Conversion Of Resources Research Articles

Structure-tunable pompon-like RuCo catalysts: Insight into the roles of atomically dispersed Ru-Co sites and crystallographic structures for guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation

Currently, the highly efficient conversion of biomass resources into highly valuable chemicals and biofuels is one of the most prospective approaches to reduce greenhouse gases emission and environmental pollution caused by excess consumption of fossil fuels. Herein, three-dimensional pompon-like well-defined RuCo particles with tunable crystallographic structures and surface atomically dispersed Ru atoms were constructed and intensively investigated as support-free metal catalysts in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of lignin-derived guaiacol. It was demonstrated that the 300 °C-reduced RuCo sample possessed the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystallographic structure with surface abundant atomically dispersed Ru atoms, whereas 600 °C-reduced RuCo sample presented the face-centered cubic phase with lower surface Ru concentration. The as-fabricated RuCo-300 sample showed excellent catalytic HDO activity with a high cyclohexane yield of 85.3%. Comprehensive structural characterizations unveiled that the introduction of atomically dispersed Ru atoms into the RuCo-300 favored the formation of abundant surface Ru-Co sites, as well as electron-rich Ru0, and such-constructed Ru-Co sites were highly beneficial to the hydrogen dissociation on single Ru0 atoms and the further hydrogen spillover to adjacent Co0 atoms to promote the HDO process. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the hcp structure of RuCo catalysts benefited the adsorption of guaiacol. The unique pompon-like microstructure of RuCo catalysts was conducive to the exposure of active sites and provided more open channels for the easy diffusion of reactants and products. Over the RuCo-300 catalyst, the guaiacol HDO could proceed rapidly via an initial demethoxylation reaction. The present Ru-Co synergetic catalysis in the structure of RuCo catalysts would provide a new strategy for constructing robust heterogeneous bimetal catalysts applied in practical HDO processes of a variety of lignin-derived phenolic compounds.

Gaining Acceptance of Novel Plant Breeding Technologies.

Ensuring the sustainability of agriculture under climate change has led to a surge in alternative strategies for crop improvement. Advances in integrated crop breeding, social acceptance, and farm-level adoption are crucial to address future challenges to food security. Societal acceptance can be slow when consumers do not see the need for innovation or immediate benefits. We consider how best to address the issue of social licence and harmonised governance for novel gene technologies in plant breeding. In addition, we highlight optimised breeding strategies that will enable long-term genetic gains to be achieved. Promoted by harmonised global policy change, innovative plant breeding can realise high and sustainable productivity together with enhanced nutritional traits.

Narco-degradation: Cocaine trafficking’s environmental impacts in Central America’s protected areas

Central America exemplifies a dynamic unfolding around the world where transnational illicit economies are driving land use change. Despite an extensive network of protected areas, Central America has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world in the past 20 years. Some of this forest loss is due to the international cocaine trade, as drug trafficking organizations launder money into extractive economies and seek to control territories along their supply chain. While research documents land change from narcotrafficking in transit nodes, or narco-deforestation (e.g. Sesnie et al., 2017), less research exists examining other environmental impacts near cocaine transit nodes in protected areas and biodiversity hotspots, which we term “narco-degradation.” We conducted i) interviews and participatory mapping exercises with 65 actors working in protected areas in Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica and ii) 11 workshops with 76 protected areas managers to understand and document spatial concentration of different types of narco-degradation. Coded interviews and maps yield 500 narco-degradation activities occurring between 2000 and 2018. Our analysis reveals that narco-trafficking affects multiple ecosystems, not only forests, and that variations in narco-degradation types and intensities reflect differences in the three nodes’ transportation practices (air, land, maritime), their age and activity levels (emerging nodes, hotspots, and declining nodes), and their physical geography. In all three protected areas, narco-trafficking accelerates the conversion of natural resources into commodities (such as land, lumber, minerals, and fauna), their extraction, and entry into legal and illegal markets. We conclude by arguing that narco-degradation negatively and disproportionately impacts the livelihoods and governance structures of Indigenous and peasant communities living in and around Central America’s protected areas. These insights contribute an integrated socio-ecological analysis of the role of narco-capital and cocaine trafficking’s contribution to illicit global environmental change.

