Atmospheric Dioxide Research Articles

Polyimide/Cu-doped TiO2 Janus membranes for direct capture and photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide from air

The direct conversion of carbon dioxide in atmosphere into valuable compounds or fuels is the most effective way to fundamentally solve the problem of the greenhouse effect. In this study, a Janus membrane with different layers and structures was designed to demonstrate the idea of simultaneously capturing and converting carbon dioxide directly from air. The selective layer was prepared through a dry-casting process to form a dense layer with appropriate CO2 permeance and selectivity to efficiently generate CO2-enriched air. The reactive layer was prepared through non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method to create a continuous porous structure that houses the photocatalyst. This membrane morphology enhanced the contact efficiency between CO2 and the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst was synthesized from titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl2·2H2O) through hydrothermal method and activated in the membrane using UV-light. The copper doping amount on TiO2 was investigated to obtain the optimal photocatalytic activity in converting or regenerating CO2 to CO. The synthesized Cu-doped TiO2 particles were characterized through X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. While the membrane morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Then the gas separation performance of the Janus membranes was analyzed. The CO2 was able to be concentrated in the selective layer and resides in the reactive layer with the photocatalyst with good efficiency. It was found that at 20 wt% loading of Cu-TiO2 yielded 2.21 μmol g−1 hr-1 of CO. This research provides an avenue for potential simultaneous capture and conversion of CO2 from air using Janus membranes.

Evaluation of Catastrophic Global Warming due to Coal Combustion, Paradigm of South Asia

Coal is a carbon containing non-renewable fossil fuel and one of the major contributors of climate change and global warming. We used TANSO FTS instrument in order to obtain the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide through datasets obtained from GOSAT satellite. GIOVANNI was also used to obtain atmospheric concentration of various gases. Burning of coal causes emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and black carbon (BC) in atmosphere which are responsible for nearly 0.3°C of 1°C rise in temperature. The annual average value of carbon emission for the year 2010 and 2019 is 388.4 ppm and 409 ppm respectively. Since the pre-industrial times CO2 concentrations have increased up to100 PPM (36%) in the last two and a half centuries (250 years).In South Asia Dhaka has the worst quality of air as CO2 concentration (6.7%) is higher than the country’s GDP (5.25%) and energy consumption (4.77%). While an increasing trend GHG has been observed in Lahore up to 5.5 %. This study concludes that the high concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere is responsible for average rise of 1.2 °C temperature annually. This temperature rise can lead to adverse climatic conditions i.e., melting of glaciers which will consequently rise the sea level various landmasses may disappear by 2050.

The development of a genetic method to optimize the flue gas desulfurization process

Sulfur dioxide is one of the most commonly found gases, which contaminates the air, damages human health and the environment. To decrease the damage, it is important to control the emissions on power stations, as the major part of sulfur dioxide in atmosphere is produced during electric energy generation on power plants. The present work describes flue gas desulfurization process optimizing strategy using data mining. The optimisation modified genetic method of flue gas desulfurization process based on artificial neural network was developed. It affords to represent the time series characteristics and factual efficiency influence on desulfurization and increase its precision of prediction. The vital difference between this developed genetic method and other similar methods is in using adaptive mutation, that uses the level of population development in working process. It means that less important genes will mutate in chromosome more probable than high suitability genes. It increases accuracy and their role in searching. The comparison exercise of developed method and other methods was done with the result that new method gives the smallest predictive error (in the amount of released SO2) and helps to decrease the time in prediction of efficiency of flue gas desulfurization. The results afford to use this method to increase efficiency in flue gas desulfurization process and to decrease SO2 emissions into the atmosphere

Study of a Green House Gas Induced Effects on Transfer Factor of Micronutrients in a Nature Reserve

