Fossil Fuels For Energy Production Research Articles

Testing the role of oil production in the environmental Kuznets curve of oil producing countries: New insights from Method of Moments Quantile Regression

The global economic growth has triggered the continual increase in oil demand for transportation and petrochemical sectors which offshoots environmental pollution. Though there exists literature on environmental Kuznets curve, however, very few examine the scope in the light of fossil fuel energy production. This paper investigated the dynamic effect of oil production on carbon emissions in 15 oil-producing countries by accounting for the role of electricity production, economic growth, democracy, and trade over the period 1980–2010. Using the novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) with fixed effects, the results found an inverted U-shape relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions only at median and higher emission countries, thus, validating the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Oil production increases CO2 emissions significantly from the first to sixth quantiles with greater effect at the lowest quantile and weaker effect at the highest quantile. Electricity production was found to increase CO2 emissions while trade condenses CO2 emissions across all the quantiles thereby confirming the pollution halo hypothesis for oil-producing countries. The effect of democracy was positive across all the quantiles but only significant in countries with average CO2 emissions. The findings provide insight for policymakers to mitigate CO2 emissions in oil-producing countries through diversification and clean energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage.

Burdur İlinin Hayvansal ve Bazı Tarımsal Atık Kaynaklı Biyogaz Potansiyelinin Belirlenmesi

The demand for energy increases continuously due to the global population increase and the increasing industrialization with the advancement of humanity. Today, energy is produced through conventional energy sources, which are environmentally hazardous and bound to exhaust eventually. Additionally, countries using fossil fuels for energy production, which are also dependent on other countries, experience economic difficulties, too. Therefore, countries have turned to environmentally friendly renewable energy sources to reduce the foreign-source dependency as well as diminishing the effects of the sources used on the environment. This study investigates the potential of biogas, which is one of the renewable energy sources, in Burdur province of Turkey. By using 2018 data of the Turkish Statistical Institute, Burdur’s energy potential from animal waste and some agricultural biomass residues are found to be 444.733,2 GJ and 10.296.237,93 GJ respectively. It could be considered that the energy potential of some agricultural wastes, which is remarkably high on a provincial basis, is high all over the country. The transformation of this potential into energy, which is not generally evaluated effectively, is important for our country's energy interests as well as its economy.

English

Of African origin and with an estimated world production of 6.85 million tons, palm kernel oil contributes about 3% of the total world production of oils and fats. With such production, the world waste generation was about 10,026 × 103 tons in 2017, which represents an important environment issue. The present work aimed to review the literature on the main methods of extraction, applications, and future perspectives of Elaeis guineensis Jacq., with emphasis on its seed: palm kernel. Regarding its main applications, biodiesel production was highlighted, since the biomass generated can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels in energy production.   Key words: Elaeis guineensis Jacq., palm kernel, extraction of vegetable oils, biodiesel.

Investigations of Non-Edible Seeds Oils in Comparison with Soybean Benchmark for Production of Biodiesel

The desire to reduce green-house gases due to excessive use of fossil fuels for energy production is a major stimulant for alternative clean sources of energy. One of these alternative sources is biodiesel with vegetable oil as a component. However, soybean oil, which is a major food condiment is the major vegetable oil used in the USA. The present study seeks to explore suitable and sustainable sources of oil from non-edible seed plants that are indigenous to the state of South Carolina.

Risk Society and Anti-Politics in the Fracking Debate

Fracking in the United Kingdom has yet to reach full industrial development, but it is still subject to significant opposition. This study uses Beck’s risk society theory and anti-politics to examine the views voiced by opponents to fracking in Yorkshire, England. A qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interviews with protesters and local newspaper reports were evaluated to provide a thematic analysis. The study drew upon discourse analysis and framing literature to reveal discourses within the interviews. Although there are signs of post-materialist concerns with the environment, these issues did not dominate the discussion. Scientists were not held responsible for the risks involved in fracking. Instead, the economic greediness of politicians and austerity measures were perceived as putting the environment and human health at risk. Interviewees thought fossil fuel energy production was economically advantaged over more sustainable energy and jobs in the low carbon economy. Protesters’ trust in politicians had been eroded, but faith in democracy remained. It is argued that the consensual post-politics of risk society have not led to a reinvigoration of democratic debate. Instead anti-politics have taken place, due to the frustration of citizens. Protesters wanted a citizen-led deliberative approach to the concerns raised. Such a process would have to go beyond the consensual, and recognise the inherently agonistic process of democracy if it is to succeed.