Concept of Productivity Levels in Modeling Sugar Beet Yields

Various approaches have been used to model the productive potential of sugar beets under the conditions of unstable moistening of the steppe zone of Russia. This paper considers the general theoretical approach to the functional description of most of the processes of plant growth and development in ontogenesis, as well as of any organism, which is determined by the conversion of bioclimatic resources into the biological mass of plants. Through mathematical modeling, the potential productivity of sugar beets in the absence of limiting factors, with optimal provision of plant life factors, was determined. The second level of modeling sugar beet productivity was performed for the conditions of unstable moistening in the steppe zone of Russia, where soil moisture is a factor limiting the productivity of the crop. To predict productivity in conditions of moisture deficiency, the study used plant organs and soil processes as a model, since they determine the availability of water and nutrients for the plant root system. Given the practical applications of the data for real production conditions, the data obtained in the first and second levels of crop productivity modeling were compared with the actual yield data obtained empirically. The maximum rates of dry matter accumulation for the conditions of the steppe zone of Russia in the absence of limiting factors was not limited to the supply of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and could produce up to 16 t/ha of dry matter root crops. With a moisture deficit during the beginning of row closing (from the 45th to the 75th day of the growing season), there was almost no increase in the dry matter of the plant mass, which reduced the potential productivity of sugar beets by 50%.
 Keywords: crop modeling, sugar beet, potential crop, photosynthesis, moisture supply

Resource conversion between operational coherence and multipartite entanglement in many-body systems

We establish a set of resource conversion relationships between quantum coherence and multipartite entanglement in many-body systems, where the operational measures of resource cost and distillation are focused. Under the multipartite incoherent operation, the initial coherence of single-party system bounds the maximal amounts of corresponding operational entanglement in an arbitrary bipartite partition as well as the genuine multipartite entanglement (GME) in many-body systems. Furthermore, the converted multipartite entanglement can be transferred to its subsystems and restored to coherence of a single party by means of local incoherent operations and classical communication, which constitutes a protocol of resource interconversion within the full incoherent operation scenario. As an example, we present a scheme for cyclic interconversion between coherence and GME in three-qubit systems without loss. Moreover, we analyze the property of bipartite and multipartite genuine multi-level entanglement by the initial coherence and investigate multipartite resource dynamics in the conversion.

Optimization of livelihoods variations in vulnerable to climate change impacts through carbon pricing

Climate change is a threat to the environment, especially dryland ecosystems, coastal areas, and forests. People who live in the forest area and depend on the forestry sector need to get protection, especially in terms of variations in livelihood sources to not depend on the forest sector and exploitation of forest resources. One prospective livelihood option is through carbon pricing. This study aimed to analyze the role of government in terms of creating livelihoods for vulnerable communities in the face of climate change, especially through carbon pricing mechanisms. The study used a qualitative approach with the literature review and desk study. Based on research results, it is known that the government had tried to establish international cooperation for carbon pricing. At present, the partnership had been established with 2 institutions in the European Union with a carbon trade value of 5 USD/ton CO2eq. Through this mechanism, people who live around forest areas have new livelihood options that can withstand land conversion and exploitation of timber resources. Thus, the rate of climate change can be reduced, and mitigation efforts can be strengthened through the carbon trading mechanism.

Theoretical Insight on Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Reaction of Monoatom Dispersion Catalyst (Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon)

With the development of the economy, the greenhouse effect is becoming more and more serious, and the culprit is elected as carbon dioxide, so it is urgent to find an effective way to alleviate the greenhouse effect. The carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction reaction (CO2RR) can realize the resource conversion of carbon dioxide, which is the key technology to realize the natural “carbon cycle” and alleviate many environmental problems caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions. Due to the excellent performance of metal nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts (M-N-C catalysts), in this letter, we choose M-N-C catalysts (M = a series of transition metals) to conduct a series of studies. We used the PBE method of density functional theory (DFT) to conduct a detailed study on the changes of the electroreduction of CO2 on M-N-C (M = Fe/Ni/Cu/Zn/Ru/Rh/Pd/Ag/Cd/Os/Ir/Pt/Au) catalysts, compare the catalytic performance of the selected nitrogen-doped metal carbon catalyst, and focus on simulating the mechanism of various CO2 electrochemical reduction reactions. The research points out that M-N-C (M = Ir) catalysts have good performance in catalyzing the reduction of carbon dioxide into carbon products with economic value, especially methane and methanol, and multicarbon products such as ethanol.

