Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Articles

A Review on Electrohydrodynamic Drying- A Novel Non-Thermal Drying Technique

The recent COVID pandemic has contributed to the shift in consumer preferences towards high-quality products, while industries seek low-energy technologies with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. To address these demands, this review explores electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying, a non-thermal drying process that uses significantly less energy than traditional methods. In EHD drying, a high-voltage supply between two electrodes creates a corona wind that rapidly dries food products placed on a grounded electrode. The energy used during drying is much less than the latent heat of vaporization, indicating water removal by the process of corona discharge and not by evaporation. This technology offers several advantages, including reduced drying times, increased heat and mass transfer rates, and improved product quality. This paper provides a comprehensive review of EHD drying, examining the effects of various factors like voltage supply, types of electrodes, material of construction of electrodes, distance between the electrodes, number of needles and its sharpness, wire type electrodes, shape of electrodes etc. on drying rates, rehydration ratio, and product quality. The review suggests that EHD drying is an ideal solution for heat-sensitive products, involving a multidisciplinary approach to food processing.

Optimizing water‐nitrogen regulation for enhanced carbon absorption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in greenhouse tomato cultivation

AbstractTo study the impact of different water‐nitrogen regulation modes on the carbon cycle of greenhouse tomatoes and determine optimal irrigation and nitrogen application levels to enhance carbon absorption and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This study employed three irrigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60% of ET0) and three nitrogen application levels (240, 192, and 144 kg·ha−1), along with a control group (W1N1, i.e., 100% ET0‐240 kg·ha−1). Gas‐chromatography methods were used to monitor CH4 and soil CO2 emissions, while assessing dry matter, carbon content, and carbon fixation capacity of tomato organs throughout the growth period. Additionally, a system for evaluating the net ecosystem carbon budget of facility tomatoes was developed based on net primary productivity. Results indicated reduced CH4 and soil CO2 emissions with decreased irrigation and nitrogen application. Dry matter, carbon content, and carbon fixation of tomato organs initially increased with reduced nitrogen and irrigation but then declined. The W2N2 (80% ET0‐192 kg·ha−1) treatment showed maximal values for dry matter, carbon content, carbon fixation, net primary productivity (NPP), and gross primary productivity (GPP). Findings suggest a positive net ecosystem carbon budget under reduced water and nitrogen conditions, indicating carbon absorption. Specifically, the W2N2 treatment outperformed others in net carbon absorption, highlighting its potential as an effective mode for enhancing carbon sequestration in the region.

Carbon Tax Refund System for Recycling in Reverse Supply Chain Network to Minimize GHG Emissions and Costs

Material recycling is vital for achieving carbon neutrality because using recycled materials helps avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from using virgin material. Carbon tax has been introduced in many countries to reduce GHG emissions. As recycling can prevent additional GHG emissions, the carbon tax should be refunded based on the GHG volume saved by recycling. The incentive of carbon tax refund can help promote recycling as an environment-friendly and economical activity. To retrieve material values from end-of-life (EOL) products, a reverse supply chain network should be designed based on the status and value of EOL products. This study introduces carbon tax refund into the reverse supply chain network for maximizing saved GHG emissions and minimizing cost. The bi-objective model is formulated using ϵ constraint method and integer programming. Numerical experiments were conducted based on the recycling of a vacuum cleaner and a laptop. The monetary rate at which the carbon tax refund became economically attractive differed according to product type. Thus, variable carbon tax refund rates would be needed, based on product type, to incentivize recycling.

The Role of Light in Enhancing the Nutritional and Antioxidant Qualities of Basil, Mint and Lemon Balm.

Mint (Mentha L.), basil, (Ocimum basilicum) and Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.) are herbaceous plants from the Lamiaceae family. They have a wide range of health benefits and flavour properties which are highly valued around the world. Alternative methods of growing plants to minimise greenhouse gas emissions during autumn and winter are being sought in the face of increasing climate change. One way to achieve this is to switch from HPS to LED lighting. LED lighting has a longer lifespan and higher efficiency while using less energy and better matching the colour of the light to the needs of the herbs. This study tested the hypothesis that the type of illumination (solar, HPS, and LED) significantly impacts the antioxidant and nutritional qualities of herbs. The results indicated that LED lighting enhanced biochemical properties, supporting its adoption for sustainable plant cultivation.

