Search Results (3,166)

The ongoing anthropogenic climate crisis necessitates a reassessment of numerous technical domains, including the energy sector. An alternative to conventional fuel cells is provided by photo fuel cells, which possess at least one photoactive electrode (e.g., TiO₂). However, it should be noted that such fuel cells are often constrained in terms of the range of potential fuels that can be utilized. Considering prior research on the distinctive photochemistry of europium, it was hypothesized hypothesis that a photocell based on the photo-oxidation of diverse organic compounds by trivalent europium might be theoretically feasible. As demonstrated in multiple experiments, it is feasible to construct and operate a fuel cell utilizing these diverse, straightforward substrates. In this context, peak powers of up to 14 μW have already been observed with the fuel cell described. It is noteworthy that an average electrical power of up to 6.28 μW was observed over a period of 168 h (7 days). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that simple alcohols (ethanol) could be completely oxidized with trivalent europium under suitable conditions. From various studies with different ethanol concentrations, it could be seen that a certain amount of water was needed to break down simple alcohols and organic compounds in general. Full article

We report the results of a zinc oxide (ZnO) low-power microsensor for sub-ppm detection of NO₂ and H₂S in air at 200 °C. NO₂ emission is predominantly produced by the combustion processes of fossil fuels, while coal-fired power plants are the main emitter of H₂S. Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) combined contained 74% of USA energy production in 2023. It is foreseeable that the energy industry will utilize fossil-based fuels more in the ensuing decades despite the severe climate crises. Precise NO₂ and H₂S sensors will contribute to reducing the detrimental effect of the hazardous emission gases, in addition to the optimization of the combustion processes for higher output. The fossil fuel industry and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are exceptional examples of energy conversion–production technologies that will profit from advances in H₂S and NO₂ sensors. Porosity and surface activity of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based sensors are both vital for sensing at low temperatures. Oxygen vacancies () act as surface active sites for target gases, while porosity enables target gases to come in contact with a larger MOS area for sensing. We were able to create an open porosity network throughout the ZnO microstructure and simultaneously achieve an abundance of oxygen vacancies by using a heat treatment procedure. Surface chemistry and oxygen vacancy content in ZnO were examined using XPS and AES. SEM was used to understand the morphology of the unique characteristics of distinctive grain growth during heat treatment. Electrical resistivity measurements were completed. The valance band was examined by UPS. The Engineered Porosity approach allowed the entire ZnO to act as an open surface together with the creation of abundant oxygen vacancies (). NO₂ detection is challenging since both oxygen (O₂) and NO₂ are oxidizing gases, and they coexist in combustion environments. Engineered porosity ZnO microsensor detected sub-ppm NO₂ under O₂ interference, which affects mimicking realistic sensor operation conditions. Engineered porosity ZnO performed better than the previous literature findings for H₂S and NO₂ detection. The exceptionally high sensor response is attributed to the high number of oxygen vacancies () and porosity extending through the thickness of the ZnO with a high degree of tortuosity. These features enhance gas adsorption and diffusion via porosity, leading to high sensor response. Full article

Gasification combined with syngas power generation technologies, such as fuel cells, gas turbines, and the organic Rankine cycle, present significant potential for the efficient disposal of municipal solid waste. This paper proposes a hybrid system that integrates municipal solid waste gasification with syngas power generation. An absorption heat pump was employed for drying wet municipal solid waste. The thermomechanical analysis and variable condition analysis of the proposed integrated system were conducted. The influences of municipal solid waste drying degree on the system performance were researched emphatically. The results indicated that the system effectively implemented cascade energy utilization, with the power generation from solid oxide fuel cells contributing the most to total power generation. The total power generation increased from 34,469.50 to 42,967.03 kW as the moisture content decreased from 40.0% to zero. Both total power generation efficiency and overall exergy efficiency of the proposed integrated system increased as the moisture content decreased. The municipal solid waste drying process utilizing an AHP is beneficial to the system. Full article

