Significant Emission Reductions Research Articles

Sol-Gel Pt-VO2 Films as Selective Chemoresistive and Optical H2 Gas Sensors.

In this work, VO2 (M1/R) thin films were exploited as H2 gas sensors. A flat film morphology, obtained by furnace annealing, was compared with a laser-induced nanostructured one. The combination of the environmentally friendly sol-gel approach with the ultrafast laser crystallization allows for significant reductions in energy consumption and related emissions during the fabrication of VO2 sensors. By decorating the sensors' surface with Pt nanoparticles (NPs), the sensor response was enhanced exploiting the hydrogen spillover effect. The Pt/VO2 sensors, tested at operating temperatures between 20 and 200 °C and for concentration of H2 from few ppm to 50000 ppm, offered a dual chemoresistive and optical sensing mode. Low operating temperatures of 150 °C were achieved, along with a detection limit as low as 2 ppm and a perfect baseline recovery. Both sensors guaranteed specific selectivity toward H2, without response to NO2 or humidity, and long-term stability over 500 h. The H2 sensing mechanism, for both the monoclinic and rutile VO2 phases, was investigated through in operando X-ray Diffraction and in situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy tests. The interaction was found to be based on the reversible formation of HxVO2 bronze, along with the reversible variations in the oxidation state of V.

Environmental Impact of the Hungarian Swine Sector during the PRRS Eradication Program with Full Herd Replacement (2014–2022)

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) eradication program in Hungary, implemented between 2014 and 2022, utilized complete herd replacement and the introduction of high-performance breeds to enhance production efficiency and environmental sustainability in the swine sector. As a result, the sow population was reduced by 26.2% while maintaining nearly the same number of slaughter pigs. This led to significant reductions in ammonia emissions (−145,857 kg), slurry production (−153,879 m3), nitrogen emissions (−1,409,951 kg), and overall greenhouse gas emissions (91,768,362 kg CO2eq). Additionally, the feed and water consumption were substantially decreased by 53,237,805 kg and 292,978,094 L, respectively, further lowering the sector’s environmental footprint. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of customized eradication strategies and advanced breeding practices in reducing the environmental impact of animal husbandry. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable livestock production methods. The Hungarian experience provides valuable insights into how targeted interventions can simultaneously improve production outcomes and reduce the environmental burden in the swine industry.

Prediction and Simulation of Biodiesel Combustion in Diesel Engines: Evaluating Physicochemical Properties, Performance, and Emissions

Environmental and energy sustainability concerns have catalyzed a global transition toward renewable biofuel alternatives. Among these, biodiesel stands out as a promising substitute for conventional diesel in compression-ignition engines, providing compatibility without requiring modifications to engine design. A comprehensive understanding of biodiesel’s physical properties is crucial for accurately modeling fuel spray, atomization, combustion, and emissions in diesel engines. This study focuses on predicting the physical properties of PODL20 and EB100, including liquid viscosity, density, vapor pressure, latent heat of vaporization, thermal conductivity, gas diffusion coefficients, and surface tension, all integrated into the CONVERGE CFD fuel library for improved combustion simulations. Subsequently, numerical simulations were conducted using the predicted properties of the biodiesels, validated by experimental in-cylinder pressure data. The prediction models demonstrated excellent alignment with the experimental results, confirming their accuracy in simulating spray dynamics, combustion processes, turbulence, ignition, and emissions. Notably, significant improvements in key combustion parameters, such as cylinder pressure and heat release rate, were recorded with the use of biodiesels. Specifically, the heat release rates for PODL20 and EB100 reached 165.74 J/CA and 140.08 J/CA, respectively, compared to 60.2 J/CA for conventional diesel fuel. Furthermore, when evaluating both soot and NOx emissions, EB100 displayed a more balanced performance, achieving a significant reduction in soot emissions of 34.21% alongside a moderate increase in NOx emissions of 45.5% compared to diesel fuel. In comparison to PODL20, reductions of 20.4% in soot emissions and 3% in NOx emissions were also noted.