Carbon retrieval and purification in the BrOx cycle for CO2-free energy

Current combustion of fossil fuels for energy production is the largest anthropogenic source of CO2, a greenhouse gas that is regularly emitted into the atmosphere causing a steady increase in global average temperatures. The BrOx (bromination–oxidation) cycle is a process that enables CO2-free energy generation from fossil fuels and whose major challenges are carbon deposition and bromine content in the produced carbon.The use of sacrificial walls to avoid carbon deposition has been experimentally studied. This study includes the determination of optimal coating parameters and the use of two coating techniques, namely evaporation of saline solution and solidification of molten salt. Both methods have been tested during methane bromination resulting in easy recovery of produced carbon.Carbon samples containing brominated compounds have been analysed via EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and treated by atmospheric hydrolysis, high temperature hydrolysis and Raney-nickel debromination. Hydrolysis methods resulted in 99% debromination whereas Raney-nickel debromination resulted in 60% debromination due to mixing limitations.

Model-Based Computation of Critical Operation Points in Biogas Producing Plants

Reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy production is one of the main objectives in 21st century. In order to achieve this target renewable energy resources (like agricultural waste) in biogas plants can be used. An anaerobic bacterial fermentation process digests the substrates into methane and carbon dioxide. The process itself has strong fluctuations in terms of net methane yield due to different amounts and composition of agricultural influents. For increasing the space time yield two main difficulties are encountered. The first one is system-specific and includes stirrer design and reactor geometry. The second affects the biotechnological fermentation process. The following work is focusing on the fermentation process. The determination of critical parameters for the optimization of the anaerobic microbial digestion is investigated. An economic approach for solving these problems is only feasible by using mathematical models and simulation. Consequently two fermentation models are compared by regarding parameter sensitivity and critical operational points. The first one is based on simple Monod-kinetics while the second one is extended with two steps of fermentation and therefore two different microbial consortia and additive inhibition effects. The complex model is able to describe different phenomena in more detail. But its estimability and therefore its validation is difficult without further investigation of the model structure and the reduction of the model complexity. One important result of the investigation is that stable process conditions with simultaneous high yields are depending on a careful adjustment of the loading rate and therefore requiring precise model parameters.

How do geographical factors affect energy-related carbon emissions? A Chinese panel analysis

Socioeconomic effects on energy-related carbon emissions have been well studied, but understanding the effects of geographical factors on energy-related carbon emissions is also crucial for decision makers that are developing strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, an econometrics panel model was used to explore the effects of regional natural resources—using per capita fossil fuel energy production as an indicator—on energy-related carbon emissions in Chinese provinces. An area’s economic development, energy mix, industrial structure, and technological issues were used as control variables. Regional fossil fuel energy production was shown to significantly influence regional energy-related carbon emissions both nationally and regionally in China; this influence initially decreased as the economy grew rapidly. Thus, developing provinces should focus on restructuring their industrial systems, improving techniques for decreasing carbon emissions, and regulating fossil fuel energy inputs. At higher levels of economic development, the influence of a region’s fossil fuel energy production on its energy-related carbon emissions increased again, indicating that developed provinces should concentrate on addressing the types fossil fuel energy that is imported (increasing imports of low carbon energy), and increasing public awareness of environmental problems. The large exports from regions with abundant resources meant that these regions exhibited the weakest link between fossil fuel energy production and energy-related carbon emissions. Governments in these regions should develop policies to control fossil fuel exploration and develop reasonable measures to mitigate energy-related carbon emissions that take local factors into account.