The transportation sector is a major contributor to carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Canada, making the accurate forecasting of CO₂ emissions critical as part of the global push toward carbon neutrality. This study employs interpretable machine learning techniques to predict vehicle CO₂ emissions in Canada from 1995 to 2022. Algorithms including K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Regression, Gradient Boosting Machine, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Lasso Regression were utilized. The Gradient Boosting Machine delivered the best performance, achieving the highest R-squared value (0.9973) and the lowest Root Mean Squared Error (3.3633). To enhance the model interpretability, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Accumulated Local Effects methods were used to identify key contributing factors, including fuel consumption (city/highway), ethanol (E85), and diesel. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers, underscoring the need for promoting renewable energy, tightening fuel emission standards, and decoupling carbon emissions from economic growth to foster sustainable development. This study contributes to broader discussions on achieving carbon neutrality and the necessary transformations within the transportation sector. Full article

Hydrothermal liquefaction of solid waste has been gaining more and more attention over the last few years. However, the properties of the HTL product, i.e., biocrude, are limiting its direct utilization. As a result, HTL biocrude upgrading is essential to improve its quality. The main objective of the current research is to study the hydrotreatment stabilization of HTL biocrude, produced from spent coffee grounds, utilizing commercial hydrotreated catalysts, and also to investigate the integration of the stabilized biocrude into a light cycle oil (LCO) hydrotreatment plant for coprocessing to target hybrid fuel production. The results have shown that hydrotreatment is a very promising technology that can successfully remove the oxygen content from raw biocrude by hydrodeoxygenation, decarbonylation and decarboxylation reactions, leading to a stabilized product. The stabilized product can be easily blended with the LCO stream of a typical refinery, leading to the production of jet and diesel boiling range hydrocarbons, favoring at the same time the hydrogen consumption of the process. The findings of this manuscript set the basis for future research targeting the production of renewable advanced biofuels from HTL biocrude from municipal waste. Full article

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) can degrade pesticide wastewater and recovery energy simultaneously, and the activated carbon (AC) air cathode has great prospects for practical application. However, insufficient active sites and the limitation of multi-step electron transfer for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) requires that AC should be modified by highly efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, busing the confinement effect of carbon-encapsulated metal and hollow carbon, we designed a unique ORR catalyst of Fe-Fe₃O₄-NC through utilizing the 2D leaf-like nanoplates of Zn-ZIF-L to load Prussian blue (PB) particles. The volatilization of low-boiled Zn and the catalysis of iron compounds led to the formation of confined walls of hollow carbon shell and carbon-encapsulated Fe/Fe₃O₄ particles on N-doped carbon substrate. Multivalent iron, a large surface area (368.11 m²·g⁻¹), N doping, a heterojunction interface, and the confinement effect provided all the Fe-Fe₃O₄-NC-modified AC air cathodes with excellent ORR activity. The optimal samples of AC-Fe-Fe₃O₄-NC-3 achieved a peak power density of 1213.8 mW·m⁻², demonstrating a substantial 82.8% increase over that of the bare AC. Furthermore, its efficiency in glyphosate removal reached 80.1%, surpassing the 23.2% of the bare AC. This study offers new ideas in constructing composite confined structures and the as-designed Fe-Fe₃O₄-NC is a promising modification candidate for the commercial adoption of AC air cathodes. Full article

To tackle the energy-saving optimization issue of plug-in hybrid electric trucks traversing multiple traffic light intersections continuously, this paper presents a double-layer energy management strategy that utilizes the dynamic programming–twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (DP-TD3) algorithm to synergistically optimize the speed planning and energy management of plug-in hybrid electric trucks, thereby enhancing the vehicle’s passability through traffic light intersections and fuel economy. In the upper layer, the dynamic programming (DP) algorithm is employed to create a speed-planning model. This model effectively converts the nonlinear constraints related to the position, phase, and timing information of each traffic signal on the road into time-varying constraints, thereby improving computational efficiency. In the lower layer, an energy management model is constructed using the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) algorithm to achieve optimal allocation of demanded power through the interaction of the TD3 agent with the truck environment. The model’s validity is confirmed through testing on a hardware-in-the-loop test machine, followed by simulation experiments. The results demonstrate that the DP-TD3 method proposed in this paper effectively enhances fuel economy, achieving an average fuel saving of 14.61% compared to the dynamic programming–charge depletion/charge sustenance (DP-CD/CS) method. Full article