Increasing the Seismic Isolation of Gas Tanks Using Seismic Isolation Systems

Some of the important issues of the modern world are associated with energy resources, namely, the search for new sources, energy conversion, use and storage of such resources. The consumption of fuel energy resources is not only the basis for the development of basic industries, but also an essential part of human life. Every year, the use of such fossil resources increases, so there is a need for long-term storage of fuel. Gasholders are used for storing gas fuel, which allow not only to store resources for a long time, but also to provide the consumer with the necessary amount of fuel. The construction of these structures can cover various areas, including areas with special construction conditions, in particular, those prone to seismic activity. Ensuring seismic protection of gasholders not only allows the safety of fuel, but also prevents environmental disasters associated with fuel spills.

Inexpensive Amorphous FeIII Oxo‐/Hydroxide as Highly Active and Ultradurable Electrocatalyst for Water Electrolysis

AbstractDeveloping highly active, cost‐effective, and robust electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) still remains a crucial challenge for enhancing the conversion of sustainable energy resources. The performances of existing electrocatalysts is restricted by low electronic conductivity and the limited amount of active sites. Herein, newly synthesized FeIIIOH nanoparticles (NPs) are shown to be efficient and durable electrocatalysts for the OER reaction. FeIIIOH NP‐coated nickel foam (FeIIIOH NPs/NF) operates at an overpotential of 300 mV (@10 mA cm−2) with excellent stability even after 30 h and shows higher stability relative to a cell voltage of 1.55 V in alkaline media, which is substantially lower than the commercial electrocatalyst IrO2 (1.61 V). The FeIIIOH NPs/NF overpotential of 300 mV at 10 mA cm−2 is 89 and 127 mV lower than IrO2/NF (389 mV) and NF (427 mV), respectively. The Tafel slope of FeIIIOH NPs/NF (104 mV dec−1) is lower than IrO2/NF (164 mV dec−1) and NF (199 mV dec−1). The calculated turnover frequency (TOF) of FeIIIOH NPs (0.0128 s−1) is approximately five times higher than that of the IrO2 catalyst (0.0089 s−1) at 1.60 V. This reflects that the FeIIIOH NP catalyst is intrinsically active, giving outstanding OER performances and showing satisfactory kinetics to overcome the sluggish water oxidation rate. Solar water electrolysis shows continuous evolution of oxygen and hydrogen gas at the anode and cathode, respectively, at 1.55 V. The amount of hydrogen generated during solar water electrolysis was calculated as 3.22 mmol h−1 cm−2, which is close to the coulombic efficiency at 1.55 V. This demonstration develops the hope for superior exploration of FeIIIOH NPs/NF toward the expansion of real and large‐scale hydrogen production with the lowest price.

Thermodynamic equilibrium simulation on the synthesis gas composition in the context of underground coal gasification

Underground coal gasification is a promising technology involved with the in-situ conversion of coal resources into a high-quality synthesis gas with low cost. A thermodynamic equilibrium simulation was conducted to analyze the effects of the reaction temperature, pressure and ratio of oxygen/steam on the synthesis gas composition in the context of underground coal gasification. The results show that the increase of the gasification pressure promotes the formation of CH4 while inhibits the formation of H2 and CO in the synthesis gas under different temperatures. And the gasification pressure for the maximum low heating value (LHV) of synthesis gas shifts to larger pressures with the increasing gasification temperatures, and the corresponding maximum LHV is 7.87 MJ/m3 at the pressure of 5.6 MPa when the gasification temperature is set as 800 °C. The increase of the gasification temperature leads to an increase in the contents of H2 and CO and a decrease in CH4 content in the equilibrium synthesis gas. The gasification temperature shifts to higher values to reach the maximum LHV of synthesis gas at elevated pressures except for the slight increase of LHV within the temperature range of 700–1000 °C at 0.1 MPa. Further analysis on the effect of the ratio of oxygen/steam indicates that increasing the moisture content in the gasification agent significantly results in the enhancement of H2 and CH4 contents in the synthesis gas as well as its LHV.