Nitrogen-Rich Porous Polymers for Carbon Dioxide and Iodine Sequestration for Environmental Remediation

The use of fossil fuels for energy production is accompanied by carbon dioxide release into the environment causing catastrophic climate changes. Meanwhile, replacing fossil fuels with carbon-free nuclear energy has the potential to release radioactive iodine during nuclear waste processing and in case of a nuclear accident. Therefore, developing efficient adsorbents for carbon dioxide and iodine capture is of great importance. Two nitrogen-rich porous polymers (NRPPs) derived from 4-bis-(2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)-benzene building block were prepared and tested for use in CO2 and I2 capture. Copolymerization of 1,4-bis-(2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)-benzene with terephthalaldehyde and 1,3,5-tris(4-formylphenyl)benzene in dimethyl sulfoxide at 180 °C afforded highly porous NRPP-1 (SABET = 1579 m2 g-1) and NRPP-2 (SABET = 1028 m2 g-1), respectively. The combination of high nitrogen content, π-electron conjugated structure, and microporosity makes NRPPs very effective in CO2 uptake and I2 capture. NRPPs exhibit high CO2 uptakes (NRPP-1, 6.1 mmol g-1 and NRPP-2, 7.06 mmol g-1) at 273 K and 1.0 bar. The 7.06 mmol g-1 CO2 uptake by NRPP-2 is the second highest value reported to date for porous organic polymers. According to vapor iodine uptake studies, the polymers display high capacity and rapid reversible uptake release for I2 (NRPP-1, 192 wt % and NRPP-2, 222 wt %). Our studies show that the green nature (metal-free) of NRPPs and their effective capture of CO2 and I2 make this class of porous materials promising for environmental remediation.

Global Warming: Evidence, Causes, Consequences and Mitigation

Studies suggest that rise in the global temperature since 1880 (estimated 0.8 to 1.0oC) is real and considerably alarming. Although natural causes have been responsible for repeated global temperature changes in the geological past, the present rise is commonly attributed to the concentration of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere. CO2, which takes hundreds of years to be removed from the atmosphere, has increased significantly over the past century. Increasing consumption of fossil fuels in energy production, industry, transport, agriculture and other human activity has been causing the emission of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s system. More than 2°C increase in temperature by the end of this century would be severe if not catastrophic.Global warming would result in melting of glaciers and polar icecaps, water depletion, insecurity of food, sea-level rise and threat to coastal regions, coral reefs extinction, migration of species and natural disasters. The potential threats of climate change are assumed to be more severe to the less developed countries because of their lack of resilience and preparedness. The situation, according to some, is desperate and urgently requires remedial steps such as removal of CO2 from atmosphere, afforestation, use of clean energy, and changing our life style to control Earth’s temperature. The world needs to unite in taking necessary remedial steps on an urgent basis to ensure sustainable development. 

Assessment of Energy Use and Elimination of Co2 Emissions in the Life Cycle of an Offshore Wind Power Plant Farm

Abstract Power stations in marine locations cause multi-faceted impact on the environment, man and the economy. There are not many studies devoted to modeling energy benefits for CO2 emissions. The paper presents the issues of assessing the efficiency of offshore wind farms, defined as the ratio of benefits to life cycle inputs. The scientific goal was to develop a mathematical model for efficiency in the design, manufacture, use and management of offshore wind power. The papers practical purpose is the experimental designation of the impact of selected post-use management methods, time of use and maritime location, i.e. average annual productivity of wind power plants on the efficiency of energy benefits from greenhouse gas emissions. The mathematical model of the integrated cost-benefit ratio has been developed for energy use assessment, taking into account the benefits generated by electricity production and the life-cycle CO2 emissions based on the LCA analysis using the CML method. Mathematical model validation was performed by determining the value of the indicator for an existing 2 MW offshore wind farm and comparatively for fossil fuel production: lignite, stone, fuel oil and natural gas. Analytical and research work carried out showed that the higher the efficiency index, the higher the value of the indicator. It has been shown that the location of the power station at sea produces more favorable CO2 elimination rates, due to higher productivity compared to in-land wind power plants. A more favorable form of post-consumer management for CO2 has been determined as recycling. It was found that for electricity generated from offshore wind farms, the value of the energy efficiency benefit from CO2 emissions is higher than for fossil fuel energy production.

