Carbon-neutral Operation Research Articles

Strategic carbon emission assessment in sludge treatment: A dynamic tool for low-carbon transformation

The carbon–neutral target presents a significant challenge for the sewage sludge treatment and disposal (SSTD) industry, necessitating strategic planning for a low-carbon transition. However, flexible and comprehensive carbon emission analysis tools to support this goal remain lacking. This study presents a carbon emission analysis tool to evaluate the carbon emission characteristics and future mitigation potentials of SSTD. The tool integrates life cycle inventory (LCI) modeling-based analysis, sensitivity analysis, regression analysis, and scenario analysis. Carbon emissions are dynamically calculated based on sludge properties, technological level, and industry external parameters, providing a foundation for adaptable evaluation tailored to local conditions. The framework considers the potential effects of multi-parameter and multi-aspect changes in scene design, both within and outside the industry, to achieve dynamic and comprehensive simulations. A case study conducted in Wuhan, China, demonstrated the usability and application processes of the framework. The results indicated that carbon emissions from SSTD are projected to more than double from 2021 to 2060 without interventions. Among the mitigation measures, energy and chemical savings would yield the largest reduction potential, followed by the technical layout adjustment and the promotion of energy efficiency. Operational optimization in the sludge industry and outside the industry would contribute the least. With all mitigation measures applied, emissions could decrease to –82.91 kt CO2-eq in 2060, equivalent to 13.03% compensation for emissions from the sewage treatment line. Among all the processes, incineration routes are recommended due to their current and future low carbon emissions. The cooperative resource route of anaerobic digestion and land use also shows promise as it progressively demonstrates superior performance with increasing organic matter and nutrient content of sludge. Critical factors, sub-processes, and emission types for different routes were identified and can be optimized accordingly. The developed method demonstrates sufficient flexibility to be applied to other cities and larger-scale regions, thereby offering technical and strategic support for SSTD towards carbon–neutral operation.

Extension of a Zero-Dimensional Mixing-Controlled Combustion Model for the Development of a NOx–Free System Based on the Oxy-Combustion Concept

Oxy-combustion is a promising concept to achieve an extremely clean combustion, independently of the fuel type, because, on the one hand, it is a NOx-free combustion and, on the other hand, the CO2 produced during combustion can be easily captured once the water vapour is removed from the exhaust gases stream, consequently allowing also carbon neutral operation. An existing zero-dimensional (0D), mixing-controlled combustion model, developed for a standard diesel combustion scenario, has been adapted to the oxy-fuel combustion scenario. Initially, the model over-predicted the heat release at the end of the combustion process. The main model adaptation was to modify the relationship between the average YO2 and the effective YO2 (i.e. the one of the charge actually entrained by the spray), to be consistent with the significant increase in compression ratio needed in the oxy-fuel context. As a result, a model able to correctly predict the combustion behaviour at any operating condition has been obtained, which finally represents a very suitable tool to assist in the concept development.

Aluminum chloride enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids from waste activated sludge: Insights to performance, mechanism, and implications

Waste activated sludge (WAS), the major by-products during wastewater treatment, is hugely produced, which poses great environment and operation pressures. This work investigated feasibility, mechanism, and implications of aluminum chloride for carbon recovery enhancement from WAS. Results showed that aluminum chloride enhanced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production potential, and the enhancement potentials were dosage dependent. The optimal dosage was 10 mg Al/g total suspended solids (TSS), with the maximum SCFAs production potential of 140 mg chemical oxygen demand/g volatile suspended solids, which was 52.2 % higher compared to that of control. Meanwhile, the compositions of SCFAs were regulated, suggesting that the recovered SCFAs were potential carbon source. Mechanism analysis showed that aluminum chloride increased the release of polysaccharides and proteins by 23.6 % and 71.7 %, respectively, compared to that in control, as well as the removal of extracellular polymeric substances to 27.5 % and the contribution of intracellular release to 38.0 %. This situation facilitated the solubilization of WAS and improved the biochemical degradability of organic matters. In addition, aluminum chloride promoted hydrolysis and acidification stages through affecting the activities of hydrolase, enriching acid-producing microorganisms, and inhibiting the activities of methanogens. This work provided some novel solutions for sludge treatment and carbon recovery, driving wastewater treatment plants to achieve carbon-neutral operation.

