Friendly Scenario Research Articles

Biodiesel production using various methanol sources and catalytic routes: A techno-environmental analysis

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the biodiesel production via the transesterification reaction between triolein and methanol in the presence of a basic and acidic catalysts, namely sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, using CHEMCAD simulation software as a process modelling and simulation tool. Methanol, one of the raw-materials used in biodiesel manufacturing, was synthesized using reforming technology applied to: i) coke oven gas and carbon dioxide, and ii) glycerol that represents an important by-product of the biodiesel synthesis. Four different cases were developed and compared, with detailed operating parameters and equipment designs for each of the investigated scenarios. The production capacity was set to 1000.00 kg/h of biodiesel and a purity higher than 98 % was registered in all investigated cases. Based on the material and energy balances derived from modelling and simulation section, an environmental analysis using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology was performed with the aid of the GaBi software. Ten environmental impact categories (i.e., Global Warming Potential, Fossil Depletion Potential, Human Toxicity, Water Depletion, etc.) are generated and relevant discussions about the sub-processes that exhibit the highest influence are given. The environmental evaluation shows that the most environmentally friendly scenario consists of the methanol production using coke oven gas and carbon dioxide, and its subsequent utilization for the biodiesel production following the alkali catalysis. A scenario analysis regarding several electric and thermal energy sources (i.e., natural gas, biogas, biomass, grid mix) was performed. According to this scenario analysis, while evaluating the synthesis of biodiesel through the alkali catalysis pathway, using biomass as a renewable source improves the environmental performances across certain impact categories.

An ideal location selection of electric vehicle charging stations: Employment of integrated analytical hierarchy process with geographical information system

Electric vehicle charging station identification is more essential in developing countries regions. Two major Middle Eastern capital cities are used to identify the EVCS which is important for environmentally friendly scenarios using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy-AHP (FAHP) in Baghdad (Iraq), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). With the help of GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis, suitable sites aimed at EVCSs are identified using twelve criteria. Based on the analysis very high suitable zones of Baghdad city have 179.99 km2 (AHP), and 162.61 km2 (FAHP), while Riyadh has 44.51 km2 (AHP), and 34.27 km2 (FAHP) respectively. Whereas, very low suitable areas for Baghdad have 552.47 km2 (AHP), and 1596.74 km2 (FAHP), while Riyadh has 518.43 km2 (AHP), and 463.59 km2 (FAHP) correspondingly. Karkh, Dora, Hurriya, Yarmouk, Binouk, and near the Baghdad international airport are more suitable for EVCSs establish while in Riyadh Dhahrat Laban, Ash Shifa, Al-Sina'yah, Tuwaiq, Al-Olaya and Al-Murabba is more Suitable for EVCSs. Green energy-based vehicle fuel is required for future development and reduction of fossil fuel use. Near the future, electric vehicles capture the maximum vehicle market, therefore identification of suitable sites for EVCSs plays a vital role in sustainable development.

Application of brewers’ spent grains as an alternative biomass for renewable energy generation in a boiler combustion process

In most industries that generate consumer products the main source of electrical energy comes from burning wood or fossil fuels in boilers. However, the use of these non-renewable fuels poses a huge problem for the current energy matrix and for the environment, which makes new alternatives necessary for a more environmentally friendly scenario. In view of this, our study evaluated the application of brewers’ spent grains (BSG) as an alternative biomass for energy generation in an industrial cogeneration system. For this, different blends of BSG and eucalyptus wood chips were used for steam generation. In addition, the effect of two different dehydration conditions on the drying kinetics of BSG were evaluated. The BSG presented an initial moisture content of 77.68%, 0.52% ash, mean particle size of 0.28 mm, density of 113 kg m–3, and lower calorific value of 17.84 MJ kg–1, making it suitable for energy recovery in a cogeneration system. Outdoor drying under external conditions can be applied to remove the moisture content from BSG, which is a low-cost strategy for further application in the drying process. From the biomass blends, the use of 80% BSG and 20% wood chips promoted better characteristics for application as fuel in a cogeneration system. The use of BSG promoted a reduction in the use of wood chips as fuel and generated a savings of approximately 9 thousand USD annually for the simulated system (80% BSG and 20% wood chips), a reduction of 82% of the cost, when comparing with a system using only wood chips. Therefore, the biomass by-product generated from beer production can be used to produce renewable energy in a cogeneration system, replacing the use of wood chips. The waste-to-energy strategy evaluated in this study can be a promising alternative for a circular economy transition, reducing the waste generated in breweries and promoting the recovery of renewable energy that can be applied in situ, making the entire industrial system become a biorefinery, using its main waste as biofuel to generate clean energy, promoting an energy transition to an increasingly cleaner energetical matrix.

