Environmental Protection Technology Research Articles

Enhanced detection of glyphosate with a Co-MOF integrated opto-electrochemical sensor

Abstract This study presents a new method for detecting the organophosphorus pesticide glyphosate using advanced scanning electrodes (SPE) and enhanced fluorescence. Metal-organic frameworks from cobalt ions were synthesized using a solvothermal method. It is characterized using Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The electrocatalytic behavior of the materials was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) examined the positive response of plants to glyphosate over a concentration range of 0.55–5.95 mM with a detection limit of 0.334 mM. The fluorescence enhancement ranges from 0.07 mM to 0.67 mM, and the detection limit is 0.0998 mM. Additionally, the selectivity of the proposed opto-electrochemical sensor was evaluated. This selection demonstrates the sensor's ability to detect glyphosate in complex wastewater matrices. This has important implications for environmental monitoring. By addressing glyphosate contamination, the sensor could significantly advance ecological remediation and monitoring strategies. The selectivity, sensitivity, and ability to operate under harsh conditions represent a significant advance in the development of efficient and reliable glyphosate technology for wastewater treatment and environmental protection. In real-sample matrices, the suggested sensor showed a good recovery of the pesticide that had been spiked.

Study on the Emission Reduction Effect of China's OFDI in Countries along the Belt and Road

With extreme weather events occurring more frequently around the world, urgent action on climate change is becoming increasingly urgent. In the countries along the "Belt and Road", many adopt extensive development methods and face increasing pressure on carbon emissions. This paper explores the impact of China's outward direct investment (OFDI) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 108 countries along the route that have joined China's Belt and Road Initiative, reported by Xinhua News Agency, from 2005 to 2020. The findings show that China's OFDI helps reduce carbon emissions in host countries, strongly refuting the claim that China's OFDI poses an environmental threat. At the same time, OFDI has promoted the spread of environmental protection technology and industrial upgrading in countries along the route, especially in developing countries, which may bring the phenomenon of "pollution halo". Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that China and countries along the "Belt and Road" should carry out international environmental technology exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen green and low-carbon investment in these countries. These cooperation measures will help push countries along the Belt and road towards a more sustainable development path and jointly address the challenge of global climate change.

Exploring public attention in the circular economy through topic modelling with twin hyperparameter optimisation

To advance the circular economy (CE), it is crucial to gain insights into the evolution of public attention, cognitive pathways of the masses concerning circular products, and to identify primary concerns. To achieve this, we collected data from diverse platforms, including Twitter, Reddit, and The Guardian, and utilised three topic models to analyse the data. Given the performance of topic modelling may vary depending on hyperparameter settings, this research proposed a novel framework that integrates twin (single and multi-objective) hyperparameter optimisation for the CE. We conducted systematic experiments to ensure that topic models are set with appropriate hyperparameters under different constraints, providing valuable insights into the correlations between CE and public attention. In summary, our optimised model reveals that public remains concerned about the economic impacts of sustainability and circular practices, particularly regarding recyclable materials and environmentally sustainable technologies. The analysis shows that the CE has attracted significant attention on The Guardian, especially in topics related to sustainable development and environmental protection technologies, while discussions are comparatively less active on Twitter. These insights highlight the need for policymakers to implement targeted education programs, create incentives for businesses to adopt CE principles, and enforce more stringent waste management policies alongside improved recycling processes.

AI Research for Power Grid Transmission and Environmental Energy Saving Using Fuzzy Evaluation

Given the increasing adverse impacts of climate change on ecosystems, the power sector needs to improve rapidly. One solution is to utilize efficient resources for energy production and processing. In terms of resource efficiency, although AI has not yet been fully utilized, AI-6G can play a key role in developing environmentally friendly and efficient energy saving systems that support a more environmentally friendly environment. This paper focuses on the utilization of 6G technology for power transmission, environmental protection and energy saving projects. The advantage of 6G technology is the faster communication between devices within the network. Fuzzy Integrated Assessment (FIA) is an effective assessment methodology applicable to power transmission, grids, retrofitting processes, eco-security and energy efficiency measures that can be used to assess the effectiveness of these programs. This paper focuses on sustainable energy production by integrating AI-6G with emphasis on maintenance, production planning, fault detection and incorporating green AI.