Radiation interception and radiation use efficiency in mixtures of winter cover crops

Abstract Context Cover crops are sown in autumn after harvest of a main crop to capture residual nitrogen and to build biomass that will contribute to soil organic matter after being ploughed under. Mixtures are purportedly more productive than pure stands of single species. Research problem Dry matter accumulation in field crops can be separated in the processes of resource capture and resource conversion. Here we apply this conceptual approach to analyse whether and how pure stands of single species and stands of species mixtures differ in radiation capture and radiation use efficiency. Methods cover crops were sown as pure stands (12 treatments) or mixtures (11 treatments) at two years in four sites, three in the Netherlands and one in northern Germany. Ground cover was measured throughout a growing period of up to twelve weeks to quantify radiation capture while final biomass was determined at harvest. The ratio of biomass and cumulative radiation capture was used to calculate radiation use efficiency. Results Oats and crucifers were the most productive species. Crucifers covered the soil quickly and their radiation capture was consequently high (517 MJ m−2) but their radiation use efficiency was low (0.80 g MJ-1). Oats intercepted less radiation (459 MJ m−2) than crucifers but had a higher radiation use efficiency (1.15 g MJ-1). Legumes had low radiation interception (332 MJ m−2) combined with low radiation use efficiency (0.64 MJ m−2) while the group of forb species belonging to other plant families (e.g. Linaceae, Boraginaceae and Asteraceae) had intermediate radiation capture (371 MJ m−2) and radiation use efficiency (0.84 g MJ-1). The radiation capture and radiation use efficiency of mixtures was similar to that of the dominant species in the mixtures, in all cases a crucifer or oats. Conclusions and implications The analysis of radiation capture and radiation use efficiency in this study indicates that mixture performance was governed by species dominance within the mixture, with the species capturing most of the light determining to a large extent the radiation use efficiency of the mixture as a whole. Results show the importance of including one or more productive species in a species mixture used for cover cropping, i.e. oats or a crucifer. If species with slow initial growth or low radiation use efficiency are included in a mixture to provide particular services, such as flower resources, atmospheric nitrogen fixation or antibiosis against pests, these species should be included in a large enough proportion to enable their establishment in the mixture.

Rapid direct synthesis of nano-H-ZSM-5 from leached illite via solid-like-state conversion-based crystallization

The direct synthesis of H-ZSM-5 catalysts from natural aluminosilicate clays is important for the conversion of raw clay resources to high-value-added products. Herein, the solid-like-state conversion was used to directly prepare nano-H-ZSM-5 with uniform morphology and particle size (~300 nm) from leached illite (ISR) as both Si and Al source. Crystallization kinetics indicated that the reactivity of ISR is similar to that of commercially fabricated products and ISR could be rapidly (within 5 h) converted into nano-H-ZSM-5, the crystallinity, morphology, and crystal size of which were strongly affected by the amount of tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH). Additionally, the residual Al of ISR uniformly intruded the H-ZSM-5 framework to provide active sites for the methanol-to-aromatics reaction. The catalytic performance stability and BTX selectivity of nano-H-ZSM-5 for this reaction surpassed those of a commercial ZSM-5 catalyst because of the synergistic effect among the specific surface area and volume of micropores, uniform morphology and particle size, and homogeneously distributed acidic sites. This rapid, efficient, and cleaner synthesis reported herein was shown to have no necessity of ion exchange with ammonium salts, to be H-form of ZSM-5 as well as improve the productivity of HZSM-5 catalysts. And consequently, it is expected to reduce the cost of synthesis and provide an opportunity for the comprehensive development and utilization of illite clay resources.

Preliminary Studies on Graphene-Reinforced 3D Products Obtained by the One-Stage Sacrificial Template Method for Bone Reconstruction Applications.