Online characterization of primary and secondary emissions of particulate matter and acidic molecules from a modern fleet of city buses

Abstract. The potential impact of transitioning from conventional fossil fuel to a non-fossil-fuel vehicle fleet was investigated by measuring primary emissions via extractive sampling of bus plumes and assessing secondary mass formation using the Gothenburg Potential Aerosol Mass (Go:PAM) reactor from 76 in-use transit buses. Online chemical characterization of gaseous and particulate emissions from these buses was conducted using chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) with acetate as the reagent ion, coupled with the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO). Acetate reagent ion chemistry selectively ionizes acidic compounds, including organic and inorganic acids, as well as nitrated and sulfated organics. A significant reduction (48 %–98 %) in fresh particle emissions was observed in buses utilizing compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesels like rapeseed methyl ester (RME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and hybrid-electric HVO (HVOHEV) compared to diesel (DSL). However, secondary particle formation from photooxidation of emissions was substantial across all the fuel types. The median ratio of particle mass emission factors of aged to fresh emissions increased in the following order: DSL buses at 4.0, HVO buses at 6.7, HVOHEV buses at 10.5, RME buses at 10.8, and CNG buses at 84. Of the compounds that can be identified by CIMS, fresh gaseous emissions from all Euro V/EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle) buses, regardless of fuel type, were dominated by nitrogen-containing compounds such as nitrous acid (HONO), nitric acid (HNO3), and isocyanic acid (HNCO), alongside small monoacids (C1−C3). Notably, the emission of nitrogen-containing compounds was lower in Euro VI buses equipped with more advanced emission control technologies. Secondary gaseous organic acids correlated strongly with gaseous HNO3 signals (R2=0.85–0.99) in Go:PAM, but their moderate to weak correlations with post-photooxidation secondary particle mass suggest that they are not reliable tracers of secondary organic aerosol formation from bus exhaust. Our study highlights that non-regulated compounds and secondary pollutant formation, not currently addressed in legislation, are crucial considerations in the evaluation of environmental impacts of future fuel and engine technology shifts.

Modulation of fecal microbiota and reductions in fecal antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) driven by Weissella-fermented feed in growing pigs

Probiotics-induced feed fermentation can improve the composition of microbiota, leading to benefits in pig production. However, the influence of probiotics-driven feed fermentation on pollution reduction is limited. This study aimed to analyze the impact of Weissella-based feed fermentation on the chemical characteristics, changes in microbial abundance, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Moreover, the possible mechanism and the association among them was also analyzed. First, pigs reared on fermented feed exhibited improved growth performance. The fermentation group showed a significant reduction in emissions of total phosphorus (TP), total carbon (TC), organic matter (OM), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels in feces compared to the control group. The fermentation group also showed a significant decrease in the ARGs, especially for the tetX, tetW, tetQ, tetL, tetO, tet32, tet44, ermG, ermF, CfxA2, CfxA3, aph3-III, aadA, and ant9-I, compared to the control group. The primary functional microbiota, characterized by increased levels of Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, and Mitsuokella, and decreased levels of Methanosphaera, and Ruminiclostridium, displayed both negative and positive correlations with ARGs, TC, TP, OM, Cu, and Zn. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the alterations in microbiota and ARGs and the lactic acid concentration in the fermented feed. The molecular docking results showed a good fit between lactate dehydrogenase and three antibiotics, particularly tetracycline. In conclusion, these results offer novel targets and strategies to address environmental pollutants associated with pig farming.

Numerical Simulation of Co-Firing LRC and Ammonia in Pangkalan Susu 3 & 4 Coal-Fired Steam Power Plant (CFSPP) Capacity 210 Megawatts

