Emission Energy Research Articles

Synthesis, Structural Aspects, Magnetic, and Adsorption Properties of a Dinuclear Cu (II) Complex Derived From Mixed Ligand Approach

ABSTRACTA dinuclear copper complex, [Cu2(teaH)(pNBA)2(H2O)2]·MeOH·pNBH (1) (where teaH3 = triethanolamine, pNBH = 4‐nitro‐benzoic acid, and pNBA = 4‐nitro‐benzoate) has been prepared and structurally characterized. In 1, there is an interesting intermolecular structure that is shown as a tetramer copper connected in chain‐like motif. In the UV‐Vis spectrum, higher absorbance at 267 nm is referred to n → π* transition, coupled with a weak peak at 500 nm, indicating another transition, which is specified as metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer. The higher intensity peak in the photoluminescence spectrum is marked as the absorption of energy required for the excitation of electrons, whereas lower intensity peaks show the emission of energy, which describes d‐d transitions of Cu (II) electrons due to d9 configuration. Complex 1 was explored for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye, with the maximum adsorption as 101.07 mg/g, whereas the removal efficiency was estimated to be 81.05%. In conformity with the kinetic studies, the adsorption process proceeded via a Pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model. The incorporation of mixed ligands such as teaH3 and pNBH in 1 tends to increase the dimensionality that led to increased MB adsorption. The plausible mechanism behind the adsorption was favored by hydrogen‐bonding, electrostatic, π–π, and n–π* interactions, operating between the dye and complex 1. Further, the H‐bonding and these interactions provided stability to the complex, and an improved dye adsorption was observed even during the 2nd and 3rd recyclability experiments. Additionally, complex 1 corroborated remarkable stability after dye adsorption, allowing for up to four recycling turns. The magnetic study revealed antiferromagnetic coupling between the two magnetic centers with a singlet ground state (S = 0).

Estimating the potential for thermal energy efficiency in the industrial sector: A hybrid model integrating exergy analysis and long-term technology diffusion scenarios

Thermal energy for heating and cooling accounts for a significant portion of the total energy consumed in the industrial sector, and is predominantly provided by fossil fuels. Thus, effective thermal energy management is essential for reducing overall energy consumption, operational costs, and emissions in the industrial sector. While previous studies have explored energy efficiency in this sector, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the challenges of modeling thermal energy efficiency in industry. Therefore, this study proposes a novel hybrid methodological approach that integrates macroeconomic perspectives with detailed end-use analysis and exergy considerations, allowing for a more accurate assessment of recoverable energy in industrial processes in alternative technology diffusion scenarios over a long-term horizon. An empirical study focusing on the pulp and paper subsector in Brazil demonstrated the applicability of the proposed model and revealed significant potential for thermal energy efficiency improvements. The model identified that through optimal technology diffusion scenarios, the sector could achieve up to 25 % reduction in thermal energy consumption by 2050, with heat recovery systems accounting for approximately 40 % of these savings. Cost-effective technology adoption curves indicated that 60 % of this potential could be realized through economically viable investments with payback periods under 3 years. Overall, this study contributes to the field of industrial energy efficiency by offering a hybrid methodological approach that can be adapted to different industrial settings, and can help policymakers and industry stakeholders develop effective strategies to improve thermal energy efficiency and reduce emissions in the industrial sector.

