Low Emission Research Articles

Model predictive control with real-time variable weight for civil aircraft towing taxi-out control systems

Unlike the traditional method of taxying, where civil aircraft reach the runway by relying on their engines, the new mode of towing taxi-out may become preferred because of its lower energy consumption, lower emissions, and higher efficiency. To improve the tracking accuracy and lateral stability of the towing system, this study used a two-level time-varying weight control method (RMPC) based on model predictive control (MPC) and fuzzy control. The tractor speed and front wheel angle were set as the control variables in the MPC controller, and the real-time lateral displacement error and yaw angle error of the tractor were set as the fuzzy control inputs. The influence of the weight matrix on the accuracy and stability of path tracking was coordinated by online optimization of the MPC objective function weight. The simulations of multiple working conditions were performed using TruckSim software in Simulink, which showed that the proposed control method can limit the lateral displacement error of the tractor and aircraft within 0.4 m, which can be reduced by 70.83% and 77.4% compared with the single MPC, respectively. Additionally, the maximum yaw angle errors of the tractor and aircraft are reduced by 76.11% and 51.31% compared with the single MPC, respectively. Furthermore, the yaw angle error of tractors can be limited to 4° and that of aircraft can be limited to 6.5°, which is an improvement of the lateral stability and driving safety for the civil aircraft towing system. The new controller may provide technical insights and support for the practical development and safe application of the towing taxi-out mode.

Enhancing the Performance and Emission characteristics of Butanol-Diesel Blend with Ethanol

—In this experimental work diesel is blended with 12% v/v ethanol(E12D88), 12% v/v butanol (B12D88), 20%v/v butanol (B20D88) separately) and a fourth blend with 12% and 8% v/v of butanol and ethanol in diesel (B12E08D88) are prepared. These blends are experimentally investigation on a VCR engine at different loadings. Their performance and emission (PE) characteristics are compared with pure diesel in order to have optimum blending ratio. From the investigation it is found that B12D88 is having better brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is better than all the blends at all loading condition. This is due to lower density, Cetane number and Calorific value (CV) of the alcohol as compared to pure diesel, CV of butanol is 23% more than ethanol. Emission characteristics of E12D88 is observed better than all the fuels. oxygenated fuels have lower emission. On investigating the data, it is observed that B12E08D80 blend is having better CO and HC emission than E12D88, Nox emission is larger than E12D88 but better than butanol blend and performance is close to B12D88

Multi-objective optimisation of hybrid renewable energy systems for Colombian non-interconnected zones

Colombia’s Atlantic coast wind and solar resources could enhance energy mix and self-generation. Renewable clean energy has been studied in response to fossil fuel pollution. Wind and solar photovoltaic systems have low initial, operational, and levelized energy costs. Variable wind and sun radiation may limit availability. In this regard, hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) and energy storage have become crucial. These systems can effectively meet load demand by utilising complementary renewable resources. This study deals with sizing a wind and photovoltaic HRES with storage, using a Particle Swarm Optimisation algorithm for yearly variable resources in a non-interconnected zone in La Guajira, Colombia. The study evaluates the LCOE, probability of load loss, and the system’s CO2 emission. It develops a sensitivity analysis to determine the importance of each objective factor. From a life cycle analysis, an HRES configuration with low LCOE and environmental emission rates is associated with the size of the wind resource; the HRES configuration with minimum LCOE values is close to obtaining higher equivalent CO2e emissions. The study highlights the configuration obtained for the Colombian context, giving more importance to the environmental factor and reaching an LCOE of 0.754 USD/kWh and emission of 18.97 tCO2e/year; this configuration also increases the wind energy generation, reaching 41 % more share, compared to the configuration obtained when the economic factor is a priority.

An alternative to petrochemicals: biomass electrovalorization.

Replacing petrochemicals with refined waste biomass as a sustainable chemical source has become an attractive option to lower global carbon emissions. Popular methods of refining lignocellulosic waste biomass use thermochemical processes, which have significant environmental downsides. Using electrochemistry instead would overcome many of these downsides, directly driving chemical reactions with renewable electricity and revolutionizing the way many chemicals are produced today. This review mainly focuses on two furanic platform chemicals that are produced from the dehydration of cellulose, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural, which can be electrochemically reduced or oxidized to replace fuels and monomers that today are obtained from petrochemicals. Critical parameters such as electrode materials and electrolyte pH are discussed in relation to their influence on conversion efficiency and product distribution.This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Green carbon for the chemical industry of the future'.

