Resources Of Fossil Fuels Research Articles

Dangerous Development: The Effect of Offshore Fossil-Fuel Discovery and Production on Maritime Diplomatic Conflict

How does the discovery and production of offshore fossil-fuel resources influence maritime diplomatic conflict occurrence? Extant studies focus on the management and escalation of militarized interstate maritime conflicts after development leaving a gap in the literature on the effect of potential offshore resources on maritime claim occurrence. I argue that the years after the discovery of offshore fossil-fuel deposits face an increased risk for maritime claim occurrence because of an increase in tangible salience, opportunities to obtain concessions, and uncertainty over resource abundance. In the period after production begins, there is less uncertainty over the resource abundance, but the increased tangible salience and incentives to secure the resources remain, causing there to be a higher risk for maritime diplomatic conflict, albeit lower than the discovery period. Using Issue Correlates of War (ICOW) and PRIO-Grid data, I find that maritime dyads are more likely to experience a maritime claim in the years after the discovery of offshore oil compared to dyad-years with no offshore fossil-fuel discoveries. Offshore fossil fuel’s effect on maritime claim occurrence is stronger in this discovery phase than it is in the production period, indicating distinct mechanisms at work.

WITHDRAWN: Recent advances on the metal oxides and nanocomposites based on quantum dots and metal oxides for supercapacitor applications: A mini-review

Considering the limited resources of fossil fuels and the environmental pollution caused by their use, the need for alternative technology has become a global challenge. As a candidate for replacing fossil fuels, batteries have limitations such as the lack of sodium and lithium sources. Supercapacitors are a suitable alternative technology due to the availability of electrode materials. In this study, our team reviewed the supercapacitor performance of metal oxides and nanocomposites based on metal oxides and quantum dots to overcome the limitations of metal oxide electrode materials. In this study, by investigating the supercapacitor performance of nanocomposites based on metal oxide and quantum dots in three categories of carbon quantum dot, graphene quantum dot, and polymer dot, the performance of each quantum dot in improving the supercapacitor behavior of metal oxides was discussed. The results confirmed that the synergistic effect of quantum dots and metal oxides is improving the supercapacitor performance of nanocomposites. Also, the functional groups on the surface of the quantum dots accelerate the rate of penetration of ions and the rate of ion transfer. The results of this study confirmed that polymer dots have better performance among quantum dots with polymer properties and quantum dots properties at the same time which provides research opportunities for researchers in the field of supercapacitors.

Prediction and optimization of performance parameters of solar collectors with flat and porous plates using ANN and RSM: Case study of Shahrekord, Iran

It is necessary to adopt measures to make optimal use of rich sources of solar energy, considering the limit resources of fossil fuels and increasing demand for energy. Using solar collectors is one of the methods to collect solar energy. The aim of this study was an investigation and prediction of the effect of the collector's slope angle and plate type on the collector performance using artificial neural network (ANN) approaches. Two different ANN models, multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF), were applied to predict the performance parameters of solar collectors. The results indicated that the ANN-MLP and ANN-RBF models were acceptable, but the ANN-RBF model with structure of 2-16-5 had higher acceptability for prediction of output parameters at various input variables. The highest R and lowest root mean square error (RMSE) values in training set of ANN-RBF for air speed (AS) were obtained as 0.984 and 0.015, respectively. The results showed that increasing the slope angle from 0 to 60 caused to increase in the amount of received radiation by the collector, and so leading to an increase in the air temperature inside the collector. On the other hand, the maximum value of thermal power (TP) and collector efficiency (CE) for the porous plate were more than the simple plate by 28.2 % and 41.5 %, respectively.