Future technologies for building sector to accelerate energy transition

This Editorial briefly introduces and organizes the worthy studies provided in the Special Issue of Energy and Buildings, entitled “Future technologies for building sector to accelerate energy transition: a special issue”. The main topics of selected papers are herein summarized, proposing scientific studies concerning the next generation buildings, and thus mandatory targets of energy efficiency, reduction of energy demands, novel technologies for building envelope and active energy systems, on-site conversion from renewable energy sources. Both areas of the building industry are considered, and thus decarbonization of existing buildings and novel constructions characterized by mandatory energy performance levels of nearly, net- and plus-energy buildings. These topics are crucial for improving building performance, and reducing energy consumption, with reference to both the heating and cooling seasons, therefore addressing the new and mandatory challenges of zero-energy and zero-emission buildings, also taking into account climate change. The results of manuscripts published in this special issue show worthy potential and real achievements, with significant reductions in energy demands and emissions, and therefore they underline the usefulness of traditional and novel technologies and strategies for buildings, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of novel design and retrofitting methods and solutions. The debated topics are essential to dealing with climate change, reducing energy poverty, environmental impact, local overheating and UHIs, going, finally, in the direction of a mandatory, sustainable, and smart future for the building sector.

Energy Solutions for Decarbonization of Industrial Heat Processes

The global rise in population and advancement in civilization have led to a substantial increase in energy demand, particularly in the industrial sector. This sector accounts for a considerable proportion of total energy consumption, with approximately three-quarters of its energy consumption being used for heat processes. To meet the Paris Agreement goals, countries are aligning policies with international agreements, and companies are setting net-zero targets. Upstream emissions of the Scope 3 category refer to activities in the company’s supply chain, being crucial for achieving its net-zero ambitions. This study analyzes heating solutions for the supply chain of certain globally operating companies, contributing to their 2030 carbon-neutral ambition. The objective is to identify current and emerging heating solutions from carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) impact, economic, and technical perspectives, considering regional aspects. The methodology includes qualitative and quantitative surveys to identify heating solutions and gather regional CO2e emission factors and energy prices. Calculations estimate the CO2e emissions and energy costs for each technology or fuel, considering each solution’s efficiency. The study focuses on Europe, the United States, Brazil, China, and Saudi Arabia, regions or countries representative of companies’ global supply chain setups. Results indicate that heat pumps are the optimal solution for low temperatures, while biomass is the second most prevalent solution, except in Saudi Arabia where natural gas is more feasible. For medium and high temperatures, natural gas is viable in the short term for Saudi Arabia and China, while biomass and electrification are beneficial for other regions. The proportion of electricity in the energy mix is expected to increase, but achieving decarbonization targets requires cleaner energy mixes or competitive Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) projects. Brazil, with its high proportion of renewable energy sources, offers favorable conditions for using green electricity to reduce emissions. The utilization of biomethane is promising if costs and incentives align with those in the EU. Although not the objective of this study, a comprehensive analysis of CAPEX and lifecycle costs associated with equipment is necessary when migrating technologies. Policies and economic incentives can also make these solutions more or less favorable.

The impact of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects on environmental protection, economic development, and social equity

We present a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium (DCGE) model to estimate the long-term impacts of CCUS on carbon emission reduction, energy structure, economic growth, and social welfare. Results show that CCUS contributes to optimizing energy structure led by renewable sources and raises the share of clean energy generation to 85.41%–89.84% in 2060. CCUS can help China achieve an earlier peak in carbon emissions and subsequent reductions, with the emission reduction contribution of CCUS estimated at 27.41%–65.00% of total emissions by 2060. Our findings suggest that CCUS has the potential to support China's sustained economic growth, with real GDP rising by 8.82%–18.16% in 2060 compared to the baseline scenario. Additionally, the CCUS fosters growth in social welfare and contributes to mitigating the urban-rural income disparity in the long term. The study broadens the scope of the economic assessment of CCUS and provides valuable insights to enhance comprehension of CCUS's strategic positioning and implementation.