Environmental impact of modern agricultural practices: Strategies for reducing carbon footprint and promoting conservation

Modern agricultural practices have significantly transformed food production, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. However, these advancements have also had notable environmental impacts, particularly concerning carbon emissions and resource depletion. This study explores the environmental impact of contemporary agricultural practices, emphasizing the need for strategies to mitigate carbon footprints and enhance conservation efforts. Agriculture contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions through sources such as livestock, synthetic fertilizers, and fossil fuel consumption. These emissions contribute to climate change and global warming. Additionally, modern farming practices often lead to deforestation, habitat loss, and soil degradation, exacerbating biodiversity loss and reducing soil health. Water usage in agriculture also poses significant challenges, with high water consumption and pollution from runoff affecting water resources and aquatic ecosystems. To address these issues, several strategies can be employed to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture. Adoption of sustainable farming practices such as conservation tillage and no-till farming can enhance soil carbon sequestration, improving soil health and reducing emissions. Agroforestry and cover cropping further contribute by capturing atmospheric carbon and improving soil structure. The integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power in farming operations, along with energy-efficient technologies, can also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower overall greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting conservation involves implementing practices that protect and restore natural resources. Soil conservation methods, including erosion control techniques like terracing and contour plowing, help maintain soil health and prevent degradation. Efficient water management strategies, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, reduce water consumption and mitigate pollution from runoff. Biodiversity conservation can be supported through the preservation of natural habitats and the promotion of biodiverse farming systems, which enhance ecosystem resilience and stability. Effective policy frameworks and support mechanisms are crucial for driving the adoption of these strategies. Government policies, including environmental regulations and incentives, play a pivotal role in encouraging sustainable practices. Research and innovation are essential for developing new technologies and practices, while education and extension services ensure the dissemination of knowledge and best practices to farmers. Modern agricultural practices have significant environmental impacts, but through the adoption of sustainable practices and innovative strategies, it is possible to reduce carbon footprints and promote conservation. Continued research, supportive policies, and effective implementation of conservation strategies are essential for achieving a more sustainable agricultural future. Keywords: Environmental Impact, Agricultural Practices, Carbon Footprint.

1-Tetradecanol phase change material microcapsules coating on cotton fabric for enhanced thermoregulation

Rising climate change and extreme weather conditions underpin thermoregulation limitations of conventional textiles. This study investigates enhancing the thermal properties of cotton fabric by incorporating synthesized 1-tetradecanol (TD) phase change material (PCM) microcapsules. Characterization of the TD microcapsules was performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The microcapsules (average size of 0.49 μm) displayed a melting enthalpy (∆Hm) of 105 J·g−1 and a crystallization enthalpy (∆Hc) of 51 J·g−1. The microcapsules were mixed with the acrylic binder in three different ratios (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75). Hydrothermal, knife-over-roll, and pad-dry-cure methods were employed for coating microcapsules to cotton fabric. Microcapsule coating on cotton fabric using hydrothermal coating with a 75:25 microcapsule binder ratio achieved the highest add-on (55 %) and good durability after 25 home washes. The thermal insulation R-value of the coated fabric was enhanced (0.0029 m2 K·W−1) at 40 °C. The real-time test showed a temperature difference of 2.8 °C and thermal imaging displayed lower emissivity for TD-coated fabric. The TD microcapsule coating offers a promising method for developing climate-responsive textiles, enhancing thermal comfort, and reducing energy consumption in heating and cooling systems.

Governmental Capabilities and Responsiveness: Global Investigations into CO2 Emissions and Decarbonization. The Ultimate Super Wicked Problem!

ABSTRACT We consider how the governmental and political contexts of societies affect the delivery of decarbonization agendas. Data on government effectiveness and political stability (capability) and voice and accountability (responsiveness) are related to emission levels in high and middle/low-income countries. The analysis implied that greater government effectiveness initially decreased, but then increased emissions. Alternatively, improvements in political stability had no effect in high-income countries, but lowered emissions elsewhere. Increasing voice and accountability had no effect on the emissions of high-income countries, but raised then (at higher levels) lowered emissions in middle and low-income countries. Findings are used to develop a scholarly understanding of the effects on complex public policy outcomes.