The role of coal technology in redefining India’s climate change agents and other pollutants

It is well established that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prominent agent of climate change. The level of CO2 in the atmosphere has been increasing persistently over the last few decades due to rising dependence on fossil fuels for energy production. India is facing a potential energy crisis. India has large coal reserves and coal is currently the linchpin of the Indian power sector, making Indian coal-derived emissions a focus of global attention. Further, India’s journey from a challenging energy security situation to the ‘Make in India’ initiative is expected to drive energy needs exponentially. Thus, in the context of a rapidly changing climate, it has become imperative to quantify the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from emerging coal-based energy plants in India. The present work attempts not only to do this, with the intention of highlighting India’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, but also to redefine India’s future emissions. We draw attention to India’s attempt to transform the coal technology used in coal-based thermal power plants. We have tried to adopt a holistic approach to quantify the past (2010), present (2015) and future (2025) emission trends for important GHGs like CO2 and other critical air pollutants from rapidly penetrating low-emission advanced coal technology. Our estimation shows that CO2 emissions will increase from 1065 Tg yr−1 (2015) to 2634 Tg yr−1 (2025), which is approximately 147% of the current value. This rapid increase is largely attributed to rising energy demand due to industrial development, followed by demand from the domestic and agricultural sectors. The present trend of CO2 emissions is sure to propel India to become world’s second largest emitter of GHGs in 2025, dislodging the United States. We have also estimated the emission of other pollutants like NOx, SO2, black carbon, organic carbon, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), volatile organic compounds and CO. Our findings seem to suggest that India will able to cut CO2 emission from the traditionally dominant thermal power sector by at least 19% in 2025. Present attempts at emission reduction, along with the government’s massive initiatives towards building renewable energy infrastructure, could be well aligned to India’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution submission to COP21 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. With such a rapid expansion of energy production it can be assumed that cost-effective and uninterrupted power (i.e. 24/7) can be provided to all citizens of the country well before 2025.

Optimization Models for Islanded Micro-Grids: A Comparative Analysis between Linear Programming and Mixed Integer Programming

This paper presents a comparison of optimization methods applied to islanded micro-grids including renewable energy sources, diesel generators and battery energy storage systems. In particular, a comparative analysis between an optimization model based on linear programming and a model based on mixed integer programming has been carried out. The general formulation of these models has been presented and applied to a real case study micro-grid installed in Somalia. The case study is an islanded micro-grid supplying the city of Garowe by means of a hybrid power plant, consisting of diesel generators, photovoltaic systems and batteries. In both models the optimization is based on load demand and renewable energy production forecast. The optimized control of the battery state of charge, of the spinning reserve and diesel generators allows harvesting as much renewable power as possible or to minimize the use of fossil fuels in energy production.

Application trend of renewable energy sources for energy production in the world with special reference to wind power

Energetic stability and security in the world has become one of the most important questions for almost every country in recent years. This question is very important because by energetic security and stability depends economic, industrial and social development of each country. Today, worldwide economic, industrial and social development is related to energy and energetic system that for society have great benefits, but the society pays a high price because release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Energy is essential for development of any country, when it comes to its industry and economy. Development and implementation renewable sources: wind power, solar energy, small hydroelectric power stations and biomass in the world and European Union is presented in this paper. Processed and presented are trends of increasing renewable energy sources in the total share of energy production with the trend reduction of fossil fuels in energy production. Investing in new technologies which are used in renewable energy sources have led to increase employment in the world so that by 2015 about 8. 1 million people have been employed. In this paper trend of investment in renewable energy sources is given with trends of employment of workforce in implementation of renewable energy sources. Analysis of installed capacities of wind power stations in the world in period 2005 to 2015 is presented and also countries in which most energy comes from wind power plants.