APPROXIMATE CALCULATION OF N2O FORMATION IN HETEROTROPHIC DENITRIFICATION PROCESSES OF WASTEWATER DURING BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

This article addresses the important ecological issue of quantitatively determining greenhouse gas emissions – nitrous oxide – from municipal wastewater treatment facilities, which is a factor in global climate change. Data from scientific research indicate that deep biological treatment of nitrogen compounds at wastewater treatment facilities significantly contributes to the gross emissions of nitrous oxide from industrial facilities. Direct measurements of nitrous oxide emissions from biological treatment facilities in Ukraine have not been conducted. The aim of this study is to assess the potential emissions of the greenhouse gas N2O during the biological treatment of municipal wastewater in aeration tanks operating under the traditional, non-zoned scheme in Ukraine, which ensures deep nitrification. The study was conducted at municipal wastewater treatment facilities equipped with 3-channel aeration tanks. The process of wastewater treatment in aeration tanks operating under the traditional non-zoned scheme is fully aerobic and characterized by deep nitrification. Measurements of hydrochemical indicators of wastewater composition (BOD5, N–NH4, N–NO2, and N–NO3, Kjeldahl nitrogen) were carried out using certified methods in an accredited laboratory. It was found that biological treatment of municipal wastewater exclusively under aerobic conditions does not effectively remove nitrates from the wastewater. The nitrogen balance in incoming and treated wastewater was calculated, and the formation of N2O in the processes of suppressed denitrification was quantitatively determined. The consumption of nitrogen for the formation of excess activated sludge biomass, the efficiency of nitrification to nitrates, and the probable formation of N2O as a result of inhibition of the final heterotrophic denitrification reaction (reduction of N2O to N2) were calculated. The results showed that the maximum value of the N2O emission coefficient (the ratio of formed N2O to the concentration of total nitrogen entering the treatment process) at the studied facility could range from 3.24 % to 6.47 %, which is consistent with direct measurement data conducted at operating treatment facilities by foreign scientists. The study results confirm that modern technologies for deep biological wastewater treatment should consider not only effective removal of biogenic elements but also the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions.

Conceptual analysis of cathode exhaust gas recirculation to reduce idling power and enable faster freeze starts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are increasingly recognized as a viable clean energy option in mobility, due to their high efficiency and minimal greenhouse gas emissions. A significant challenge in enhancing PEM fuel cell systems lies in improving the efficiency of the air processing subsystem (APS). Despite recent progress, further optimization is imperative, particularly in addressing costs, service life, efficiency, and dynamic behaviour. This study presents an innovative approach to cathode exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) in the fuel cell's air supply system, enhancing both lifetime and efficiency by optimizing idling and freeze-start behaviours, thus enhancing the operational range. The system recirculates oxygen-depleted humid exhaust gas to the fuel cell stack, facilitated by components including a control valve, water separator, collection tank, and diaphragm pump. Simulation models provide detailed correlations between the gas composition of recirculated exhaust gas, oxygen stoichiometry, and cell voltage. Based on these insights, a control system for freeze starts and idling is developed. Simulation findings highlight the potential of the exhaust gas recirculation system to save up to 83 % hydrogen and extend service life during idle power through targeted cell voltage reduction. Furthermore, additional heat generation enables freeze starts up to 4.6 times faster at temperatures below −30 °C.

