Eco-friendly Fuels Research Articles

Energy Consumption, Emission, Transportation Sector in Malaysia: Review on Malaysia’s Road Transport

Transportation is a major challenge for energy conservation, with road transport in Malaysia being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Malaysia, traditional fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel dominate the transportation sector, which has become the second-largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 20% in 2014. This increase in CO2 emissions, driven by rising vehicle ownership and economic growth, underscores the urgent need for effective emission reduction strategies. The rapid growth in road transportation in Malaysia is linked to socioeconomic factors, including rising incomes and urbanization, leading to higher energy consumption and pollution. Data indicates a significant increase in vehicle registrations from 1990 to 2018, with motorcars and motorcycles being the most common. This growth, fueled by subsidies and decentralization, has exacerbated the sector’s environmental impact. The Green Technology Master Plan Malaysia 2017–2040 aims to address these issues by setting ambitious targets to enhance renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and promote eco-friendly fuels. Key strategies include expanding public transportation, increasing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and introducing alternative fuels like hydrogen. Malaysia has substantial potential to reduce CO2 emissions through initiatives such as expanding EV infrastructure, promoting natural gas vehicles, and improving public transit. Effective implementation of these strategies can significantly lower the transportation sector’s carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Enhancing bioethanol yield from food waste: Integrating decontamination strategies and enzyme dosage optimization for sustainable biofuel production

Amidst the global surge in energy demand, the public’s focus has shifted from fossil fuels to more sustainable and eco-friendly fuels like bioethanol. Thus, the prospect of producing bioethanol from food waste (FW) is gaining traction, offering a sustainable solution to both waste management and energy needs. However, increasing bioethanol yields during food waste fermentation requires an approach that addresses the variability of these heterogeneous feedstocks in terms of chemical composition, microbial contamination, enzyme dosage requirements, and high moisture content. Hence, this study evaluated thermal and chemical decontamination strategies for pre- and post-consumer food waste and minimised the exogenous enzyme dosage by applying an engineered, amylase-producing strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ERT12). Results show that thermal sterilisation at an elevated liquefaction temperature significantly improved ethanol yields (from pre-and post-consumer food waste) more than chemical decontamination methods. Also, key findings show that applying the amylase-secreting yeast reduced enzyme dosages by up to 33 %. During fed-batch fermentation with strain ER T12, the highest possible solids loading increased the final ethanol concentrations by 96 % (for pre-consumer FW) and 85 % (for post-consumer FW) compared to batch fermentation. Also, the pre-consumer to post-consumer FW fed-batch fermentation maintained acceptable volumetric production rates of 2.35 to 1.57 g/l.h and yielded 87.6 to 61.2 % of the theoretical maximum. Although the maximum solids loadings, ethanol titres and yields achievable in food waste fermentations were still limited by the inherent moisture contents of the feed, they demonstrated performances that may be appropriate for industrial implementation, considering the negative feedstock costs.

Novel non-metallic carbon-nitrogen photocatalysts deposited in cold plasma for hydrogen production

This study investigates carbon-nitrogen thin films as active materials in photocatalytic methanol reforming, addressing the need for eco-friendly fuels with minimal waste and non-metallic photocatalysts. Additionally, it explores the synthesis of these materials using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) from acrylonitrile or acetonitrile. This area has limited prior attention in carbon-nitrogen materials synthesis, particularly with subsequent application in methanol reforming offering potential advancements in clean energy production. The aim is to develop effective, environmentally friendly sources of hydrogen, where photocatalysts play a crucial role. The studies involved also characterization for morphology, and chemical structure. The results confirmed the activity in hydrogen production through methanol reforming, achieving a promising rate of 82 ± 6 μmol h−1 cm−2.