The bone remodeling field has shifted focus towards the delineation of products with two main critical attributes: internal architectures capable to promote fast cell colonization and good mechanical performance. In this paper, Luffa-fibers and graphene nanoplatelets were proposed as porogen template and mechanical reinforcing agent, respectively, in view of framing 3D products by a one-stage polymer-free process. The ceramic matrix was prepared through a reproducible technology, developed for the conversion of marble resources into calcium phosphates (CaP) powders. After the graphene incorporation (by mechanical and ultrasonication mixing) into the CaP matrix, and Luffa-fibers addition, the samples were evaluated in both as-admixed and thermally-treated form (compact/porous products) by complementary structural, morphological, and compositional techniques. The results confirmed the benefits of the two agents’ addition upon the compact products’ micro-porosity and the global mechanical features, inferred by compressive strength and elastic modulus determinations. For the porous products, overall optimal results were obtained at a graphene amount of <1 wt.%. Further, no influence of graphene on fibers’ ability to generate at high temperatures internal interconnected-channels-arrays was depicted. Moreover, its incorporation led to a general preservation of structural composition and stability for both the as-admixed and thermally-treated products. The developed CaP-reinforced structures sustain the premises for prospective non- and load-bearing biomedical applications.

Theoretical Perspectives on the Modulation of Carbon on Transition-Metal Catalysts for Conversion of Carbon-Containing Resources

At present, the catalytic conversion of carbon-containing resources remains a major challenge faced during the economic growth and energy mix adjustment around the world. The development of catalys...

Pilot-Scale Composting Test of Polylactic Acid for Social Implementation

The chemical industry and subsequent value chain of plastics are facing significant challenges from the viewpoints of resource conversion and environmental burden. Now is the time to explore the future direction of plastics, which will require an integrated scheme using resource circulation, carbon neutrality, and a social system to promote after-use treatment under the concept of a circular economy. Polylactic acid (PLA) should help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a biobased material and contribute to waste management after use due to its biodegradability if managed properly. That is, it will be necessary to treat biodegradable products appropriately in closed systems such as composting facilities after use and recovery. To realize the implementation of fully approved composting facilities in society, simply evaluating biodegradability in the laboratory is insufficient. In this study, a pilot-scale test using PLA under actual composting conditions was conducted in accordance with both international standards and domestic evaluation methods. The results not only confirm its biodegradability and disintegration, but also demonstrate that the presence of a biodegradable plastic product has a negligible impact on the composting process. The obtained compost did not adversely affect plant germination or growth, demonstrating its safety and high quality. Such a multifaceted perspective makes this study unique and useful for creating a social framework.

STRATEGY, APPROACHES AND SCHEME OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN CIRCULAR AGRICULTURE ECONOMY

This article describes the main strategies for sorting and recycling agricultural waste and explores mechanisms for integrating the circular economy in agriculture. Analyzed the main approaches to waste recycling, such as: classical, "zero" and mixed model. Types of natural and unnatural agricultural waste are described on their basis. The complexity of the process of integrating a circular agriculture waste management strategy is described. A recycling scheme was also developed in the circular economy model of agriculture, which includes such processes as: reduction, clean production, green goods, minimization, conversion of resources, cleaning and environmental products. Systematic approaches to the classification of types of agricultural waste are considered and analyzed.

МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКИЕ МОДЕЛИ ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫХ РЕШЕНИЙ В ОРГАНАХ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ

The article proves the relevance of developing decision-support systems that ensure an automation of intellectual activity of operation controls officers. It gives a brief review of scientific researches in terms of psychology of behavior, perception and thinking; and shows the viability of mathematical models for decision-making based on the analogue ones in other science and technology domains having a corresponding mathematical apparatus. The authors create the scheme of information decisions made by operation controls, which includes several stages of initial data conversion and gradient distribution of information resources in a one-dimensional space of structural units. The complex of mathematical models for information decision making for three stages of conversion and for various modes of initial data entry has been developed. The first model describes the gradient distribution of initial data in the form of a partial differential equation, while converting stages are given as an ordinary differential one. The second model includes the gradient distribution of initial data and subsequently converted data in the space of operating controls. It is represented as a partial differential system. The third and fourth models additionally incorporate convective terms of partial differential equations. The article gives the analytical solutions of all models and the estimated structures of information resources allocation