Potential of conservation agriculture practice in climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ethiopia: a review

Land degradation is a major problem in Ethiopia, as it contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases (GHG) and slowing carbon sequestration rates. The objective of this review was to assess the role of conservation agriculture (CA) in climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ethiopia. The critical review method processes for identifying and synthesizing peer-reviewed research and review articles, reports, proceedings, and book chapters were followed, with materials obtained from relevant search engines. The findings of the various reports revealed that minimum tillage assists in soil moisture conservation when compared to conventional tillage. Conservation tillage maintains crop residue, reduces soil temperature significantly, and increases nutrient buildup in the surface soil layer, all of which lead to higher crop growth and production thus help as adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, agriculture and other land uses significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions; nevertheless, conservation agricultural methods improve soil organic carbon (SOC), soil aggregation, and carbon in aggregate, as well as soil health that contribute to climate changing mitigation. Several studies found that soil health indicators such as soil aggregation, soil organic carbon storage, soil enzymes, and microbial biomass improved under conservation tillage practices, potentially improving the carbon-nitrogen cycle, soil stability, and overall crop productivity. In terms of climate adaptation and mitigation, CA is one of the non-substitutable choices for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Crop diversity, increased nitrogen consumption efficiency, crop rotation, improved soil carbon sequestration methods; crop residue retention, minimum soil disturbance, manure incorporation, and integrated farming systems are all important factors in minimizing GHG emissions. Moreover, factors impeding CA adoption include a lack of appropriate equipment and machinery, weed control methods, the use of crop residue for fuel wood and animal feed, a lack of awareness about the benefits of CA on soil health and sustainability, and a lack of government technical and financial support for smallholder farmers. Adoption and scaling up of CA practices are critical for ensuring a sustainable development goal and resilient future. Thus, relevant stakeholders should consider the aforementioned considerations while promoting the technology on a large scale through integration with enhanced technology.

Importance of Nuclear Energy to Accomplish Net Zero Carbon

The world is entangled with the urgent need for existing energy modes transition to clean energy for mitigating global warming and climate change. It ultimately demands to set stringent goals for achieving net zero carbon for each country. In this direction different approaches are being stipulated and one of the important options emerges as nuclear power, a compelling option for sustainable development. Unlike renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and nuclear energy which provides a continuous and reliable supply of electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand nuclear power plants operate with high capacity factor compared to variable renewable sources that depend on weather conditions and its reliability makes nuclear energy a strong candidate for baseload power. Moreover, nuclear energy's low carbon footprint and high energy density output makes it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Although, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges associated with nuclear energy, including the safe management of nuclear waste, the risk of nuclear accidents, and the high upfront costs of building nuclear power plants. Hence, a balanced perspective on the future of nuclear energy and its potential to contribute to a sustainable future is to be adopted carefully. However, a periodic advancements in technology and stringent safety measures, modern Nuclear reactors are designed to minimize environmental impact and enhance safety.

Enhancing hosting capacity for electric vehicles in modern power networks using improved hybrid optimization approaches with environmental sustainability considerations

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents both opportunities and challenges for power networks. While EVs have the potential to reduce carbon emissions, accommodating their growing power demand requires careful planning to prevent overloading and mitigate environmental impacts. This paper introduces an integrated hosting capacity model to facilitate higher EV penetration while maintaining environmental standards. In addition to EV charging stations, the model incorporates transmission lines, reactive power compensators, energy storage systems, and thyristor-controlled series compensators to ensure a reliable power supply. The model aims to maximize EV charging station deployment, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and optimize net present value through hosting capacity strategies. Three hosting capacity plans are proposed to analyze the impact of prioritizing one of these objectives over the others in network configurations. Accurate EV demand forecasting is critical for this model, and a swarm intelligence forecasting algorithm is proposed to explore various forecasting approaches. The model is complex and involves nonlinear multi-objective optimization. To solve it, a new hybrid optimization algorithm is introduced, combining the features of the Marine Predators Algorithm and the Honey Badger Algorithm. Three hybridization schemes—Series Hybrid Scheme, Population Division Scheme, and Switching Strategy Scheme—are developed to address the optimization challenges effectively. The results show that the first and second hybridization schemes are the most effective for solving the EV load forecasting models, with a robustness of at least 90%. In contrast, the robustness of the third scheme reaches only 30% in some models. Simulation studies on the IEEE 9-bus network and the IEEE 30-bus system validate the model’s effectiveness in integrating EVs while achieving environmental sustainability objectives. The findings show the superiority of the proposed hybrid schemes in solving the hosting capacity model in terms of finding optimal solutions. However, the third scheme required less computing time than the others, with its convergence time being at least 33.3% shorter.