Global warming is partly attributed to the off-gas from petrochemical plants. This can be utilized as a feed to produce hydrogen (H₂) as a promising measure for battling climate change. In this study, we evaluated the potential for converting waste off-gas to H₂ via steam-reforming technology accompanied by a carbon capture unit, through hybrid absorption/adsorption processes, to achieve a 99.99% hydrogen product. Also, the ReCiPe methodology was used for environmental analysis. The results showed that the equivalent greenhouse emissions when producing of 1 kg of H₂ were 3.53 kg CO₂-Eq, which were almost 2.5 times lower than those for H₂ production without carbon capture, i.e., grey H₂. Also, it was shown that using refinery gas as a reforming furnace fuel instead of conventional fuel oil led to about an 11% decrease in emissions. Full article

Sophisticated irrigation agriculture may be required for global food security. In Saskatchewan, irrigation requires a large electrical input, and within the current electrical utility landscape, any new demand exacerbates the use of fossil fuels. With cost decreases, renewable energy is increasingly techno-economically viable. Using HOMER Pro software (Version 3.16.0), this study aims to quantify the viability of renewable energy to support irrigation projects. The evaluation includes the modelling of the three following scenarios: conventional, optimized and 100% renewable. Further, sensitivity has been considered for utility rates, grid interaction and carbon pricing. The lowest cost systems propose the inclusion of some renewable energy. Depending on the system architecture, the analyzed energy systems can be as low as $0.02/kWh or as high as $1.12/kWh. The efficacy of renewable integration is particularly dependent on the sensitivity surrounding grid interaction. Full article

One promising approach to achieving sustainable energy while simultaneously addressing various environmental issues is to utilize solar-driven transformation of the greenhouse gas CO₂ into valuable chemical fuels. The main obstacle in achieving this goal has consistently been the identification of cost-effective, stable, and non-toxic photoactive materials that can efficiently convert CO₂ into chemical fuels. Photothermal catalysis offers a viable solution to address the challenges related to sunlight absorption and low quantum efficiency often encountered in conventional photocatalysts. In this study, we used a magnetite catalyst for the photothermal reduction of CO₂. Various characterization techniques, including PXRD, TEM, and XPS, were employed to confirm the catalyst phase, crystallinity, particle size, and the electronic structure of the magnetite catalyst. The results of the photothermal conversion of carbon dioxide revealed that carbon monoxide was the only product, with a selectivity of 100%. Furthermore, the Fe₃O₄ catalyst produced significantly higher CO under high-intensity illumination (2076 μmolgcat⁻¹h⁻¹) than in the dark (820 μmolgcat⁻¹h⁻¹) under the same temperature of 315 °C. The activation energy obtained for the tests conducted under high-intensity illumination was lower than that obtained in the dark. The use of photothermal catalysts such as Fe₃O₄ to drive useful chemical reactions such as CO₂ conversion to useful products contributes to advancing the field of sustainable energy and marks a significant stride toward realizing real solutions for mitigating climate change. Full article

Free-standing and flow-through anodic TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) membranes are gaining attention due to their unique synergy of properties and morphology, making them valuable in diverse research areas such as (photo)catalysis, energy conversion, environmental purification, sensors, and the biomedical field. The well-organized TiO₂ nanotubes can be efficiently and cost-effectively produced through anodizing, while further utility of this material can be achieved by creating detached and flow-through membranes. This article reviews the latest advancements in the preparation, modification, and application of free-standing and flow-through anodic TiO₂ nanotubes. It offers a comprehensive discussion of the factors influencing the morphology of the oxide and the potential mechanisms behind the electrochemical formation of TiO₂ nanotubes. It examines methods for detachment and opening the bottom ends to prepare free-standing and flow-through TNT membranes and posttreatment strategies tailored to different applications. The article also provides an overview of recent applications of these materials in various fields, including hydrogen production, fuel and solar cells, batteries, pollutant diffusion and degradation, biomedical applications, micromotors, and electrochromic devices. Full article