A "thoughtful" Local Friendliness no-go theorem: a prospective experiment with new assumptions to suit

A recent paper by two of us and co-workers \cite{CQD20}, based on an extended Wigner's friend scenario, demonstrated that certain empirical correlations predicted by quantum theory (QT) violate inequalities derived from a set of metaphysical assumptions we called "Local Friendliness" (LF). These assumptions are strictly weaker than those used for deriving Bell inequalities. Crucial to the theorem was the premise that a quantum system with reversible evolution could be an observer (colloquially, a "friend"). However, that paper was noncommittal on what would constitute an observer for the purpose of an experiment. Here, we present a new LF no-go theorem which takes seriously the idea that a system's having thoughts is a sufficient condition for it to be an observer. Our new derivation of the LF inequalities uses four metaphysical assumptions, three of which are thought-related, including one that is explicitly called "Friendliness". These four assumptions, in conjunction, allow one to derive LF inequalities for experiments involving the type of system that "Friendliness" refers to. In addition to these four metaphysical assumptions, this new no-go theorem requires two assumptions about what is technologically feasible: Human-Level Artificial Intelligence, and Universal Quantum Computing which is fast and large scale. The latter is often motivated by the belief that QT is universal, but this is not an assumption of the theorem. The intent of the new theorem is to give a clear goal for future experimentalists, and a clear motivation for trying to achieve that goal. We review various approaches to QT in light of our theorem. The popular stance that "quantum theory needs no interpretation" does not question any of our assumptions and so is ruled out. Finally, we quantitatively discuss how difficult the experiment we envisage would be, and briefly discuss milestones on the paths towards it.

Optimum thermal performance of green walls systems and design requirements against heat transfer of conventional external walls of low-rise concrete buildings in hot regions

This paper presents a study on how the thermal performance of conventional external walls of concrete building could be improved against heat transfer in hot regions. 45 buildings were visited to observe the heat transfer from the warmer side of the external wall to the cooler side. The measurements showed that the conventional walls are insufficient because of high indoor temperatures. This study introduced three environmentally friendly scenarios to enhance the efficiency of the concrete wall against heat transfer. In the first scenario, a continuous air layer was added at the middle of the wall to form an aired-concrete wall. In the second scenario, a living green layer was added on the exterior side of the wall to form a living-concrete wall. The third scenario merged the previous two insights to form a living-aired-concrete wall. Thermal models were prepared to conduct thermal analysis. The results showed that the air layer deactivates the work of thermal bridges and improves the thermal resistance of the wall 5 to 15 times. In the aired-concrete wall, the results showed that the minimum depth of the air layer should be at least 6 cm, to secure a convenient indoor environment with indoor temperature not more than 25 °C. Furthermore, the results showed that adding only an outdoor living green layer to the conventional wall is insufficient in all thermal zones of hot regions. Finally, the best thermal performance against heat transfer was found in the living-aired-concrete wall using outdoor Perennials plants and 5 cm middle air layer.

Optimal emission reductions pathway for polybrominated diphenyl ethers in typical household e-waste dismantling products

Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) and waste epoxy resin powder (WERP) generated after crushing are the most crucial hazardous materials in the recycling process of household e-waste. In this study, a sustainable treatment approach was established in response to the drawbacks of traditional treatment methods. The baseline and hypothetical scenarios were as follows: (1) scenario 1 (S1): WPCBs mechanical treatment, WERP safe landfill; (2) scenario 2 (S2): WPCBs mechanical treatment, WERP imitation stone bricks production. Based on the material flow analysis and comprehensive evaluation, the most profitable and environmentally friendly scenario was selected and assumed to be promoted in Jiangsu area and China from 2013 to 2029. The analysis result showed that S2 had the best economic performance and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) emission reductions potential. S2 is the best option that can gradually replace the traditional recycling model. With the promotion of S2, China would reduce the emissions of PBDEs by 700.8 kg. Meanwhile, it could save $542.2 million in WERP landfill costs, produce 1260.2 kt of imitation stone bricks, and generate $2308.5 million in economic benefits. In conclusion, this study can offer a new idea for dismantling products treatment of household e-waste and provide scientific knowledge to improve the sustainable management.