Preparation and investigation of TbCrO3/montmorillonite-K10 nanocomposite electrode for electrochemical hydrogen storage application

The limited resources of fossil fuels and the increase in human’s demand for energy have made the use of alternative green energies like hydrogen very important. In this regard, achieving superior specific capacity and high-performance electrochemical hydrogen storage requires the structural design and development of highly active electrode material with cooperative influence of “spillover”, “redox”, and “physisorption” mechanisms. The aim of this report is to fabricate a binary TbCrO3/montmorillonite-K10 (TC/MMT) nanocomposite and to skillfully ensure its electrochemical ability for hydrogen storage in 2.0 M KOH electrolyte, for the first time. A facile sonochemical strategy was presented to successfully form uniform orthorhombic TC nanoparticles with varying tetradentate Schiff base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde and relative diamines as well as the molar ratio of H2Salbn to Tb3+. Characterization analyses displayed that the nucleation and growth process of TC samples can be well controlled by a molar ratio of H2Salbn:Tb3+ = 1:1 within the range of 17–72 nm. Furthermore, implementation of a well-organized MMT-based nanocomposite with various amounts of nano-TC perovskites was evaluated on the structural and electrochemical features. The greatly enhanced hydrogen storage capacity of TC/MMT nanocomposites was acquired as 734.3 mAh/g after 15 cycles, when 10.0 % of perovskite oxide is induced by MMT layers. Moreover, architecture of pristine TC and MMT electrodes possessed a 936.87 and 341.52 mAh/g discharge capacities at the same situation. These merits allow a promising potential application of the nanocomposite electrodes containing rare-earth chromite oxide and clay substrates in electrochemical energy-storage devices.

A Novel Hybrid Fuzzy Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Model for the Selection of the Most Suitable Land Reclamation Variant at Open-Pit Coal Mines

The expansion of the open-pit exploitation of mineral raw materials, and especially the energy resources of fossil fuels, makes open-pit coal mines spatially dominant objects of large mining basins. Exploitation activities are accompanied by negative ecological impacts on the environment, which requires the integral planning, revitalization, reclamation, and rehabilitation of the disturbed area for human use in the post-exploitation period. The post-exploitation remediation and rehabilitation of open-pit mining areas and disposal sites, i.e., space disturbed by mining activities and accompanying facilities, are complex synthetic multidisciplinary multiphase engineering project tasks. In this paper, a hybrid fuzzy MCDM model (Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making) was developed for the selection of a reclamation solution for the Tamnava-West Field open-pit mine. IMF SWARA (Improved Fuzzy Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) was applied to define the weights of 12 criteria of different structures used in the evaluation of reclamation solutions. The Fuzzy ROV (Range of Value) method was applied to select the reclamation solution from a total of 11 solutions previously obtained using a process approach. The results of the hybrid IMF SWARA—Fuzzy ROV model show that forestry is the best solution for the Tamnava-West Field open-pit mine. After the results had been obtained, verification analyses of the proposed model were performed and the best stable proposed reclamation solution was determined.

The atlas of unburnable oil for supply-side climate policies

To limit the increase in global mean temperature to 1.5 °C, CO2 emissions must be drastically reduced. Accordingly, approximately 97%, 81%, and 71% of existing coal and conventional gas and oil resources, respectively, need to remain unburned. This article develops an integrated spatial assessment model based on estimates and locations of conventional oil resources and socio-environmental criteria to construct a global atlas of unburnable oil. The results show that biodiversity hotspots, richness centres of endemic species, natural protected areas, urban areas, and the territories of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation coincide with 609 gigabarrels (Gbbl) of conventional oil resources. Since 1524 Gbbl of conventional oil resources are required to be left untapped in order to keep global warming under 1.5 °C, all of the above-mentioned socio-environmentally sensitive areas can be kept entirely off-limits to oil extraction. The model provides spatial guidelines to select unburnable fossil fuels resources while enhancing collateral socio-environmental benefits.

Method of Reducing Energy Consumption during Forklift Operator Training in Cargo Terminals Utilizing Virtual Reality

In the era of shrinking resources of traditional fossil fuels and the increasingly dominant sustainable development policy, actions are taken to reduce energy consumption as much as possible, assuming that we achieve identical operational goals. These activities are apparent in the industries with the most significant energy demand, i.e., the aviation industry. To achieve this, these industries implement modern technologies in all possible areas of operation. One of these areas is the area of operator training, especially the most energy-consuming devices and types of equipment. This article investigated the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology for energy optimization of forklift operating training in airport cargo terminals. The authors propose a method whose practical implementation in one of the cargo terminals reduced energy consumption by several times while training forklift operators. The added value is that the method is universal and, after appropriate modification, can be used to train operators of other devices. The study compared traditional training methods with a VR-based training approach, assessing their impact on energy consumption and overall efficiency of forklift operations in airport cargo terminals. The results prove that VR technology training can significantly reduce energy consumption while improving operational efficiency and can offer a sustainable and effective training solution for the entire logistics sector.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of the Burner Cap Geometry on the Performance of a Domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas Stove

