Fossil-fuel Energy Research Articles

Waste to Energy Management for Sustainable Development

"The difficulty of managing the proper treatment of the city concrete waste or municipal solid waste (MSW) is one that affects urbanized environment on a regular basis. As more goods and services are used for a high-life standard, the volume of MSW often rises. Less than 35% of the MSW in the United States gets recycled, while the majority is landfilled. New energy technologies offer the opportunity to minimize the rising MSW burden. Waste-to-energy (WTE) methods including gasification, plasma arc gasification, incineration, and pyrolysis can be used to transform MSW into a significant source of energy. Sources can be produced by various WTE technologies and can be used in place of fossil fuels energy resources. It is expected that the aspects of the stability related to different energy and waste treatments can be improved. The work introduces the creation of a model of WTE plant which is based on one the WTE technology, pyrolysis. This work initially needed to remove energy from the waste for which the study of various waste processing technologies has been done and appropriate waste processing technology is selected. The construction process started by selecting the necessary equipment and some challenges were made and changes were made to fix issues that were born during the construction and testing of the power plant model. The result of this work is the production of fuel from waste, which is stored in both gaseous and liquid form by condensation.

Application of the InTIME Methodology for the Transition of Office Buildings to Low Carbon—A Case Study

The COP21 Paris Agreement requires urgent abatement of 80% of the current fossil-based energy consumption to keep global warming below dangerous levels. Heating loads in commercial buildings can be reduced by retrofitting the building envelope, upgrading the efficiency of heating equipment, implementing energy management strategies, substituting renewable energy sources, and influencing energy-saving behavior. However, achieving the downshift of gas or coal heat is a wicked problem. The Interdisciplinary Transition Innovation Management and Engineering (InTIME) methodology was applied to address the wicked problem of district heating of campus buildings of the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand. The carbon downshift scenario requires a reduction in coal purchase by 80% from the first year through the engineering of adaptive measures for facility operators and occupants. Accordingly, a successful downshift of fossil-fuel energy would depend on the effective adaptation of the office workers. Adaptation plans to facilitate demand participation and sustained worker productivity could be designed once the actual heating behaviour is known. The contribution of this work is a novel fossil fuel abatement concept: the Targeted Heating Energy—Assessment and Intervention Design (THE-AID), which focuses on the assessment of the heating behavioural patterns of office workers. Building services engineers can use the THE-AID concept to develop adaptation plans through intervention design and resource facilitation focused on building occupants. THE-AID projects could achieve significant emissions reduction in the near term at a low cost and increase resilience to heat supply disruptions.

Electrically Assisted Bicycle Adapted to Urban Mobility

Abstract: Traffic congestion, energy conservation and environmental issues are fuelling the interest in light electric vehicles. In particular, electric vehicles are compelling because of their low cost, ease of use, lightweight, and extremely small footprint. This project deals with design and fabrication of a low-cost portable electric bicycle kit which makes use of electric energy as the primary source and can be mounted on any non-geared bicycle. It has two modes of drive; one is manual i.e. by pedalling and the other one is electric by using electric power from a DC battery. The kit consists of 250W PMDC motor which is powered by a 24V Li-ion battery. One of the major disadvantages of traditional bicycle is that it increases rider’s fatigue during long distance travel. The electric bicycle provides a better riding experience as it runs on electric power thereby reducing the rider’s fatigue. This helps in travelling longer distances comfortably. The electric bicycle is also faster compared to a traditional bicycle. It is also an environment friendly means of transportation as it does not depend on fossil-fuels for energy. The expected range of the bicycle is around 30-35 km on a single charge and expected speed is 20 kmph.

Towards a sustainable blue economy: how to make an industrial zone more environmentally friendly? the case of Rotterdam Harbor