Increasing Carbon dioxide in atmosphere affects nutrition due to carbon nutrient penalty or carbon fertilization. Per capita consumption of micronutrients get affected, leading to silent hunger. This study looks at the effect of the greenhouse gasses especially carbon dioxide on micronutrient up take by vegetation and on soil as proxy-indicator of effects in food chain. Fifty soil samples 250 grams each and fourty vegetation samples 100 grams each were taken in georeferenced sites in AFEW in Langata Ecosystem, along a predetermined transects. The samples were put in Ziplocs and transported to Kabete Laboratories and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry Optima 8000, Perkin Elmer. Micronutrients levels in soil were compared with those in vegetation as away asses possible effects of carbon dioxide on uptake of the micronutrients by vegetation. The micronutrients were measured in mg/gm. The results show that levels of most of the micronutrients in soil and vegetation shoots varied. No Zinc was detected both in soil and vegetation in all transects. The level of all micronutrients varied between the soil and vegetation but generally much lower in vegetation. The transfer factor (TF) of sodium, magnesium, mercury and Lead were > 1, Zinc, Aluminium, Copper, and Cobalt were <1 suggesting possible GHG effect. It can be concluded that the Transfer Factor in Aluminium, Zinc, Magnesium, Cobalt and cupper in vegetation is below 1 possibly due to effect of Carbon Dioxide.

Production of Methanol from Carbon Dioxide: Possibilities and Fundamental Challenges

Carbon dioxide mitigation is one of major challenge faced by our society. Carbon dioxide is one of the main green house gases causing global warming. According to last year survey, all over the world pumped nearly 38.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide was pumped into air from burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, oil etc. To prevent mitigation of excessive carbon dioxide in atmosphere, CO2 capturing and utilization is vital. It has been studied that reduction of CO2 into renewable fuel and vital chemical is the best possible solution for CO2 utilization. Hydrogenation of CO2 to form methanol, were methanol is the energy source for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). At anode, methanol is reformed into carbon dioxide (CO2) while at cathode steam or water is formed using oxygen available in the air. This fuel cell can be used in portable applications. Methanol is used in producing solvents like the acetic acid, and an important feedstock in manufacture of paints, plastics etc. This review deals with the recent developments and upcoming challenges of CO2 utilization for the efficient production of methanol. This includes novel ideas, methodologies, and current difficulties for the production of CO2 to methanol through various ways like homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical, photochemical, and photo electrochemical conversion, which will contribute to the economic growth in terms of producing useful products from waste and hinder the hazardous emissions for cleaner and safer environment. This review presents various state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies for CO2 conversion to methanol and aims to establish the advances in this area and present an overview of the recent research trend for future development. Carbon dioxide mitigation and conversion is presenting both an opportunity and a challenge worldwide for the sustainability, environment conservation and energy production.

Experimental analysis on modulus of elasticity of slag based concrete

Based on present scenario construction industries adopt so many problems directly, the problem is mainly due to release of carbon dioxide in atmosphere, how to rectify this problem, researchers are doing research regarding this particular issue only, so many researchers are found that replacement of OPC as industrial waste gives the more eco-friendly. Industrial wastes like GGBS, Fly ash, etc. based on the laboratory work industrial waste like GGBS in concrete without any cement is getting the required strength after adding 3% lime in place of cement and that too with stone dust not with sand due to high silica content. This concrete is getting the target mean strength after 90 days of curing. At 50% replacement of sand with stone dust shows better results than other proportions. This concrete is not that much workable when compared with conventional concrete as silica content more in this. This concrete absorbs more water as it is full of waste material; this is the main reason for not getting required workability. Elastic behavior is also good for this concrete and that too more at 50% stone dust. Elastic behavior of this slag based concrete depends upon proportion of stone dust as FA in this concrete. Modulus of elasticity of this concrete decrease with decrease of stone dust content in the concrete.