Technology Progress in High-Frequency Electromagnetic In Situ Thermal Recovery of Heavy Oil and Its Prospects in Low-Carbon Situations

Heavy oil resources are abundant globally, holding immense development potential. However, conventional thermal recovery methods such as steam injection are plagued by high heat loss, substantial carbon emissions, and significant water consumption, making them incompatible with carbon reduction goals and the sustainable socioeconomic development demands. A new method of high-frequency electromagnetic in situ heating, which targets polar molecules, can convert electromagnetic energy into heat so as to achieve rapid volumetric heating of the reservoir. This method has the potential to overcome the drawbacks of traditional techniques. Nevertheless, it faces significant drawbacks such as limited heating range and inadequate energy supply during later production stages, which necessitates auxiliary enhancement measures. Various enhancement measures have been reported, including nitrogen injection, hydrocarbon solvent injection, or the use of nano-metal oxide injections. These methods are hindered by issues such as pure nitrogen being easy to breakthrough, high costs, and metal pollution. Through extensive literature review, this article charts the evolution of high-frequency electromagnetic in situ heating technology for heavy oil and the current understanding of the coupled heat and mass transfer mechanisms underlying this technology. Moreover, based on a profound analysis of the technology’s progression trends, this work introduces a new direction: CO2-N2 co-injection as an enhancement strategy for high-frequency electromagnetic in situ heavy oil recovery. There is promising potential for the development of new technologies in the future that combine high efficiency, low carbon emissions, environmental friendliness, economic viability, and energy conservation. Furthermore, some research prospects in low-carbon situations and challenges for the new technology in future are presented in detail. All in all, the contribution of the paper lies in the summarizing of some main drawbacks of current enhanced electromagnetic in situ thermal recovery methods, and presents a novel research direction of using CO2-N2 co-injection as an enhancement strategy based on its current research status in low-carbon situations.

Artificially regulated interphase on natural graphite realizes rapid charge and durable high-temperature cycling of Li-ion batteries

Natural graphite (NG) is a strong competitor in the anode market of Li-ion batteries because of its low cost, rich resource, low energy consumption and low carbon dioxide emission during production. The main problems inhibiting its universal application are its high surface area and the attendant unstable solid/electrolyte interphase (SEI), leading to unsatisfactory cycling and rate performance. In this work, a Li+-conductive, thermally and mechanically stable organic polymer layer is successfully constructed on NG surface by virtue of the simultaneous polymerization and crosslinking reactions of chitosan (CS) and acrylic acid (AA). With controllable thickness, the polymer layer denoted as CSAA significantly decreases the specific surface area of NG, works as an inner SEI substrate greatly mitigating the decomposition of electrolyte, and induces the formation of a LiF-rich SEI outer layer. The SEI resistance and activation energy for charge-transfer reactions are considerably reduced. Benefiting from the superior properties of CSAA-derived SEI, the NG@CSAA anodes exhibit a high initial coulombic efficiency of 94.1 %, fast charge/discharge capability and prolonged cycle life at both 25 °C and 45 °C in the LiFePO4 cathodes-based full cells.

Analysis of hybrid electric vehicle performance and emission applied to LPG fuel system

Global carbon neutrality policies have intensified regulations on automotive emissions. CO2 and particulate number (PN) are major pollutants, with CO2 contributing to global warming and particulates affecting human health. Despite the increase of electric vehicles, internal combustion engines remain prevalent owing to their mature technology, infrastructure and economic efficiency. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a promising alternative fuel with lower CO2 and PN emissions. LPG direct injection (LPDI) technology improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions compared to current LPG vehicles. However, vapor-lock issues at high temperatures must be addressed. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), combining internal combustion and electric motors, improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and serve as a transitional technology prior to electric vehicle (EV). In this study, a conventional 2-liter gasoline hybrid electric vehicle is converted to an LPDI-HEV using LPG. The experimental results showed that the engine output was within 5 % of an equivalent level. In real vehicle tests with the hybrid system applied, CO2 emissions were confirmed to be within a 3% difference, indicating an equivalent level, while PN emissions were significantly reduced. Although the LPDI HEV has lower fuel efficiency compared to the gasoline direct injection hybrid electric vehicle (GDI) HEV, it was found to be 12 % more economical when considering costs. This study also assesses the economic viability and environmental benefits of converting GDI HEV to LPDI HEV in urban taxi applications, providing policy insights for sustainable transportation.