Synergistic Control of Active Filter and Grid Forming Inverter for Power Quality Improvement

This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating grid-forming inverters (GFMs) into modern power systems, particularly in the presence of nonlinear loads. Nonlinear loads introduce significant harmonic distortions in the source voltage and current, leading to reduced power factor, increased losses, and an overall reduction in system performance. To mitigate these adverse effects, active filters are employed. The objective of this study is to investigate a synergistic approach to modeling and control in integrated power systems with GFMs, focusing on enhancing power quality and grid stability by reducing harmonic distortions through the use of voltage-source active filters. This research contributes to sustainability by supporting the reliable and efficient integration of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing dependency on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, improving power quality and system efficiency helps reduce energy waste, which is crucial for achieving sustainable energy goals. Simulations are conducted on a 1000 kW GFM connected to a grid with a nonlinear variable load, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in adapting to dynamic conditions, reducing harmonics, and promoting a stable, resilient, and sustainable power grid.

Framework for strategic deployment of hybrid offshore solar and wind power plants: A case study of India

Renewable energy sources are gaining prominence as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels due to their availability and minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, the critical challenge is the availability of renewable resources, which fluctuates with changes in climatic conditions. This limitation poses a consistent challenge to generating base load power if it relies solely on a single type of renewable resource. Addressing this, integrating multiple renewable sources into hybrid systems has emerged as a viable solution. This study presents a framework, integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques to identify plausible locations for the deployment of Hybrid Offshore Solar and Wind Power Plants (HOSWPP) and the developed framework is demonstrated considering Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as a study area. Using the proposed approach, Indian EEZ region is classified into five suitability classes. The effectiveness of regions within each class is further assessed in terms of complementarity measured using Kendall's coefficient. Findings suggested that Kendall's coefficient for highly suitable class is −0.41 indicating the regions identified in this study are the prime locations for installing HOSWPP. A total of twenty optimal sites for HOSWPP deployment, predominantly in the offshore regions of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Eighteen sites are located along Kanyakumari to Thisayanvilai in Tamil Nadu, including areas in the Gulf of Mannar and near Valinokkam are found plausible. The rest of the two sites are in the offshore regions of Gujarat. This study provides a strategic roadmap to increase the renewable footprint, contributing to the global transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Multi-objective model for designing hydrogen refueling station powered using on-grid photovoltaic-wind system

This study formulated a multi-objective model to size a sustainable hydrogen refueling station energized by integrated Photovoltaic-wind system connected to grid. The model takes into account practical constraints alongside three objective functions: maximization of renewable energy fraction, minimization of overall costs, and minimization of greenhouse gas emissions. An exact algorithm is employed to obtain the best solution, and a multi-criteria decision-making approach is utilized to choose the optimal solution from Pareto-optimal solutions. The performance of the model is validated on a hydrogen station that fulfills the daily hydrogen requirements for a fleet of 100 taxis in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia. Different scenarios are analyzed to demonstrate the trade-offs between the three objectives. For example, the first configuration consists of 6527 photovoltaic panels and 296 wind turbines with capacities of 2.219 MW and 0.888 MW, respectively. The energy deficit is covered by the grid and the excess is exported to the grid. The economic assessment of this configuration reveals a hydrogen cost of 7.53 $/kg. Additionally, this study considered a scenario of powering the station using off-grid Photovoltaic-wind battery system. This analysis explores these differences, focusing on cost-effectiveness and environmental implications of using renewable energy for hydrogen production.

