Unconventional Sources Research Articles

Petroleum geology of conventional and unconventional resources: Introduction

Understanding reservoir, source, seal, migration pathways and trap characterization is the first step towards better energy resource exploitation. Several studies have been conducted in recent decades on the reservoir characteristics of conventional resources. Unconventional resources, on the other hand, have received more attention as alternative future energy solutions to depleted conventional resources. Drilling, exploration, development, and production of conventional and unconventional resources pose technical challenges to the energy industry. This special issue attempts to address the most pressing technical challenges in developing conventional reservoirs (such as sandstone and carbonate reservoirs) as well as unconventional energy sources (e.g., shale gas, shale oil, tight gas sand, coal bed methane, geothermal and gas hydrates). The special issue is composed of 21 papers that are classified into six different groups related to the physical and mechanical properties of reservoirs, petroleum geochemistry, petroleum geology, geological modelling, unconventional resource evaluation and conventional reservoir evaluation.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA Analysis for Using Coffee Cups As Forensic Medicine Evidence.

Introduction Forensic science has continually evolved, with innovations in DNA analysis techniques playing a pivotal role in improving the accuracy and reliability of criminal investigations. Short tandem repeats (STRs) have been a game-changer in forensic science, offering unique genetic markers to pinpoint individual identities. This study explores the application of STR DNA analysis to an unconventional source: coffee cups. Materials and methods In a study involving 16 unrelated, healthy individuals aged 26 to 32, DNA was investigated from coffee cups and mouth cavities, comparing the results to a previous coffee cup DNA study. Buccal swabs provided reference samples, air-dried for 10 minutes, and stored at 20°C. DNA quantification revealed a significant decrease in coffee cup samples (0.015 to 0.049 ng/μL) compared to the reference, with no DNA in negative controls. Some STR loci displayed inhibition and lower heterozygosity in the research samples. Ethical approval (REC 53-592) and adherence to the Declaration of Helsinki ensured ethical standards. This research highlights potential challenges in obtaining efficient DNA profiles from various sources. Results There was a significant variation in DNA concentrations among the different cup types, with ceramic cups yielding the highest concentrations. Moreover, the DNA profiling outcomes ranged from full profiles, which allow for precise individual identification, to partial profiles, which pose challenges for conclusive matches. These findings have profound implications for forensic science. The study demonstrates the potential of coffee cups as sources of DNA evidence in criminal investigations, even if partial profiles are obtained. Such evidence can assist in suspect identification, victim profiling, and corroborating witness statements. Conclusion This study highlights the application of STR DNA analysis for coffee cups, opening new avenues for forensic investigations and highlighting the need for continued research and development in this exciting field. This observation aligns with existing research on DNA recovery from various surfaces, and further research is warranted to refine the methodology, consider usage patterns, and address ethical and legal concerns regarding the collection and use of DNA evidence from common objects.

Iron-coated nutshell waste bioadsorbents: Synthesis, phosphate remediation, and subsequent fertilizer application

The increasing incidence of freshwater nutrient pollution worldwide has highlighted the need for improved phosphate capture technologies. Successful phosphate recovery from agricultural sources and commercial wastewater can help prevent freshwater algal bloom contamination, while also reducing the dependency on finite phosphate reserves. Biodegradable biosorbents have the potential to remove phosphate from water; however, their potential as slow-release fertilizers has not been tested. Novel biosorbents were developed by coating pistachio and walnut shells with iron oxides; batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate their adsorption capacities and performances. Surface characterization studies were also conducted to investigate changes in the surface area and morphology. The potential of using iron-coated shells loaded with phosphorus as slow-release fertilizers was also evaluated. Advanced characterization techniques (scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) physisorption analysis, and x-ray diffraction) showed that hematite was successfully coated onto the surface, resulting in increased surface area and roughness. The iron-coated pistachio and walnut shell phosphate removal capacity was 12.63 mg g−1 and 9.25 mg g−1, respectively. The phosphate sorption data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Inner sphere complex formation, coprecipitation, diffusion, and electrostatic attraction were the main uptake mechanisms. Results from sequential release experiments with simulated pore water suggested both fast and slow desorption components. The Mehlich-3 extraction revealed that more than 90% of the released phosphate was available for plant uptake. In addition, nutrient priming showed that corn seed shoot growth increased by more than 43% when pretreated with phosphate-loaded biosorbents, demonstrating that the released phosphate could be used for plant growth. This research provides a pathway for two important zero-waste, cyclical economic goals: (1) the beneficial use of agricultural waste, and (2) a low-cost technology that can recover phosphorus from waste streams while potentially adding an additional unconventional phosphate source to apatite mineral ores.