Performance Analysis Based on Fuel Valve Train Control Optimization of Ammonia-Fuel Ships

In order to reduce carbon emissions, which are currently a problem in the shipping and offshore plant sectors, the international community is strengthening regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI). To cope with this, eco-friendly fuel propulsion technology is being developed, and the development of an ammonia fuel supply system is in progress. Among them, fuel valve train (FVT) technology was researched for the final supply and cutoff of fuel and purging through nitrogen for ammonia engines. In this paper, we analyzed the change in ammonia supply due to FVT opening and the change in nitrogen supply due to closure. In addition, a plan to minimize risk factors was presented by applying a control method to remove residual fuel in FVT. According to the presented FVT model, the difference in the flow rate of supplied fuel was as much as 17.8 kg/s. Additionally, by opening the gas bleed valve at intervals during the closing process and purging about 0.28 kg of nitrogen, the internal fuel could be completely discharged. This is expected to have an impact on improving the marine environment through the application of eco-friendly fuels and the development of fuel supply system technology.

Predicting Engine Emissions Using Eco-Friendly Fuels for Sustainable Transportation

In recent years, increasing concerns about vehicle emissions' environmental and public health impacts have led to the desire to use eco-friendly fuels as alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. Biofuels, hydrogen, and electric power offer lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, resulting in their development and adoption globally. Predicting vehicle emissions using these fuels is crucial for assessing their environmental benefits. This study proposes using artificial neural networks (ANN), a machine learning technique, to accurately predict vehicle emissions associated with eco-friendly fuels across different compositions and engine speeds. The ANN model has a strong correlation between predicted and observed emissions values, indicating the effectiveness of its model. The research underscores the importance of adopting innovative approaches to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable transportation solutions. This study contributes to reducing the adverse effects of vehicle emissions on air quality and public health by assisting policymakers, car manufacturers, and city planners in making effective decisions. It promotes environmental sustainability by providing valuable insights into vehicle emissions prediction and guiding the development of eco-friendly fuels for a more efficient transportation system.

Cost minimization of a hybrid PV-to-methanol plant through participation in reserve markets: A Danish case study

In efforts to combat carbon emissions in challenging sectors like heavy industry and shipping, Power-to-X (PtX) technology emerges as a promising solution. PtX involves converting renewable energy into hydrogen via water electrolysis and further processing it into eco-friendly fuels like methanol, ammonia, or kerosene. Denmark has seen a rise in plans for integrating large-scale PtX projects, which will introduce large electrical loads to its power system.To optimize the cost-effectiveness of PtX-based fuel production, a proposal suggests leveraging PtX plants’ inherent flexibility to provide frequency reserves to the electrical grid. The study centers on a real-life hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) dedicated to methanol production in Denmark.Analyzing the HRES technology and current reserve markets reveals that the HRES qualifies for frequency reserve provision certification, encompassing FCR, aFRR, and mFRR, by the transmission system operator. Through participation in the reserve market, the HRES can generate added revenue, resulting in substantial reductions of 12% and 30% in the levelised cost of methanol for 2020 and 2021 operational expenditure outcomes, respectively.The study illustrates significant cost reductions achievable through engagement in reserve markets, and these reductions may escalate further with increased market prices and volatility. Participating in frequency reserve capacity markets not only facilitates overall cost reduction but also serves as an insurance policy against unpredictable energy market fluctuations. This approach presents a promising trajectory to promote PtX technology adoption and nurture sustainable energy practices in challenging sectors.

Characteristics of Wood Pellets from Sengon Tree (Albizia Chinensis) Waste Materials for Eco-Friendly Fuel

Characteristics of Wood Pellets from Sengon Tree (Albizia Chinensis) Waste Materials for Eco-Friendly Fuel

T 1 Relaxation of Methane in Mixtures with Gaseous Water.

Synthetic, ecofriendly fuels and chemicals can be produced through Power-To-X (PtX) processes. To study such catalytic processes operando and spatially resolved, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a versatile tool. A main issue in the application of MRI in reactive studies is a lack of knowledge about how the gathered signals can be interpreted into reaction data like temperature or species concentration. In this work, the interaction of methane and gaseous water is studied regarding their longitudinal relaxation time T 1 and the chemical shift. To this end, defined quantities of methane-water mixtures were sealed in glass tubes and probed at temperatures between 130 and 360 °C and pressures from 6 to 20 bar. From the obtained T 1 relaxation times, the collision cross section of methane with water σ j,CH4-H2O is derived, which can be used to estimate the temperature and molar concentration of methane during the methanation reaction. The obtained T 1 relaxation times can additionally be used to improve the timing of MRI sequences involving water vapor or methane. Further, details about the measurement workflow and tube preparation are shared.