Impacts of optimal energy storage deployment and network reconfiguration on renewable integration level in distribution systems

Nowadays, there is a wide consensus about integrating more renewable energy sources-RESs to solve a multitude of global concerns such as meeting an increasing demand for electricity, reducing energy security and heavy dependence on fossil fuels for energy production, and reducing the overall carbon footprint of power production. Framed in this context, the coordination of RES integration with energy storage systems (ESSs), along with the network’s switching capability and/or reinforcement, is expected to significantly improve system flexibility, thereby increasing the capability of the system in accommodating large-scale RES power. Hence, this paper presents a novel mechanism to quantify the impacts of network switching and/or reinforcement as well as deployment of ESSs on the level of renewable power integrated in the system. To carry out this analysis, a dynamic and multi-objective stochastic mixed integer linear programming (S-MILP) model is developed, which jointly takes the optimal deployment of RES-based DGs and ESSs into account in coordination with distribution network reinforcement and/or reconfiguration. The IEEE 119-bus test system is used as a case study. Numerical results clearly show the capability of ESS deployment in dramatically increasing the level of renewable DGs integrated in the system. Although case-dependent, the impact of network reconfiguration on RES power integration is not significant.

Gasification of wood pellets in a bench-scale updraft gasifier

ABSTRACTBiomass gasification is proving to be an alternative technology to the use of fossil fuels for energy production. The article considers the bench-scale, air-blown updraft gasification of biomass wood pellets. The objective of the study was to understand the characteristics of evolved gases from the gasifier that was built and assembled at the University Laboratory. Wood pellets of diameter 5 mm, length between 5 and 20 mm constitute the feedstock used. The experimental investigation reveals the major gases produced are CO2, CO, and H2, while CH4 and other hydrocarbons are minor. However, the gasifier used is initially preheated to a temperature of about 800°C. This is indicated by the thermo-couple readings (T1–T8) with T6 as the standard thermo-couple. When T6 attains a steady state at 800°C, the gasifier is turned into a self-sustaining gasification condition. The entire experiment takes about four (4) hours to complete and this gives an understanding of evolved gases from the entire gasification process in the inside of the batch-scale updraft gasifier.

Performance of a pavement solar energy collector: Model development and validation

Current aims regarding environmental protection, like reduction of fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, require the development of new technologies. These new technologies enable the production of renewable energy, which is both cleaner and more abundant in comparison to using fossil fuels for energy production. This necessity encourages researchers to develop new ways to capture solar energy, and if possible, store it for later use. In this paper, the Pavement Solar Collector (PSC), and its use to extract low temperature thermal energy, is studied. Such a system, which harvests energy by flowing water through a heat exchanger embedded in the pavement structure, could have a significant energy output since pavement materials tend to absorb large amounts of solar radiation. The main objective of this paper is to develop a modeling framework for the PSC system and validate it with a self-instructed experiment. Such a model will allow for a detailed parametric study of the system to optimize the design, as well as an investigation on the effect of aging (e.g. decreasing solar absorptivity) on the performance of the system. A long-term energy output of the system that is currently lacking is calculated based on results of the study on weather parameters. This newly acquired data could be the start of a comprehensive data set on the performance of a PSC, which leads to a comprehensive feasibility study of the system.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE WORLD AND EUROPEAN UNION

Energy stability and security have become one of the most important issues in recent years on planet Earth. Nowadays, worldwide economic, industrial and social development is related to the energy and energy-system that provided great benefits to a society, but the society is paying a high price because of the production and emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There are numerous climate changes, which pose a threat to each continent, disorder in agriculture, disorder in food production, floods and fires, as well as changes in the ecosystem. Energy stability and security have become one of the most important issues in recent years. Energy is essential for development of any country, notably when it comes to its industry and economy. Without adequate policy operations of the energy sector, it is not possible to achieve industrial or economic progress. Nevertheless, no matter how important energy is for the development, it is only a mechanism for achieving the ultimate goals – sustainable economy, clean environment, high standard of living, prosperity and health of the population. This paper elaborates on and outlines a strategy for energy development of renewable energy sources in the world, as well as in the European Union. It presents in great details the application of new technologies that have led to the development of renewable energy sources: wind-power, solar energy, small hydro power plants, biomass, and their increase in the overall participation of energy production and reduction of fossil fuels in energy production. Investing in new technologies which use renewable energy sources have led to the increase in employment in the world, so that about 6.5 million people in the world have been employed until today. This paper outlines the trend of increasing energy production from RES (renewable energy sources) by investing in any of the abovementioned energy sources, as well as employment for each energy source in the world and the EU-28. Also, the development of renewable energy sources in the future has been presented.