Abstract Cooking is an important domestic activity that needs energy. Traditionally, solid fuels such as firewood and charcoal have been used. However, the combustion of solid fuels inside households causes internal pollution and harms the health of users and other occupants. Nowadays, gaseous fuels like natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are the most used for domestic cooking. Considering the limitation of fossil fuel resources, energy conservation issues, environmental problems, and the increase in demand for gaseous fuels, it is necessary to explore ways to improve the thermal efficiency and emission characteristics of existing cooking systems. Although the use of gaseous fuels reduces domestic air pollution, the earliest domestic gas burners have low heat performance with an efficiency value of approximately 40%. Continuous research and development in stove design and analysis has led to a significant improvement in the thermal performance of commercial gas burners, with efficiencies exceeding 60%. This study’s main objective is to improve an LPG domestic stove through the modification of the cap burner geometry. The effects of various inclination angles (between the top and the lateral cap faces) ranging from 0 deg to 90 deg have been experimentally investigated. Results demonstrated that the thermal efficiency of the burner increases with increasing inclination angle. The highest efficiency was obtained at an angle of 75 deg, and beyond this value, the efficiency dropped. Unfortunately, at this angle value, CO emissions were the highest.

Assessing the interrelationship between fossil fuels resources and the biomass energy market for achieving a sustainable and green economy

This study examines a path to carbon neutrality by analyzing the connections between fossil fuels, biomass energy, green growth, and innovation. Using Chinese data from 1970 to 2020 and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, we found a positive relationship between biofuel use and agricultural bio-energy growth in the short and long term. We also found that reducing fossil fuel dependence boosts bio-energy cultivation. The study suggests China can transition to environmentally friendly energy sources, such as biofuels, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels like coal, in line with the carbon neutrality goal set by the Chinese government.

Impact of Financial Development Shocks on Renewable Energy Consumption in Saudi Arabia

The demand for renewable energy is increasing globally due to concerns about climate change, pollution, and the finite nature of fossil-fuel resources, and renewable energy has been recognized as a significant factor in realizing sustainable development. The government of Saudi Arabia adopted the reduction in fossil-fuel subsidies policy as a financial motivation for supporting both the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence and shocks of Saudi financial development indicators on renewable energy consumption (REC) and to examine the track of causality between financial development indicators and REC. The study covers the annual data period of 1990–2021 and applies the Basic Vector Autoregressive model (VAR), the Granger causality test, forecast-error variance decomposition (FEVD), and the impulse response function (IRF). In the short run, the VAR results indicate a positive and significant impact of stock price volatility and private credit on REC. The results of causality between REC and financial development indicators were conflicting. The Granger causality test shows significant causality running from stock price volatility and private credit to REC. The FEVD results reveal that REC variation is explained by its innovative shocks and has a positive response to shocks in financial development. The IRF results show that REC has a positive response to shock on private credit, liquid liabilities, and stock price volatility. Authorities can encourage investment in renewable energy consumption by providing financial incentives; also, governments can foster national and international partnerships between investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Employing different determinants of financial development indicators and incorporating population factors in the REC function will be highly recommended for forming the renewable energy demand in Saudi Arabia. Conducting a micro-level analysis of specific sectors within renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and others, can provide actionable insights for policymakers.

Carbonic Anhydrase Robustness for Use in Nanoscale CO2 Capture Technologies.

Continued dependence on crude oil and natural gas resources for fossil fuels has caused global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to increase to record-setting proportions. There is an urgent need for efficient and inexpensive carbon sequestration systems to mitigate large-scale emissions of CO2 from industrial flue gas. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has shown high potential for enhanced CO2 capture applications compared to conventional absorption-based methods currently utilized in various industrial settings. This study aims to understand structural aspects that contribute to the stability of CA enzymes critical for their applications in industrial processes, which require the ability to withstand conditions different from those in their native environments. Here, we evaluated the thermostability and enzyme activity of mesophilic and thermophilic CA variants at different temperature conditions and in the presence of atmospheric gas pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. Based on our enzyme activity assays and molecular dynamics simulations, we see increased conformational stability and CA activity levels in thermostable CA variants incubated week-long at different temperature conditions. The thermostable CA variants also retained high levels of CA activity despite changes in solution pH due to increasing NO and SO2 concentrations. A loss of CA activity was observed only at high concentrations of NO/SO2 that possibly can be minimized with the appropriate buffered solutions.