Events in quantum mechanics are maximally non-absolute

The notorious quantum measurement problem brings out the difficulty to reconcile two quantum postulates: the unitary evolution of closed quantum systems and the wave-function collapse after a measurement. This problematics is particularly highlighted in the Wigner's friend thought experiment, where the mismatch between unitary evolution and measurement collapse leads to conflicting quantum descriptions for different observers. A recent no-go theorem has established that the (quantum) statistics arising from an extended Wigner's friend scenario is incompatible when one try to hold together three innocuous assumptions, namely no-superdeterminism, parameter independence and absoluteness of observed events. Building on this extended scenario, we introduce two novel measures of non-absoluteness of events. The first is based on the EPR2 decomposition, and the second involves the relaxation of the absoluteness hypothesis assumed in the aforementioned no-go theorem. To prove that quantum correlations can be maximally non-absolute according to both quantifiers, we show that chained Bell inequalities (and relaxations thereof) are also valid constraints for Wigner's experiment.

Law of Total Probability in Quantum Theory and Its Application in Wigner's Friend Scenario.

It is well-known that the law of total probability does not generally hold in quantum theory. However, recent arguments on some of the fundamental assumptions in quantum theory based on the extended Wigner’s friend scenario show a need to clarify how the law of total probability should be formulated in quantum theory and under what conditions it still holds. In this work, the definition of conditional probability in quantum theory is extended to POVM measurements. A rule to assign two-time conditional probability is proposed for incompatible POVM operators, which leads to a more general and precise formulation of the law of total probability. Sufficient conditions under which the law of total probability holds are identified. Applying the theory developed here to analyze several quantum no-go theorems related to the extended Wigner’s friend scenario reveals logical loopholes in these no-go theorems. The loopholes exist as a consequence of taking for granted the validity of the law of total probability without verifying the sufficient conditions. Consequently, the contradictions in these no-go theorems only reconfirm the invalidity of the law of total probability in quantum theory rather than invalidating the physical statements that the no-go theorems attempt to refute.

Conditional probabilities of measurements, quantum time, and the Wigner's-friend case

Considering a minimal number of assumptions and in the context of the timeless formalism, conditional probabilities are derived for subsequent measurements in the non-relativistic regime. Only unitary transformations are considered with detection processes described by generalized measurements (POVM). One-time conditional probabilities are unambiguously derived via the Gleason-Bush theorem, including for puzzling cases like the Wigner's friend scenario where their form underlines the relativity aspect of measurements. No paradoxical situations emerge and the roles of Wigner and Wigner can be seen by his friend as being in a superposition.

Implications of Local Friendliness Violation for Quantum Causality.

We provide a new formulation of the Local Friendliness no-go theorem of Bong et al. [Nat. Phys. 16, 1199 (2020)] from fundamental causal principles, providing another perspective on how it puts strictly stronger bounds on quantum reality than Bell’s theorem. In particular, quantum causal models have been proposed as a way to maintain a peaceful coexistence between quantum mechanics and relativistic causality while respecting Leibniz’s methodological principle. This works for Bell’s theorem but does not work for the Local Friendliness no-go theorem, which considers an extended Wigner’s Friend scenario. More radical conceptual renewal is required; we suggest that cleaving to Leibniz’s principle requires extending relativity to events themselves.

Waterborne Graphene- and Nanocellulose-Based Inks for Functional Conductive Films and 3D Structures.

In the vast field of conductive inks, graphene-based nanomaterials, including chemical derivatives such as graphene oxide as well as carbon nanotubes, offer important advantages as per their excellent physical properties. However, inks filled with carbon nanostructures are usually based on toxic and contaminating organic solvents or surfactants, posing serious health and environmental risks. Water is the most desirable medium for any envisioned application, thus, in this context, nanocellulose, an emerging nanomaterial, enables the dispersion of carbon nanomaterials in aqueous media within a sustainable and environmentally friendly scenario. In this work, we present the development of water-based inks made of a ternary system (graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes and nanocellulose) employing an autoclave method. Upon controlling the experimental variables, low-viscosity inks, high-viscosity pastes or self-standing hydrogels can be obtained in a tailored way. The resulting inks and pastes are further processed by spray- or rod-coating technologies into conductive films, and the hydrogels can be turned into aerogels by freeze-drying. The film properties, with respect to electrical surface resistance, surface morphology and robustness, present favorable opportunities as metal-free conductive layers in liquid-phase processed electronic device structures.