Research on Supplier Selection of Pharmaceutical Enterprises under the Dual Carbon Target

With the proposal of national carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets, green supply chain management has become one of the important means of reducing carbon emissions. Based on elaborating on the connotation of new quality productivity, this article analyzes the supplier selection problem of pharmaceutical enterprises under the dual carbon target. A pharmaceutical supplier evaluation index system has been established from five aspects related to low-carbon and environmental protection, including technological innovation, research and development capabilities, digitization, intelligent production, environmental protection technology, and so on, with five primary indicators and 18 secondary indicators. Secondly, a game theory combination weighting method combining the G1 method and entropy weight method is used to determine the weights of indicators. A pharmaceutical supplier evaluation model is established by combining the matter element extension model. A company is used as an example to evaluate its 8 candidate suppliers and select the best supplier. Finally, corresponding measures are proposed to promote the healthy and sustainable development of pharmaceutical enterprises.

Automated Intelligence: Enhancing Environmental Protection with AI and Electrical Systems

The global community is increasingly focusing on conservation. To combat pollution andresource wastage, modern technologies, like automation and AI are widely employed in environmentalprotection tools. This study delves into the utilization and advancement of automation and AI inenvironmental protection tools examining their real world applications across sectors like wastewatertreatment, air pollution control, solid waste management, metallurgy and energy supervision. Furthermoreit investigates the fusion of automation and artificial intelligence in the development of environmentalprotection tools. The study also addresses aspects such as data collection, performance monitoring,sustainable growth, prevailing challenges and future trends. Through an analysis it underscores thepotential of automation and artificial intelligence in enhancing environmental protection tools effectivenesstowards achieving sustainable conservation goals. Lastly recommendations for research are proposed todrive innovation and enhancement of environmental protection technology. This study aims to offerinsights and guidance for both research endeavors and practical applications, within the realm ofenvironmental protection technology.

Sustainable process design and multi-objective optimization of efficient and energy-saving separation of xylene isomers via extractive distillation based on double extractants

The focus of the chemical industry on environmental protection and energy conservation has driven the development of green distillation technology. Xylene isomers are extensively utilized industrial raw materials, whose separation is challenging and energy-intensive due to their closely similar boiling points. Therefore, it is urgent to develop energy-saving and environmental protection technology. In this paper, an energy-saving and environmental protection process for separating the xylene isomers by extractive distillation was designed combing the vapor recompression process with feed preheating (VRAPFP). The parameters of extractive distillation processes were synthetically optimized by multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) with total annual cost (TAC), CO2 emission (ECO2) and separation efficiency (Eext) as the objective evaluation indexes. The economical optimal process was used further for VRAPFP design through heat integration to reduce energy consumption, and all the designed candidate processes were synthetically analyzed, compared and evaluated with performance indexes. Results show that the VRAPFP process has superior economic efficiency and ecological sustainability compared with the existing distillation process, wherein the TAC and ECO2 are reduced by 14.2 % and 30.2 %, respectively. This work provides a new reference and idea for separating xylene isomers with the economy and developing new processes for energy conservation and environmental protection.

Global Trends in the Research and Development of Petrochemical Waste Gas from 1981 to 2022

As a highly energy-intensive and carbon-emitting industry with significant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the petroleum and chemical industry is a major contributor to the global greenhouse effect and ozone layer destruction. Improper treatment of petrochemical waste gas (PWG) seriously harms human health and the natural environment. This study uses CiteSpace and VOSviewer to conduct a scientometric analysis of 1384 scholarly works on PWG and carbon sequestration published between 1981 and 2022, revealing the basic characteristics, knowledge base, research topic evolution, and research hotspots of the field. The results show the following: (1) In the early stages of the petrochemical industry, it was processed tail gas, plant leakage waste gas, and combustion flue gas that were investigated in PWG research. (2) Later, green environmental protection technology was widely studied in the field of PWG treatment, such as biotechnology, catalytic oxidation technology, membrane separation technology, etc., in order to achieve efficient, low energy consumption and low emissions of waste gas treatment, and the number of publications related to this topic has increased rapidly. In addition, researchers studied the internet of things and technology integration, such as the introduction of artificial intelligence, big data analysis, and other technologies, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of exhaust gas monitoring, control, and management. (3) The department has focused on how to reduce emissions by optimizing petrochemical process lines or improving energy efficiency. Emission reduction and low-carbon transition in the petrochemical industry will become the main trend in the future. Switching from renewable carbon to feedstock carbon derived from captured carbon dioxide, biomass, or recycled chemicals has become an attractive strategy to help curb emissions from the chemical industry. The results of our analysis can provide funding agencies and research groups with information to better understand the global trends and directions that have emerged in this field from 1981 to 2022 and serve as a reference for future research.

