Substantial Reduction Of CO2 Emissions Research Articles

A-124 Sustainable Transport: Assessing Environmental Impact in Medical Sample Transit via Drones and Vehicles

Abstract Background This research explores the ecological implications associated with different methods of transporting medical samples, specifically focusing on drones, combustion cars, and electric cars within two laboratories in central European countries. With the primary goal of assessing and comparing CO2 consumption, delivery time, and overall environmental impact, the study aims to provide a basis for adopting sustainable practices in healthcare logistics. Methods The transportation of medical samples occurred between two laboratories in the Principality of Liechtenstein and Switzerland, utilizing authorized aerial and road routes. Various weather conditions and distances were considered for sample transports using different vehicles (8 combustion cars, two electric cars, and one drone model). Energy consumption was documented, and the CO2 footprint was calculated based on data from the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) for both imported and renewable electricity. Comparative analyses were conducted to quantify the environmental impact of each transportation method. Results In terms of CO2 footprint, combustion cars exhibited a CO2 release of 159.5 g/km, while electric cars showed 3.43g (2.15 to 4.08% of combustion cars). Drones demonstrated a minimal 0.09g CO2 emission per kilometer (0.066% of combustion car CO2 emission; 2.6% of electric car CO2 emission). The distance traveled by drones was significantly shorter (16.7% to 50%). Additionally, the efficiency of drone transport was emphasized by its ability to avoid traffic jams and associated detours, resulting in time savings ranging from 31.25 to 50% per delivery when comparing transport times during rush hour and regular hours in the selected setting. Conclusions The integration of drone technology emerges as a crucial strategy for establishing a “green laboratory.” The substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and enhanced delivery efficiency position drone transport as a sustainable and operationally effective solution for medical sample logistics, offering shorter delivery times. These findings highlight the potential for transformative change in healthcare logistics, aligning with the global shift towards sustainability and green practices.

Techno-economic analysis of integrated MIDREX process with CO2 capture and storage: Evaluating sustainability and viability for iron production

This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology with the Midrex process for direct reduced iron (DRI) production. Employing rigorous simulation and validation against real plant data, we assess the impact of CCS integration on energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic feasibility. Our findings reveal a slight increase in energy consumption alongside a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, with the cost of CO2 avoidance remaining competitive. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates the resilience of the proposed integration to market fluctuations. The findings of our study highlight the possibilities of integrating CCS with the Midrex process to address environmental issues and maintain economic sustainability in the iron manufacturing industry.

Simulation and Economic Modelling of a Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) System using PVSyst

This paper examines the economic feasibility of implementing a Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) system in a Philippine Lake using the PVsyst simulation tool. The study involved a detailed simulation of the FSPV system's performance, considering various environmental and technical parameters. Key aspects such as system configuration, energy yield, and financial metrics including payback period and net present value were analyzed. Results indicate that the FSPV system could significantly contribute to local energy needs while proving to be a financially viable investment due to substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and lower energy costs compared to traditional power sources. According to assessments and simulations performed using PVSyst software, the FSPV system would possess a capacity of 10 kWp, with an expected available energy output of 13,599 kWh per year and an expected energy consumption of 12,940 kWh per year. The economic modeling of the FSPV system revealed a relatively short payback period of 4.8 years, with a net present value of Php 741,732.00 and a substantial return on investment of 227.5%. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was estimated at Php 6.18 per kWh. The study underscores the potential of FSPV systems to meet the renewable energy needs of isolated communities by leveraging local water bodies for solar installations.

Experimental investigation into the potential of recycled concrete and waste glass powders for improving the sustainability and performance of cement mortars properties

This comprehensive experimental investigation delves into the world of sustainable mortar mixtures by introducing recycled concrete powder (RP) and waste glass powder (GP) as partial substitutes for conventional Portland cement (OPC). The primary goal is to assess how these substitutions affect the mechanical, physical, and durability characteristics of mortar. RP and GP are individually and jointly incorporated at substitution rates of 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % by weight of cement. The study encompasses a wide range of tests, including compressive and flexural strengths, acid resistance, workability, and microstructural analysis. The study shows that replacing 10 % cement with RP increases mortar compressive strength by 13.28 % after 90 days, and a combination of 15 % GP and RP improves mortar durability against chemical attack. Economic evaluations confirm cost savings exceeding 10 % for all blended mortars compared to OPC. The environmental perspective, explored through a carbon footprint assessment, demonstrates substantial reductions in CO2 emissions when RP and GP are employed in lieu of OPC. Overall, this study highlights the potential of utilizing recycled materials, to enhance the performance and durability of cement-based concrete production.

Renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions nexus in the USA: the role of technical innovation.

Using the QARDL approach and data from January of 2010 to May of 2022, we explore how renewable energy consumption affects CO2 emissions in the USA. Long-term analysis reveals a negative link between these variables, while only lower quantile levels show short-term statistical significance. Integrating technical innovation (measured by patents) in our QARDL model shows substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, with varying effects over time. Interestingly, only renewable energy consumption, not technical innovation, significantly impacts CO2 emissions at lower quantile levels. These findings emphasize the crucial role of renewable energy in reducing both short-term and long-term CO2 emissions and offer policymakers valuable insights for shaping effective energy strategies to combat emissions and promote sustainability in the USA.

Retrofit assessment: Getting it right from the start

The UK has some of the oldest buildings in Europe. They are also some of the worst performing in terms of energy performance. In tandem with these issues the UK has committed to making a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. UK homes are currently responsible for almost 20 per cent of CO2 emissions. This leaves little option other than to make considerable progress with the retrofitting of homes to improve their energy performance. This is a technical process, however, and can introduce risks to building and their occupants. Examples exist of homes being retrofitted with disastrous consequences. Some of these issues can be due to the lack of thorough examination of a home before it undergoes a retrofit. This paper proposes a method that provides a detailed pre-retrofit assessment of a home, to fall in line with PAS 2035, a standard that provides guidance around publicly funded retrofit in the UK.

Electrification of a Remote Rural Farm with Solar Energy—Contribution to the Development of Smart Farming

Rural farms constitute a vital component of a country’s agricultural landscape, traditionally reliant on energy installations known for their reliability yet notorious for their energy-intensive and inefficient characteristics. While the smart farm concept, integrating renewable energy sources and resource management technologies, has seen widespread adoption in domestic and industrial sectors, rural farms have been slower to embrace these innovations. This study presents a groundbreaking solution, deployed on a rural farm in Portugal, resulting in an impressive 83.24% reduction in energy consumption sourced from the grid. Notably, this achievement translates to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions, aligning with the growing need for environmentally sustainable farming practices. The technical intricacies of this pioneering solution are comprehensively described and juxtaposed with other scientific case studies, offering valuable insights for replication. This initiative represents a vital first step towards the integration or combination of conventional farming with photovoltaic energy production, exemplified by agrivoltaic systems. In conclusion, this research showcases the potential for rural farms to significantly enhance energy efficiency and financial viability, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and cost-effective agricultural sector. These findings serve as a model for similar endeavors, paving the way for a greener and more economically viable future for rural farming practices.

Assessing the potential of compaction techniques in tropical peatlands for effective carbon reduction and climate change mitigation

There is a pressing need to tackle carbon emissions from oil palm plantations on tropical peatland, which has garnered significant discussion and concern in recent years. In response, compaction techniques were introduced in Malaysia with the aim of mitigating CO2 emissions by improving moisture levels and reducing soil aeration. This research investigates the impact of mechanical compaction on two distinct ecosystems: a peat swamp forest (PSF) and an oil palm plantation (OPP), characterized by their unique physicochemical properties Using a specially designed compaction apparatus, significant changes in carbon emissions were observed in PSF but not in OPP, with means 1263 and 404 mg CO2-eq m−2 h−1, respectively. This disparity can be due to substrate availability between the two ecosystems. Subsequently, in the PSF, a promising pattern of a percentage ratio of approximately 1:3.5 was observed, indicating a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions (from 1295 to 468 mg m−2 h−1; 64%) alongside a corresponding increase in CH4 emissions (from −50 to 60 µg m−2 h−1; 221%). This finding suggests that compaction alters the aerobic peat horizon, bringing the peat surface closer to the groundwater level. The study underscores the importance of considering confounding factors such as decomposition degree and groundwater fluctuation when assessing the effects of compaction on tropical peat. By shedding light on these complexities, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the efficacy of compaction techniques in reducing emissions of these special case atmospheric pollutants.

A Sustainable Port-Hinterland Container Transport System: The Simulation-Based Scenarios for CO2 Emission Reduction

This paper calculates the CO2 emissions for the port-hinterland container transport system and proposes possible emission reduction measures. This paper considers the Dhaka–Chittagong port-hinterland transport system in Bangladesh. The port-hinterland transport system represents 70% of the total international maritime containerised trade, including more than 2.0 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year. By implementing different scenarios using a simulation approach, this research suggests a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions for the port-hinterland transport system. The scenarios include infrastructure development and performance and operational efficiency improvement in the port and modal shift for the hinterland. In formulating the scenarios, the current performance statistics of the port and its hinterland as well as the possibility of the implementation of these scenarios are carefully analysed. The findings depict that Bangladesh could significantly contribute to the reduction in port-hinterland CO2 emissions by implementing the suggested scenarios.