Sustainability assessment of energy supply scenarios: case study of Mali

Mali is endowed with significant untapped renewable energy potentials paradoxically the country is identified as an energy-poor nation characterized by very high dependency on imports of petroleum products and heavy reliance on biomass (wood-fuel and charcoal). Access to electricity remains very low, with significant disparities across urban and rural remote areas. The gap between the electricity demand and supply keeps increasing yearly, and power shortages get frequent and longer, especially during dry periods from March to June. The energy demand increase, due to of population grow and rapid urbanization (causing more use of fossil fuels resources in the energy mix) bears the unsustainability of the country’s current energy supply. The challenge for the country is then to meet this growing energy demand with a sustainable energy supply system. In the present work, Analytical Hierarchy Process technique is applied to perform Multicriteria Decision Making analysis to identify and assess the most sustainable long-term energy supply options in Mali considering technical, environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The current situation and five alternatives of energy supply based on the country’s current and future energy supply and climate change policies are proposed for assessment. Results show that the highest priority indicators by stakeholders’ survey are under economical dimension followed by the technical ones. The best scenario considers deploying renewable energy to up to 42% of the energy mix as the sustainable option for energy supply. Adopting such scenario requires measures as a strong political will to subsidize renewable energy equipment in order to make them affordable and also policies that encourage the use of renewable energy (such as lower taxes and duties). The suggested framework gives decision-makers, authorities, practitioners, and researches an effective tool for the country future energy planning.

Role of fossil fuels resources on high-quality economic development: Evidence from China

This study examines how the efficiency of coal, crude oil, and natural gas consumption in China between 1995 and 2021 influences its sustainable development index using time series analysis. Results provided by the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) indicate that a 1% increase in coal consumption efficiency raises the sustainable development index by 0.86% in the short term and 0.63% in the long term. Similarly, a 1% improvement in natural gas efficiency corresponds to a 0.32% short-term and 0.15% long-term index increase. However, hindrances to sustainable development include carbon emissions, healthcare costs, and energy poverty. Effective fossil fuel management, especially for high carbon-emitting sources, is crucial. The Chinese government should foster technological progress, support green patents, implement fintech and big data solutions for green finance, and introduce emission taxation policies to enhance fossil fuel efficiency and overall sustainable development.

Moroccan sardine scales as a novel and renewable source of heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production using palm fatty acid distillate

The continued growth in energy consumption, in concert with the depleting resources of fossil fuels and their detrimental effects on the environment, has required the exploration of substitute, renewable, and sustainable sources of energy. Biodiesel is one such alternative. In this current study, a heterogeneous sulfated catalyst based on Sardine scales was developed to improve biodiesel synthesis from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) through esterification. The catalyst was synthesized via a clean flash pyrolysis method with a thermal shock (950 °C) followed by a sulfonation process. The prepared catalyst was characterized by utilizing diverse methods, including XRD, FTIR, TGA/DSC, SEM/EDX, DLS, BET, and the Hammett test. The sulfated hydroxyapatite (HAPSS-SO4) catalyst demonstrated a maximum conversion of PFAD to biodiesel of 96.75% under optimal reaction conditions such as 3 wt% catalyst loading and 15:1 MeOH/PFAD molar ratio for 3 h at 70 °C. Additionally, the catalyst proved excellent stability, with the ability to regenerate for three cycles. The properties of the produced biodiesel are within the limits stipulated by international standards. The results of the molecular simulation demonstrate that the Lewis acid sites (Ca) are very susceptible to attack through the free fatty acid (FFA). The study proved the effectiveness of a sardine scale-derived catalyst (HAPSS-SO4) as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production.

