【Wed.,Feb.19, 2025: Hybrid】119th Hiroshima University Biomass Evening Seminar (151th Hiroshima University ACE Seminar)

Date & Time

Wed., Feb. 19, 2025 16:20-17:50
Onsite & Online Hybrid

Place

Engineering 109 Lecture Room, Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, Hiroshima University

Online

If you are online, you need to apply.

Program

Commentary: Yukihiko MATSUMURA
Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University

Lecture: Ken FURUTA
M1, Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, Hiroshima University
“Hydrothermal carbonization of macroalgae Ulva reticulata as a biomass feedstock for sustainable energy”

To overcome the recent global environmental problem, the utilization of biomass is one 
of the best solutions. Macroalgae is one of the biomass resources and it was washed up on the coast in large quantities. However, due to their high water content leading to lower efficiency, they are rarely used as a source of energy. Hydrothermal treatment is a method of treating biomass in high-temperature, high-pressure water, and is particularly effective for materials with high moisture content. Hydrothermal carbonization is one of the hydrothermal treatment methods, which can produce hydrochar, a solid product rich in carbon. In this research, Ulva reticulata was used as the feedstock of hydrothermal carbonization to elucidate its reaction characteristics.

Lecture: Mizuki KODAMA
M1, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University
“Hydrothermal carbonization treatment of mixed biomass for higher heating value and lower ash content hydrochar”

Our research group focused on the effective use of rice straw as energy, since Thailand and Japan are famous for rice production. In this study, a mixture of rice straw and corn stover was used as a feedstock. We performed dry torrefaction (DT) on feedstock. However, the high ash content of produced char was problematic for industrial use. The experiment was designed using a central composite design (CCD). The obtained char and the CCD model were compared to obtain the optimal conditions of temperature and reaction time to get high HHV, energy yield, and low ash content.

Lecture: Shunya ANDACHI
B4, School of Engineering, Hiroshima University
“Dissolution of cellulose nanofiber in hot compressed water”

Supercritical water gasification is known as a promising technology for gasification of wet biomass, but the reaction mechanism is not understood. It is believed that once biomass dissolves, its reaction rate increases and gasification is much faster compared to solid biomass, where the reaction occurs only from the solid surface. However, it is difficult to directly observe dissolution during supercritical water gasification, and the relationship between dissolution and gasification properties has not been elucidated. In this study, cellulose nanofibers were employed and the solid products in the effluent of supercritical water gasification were observed using a scanning electron microscope; at temperatures above 400 °C, flat cellulose particles were observed, indicating that cellulose nanofibers dissolved and then deposited in a completely different form.

Lecture: Yuichi KUWADA
M1, Graduate School of Integrated Life Sciences, Hiroshima University
“Analysis of Gas Fermentation Behavior of the Ethanol-Producing Mutant Strain of Thermophilic Acetogen Moorella thermoacetica”

Fermentation using syngas (CO/H2 mixture) as a substrate is a promising carbon recycling technology. We successfully engineered Moorella thermoacetica, an anaerobic acetogen, to produce ethanol instead of acetate. This study investigates the fermentation behavior of this modified strain with syngas. Culturing with syngas yielded a maximum of 0.30 g-dry cell/L biomass and 11.4 mM ethanol. As CO partial pressure decreased, acetate production began alongside ethanol. These results suggest that controlling CO partial pressure is crucial for high-yield ethanol production. Current studies focus on syngas fermentation systems with precise control of CO pressure and pH.

Chair: Yukihiko MATSUMURA
Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University

For those who wish to participate

Please post the following 5 items (1-4 are required) in the email, write "I would like to participate in the evening seminar" in the subject line, and send it to
bprc * hiroshima-u.ac.jp. (Please replace * with @)

1.Participation Seminar:Wed., Feb. 19, 2025. 119th Hiroshima University Biomass Evening Seminar
2.Name:
3.e-mail address:
4.Participation form:□Online □Face-to-face
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Inquiries

HOSTY Association (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering)
Email: bprc*hiroshima-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @)


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