Since the worldleaders decided to reduce the emission of Carbon to stay below the threshold of 1.5 °C warming-up of the atmosphere (Paris agreement, Dec. 2015), the large-scale industrial areas have to find ways to become more environmentalfriendly. Especially areas developed in the 1960’s – 1970’s are often polluting the environment (air, water and soil) with high emission rates., due to their old fashioned modes of operation. One of the major sources of pollution is the use of fossil-fuel energy . Replacing this by more environmentally friendly alternatives is an effective step in the reduction of emissions. Several approaches look promising. In regions with frequent winds the exploitation of windmills is profitable. In sunny regions the exploitation of solarfarms is profitable. Although still in an experimental stage, the use of green hydrogen-gas might become promising in the next years. This paper is about the preparations for the construction of a large-scale windfarm in the new, highly industrialized part of the Rotterdam harbor, where winds are all year round. It describes the different interests of the various stakeholders, and how these can be harmonized in a solid solution. Managing the differences in interest is important, because it can be the key to succession or to failure.. Which elements create a positive business case, so that it becomes profitable for investors to step in? Creating a business case with a positive outcome can take much time, especially with many stakeholders with conflicting interests. In this case the area is not only industrial zone, also protection against flooding is a main topic and it is also an area for multiple types of recreation, including bathing, swimming, wave-surfing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing and board surfing. And this all is situated next to a protected nature reserve. The paper describes this process for the Rotterdam harbor. Once the business case is closed it will take a couple of years to select a qualified supplier/builder and to get electricity delivere. The smart combination or else the exclusion of functions is the key to get the windfarm fitted into the spatial plans and functions. This is detailed in this paper.

Regional convergence of nonrenewable energy consumption in Vietnam

Over the past few decades, energy demand in Vietnam has increased dramatically to fuel one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world. It is therefore crucial for Vietnam's policymakers to develop a comprehensive energy strategy that ensures equality among its diverse regions, reduces the use of fossil fuels and mitigates carbon footprint. In this article, we examine the intensity of four major types of fossil-fuel energy consumed across 64 Vietnamese provinces to shed light on (1) the disparities in energy consumption and their determinants and (2) whether a shift to less-polluting energy sources has occurred over time. To this end, we employ a novel nonparametric approach that overcomes the limitations of the conventional convergence regression framework to study Vietnam's energy distribution dynamics. Our results support the formation of regional convergence clusters to a level lower than the national average consumption in the long run. We also show that, although the observed convergence pattern cannot be explained in isolation by the spatial differences in income or the magnitude of agricultural and export activities, these factors should be taken into account when sustainable energy and environmental protection policies are formulated.

Substitution of coking coal with biochar for thermal and metallurgical utilisation

ABSTRACT To meet the global demand for energy, biochar can be a substitute and a green source of energy for fossil fuels and their derivatives. Biochar has its own supremacy to meet the requirements of the energy sector and replace coking coal for metallurgical purposes, and the mitigation of CO2 emissions from the Iron and Steel industry. This study includes the characterisation and comparative study of the reduction of iron ore pellets and iron ore fines using saw dust char (SDC) as one of the biomass wastes. The results show that the reduction of iron ore fines with comparable ratios with SDC gives the maximum degree of reduction than that of iron ore pellets. Thus, SDC can play an important role in the premium quality of coking coal reserves.

Novel research methods for estimating the impact of energy use on ecological environment: evidence from B.R.I.C.S. economies

The current study looked at the influence of fossil-fuel energy (E.U.) consumption, renewable power generation and greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (B.R.I.C.S.) between 1990 and 2020. The latest study also takes into account the influence of gross domestic product (G.D.P.) and technological innovation on carbon emissions. Using cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity, the order of the unit root is also determined. The findings acquired by the application of moment quantile regression. The research finds that G.D.P. and the usage of E.U. increase carbon emissions at the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles. On the other hand, renewable energy generation and technical innovation reduce carbon emissions at the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles. Furthermore, while implementing B.R.I.C.S. economies' energy, environment, and growth policies based on empirical data, policymakers should analyse the asymmetry behaviour of G.D.P., E.U. consumption, renewable power output and technological innovation.

Reaction characteristics and lattice oxygen transformation mechanism of semi-coke chemical looping gasification with Fe2O3/CaSO4–Al2O3 oxygen carrier