Hydrogen as a Transition Tool in a Fossil Fuel Resource Region: Taking China’s Coal Capital Shanxi as an Example

Because of the pressure to meet carbon neutrality targets, carbon reduction has become a challenge for fossil fuel resource-based regions. Even though China has become the most active country in carbon reduction, its extensive energy supply and security demand make it difficult to turn away from its dependence on coal-based fossil energy. This paper analyzes the Chinese coal capital—Shanxi Province—to determine whether the green, low-carbon energy transition should be focused on coal resource areas. In these locations, the selection and effect of transition tools are key to ensuring that China meets its carbon reduction goal. Due to the time window of clean coal utilization, the pressure of local governments, and the survival demands of local high energy-consuming enterprises, Shanxi Province chose hydrogen as its important transition tool. A path for developing hydrogen resources has been established through lobbying and corporative influence on local and provincial governments. Based on such policy guidance, Shanxi has realized hydrogen applications in large-scale industrial parks, regional public transport, and the iron and steel industry. This paper distinguishes between the development strategies of gray and green hydrogen. It shows that hydrogen can be an effective development model for resource-based regions as it balances economic stability and energy transition.

Promoting sustainable fossil fuels resources in BRICS countries: Evaluating green policies and driving renewable energy development

The central purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impacts of green monetary and fiscal policies on the sustainable development of fossil fuels resources in BRICS countries, through the analysis of data spanning from 1995 to 2021 and the ARDL- PMG technique. The research results confirm that green monetary policies have a greater impact on the development of clean energy compared to green fiscal policies. Additionally, the economic freedom index, green parts trade, and innovation index are components that exhibit positive effects on the development of renewable energy consumption in BRICS countries. However, the research findings also indicate an adverse effect of information and communication technology development on the greening of natural resources in BRICS countries. Based on the findings, the paper proposes several recommendations, which include reforming the green tax system, developing green financing markets, and establishing a local green fund to promote local green power generation projects.

Green economic development by increasing efficiency of natural resource consumption

The present study aims to assess the implications of fossil fuels resource efficiency on sustainable development across two distinct cohorts comprising 26 oil-importing economies and 19 oil-exporting economies, spanning the time period from 2000 to 2020. Employing empirical estimations through the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) technique, the research reveals that the sustainable development index in oil-exporting countries exhibits higher sensitivity to the efficiency of fossil fuels resources and the poverty rate, compared to oil-importing nations. Moreover, the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on the sustainable development index is notably more pronounced in oil-importing countries than in their oil-exporting counterparts. Additionally, the sustainable development index in oil-exporting economies demonstrates heightened sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, exceeding that observed in oil-importing nations. In pursuit of fossil fuels resources efficiency and sustainable development, the implementation of strategic measures such as carbon taxation, Fintech-driven initiatives, and the integration of green cryptocurrencies should be encouraged in both country groups.

Assessment of green economic development through the impacts of fossil fuels resources and education in China

This paper evaluates the association between education, fossil fuel resources, and green development in China from 1980 to 2021. The findings from the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) technique confirmed that the education index has a positive effect on sustainable development. Sustainable electricity generation in China positively affects sustainable development, while using fossil fuels in the industry has an adverse effect on China's sustainable development. The inflow of foreign direct investment harms the sustainable development index, whereas the effectiveness of the green financing market in promoting sustainable development goals exists only in the long term. The Chinese policymakers should pay attention to the digital green financing market, green cryptocurrencies, green FDI regulations, and further cooperation with the United Nations in the education for sustainable development (ESD).

Does digitalization enhance fossil fuels resources efficiency?

This paper's primary purpose is to measure globalization's impacts on fossil fuel resource-efficient targets in 39 emerging countries from 2010 to 2020. The pooled Mean Group estimation's results confirmed that the digitalization indicators such as the digital economy index, e-government, and ICT (Information and communication technology) diffusion index increase the efficiency of fossil fuels resources in the short and long term. In addition, with a 1% increase in the share of ICT industries in the studied countries' economies, fossil fuel resources' efficiency will decrease by 0.07% and 0.13% in the short and long term, respectively. Regarding electricity consumption, the coefficients of the variable in the short-term and long-term are negative. In order to use digitalization benefits for fossil fuels efficient target, emerging economies can develop a digital green financing market, promote natural resource governance through e-government, and scale up renewable power generation.

Fossil Fuel Resources: Formation, Extraction and Impact on Energy Production

Fossil Fuel Resources: Formation, Extraction and Impact on Energy Production