The effort to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, complying with environmental regulations, and promoting clean technology innovation. Ammonia, as an emission-free fuel, shows significant potential as a co-firing agent with Coal in coal-fired steam power plants (CFSPP). Previous studies have demonstrated promising results in emission reduction through ammonia co-firing. This research presents a numerical analysis based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the co-firing of ammonia with low-calorific Coal (LRC) in the CFSPP Pangkalan Susu Units 3 and 4, with a capacity of 210 megawatts. The study employs fluid flow modelling and chemical reaction analysis using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) to provide accurate predictions of temperature distribution and pollutant concentrations in pulverized coal boilers. Cofiring simulations were conducted with ammonia additions of 5% and 15% on a calorific basis. Injection experiments from each burner (A-D) were performed to identify the optimal injection location. The simulation results indicate changes in combustion characteristics, particularly in temperature distribution. The main finding reveals a temperature decrease when ammonia is added as a co-firing material, attributed to the higher H2O content, which leads to increased moisture losses. In terms of efficiency, co-firing showed a decline compared to the baseline combustion of 100% LRC coal due to the more significant moisture losses. The highest reduction in CO2 emissions was observed when 15% ammonia was injected from burner B in case #6, with a mass fraction value of 0.171 at the boiler outlet. Similarly, the most significant reduction in NOx emissions occurred with a 15% ammonia co-firing from burner B, yielding a mass fraction value of 8.81E-04 at the boiler outlet. This co-firing technology is expected to enhance decarbonization efforts and optimize the use of renewable energy in the future.

Thermal request optimization of a smart district heating system

This paper proposes a solution approach to manage the heating plans of tenants served by a district heating plant located in Sweden. To do that, the daily temperature request of each household in the associated pilot region is obtained, and the daily temperature profile of each household is optimized with the help of the proposed decision support system and smart valves. The hot water inflow rates of radiators are remotely controlled via smart valves at each flat to minimize the total energy consumption, carbon emission and cost associated with the energy consumption of the district heating plant. We aim to shave the peak demands while fully satisfying the temperature requests of households without violating their thermal comfort. Peak demand shaving is achieved by generating preheating schedules via mathematical optimization and using the thermal storage potential of the insulated flats. The resulting mathematical optimization model presents significant computational challenges that cannot be efficiently solved using optimization solvers within a reasonable time limit. To this end, we develop three genetic algorithm approaches that are computationally scalable for realistically-sized instances and verified to yield near-optimal solutions for the test instances. Extensive numerical analyses show the effectiveness of the proposed approach and the genetic algorithm since we yield significant carbon emission reduction and cost savings compared with the method that the experts of the utility company propose.

Strategies for minimizing carbon footprint in the agricultural supply chain: leveraging sustainable practices and emerging technologies

This article addresses the strategies for minimizing the carbon footprint within the agricultural supply chain, focusing on sustainable practices and emerging technologies. The primary aim is to explore how the adoption of sustainable farming techniques, renewable energy sources, and precision agriculture can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance environmental stewardship in agriculture. Key strategies discussed include the implementation of organic farming practices, which avoid synthetic inputs and enhance soil health, and agroforestry, which integrates trees into farming systems to sequester carbon and support biodiversity. The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biogas, is examined for its role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Precision agriculture technologies, including GPS and IoT sensors, are highlighted for their ability to optimize resource use and reduce waste. Additionally, the article covers advancements in carbon tracking and management technologies, which provide accurate measurement and reporting of emissions, and sustainable logistics and packaging practices aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of transportation and packaging. The findings underscore that integrating these strategies not only contributes to significant reductions in carbon emissions but also presents opportunities for improving efficiency and sustainability across the agricultural supply chain. The article concludes with implications for industry stakeholders, emphasizing the need for continued innovation and policy support to drive widespread adoption of these practices and technologies. By adopting these strategies, the agricultural sector can make substantial progress toward mitigating climate change and fostering a more sustainable future.

Multi-objective Optimization of Diesel Engine Operating Parameters Under Highway Drive Conditions

Abstract Experimental and optimization work is carried out to study the effects of fuel injection pressure, boost pressure, pilot injection timing, pilot injection quantity and main injection timing as input parameters. A four-cylinder, automotive model direct injection diesel engine, incorporated with a variable-geometry turbocharger, was chosen for the experiment. Engine test runs are conducted at a driving condition of 80.3 Nm torque and an engine speed of 1750 rpm, respectively, corresponding to highway driving conditions, using 10 % of exhaust gases recirculated. The Response Surface Methodology is employed to design experiments and analyze the experimental data to optimize engine parameters, considering the mentioned parameters as input parameters. A multi-objective response approach is adopted to optimize engine-operating parameters to obtain desired performance and engine-out emissions. Confirmatory tests are conducted at design conditions to validate the results predicted by the model. It is observed that for the chosen engine configuration, the optimum performance and emission characteristics could be obtained with 120 kPa boost pressure, 61.1 MPa fuel injection pressure, and 11.5 % of total fuel amount as pilot injection and remaining as main injection quantity at 332° and 359° crank angle, respectively. Overall. fairly better engine performance was observed with the use of selected ranges. It is noted that with the procedures adopted, improved engine performance and a significant reduction in harmful emissions are obtained without using major add-ons. The investigation revealed excellent potential for a diesel engine to be an effective prime mover.

