Due to the irreversibilities that occur during biomass gasification, gasifiers are usually the least efficient units in the systems for production of heat, electricity, or other biofuels. Internal thermal energy exchange is responsible for a part of these irreversibilities and can be reduced by the use of preheated air as a gasifying medium. The focus of the paper is biomass gasification in the whole range of gasification temperatures by the use of air preheated with product gas sensible heat. The energetic and exergetic analyses are carried with a typical ash-free biomass feed represented by CH1.4O0.59N0.0017 at 1 and 10 bar pressure. The tool for the analyses is already validated model extended with a heat exchanger model. For every 200 K of air preheating, the average decrease of the amount of air required for complete biomass gasification is 1.3% of the amount required for its stoichiometric combustion. The air preheated to the gasification temperature on the average increases the lower heating value of the product gas by 13.6%, as well as energetic and exergetic efficiencies of the process. The optimal air preheating temperature is the one that causes gasification to take place at the point where all carbon is consumed. It exists only if the amount of preheated air is less than the amount of air at ambient temperature required for complete gasification at a given pressure. Exergy losses in the heat exchanger, where the product gas preheats air could be reduced by two-stage preheating.

Bio-based composites are increasingly used. One of the most frequently used materials is hemp shives, which is agricultural waste. However, as the quantities of this material are lacking, there is a tendency towards finding new and more available materials. Corncob and sawdust are bio by-products that have great potential as insulation materials. In order to use these aggregates, it is necessary to examine their characteristics. New composite materials based on sawdust, corncobs, styrofoam granules, and the mixture of lime and gypsum as the binder were tested in this research. This paper presents the properties of these composites obtained by determining the porosity of samples, volume mass, water absorption, airflow resistance and heat flux, which was followed by the calculation of the thermal conductivity coefficient. Three of the new biocomposite materials, whose samples were 1–5 cm thick for each type of mixture, were investigated. The aim of this research was to analyze the results of different mixtures and sample thicknesses in order to determine the optimum composite material of the proper thickness so that the best possible thermal and sound insulation could be obtained. Based on the conducted analyses, the biocomposite with a thickness of 5 cm, composed of ground corncobs, styrofoam, lime, and gypsum, proved to be the best in terms of thermal and sound insulation. New composite materials can be used as an alternative to conventional materials.

This paper presents two methods (theoretical and numerical) for the thermal analysis of the previously experimentally installed solar collector construction at the Faculty of Engineering in Kragujevac ? a fixed flat-plate solar collector with Sn-Al2O3 selective absorber and gravity water flow. The theoretical research was based on the application of a specific calculation algorithm with a triple iterative procedure, i.e. with a three-stage check of all important performance indicators of the fixed flat-plate solar collector. In the numerical phase of the research, simple linear regression was applied to experimentally measured values of solar radiation intensity and experimentally determine values of heat power to form simple equations that could be used to predict the thermal performance of similar solar structures in the future. The results of theoretical and numerical studies showed agreement with experimental studies, because in the first case, the absolute measurement error was less than 10%, while in the second case, the determination coefficient was greater than 90%, so the authors hope that this work will be useful to the wider scientific community.

Climate changes are altering patterns of energy supply and demand, which directly impact the need for adequate building insulation. This presents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials as a renewable source aimed at reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment. The goal of this research is the application of wood sawdust, a waste biomass, as an aggregate for producing a new thermal insulation material. This experimental investigation represents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials with the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving environmental protection. The biocomposite was tested in terms of thermal conductivity, and the obtained results were compared with the characteristics of commercially available thermal insulation materials. The performed analysis suggested that sawdust can be transformed into a valuable biocomposite for insulation purposes as an alternative solution.

A strong relationship exists between renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass) and weather conditions that affect their capacity. Furthermore, climate change alters energy supply and demand patterns, affecting buildings insulation needs directly. All this represents an opportunity for the development of new biomass-based materials to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. The goal of this research is the application of wood sawdust as an aggregate to obtain a new thermal insulation material and to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.