1. From waste to hydrogen: utilizing waste as feedstock or catalysts for hydrogen generationDavid Tian Hren, Andreja Nemet, Danijela Urbancl, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: With the world facing the twin pressures of a warming climate and an ever-increasing amount of waste, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to rethink the way we generate energy and use materials. Despite growing awareness, our energy systems are still largely dependent on fossil fuels and characterized by a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model. This leaves us vulnerable to supply disruptions, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of critical raw materials. Hydrogen is emerging as a potential carbon-free energy vector that can overcome both challenges if it is produced sustainably from renewable sources. This study reviews hydrogen production from a circular economy perspective, considering industrial, agricultural, and municipal solid waste as a resource rather than a burden. The focus is on the reuse of waste as a catalyst or catalyst support for hydrogen production. Firstly, the role of hydrogen as a new energy carrier is explored along with possible routes of waste valorization in the process of hydrogen production. This is followed by an analysis of where and how catalysts from waste can be utilized within various hydrogen production processes, namely those based on using fossil fuels as a source, biomass as a source, and electrocatalytic applications. Ključne besede: hydrogen production, waste-derived catalysts, renewable energy, biomass conversion Objavljeno v DKUM: 25.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 6
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2. The conversion of pistachio and walnut shell waste into valuable components with subcritical waterMaja Čolnik, Mihael Irgolič, Amra Perva, Mojca Škerget, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Pistachio and walnut shells accumulate in large quantities as waste during food processing and represent a promising lignocellulosic biomass for the extraction of valuable components. Subcritical water technology was used as an environmentally friendly technique to study the extraction of active ingredients and other valuable degradation products from walnut and pistachio waste. Subcritical water extraction (SWE) was carried out under different process conditions (temperature (150–300 ◦C) and short reaction times (15–60 min)) and compared with conventional extraction using different organic solvents (acetone, 50% acetone and ethanol). The extracts obtained from pistachio and walnut shell waste are rich in various bioactive and valuable components. The highest contents of total phenols (127.08 mg GA/g extract at 300 ◦C for 15 min, from walnut shells), total flavonoids (10.18 mg QU/g extract at 200 ◦C for 60 min, from pistachio shells), total carbohydrates (602.14 mg TCH/g extract at 200 ◦C for 60 min, from walnut shells) and antioxidant activity (91% at 300 ◦C, for 60 min, from pistachio shells) were determined when the extracts were obtained via subcritical water. High contents of total phenols (up to 86.17 mg GA/g extract) were also determined in the conventional extracts obtained with ethanol. Using the HPLC method, sugars and their valuable derivatives were determined in the extracts, with glucose, fructose, furfurals (5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural) and levulinic acid being the most abundant in the extracts obtained by subcritical water. The results show that subcritical water technology enables better exploitation of biowaste materials than conventional extraction methods with organic solvents, as it provides a higher yields of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and thus extracts with high antioxidant activity, while at the same time producing degradation products that are valuable secondary raw materials. Ključne besede: pistachio shells, walnut shells, subcritical water extraction, conventional extraction, waste biomass, valuable compounds, sugars, furfurals Objavljeno v DKUM: 01.07.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 8
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3. The Thermochemical Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste by Torrefaction ProcessMaja Ivanovski, Darko Goričanec, Danijela Urbancl, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: In this work, the thermochemical properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) are studied using the torrefaction process as the main method for investigation. Torrefaction experiments were carried out using an electric laboratory furnace, at temperatures of 200, 250, and 300 °C. The residence time was set to 90 min. Proximate and ultimate analysis were performed on the torrefied MSW samples and compared with the properties of the raw MSW samples. In addition, the thermal properties of the obtained torrefied MSW samples were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG). The following could be stated: the obtained results showed that mass and energy yields (MY and EY, respectively) decrease with increasing when torrefaction temperature, while the heating values (HHV) increased under the same conditions (from 24.3 to 25.1 MJ/kg). Elemental analysis showed an increase in carbon content (C), from 45.7 ± 0.9 to 52.8 ± 1.05 wt.%, and decrease in oxygen content (O), from 45.6 ± 0.9 to 39.5 ± 0.8 wt.%, when torrefaction temperature is increased, which is consistent with the general definition of the torrefaction process. In addition, enhancement factors (EFs) and fuel ratios (FRs) were calculated, which ranged from 1.00 to 1.02 and 0.16 to 0.23, respectively. Some anomalies were observed during the thermal analysis, which are assumed to be related to the composition of the selected MSW. This study therefore shows that torrefaction pretreatment can improve the physicochemical properties of raw MSW to a level comparable to coal, and could contribute to a better understanding of the conversion of MSW into a valuable, solid biofuel. Ključne besede: biomass, municipal solid waste, torrefication, energy yield, thermogravimetric analysis Objavljeno v DKUM: 10.05.2024; Ogledov: 255; Prenosov: 27