BIOMASS AND ENERGY YIELD OF LEGUMINOUS TREES CULTIVATED IN AMAZONAS

AbstractEnergy forests emerge as an alternative to fossil fuels for energy production. The good performance of these forests should consider the selection of fast-growing species, high biomass productivity and energy yield. The aim was to investigate growth and energy yield of Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium in a short-rotation plantation in the Amazonas. The energy yield was determined on 12 trees per species, from the results of biomass, calorific value and basic density. When 9 years-old, A. mangium had the highest growth rates in height (1.9 m yr-1) and DBH (2.5 cm yr-1). The greatest biomass productivity was observed in A. mangium (33.4 Mg ha-1 yr-1), which was 84% higher than A. auriculiformis (18.1 Mg ha-1 yr-1). Basic density (0.54 g cm-3) and calorific value (4,400 kcal kg-1) showed no significant differences between species. The energy yield of A. mangium (1,317 Gcal ha-1) was twice as of A. auriculiformis (684 Gcal ha-1). A. mangium has better energy performance, compared to the A. auriculiformis, and therefore could the most recommended for the formation of energy forests in disturbed areas in the state of Amazonas. ResumoBiomassa e produtividade energética de leguminosas arbóreas cultivadas no Amazonas. As florestas energéticas representam alternativa à dependência do uso de combustíveis fósseis para a produção de energia. O bom desempenho dessas florestas deve considerar a seleção de espécies de rápido crescimento, alta produtividade em biomassa e rendimento energético. O objetivo foi investigar o crescimento e a produtividade energética de Acacia auriculiformis e Acacia mangium em plantios florestais de curta rotação no Amazonas. A produtividade energética foi determinada em 12 árvores de cada espécie, a partir dos resultados de biomassa, poder calorífico e densidade básica. Aos 9 anos, A. mangium teve as maiores taxas de crescimento em altura (1,9 m ano-1) e DAP (2,5 cm ano-1). A maior produtividade de biomassa foi observada em A. mangium (33,4 Mg ha-1 ano-1), que foi 84% superior a de A. auriculiformis (18,1 Mg ha-1 ano-1). A densidade básica (0,54 g cm-3) e o poder calorífico (4.400 kcal kg-1) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre as espécies. A produtividade energética de A. mangium (1.317 Gcal ha-1) foi duas vezes maior que a de A. auriculiformis (684 Gcal ha-1). Acacia mangium tem melhor desempenho energético quando comparada à A. auriculiformis, sendo portanto mais recomendada para a formação de florestas energéticas em áreas alteradas no estado do Amazonas.Palavras-chave: Acacia mangium; Acacia auriculiformis; plantios de curta rotação.

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles are a defining stratigraphic marker for the Anthropocene.

There has been recent debate over stratigraphic markers used to demarcate the Anthropocene from the Holocene Epoch. However, many of the proposed markers are found only in limited areas of the world or do not reflect human impacts on the environment. Here we show that spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs), a distinct form of black carbon produced from burning fossil fuels in energy production and heavy industry, provide unambiguous stratigraphic markers of the human activities that have rapidly changed planet Earth over the last century. SCPs are found in terrestrial and marine sediments or ice cores in every continent, including remote areas such as the high Arctic and Antarctica. The rapid increase in SCPs mostly occurs in the mid-twentieth century and is contemporaneous with the ‘Great Acceleration’. It therefore reflects the intensification of fossil fuel usage and can be traced across the globe. We integrate global records of SCPs and propose that the global rapid increase in SCPs in sedimentary records can be used to inform a Global Standard Stratigraphic Age for the Anthropocene. A high-resolution SCP sequence from a lake or peatland may provide the much-needed ‘Golden Spike’ (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point).