Chemical looping gasification (CLG) provides a potential way for clean utilization of solid fuels with the innate CO2 separation and capture. Selection of suitable oxygen carrier and operating conditions in reactor are the key for fuels conversion. In this work, Fe2O3–Al2O3, CaSO4–Al2O3 and Fe2O3/CaSO4–Al2O3 oxygen carriers (OCs) were synthesized by impregnation method and innovatively applied in semi-coke chemical looping gasification (SCCLG) for syngas production. The reaction conditions (oxygen carrier types, temperature, steam addition amount) of oxygen carrier for syngas production were tested in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a fixed-bed reactor. The experimental results showed that syngas yield of SCCLG with Fe2O3/CaSO4–Al2O3 is more than that with Fe2O3–Al2O3 or CaSO4–Al2O3 OC at 1000 °C when O/C ratio is 1:1. Furthermore, the maximum syngas yield (CO + H2) reached 129.20 mL/g of Fe2O3/CaSO4–Al2O3 at the gasification temperature of 950 °C. Results showed that the optimum operating conditions are steam rate of 0.06 mL/min at 950 °C with O/C of 1:1. Finally, the reaction mechanism of SCCLG was proposed based on experimental methods combing with advanced analytical testing and density functional theory (DFT) calculations results, and it reveals that OC in SCCLG underwent the reduction processes of Fe2O3/CaSO4–Al2O3 to CaFeSO/CaO–Al2O3 and then to Fe/CaS–Al2O3, which can efficiently improve the sulfur escape of CaSO4 OC. The present study provides an efficient way for conversion and utilization of fossil fuels in energy and chemical industry fields.

Scenarios for the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels in Australia in the absence of CO2 removal

ABSTRACT The rapid growth of renewable electricity generation in Australia raises the prospect of substituting for all fossil fuel use, including their use in transport and heating, by 2050 or even 2040. This article uses simple scenarios to identify the combinations of trends in total final energy consumption and renewable energy generation that together could result in the complete substitution of renewable energy for fossil fuels for energy generation by 2040 and 2050. It finds that, at current or increasing levels of energy consumption, in the absence of substantial CO2 removal, it is very unlikely that renewable energy could substitute for all fossil energy consumption by 2040 and 2050, even if renewable energy grows exponentially. Because time is of the essence in addressing the climate crisis, energy consumption must be reduced substantially while transitioning to renewables.

Crystalline/amorphous heterostructure offering highly efficient overall water splitting and urea electrolysis

Hydrogen is an efficient energy carrier alternative to the non-renewable traditional fossil fuels energy. Water electrolysis is a promising technique used for clean hydrogen generation. Usually, the oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) and urea-oxidation reaction (UOR) processes play a vital role in hydrogen production and pollution control. Herein, we report the fabrication of a three-dimensional (3D) crystalline/amorphous heterostructure NiTe/Ni-S electrocatalyst grown on nickel-foam (NF) via facile two steps (i.e., hydrothermal and electrodeposition) strategy. The synthesized NiTe/Ni-S catalyst exhibits an excellent performance toward the OER with a small overpotential of 216 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 current density in 1.0 M KOH. Further, it only requires a small voltage of 1.315 V (vs. the reversible-hydrogen-electrode (RHE)) to drive 10 mA cm−2 current density for UOR in 1 M KOH with 0.33 M urea, and reveals excellent long-term catalytic stability. Moreover, the overall water splitting experiments were conducted in 1 M KOH electrolyte with the NiTe/Ni-S catalyst as an anode and Pt/C as a cathode. It is obvious that only 1.500 and 1.527 V is required to achieve a current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 20 mA cm−2, respectively.

Studies on the conceptual design of energy recovery and utility systems for electrified chemical processes

Industrial energy systems under electrified heating were examined to understand the techno-economic impact of electrification on the supply of heat at the process level and the management of heat and power at the site level. Two case studies for chemical production were conducted to discuss the possible designs of electrified heat supply for processing industries and to compare the characteristics of heat recovery networks and utility systems under electrification with those under conventional fossil-fuel energy systems. The application of the heat-integrated design method is effective in providing design strategies for the transformation to electrified energy systems, as well as in evaluating plant-wide implications of electrification in practice. The design interaction between heat recovery and electrification was also investigated, and the cost-effectiveness of electrified energy systems was found to be highly influenced by heat recovery. The current study demonstrated that industrial electrification can be a practical alternative for industrial energy supply and that electrified heating can be economical with a low-cost and renewable source of electricity.