Wigner's friend and the quasi-ideal clock

In 1962, Eugene P. Wigner introduced a thought experiment that highlighted the incompatibility in quantum theory between unitary evolution and wave function reduction in a measurement. This work resulted in a class of thought experiments often called Wigner's Friend Scenarios, which have been providing insights over many frameworks and interpretations of quantum theory. Recently, a no-go theorem obtained by Daniela Frauchiger and Renato Renner brought attention back to the Wigner's Friend and its potential of putting theories to test. Many answers to this result pointed out how timing in the thought experiment could be yielding a paradox. In this work, we ask what would happen if the isolated friend in a Wigner's Friend Scenario did not share a time reference frame with the outer observer, and time should be tracked by a quantum clock. For this purpose, we recollect concepts provided by the theory of quantum reference frames and the quantum resource theory of asymmetry, to learn how to internalize time in this scenario, and introduce a model for a feasible quantum clock proposed by Mischa P. Woods, Ralph Silva and Jonathan Oppenheim, called the quasi-ideal clock. Our results have shown that no decoherent behavior comes from this approach, and the disagreement between the superobserver and its friend persists even for an imprecise clock on Wigner's side. However, the gaussian spread of this clock model can control what observables do not raise a paradox, indicating the relevance of deepening this analysis.

An Overview on Electric-Stress Degradation Empirical Models for Electrochemical Devices in Smart Grids

The conversion from existing electrical networks into an all-renewable and environmentally friendly electrification scenario is insufficient to produce and distribute energy efficiently. Electrochemical devices’ premature degradation as a whole caused by electrical stressors in smart grids is incipient from an energy management strategies (EMS) perspective. Namely, few electrical-stress degradation models for photovoltaic panels, batteries, fuel cells, and super/ultra-capacitors (SCs), and particular stressors can be found in the literature. In this article, the basic operating principles for such devices, existing degradation models, and future research hints, including their incorporation in novel EMS, are condensed. The necessity of extending these studies to other stressors and devices is also emphasized. There are many other degradation models by non-electrical stressors, such as climatic conditions and mechanical wear. Although novel EMS should manage both electrical and non-electrical degradation mechanisms and include non-electrochemical devices, models with pure non-electrical-stressors are not the subject of this review since they already exist. Moreover, studies for the degradation of non-electrochemical devices by electrical stressors are very scarce.

Prospective Electric Power Cooperation among Northeast Asian Countries in the Context of Carbon Tax Sergei Podkovalnikov, Chudinova Lyudmila

The paper addresses the prospects for power grid formation in Northeast Asia in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide tax is implemented as a tool to quantitatively engage environmental issues in the study. A survey of the studies on the prospective NEA power grid has been done. The research employs a methodology and a mathematical model for the optimization of power system expansion and economic dispatching of power plants. Environmentally friendly scenarios of the NEA power grid were built and studied.

Quantum reference frames for general symmetry groups

A fully relational quantum theory necessarily requires an account of changes of quantum reference frames, where quantum reference frames are quantum systems relative to which other systems are described. By introducing a relational formalism which identifies coordinate systems with elements of a symmetry groupG, we define a general operator for reversibly changing between quantum reference frames associated to a groupG. This generalises the known operator for translations and boosts to arbitrary finite and locally compact groups, including non-Abelian groups. We show under which conditions one can uniquely assign coordinate choices to physical systems (to form reference frames) and how to reversibly transform between them, providing transformations between coordinate systems which are `in a superposition' of other coordinate systems. We obtain the change of quantum reference frame from the principles of relational physics and of coherent change of reference frame. We prove a theorem stating that the change of quantum reference frame consistent with these principles is unitary if and only if the reference systems carry the left and right regular representations ofG. We also define irreversible changes of reference frame for classical and quantum systems in the case where the symmetry groupGis a semi-direct productG=N⋊Por a direct productG=N×P, providing multiple examples of both reversible and irreversible changes of quantum reference system along the way. Finally, we apply the relational formalism and changes of reference frame developed in this work to the Wigner's friend scenario, finding similar conclusions to those in relational quantum mechanics using an explicit change of reference frame as opposed to indirect reasoning using measurement operators.

Evaluation of CO2 emission from Egypt's future power plants.