Bose Condensation of Upper-Branch Exciton-Polaritons in a Transferable Microcavity.

Exciton-polaritons are composite quasiparticles that result from the coupling of excitonic transitions and optical modes. They have been extensively studied because of their quantum phenomena and potential applications in unconventional coherent light sources and all-optical control elements. In this work, we report the observation of Bose-Einstein condensation of the upper polariton branch in a transferable WS2 monolayer microcavity. Near the condensation threshold, we observe a nonlinear increase in upper polariton intensity accompanied by a decrease in line width and an increase in temporal coherence, all of which are hallmarks of Bose-Einstein condensation. Simulations show that this condensation occurs within a specific particle density range, depending on the excitonic properties and pumping conditions. The manifestation of upper polariton condensation unlocks new possibilities for studying the condensate competition while linking it to practical realizations in polaritonic lasers. Our findings contribute to the understanding of bosonic systems and offer potential for the development of polaritonic devices.

Exploring Unconventional Sources in Big Data: A Data Lifecycle Approach for Social and Economic Analysis with Machine Learning

This study delves into the realm of leveraging unconventional sources within the domain of Big Data for conducting insightful social and economic analyses. Employing a Data Lifecycle Approach, the research focuses on harnessing the potential of linear regression, random forest, and XGBoost techniques to extract meaningful insights from unconventional data sources. The study encompasses a structured methodology involving data collection, preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, and iterative refinement. By applying these techniques to diverse datasets, encompassing sources like social media content, sensor data, and satellite imagery, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of social and economic trends. The results obtained through these methods contribute to an enhanced comprehension of the intricate relationships within societal and economic systems, further highlighting the importance of unconventional data sources in driving valuable insights for decision-makers and researchers alike.

Use of renewable energy in global energy mix and the challenges associated with their large-scale deployment

Abstract Energy is the need for the future, and to fulfill this need, the use of renewable energy is a must. Furthermore, to counter the problem of global warming and climate change, the transition toward unconventional sources of energy is a requirement. Total global energy is majorly used in three sectors, namely, heating and cooling, transport, and electricity; however, the use and growth of renewable energy among these sectors are different. In this article, we discuss the potential of renewable energy in these sectors, the challenges associated with their large-scale deployment, and the possible solutions.

Profiles in the social network of university students as a source of migration data (on the example of RUDN University)

The subject of the research is the territorial origin of students and graduates of the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The purpose of the work implies the study of the internal Russian educational migration of persons who entered the university in question at different times. The research method was the analysis of digital traces of users of the VKontakte social network. The information basis of the work covered data on the regions of origin indicated in user profiles. It is indicated that the study of educational and youth migration based on social network data is becoming widespread in Russian science. Migration processes in specific regions of the country or the participation of certain universities in the organization of educational mobility are investigated. The novelty of the work is associated with the use of an unconventional source of information about migration processes. It is shown that, despite the positioning of the RUDN as an internationally oriented university, the students of the university are mainly Russian citizens. As a result of studying the profiles of VKontakte users, it was revealed that most of those who indicated RUDN as a place of study are natives of Moscow. Among the persons who marked other regions of the Russian Federation as origin in VKontakte profiles the largest number of students and graduates of RUDN are from Chukotka and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrugs, the Moscow and Magadan regions, several national-territorial subjects of the Russian Federation. The main factors determining the origin of educational migrants' are the territorial accessibility of the university city and the insufficient level of higher school development in the regions of educational migrants.