Calculation of carbon emissions in wastewater treatment and its neutralization measures: A review

As the pursuit of “carbon neutrality” gains momentum, the emphasis on low-carbon solutions, emphasizing energy conservation and resource reuse, has introduced fresh challenges to conventional wastewater treatment approaches. Precisely evaluating carbon emissions in urban water supply and drainage systems, wastewater treatment plants, and establishing carbon-neutral operating models has become a pivotal concern in the future of wastewater treatment. Regrettably, limited research has been devoted to carbon accounting and the development of carbon-neutral strategies for wastewater treatment. In this review, to facilitate comprehensive carbon accounting, we initially recognizes direct and indirect carbon emission sources in the wastewater treatment process. We then provide an overview of several major carbon accounting methods and propose a carbon accounting framework. Furthermore, we advocate for a systemic perspective, highlighting that achieving carbon neutrality in wastewater treatment extends beyond the boundaries of wastewater treatment plants. We assess current technical measures both within and outside the plants that contribute to achieving carbon-neutral operations. Encouraging the application of intelligent algorithms for the multifaceted monitoring and control of wastewater treatment processes is paramount. Supporting resource and energy recycling is also essential, as is recognizing the benefits of synergistic wastewater treatment technologies. We advocate a systematic, multi-level planning approach that takes into account a wide range of factors. Our goal is to offer valuable insights and support for the practical implementation of water environment management within the framework of carbon neutrality, and to advance sustainable socio-economic development and contribute to a more environmentally responsible future.

Carbon-neutral aviation in Nigeria: Assessing the feasibility and impacts of sustainable aviation fuel adoption

This study investigates the feasibility and potential impacts of transitioning Nigeria's aviation industry towards carbon-neutral operations through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By examining Nigeria's aviation landscape, international efforts for carbon-neutral aviation, and factors such as feedstock availability, infrastructure, and economic considerations, the paper assesses the viability of SAF adoption. Environmental and economic benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, job creation, and economic diversification, are explored. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles, investment requirements, and public awareness are analyzed, with recommendations provided for policy support, industry collaboration, research and development, and public education campaigns. Despite the absence of specific SAF adoption case studies in Nigeria, insights from international experiences inform the recommendations. The findings suggest Nigeria's potential to lead in SAF adoption regionally, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic growth in the aviation sector, while also offering broader implications for the global industry's transition towards a more sustainable future.

Direct Utilization of Pure and Denatured Ethanol in Metal Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFC) are integrated with high entropy alloy reforming catalyst for direct internal reforming utilization of pure ethanol, methanol, and denatured ethanol to generate electricity. Internal reforming SOFCs have advantages over the external reforming SOFCs in terms of cost, energy efficiency, and space-saving. Performance and durability with denatured ethanol, mimicking the compositions of widely commercially-available bio-ethanol, varies dramatically with the composition of the denaturant. This evaluation of bio-ethanol fuel for SOFC application extends beyond the previous literature focusing on high-purity ethanol. Mitigation of carbon deposition is critical to extend the lifetime of MS-SOFCs operating with ethanol. Conventional Ni catalyst shows rapid carbon deposition, and in contrast the HEA catalyst has excellent resistance to carbon deposition. The HEA also enables complete internal reforming without localized cooling, resulting in high power density >0.8 W/cm2 at 700°C. Long-term operation (500-1000 hours) at the operating temperature of 600-800°C will be presented. Various strategies are applied to improve the cell stability. The effect of impurities and fuel compositions on the cell performance and stability is evaluated. Other degradation factors such as Cr evaporation and catalyst agglomeration are analyzed by SEM-EDS and EIS. It is found that MS-SOFCs are promising for direct utilization of bio-ethanol, offering a path to rapid-start, carbon-neutral operation.

