In the article there have been presented the current state and perspectives in the scope of using rapeseed biomass, with particular consideration of solid biodegradable by-products of the technology of obtaining oils- -expellers and rapeseed meal. Rapeseed biomass has been characterised with respect to its technological properties essential in combustion processes, both after conversion into bio-char and bio-oil and with respect to its raw, unprocessed form. The reasonableness of applying this kind of agrobiomass in co-combustion with minable fuels has been shown, resulting from conditions of agricultural production, increasing rapeseed production and by-products, with their incomplete use in the land, in view of the obligatory increased participation of biomass in the structure of fuels applied for producing electric and heat energy. The current state of agrobiomass supply logistics to the boiler plant has been analysed, pointing out its significance in shaping demand satisfaction for biomass using rapeseed waste products

The paper deals with the most essential trends and types of changes in the last three editions (2001–2005–2009) of BC/IMSBC Code concerning the shipment of specific group of loads such as solid bulk cargoes. Since the general trend of changes in the content layout has been proved advantageous due to its standardized information in relation to all types of hazardous cargoes (A, B, C groups), its continuation aimed at facilitating the use of the Code in shipping operation is justified. Examples of detailed as well as extended information concerning technological shipping quality determinants of solid bulk cargoes enabling a better choice of appropriate technology of marine transport have been presented. The essence of information relationships resulting from the knowledge of particular quality determinants with the possibility of their practical technological application has been pointed out

Rapeseed by-products of seeds de-oiling, particularly expellers and post-extracted meal, are currently considered an important biomass that can be used as an alternative energy source, either in raw form or after conversion to biochar. Rapeseed biomass represents a difficult-to-handle cargo, mainly due to its sensitivity to mechanical, climatic, and biological impacts, as well as its dusty nature. This study aims to determine the physical properties of rapeseed meals and their fractions. Morphological and chemical features of six particle sets are investigated in order to explain the variation in their physical properties having importance in handling and transportation processes. The true density of fractions increases when the particle size decreases due to the diminishing quantitative share of seed coats. No correlation is observed between true and bulk densities, as the particle shape, surface sculpture, and adhesion affect the mutual particle arrangements. Along with a decrease in the particle size from 0.4 mm, a rapid decrease in the flowability is observed. The tendency of the finest dust (d < 0.075 mm) to form agglomerated complexes causes its lower bulk density, higher porosity, and higher angles of repose in comparison to coarse dust (0.075–0.4 mm). It is concluded that a relatively low tendency to free flowing of natural RSM is mainly caused by its wide-ranging particle size distribution and their geometry differentiation, which facilitate mutual particle interlockings. The known cases of blockages of silos, bins, hoppers, and transfer chutes may be mainly caused by the powder fractions (< 0.2 mm), with a much lower flowability than other particles.

Rapeseed meal (RSM), mainly used as a protein-rich component of animal feed, is susceptible to quality degradation under the influence of high relative humidity and ambient air temperature. The aim of this study was to present empirical data and water vapour sorption isotherms for rapeseed meal at various ambient air conditions. The equilibrium moisture contents (EMCs) of RSM at two temperature levels (25 °C/40 °C), a wide range of water activities (0.3‒0.9) and two sorption pathways (adsorption /desorption) were determined, using a static gravimetric method. Mathematical equations were applied to analyse the experimental data, of which the modified GAB and modified Halsey were found to be the best fitting models, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.983 to 0.998. It was observed that the EMC of RSM decreased with increasing temperature, but this effect was not statistically significant at water activities above 0.6. The hysteresis was statistically significant in the region of water activities from 0.3 to 0.6, but the greatest differences between moisture bound by attachment and evaporation mechanisms were revealed at the lower values of this range. The area of the hysteresis loop was smaller for the isotherms plotted at higher temperature. It was concluded that a moisture content up to 10.5% would be appropriate for short-term handling of RSM during trading, whereas for long-term storage at temperatures of 20 °C or below, a moisture content between 5.5% and 8.5% wet basis should be maintained. The results presented in this study may be applicable to the design of technological and storage parameters, necessary to ensure the microbiological and chemical stability of RSM during handling in international trade.

In the present study, commercial activated carbon (CWZ-14) is tested for the removal of the anionic azodye Direct Red 23 (DR23) from aqueous solutions. The effect of parameters such as initial dye concentration (10‒50 mg/L), pH (3.4‒11.4), and temperature (20‒60 °C) on the adsorption process is studied. The structure and morphology of the commercial activated carbon, as the quality attributes of the adsorbents, are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). To understand the adsorption behavior of DR23 onto CWZ-14, the experimental kinetic data are analyzed using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The kinetics of the adsorption of the dye followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The isotherms of adsorption data are analyzed via the Langmuir and the Freundlich models. It is observed that the experimental data effectively fits the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir isotherm, qm, is 104.2 mg/g. The experimental findings showed that the adsorption is a pH-dependent process, with the maximum adsorption capacity occurring at a pH of 7. Thermodynamic parameters, such as changes in standard free energy (∆G°), enthalpy (∆H°), and entropy (∆S°), are also evaluated. The thermodynamic analysis shows that the adsorption process is endothermic, spontaneous, and a physisorption process.

The need to search for alternative packaging for takeaway food in the HoReCa sector (i.e., hotels, restaurants, and catering) strictly relates to EU regulations. Directive (EU) 2019/904 prohibits placing on the EU market nine types of single-use plastic products, including food containers intended for consumption onsite or takeaway made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). This research aims to assess the possibility of replacing the EPS box with other packaging. A specific goal of this study is also to compare packaging in terms of the rate at which they transfer thermal energy by heat conduction. The experimental data were described by Newton’s law of cooling, based on which the constant k of each object (a food simulant in a certain type of packaging) is determined. When assessing substitutes, the thermal insulating properties of the packages are investigated, as well as their ability to maintain shape and tightness after contact with semi-liquid food. The availability of the selected packaging on the local market and its price are also considered. The research has shown that disposable packaging for takeaway food is currently more useful than reusable options. The packaging variants, which are confirmed as suitable for cooked solid dishes with semi-liquid additives, are ranked in the following order according to their utility index (largest to smallest): PPmet bag, XPS menubox, AL bag with PP tray, PAP/ PE bag, PP reusable container, GL reusable container, PAP/AL envelope, PP box, and rPET container. This study indicates the need for further research into innovative packaging for takeaway food, including lowering the weight of existing materials while simultaneously increasing their thermal insulation or searching for new bio-based materials.