Temperature adaptive thermal storage/release wall based on dynamic spectral control

In response to global climate change, achieving sustainable development through energy conservation and emission reduction has become a common goal for humanity. In this work, we present a general model for computing the energy consumption and carbon emissions of building with low computational complexity and effort. Based on this model, we designed smart green building walls (SGBW), which consist of conventional walls and thermal storage/release films applied to their external/internal surfaces. These films, which incorporate thermochromic materials can adaptively adjust their radiation properties according to environmental temperature. At high temperatures, the thermal storage film(TSF) absorbs heat utilizing a solar absorptance of 0.604 and storing the heat within the wall. Conversely, at low temperatures, the thermal release film(TRF) unidirectionally releases heat into the interior with an infrared emissivity of 0.821. The simulation results indicate that SGBW has enhanced heat storage capacity by 18.7 % and increased heat release capacity by 30.4 % compared to conventional cement walls. In addition, calculations using the general model show that each square meter of SGBW can save 417 ∼ 805 kWh of electricity and reduces CO2 emissions by 225 ∼ 477 kg over the building’s lifecycle in various climatic zones, aligning closely with results obtained from the commercial software. Thus, this model not only simplifies intricate simulation processes but also serves as a guide for designing surface devices. The SGBW is anticipated to be particularly beneficial in buildings located in regions requiring nighttime heating, contributing significantly to indoor temperature regulation while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Multi-objective optimization of geothermal heating systems based on thermal economy and environmental impact evaluation

High-temperature geothermal resources are increasingly being explored as an alternative to coal and natural gas for space heating. In light of the growing demand for energy conservation and emission reduction, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of geothermal energy according to environmental impact and energy cost. Based on geothermal heating systems in Xi'an, China, this study develops a model involving the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to assess the borehole heat exchanger (BHE) in heating systems, encompassing carbon intensity (Cintensity). The response surface method was employed to optimize the drilling depth, operating flow, and pipe diameter ratio, which influences carbon intensity. The findings revealed that the minimum Cintensity is 24.11 g(CO2)·kWh−1, corresponding to a 4000 m burial depth, 20 m3 h−1 flow rate, and 0.54 diameter ratio. However, these results diverge from the minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $7.84/GJ, with 3912.8 m, 34.32 m3 h−1, and 0.64. A dual-objective optimization indicates the allocation of weights to the objective functions influences the optimal drilling depth (the optimal value is between 3920.51 m and 3921.62 m) and operating flow rate (ranging from 28.8 to 31.4 m3 h−1). The optimal outcomes for LCOE and Cintensity are contingent upon the decision-makers' weight allocation.

A value-sensitive approach for integrated seawater desalination and brine treatment

The transition to seawater desalination integrated with resource recovery, particularly in water- and energy-scarce regions, requires innovative approaches that consider societal benefits and costs. This study goes beyond traditional techno-economic evaluations by employing a Value-Sensitive Design (VSD) approach, which guides the selection of performance indicators and informs the design of technical scenarios for integrated seawater desalination and brine treatment systems. VSD ensures that the scenarios are socially relevant by directly incorporating stakeholder values into the design and assessment process. Four technical scenarios (Sc) were used to evaluate the VSD approach: Sc1) maximum water recovery, Sc2) and Sc3) integrated desalination with brine treatment for maximum resource recovery (using different configurations) and Sc4) electricity-based desalination for chemical recovery. Techno-economic models are implemented using Python to analyse the feasibility and performance of these scenarios. The modelling results indicate that all scenarios achieve zero brine production. However, the trade-offs between resource recovery and greenhouse gas emissions are evident. Increased salt recovery leads to higher CO2 emissions (locally) due to electricity consumption. Scenario 1 minimized electrical energy consumption and emissions while maximizing water production. Scenarios 2 and 3 performed best in water and high-quality salt production. Despite its higher CO2 emissions, Scenario 4 proved most profitable due to the production of chemicals. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring plant designs to regional needs. By providing a comprehensive understanding of trade-offs, the VSD approach fosters stakeholder dialogue and serves as a valuable decision-making tool for designing sustainable desalination systems.

Aminocarbonyl Fluorophores with a Strong Emissive Inverted Solvatochromism.