Natural zeolite enhances anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge: Insights into the performance and the role of biofilm

Anaerobic digestion is widely employed for the treatment of waste activated sludge (WAS) due to its advantages like simultaneous energy recovery and sludge stabilization, promoting carbon-neutral operation of wastewater treatment plants. Natural zeolite, a low-cost and eco-friendly additive, has the potential to improve methane production from anaerobic digestion. This study investigated the effects of natural zeolite on anaerobic digestion when the substrate was WAS. It was found that methane production potential in response to natural zeolite was dosage-dependent. The optimal dosage was 0.1 g zeolite/g volatile suspended solids (VSS), with a methane yield of 181.89 ± 6.75 mL/g VSS, which increased by 20.1% compared to that of the control. Although the methane yields with other dosages of natural zeolite were higher than that of control, they were lesser than that with 0.1 g zeolite/g VSS. Natural zeolite affected transfer and conversion of proteins much more than polysaccharides in liquid phase and extracellular polymeric substances. In anaerobic digestion, natural zeolite had with little effects on WAS solubilization, while it improved hydrolysis, acidification, and methanogenesis. The dosages of natural zeolite did have significant effects on bacterial communities in biofilm rather than suspension, while the archaeal communities in biofilm and suspension were all greatly related to natural zeolite dosages. The developed biofilms promoted richness and functionality of microbial communities. The syntrophic metabolism relationships between methanogens and bacteria were improved, which was proved by selective enrichment of Methanosarcina, Syntrophomonas, and Petrimonas. The findings of this work provided some new solutions for promoting methane production from WAS, and the roles of natural zeolite in anaerobic digestion.

Direct Utilization of Pure and Denatured Ethanol in Metal Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFC) are integrated with internal reforming catalyst for direct utilization of ethanol to generate electricity. MS-SOFCs are operated up to 500 h at 700°C, with water-ethanol blend fuel using high-purity ethanol and denatured ethanol. Performance and durability with denatured ethanol varies dramatically with the composition of the denaturant. Cells operated with three denatured ethanol fuels containing small amount of methanol, isopropanol, and denatonium benzoate demonstrate similar and relative stable performance after stabilization, suggesting that these fuels are fit for MS-SOFC operation. No or minimum carbon deposits are observed on the high entropy alloy-based reforming catalyst layer. Denatured ethanol containing gasoline and toluene leads to fast degradation. MS-SOFCs are promising for direct utilization of denatured ethanol, offering a path to rapid-start, carbon-neutral operation with widely-available fuels.

Enhancing biolipid production and self-flocculation of Chlorella vulgaris by extracellular polymeric substances from granular sludge with CO2 addition: Microscopic mechanism of microalgae-bacteria symbiosis

Microalgae-bacteria symbiotic systems were known to have great potential for simultaneous water purification and resource recovery, among them, microalgae-bacteria biofilm/granules have attracted much attention due to its excellent effluent quality and convenient biomass recovery. However, the effect of bacteria with attached-growth mode on microalgae, which has more significance for bioresource utilization, has been historically ignored. Thus, this study attempted to explore the responses of C. vulgaris to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from aerobic granular sludge (AGS), for enhancing the understanding of microscopic mechanism of attached microalgae-bacteria symbiosis. Results showed that the performance of C. vulgaris was effectively boosted with AGS-EPS treatment at 12–16 mg TOC/L, highest biomass production (0.32±0.01 g/L), lipid accumulation (44.33±5.69%) and flocculation ability (20.83±0.21%) were achieved. These phenotypes were promoted associated with bioactive microbial metabolites in AGS-EPS (N-acyl-homoserine lactones, humic acid and tryptophan). Furthermore, the addition of CO2 triggered carbon flow into the storage of lipids in C. vulgaris, and the synergistic effect of AGS-EPS and CO2 for improving microalgal flocculation ability was disclosed. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed up-regulation of synthesis pathways for fatty acid and triacylglycerol that was triggered by AGS-EPS. And within the context of CO2 addition, AGS-EPS substantially upregulated the expression of aromatic protein encoding genes, which further enhanced the self-flocculation of C. vulgaris. These findings provide novel insights into the microscopic mechanism of microalgae-bacteria symbiosis, and bring new enlightenment to wastewater valorization and carbon-neutral operation of wastewater treatment plants based on the symbiotic biofilm/biogranules system.