An experimental investigation into the use of biomimetic methods for thermal regulation and heat retention with PCMs in buildings

To meet the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, integrating renewable energy into building energy supplies is a key solution, particularly through the application of solar energy. Due to the intermittent nature of solar energy, effective thermal regulation and heat transfer using thermal mass materials play critical roles in energy efficiency, safety, and performance in building applications. For solar electricity production in building integration, the high temperatures in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) need to be regulated to avoid the reduction of solar power conversion efficiency and to maximize the utilization of excess thermal energy. This requires effective energy charging and discharging to meet energy demands.A biomimetic method has been experimentally investigated to enhance the thermal regulation and the thermal energy retention capacity of hybrid PVT-PCM/EG systems for building thermal management. By mimicking natural systems, the PVT-PCM-EG system promotes sustainability and energy efficiency, contributing to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. Based on the testing condition of around 480 Wm-2 and 15 °C, it is recommended that the combined two transient temperature PCM/EG A28 and A36 for the PVT-PCM/EG system can achieve the best performance for both heat retention and PV temperature regulation.

Comprehensive Review of the Advancements, Benefits, Challenges, and Design Integration of Energy-Efficient Materials for Sustainable Buildings

Energy-efficient materials are essential in buildings to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance indoor comfort. These materials help address the increasing energy demand and environmental impact of traditional construction methods. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review that explores advanced materials and technologies for improving building energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. The study applies a comparative analysis of peer-reviewed research to examine key technologies analyzed include building-integrated photovoltaics, advanced insulating materials, reflective and thermal coatings, glazing systems, phase-change materials, and green roofs and walls. The study highlights the significant energy savings, thermal performance, and environmental benefits of these materials. By integrating these technologies, buildings can achieve enhanced energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprints, and improved indoor comfort. The findings underscore the potential of advanced building materials in fostering sustainable construction practices. The methodology of this review involves collecting, analyzing, summarizing, comparing and synthesizing existing research to draw conclusions on the performance and efficiency of these technologies.

Cost-effective operation strategies to secure drinking water accompanied by low emissions by water safety plans

ABSTRACT Inadequate energy management leads to more emission exposure, which causes climate change, severe environmental contamination, and human health risks. Therefore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) monitors universal efforts to prevent emissions and encourages governments to develop industries to transform the green economy. During the current study, the energy and cost variation was observed through three years (2020, 2021, and 2022) at a surface water plant in southern Egypt. Consistent with applying operation strategies that met convenient standard operating procedures (SOPs) during 2021 and 2022. Energy consumption was reduced by 13% to 17%, and the cost decreased by 5% to 12% for 2021 and 2022, respectively. These energy and financial savings should be considered as an influence of the water safety plans (WSPs). Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was utilised to identify the mechanism of energy consumption and its impact on the cost during the study period. The finding proves that the energy and cost rise is related to increased water demand during the summer months, periodic/emergency maintenance, and comprehensive cleaning activities. WSPs were applied to control biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and oil and grease (O & G) that show increasing values than Egyptian law.

Fast inverse design of microwave and infrared Bi-stealth metamaterials based on equivalent circuit model

This work proposed a fast inverse design method for microwave and infrared (IR) bi-stealth metamaterials based on the equivalent circuit model (ECM). Using this method, we designed a microwave and IR bi-stealth metamaterial by deploying a multilayered structure of the indium tin oxide (ITO) film based metasurface. First, the IR emissivity of the ITO film was calculated in the framework of the ECM. Then, an ITO metasurface was proposed to implement low IR emission and high microwave transmission simultaneously. Based on the ECM of the square patch, the ECM of the whole metamaterial was established at the microwave band. An inverse design program was built by incorporating the ECM with genetic algorithm (GA). Structure parameters of the metamaterial were optimized by GA to achieve the broadest microwave stealth bandwidth for the given thickness. Finally, the sample of the optimized bi-stealth metamaterial was prepared and tested. The calculated, simulated, and measured results are in good agreement, showing that such a metamaterial has an IR emissivity of 0.18 in the band from 3 to 14 μm and an efficient microwave stealth band from 4.8 to 17 GHz with a thickness of 4.9 mm. The proposed method will benefit the design and application of microwave and IR bi-stealth metamaterials.