Innovation Technologies in Sport Nutrition

The article provides findings of the research dealing with innovation technologies in sport nutrition using unconventional sources, i. e. apiculture products in order to raise immune-response of sports people. Four experimental groups were chosen: the 1st group included people taking a certain composition of honey with pollen in ratio 5 : 100; the 2nd group – people taking a mixture of honey with bee-glue in ratio 2 : 100; the 3rd group – people taking honey with royal jelly in ratio 1 : 100 and the 4th group – control one. As a result of innovation technology application, i.e. using unconventional raw material a serious rise in immune-response of sports people was observed due to their food status. The authors’ research gives an opportunity to widen the range of using innovation technologies in order to improve functional properties of food for sport nutrition.

AUTONOMOUS POWER SUPPLY ON SOLID FUEL AND BIOGAS

"The article considers two options for autonomous power supply using both traditional and non-traditional fuels. The efficiency of using renewable energy sources is described depending on the climate, geographical location and method of energy production. The relevance of this topic is caused by increasingly high environmental requirements for production. Moreover, decentralization with the use of unconventional sources allows the energy system to be more flexible in an autonomous mode, taking into account the time of day, the intensity of solar, wind and hydropower. The use of renewable energy sources is also possible in combination with solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Combined systems are very convenient for power supply of small objects. These can be settlements remote from centralized power supply, autonomous industrial facilities, peasant farms, livestock farms. One of the energy supply options is more suitable for the northern region of the country with a long cold period and the presence of large coal reserves, there is an opportunity for the consumer to receive gas, as well as heat and electric energy when using coal as a feedstock, a kind of local gas network. The second method will ensure the disposal of animal waste and organic waste. Keywords: alternative energy sources, biogas, gaseous fuel, coal processing, autonomous power supply."

A Study On Hydrogen Production Methods Using the TOPSIS Method

For humanity and social health, energy is essential. Hydrogen is one of several potential energy carriers for green technologies. The Black Sea seas are a rich source of "hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)", which is also a known environmental contaminant. The main drivers of hydrogen technology are global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels. Additionally, the nation's economies that depend on the importation of conventional fuel have been exposed as a result of the rising prices of these fuels due to the rising energy demand. Future renewable technologies need to be carbon-free and renewable to combat climate change on a long-term basis and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Hydrogen can be produced using a variety of traditional and unconventional sources of energy, including "natural gas, coal, nuclear power, biomass, solar, and wind". The most ecological hydrogen production method using H2S is chosen in this research using the "technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)", taking into account sustainable factors which are inescapable in energy managerial problems. The "Equal Weights Method (EWM)" allocates weights to many criteria, most notably relevance weights. The rank of alternatives using the TOPSIS method for Thermal is second, Electrochemical is third, Thermochemical is fourth, Photochemical is fifth and Plasma is first. The analysis's findings indicate that plasma is the best and most suitable method for producing hydrogen in terms of delivering high conversion efficiency and environmentally friendly operations, such as handling, shipping, and storing dangerous chemicals.

Microbial Desalination Cell for Sustainable Water Treatment: A Critical Review.

In view of increasing threats arising from the shortage of fresh water, there is an urgent need to propose sustainable technologies for the exploitation of unconventional water sources. As a derivative of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial desalination cell (MDC) has the potential of desalinating saline/brackish water while simultaneously generating electricity, as well as treating wastewater. Therefore, it is worth investigating its practicability as a potential sustainable desalination technology. This review article first introduces the fundamentals and annual trends of MDCs. The desalination of diverse types of solutions using MDCs along with their life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and economic analysis is studied later. Finally, limitations and areas for improvement, prospects, and potential applications of this technology are discussed. Due to the great advantages of MDCs, improving their design, building materials, efficiency, and throughput will offer them as a significant alternative to the current desalination technologies.