Synergizing autothermal reforming hydrogen production and carbon dioxide electrolysis: Enhancing the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems

With the global energy paradigm shifting towards renewable and sustainable systems, hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a promising energy carrier. In this transition, blue hydrogen is often considered a bridge solution to green hydrogen due to its economic vulnerability to carbon costs and environmental regulations related to life-cycle emissions. To expand the role of blue hydrogen, it is essential to enhance hydrogen yield, reduce production costs, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions during the production phase. This study proposes an integrated process for blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis to enhance the competitiveness of blue hydrogen in sustainable energy systems. The focus of this study was to integrate autothermal reforming hydrogen production with solid oxide CO2 electrolysis and to determine the optimal configuration and operating conditions of the integrated process. The proposed process demonstrated superior performance in terms of energy efficiency, production cost, and environmental impact compared with conventional blue hydrogen production. Furthermore, considering the intermittency of renewable electricity and the uncertainties in CO2 electrolysis technology, the industrial feasibility of the proposed process was validated. The integration of autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production and CO2 electrolysis has four clear advantages: (i) the costly air separation and carbon capture units, which pose significant financial burdens in autothermal reforming blue hydrogen production, can be eliminated; (ii) the downstream separation, which is indispensable in a standalone CO2 electrolysis system, can be removed; (iii) utilization pathways for captured CO2 from blue hydrogen production have been proposed; and (iv) guidelines have been provided for the industrial utilization of CO2 electrolysis.

Modeling of calculations on the performance optimization of a double-flash geothermal renewable energy-based combined heat/power plant coupled by transcritical carbon dioxide rankine cycle

This study investigates the integration of a double-flash geothermal system with a transcritical CO2 Rankine cycle, presenting a groundbreaking approach for enhancing efficient and sustainable energy generation. By harnessing renewable geothermal resources, this combined heat and power system aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future. The research emphasizes multi-objective optimization to maximize net power output, net heating capacity, and overall system efficiency. The expanded stream pressures from the expansion valves, denoted as P2 and P6, are systematically varied to evaluate their impact on system performance. Significant findings reveal that as P6 increases from 260 kPa to 640 kPa, net power output rises dramatically from 2688 kW to 3163 kW. The optimal conditions for peak performance are identified at P2 of 820 kPa and P6 of 640 kPa, resulting in impressive outcomes: a net power output of 3392 kW, a net heating capacity of 14,586 kW, and an overall efficiency of 52.65 %. By delineating these relationships and establishing benchmarks for performance, this research offers valuable insights for the scientific community, policymakers, and industry stakeholders aiming to advance geothermal energy technologies.

Applying the internet of things (IoT) for raising black soldier Fly (BSF) in closed system to minimize greenhouse gas emissions

The Black Soldier Fly (BSF), scientifically known as Hermetia Illucens L., effectively reduces organic waste and decreases harmful gas emissions more efficiently than landfill or composting methods. However, it can still produce harmful gases during the rearing of BSF larvae, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3), which contribute directly and indirectly to the greenhouse effect. The pH level of the food provided to the larvae affects their biomass and leads to varying levels of gas emissions. This study aims to investigate the impact of greenhouse gas emissions when different pH levels of food are used, utilizing IoT technology to measure greenhouse gases and control the environmental conditions for rearing BSF larvae. The greenhouse gases monitored in this study include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), with environmental factors such as air temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity being controlled. The experiment tested pH levels ranging from 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 to 10.0. The results show that different pH levels in food affect the emission of CO2 and CH4. Initially, a large amount of CO2 is released, gradually decreasing over time, while CH4 emissions steadily increase. In the early days, CH4 emissions are unstable, fluctuating before stabilizing. Food with a pH of 2.0 results in the lowest average CO2 emissions (430.53 PPM) from BSF larvae, and the lowest CH4 emissions (16.11 PPM) are also observed with a pH of 2.0.

Development of Eco-Friendly Refrigerants for Industrial Refrigeration to Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Harm

Development of Eco-Friendly Refrigerants for Industrial Refrigeration to Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Harm

Sustainable Energy Production From Biomass: A Case Study On Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus Gasification