Evaluate Compressive Strength of Geopolymer by Using Different Fibers and Curing Conditions

Day by day conservatory emissions is increases on earth. In manufacture of Portland cement(PC), obliquely we are escalating the carbon dioxide in atmosphere by the invention of PC.. Industrial by-products such as fly ash(FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag(GGBS), rice husk, bagasse, etc. are mainly used in manufacturing industry because these resources contain good bonding assets, amplified stability and decreased the porosity. evaluate to PC these assets are inexpensively good. Auxiliary by means of these manufacturing by products we are eventually lessening the carbon dioxide. PC with the manufacturing by products such as FA, bagasse , GGBS, Rice Husk Ash, Metakaolin etc., In these materials GGBS, FA, bagasse are commonly used for bursting substitution of PC. match up to PC GGBS, FA, rice husk be as well offer privileged compressive strength results when activate by alkali with similar curing’s. This concrete is known as Geo polymer concrete(GPC). To prepare the GPC we require alkali solutions(AS) like NaOH and Na2SiO3. arrange the AS, by considering singular molarities of NaOH like 9M and 14M and singular concentrations of Na2SiO3 like 40%. get ready the AS of NaOH and Na2SiO3 discretely one hour before the mixing of GPC. dispose the cubes to find the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, and density of GPC. The specimens were tested after 28 days of special curing’s. To improve the properties of GPC, we are accumulation different fibers and go on it for 28 days of different curing conditions of GPC. finally we know the compressive strengths of different fibers and curing conditions of GPC

Combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia on Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae).

The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere is not only a major cause of global warming, but it also adversely affects the ecological diversity of invertebrates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of elevated CO2 concentration (ambient, 400 ppm and high, 800 ppm) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia‐infected, W+ and Wolbachia‐uninfected, W−) on Hylyphantes graminicola. The total survival rate, developmental duration, carapace width and length, body weight, sex ratio, net reproductive rate, nutrition content, and enzyme activity in H. graminicola were examined under four treatments: W− 400 ppm, W− 800 ppm, W+ 400 ppm, and W+ 800 ppm. Results showed that Wolbachia‐infected spiders had significantly decreased the total developmental duration. Different instars showed variations up to some extent, but no obvious effect was found under elevated CO2 concentration. Total survival rate, sex ratio, and net reproductive rate were not affected by elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia infection. The carapace width of Wolbachia‐uninfected spiders decreased significantly under elevated CO2 concentration, while the width, length and weight were not significantly affected in Wolbachia‐infected spiders reared at ambient CO2 concentration. The levels of protein, specific activities of peroxidase, and amylase were significantly increased under elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia‐infected spiders, while the total amino content was only increased in Wolbachia‐infected spiders. Thus, our current finding suggested that elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia enhance nutrient contents and enzyme activity of H. graminicola and decrease development duration hence explore the interactive effects of factors which were responsible for reproduction regulation, but it also gives a theoretical direction for spider's protection in such a dynamic environment. Increased activities of enzymes and nutrients caused by Wolbachia infection aids for better survival of H. graminicola under stress.

Methodical Aspects of the Determination of Carbon Dioxide in Atmosphere Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Monitoring the state of ground-based spectroscopic systems ensures high accuracy of atmospheric gas composition measurements and the possibility of using measurement data for validating satellite measurements and numerical models. Column-averaged carbon dioxide mixing ratios (XCO2) can be used to assess the quality of spectroscopic measurements because its content is stable in the atmosphere. The XCO2 values were retrieved from spectra measured by Fourier transform IR spectrometry (FTIR) using a Bruker 125HR instrument between 2009 and 2017 at the Peterhof station (St. Petersburg, Russia). The total error of the FTIR CO2 columns retrieval was 4.18 ± 0.02%, with 0.36 ± 0.06% and 4.16 ± 0.02% for random and systematic errors, respectively. The data obtained are compared with model calculations based on long-term observations at the Mauna Loa station. Various schemes solving for the inverse problem were analyzed and compared among themselves, and estimates of empirical random errors in the determination of XCO2 were obtained. To improve the accuracy of XCO2 measurements, it is recommended to determine the error of the Fourier-spectrometer phase and the slope of the zero line of the spectrum simultaneously with the atmospheric gas composition measurements taking into account various continuum sources of error.