Energy-related CO2 emissions increased to a global peak of 33 Gt in 2019, resulting in an unprecedented level of “Global Warming”. Egypt emitted 250 million tons of CO2 in 2018, thereby ranking 27th among the countries of the world in terms of energy-related CO2 emissions. Approximately 40% of CO2 emissions in Egypt orginate from the electricity generation sector, which is predominately dependent on oil and gas (90%), followed by renewables (10%; solar, wind and hydroelectric). To achieve its development goals, Egypt plans to build new power plants with a total generating capacity of 30 gigawatts (GW). Added to the current generating capacity of Egypt’s power plants (60 GW), the new power plants will enable electricity generating capacities to reach approximately 90 GW by 2030. Egypt has three scenarios to achieve this goal. In the first scenario, a diversified energy mix scenario, dependence on oil and gas will be decreased in favor of a more diversified energy mix of coal, nuclear power, in addition to renewables and hydro. The second scenario, a fossil fuel-based scenario, is based on recent discoveries of proven natural gas reserves, possibly shifting Egypt’s vision towards more dependence on natural gas, as well as renewables, nuclear and hydro. These two scenarios might lead to increased amounts of released CO2 into the atmosphere. Here we suggest a third scenario, the environmentally friendly scenario or the green scenario, in which more dependence is placed on renewables, hydro and nuclear power, in addition to natural gas, with no coal in the suggested energy mix. In this article, we analyze CO2 emissions derived from electricity generation under these three futuristic scenarios. The results of our comparison show that building new power plants will lead to CO2 emissions of 307, 330 and 128 million tons (Mt), respectively, according to the first, second and third scenario, respectively, compared to the current 100 Mt of emissions. These results clearly demonstrate that the third (green) scenario is the only scenario that allows the country to build new power plants to achieve its goals of development while only slightly increasing the amount of CO2 emissions. In addition, this scenario may be incorporated into the Nationally Determined Contributions ratified by Egypt in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.

Wigner's convoluted friends

Considering a complicated extension of a Wigner's friend scenario, Frauchiger and Renner (FR) allegedly showed that “quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself.” However, such a result has been under severe criticism, as it has been convincingly argued to crucially depend on an implicit, non-trivial assumption regarding details of the collapse mechanism. In consequence, the result is not as robust or general as intended. On top of all this, in this work we show that a much simpler arrangement—basically an EPR setting—is sufficient to derive a result fully analogous to that of FR. Moreover, we claim that all lessons learned from FR's result are essentially contained within the original EPR paper. We conclude that FR's result does not offer any novel insights into the conceptual problems of quantum theory.

Wigner's friend, Feynman's paths and material records

The place and role of an Observer in quantum mechanics has been a subject of an ongoing debate since the theory's inception. Wigner brought this question to the fore in a celebrated scenario in which a super-Observer observes a Friend making a measurement. Here we briefly review why this “Wigner Friend scenario” has been taken to require the introduction of the Observer's consciousness, or alternatively to show the inconsistency of quantum measurement theory. We will argue that quantum theory can consistently leave observers outside its narrative, by making only minimal assumptions about how the information about the observed results is stored in material records.

Field Verification of Autonomous Anti-Islanding Schemes and Grid Support Functions of an Inverter-Based Microturbine Distributed Generator

Canada-wide climate change plans have been put in place in the form of legislation and emission reduction programs. As part of these measures, reduced amounts of natural gas can be vented, incinerated, or flared. These programs have a direct impact on the Canadian oil and gas industry. Other measures mandate the decommissioning of high-emission thermal power plants, such as coal-fired generation. At the same time, governments are encouraging the wide-scale adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs). Because of these changes, natural gas fired DERs have been proliferating in oilfields to consume the byproduct natural gas and most major oil and gas companies are diversifying their portfolio to include generation assets. It is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly scenario as compared to the previous status quo. From an electric utility standpoint, this represents a change in paradigm, because distribution systems are traditionally planned to be radial and only experience power flowing from the substation to the load centers. This change requires utilities to adapt to new concerns and requirements, which span from operation to health and safety hazards. Among these, anti-islanding is likely the most important concern to allow the safe and reliable operation of a distribution system. The standard method to avoid unintended islanded operation is the direct transfer trip. Under exceptional circumstances, the utility may waive this requirement if an alternative acceptable method is in use. This article addresses existing anti-islanding schemes and covers in detail an alternative anti-islanding method native to many inverters. This article contains the philosophy of such method and measurement results captured during commissioning of a DER containing the scheme. Furthermore, this article highlights the evolution of inverter-based generator technologies and how the revision of applicable standards (IEEE 1547) can improve the reliable operation of such DERs.

Experimental test of local observer independence.

The scientific method relies on facts, established through repeated measurements and agreed upon universally, independently of who observed them. In quantum mechanics the objectivity of observations is not so clear, most markedly exposed in Wigner's eponymous thought experiment where two observers can experience seemingly different realities. The question whether the observers' narratives can be reconciled has only recently been made accessible to empirical investigation, through recent no-go theorems that construct an extended Wigner's friend scenario with four observers. In a state-of-the-art six-photon experiment, we realize this extended Wigner's friend scenario, experimentally violating the associated Bell-type inequality by five standard deviations. If one holds fast to the assumptions of locality and free choice, this result implies that quantum theory should be interpreted in an observer-dependent way.