Multi-objective utilization of wood waste recycled from construction and demolition (C&D): Products and characterization.

Producing energy and higher value bio-products from waste materials has been proposed as an economically viable opportunity in the renewable energy sector. However, several challenges associated with the integrated biomass conversion processes remain to be resolved. The present study introduces a multi-faceted plant production of thermal energy and biochar from construction and demolition (C&D) wood chips. The overarching objective of the study is to reduce waste materials while simultaneously producing a self-independent clean thermal energy resource along with value-added co-products such as biochar, biogases and/or activated carbon. The combined thermal energy and slow pyrolysis unit relies on 95% of its energy from waste wood chips to produce thermal energy and high value carbon products. The system not only supplies the energy required for the indirect pyrolysis unit but also provides a major portion of thermal energy demanded for the site. A multi-purpose objective of wood waste management, energy production from waste material, high-quality biochar from waste wood (over 80% carbon), and carbon offsets is demonstrated through the utilization of this plant by addressing some of the major previously problems and challenges faced. The information is useful for techno-economic and life cycle analysis in the next study.

Seasonal thyroidal activity and reproductive characteristics of Iranian fat-tailed rams.

An experiment was conducted to study seasonal variations of thyroidal activity, serum testosterone concentration and seminal characteristics of two breeds of Iranian fat-tailed sheep. Eight 3 to 4-year-old rams of Ghezel and Mehraban breeds (4 rams/breed) were randomly selected from a flock of fertile rams. Semen was collected by using an artificial vagina, and blood samples were obtained via jugular vein. Seminal characteristics, scrotal length, width, and circumference, and blood parameters were measured at 3-week intervals. Time of the year significantly (P < 0.05) affected the volume of semen, sperm concentration, percent live sperm, percent normal sperm, total sperm number, seminal pH, seminal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, scrotal circumference, scrotal width, and serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol, triiodothyronine (T(3)), tetraiodothyronine (T(4)), free T(4) index (FT(4)I), and TSH. Scrotal length was not affected by the time of sampling (P > 0.05). The effect of breed on the serum concentrations of hormones and cholesterol was not significant. Volume of semen, percent normal sperm, and total number of normal sperm were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Mehraban but scrotal circumference, scrotal width and scrotal length were greater in Ghezel rams. Breedxtime interaction effect was significant for T(4), FT(4)I, sperm concentration, and total sperm number. The largest values for TSH, T(4), FT(4)I, testosterone, total sperm number, percent normal sperm, percent live sperm, sperm concentration, volume of semen and scrotal circumference were found from early summer to winter and the lowest values were recorded at the end of spring and in early summer. In both breeds, high and negative correlations (r = -0.7 to -0.8) were found between LDH levels in semen and percent live sperm, percent normal sperm and total sperm number (P < 0.01). It is unlikely that such variations in seminal quality would affect the fertility under natural mating.