21세기 초반의 대한민국의 수산물 수급상황과 식량안보 전략

Due to the enhanced carbon dioxide in atmosphere, our ocean ecosystems including fishery resources have been experiencing serious changes. The human population has also been dramatically increased recently, which influences on food security, consumption, and supply of fishery production. Current and near-future situation on marine food production in Korea was investigated using international and domestic reports and statistics, and strategy for improving food shortage was suggested. Results from this study indicated that individual Korean consumed 58.4 kg of fishery production in 2013~2015, and will be increased to 64.3 kg in 2025. Fish and shellfish yields provide about 19% of total protein supply or about 36% of animal protein in Korea currently. Because we expect no increase from capture fisheries in Korean waters, we should find some ways to increase the supply of fishery production from either enhancing aquaculture or import from foreign countries, although the increasing rate of Korean aquaculture production would be expected much lower than other developing countries.

Effect of water onto porous CaO for CO2 adsorption: Experimental and extended isotherm model

Tremendous increment of carbon dioxide in atmosphere has posed devastating impacts to global climate change. The phenomenon has become one of the great challenges need to be considered for achieving techno-economic system. This paper presents an alternative approach for capturing high concentration of CO2 by combination of two separation processes, adsorption and gas hydrate. Potentials of waste seashell from cockle for producing low cost porous calcium oxide for CO2 capture were investigated. The adsorption equilibrium of CO2 on porous calcium oxide with presence of water was measured using a static volumetric technique at 2 °C for pressures up to 36 bar. The CO2 uptakes of 9.1 mmol/g and 11.3 mmol/g were obtained for commercial and synthesized CaO at 36 bar. At optimum water ratio, the equilibrium data were simulated first with three different isotherm models: Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson. The Freundlich model adequately describe the CO2 adsorption on dry samples and Redlich-Peterson gives the best fitted for wet samples at optimum water ratio. The Redlich-Peterson model having the highest R2 was further extended by incorporating water isotherm model to determine the occurrence of water inside the sample. The curve obtained from the extended isotherm model shows an increment of coefficient from 0.94 to 0.99 and 0.94 to 0.98 for commercial and synthesized CaO. The findings revealed the potential of waste cockle shell as a viable and sustainable materials for preparation of calcium oxide for gas adsorption applications. This novel technology will go a long way in amassing the impacts of water in CO2 adsorbent for gas adsorption applications.

A ratiometric fluorescent probe based on the pi-stacked graphene oxide and cyanine dye for sensitive detection of bisulfite

The sensitive and selective analytical methods for real-time monitoring of sulfur dioxide and its derivatives are significant for human health, pollution-control and food safety. Herein, we report a new nanocomposite (Hex-FGO-DPS) consisting of cyanine dye and fluorescent graphene oxide with unique reactive properties for ratiometric fluorescent detection of bisulfite. The ratiometric fluorescence of Hex-FGO-DPS in aqueous solution can be sensitively, selectively and efficiently tuned by bisulfite through a specific nucleophilic addition reaction. In the presence of bisulfite, the ratiometric fluorescence intensity of Hex-FGO-DPS (F470nm/F580nm) changes up to 25 folds, accompanied by a distinct color change from yellow to blue which can be visually identified. The detection limit was measured to be 0.44μM. The probe can be further applied for sensing intracellular bisulfite through the ratiometric fluorescence imaging analysis in living cells. In addition, the probe Hex-FGO-DPS also can be used for selective determination of gaseous sulfur dioxide in atmosphere and aqueous solution. The simple, sensitive and effective strategy reported here could facilitate the development of portable and reliable sensor for visual identification applications.

Careful with your energy efficiency program! It may ‘rebound’!