Heat transfer investigation between wellbore and formation in U-shaped geothermal wells with long horizontal section

As an alternative energy for fossil fuels, geothermal reserve is abundant. In recent years, scholars have investigated geothermal wells through numerical simulations. To the best of our knowledge, many studies have explored the influence factors of thermal power over time, and few studies have investigated the heat transfer mechanism between wellbore and formation in different circumstances. This paper aims to established a transient numerical heat transfer model of U-shaped closed-loop geothermal system with long horizontal section, which can simulate the temperature distribution and heat transfer mechanism during the whole wellbore formation. In the model, the convection term is discretized by using the second-order upwind scheme, and the finite volume method is used to solve it. The numerical results are proven to be correct by comparing with the field data of a well in China. Subsequently, the influence mechanism of fluid type, insulation casing length, fluid injection temperature, flow rate, and horizontal section length on thermal power is explored. The optimal depth of insulation casing under different injection temperatures, flow rates, and horizontal section lengths is suggested so as to provide crucial guidance for engineering practice.

Harnessing Sunlight to Purify Water and Generate Fuel

Burning fossil fuels for energy produces greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases cause climate change, which harms the environment and all living things. Hydrogen fuel can be used as an energy source instead of fossil fuels. We can produce hydrogen using two natural resources: sunlight and water. Hydrogen fuel is renewable, meaning it will not run out, and environmentally friendly because no greenhouse gases are produced. Materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can speed up the reaction that produces hydrogen gas. With the help of sunlight, MOFs can break apart water molecules to produce hydrogen gas. We can also break down pollutants if we use dirty water in this reaction. Using MOFs, we can purify water and produce hydrogen gas at the same time! Combining MOFs with sunlight can help solve two global problems: climate change and water pollution.

Linking personal remittance and fossil fuels energy consumption to environmental degradation: evidence from all SAARC countries

Linking personal remittance and fossil fuels energy consumption to environmental degradation: evidence from all SAARC countries

Wind and PV Hybrid Micro Grid Power Generation System

Demand for renewable energy (RES) systems is increasing, and research into wind and PV System has reached a pace in current years. Currently, the world is highly dependent on fossil fuels for energy needs, and these fossil fuels are on the brink of extinction. Demand for renewable energy will increase sharply in the coming years. Our work presents a hybrid system of energy generation with photovoltaic and wind system. Wind and PV system is connected to the grid as well as with each other. A control strategy is designed to maximize the benefits of such network interface system. The inverter is programmed to work as a multi-functional device with active power filtering capabilities. As a result the inverter is employed to power the RES energy in the network as a power converter. All analysis is performed and validated by the MATLAB / Simulink simulation, placing the system under dynamic load conditions.

ROLE OF DYE PHOTOSENSITIZER AND SURFACTANT IN SOLAR ENERGY: A REVIEW

Renewable energy sources are becoming imperative due to the high population, high demand energy and depletion of fossil fuels. The solar cells play important role in this regard. The third generation of solar cell has semiconductor electrode, dye, electrolyte, surfactant and counter electrode components. Among all of the components, dyes and surfactant perform a primary role in absorbing solar energy and converting it to electrical energy and storage capacity. The efficiency of working cells absolutely depends on the type of substance used as dye and surfactant.

Geotechnical Issues in Decommissioning Surface Lignite Mines—The Case of Amyntaion Mine in Greece

Recent changes in the fossil-fuel energy sector require coal mining industries to plan for the future, including developing procedures for decommissioning and closure associated with mines. In surface coal mining, the geotechnical issues of decommissioning include the long-term stability of the pit slopes, particularly as the pit is gradually filled with water. This paper investigates such slope stability issues, with emphasis on the conditions prevailing in the Amyntaion surface lignite mine, in Western Macedonia, Greece. Analytical and numerical methods have been developed and used to estimate the temporal evolution of the overall safety factor, as the water level in the pit rises, creating a lake. It is shown that until the water level in the lake reaches a critical depth of approximately 15–35% of the final equilibrium condition, the safety factor against the overall slope instability decreases slightly (by about 3% in the case study, and up to 5–10% in other conditions) compared to its value at the end of exploitation. At higher lake levels, the safety factor increases significantly, as the beneficial effect of the lake water pressure acting on the slope overcomes the adverse effect of pore water pressure rise inside the slope. In typical mines, the critical water depth is achieved within a few years, since the surface area of the pit is smaller at deeper levels; thus, more favorable slope stability conditions are usually reinstated a few years after mine closure, while the small reduction in safety during the initial stages after closure is inconsequential. The paper investigates the parameters influencing the magnitude of the small reduction in the short-term safety factor and produces normalized graphs of the evolution of the safety factor as the lake water level rises. The results of the analyses can be used in preliminary closure studies of surface coal mines.