Self-powered electrochromic smart window helps net-zero energy buildings

Net-zero energy buildings are becoming an important energy-saving and low-carbon technology for global environmental protection and resource conservation. As the least energy-efficient building components, windows have promoted the development of electrochemically light/thermal management, where smart windows without external electrical supplies are highly desired for net-zero energy buildings. Here, we develop a self-powered electrochromic smart window system to regulate solar radiation transmittance, constructed by a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a high-performance electrochromic device. The visible–near-infrared (VIS-NIR) dual-band electrochromic device is well-designed based on an eco-friendly low-energy demand phenothiazine redox ionic liquid, demonstrating a fast switching response of ﹤1.9 s, a large transmittance modulation of >51.8 %, and outstanding electrochemical durability (5.5 % attenuation after 4000 cycles). Upon continuous pressing/releasing motions, the integrated TENG-powered electrochromic smart window (TECSW) displays a prompt light/thermal management behavior with desirable privacy preservation performance (transmittance modulation of 51 % in the visible region) and excellent thermal management property (12.3 °C reducti°n). The whole-building energy simulations show that TECSW can save 347.79 MJ/m2yr (amounting to 96.60 kWh/m2yr) of operational Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) warming/cooling energy consumption among 34 cities in China, accounting for 17.25 % of the total energy consumption. This research provides new insight into designing green and energy-efficient smart windows for net-zero energy buildings.

Has bank digitization facilitated green transformation of enterprises?

Based on measuring the green transformation of heavily polluting enterprises based on the sub-dimensions of green strategy and green action, we empirically analyze whether and how bank digitization affects the green transformation of enterprises by using the data of China’s A-share heavily polluting enterprises from 2010 to 2021. The findings show that 1) bank digitization has a significant positive effect on firms’ green transformation; 2) bank digitization promotes firms’ green transformation by alleviating firms’ financing constraints and improving firms’ ESG performance; 3) governmental environmental regulations and media attention positively moderates the relationship between bank digitization and firms’ green transformation; and 4) bank digitization is more likely to promote the green transformation of firms that are highly digitized, non-state-owned firms, and enterprises in the eastern region; 5) the sub-dimension test shows that bank digitization has significant differences on different dimensions of green transformation. The above analysis shows that bank digitization should be deeply integrated with the green transformation of enterprises, and the former should be deeply embedded in supervising, forcing and empowering enterprises to upgrade environmental protection technology and sewage treatment, and the regulator should formulate a more detailed environmental protection disclosure program to realize the consistency “words” and “deeds” of the green transformation of enterprises.

Smart manufacturing of ZIF-8 photonic crystals: Catalytic formaldehyde degradation and colorful eco-friendly coatings

Formaldehyde and other harmful gases cause environmental pollution and threaten human health. Environment-friendly coatings is an effective strategy to address these environmental and health concerns. In this study, a large-scale amorphous photonic crystals (APC) based on modified ZIF-8 (Hxh-ZIF-8) with photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde and tunable structural color were designed for eco-friendly coatings by programmable smart manufacturing. As APC unit, Hxh-ZIF-8 nanoparticles with controllable diameters were synthesized utilizing solvothermal method and the −N = C = O group was introduced with thermal oxidation. The results of photocatalytic degradation revealed that H5h-ZIF-8, through thermal oxidation, exhibited a formaldehyde degradation rate 9.8 times than that of ZIF-8. The main reactive components in photocatalysis were holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (·O2–), showcasing both stability and reproducibility. The color and brightness of the APC were adjusted by tuning the Hxh-ZIF-8 diameter. The angle-independent APC ranging from red to purple were fabricated with 177, 165 and 235 nm Hxh-ZIF-8 nanoparticles in various proportions with programmable smart manufacturing. In this study, a large-scale ZIF-8-based APC was designed with programmable smart manufacturing for environment-friendly coating, which combined environmental protection technology with structural color, and paved a new strategy for the development of multifunctional materials in air quality management.

Reusable saturated synthesis solutions for compact zeolite membranes

Zeolite membranes have excellent application prospects in the separation of mixtures with molecular-level differences; however, the uneven distribution of active ingredients on the support causes defects in the zeolite membranes, limiting their industrial applications. In this study, compact NaX and NaA zeolite membranes with perfect pervaporation performance were prepared in reusable saturated membrane synthesis solutions. These saturated membrane synthesis solutions not only provided sufficient Si/Al components for the even growth of zeolite on the support, but also reduced the random deposition of zeolite particles on the support by reducing the formation of zeolite particles in the bulk solution, improving the quality of the resulting zeolite membranes. The separation factors of the obtained NaA and NaX zeolite membranes were greater than 10000 for the water/ethanol and methanol/MTBE mixtures, respectively. Moreover, the saturated synthesis solutions could be reused multiple times to synthesize zeolite membranes after nutrient supplementation, saving resources and reducing environmental pollution. This study presents reusable solutions for synthesizing compact zeolite membranes, promoting the development of membrane technology for environmental protection and energy conservation.