Experimental investigation of emissions from a single-cylinder diesel engine using methanol–diesel blends

This study examines the effects of methanol–diesel blends on the emissions of a diesel engine, concentrating on carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HCs), and particulate matter (PM). Using a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine at varying torque settings (2 N m–6 N m), significant reductions in CO, CO2, HC, and PM emissions were observed with increasing methanol content. CO emissions reduced by up to 81.8%, CO2 by up to 64.2%, HC by up to 80.4%, and PM by up to 23.5% with the MD11 blend. NOx emissions initially increased but decreased by up to 20% at higher torques with the same blend. These results highlight the environmental benefits of methanol–diesel blends and the need for effective NOx reduction strategies.

The impact of latent policy synergy between cities on air pollution: An empirical analysis from China's 12,764 air policies

Policy synergy plays a crucial role in managing regional air pollution. However, the current process of formulating collaborative policies often focuses too heavily on achieving optimal emission reduction outcomes, while neglecting the execution costs at the local level. This not only leads to a lack of coordination between existing governance measures and new policies but may also result in inefficient policy implementation and the wastage of administrative resources. To address this issue, we have conducted a thorough analysis of the latent interconnections in local governance and explored the possibility of formulating collaborative policies based on latent policy synergies. Utilizing a dataset of 12,764 policy documents from China spanning from 2000 to 2023, we employed unsupervised learning techniques and panel regression models to investigate the impacts of latent policy synergies among local governments. Our findings reveal that local governments initially relied on rigid command-and-control strategies to address air pollution, which were later enhanced with economic incentives like emissions trading and subsidies, thus broadening the scope of policy tools and improving compliance flexibility. Subsequently, as comprehensive monitoring networks were established, enabling real-time data acquisition and more accurate pollution assessments, the focus of policy efforts shifted towards a more integrated approach to regional air pollution management. This similar evolution facilitated latent policy synergy among local governments, leading to significant reductions in air pollution emissions. Notably, regions such as the Central Plains and coastal cities, characterized by their dense industrial activity and high energy consumption, have shown remarkable potential for collaborative efforts, achieving greater pollution control efficiencies. This study provides a valuable reference for the coordinated governance of air pollution policies.

Decarbonization in Shipping—The Hopes and Doubts on the Way to Hydrogen Use

This article presents the initial processes of changing ship fuels aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. A significant reduction in GHG emissions is only possible by using carbon-free fuels. The process of reducing CO2 emissions was forced by legal regulations introduced in recent years by the International Maritime Organization and the Parliament of the European Union. The year 2050 was set as the target year for achieving the intended goals, but intermediate goals should be achieved already in 2030 and 2040. This article attempts to analyze the ongoing changes in the fuel market in maritime transport on the way to achieving the threshold of climate neutrality with this form of transport. A number of hopes related to this were indicated but also so were obstacles that may slow down this process. In 2023, there was an increased interest among shipowners in adapting ship engines to burn more ecological ship fuels. However, it is far from our expectations. Meeting the gradually increasing emission limits through imposed regulations was possible in the years 2020–2023 by using dual-fuel engines in which gaseous fuels, mainly LNG and LPG, were used for long periods of operation. The next step is the use of biofuels or synthetic fuels, which, however, will not meet the requirements after 2030. Interest is moving towards the use of ammonia and, ultimately, after 2040, hydrogen. The aim of this article is to analyze the ongoing processes and assess the directions of changes that justify the sense of the actions taken.