Projections of Extreme Temperature–Related Deaths in the US

ImportanceExtreme heat in the US is increasing due to climate change, while extreme cold is projected to decline. Understanding how extreme temperature along with demographic changes will affect population health is important for devising policies to mitigate the health outcome of climate change.ObjectiveTo assess the burden of extreme temperature–related deaths in the contiguous US currently (2008-2019) and estimate the burden in the mid–21st century (2036-2065).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used historical (1979-2000) daily mean temperatures to calculate monthly extreme heat (>97.5th percentile value) and extreme cold days (<2.5th percentile value) for all contiguous US counties for 2008 to 2019 (current period). Temperature projections from 20 climate models and county population projections were used to estimate extreme temperature–related deaths for 2036 to 2065 (mid–21st century period). Data were analyzed from November 2023 to July 2024.ExposureCurrent monthly frequency of extreme heat days and projected mid–21st century frequency using 2 greenhouse gas emissions scenarios: Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP)2-4.5, representing socioeconomic development with a lower emissions increase, and SSP5-8.5, representing higher emissions increase.Main Outcomes and MeasuresMean annual estimated number of extreme temperature–related excess deaths. Poisson regression model with county, month, and year fixed effects was used to estimate the association between extreme temperature and monthly all-cause mortality for older adults (aged ≥65 years) and younger adults (aged 18-64 years).ResultsAcross the contiguous US, extreme temperature days were associated with 8248.6 (95% CI, 4242.6-12 254.6) deaths annually in the current period and with 19 348.7 (95% CI, 11 388.7-27 308.6) projected deaths in the SSP2-4.5 scenario and 26 574.0 (95% CI, 15 408.0-37 740.1) in the SSP5-8.5 scenario. The mortality data included 30 924 133 decedents, of whom 15 573 699 were males (50.4%), with 6.3% of Hispanic ethnicity, 11.5% of non-Hispanic Black race, and 79.3% of non-Hispanic White race. Non-Hispanic Black adults (278.2%; 95% CI, 158.9%-397.5%) and Hispanic adults (537.5%; 95% CI, 261.6%-813.4%) were projected to have greater increases in extreme temperature–related deaths from the current period to the mid–21st century period compared with non-Hispanic White adults (70.8%; 95% CI, −5.8% to 147.3%).Conclusions and RelevanceThis cross-sectional study found that extreme temperature–related deaths in the contiguous US were projected to increase substantially by mid–21st century, with certain populations, such as non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults, projected to disproportionately experience this increase. The results point to the need to mitigate the adverse outcome of extreme temperatures for population health.

How do you choose your meal when you dine out? A mixed methods study in consumer food-choice strategies in the restaurant context

Choosing meals in restaurants is a significant part of life. On average, people purchase seven meals per week from one of the over 17.5 million food outlets worldwide. The way people choose restaurant meals is different from how they choose foods they consume at home. Understanding people's decision-making strategies when choosing restaurant meals is critical for designing behaviour change interventions that prompt specific food choices (e.g., health, low emissions). Our study aims to identify meal choice strategies across various food outlets (Study 1) and determine their frequency of use (Study 2). In Study 1, we take a constructionist perspective and derive insights from 21 semi-structured interviews on strategies people use as they select meals in different food outlets. We identify 16 distinct strategies, with many people using multiple strategies within and across different restaurant types (i.e., general restaurants, fast-food, pubs, and upscale restaurants). In Study 2, we quantify which of those 16 strategies are most frequently used. The most used strategies were searching the menu for (1) the most enjoyable meals, (2) the most budget-friendly meals, or (3) familiar meals (i.e., habitual choices); and choosing from those. Few people searched the menu for the most environmentally friendly meals and chose from those. These results could explain the limited effectiveness of carbon labelling at restaurants. Our study calls for future interventions on prompting environmental or healthy food choices to move away from health and environmental labelling and to focus on enjoyment, price, or habit because these are important for people when choosing a meal. We also created a practical measure of the 16 food-choice strategies, available for researchers to use.