Three aminocarbonyls were synthesized, and their emissive spectral behavior recorded at various solvent polarities showed marked inverted solvatofluorochromism. The emission energy inversion occurs at moderate solvent polarities and was found to be triggered by a change in the solute-solvent interaction responsible for the stabilization of the highly zwitterionic excited state of the dyes, from dipolarity to acidity.

Thermal chemistry of Anti-de-Sitter black holes in Kalb-Ramond gravity

In this paper, we investigate the thermodynamic properties and emission energy of Anti-de-Sitter (AdS) black holes within the framework of Kalb-Ramond gravity. By analyzing the modified Einstein equations with the inclusion of the antisymmetric Kalb-Ramond tensor field, we explore the changes in key thermodynamic quantities such as temperature, entropy, and specific heat, alongside the emission energy spectrum associated with Hawking radiation. The study reveals novel thermal behaviors and energy emission patterns compared to standard AdS black holes, particularly highlighting the influence of the Kalb-Ramond field on black hole stability and phase transitions. Furthermore, we examine the role of the Kalb-Ramond field in modifying the emission energy. Our findings provide deeper insights into black hole thermodynamics, the emission process, and the broader role of antisymmetric fields in gravitational physics. Different paths for test particles near black holes are determined by their distance from the innermost stable circular orbit, which plays a crucial role in this study. The unique behavior of particles impacted by mass and rotational momentum is highlighted by the fact that particles within the innermost stable circular orbits tend to converge toward the singularity, but particles outside tend to diverge toward infinity.

Energy Consumption and Fume Analysis: A Comparative Analysis of the Blasting Technique and Mechanical Excavation in a Polish Gypsum Open-Pit Mine

This article presents a comparative assessment of energy consumption and fume emissions such as NOx, CO2, and CO associated with the excavation of a specified gypsum volume using two mining methods (blasting and mechanical extraction). The analysis was carried out based on a case study gypsum open-pit mine in Poland where both extraction methods are applied. The findings indicate that, for the same output volume, blasting operations require significantly less energy (ranging from 1298.12 MJ to 1462.22 MJ) compared to mechanical excavation (86,654.15 MJ). Furthermore, a substantial portion of the energy in blasting operations is attributed to explosive loading and drilling (970.95 MJ). Conversely, mechanical mining results in higher fume emissions compared to blasting. However, during mechanical extraction, the fumes are dispersed over a prolonged period of 275 h, whereas blasting achieves the same gypsum volume extraction in approximately 7.5 h. The prediction model suggests that, based on the obtained data, overall gypsum extraction will decline unless new operational levels are developed or the mine is expanded. This reduction in gypsum extraction will be accompanied by a corresponding decrease in energy consumption and emission of fumes.

Study on mechanical properties and acoustic emission characteristics of composite rock mass with different thicknesses of weak interlayer

To study the influence of the thickness of a weak interlayer on the deformation and failure characteristics of composite rock mass. Based on the measured data of sand-mudstone interbedded floor rock mass in the Yima mining area, Henan Province, China. Using quartz sand, gypsum, and cement as similar materials make composite rock-like specimens with weak interlayers. The mechanical properties, deformation evolution process, failure characteristics, and acoustic emission laws of rock samples with different interlayer thicknesses under uniaxial compression were studied using the digital image correlation method and acoustic emission monitoring technology. The results show that: (1) With an increase in the thickness of the weak interlayer, there is a corresponding decrease in the compressive strength of the specimen. When the thickness of the weak interlayer exceeds 5 cm, the compressive strength of the composite rock specimen is even less than that of the single weak rock-like. (2) Under uniaxial compression conditions, the strain concentration zone first appears in the weak interlayer part of the composite rock-like specimen. As the pressure continues to increase, the specimen is the first to fail at the position of the maximum strain concentration zone. (3) The thickness of the weak interlayer is an important factor affecting the failure mode of composite rock-like specimens. With the increase of the thickness of the weak interlayer, the composite rock-like specimens change from overall failure to local failure. (4) With the increase of the thickness of the weak interlayer in the middle of the composite rock specimen, the maximum value of the energy released by the single acoustic emission event and the maximum value of the cumulative acoustic emission energy decrease during the compression failure process. The research results can provide a reference for the manufacture of composite rock mass with a weak interlayer and the deformation and failure analysis of composite rock mass.