Electrically Heated Oxide Ceramic Tubes for High Temperature Reactions

AbstractEndothermic high temperature reactions are usually carried out in metal tubes heated by gas burners. Electrical heating allows substantial reduction of CO2 emissions. We propose the usage of a composite tube, where a thin metallic layer is embedded between an inner and outer ceramic layer. While monolithic ceramics suffer from brittleness and low tolerance to thermal stress, only the inner layer is made from monolithic ceramics, while the outer layer is made of fiber reinforced oxide ceramics. In first tests the hybrid ceramic tube was electrically heated to 1250 °C with a maximum heat release of 85 kW m−2.

Evidence of scawtite and tilleyite formation at ambient conditions in hydrated Portland cement blended with freshly-precipitated nano-size calcium carbonate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Activated calcium carbonate (a-CaCO3) is used partially to replace Portland cement. a-CaCO3 is comprised of nanoscale calcium carbonate, in amorphous and calcite forms, and its enhanced carbonate activity converts calcium carbonate from being an inert filler to a reactive component. Its reaction with the C–S–H phase alters the conventional hydrate mineralogy with spontaneous formation at ∼20 °C of scawtite, Ca7(Si6O18)CO3·2H2O and tilleyite, Ca5Si2O7(CO3)2. Compressive strength measurements show that up to 20 mass% cement replacement by calcium carbonate does not decrease 7- and 28-day compressive strengths compared to a Portland cement benchmark. a-CaCO3 also accelerates the hydration of silicate clinker minerals. Using activated calcium carbonate as a supplementary cementing material enables substantial reduction of CO2 emissions, firstly by capturing part of the CO2 from cement kilns to make nanoscale calcium carbonate and secondly, by using the a-CaCO3 capture product to replace part of the cement.

Development of novel geopolymeric foam composites coated with polylactic acid to remove heavy metals from contaminated water

As an alternative for ordinary Portland cement, geopolymers are cost effective materials that can be prepared with relatively low energy consumption and substantial reduction of CO2 emissions. In the present study the characteristics of novel hybrid composite of geopolymer foam (GPF)/polylactic acid (PLA) and their efficiency in removing copper(II) and zinc(II) to treat high volumes of polluted water are investigated. Contrary to the conventional methods for removing heavy metals, the newly developed composites are ecological, low-cost, easily available, and economically viable alternatives providing good physical-chemical stability, ion-exchange properties, and a porous structure. Based on the sustainable advantage to produce geopolymers from recycled materials, GPFs were obtained from blast furnace slag (BFS) by reacting 20 ml of an 8 M alkaline solution of sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) with BFS particles and later addition of hydrogen peroxide. GPFs were produced with a stoichiometry of 1.4 and 1.6 g/L between BFS/alkali solution with a 1.6 ml solution of hydrogen peroxide 50% to develop porosity into the materials. Finally, the GPFs were coated with PLA. Specimens of GPF/PLA composites were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption analysis of Cu(II) and Zn(II), as well as ion-exchanges from aqueous solution through the composite with 1.4 and 1.6 stoichiometry, were performed using deionized water containing 0.80% Cu(II) or Zn(II). The test resulted in high performance for retaining Cu(II) and Zn(II). Under CO2 pressure at 50 bar, the gas permeation tests confirmed porous formations into the geopolymer foams coated with molten PLA.

A novel quantitative forecasting framework in energy with applications in designing energy-intelligent tax policies

Energy, monetary and fiscal policies are going to play a crucial role towards the broad transformation of global energy. The design and optimization of these policies as well as the efficacy in achieving the desirable results require quantitative approaches. In this study, we extend the methodology of our novel quantitative framework, the Energy Price Index (EPIC) that represents the average price of energy in the US, to the design, optimization and assessment of energy-intelligent tax policies. The non-availability of actual energy demand and price data for the recent months is addressed with the introduction of a rolling horizon methodology that demonstrates excellent forecasting ability over a testing period of 181 months. The mean absolute percentage error of the initial and the 2nd adjusted EPIC are just 2.71% and 1.02% respectively over this period, with the forecasting framework demonstrating excellent robustness even during the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19. The same framework can be used to forecast the energy demands for the next four years. Two case studies for energy-intelligent tax policies are presented, investigating parametrically the effects that a gasoline tax hike and a carbon tax could have retrospectively and prospectively. A hypothetical gasoline tax hike of 15 cents per gallon would increase EPIC by 1.6%, with the greatest increase of 3.67% being associated with the transportation sector (TEPIC). This policy would result in an estimated annual average revenue of $20.253 billion. Likewise, a hypothetical incremental carbon tax hike over the next 10 years would lead in substantial reductions in CO2 emissions, while the average price of energy would increase by just $1.5/MMBtu, generating though more than $110 billion in annual revenue.