Carbon-neutral conversion of methane supported by Ni-(Rh, Co) bimetallic catalysts for low-temperature proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells

Ni-(Rh, Co) bimetallic catalysts anchored on BaZr0.4Ce0.4Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ, the anode backbone of proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells, exhibit superior activity and stability during dry reforming of methane at low temperatures below 600 °C. 4Ni1M (4 wt% Ni, 1 wt% Rh or Co) are synthesized at the optimum calcination temperature of 500 °C that is obtained by identifying the characteristics of their particle size and interaction with the support. 4Ni1M show consistent structural properties with alloy formation and interact actively with CH4 and CO2. Under all operating conditions, the order of activity and durability is 4Ni1Rh > 4Ni1Co ≫ 5Ni (5 wt% Ni). Post-mortem analysis after the durability test shows that 4Ni1M have a close association with carbon (formation and removal) when exposed to CH4 and CO2, improving their carbon resistance. This demonstrates that alloying Rh or Co with Ni in the anode of proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells enables their carbon–neutral operation while maintaining high activity and durability.

Anammox upflow hybrid reactor: Nitrogen removal performance and potential for phosphorus recovery

Echoing to the call of recovering high-value-added chemicals from wastewater and achieving carbon-neutral operation in wastewater treatment, an anammox upflow hybrid reactor was successfully applied for nitrogen removal, and the potential for phosphorus recovery was put forward. Moreover, the spatial pattern of removal capacities, and distribution of biomass and HAP precipitates were recognized and demonstrated as height-oriented. The intensity of HAP precipitates was highly consistent with the amount of anammox biomass and the relative abundance of the Candidatus Kuenenia, indicating that HAP formation was encouraged by the anammox reaction itself and heterogeneous nucleation induced by organic matters (proteins and polysaccharides). The fixed bed also played an important role in immobilizing the anammox biomass, secreted organic matrix, and HAP precipitates. This finding also provoked the thought that in the anammox process, HAP precipitation was more achievable, effective and practicable using the fixed-carrier system.

Coupled process of in-situ sludge fermentation and riboflavin-mediated nitrogen removal for low carbon wastewater treatment

Volatile fatty acid recovery from waste activated sludge (WAS) was highly suggested to supplement carbon source for nitrogen removal. However, it was not easy to separate them from the metabolites under the ex-situ fermentation. In this study, in-situ WAS fermentation combined in the denitrification system was established to treat low carbon wastewater (COD/TN = 4), and riboflavin was employed as a redox mediator. This coupled process could simultaneously enhance the WAS fermentation and nitrogen removal, and riboflavin could significantly enrich the fermentative bacteria (Firmicutes phylum), denitrifying bacteria (Denitratisoma genus) and related functional genes (narGHJI, napABC, nirKS, nosZ, norBC), generating more available carbon sources for efficient nitrogen removal. This resulted in the effluent TN (<15 mg/L) satisfying the required discharge standard in China. This study provided new insights into the efficient nitrogen removal from low carbon wastewater, realizing the carbon-neutral operation of new concept wastewater treatment plant in China.

Low temperature assisting potassium ferrate treatment to enhance short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge

To recover resource from waste activated sludge (WAS) presents great roles on developing carbon-neutral operation of wastewater treatment plants. This study was conducted to evaluate SCFAs production potential from anaerobic fermentation of WAS by a novel strategy, i.e., low temperature assisting potassium ferrate (PF) treatment. Results showed that the maximal SCFAs production reached 217 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/g volatile suspended solids (VSS) with the shortened fermentation time of six days, and the sum of acetic and propionic acids reached 128 mg COD/g VSS. Meanwhile, the potentially recovered carbon source, in terms of SCFAs, soluble polysaccharides and proteins, reached 437 mg COD/g VSS. The mechanism study indicated that both solubilization and hydrolysis steps were accelerated, supporting by the highest accumulations of soluble organics and ammonia nitrogen, while methanogenesis step was inhibited, supporting by the lowest methane production. In addition, it is noted that low temperature treatment facilitated organics release from extracellular polymeric substance (EPSs), with the removal efficiencies of 51.1% for polysaccharides and 44.3% for proteins, while PF facilitated cell lysis. Interestingly, compared with low temperature followed by PF treatment, PF followed by low temperature treatment performed better on facilitating disintegration of both cells and EPSs, with the highest soluble polysaccharides and proteins of 439 and 1845 mg COD/L. Also, the acid-producing bacteria was greatly enriched, with total percentage of 29.5%. The findings of this study may provide some potential solutions for SCFAs production enhancement from WAS.