In May 2013, for the first time since its inception in 1950s, Mauna Loa Observatory, on the island of Hawaii, observed that the daily average of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration exceeds 400 parts per million. It may be a small concentration in atmosphere, but it plays a significant role in dictating surface temperature on earth. Earth receives radiation from the sun and a significant portion of it is reflected and reradiated back into the space. A portion of the total radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere. To reach an equilibrium for the earth’s climatic condition, the absorbed solar radiation should be in exact balance with radiation emitted to the space. In climatic science, externally imposed perturbations that disturb this balance are collectively known as radiative forcing. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is one of the main culprits for global warming or increase of average temperature on earth’s surface through radiative forcing. Global warming may have severe impact on earth’s climate such as change in precipitation patterns, expansion of deserts, frequent occurrence of extreme weather conditions, and rise of sea level. Carbon dioxide is not completely unwanted; rather it is essential to support life on earth. Carbon is exchanged between the different zones of overall earth’s ecosystem through a sequence of events. Balance in every steps of this carbon cycle is essential to sustain life on earth. Post industrialization, carbon cycle is altered primarily due to anthropogenic impacts or impacts due to human activities, particularly due to unplanned deforestation and unrestricted use of fossil fuel. To de-carbonize our atmosphere (i.e., to remove excess carbon dioxide), the whole world has agreed to improve energy efficiency, improve energy conversion efficiency, and utilize low-carbon and renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy faces public resistances, especially after the 2011 Fukushima disaster; renewable energy systems face challenges such as low energy density, high initial capital investment, and relatively poor reliability and availability. In the interim period, efficient utilization of energy and energy conservation poised itself as a realizable target to de-carbonize energy system. Improving energy efficiency and conservation of energy in commercial, industrial, and residential sectors can reduce overall energy requirement significantly. Other than reducing carbon dioxide in atmosphere, it offers significant economic benefits. In industrial practices, reduction of energy requirement for a given production is known as energy management. Increase in production by maintaining the energy requirement is known as debottlenecking. Energy management or debottlenecking can reduce the operating cost and lead to significant financial incentives. Furthermore, various energy efficiency measures provide other benefits such as improved energy security and reduction of peak demand. But energy efficiency programs are also not free of concerns. Suppose, a 15 W energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb replaces a 60 W inefficient incandescent bulb; 75 % reduction in energy consumption is expected. Now user of the new bulb realizes that operation of the lighting system is much cheaper and starts using it more. Thus, realized energy conservation is much lower or a portion of energy saving is ‘taken back.’ Increase in energy efficiency leads to extra available income for consumers to utilize it more. For example, increase in efficiency of cars may lead to & Santanu Bandyopadhyay santanub@iitb.ac.in

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agricultural Crops in Designed Plant Growth Chamber

Aim: Climate change is becoming one of the major global environment concerns. The earth’s climate is predicted to change due to release of greenhouse gases and there is an urgent need for stabilizing the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Soil carbon sequestration is considered as one of the promising options for mitigating the climate change impacts. The aim of the current study is to assess the carbon sequestration potential of the crops of the agricultural importance at elevated levels of CO 2 in designed plant growth chamber. Place and Duration of Study: School of Environment and Sustainable Development, Central University of Gujarat, India, between November 2013 to June 2014. Methodology: Plant growth chamber has been designed of dimension 66◊24◊25 inches for assessing the carbon sequestration potential of the selected agricultural crops Triticum aestivum, Sorghum vulgare and Vigna radiata in green house. The plants were grown using the pot culture technique in mycorrhizal soil. The CO 2 was induced into the plant growth chamber after every five days at the rate of 5 Litres per minute to maintain the level of carbon dioxide upto 500±50 ppm into the plant growth chamber and plant’s growth was studied. Soil’s physico-chemical parameters, plant’s morphological and biochemical characteristics were studied in each plant. Results: The study reveals the carbon content estimated in the form of organic carbon, total carbon and organic matter was high in Vigna radiata at elevated CO 2 levels, than ambient levels, followed by Sorghum vulagare and Triticum aestivum. Also organic nitrogen accumulation was increased in response of elevated CO2 conditions, highest being found in samples of Vigna radiata . Morphological and biochemical characteristics of crops also got influenced under elevated CO 2 levels. Plant height and plant biomass accumulation was found to be higher in Triticum aestivum , followed by Sorghum vulgare and Vigna radiata , whereas shoot and root length was Original Research Article