Methanol, a Plugin Marine Fuel for Green House Gas Reduction—A Review

The escalating global demand for goods transport via shipping has heightened energy consumption, impacting worldwide health and the environment. To mitigate this, international organizations aim to achieve complete fuel desulphurization and decarbonization by 50% by 2050. Investigating eco-friendly fuels is crucial, particularly those with a reduced carbon and zero sulfur content. Methanol derived mainly from renewable sources and produced by carbon dioxide’s hydrogenation method, stands out as an effective solution for GHG reduction. Leveraging its favorable properties, global scalability, and compatibility with the existing infrastructure, especially LNGs, methanol proves to be a cost-efficient and minimally disruptive alternative. This review explores methanol’s role as a hybrid maritime fuel, emphasizing its ecological production methods, advantages, and challenges in the shipping industry’s green transition. It discusses the environmental impacts of methanol use and analyzes economic factors, positioning methanol not only as an eco-friendly option, but also as a financially prudent choice for global shipping. Methanol is efficient and cost-effective and excels over MGO, especially in new ships. It is economically advantageous, with decreasing investment costs compared to LNG, while providing flexibility without specialized pressure tanks. Global marine fuel trends prioritize fuel traits, accessibility, and environmental considerations, incorporating factors like policies, emissions, bunkering, and engine adaptability during transitions.

Vacancy induced microstrain in high-entropy alloy film for sustainable hydrogen production under universal pH conditions

A novel vacancy-induced microstrain engineering strategy is developed in FeCoNiCrPt high-entropy alloy, enabling high activity and long lifetime hydrogen evolution under universal pH conditions.

Enhancing Biodiesel-Methanol blends with 1-Butanol for stable and efficient fuels

The quest for sustainable fuels has led to the exploration of biodiesel as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels. While biodiesel holds promise due to its renewable nature and lower emissions, challenges occur when blending it with methanol. This study addresses these issues by adding 1-butanol as a cosolvent in biodiesel-methanol blends, improving their stability and performance. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry identifies the dominant compound in biodiesel as 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, known for its stability-enhancing properties. Adding alcohols to biodiesel aiming to reduce the ignition delay time in and shorten the combustion time in diesel engines. The scientific explanation regarding the role of 1-butanol in stabilizing the biodiesel-methanol blend has not yet been revealed. Methanol's tendency to form an unstable mixture due to water affinity is mitigated by 1-butanol, which raises the critical phase separation temperature, a key indicator of blend stability. The study validates that adding 1-butanol produces a stable, homogenous blend. 1-butanol's as a third fuel blend option is underscored by its higher energy content, lower volatility, and reduced hydrophilicity compared to ethanol and methanol, making it a valuable advantage for fuel development. Investigations into ignition delay and burning speed reveal their difference with blend compositions. In conclusion, 1-butanol appears as a promising solution for enhancing the efficiency and stability of biodiesel-methanol blends, contributing to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly fuels for a more responsible and energy-efficient future.

УЧЕТ ПРИРОДООХРАННЫХ ФАКТОРОВ ПРИ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИИ НАГРУЗКИ МЕЖДУ ЭЛЕКТРОСТАНЦИЯМИ ЭНЕРГОСИСТЕМЫ, СОДЕРЖАЩЕЙ ГИДРОЭЛЕКТРОСТАНЦИИ

When distributing the load between power plants of the energy system, it is important to consider environmental factors from the stage of hydropower resource development in the region. In established power systems, one can reduce emissions by redistributing generation capacities between hydroelectric and thermal power plants, thus mitigating the harmful emissions from thermal power plants. The distribution of hydroelectric power plants across the region in a cascading manner will decrease the voltage class of power transmission. This, in turn, will reduce the area of clearings, ultimately minimizing the hazardous impact on the ecology of the area. It's essential to consider that certain parts of the energy system may require more than the compliance of maximum permissible concentrations as damage to both nature and economy can still arise. To investigate the potential for reducing emissions, an economic-mathematical model with a two-criteria target function is suggested. This model can be converted into a linear programming problem, which can enable the assessment of the extent to which emissions can be reduced through reallocating power system capacity. In allocating capacity between thermal power plants in the area, preference must be given to plants that use more eco-friendly fuels. In general, adhering to a specific regime can result in a 10-15% decrease in harmful emissions.