Comparison of the dosimetry and cell survival effect of 177Lu and 161Tb somatostatin analog radiopharmaceuticals in cancer cell clusters and micrometastases

Background177Lu-based radiopharmaceuticals (RPs) are the most used for targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) due to their good response rates. However, the worldwide availability of 177Lu is limited. 161Tb represents a potential alternative for TRT, as it emits photons for SPECT imaging, β−-particles for therapy, and also releases a significant yield of internal conversion (IE) and Auger electrons (AE). This research aimed to evaluate cell dosimetry with the MIRDcell code considering a realistic localization of three 161Tb- and 177Lu-somatostatin (SST) analogs in different subcellular regions as reported in the literature, various cell cluster sizes (25–1000 µm of radius) and percentage of labeled cells. Experimental values of the α- and β-survival coefficients determined by external beam photon irradiation were used to estimate the survival fraction (SF) of AR42J pancreatic cell clusters and micrometastases.ResultsThe different localization of RPs labeled with the same radionuclide within the cells, resulted in only slight variations in the dose absorbed by the nuclei (ADN) of the labeled cells with no differences observed in either the unlabeled cells or the SF. ADN of labeled cells (MDLC) produced by 161Tb-RPs were from 2.8–3.7 times higher than those delivered by 177Lu-RPs in cell clusters with a radius lower than 0.1 mm and 10% of labeled cells, due to the higher amount of energy emitted by 161Tb-disintegration in form of IE and AE. However, the 161Tb-RPs/177Lu-RPs MDLC ratio decreased below 1.6 in larger cell clusters (0.5–1 mm) with > 40% labeled cells, due to the significantly higher 177Lu-RPs cross-irradiation contribution. Using a fixed number of disintegrations, SFs of 161Tb-RPs in clusters with > 40% labeled cells were lower than those of 177Lu-RPs, but when the same amount of emitted energy was used no significant differences in SF were observed between 177Lu- and 161Tb-RPs, except for the smallest cluster sizes.ConclusionsDespite the emissions of IE and AE from 161Tb-RPs, their localization within different subcellular regions exerted a negligible influence on the ADN. The same cell damage produced by 177Lu-RPs could be achieved using smaller quantities of 161Tb-RPs, thus making 161Tb a suitable alternative for TRT.

Does urban shrinkage impact energy efficiency?: Evidence from Chinese counties

Some cities in China are facing challenges due to population loss while also attempting to address energy conservation and emissions reduction. Although urban shrinkage can relieve pressure from energy consumption demands, such as water, electricity and gas, does it improve urban energy efficiency? This study attempts to answer this question. Based on Point of Interest (POI) big data and Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) raster data, this study identifies urban shrinkage from the coupling perspective of administrative and economic boundaries. It also examines the impact of urban shrinkage on energy efficiency. The results suggest that Chinese counties’ overall energy efficiency is experiencing a four-stage "decline-rise-decline-rise" trend, and the urban shrinkage of Chinese counties exists in three major areas: the Northeast, the Southwest, and the Centre. Compared to non-shrinking cities, urban shrinkage has a significant negative impact on improving energy efficiency. This impact exhibits significant heterogeneity. Specifically, compared with mature resource cities and cities in Western China, regenerative cities, non-resource cities and cities in Central China have less impact on energy efficiency. In addition, urban shrinkage may impede energy efficiency improvement by hindering industrial structure transformation and upgrading, energy-saving technology innovation, and financial development. Clarifying the relationship between urban shrinkage and energy efficiency is helpful for shrinking cities to change their development strategies, which is critical for sustainable development.