Life Cycle Assessment of Additively Manufactured Foundations for Ultratall Wind Turbine Towers

ABSTRACTWind energy production is rapidly growing in the United States and is expected to continue increasing as more and larger wind turbines are installed. To support these taller and heavier onshore turbines, new foundations must be designed and manufactured. One proposed method of reducing the total amount of concrete and steel in spread foundations is to utilize additive manufacturing to enable more material‐efficient designs. To compare these additively manufacturing‐enabled designs to conventional foundation designs, this study performs a life cycle impact assessment of four ultra‐tall wind turbine foundations: two foundations using 78‐MPa 3D printed stay‐in‐place concrete formwork cast with 35‐MPa ready‐mix concrete with reinforcements, and two conventional foundations cast entirely out of 35‐MPa concrete with reinforcements. The life cycle assessment investigates the environmental impacts of four different stages, including materials production, transportation, construction, and end‐of‐life. The materials production stage is found to dominate the life cycle results, contributing over 97% of the total CO2 emissions and over 88% of the fossil fuel depletion for each foundation. Compared to the conventional designs, the Short Flat Ribbed Beam foundation with 3D printed formwork has 22.4% lower CO2 emissions and 28.3% lower fossil fuel depletion than the Circular foundation, and 2.0% higher CO2 and 5.9% lower fossil fuel depletion compared to the Tapered foundation. Parametric studies indicate that reducing cement content and increasing recycled content in printed concrete can significantly reduce the overall life cycle impacts of the foundations.

Experimental study on the effects of co-firing mode and air staging on the ultra-low load combustion assisted by water electrolysis gas (HHO) in a pulverized coal furnace

Developing zero-carbon fuel (H2/NH3) co-firing technology with pulverized coal can improve the low-load flame instability and pollutant emissions of boilers during peak shaving. In this study, we propose to assist the low-load combustion of coal powder furnaces with the safer water electrolysis gas (HHO). To further optimize the combustion strategy, a one-dimensional furnace combustion system coupled with an HHO gas generation and transportation system was used to investigate the effects of injection methods and air staging on the flue gas emission and auxiliary combustion characteristics of the lignite load reduction process and ultra-low load. The results indicate that reducing the coal combustion load achieves carbon reduction and reduces actual CO2 emissions. The excess air coefficient increases, resulting in higher NOX and lower CO emissions. Air staging can control NOX and CO emissions during load shedding, with a 40.49 % reduction in NOX at 30 % load. Under ultra-low load, HHO-assisted combustion increases the oxygen concentration in the furnace, increasing NOX emissions, while SO2 decreases and then increases. However, the effect of HHO gas premixed mode (PM) on NOX generation is weaker than that of staged mode (SM). As the flow rate of HHO increases, HHO-SM promotes the conversion of CO to CO2 and reduces CO emissions, while CO emissions under PM remain at ∼10 ppm. Both HHO injection methods exhibit assisted combustion effects for ultra-low load operation. Due to the different effects of the two on the recirculation zone inside the combustion, the auxiliary combustion effect of PM is superior than that of SM. At 1800L/h HHO, the decrease in combustion instability coefficient (βT) of PM is 57.14 %, higher than that of SM. Air staging is beneficial for stable combustion under ultra-low load, but it can affect the auxiliary combustion of HHO gas. Under ultra-low load HHO co-firing conditions, 11%-OFA can also control NOX and CO emissions.