Making Waves: A sea change in treating wastewater – Why thermodynamics supports resource recovery and recycling

Entropy is a concept defined by the second law of thermodynamics. Applying this concept to the world we live in, entropy production must be minimized and negentropy (negative entropy production) should be accelerated, in order to produce a healthy and stable ecological system. The present wastewater treatment, however, contributes to entropy production. This means that conventional wastewater treatment, without recovery of resource and energy, will gradually but inevitably contribute to a deteriorating ecological balance. When the self-cleaning ability of the natural ecological system is limited, the need to develop sustainable wastewater treatment in order to delay entropy production and accelerate negentropy becomes urgent. Resource and energy recovery from wastewater should be the first priority, as they can contribute significantly towards minimizing entropy production and accelerating negentropy. Sustainable wastewater treatment must focus on recovering recyclable high value-added organic chemicals from wastewater and/or excess sludge to minimize entropy production caused by methane (CH4, once combusted, is converted into CO2 - an even higher substance in entropy) via anaerobic digestion. Instead of CH4, thermal energy present in the effluent can be utilized for heating/cooling buildings and also for drying excess sludge towards incineration to recover more energy. Overall, this can lead to a carbon-neutral operation and even creating a “carbon sink” could be possible for wastewater treatment.

Necessity of direct energy and ammonium recovery for carbon neutral municipal wastewater reclamation in an innovative anaerobic MBR-biochar adsorption-reverse osmosis process

With the speedy evolution of global climate change and water shortage, there is a growing need for the energy and carbon neutral wastewater reclamation technology. To tackle this challenge, an innovative anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR)-biochar adsorption-RO process was developed for reclaiming municipal wastewater to high-grade product water with the aims for achieving the energy and carbon neutrality. It was found that about 95.6% of influent COD was removed by AnMBR with direct generation of biomethane, while ammonium-N in AnMBR permeate was fully recovered through biochar adsorption. The effluent from biochar adsorber with significantly lowered divalent ions concentrations was further reclaimed by RO at reduced cost and energy consumption. The energy demand and the total carbon emissions in the proposed process were estimated to be 0.50 kWh/m3 and 633 g CO2e/ m3 against 0.86 kWh/m3 and 1101 g CO2e/ m3 in the current conventional activated sludge (CAS)-microfiltration-RO process. It was further shown that the ammonium recovery via biochar adsorption could offset about 0.503 kWh/m3 that was originally utilized for chemically producing recovered ammonia by the Haber-Bosch method, equivalent to a carbon offsetting of 498 g CO2e/m3, leading to a net carbon emission of 135 CO2e/m3 in the proposed process, which was only about 12% of that in the current CAS-MF-RO process. These suggested that a carbon-neutral municipal wastewater reclamation might be achievable through concurrent carbon reduction and offsetting, while carbon offsetting via ammonia recovery appeared to be a game-changer towards the carbon-neutral operation. Consequently, it is expected that this study can shed lights on how energy- and carbon-neutrality would be achieved by innovating municipal wastewater reclamation technology.