Air preoxidation and Fe-catalyzed cooperative effect for preparation of high-performance coal-based granular activated carbon: Enhancing low-concentration CH4 recovery and utilization

Low-cost and efficient recovery of low-concentration CH4 is important in enhancing energy utilization and mitigating climate issues. The primary objective of this study was to develop a novel coal-based granular activated carbon through an improved preparation process. By utilizing anthracite as a precursor and coal tar as a binder, the present investigation highlights the cooperative effects of air preoxidation and Fe catalysis on the development and regulation of the pore structure in activated carbon. The efficiency of the modified activated carbon in separating CH4/N2 was tested and compared to that of commercial activated carbon. The modified activated carbon ACAFe exhibited an equilibrium separation factor of 3.23 for CH4/N2 at 25 °C. At 25 °C and 400 kPa, a single-column vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process enriched CH4 from 40 mol% to 53.49 mol% and provided a CH4 recovery rate of 76.39%. ACAFe also demonstrated excellent cyclic regenerability. In conclusion, the cooperative effect of air preoxidation and Fe catalysis is an operationally simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient process with considerable industrial potential for recovering and utilizing low-concentration methane from unconventional natural gas sources.

Recovery of Lithium from Oilfield Brines—Current Achievements and Future Perspectives: A Mini Review

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the demand for lithium all over the world. Lithium is widely used primarily in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, and in many other industries such as production of aluminum, ceramics, glass, polymers, greases, and pharmaceuticals. In order to maintain the balance between supply and demand for lithium on the global market, it is essential to search for alternative sources of this element. Therefore, efforts are being made to obtain lithium from unconventional sources, an example of which is the recovery of lithium from oilfield brines. This article provides an up-to-date review of the literature in this particular field based on data from different sources (scientific literature databases, patent databases, company websites and industrial online newspapers). The current achievements and future perspectives for the lithium recovery from brines generated during oil and gas extraction were critically reviewed. An emphasis was placed on chemistry of lithium-contained oilfield brines, technologies (both pretreatment and direct lithium extraction) suitable for lithium recovery and industrial results obtained from pilot trials.

Shale Gas: An Undepletable Energy Resource

World Energy market is growing day by day in abundance as much as 50 % growth by 2050 as compared to 2010. But the resources are continuously depleting and lowering the energy content. Thus renewable energy resources are not feasible and capable enough to fulfill the increasing demands. Increase in production of nonrenewable energy source, i.e., the fossil fuels may help to fulfill the energy requirement of future generations. Shale gas is one of the optional unconventional sources of energy. Shale gas deposits are scattered all over the planet in low-permeability and low porosity reservoirs. India has overall reserves of shale gas between 600 and 2000 TCF, of which 63 TCF is of recoverable shale gas. Shale exploration techniques are discussed. Light is provided on shale oil and gas global and national data. Challenges faced practically are described. Key Words: Shale Gas, Sedimentary Rocks, Fracking, Kerogen, Hydraulic Fracturing, Vertical Drilling.

Extraction and characterisation of avocado seed starch (Persea americana Miller) and application in aerogels

SummaryAvocado seed (Persea americana Miller) is a by‐product of fruit processing and is considered a potential alternative source of starch. The use of starches from unconventional sources can be an alternative to replace modified starches as a functional ingredient in food systems. This study aimed to extract and characterise starch from avocado seed varieties Fortuna and Hass and produce aerogels. Starches were characterised by physical, chemical, thermal and morphological properties. The aerogels were produced by physical crosslinking and evaluated for water absorption capacity and physical properties. The starch extraction yield was 12%, and the granules had oval and spherical morphology. Amylose content ranged from 41.95% to 49.46%, and relative crystallinity from 22% to 25% for Hass and Fortuna, respectively. The Fortuna starch showed higher pasting temperature, peak viscosity, peak time and final viscosity values. Aerogels had excellent structural characteristics and had not deformed after 24 h of hydration; the Fortuna starch aerogels showed higher water absorption and mechanical resistance. The properties of avocado seed starch indicate a vast potential for application in food industries and for developing biodegradable packaging with excellent physical properties and excellent water retention capacity.