Quantifying the challenge of reaching a 100% renewable energy power system for the United States

Quantifying the challenge of reaching a 100% renewable energy power system for the United States

Design and Comparative Study of Hybrid Propulsions for a River Ferry Operating on Short Cycles with High Power Demands

Based on a multidisciplinary and configurable modeling approach, this work deals with the optimal choice and the design of a hybrid propulsion with the associated power management strategy to replace a conventional propulsion in a low tonnage river ferry operating on short cycles, with the aim of reducing its environmental impact and the costs over its entire lifetime. The considered ferry is used for the transport of people and vehicles crossing the Seine river, with an installed propulsive power of 330 KW. The operating cycle of the ferry and the energy consumption of its classical propulsion have been determined experimentally and then used as references in simulations for validation and comparison purposes. Two hybrid structures involving the use of batteries and supercapacitors were proposed and compared. It is shown that the hybridization leads to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. The supercapacitor- and battery-based hybrid structures lead respectively to 18% and 29.7% CO2 reduction compared to classical propulsion, representing, respectively, about 382 and 626 tons of CO2 reduction over 20 years of operation. Despite the fact that the use of batteries leads to a more significant reduction in CO2 emissions, the solution using supercapacitors is chosen following a technical-economic study over 20 years of operation.

Flexible Operation of the Potassium Taurate Solvent Absorption Section for CO2 Removal in a Coal-Fired Power Plant

To reduce global warming effects due to the increase of the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, CO2 can be removed from large emitting industrial sources as power production stations with several available technologies. Among these, the most common one is chemical absorption with aqueous amines. The benchmark solvent is MonoEthanolAmine (MEA), though presenting a few disadvantages such as being corrosive and toxic and requiring large amounts of energy for its regeneration. An aqueous solution of potassium taurate has the potential to replace MEA because of degradation resistance, low toxicity and low energy requirements. In addition, at specific conditions, it can enhance the chemical absorption of carbon dioxide by precipitating and forming a slurry with presence of solid taurine. The considered process scheme is similar to the one for the MEA system (basically composed of absorption column and stripping or distillation column), with the addition of a heat exchanger for the dissolution of any solid particle present in the system before being fed to the regeneration section. When applied to a power plant, CO2 removal decreases the revenues from the sale of electricity. Indeed, the requirement of thermal energy for running the reboiler of the regeneration section and of electrical energy for compressing the separated CO2 are some of the main drawbacks of the application of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and may result in a significant decrease in the power output and profit. Operating the CO2 removal section in flexible mode significantly reduces effects on the profit and CO2 emissions. The research reported here focuses on determining the best operating conditions for the potassium taurate solvent absorption section with the aim of limiting the impact of the CO2 capture operation and maintaining a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions in a coal-fired power plant. The process of post-combustion scrubbing is well-suited for operation in flexible mode because it is located downstream of the power production system. For simulating the process, a tool previously developed and based on the commercial software ASPEN Plus® has been employed. The process simulator had been user customized for the representation of the chemical reacting system of carbon dioxide with potassium taurate, which is not present by default in the database. The Vapor-Liquid-Solid Equilibrium (VLSE) is considered in the thermodynamic model and rate-based simulations, also taking into account the kinetics, have been performed. An in-house tool, taking as input the data for electricity demand and price and the result of simulations in ASPEN Plus®, has been then used for analyzing the flexible operation of the plant. The study of a flexible solution for carbon dioxide removal has been carried out in this work, considering the amount of electricity sold during the day for which data are available from the Italian national service institution.