Research on the application of microbial biomass in resource utilization of agricultural product processing waste

Microbial biomass can effectively treat waste from the agro-food industry. Urbanization and economic development have escalated, causing environmental degradation. With the development of the economy and the improvement of peoples living standards, the total amount of waste today is huge, and there are many types. Waste management challenges far exceed those of the early 20th century, requiring innovative solutions and modern environmental protection technologies. Industrial waste is costly to recycle, while animal and plant-based organic waste like potato wastewater, whey, lignin, and cellulose dominate. This article explores the utilization of microorganisms for waste treatment. Yeast biomass offers a solution to reduce waste disposal costs and generate valuable metabolites such as -glucans, vitamins, carotenoids, and enzymes with wide industrial applications. Discovering new applications for yeast, fungi, and bacteria can enhance their effective use in various biotechnological fields.

INFORMATION SUPPORT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES

The information support in environmental protection technologies includes forecasting and information analysis. The informational component is a necessary tool for assessing the level of environmental impact of the activities of industrial enterprises, with the aim of applying the necessary methods and means of protection. In this study, the information support for a metallurgical enterprise is considered, which is based on forecasting the level of atmospheric air pollution by gas emissions of the enterprise. The analysis of the concentration fields makes it possible to single out the areas of the city that fall into the zone of influence of pollutants depending on the direction and speed of the wind, to compare them with the maximum permissible concentration. The informational component regarding the enterprise's impact on the environment is important for the enterprise itself, from the point of view of adjusting its activities regarding environmental safety. At the same time, the information support is important for people who live directly outside the sanitary zone, but are exposed to harmful factors that spread in the environment according to the state of the atmosphere.

The influence of digital platform on the implementation of corporate social responsibility: from the perspective of environmental science development to explore its potential role in public health.

This paper aims to explore the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and public health within the context of digital platforms. Specifically, the paper explores the impact of digital platforms on the sustainable development practices of enterprises, seeking to comprehend how these platforms influence the implementation of environmental protection policies, resource management, and social responsibility initiatives. To assess the impact of digital platforms on corporate environmental behavior, we conducted a questionnaire survey targeting employees in private enterprises. This survey aimed to evaluate the relationship between the adoption of digital platforms and the implementation of environmental protection policies and practices. Analysis of the survey responses revealed a significant positive correlation between the use of digital platforms and the environmental protection behavior of enterprises (), Moreover, the presence of innovative environmental protection technologies on these platforms was found to positively influence the enforcement of environmental policies, with a calculated impact ratio of (). An intermediary analysis highlighted that environmental innovation technology plays a mediating role in this process. Additionally, adjustment analysis showed that enterprises of various sizes and industries respond differently to digital platforms, indicating the need for tailored environmental policies. These findings underscore the pivotal role of digital platforms in enhancing CSR efforts and public health by fostering improved environmental practices among corporations. The mediating effect of environmental innovation technologies suggests that digital platforms not only facilitate direct environmental actions but also enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of such initiatives through technological advances. The variability in response by different enterprises points to the importance of customizable strategies in policy formulation. By offering empirical evidence of digital platforms' potential to advance CSR and public health through environmental initiatives, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development goals. It provides practical insights for enterprises and policy implications for governments striving to craft more effective environmental policies and strategies.

Sustainable Safety and Environmental Protection Technologies in Oil and Gas Industry

Aim: This paper examines the concepts of oil and gas production, effects of the operations on the environment and relevant environmental protection technologies to make the industry a sustainable one. Problem Statement: Reports show environmental pollution and ecosystem disruption emanating from oil and gas operations which are majorly exploration, production and distribution to end-users. This makes the environment to be unhealthy for living and causes breakage in food chain. Significance of Study: High relevance of oil and gas industry to the economic growth of a Nation has made it imperative to critically address the adverse effects attributed to the operations involved. Tackling the accorded problems via current environmental protection technologies will prevent operational accidents and minimize environmental pollution. With this, lives are protected, environment is kept safe, and the industry is enhanced for future sustainability. Discussions: The upstream, midstream and downstream operations that make up the oil and gas value chain were discussed. The philosophy of sustainability and sustainable development as pertained to environmental pollution and disruption of ecosystem by the operations of oil and gas industries were discussed. Reasons why round table talk should be conducted from time to time by all stakeholders as related to environmental sustainability of Oil and Gas industries in years to come were discussed. The adopted technologies to ensure there is safety and environmental protections were stated within. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is need for further research on effective technologies to improve the existing ones in terms of making safety and environmental protection from oil and gas industry a sustainable one.