Water–Energy–Carbon Nexus Analysis for Water Supply Systems with Brackish Groundwater Sources in Arid Regions

Limited knowledge on the water–energy–carbon nexus of water supply systems (WSSs) with brackish groundwater sources in arid regions exists to date. In addition, the large amount of fossil-fuel energy utilized by treatment processes generating a significant amount of carbon emissions remains a challenge for the municipalities in Saudi Arabia to meet long-term sustainability goals. To achieve Saudi Arabia Vision 2030’s target of sustainable cities with reduced CO2 emissions, the present study aimed to analyse the water–energy–carbon nexus for WSSs and propose mitigation measures for reducing energy and carbon footprints from both the water management and treatment technologies perspectives. The detailed energy consumption data for three main components (source extraction, water treatment, and conveyance and distribution) of the main WSS, serving the 600,000 population of Buraydah City (Qassim, Saudi Arabia), was obtained from the concerned municipality. The city water treatment plant removes naturally occurring iron, TDS, and radionuclides in the source water with the help of ion detention, oxidation, sand filtration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, chlorination, and backwash water management. The study found that the treatment facility consumes around half of the total system’s energy (131,122 kWh/day); while, with deep confined aquifer (>600 m) and an average water loss of 8%, conveyance and distribution (34%) and source extraction (18%) are consistent with the reported literature. With oil-driven energy, carbon emissions were found to be 10.26, 27.18, and 19.72 million tons CO2 eq/year for source extraction, water treatment, and conveyance and distribution, respectively. The reverse osmosis process, with higher energy consumption—1.1 kWh/m3 of treated water—than the global average, consumes most (88%) of the treatment plant’s energy and thus needs effective energy management practices. Moving to renewable (solar and wind-driven) sources, subject to a detailed life cycle analysis, can achieve significant energy and associated carbon emission reductions. To sustainably meet the water demand of the growing population in arid regions, the study also suggests raising the awareness of the public about how water conservation can control CO2 emissions, proactive maintenance of aging infrastructure, and increasing rainwater and treated wastewater reuse, to enhance the operational life of existing treatment facilities.

The European Green Deal and the energy transition: challenges and opportunities for industrial companies

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities facing industrial companies in europe as a result of the implementation of the European Green Deal, the growth and competitiveness strategy for the European Union announced by the European Commission in December 2019. The objective of achieving a reduction of 55% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030 relative to 1990 and zero net emissions in 2050 will force industrial companies to take urgent steps to decarbonize their activities. This will imply profound changes in their business operations and the need to invest in new technologies and processes and substitute clean energy for conventional fossil fuels. In order to support this transformation, sound innovation policies must be put in place and an efficient sustainable finance ecosystem must be developed. The article explores how industrial companies can transform their operations while simultaneously complying with the grand objectives of the European Green Deal and preserving and even enhancing their competitiveness.
 Received: 21 June 2021Accepted: 3 February 2022

Green ammonia enables sustainable energy production in small island developing states: A case study on the island of Curaçao

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have a high dependency on fossil fuels for energy, water, and food production. This has negative implications on the carbon footprint and resilience of the SIDS. Wind power is one of the most promising options for renewable energy in the coastal areas of the SIDS. To account for the seasonal intermittent nature of wind energy, ammonia can be used for energy storage. In this paper, ammonia as an energy vector, is examined to reduce the costs and carbon footprint of energy on the island of Curaçao as a showcase for Caribbean SIDS. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the combined wind and ammonia energy storage system is 0.13 USD/kWh at a discount rate of 5%. This is cost competitive with the LCOE of 0.15–0.17 USD/kWh from heavy fuel oil, which is the main electricity source in the Caribbean SIDS. In Curaçao, the LCOE from LNG and coal without carbon capture and storage (CCS) is 0.07–0.10 USD/kWh and 0.09–0.14 USD/kWh, respectively. When CCS is applied, the LCOE from LNG and coal is 0.10–0.13 USD/kWh and 0.14–0.21 USD/kWh, respectively. This suggests that the LCOE of the combined wind and ammonia energy storage system can be competitive with fossil-based alternatives with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in a decarbonized energy landscape. The CO2-footprint of the combined wind energy and ammonia energy storage system is 0.03 kg CO2/kWh, compared to 0.04 kg CO2/kWh and 0.12 kg CO2/kWh for LNG-/coal-based energy generation with CCS, respectively.