An auction-enabled collaborative routing mechanism for omnichannel on-demand logistics through transshipment

Nowadays’ on-demand logistics operations are carried out on separate delivery networks from competitive contractors, with redundant resources and high costs. This article proposes a new paradigm to deal with industrial and societal challenges, developing an auction-enabled collaborative routing mechanism for omnichannel on-demand logistics in a real-time transshipment network. We consider an online service platform for real-time management of on-demand pickup and delivery tasks, where multiple freight shippers can trade with multiple freight carriers. Freight shippers are retailers or individual customers, while freight carriers are a group of logistics service providers. The platform acts as the auctioneer. A two-stage combinational auction mechanism is designed for dynamic on-demand task (re)allocation. Tactical-level auctioning and operational-level routing decisions are optimized together. The transshipment-based task generation method is used to identify uneconomic paths from carrier’s real-time network for outsourcing. A transshipment-based routing algorithm is developed to enable each carrier to make decentralized decisions for network reconstruction and transportation bidding. Our model aims to improve the overall social welfare while bringing benefits to stakeholders involved. The computational results have shown positive society impacts. Specifically, shippers’ payments can be saved while carriers’ profits are increased compared with other operative models which have been investigated in previous research studies or industry. In addition, a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and vehicles required can be achieved. The main reason for the improvement in social welfare is due to the optimal network achieved through collaboration. We also numerically analyze the impacts of three key factors: growth in demand density, urgency of tasks and flexible auction interval.

Simulation and experimental investigation of a combined solar thermal and biomass heating system in Morocco

The integration of hybrid renewable energy systems, such as hybrid solar-biomass, to address thermal energy needs in various applications is a promising, efficient and eco-friendly solution that can be successfully applied for traditional baths in Morocco. Indeed, these systems are not widespread in Morocco, since traditional firewood furnaces are still commonly used for heating purposes in many different applications. Accordingly, the main objective of the study is to introduce a new hybrid solar-biomass system designed for space heating and hot water supply in a public bathhouse in Marrakesh, Morocco. This hybrid system includes small-scale pellet boilers and small dimension parabolic trough solar collectors (PTC), which is the first small-size PTC facility proposed for low temperature applications (less than 100 °C) in Morocco. Moreover, the preliminary simulation results of this hybrid solar-biomass system for space heating – case study – using TRNSYS software are presented. The use of such a hybrid system as a new design to retrofit conventional firewood boilers that are widely used for space and water heating in public bathhouses will lead to significant savings in firewood, which will contribute in particular to reducing deforestation in Morocco and will also result in substantial reductions in CO2 emissions.

Evaluation of hybridized performance of amine scrubbing plant based on exergy, energy, environmental, and economic prospects: A gas sweetening plant case study

Gas sweetening is a key process in gas refineries. The equipment involved in gas sweetening generally consume a considerable amount of energy, leading to negative impacts in terms of economic and environmental prospects. This research work includes simulation, analytical, and numerical modeling approaches to evaluate exergy, energy, economic, and environmental analysis of a gas sweetening plant (GSP). Various compositions of methyl-di-ethanolamine (MDEA) and di-ethanolamine (DEA) blend are studied to mitigate exergy destruction, energy loss, and CO2 emissions in the sweetening process. According to the results, the absorber and stripper are responsible for 37% of the total exergy destruction and 29% of the total energy loss, respectively. DEA concentration plays an imperative role in exergy and energy management of the GSP. The optimum amine concentration of 40 wt% decreases the total exergy destruction from 6.6 MW to 4.8 MW and lowers the energy loss by 36.7%. This optimization strategy then results in a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions by 2893.6 tons per year (t/y), compared to the current operation state. The economic assessment confirms the profitability of the plant to be operated at the optimal amine concentration. This research study provides an efficient strategy to optimize a variety of industrial plants that include energy consuming sections.

Analyzing the potential for solar thermal energy utilization in the Chilean copper mining industry

Copper mining is the largest industry and energy consumer in Chile, utilizing heat from imported fossil fuels of which Chile is not a producer. The goals for decarbonization present opportunities to analyze how the Chilean industry can become sustainable with significant shares of renewable energy including solar heat. The present study analyzes the integration of solar heating to the copper refining process in order to gain insights on the technical, economical, and emissions performance of solar heating systems for the largest copper mining operations in Chile. The solar technologies considered in the analysis are flat plate, evacuated tube, and parabolic trough collectors. The results are validated by comparing with publicly available data from existing solar heating plants in copper mining facilities showing that solar plants are able to supply partially the thermal energy demand, although at different costs in terms of capital and operation and maintenance requirements. The economic analysis indicates that with current fossil fuel prices, solar heating technologies are a valid alternative for cost and emissions reduction in copper mining. Flat plate collectors show the lowest cost for solar heat when compared to evacuated tube and parabolic trough systems considering identical sets of technical and financial parameters. The parametric and sensitivity analysis indicate that the conditions under which solar heating is competitive with traditional fossil-fired heaters. which might still be required as backup systems in order to provide heat in a 24/7 regime, and in all the cases analyzed, a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions can be achieved.