IN PERSUIT OF ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS TO CEMENT CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION

Due to rapid demand and growth in infrastructure, the natural resources are fast depleting. The production of cement and aggregates consume energy which are responsible for increase in concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. On the other hand huge amount of wastes are generated in various fields which are not being utilized other than for landfilling, incineration and a very few reused having a recycle value. Some wastes are biodegradable while others are toxic or harmful to environment. Hence there appears to be an urgent need to search for alternative materials, which can replace existing ingredients partially or fully, thereby reducing energy consumption and reduced CO2 emission. This paper discusses some options which appear to be promising in this direction. Index Terms: Eco-Friendly Concrete, Sustainability, Substitutes for Binders, Substitutes for Aggregates

A Simple and Simultaneous Measurement Method of Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide in Atmosphere with Triethanolamine Cylindrical Filter Method

A Simple and Simultaneous Measurement Method of Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide in Atmosphere with Triethanolamine Cylindrical Filter Method

Monitoring Method of Steel Reinforcement Corrosion Rate in Concrete

Steel reinforcement concrete is one of the most widely used composite materials in architectural and civil engineering. The alkaline of concrete makes steel passive state, so the steel bars in conrete are kept in anti-corroded phase. Carbon dioxide in atmosphere, however, chemically reacts to the alkaline components in long term, and the passive state of steel is missing. Steel corrosion in concrete is not visible but it may cause decaying buildings or civil construction. The author developed the electrochemical measurement method of monitoring steel corrosion rate in concrete. With the measurement method, the author measured the variety of corrosion rates of steel reinforcement in several atmospheres, such as indoors, outdoors, in-water, underground, and so on. In this paper, found and analyzed mechanisms of steel corrosion in those atmospheres are mainly shown. For an interesting result, the most corroded sample is not the sample exposed outdoor, nor exposed in water, but the sample exposed in wet room. This may cause the diffusion balance of oxygen and water in concrete.

Droplet Method for the Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide in Atmosphere

Droplet Method for the Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide in Atmosphere

Reconstructing sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in atmosphere in the Okinawa Trough during the Holocene and their paleoclimatic implications

The sediment core DGKS9603 collected from the Okinawa Trough was used as research target. By use of unsaturated indexU37k of long-chain alkenone, δ13C of POC and of planktonic foraminifera (G. sacculifer), the evolutions of sea surface temperature and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the Holocene were reconstructed in the Okinawa Trough. And in combination of δ18O of planktonic foraminifera, the relative difference of sea surface salinity during the Holocene was also reconstructed. Consequently, three cooling events (E1-E3) were identified, each of which occurred at 1.7-1.6, 5.1-4.8 and 8.1-7.4 kaBP (cal), respectively. Of the three events, E2 and E3 are globally comparable, their occurrence mechanism would be that the main stream of the Kuroshio Current shifted eastward due to the enhanced circulation of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, which was driven in turn by amplified intensity of sunshine and subsequent enhancement of subtropical high pressure; E1 corresponds to the Small Ice-Age Event occurring between 1550 and 1850AD in China. In the Oki-nawa Trough, E1 might be also related to the eastward shift of main stream of the Kuroshio current driven by powerful Asia winter monsoon.

Schulze, E.-D. (ed.) Carbon and nitrogen cycling in European forest ecosystems. Ecological studies, volume 142

Schulze, E.-D. (ed.) Carbon and nitrogen cycling in European forest ecosystems. Ecological studies, volume 142