Impact of Oxygen Storage Components in Prototype Pd-Based Three-Way Catalysts under Exhaust Conditions Relevant to Propane Engines

With increasing concerns about global warming, the push for sustainable and eco-friendly fuels is accelerating. Propane, recognized as liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, has garnered research interest as an alternative fuel due to its notable advantages, including a high-octane rating, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and potential cost-effectiveness. However, to realize its full potential as an alternative fuel it is essential to develop catalysts that efficiently handle emissions at low temperatures. In our research, we investigated three distinct palladium (Pd)-based three-way catalyst (TWC) formulations (PdRh, Pd-only, and Pd-OSC) to investigate the influence of typical TWC components rhodium (Rh) and oxygen storage components (OSC) in exhaust scenarios relevant to propane-fueled engines. Among these, the formulation containing oxygen storage components (Pd-OSC) showed the highest reactivity for both NO and C3H8 while minimizing performance degradation from hydrothermal aging (HTA). Notably, the temperature of 50% conversion (T50) for propane in the Pd-OSC fresh and HTA sample was lower by 30 °C and 13 °C, respectively, compared to the Pd-only sample, highlighting the role of oxygen storage materials in enhancing catalyst performance, even without dithering. Additionally, N2 physisorption showed that the Pd-OSC sample has a higher surface area and increased pore volume. This underscores the idea that OSC materials not only augment the catalyst’s porosity but also optimize reactant accessibility to active sites, thus elevating catalytic efficiency. In addition to evaluating performance, we further explored the performance and characteristics of the catalysts using catalytic probe reactions, such as water–gas shift and steam reforming reactions.

TiO2 supported non-noble Ni-Fe catalysts for the high yield production of 2,5-dimethylfuran biofuel

The establishment of the future biorefinery schemes requires the sustainable conversion and valorisation of renewable bioresources into eco-friendly fuels and chemicals. To this end, 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) is a promising biofuel competitive to benchmarks like ethanol due to high-value intrinsic properties. It can be produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) platform molecule, one of the biobased intermediate chemicals derived from the abundant lignocellulosic biomass. We evidenced that bimetallic NiFe alloys supported on TiO2 are earth-abundant non-noble metal-based catalysts allowing the high yield production of DMF to be achieved. We showed that the preparation method and the reduction temperature of the catalyst are of prime importance, and are directly influencing the structure of the supported NiFe bimetallic particles and in consequence the catalyst behaviour. The highest yield to DMF is obtained on a catalyst prepared by co-impregnation and reduced at 500 °C, that features an unperfect core/shell structure of the NiFe alloy, with a partial Fe shell surrounding an Fe-enriched Ni core. The key-feature necessary for achieving high performance lies on the surface structure of the NiFe alloy that allows for an optimum availability of highly active Ni domains. The Ni atoms were maintained highly dispersed by the presence of Fe-containing surface phases. The specific surface structure is proposed to promote the HMF adsorption through the carbonyl group, while preventing from the hydrogenation of the aromatic furan ring to maintain high selectivity.