APPLICATION OF AUTOCAD SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER DESIGN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES

Environmental protection technologies touch different issues, including modern technologies and the latest materials in the decoration of interiors and exteriors, modern equipment for ventilation, interior heating, modern lighting systems and energy-saving technologies, modern methods of project activities of an interior or exterior designer. AutoCad automated design system is a technology that allows you to ensure predictability, speed and quality of work with projects when creating and applying environmental protection and interior and exterior elements. The ability to develop accurate models and perform visualization in 3D improves the perception of what is being designed or developed.

Exploration of the Application of Green Mining Technology in Coal Mines under the New Situation

This paper discusses the application of green mining technology in coal mines under the new situation, considering the environmental pressures and requirements for sustainable development faced by coal mining. Firstly, it introduces the definition and principles of green mining, along with its development history, and analyzes the importance of relevant policies and regulations. Subsequently, it analyzes the demands faced by coal mining under the new situation, including the relationship between environmental issues and sustainable development, the impact of new energy development on coal mines, and social demands and public opinion pressure. Furthermore, through application cases, it showcases the specific practices of green mining technology in coal mines, involving environmental protection technology, energy efficiency improvement technology, and green mining technology. When discussing the challenges and issues of technology application, it focuses on technical difficulties, economic feasibility, and human resources and training needs. Finally, it looks ahead to the prospects of green mining technology in coal mines, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and proposing suggestions regarding technological innovation, policy support, and corporate responsibilities.

Environmental financing: does digital economy matter?

Sustainable development and ecological restoration are a common goal pursued by countries around the world to mitigate the collision between economic growth and the environment. Digital economy has been rather instrumental in settling this type of conflict. The study is intended to identify the relationship between digital financing and environmental financing by assessing the specificities of their temporal and industry-specific dynamics, as well as to determine the side effects that the digital economy has in terms of current environmental investments and costs. The special attention is paid to the effect of the digital economy on both total environmental financing and its components, namely, environmental investment and current environmental protection costs. The authors come up with two indicators to evaluate the impact of the digital economy, these are digital financing (direct impact) and digital capital (indirect impact). To calculate these indicators, the authors’ own method is developed. The impact of the digital economy on environmental financing was tested using the least squares method with clustering of annual standard deviation and individual fixed effects. The research data were retrieved from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) of the Russian Federation for 2012–2022. Our findings show that digital financing exerts a significant positive effect on environmental financing, which indicates that two dynamic processes in the economy—digital transformation and introduction of advanced environmental digital technologies—are synchronized. The authors prove that digital investments stimulate a comparable increase in environmental investment due to the effects created by digital technologies penetrating into environmental protection technologies. We demonstrate that the level of digitalization of the population, companies and the state assessed through the digital capital index has a positive effect on environmental financing. The results of the study are of use in the sphere of public policy.

Environmental regulations implemented by local officials in China: Is there a hometown effect?

The emotional connection of the people-hometown relationship is an informal but important mechanism in environmental regulation. Based on firm-level Pollution Database in China, this study explores the impacts and mechanisms of the emotional connection between local officials and their hometowns in the implementation of environmental regulation. We found that (1) in the implementation of environmental regulation, the presence of native local officials (i.e., those serving in their home province) leads to a significant reduction in the exhaust gas emissions of industrial enterprises within their jurisdiction, which we call the “hometown effect” of local officials in environmental regulation; (2) Mechanism analysis shows that native local officials enforce stricter environmental regulations, manifested in reduced approval for the entry of polluting firms and less land transfer for developing key polluting industries. Simultaneously, firms are observed with remarkable improvements in their environmental protection technologies, with advancements in pre-emission reduction technology, post-treatment technology, and post-treatment efficiency within the jurisdiction of native local officials; (3) The trade-off between local environment quality and economic growth can be explained within the framework of local accountability. Additionally, the study reveals that the “hometown effect” of local officials in pollution control becomes larger in regions with a richer cultural and natural environment.