Integrating support vector machine and cellular automata for modelling land cover change in the tropical rainforest under equatorial climate in Ghana

Unsustainable anthropogenic activities such as indiscriminate logging of trees, mineral exploitation, conversion of forest into agricultural lands are known to cause major environmental changes, thereby triggering a chain of irreversible forest depletion. This has called an urgent need by government and private agencies to institute policies and programs to curtail the destruction of the ecosystem due to the pressure on the available land. In this study, the Land use/land cover changes between the period of 1986 and 2020 in the tropical rainforest of Ghana was considered. A combination of machine learning and Markov chain approach was adopted to project future LULC for 2040 and 2060.The results showed that area covered by Open Forest declined from 21,531.87 km2 to 14,518.82 km2 and Dense Forest also declined from 14,313 km2 to 8202.98 km2 over a period of 34 years. The CA-Markov model was used to predict the future land use land cover, and it was observed that the total forest cover could decline to 15,551.79 km2 in 2040 and further decrease to 13,401.79 km2 in 2060. It was also found that settlement, mining and agricultural land, which is be driven by rapid population increase, has contributed significantly to the rapid declining forest cover. The results of this study have demonstrated the impact of unsustainable use of natural resources in these three regions. It also highlights the need for concerted effort to develop comprehensive environmental policies to encapsulate sustainable conversion and utilisation of natural resources by focusing on water-energy-food nexus.

МЕХАНІЗМ ВІДТВОРЕННЯ ТЕХНІЧНИХ РЕСУРСІВ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ У ПРОЦЕСІ ЇХ ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ

The specific character of reproducing and maintaining the quality and productivity of technical resources is considered from the point of view of their economic essence and economic behavior in the production process. The views of domestic and foreign scientists are analyzed regarding the subject-functional and monetary definition of the enterprises’ capital, а part of which is the cost of technical resources. Understanding the properties of technical resources as a part of the enterprise total capital allowed identifying the basic statements. The relationship between the reproduction of technical resources and their total value in the process of functioning, namely the turnover and transition of their monetary equivalent to the material equivalent and vice versa has been shown. The steps of movement of the technical resources monetary equivalent are presented and considered in three stages: formation of the stage, at which the enterprise money capital is transformed into technical resources; the stage of technical resources production use and that of resources conversion into monetary form in the process of which the relationship between the state of technical resources capabilities and their cost characteristics changes. The character of economic transformations in the process of movement is described; the method of creating and adding cash flow formed by technical resource, to the money capital of the enterprise is considered. It has been proposed to use a linear rate depreciation accounting, from the beginning of the technical resources acquisition and throughout useful life using of the capital discount rate, in order to prevent partial loss of value of the initial capital invested in technical resources. It has been shown that the use of technical resources is expedient until the value of the monetary product is equal to their discounted price. The research pursued showed that for timely innovative reproduction of technical resources as part of the enterprise capital cost, these resources must perform the main function – that of forming additional value (additional profit).

Soft Sensor for VFA Concentration in Anaerobic Digestion Process for Treating Kitchen Waste Based on SSAE-KELM

Anaerobic digestion technology is the most environmentally friendly approach to treat kitchen waste. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) is an essential quality monitoring indicator in the anaerobic digestion process of treating kitchen waste. In this paper, a soft measurement method of volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in the anaerobic digestion process is established based on stacked supervised auto-encoder combine kernel extreme learning machine algorithm (SSAE-KELM) to improve the real-time monitoring level and resource conversion efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. Given the problems of poor feature extraction and low accuracy and efficiency of the model, a stack supervised autoencoder is proposed to realize nonlinear and deep feature extraction of process data. Simultaneously, using the idea of the extreme learning machine to train the network significantly improves the efficiency of the model. Then, the kernel extreme learning machine is used to realize regression modelling. Besides, a combined feature selection algorithm is presented to select auxiliary variables more accurately. The simulation results demonstrate that the soft sensor model can predict the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) more efficiently and accurately.