In order to reduce CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, countries have commenced the vigorous development of CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) technology. The high geographical overlap between China’s extensive coal mining regions and CO₂-emitting industrial parks provides an opportunity for the more efficient reduction in CO₂ emissions through the development of Enhanced Coal Bed Methane (ECBM) Recovery for use with CCUS technology. Furthermore, the high geographical overlap and proximity of these regions allows for a shift in the transportation mode from pipelines to tanker trucks, which are more cost-effective and logistically advantageous. The issue of transportation must also be considered in order to more accurately assess the constructed cost function and CCUS source–sink matching model for the implementation of ECBM. The constructed model, when considered in conjunction with the actual situation in Shanxi Province, enables the matching of emission sources and sequestration sinks in the province to be realized through the use of ArcGIS 10.8 software, and the actual transport routes are derived as a result. After analyzing the matching results, it is found that the transportation cost accounts for a relatively small proportion of the total cost. In fact, the CH₄ price has a larger impact on the total cost, and a high replacement ratio is not conducive to profitability. When the proportion of CO₂ replacing CH₄ increases from 1 to 3, the price of CH₄ needs to increase from $214.41/t to $643.23/t for sales to be profitable. In addition, electric vehicle transportation costs are lower compared to those of fuel and LNG vehicles, especially for high-mileage and frequent-use scenarios. In order to reduce the total cost, it is recommended to set aside the limitation of transportation distance when matching sources and sinks. Full article

In the context of sustaining innovation, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) strive to enhance their market position through product improvements. However, globalization and rapid technological advancements pose significant challenges, urging SMEs to integrate innovative capabilities into their business models. Effective SME business model innovation, fueled by customer insights, process efficiency, and technology application, can promote development and unlock additional value-creation resources. Despite this, SMEs encounter difficulties in capitalizing on disruptive innovation due to the competitive, technology-driven, and volatile global market. This study aimed to define a comprehensive conceptual model of disruptive innovation specifically tailored for SMEs. Through an automated content analysis of relevant literature, 13 themes and 82 concepts were identified and categorized into four strategic alignment domains. These domains provide a framework for operationalizing the findings and constructing a conceptual model of disruptive innovation. Utilizing this conceptual model as a checklist can assist SMEs in turning disruption into opportunity, thereby supporting their adaptation and growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Full article

To achieve sustainable development, the transition from a fossil-based economy to a circular economy is essential. The use of renewable energy sources to make the overall carbon foot print more favorable is an important pre-requisite. In this context, it is crucial to valorize all renewable resources through an optimized local integration. One opportunity arises through the synergy between bioresources and green hydrogen. Through techno-economic assessments, this work analyzes four local case studies that integrate bio-based processes with green hydrogen produced via electrolysis using renewable energy sources. An analysis of the use of webGIS tools (i.e., Atlas of Biorefineries of IEA Bioenergy) to identify existing biorefineries that require hydrogen in relation to territories with a potential availability of green hydrogen, has never been conducted before. This paper provides an evaluation of the production costs of the target products as a function of the local green hydrogen supply costs. The results revealed that the impact of green hydrogen costs could vary widely, ranging from 1% to 95% of the total production costs, depending on the bio-based target product evaluated. Additionally, hydrogen demand in the target area could require an installed variable renewable energy capacity of 20 MW and 500 MW. On the whole, the local integration of biorefineries and green hydrogen could represent an optimal opportunity to make hydrogenated bio-based products 100% renewable. Full article

The depletion of conventional fuels and the state of the natural environment have influenced global policy, dictating a new direction for development and approaches to the use of renewable resources. One such resource is woody biomass, which can be used for energy purposes. A type of raw material with an unrecognized potential for utilization is waste biomass from the production of fruit tree seedlings. In this study, thirteen popular species of rootstock produced in Poland were collected and subjected to comprehensive analyses. After determining the calorific value of the collected wood waste, a comprehensive analysis of their suitability for energy purposes was conducted. The highest calorific value of 19.51 MJkg⁻¹ was recorded for waste biomass obtained from Mahaleb Cherry rootstocks in the first year of research, compared to P14 with 17.96 MJkg⁻¹. The content of other elements was also advantageous for Mahaleb Cherry. Considering the relatively large production of this type of waste biomass, it can be concluded that it has great energy potential and can largely meet energy needs in regions where fruit tree seedlings are mass-produced. Implementing the use of such raw materials in energy production will result in a reduction of anthropogenic impacts on the environment by decreasing the demand for standard energy resources. Full article