Biomass and Bioenergy

• Background

Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group aims to research advances in technology to address potential green industries' demands. Furthermore, the group also aims to transform ordinary biomass into industrial raw material to fulfill the needs of high-value chemicals and biofuels. The key scientific activities involve collecting knowledge on biomass's physical/chemical properties and converting biomass into fuels using different processes (anaerobic digestion, transesterification, fermentation, pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion). The group has been conducting simulations and techno-economic evaluations of biomass conversion technologies. Biomass and Bioenergy group can partner with industry and government to better help UAE's economy. Research from fundamental studies in the lab to applied, short-term contracts with other organizations will be conducted to investigate the potential of biomass energy in the region.

 

• Goals and Objectives

• Testing and analyzing physical (Proximate Analysis) and chemical (Ultimate Analysis) properties of different available biomass.
• Studying the potential energy content of different biomass.
• Converting ordinary biomass into high-value chemicals and biofuels.
• Converting biomass into clean energy (biofuels: i.e. biodiesel, biogas, syngas, bio-oil) can be used in different applications as an alternative option to conventional fuels (diesel, natural gas).
• Refereed publications: journal papers, conference papers, book chapters, technical reports, books, patents, creative works, supervision of post-graduate students; organization of professional events, etc. 

• History

Biomass and Bioenergy research line was part of the independent Sustainable Energy Development research group under the Research Institute of Science and Engineering. Recently, it becomes a separate research line by itself under the Renewable Energy and Power Systems Research Center. The group currently consists of five members with strong knowledge and background in bioenergy and alternative fuels. The research line had succeeded in publishing many quality journal articles in high-impact journals, conference papers, books, and book chapters in the field of waste to energy, renewable and alternative fuels, simulation and optimization of different biomass conversion processes, and bioenergy & biorefinery. The group members have participated in many conferences, workshops, and seminars related to biomass and bioenergy. Furthermore, the group members succeeded in supervising many post-graduate students who focused on different biomass and bioenergy-related projects. 

Main Research Areas

• Biomass Pre-Treatment (Drying and Size Reduction, Torrefaction, and Oil Extraction)
• Biomass and Biofuels Characterization (Ultimate Analysis, Proximate Analysis, Heating Value, Physical Properties, and Chemical Properties)
• Biomass Conversion Technologies (Anaerobic Digestion, Fermentation, Transesterification, Pyrolysis, Gasification, and Combustion)
• Biofuel Testing (Biogas, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Bio-oil, Bio-char, and Syngas) 
• Biomass Process System Engineering (Modeling, Simulation, Optimization, Life-cycle Analysis, Economic Analysis, and Process Integration)

Research Projects

• “Development and Simulation of Integrated System for the Hydrogen Production from Waste via Anaerobic Digestion, Dry Reforming and Steam Gasification”. Competitive Project [Amount Secured: 48,000 AED], University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• “Development of Systematic Algorithm for the Production of Synthetic Natural Gas for Vehicles (SNGV) from Biomass”. Competitive Project [Amount Secured: 64,000 AED], University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• “Energy efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production process development form date pits via steam gasification”. Seed Project [Amount Secured: 40,000 AED], University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• “Renewable and Alternative Fuels (Biodiesel and Biogas) from UAE Plants: Production Enhancement and Combustion Improvement using Nanoparticles”. Collaborative Research Grant (Internal/External) [Amount Secured: 400,000 AED], University of Sharjah / Sharjah Research Academy, United Arab Emirates
• “Sustainable solid waste management using plasma gasification: waste characterization, syngas production, and power generation”. Targeted Research project (Internal) [Amount Secured: 198,000 AED], University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• “Biogas Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Camel Farm Wastes”. Collaborative Research Project [Amount Secured: $10,000 / 1-year.]  – 2018
• “Experimental Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis of State-of-the-art Manure Management Technologies in the UAE”. Competitive Research Grant [Amount Secured: $30,000 / 2-year] - 2018, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• “Biogas Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Farm Substrates”. Collaborative Research Project [Amount Secured: $20,000 / 1-year.] – 2018, Al-Rawabi Dairy Company (UAE) / University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 
• “Continuous Pilot-scale Operation of Microbial Fuel Cells for Simultaneous Energy Production and Wastewater Treatment under Realistic Operating Conditions”. Competitive Research Grant [Amount Secured: $30,000 / 2-year.] – 2017, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 
• “Assessment of Waste to Energy Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste Management in the UAE”. Seed Research Grant [Amount Secured: $10,000 / 1-year.] – 2017, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emiratis