The global transition to renewable energy sources is a crucial response to the urgent need to reduce global warming and its negative environment consequences. One feasible approach within this paradigm is to generate steam from syngas produced by biomass gasification. Background: Gasification is a thermochemical process that transforms organic materials into combustible gas mixtures, provides a sustainable and renewable way to generate energy, chemicals and fuels. This technology helps to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Materials and methods: In this experiment, Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus sawdust is used to generate pellets which will subsequently be processed into syngas using downdraft gasifier. The experiment investigates the effect of increasing air velocities specifically 10, 15, 20 and 25 M/sec as a gasifying agent to the gasification process. Results: The air velocity is measured at 10, 15, 20 and 25 m/s resulting in the time taken of 2280, 1860, 1560 and 1380 with efficiency increases of 41.11, 47.73, 49.62 and 54.67, respectively. This implies that optimizing air velocity is crucial for improving the overall performance of biomass gasification. The proximate and ultimate results of pellet are some better compared to the raw eucalyptus by researcher Filomena Pinto [16]. The efficiency is slightly high compared with the researcher R. Ravi Kumar [25]. The generated syngas may eventually replace the fossil fuel LPG for domestic purposes. Conclusion: The time taken for the gasification decreases with the increase of air velocity up to 25m/s. As the result the efficiency increases.

Assessing Vehicular Emission Reduction Potential for Home-based Work-trips for Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Kathmandu valley is known to be the prime center economic activities and employment opportunities and it has become a major concern to manage work trips to cut down emissions from the urban transport sector. This paper analyses home-based work trips and estimates total emission, resulting from it. The trip data was collected through a household survey, conducted in different parts of the study area, using stratified random sampling, to study how people travel from their homes to work places. The total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) is estimated to be around 186000 ton from work-related trips. The excessive use of private vehicles, which accounts for more than 60% of total trips, significantly contributes to these emissions. Furthermore, the study disaggregates the study area into two parts. The first part, is the area inside ring road, that covers the central part of the valley and second part includes the settlements on the outskirts, outside ring road. The estimates reveal that trips originating from outside the ring road emit GHGs nearly three times more than those within the ring road, primarily due to increased travel distance for peripheral settlements. Consequently, the paper explores possible methods to minimize GHG emissions from work trips, including conventional approaches and the emerging trend of working from home, along with the associated challenges.

Optimizing aeration rates via bio-methane potential test for enhanced biodrying efficiency of refuse-derived fuel-3

Aeration forms a critical part of the biodrying of refuse-derived fuel-3 (RDF-3) and significantly affects the fuel’s energy potential. Understanding the organic content (OC) of RDF-3 is crucial for determining the optimal aeration strategy. In this study, we conducted a bio-methane potential (BMP) test to estimate the OC by observing the conversion of organic matter into methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). The observation of BMP was conducted using anaerobic digestion approach where substrate and inoculum are important parameters considered for the success of this test. Various ratios substrate-to-inoculum (S/I) were explored to assess their impact on biogas production, our research involved testing four S/I ratios (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) focusing on identifying the optimal aeration strategy. Based on stoichiometric calculations, the sample’s biogas yield per gram volatile solid indicates RDF-3’s OC is 1.5%. This OC value played a role in establishing the appropriate aeration rate (AR) for the biodrying process, which was determined to be 0.6 m³/kg.day, indicating the action of effective microbial degradation processes. Ensuring the correct AR is vital for maximizing the energy potential of RDF-3. Implementing optimized aeration rates based on the BMP test in waste management practices can significantly improve RDF-3 biodrying efficiency. This approach enhances RDF quality, reduces moisture, increases calorific value, and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, leading to more sustainable and efficient waste-to-energy conversion.

Scaling up hybrid insulation: Integration of lignocellulose and phase change materials for sustainable thermal management

This research addresses the need for eco-friendly, thermally protective packaging materials. A scalable process was developed that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and produces hybrid materials with improved thermal insulation, energy storage, mechanical resilience, and water resistance. By using lignocellulose as a porous carrier and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a phase change material (PCM), convective drying proved more effective for large-scale production than freeze-drying. The resulting materials are flexible, lightweight (0.03–0.04 g/cm³), and hydrophobic. They exhibit suitable thermal properties with latent heat capacities within 110–123 J/g and thermal conductivities within 0.037–0.042 W/mK. These hybrids are leak-free during phase transitions with tunable melting points, confirming their practicality. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) shows that this method uses less energy and produces fewer carbon emissions than freeze-drying. Thus, convective drying is a promising scaling-up method for producing effective, eco-friendly temperature-responsive insulation materials for various applications requiring temperature control.