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4. The Evaluation of Torrefaction Efficiency for Lignocellulosic Materials Combined with Mixed Solid WastesMaja Ivanovski, Darko Goričanec, Danijela Urbancl, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The paper presents the results of research aimed at evaluating the possibility of using selected biomass wastes to produce solid biofuels. In this work, the thermochemical properties of two lignocellulosic biomasses, namely, miscantshus (Miscanthus × Giganteus) and hops (Humulus lupulus), and non-lignocellulosic biomass, namely, municipal solid waste, and their mixtures (micanthus + municipal solid waste and hops + municipal solid waste) were studied using the torrefaction process as the main method for investigation. The effects of various torrefaction temperatures (250, 300, and 350 °C) and times (30 and 60 min) were evaluated. Proximate and ultimate analyses were performed on the torrefied samples. The following can be stated: as the torrefaction temperature and time increased, mass and energy yields decreased while the higher heating values (HHVs) and fuel ratios (FRs) increased, together with carbon contents (C). In addition, energy on return investment (EROI) was studied; the maximum EROI of 28 was achieved for MSW biochar at 250 °C for 30 min. The results of studying greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) showed a reduction of around 88% when using torrefied biochar as a substitute for coal. In sum, this study shows that torrefaction pre-treatment can improve the physicochemical properties of raw biomasses to a level comparable with coal, and could be helpful in better understanding the conversion of those biomasses into a valuable, solid biofuel. Ključne besede: torrefaction, waste biomass, renewable energy, fuel ratio, greenhouse gas emission, GHG Objavljeno v DKUM: 29.03.2024; Ogledov: 222; Prenosov: 36
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5. Exploring the properties of the torrefaction process and its prospective in treating lignocellulosic materialMaja Ivanovski, Aleksandra Petrovič, Darko Goričanec, Danijela Urbancl, Marjana Simonič, 2023, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: The main objective of this review is to present the latest research results regarding the importance of the torrefaction process for different biomass materials in the last 12-year period. Despite the fact that the potential of renewable energy sources has been analyzed, research regarding that of energy derived from waste biomass still remains in the infancy state. Torrefaction is known to be one of the most effective methods for enhancing the energy efficiency of biomass. Among different types of torrefactions, the focus in this study is mostly on dry torrefaction. The influential factors, like temperature and residence time, and physico-chemical properties of torrefied products, and the prospective of torrefaction due to its reduced impact on environment, are discussed in-depth. This review provides valuable insights into the torrefaction process, which is conducive to upgrading biomass for achieving net zero carbon emissions, as it has been stated in several works that torrefied biomass can be used instead of coal. Ključne besede: torrefaction, lignocellulosic biomass, waste biomass, biomass properties Objavljeno v DKUM: 22.03.2024; Ogledov: 470; Prenosov: 713
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6. Transitioning towards Net-Zero Emissions in Chemical and Process Industries : a holistic perspectivePeter Glavič, Zorka Novak-Pintarič, Helena Levičnik, Vesna Dragojlović, Miloš Bogataj, 2023, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Given the urgency to combat climate change and ensure environmental sustainability, this review examines the transition to net-zero emissions in chemical and process industries. It addresses the core areas of carbon emissions reduction, efficient energy use, and sustainable practices. What is new, however, is that it focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as biomass utilization, biotechnology applications, and waste management strategies that are key drivers of this transition. In particular, the study addresses the unique challenges faced by industries such as cement manufacturing and highlights the need for innovative solutions to effectively reduce their carbon footprint. In particular, the role of hydrogen as a clean fuel is at the heart of revolutionizing the chemical and process sectors, pointing the way to cleaner and greener operations. In addition, the manuscript explores the immense importance of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the chemical industry. These initiatives provide a clear roadmap and framework for advancing sustainability, driving innovation, and reducing the industry's environmental impact, and are a notable contribution to the existing body of knowledge. Ultimately, alignment with the European Green Deal and the SDGs can bring numerous benefits to the chemical industry, increasing its competitiveness, promoting societal well-being, and supporting cross-sector collaboration to achieve shared sustainability goals. By highlighting the novelty of integrating cutting-edge technologies, addressing unique industrial challenges, and positioning global initiatives, this report offers valuable insights to guide the chemical and process industries on their transformative path to a sustainable future. Ključne besede: net zero, energy, process industries, emissions, climate, chemicals, biomass, waste, cement, metals Objavljeno v DKUM: 19.02.2024; Ogledov: 333; Prenosov: 561
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