Innovative silica aerogel fiberglass walls and roofs: A path to lower carbon emissions and higher energy savings

ABSTRACT Buildings account for a significant portion of global energy use and consumption. Buildings have substantial energy consumption due to the use of heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. It is evident that the insulation materials used in the design of building envelopes can efficiently reduce the cost of air conditioning by reducing external heat gains and losses. Additionally, the use of environmentally friendly and cost-effective can be beneficial from an environmental standpoint. This paper aims to evaluate the potential for cost savings in the air conditioning of buildings incorporated with silica aerogel fiberglass insulation in hollow concrete bricks (wall) and hollow roof tile (roof). Silica aerogel fiberglass insulation is extensively used for heat insulation purposes, including building insulations, due to its superior thermal insulation and flame retardant properties. The thermo-physical properties of silica fiberglass insulation and building materials were determined experimentally as per ASTM D 5334 standards. Twenty distinct building design concepts are investigated in this study, each featuring insulation-integrated concrete blocks composed of silica aerogel fiberglass: (WEM1) insulation layer in the outer side, (WEM2) insulation layer in the center, (WEM3) insulation layer in the inner side, (WEM4) insulation layers in the outer-middle, (WEM5) insulation layers in the middle-inner, and (WEM6) insulation layers in the outer-inner sides. Additionally, two arrangements of insulation-stuffed roof tiles, REM1 above the RCC and REM2 below the RCC. In addition, novel building designs integrated with insulation were analyzed numerically, related to environmental conditions that refer to two different scenarios in India (hot dry and composite climates). Thermo-economic analysis of novel wall and roof designs with silica fiberglass insulation materials on air-conditioning costs, carbon dioxide emissions, and payback time are compared with conventional roof and wall patterns. The thermo-economic analysis was carried out based on the number of degree-hours of heating and cooling to determine the building’s annual energy usage. The building model arrangement (WEM6-REM1), which consists of an insulation composite wall (WEM6) and insulation roof tile (REM1), demonstrated the greatest annual air conditioning cost savings of 3.4 $/m2/year and 1.74 $/m2/year when compared to conventional building design for climatic conditions of Kurnool and Gauhati. The building model arrangement (WEM6-REM1) composed of silica fiberglass aerogel insulation exhibits the highest reduction in carbon emissions of 65 kg/kWh and 33 kg/kWh, when compared to conventional building design analyzed in both hot-arid; (Kurnool) and composite (Gauhati) climatic conditions. The placement of insulation in the roof alone (REM1) has the shortest payback duration of 2.15 years. The results of this study point to a viable approach to enhancing building design decision-making and narrowing the performance gap in sustainable and energy-efficient strategies.

Impact of Environmental Degradation on Economic Growth: Testing the Environmental

Looking at the contribution of economic activity in the country, it is seen to add robustness to growth and development, but in contrast give birth to greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as CO2 CO2 which is also called carbon dioxid, CH4 which is also called methane, and N2O represent nitrous oxide. The factors influencing Greenhouse gas emissions include rising of population, upward movement of per capita output and consumption, infrastructural development made about infrastructures, human character, and innovation. However, if mitigation efforts are not enough, climate change would most likely lead to a slowdown the upward movement. Thus, the study examined the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and examined the impact of environmental degradation on economic growth in Nigeria from 1990 to 2022 using that lens. Based on the estimated ARDL regression result, environmental degradation as determined by carbon dioxide emissions (kt) and economic growth are negatively correlated. The negative indication indicated that economic growth will decline by roughly -0.455% and -0.893% over the medium and long terms, respectively, as carbon emissions rise. The findings indicated that there is validity to Nigeria’s Environmental Kuznets Curve, which demonstrates how environmental deterioration impedes economic progress. Similarly, a positive indication indicating a one-period lag in carbon emissions showed that, in the short term, economic growth increases by around 0.948% in tandem with rising carbon emissions. Thus, the paper illustrated an inverse U-shaped interaction between environmental degradation and economic growth, with healthy economy initially related with increased emissions. However, the majority of the control variable estimates deviate from theoretical expectations. On the other hand, a positive and statistically significant one-period lagged coefficient of trade openness suggests that trade openness looks to support and encourage economic growth in the short run. Similarly, during the period under consideration in Nigeria, the short-run economic growth is positively and strongly correlated with the one-period lagged coefficient of gross fixed capital formation. The report suggested boosting energy efficiency in the world’s energy mix in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main contributors to climate change. Therefore, in order to prevent the development of closed-form relationships that could result in a slowdown in economic growth, Nigerian government agencies that are responsible for implementing national and international environmental rules should proceed with caution.