Effect of the Pyrolysis Environment in a Complex Compound in the Synthesis of In0.6Ga0.4N Powders and their Characterization

In this work, the comparison between nitrogen and air synthesis environments in obtaining In0.6Ga0.4N powders is presented, and the effect of how the air environment can reduce the pyrolysis temperature of In0.6Ga0.4N powders to 271 °C using the thermal gravimetric analysis, and derivative thermogravimetry methods. X‐ray diffraction patterns demonstrate the presence of a cubic phase in nanocrystallites, in addition to less presence of the hexagonal phase. In contrast, scanning electron microscopy micrographs show a surface morphology of irregular agglomerates with a porous appearance and the presence of nonuniform plates. Energy‐dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra demonstrate the presence of elemental contributions of gallium, indium, and nitrogen. At the same time, transmission electron microscopy shows the cubic structure and an interplanar distance of 2.7 Å for the (200) plane. Raman scattering shows the presence of E2(high) vibration mode for the hexagonal phase with a value of 560 cm−1. Finally, the photoluminescence spectrum shows an energy emission at 1.39 eV (886 nm), which is associated with the emission of the In0.6Ga0.4N powders.

Has Trade Liberalization Promoted Energy Efficiency in Enterprises?

Improving energy efficiency is a way for China’s economy to achieve sustainable development. Using data on listed industrial enterprises in China from 2000 to 2022, we investigate the impact of trade liberalization on the energy efficiency of Chinese firms and its mechanism of action at the micro-firm level. Our findings suggest that trade liberalization has greatly contributed to firms’ energy efficiency and the main conclusions in this paper still hold after a series of robustness tests. Further research shows that two channels that contribute to the improvement of firms’ energy efficiency are the expansion of the firm’s size and the improvement of production efficiency induced by trade liberalization. Another significant route according to which trade liberalization influences energy efficiency improvements by firms is the dynamic decomposition of industrial energy efficiency, which shows that 70.07% of industrial energy efficiency enhancement is due to structural adjustments. The heterogeneity analysis results show that the energy saving impact of trade liberalization is stronger for non-exporting, foreign-funded, growth-oriented enterprises that are based in the eastern region. Our study presents new ideas for the realization of energy conservation and emissions reduction from the perspective of trade liberalization, which is instructive in regard to the improvement of sustainable development of enterprises.

Buildings in Hot Climate Zones—Quantification of Energy and CO2 Reduction Potential for Different Architecture and Building Services Measures

Reducing energy and associated greenhouse gas emissions in buildings is one of the key aspects of climate change on a global level. To put the building sector on a low carbon development path, policies and adequate financing play a crucial role in each region. In the global South, policies and regulations related to the decarbonization of the building stock are increasingly being implemented. For policy and decision makers, adequate data on the status quo of the building stock, as well as the quantification of energy reduction measures, are essential to make informed decisions on the building regulatory and funding framework. The objective of this study is to provide data-driven insights into the potential for energy and CO2 reduction in buildings across various hot climate zones in the Global South. A simulation-based approach was employed to model five different building types, ranging from residential homes to office buildings, under a variety of architectural and building services scenarios. The simulations were conducted using the dynamic building energy simulation tool EnergyPlus, which assessed the impact of various energy-saving measures under both current and projected future climate conditions. This study concludes that optimizing passive design features, such as improved windows, solar shading, and reflective surfaces, in conjunction with active systems like decentralized cooling units and renewable energy integration, can result in a notable reduction in energy demand and emissions. Our findings provide a robust basis for policymakers to develop targeted energy efficiency strategies for buildings in hot climate zones, which will play a crucial role in achieving climate goals in the Global South.