Development of various machine learning and deep learning models to predict glycerol biorefining processes

Biorefining biological waste to produce eco-friendly fuels and by-products is essential in transitioning from non-renewable energies. However, the analysis of the processes in the laboratory necessitates a substantial investment of both time and money. The present study has developed machine learning (ML) models for evaluating biofuel products through glycerol biorefining for the first time. This study evaluates the performance of different ML algorithms, including recurrent neural network (RNN), random forest (RF), adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), Bayesian ridge (BR), and elastic net linear regression (ENLR). This research by machine learning algorithms can be created the formulas and the models for the hydrogen content (H2) by the hydrogen production and time, the hydrogen production by the H2 and time, OLR by PH and time, OLR by the hydrogen production and time, and the hydrogen production by OLR and time. Using the RNN for predicting the future of H2, hydrogen production, and OLR with the least error. The best R-Squared for the formulas is between 0.951 and 0.994 with the linear and the polynomial forms (by degrees 2, 3, 4). The best R-Squared for the models is between 0.998 and 0.999 with the linear form. MAEs for the formula and the model of H2, respectively, are 2.475347126 and 0.46588143, and MAEs for the formula and the model of the hydrogen production, respectively, are 23.44120285 and 7.03283978. MAEs of OLR by PH and OLR by the hydrogen production for formulas and models are 2.095157 and 000001 by PH and 3.148667 and 0.000001 by the hydrogen production. MAEs for the formula and the model of the hydrogen production by OLR, respectively, are 19.025255 and 2.718604.

Characterization of in-cylinder spatiotemporal flame and solid particle emissions for ethanol-gasoline blended in gasoline direct injection engines

Stricter regulations for internal combustion engines have necessitated the inclusion of eco-friendly fuels with conventional ones to reduce gas and solid emissions. Gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, however, have been found to produce more particle number and mass emissions than port fuel injection engines. To address this, bioethanol fuel has been selected as an additive eco-friendly fuel for gasoline, with the aim of reducing particle emissions. In this study, we quantitatively characterize in-cylinder spatiotemporal flame to feature combustion performance and particle emissions for ethanol fuel in the GDI combustion chamber. We examined three engine combustion modes differed in equivalence ratio and injection strategy to produce various combustion results to quantify combustion performance and particle emission characteristics. Using an eight-channel non-intrusive flame luminosity sensor in one cylinder, we measured the flame front and its propagation direction. At the tailpipe, we measured particulate emissions using an engine exhaust particle sizer and a micro soot sensor coupled with a catalytic stripper that removed semi-volatile compounds. Our study found that increasing ethanol fuel content for different combustion modes resulted in distinct combustion and flame development. The particle size distribution also showed different patterns at each combustion mode, depending on the ethanol content. Lean combustion modes yielded high diffusion flame intensity compared to stoichiometric combustion mode, which resulted in a larger amount of particle formation. The physical properties of ethanol fuel were found to predominantly determine the fuel-air mixture quality, combustion process, and flame development at each combustion mode. An increase in ethanol fuel content at lean-homogeneous mode resulted in higher diffusion flame intensity and larger particle emissions. Our comparative study of flame and solid particles for ethanol fuel content improves the understanding of in-cylinder combustion processes and their correlations.

A comprehensive assessment of a new hybrid combined marine engine using alternative fuel blends

Large cargo that cannot be moved worldwide by air or rail transportation is typically conveyed via marine transportation, which relies on fossil fuels and contributes to global emissions. However, a more cost-effective solution is to utilize eco-friendly fuels to reduce carbon emissions. The design of a new hybridized powering system using environmentally friendly hydrogen-based fuel blends is investigated. This paper presents a new hybrid combined marine engine, which involves an internal combustion engine paired with a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine. The exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses are conducted on this proposed engine. It is found that the average net power is about 27 MW with an increase of 30% and the energy and exergy efficiencies are 31% and 41%, respectively. In addition, the average exergetic efficiency based on fuel and product principle is 60%. This new marine engine has 228 $/h Levelized cost rate and 1109 mPt/h environmental rate. Finally, the average overall specific product exergy cost and environment are 64 $/GJ and 22 mPt/MJ, respectively. Also, carbon emissions are significantly reduced by 35%–61%, depending on the fuel blend. Comparing five fuel blends, the methane and hydrogen fuel blend is the most economical and has the least impact on the environment, and the second option is the ethanol blend.