Graph theory-enhanced integrated distribution network reconfiguration and distributed generation planning: A comparative techno-economic and environmental impacts analysis

In today's world, eco-friendly solutions are crucial for efficient power delivery and assessing their corresponding economic and environmental benefits is essential. As innovators, it is also imperative to continually improve on existing techniques to solve a problem. Evaluating the existing literature in this area of study, gaps of improving the optimization techniques by reducing the amount of infeasible configurations the reconfiguration procedure encounters was established, additionally, the need to utilize distributed generations that significantly reduce carbon footprint in the environment was also ascertained. Hence, this paper presents an effective integration method for the simultaneous reconfiguration of Radial Distribution Networks (RDNs) and Photovoltaic (PV) DGs allocation, considering the tripodal issues of cost, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability. A modification of the adaptive mountain gazelle optimizer (AMGO) enhanced with graph theory is deployed for the optimization procedures. The crucial feature of the proposed approach is the reduction of unfeasible configurations throughout the optimization procedure toward satisfying the network's radiality constraints, achieving consistent convergence and reduced computation time. The technical benefits are active power loss minimization, voltage stability, and voltage profile improvement. The economic benefits are analyzed by estimating the purchased power, the associated cost of power losses, and the cost of DGs and switches over a planning period of 20 years. The consequent environmental benefits are analyzed in detail, highlighting the significant reduction in pollutant emissions. The proposed model was tested on the IEEE 33- and 69-bus RDN, considering several scenarios, including synchronous network reconfiguration and DG installations. From the results procured, the simultaneous network reconfiguration and DG allocation provided better outcomes, yielding minimum active power loss of 35.36 kW, minimum voltage of 0.9541 p.u., voltage stability index of 1.9936 p.u., total planning cost of $3.456 million, and emission of 1.744 million lb/hr, respectively, for the 33-bus systems. The corresponding value for the 69-bus system is 32.57 kW, 0.9832 p.u., 2.3847 p.u., $ 2.524 million, and 2.53 million lb/hr, respectively. The proposed model was compared with other reported techniques for performance validation, and its efficacy and superior performance was established.

Sustainable materials selection in industrial construction: A life-cycle based approach to compare the economic and structural performances of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) and steel

In recent years, Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) have shown positive characteristics in terms of both environmental and structural performance, thus proving to be promising materials that can be used in construction to replace traditional materials, such as steel. Regarding environmental performance, the use of GFRP instead of steel can lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, thus containing the environmental impact during their life cycle and contributing to the energy transition. From a structural point of view, the high corrosion resistance and durability of GFRP structures minimise maintenance requirements and greatly extend their lifespan, which can even be considered unlimited, even in terms of reusability.This paper jointly evaluates for the first time the structural performance and economic viability of industrial constructions made from GFRP pultruded profiles. These performances are then compared with that of equivalent steel constructions. This is done through a standardised and exportable model based on life cycle cost (LCC) which is developed in four phases: (1) technical-mechanical properties and structural analysis of the buildings; (2) modelling and cost estimation; (3) evaluation of the LCC indicator; (4) performance comparison of design alternatives.The elaborations show that industrial GFRP structures, while having a higher investment cost than equivalent steel constructions, can guarantee lower maintenance costs in the long run. Interesting quantitative results are: (i) the construction cost of the GFRP structure exceeds that of the steel structure by about 15%; (ii) maintenance costs are much higher in the steel structure than in the GFRP structure, due to the greater susceptibility to corrosion of structural steel; (iii) in relation to its very high durability, the residual value of GFRP structures coincides with the construction cost, while the residual value of steel structures decreases significantly; (iv) the composite structure has a Global Cost less than 26% of that of the steel structure, being the most economically advantageous alternative considering the costs related to the whole life cycle, also confirming itself as a fairer and more accessible alternative.The proposed Life Cycle Cost-based model can find multiple applications in the field of civil engineering as a valid support for the selection between alternative structural materials, useful for the transition to a more circular, just, and sustainable construction industry.

Material Engineering Solutions toward Selective Redox Catalysts for Chemical-Looping-Based Olefin Production Schemes: A Review.