Approach towards CarbonNeutral Operation Using Bio-Coke Derived from Mixed Biomass Resources at Gasifying and Direct Melting Facilities

Approach towards CarbonNeutral Operation Using Bio-Coke Derived from Mixed Biomass Resources at Gasifying and Direct Melting Facilities

Role and significance of water and acid washing on biochar for regulating methane production from waste activated sludge

Methane recovered from anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) can be used as the energy supplement of the wastewater treatment plant, benefiting to its carbon-neutral operation. In order to enhance methane production, biochar (BC) has been widely selected as conductive material to build direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) in anaerobic digestion of WAS. However, the role and significance of washing strategies, including water and acid washing, on BCs for regulating methane production have not been reported. This study selected the frequently used woody- (W) and straw (S)-BCs as mode. Compared to raw W-BC, water and acid washing W-BC increased the methane yields by 19.1% and 15.7%, respectively. Differently, the methane yields among raw, water and acid washing S-BCs were similar. Mechanism study showed that both the two washing strategies optimized the properties of raw W-BC for promoting methane production. Water and acid washing W-BCs increased the electron transfer functional groups, such as ketones and quinones, which were not observed in S-BCs. Moreover, the electron-active microorganisms were enriched with the presence of water and acid washing W-BCs, and the predominant pathway for methane production shifted from hydrogentrophic to acetotrophic and DIET methanogenesis, while the microbial communities, including bacteria and archaea, were similar with the presence of raw, water and acid washing S-BCs. These findings of this work provide some new insights for production improvement regulation of methane from anaerobic digestion of wastes induced by BCs.

Enabling Carbon-Neutral Operation of Low-Temperature Proton-Conducting Ceramic Fuel Cells Supported by Ni-(Rh, Co) Bimetallic Catalysts

Enabling Carbon-Neutral Operation of Low-Temperature Proton-Conducting Ceramic Fuel Cells Supported by Ni-(Rh, Co) Bimetallic Catalysts

Towards a climate neutral future with Deutsche Bahn: Analysis of company policy until 2050

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the state of current knowledge and tools needed to move the German company Deutsche Bahn AG towards climate neutrality. Both literary sources and statistical data were used in the preparation of the paper. The main questions addressed in the paper are: how the concept of climate neutrality applies to Deutsche Bahn AG, what experience the company has in planning carbon-neutral operation and what tools can be used. As greenhouse gas emissions rise, so does the need to find solutions for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Deutsche Bahn AG is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve this goal, it is primarily relying on the use of renewable energy to power overhead cables and train stations. In addition, alternative engine options are being developed to replace the existing fleet of diesel locomotives on non-electrified sections. Improving the energy efficiency of both rolling stock and railroad stations is also becoming increasingly important.

Low consumption and portable technology for dithionite detection based on potassium ferricyanide differential spectrophotometry method in related advanced oxidation processes

Carbon neutrality has been received more attention and emerged in wastewater treatment processes. Due to the development of treating technologies with the rising of new-emerging pollutants, the coupled chemical processes also should remain current for the goal of carbon-neutral operation. Among of those updated strategies, several advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on dithionite (DTN, S2O42−), a common water treatment agent, have been established for refractory organic contaminations removal. However, in terms of DTN detection, the traditional formol-titration method has several application limits including the low detection sensitivity and high consumption of formaldehyde. In this study, compared with traditional method, a low energy consumption technology has been developed based on the potassium ferricyanide with the carbon consumption decreasing by about 5 times. Moreover, detection limit of DTN (mmol/L level) also was lower than the titration method. The method was established based on the fact that every 1 mol of DTN can react with 2 mol [Fe(CN)6]3- under alkaline condition. According to that potassium ferricyanide (K3 [Fe(CN)6]) has the maximum absorption at 419 nm wavelength, a fitting equation based on the linear relationship between the absorbance variation of K3 [Fe(CN)6] and DTN amount in the ranges of 0–30 μmol with the detection limit of 0.6 μmol was established with the determination coefficient of 0.99935. It was found that there was no obvious influence of the ubiquitous foreign species with the amount lower than 6 mM, 4 mM, 6 mM, 4 mM and 1 mg/L for Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, SO42− and NOM, respectively. Moreover, methanol and tert-butanol were employed to verify the influence of the presence of organic matters on the determination of DTN and no impact was observed in this study. The proposed method provides a new way for DTN detection with stable and countable performance in the related AOPs with the low electric energy and carbon source consumption and high detection efficiency.