Biochar as a Versatile Resource for Achieving Sustainability in Agri-food Chains

The agriculture sector generates a significant quantity of waste. These wastes, when mismanaged, can cause environmental issues like air, water, and soil pollution. Thus, the upcycling of agricultural wastes especially for bioenergy production would be highly advantageous. Biofuels, including biochar, biogas, biodiesel, and bioethanol, are eco-friendly fuels owing a significant contribution to the bioenergy industry. Biochar, a carbon-rich substance prepared from a wide range of feedstocks, can be produced from agricultural wastes via pyrolysis and has numerous applications. When added to soil, biochar enhances soil fertility by acting as a soil conditioner. It can also be used to purify air and wastewater and/or used for carbon sequestering, in the textile and construction industries. Moreover, biochar can also be used in the food products such as charcoal-based ice cream, and cookies besides being an animal feed improver. Furthermore, biochar has potential applications in the cosmetic industry and can address issues such as climate change, energy shortages, and food security. The use of agricultural wastes for biochar production can be a tool for low-cost bioenergy production, which could improve the financial status of local farmers. The current review emphasizes the potential of biochar as a versatile resource for achieving sustainability in agri-food chains by recycling generated waste.

Zirconia Incorporated Aluminum Phosphate Molecular Sieves as Efficient Microporous Nano Catalysts for the Selective Dehydration of Methanol into Dimethyl Ether

Annually, a growing demand was noted for replacing petroleum fuels with second-generation eco-friendly fuels like dimethyl ether (DME). Methanol dehydration into DME process has been considered as one of the potential pathways for the manufacture of a clean fuel. However, stable, and active catalyst is exceedingly requisite for generation of DME particularly at reasonably low temperature. In the current study, zirconia incorporated AlPO4 tridymite microporous molecular sieve catalysts were fabricated by a hydrothermal method in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) as a structure directing agent. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N2-sorption assessments. Catalysts’ acidity was estimated by decomposition of isopropanol, pyridine and dimethyl pyridine chemisorption, and pyridine-TPD. Results revealed that catalysts surfaces composed acid sites of Brønsted nature and of weak and medium strengths. Activity results showed that 1 wt% H2SO4 modified zirconia incorporated AlPO4-TRI catalyst calcined at 400 °C presented the best activity with a conversion of 89% and a 100% selectivity into DME at 250 °C. The significant catalytic activity is well-connected to the variation in BET-surface area, acidity, and activation energy of methanol dehydration. The catalysts offered long-term stability for 120 h and could be regenerated with almost the same activity and selectivity.Graphical

Optimizing biodiesel blends with green hydrogen fuel: A study on combustion duration, fuel mass burnt, engine performance and emissions

Although the combustion of petroleum-based fuels currently satisfies the majority of our energy needs, rapid industrialization has spurred the utilization of alternative energy sources to meet the growing demand for electricity. With the global population on the rise and increasing awareness of the dangers of climate change, there is a greater need to find sustainable and eco-friendly fuels. Utilizing biodiesel derived from non-edible sources is the most efficient and appealing option for meeting energy needs while mitigating environmental impacts. This paper focuses on the preparation and experimental analysis of biodiesel from Karanja oil. Various blends of Karanja biodiesel and regular diesel were produced and stirred to create KB10 (Diesel 90% + Karanja Biodiesel 10%) and KB20 (Diesel 80 % + Karanja Biodiesel 20%). Hydrogen was incorporated into the biodiesel to enhance fuel characteristics, delivered at a rate of 5 L per minute. The emissions and combustion results of the biodiesel blends were compared to those of pure diesel. At full load condition, KB10H5 reported the minimum combustion duration of 25.8°CA with mass fraction burnt of 17.8%. However, the biodiesel blend with 10% and 20% reported the reduced BTE. Highest brake power has been observed at 4.95 kW. The combination of Karanja biodiesel and hydrogen improves fuel quality and reduces the harmful gases emissions such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. It is crucial to ensure that the operation is both efficient and comfortable, and this approach achieved both objectives. In addition, hydrogen energy can also be applied to the railway transportation industry, as a new direction for the green and low-carbon development of intercity transportation, driving the virtuous cycle and innovative development of the hydrogen energy-related industrial chain.