Chemical looping (CL) has emerged as a promising approach in the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light alkanes, offering an opportunity for significant reductions in emissions and energy consumption in the ethylene and propylene production industry. While high olefin yields are achievable via CL, the material requirements (e.g., electronic and geometric structures) that prevent the total conversion of alkanes to CO x are not clearly understood. This review aims to give a concise understanding of the nucleophilic oxygen species involved in the selective reaction pathways for olefin production as well as of the electrophilic oxygen species that promote an overoxidation to CO x products. It further introduces advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, which have been employed successfully in identifying such reactive oxygen species. To mitigate CO x formation and enhance olefin selectivity, material engineering solutions are discussed. Common techniques include doping of the bulk or surface and the deposition of functional coatings. In the context of energy consumption and CO2 intensity, techno-economic assessments of CL-ODH systems have predicted energy savings of up to 80% compared to established olefin production processes such as steam cracking or dehydrogenation. Finally, although their practical application has been limited to date, the potential advantages of the use of fluidized bed reactors in CL-ODH are presented.

Towards Green and Low-Carbon Transformation via Optimized Polygeneration System: A Case Study of the Iron and Steel Industry

Polygeneration systems have significant potential for energy conservation and emission reduction and can effectively promote green and low-carbon development in energy-intensive industries, such as the iron and steel industry. However, its application faces the difficulty in technology selection under multiple objectives simultaneously, which is to determine the technology portfolio to achieve the synergy of energy conservation goals and air pollutant emission reduction goals, as well as ensure the economic benefits of the enterprises. This study investigated a case polygeneration system where the iron and steel plant are the core with four polygeneration paths and twenty polygeneration technologies. A multi-objective optimization model is developed to select the optimal technology combination of each polygeneration path under energy conservation, emission reduction, and cost control objectives, which is solved by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The optimal results can reach significant energy conservation and emission reduction effects while obtaining economic benefits. However, synergistic and conflicting relationships among the objectives exist in both scales of iron and steel plants. The final decision scheme can achieve the mitigations equivalent to 15.9–27.1% and 16.3–42.6% of the energy consumption and air pollutant emissions of the steel enterprises with annual production of 3 Mt/a and 9 Mt/a, respectively. There are thirteen and twelve technologies that are selected as the final decision scheme in the polygeneration system in these two case enterprises. These findings demonstrate the significant roles the polygeneration system plays and provide critical insights and methodology in the technical selection of the polygeneration system.

Net-zero life cycle supply chain assessment of heat pump technologies

In this study, a comparative life cycle assessment of different heat pump technologies based on multiple supply chain scenarios according to the UK market has been conducted. In addition to conventional heat pumps – air-source heat pump (ASHP), ground-source heat pump (GSHP), and water-source heat pump (WSHP) - a novel hydrogen-source heat pump (HSHP) has been studied from an environmental aspect. Different supply chain scenarios have been developed for all technologies based on the leading supplier of heat pump components in the UK. Results showed that the manufacturing and operation of heat pumps are the main causes of the environmental impacts. Among the four technologies studied, ASHP had the highest negative environmental impacts across most categories. HSHP stands out with notably lower carbon emissions compared to other cases. However, in certain impact categories, HSHP exhibited more significant consequences, especially concerning land use and land-related pollution. Regarding CO2 emissions, ASHP is projected to achieve the most substantial reduction, with expected reductions of 23 %, 60 %, and 97 % by 2030, 2040, and 2050, respectively. GSHP, WSHP, and HSHP are also predicted to experience significant CO2 emission reductions of 94 %, 95 %, and 59 % by 2050, aligning with the UK's net-zero goal.

Health impact of policies to reduce agriculture-related air pollutants in the UK: The relative contribution of change in PM2.5 exposure and diets to morbidity and mortality