Carbon Footprint Accounting and Verification of Seven Major Urban Agglomerations in China Based on Dynamic Emission Factor Model

Amidst the prevailing trends in environmental conservation and the imperatives of energy conservation and emission reduction, the precision in assessing and forecasting carbon emissions has acquired heightened significance. The conventional emission factors, typically derived from historical data and empirical knowledge, often remain unchanged and fail to swiftly account for the reductions in emissions that are a consequence of technological advancements and green innovations. (1) This paper establishes a dynamic emission factor model, then uses city data and provincial data to verify the model, and compares the research results of other relevant researchers. The research results show that this method not only considers the different characteristics of energy types, but also considers regional differences and industry characteristics, making the emission factor more suitable for the actual situation. The results show that the method takes into account not only the different characteristics of energy types, but also regional differences and industry characteristics, making the emission factor more suitable for the actual situation. (2) This paper systematically compares the diverse methods for calculating the carbon footprints of Chinese provinces and cities. It encompasses a spectrum of methods, including carbon footprint accounting based on emission factors, accounting based on dynamically adjusted emission factors, and accounting from the perspective of carbon sinks. Each of these methods possesses its own set of applicable scenarios and inherent limitations. The emission factor method is apt for basic carbon emission accounting, while the adjusted emission factor method is tailored for scenarios where the evolution of technology and shifts in energy paradigms are pivotal. Concurrently, the carbon sink accounting framework is optimally suited for the evaluation of the carbon footprint within the realm of natural ecosystems.

Combined application of life cycle assessment and neural network model for modeling energy and environmental emissions in sugar beet production

Current agricultural energy management methods do not sufficiently account for the environmental impacts related to farm size. This gap limits the ability to accurately predict the ecological effects of sugar beet cultivation, particularly regarding climate change, eutrophication, acidification, human toxicity, and terrestrial and aquatic ecotoxicity. Moreover, optimizing agricultural productivity and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) are necessary to improve energy management and anticipate future consumption patterns, considering current constraints. Our innovative solution combines LCA with AI to better forecast the ecological impacts of sugar beet cultivation across farms of different sizes. By using historical data and advanced neural models, this method anticipates future energy consumption while integrating environmental and energy constraints. The study highlights that medium-sized farms (MF) show the lowest environmental impacts, according to the CML and USEtox methodologies, unlike small (SF) and large farms (LF), which do not significantly differ in their contribution to pollutants. The average energy consumption for beet production was 1,092,000 MJ/ha on small farms, 1,126,100 MJ/ha on medium farms, and 1,107,080 MJ/ha on large farms. The key critical points identified were related to the use of diesel, machinery, seeds, and pesticides. In terms of energy distribution, chemical fertilizers accounted for 41 % of the total energy used, followed by fuel (24 %), pesticides (18 %), and machinery (7 %). Neural models revealed correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.634 to 0.945 for testing, 0.861 to 0.967 for validation, and 0.944 to 0.982 for training. These results suggest good predictive accuracy for our AI-based approach. Finally, to improve energy efficiency, the study proposes modernizing agricultural equipment and developing more sustainable technologies, such as hybrid tractors, robotic and automated weeding systems, and cultivation techniques that reduce carbon emissions.

Catalytic synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H2O2 by Cu-based zeolite

Niacin is well known not only as vitamin B3 but also as an important chemical, and has wide applications in the fields of food, farming, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and industry. With the rapid development of human society, the requirement for niacin has been increasing constantly worldwide. Meanwhile, development of green routes to produce niacin under mild conditions has become particularly urgent to substitute the conventional reaction process with the consideration of energy conservation and emission reduction. Among various synthesis routes of niacin, selective oxidation of 3-methyl-pyridine and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the liquid phase has become the focus of research due to its distinct advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, environmentally friendly reaction processes, and so on. Herein, zeolite-based catalysts have been first applied in the liquid phase synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H2O2 under mild reaction conditions. In addition, Cu-based 13X zeolite is found to show the highest catalytic performance, and optimal catalytic reaction systems have been established. This work provides a green and optional route for the synthesis of niacin.