Food systems can negatively impact health outcomes through unhealthy diets and indirectly through ammonia emissions originating from agricultural production, which contribute to air pollution and consequently cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes. In the UK, ammonia emissions from agriculture have not declined in the same way as other air pollutants in recent years. We applied a novel integrated modelling framework to assess the health impacts from six ammonia reduction scenarios to 2030: two agriculture scenarios – a “Current trends” scenario projecting current mitigation measures to reflect a low ambition future, and “High ambition mitigation” based on measures included in the Climate Change Committee's Balanced Pathway to Net Zero; three dietary scenarios – a “Business as usual” based on past trajectories, “Fiscal” applying 20% tax on meat and dairy and 20% subsidy on fruit and vegetables, and “Innovation” applying a 30% switch to plant-based alternatives; one combination of “High ambition mitigation” and “Innovation”. Compared to “Current trends”, the “High ambition mitigation” scenario would result in a reduction in premature mortality of 13,000, increase life years by 90,000 and reduce incidence of respiratory diseases by 270,000 cases over a 30 year period. Compared to Business as Usual, the dietary scenarios would reduce the number of premature deaths by 65,000 and 550,000–600,000 life years gained over 30 years, with most of the benefits gained by reducing ischemic heart disease (incidence reduction: 190,000). The “High ambition combination” would lead to 67,000 deaths averted, 536,000 incidence reductions and 650,000 life-years gained. For all scenarios, older age groups and those living in lower income households would experience the greatest benefits, because of higher underlying mortality rates or higher levels of risk factors. Our study shows that combining mitigation policies targeting agricultural production systems with diet-related policies would lead to significant reductions in emissions and improvement in health outcomes.

Novel Bacterial Consortium for Mitigation of Odor and Enhance Compost Maturation Rate of Municipal Solid Waste: A Step Toward a Greener Economy

Composting is an integral component of sustainable Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management within the circular bio-economy platform. However, it faces challenges due to malodorous emissions that impact environmental and societal equilibrium. The present study aims to minimize odorous emissions and expedite compost maturation using a novel, efficient microbial consortium. Bacteria sourced from open dump sites in Sri Lanka were carefully screened based on concurrent enzyme production. Five developed consortia were tested for their performance in reducing malodors during the composting process of MSW. Consortium No. 5 (C5), comprised of Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Bacillus safensis, demonstrated outstanding performance with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in odorous emissions. Additionally, consortium C5 exhibited impressive control over gas emissions, maintaining VOC, CH4, NH3, and H2S concentrations within ranges of 0.5-6 ppm, 0.5-0.8 ppm, 0.3-0.5 ppm, and 0.5-0.6 ppm, respectively, compared to control concentrations of 4.5-10.2 ppm, 0.5-5.5 ppm, 0.3-5.5 ppm, and 0.5-6.4 ppm, respectively. Additionally, comprehensive Electronic nose (E-nose) analysis substantiated C5’s efficiency in attenuating Methane-Aliphatic compounds, Sulfur and Aromatic compounds, along with low-polarity aromatic and alkane compounds, all with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Further, the developed consortium could reduce the composting time from 110 ± 10 days to 17 ± 3 days, offering a sustainable solution for global MSW management.

Experimental and numerical studies of NO reduction by ammonia in different methane flame positions

Blending ammonia with methane for combustion can reduce carbon emissions and improve the flame characteristics of ammonia combustion. However, blending ammonia with methane can easily lead to high concentrations of NOx emissions. This study investigates the impact of different ammonia and methane blending methods on the flame structure and NOx emission by experiments and CFD numerical simulation. The results indicate that simultaneous injection of ammonia and methane through the central fuel tube significantly alters the combustion flame structure and leads to high concentrations of NOx emission. As the ammonia ratio increases, the flame structure transitions from a bright flame to a layered flame with an inner yellow conical small flame surrounded by a light-colored outer flame. When the ammonia ration increases from 0 % to 20 %, NOx emission increase from 15 ppm to 323 ppm, nearly 22 times higher. When ammonia is injected into the methane flame from flame side, the flame above the injection position appears as an orange flame, and a significant reduction in NOx emission is obtained. When the ammonia ratio is 20 % and injected at heights of 20 mm 40 mm, and 60 mm above the fuel exit, the outlet NOx concentrations are 183 ppm, 140 ppm, and 153 ppm respectively, this represents reductions of 43.3 %, 56.6 %, and 52.6 %, respectively. The numerical simulation results indicate that the injection of ammonia leads to the formation of higher concentrations of NH2 and super-vapor H2O, resulting in an orange color flame. The gas temperature and oxygen concentration play a crucial role in NOx emissions. NOx emission is lowest when ammonia is injected into the higher temperature, lower oxygen environment at 40 mm.