Whole Unripe Plantain Flour as Unconventional Carbohydrate Source to Prepare Gluten‐Free Pasta with High Dietary Fiber Content and Reduced Starch Hydrolysis

AbstractThe effect of non‐starch polysaccharides of whole unripe plantain flour (WUPF) on the starch hydrolysis rate provides information on the potential glycemic impact of the use of this flour to produce gluten‐free foods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the non‐starch polysaccharides (dietary fiber (DF)) present in the peel of unripe plantain flour on starch digestion, texture, and DF content of laminated pasta. The unripe plantain pulp flour (UPF) is used as a reference. Pasta based on these flours is prepared by sheeting. Proximate composition, cooking quality, texture, polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and starch hydrolysis rate of the pasta are evaluated. An appreciable higher DF content is recorded in the cooked WUPF pasta which is associated with the non‐starch polysaccharides of the peel. In general, the cooking quality and texture of both pastas are similar, falling within the range considered for good quality pasta. The resistant starch content is higher in the pasta of WUPF. The presence of polyphenols in the cooked WUPF pasta may also contribute to reducing the starch digestion rate. The WUPF can be an alternative to preparing gluten‐free pasta with reduced starch hydrolysis and high DF content.

Extraction and improvement of protein functionality using steam explosion pretreatment: advances, challenges, and perspectives.

Protein has become an increasingly valuable food component with high global demand. Consequently, unconventional sources, such as industrial and agroindustrial wastes and by-products, emerge as interesting alternatives to meet this demand, considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the transition to a circular economy. In this context, this work presents a review of the use of Steam Explosion (SE), a green technique that can be employed as a pretreatment for various waste materials, including bones, hide/leather, feathers, and wool, aimming the extraction of protein compounds, such as low molecular weight biopeptides, gelatin, and keratin, as well as to enhance the protein functionality of grains and meals. The SE technique and the main factors affecting the process's efficiency were detailed. Promising experimental studies are discussed, along with the mechanisms responsible for protein extraction and functionality improvement, as well as the main reported and suggested applications. In general, steam explosion favored yields in subsequent extraction processes, ranging from 27 to 95%, in addition to enhancing solubility and functional protein properties. Nonetheless, it is crucial to maintain the continuity of research on this topic to drive advancements in ensuring the safety of the extracted compounds for use in consumable products and oral ingestion.

Landscape and Horticultural Fertigation Using Roof-Derived Storm Water: The Potential Multiple Benefits of Blue Green Roof Installations

A contribution to the sustainable management of storm water is the use of sustainable drainage (SuDS)-derived water as an unconventional source for irrigation. If storm-water runoff contains dissolved nutrients in excess of those found in conventional irrigation, reusing this water can contribute to the nutrient demands of horticulture or landscaping, which is known as “fertigation”. Green roofs are SuDS devices, and those with below-substrate water storage, blue green roofs, can be additional water sources. The nutrients released from a roof-substrate-growing medium could contribute to the growth of crop and landscape plants, but materials from blue green roofs must not release residues harmful to fertigated plants or receiving soils. This plant growth experiment examined the effects of water from a blue green roof on plant growth and health and the effects on soil and roof-harvested water when functioning as a nutrient-rich irrigation source. Tomatoes and ryegrass were used as examples of horticultural and landscaping plants, respectively. Blue green roof water was compared with potable water irrigation. The blue-green-roof-derived water provided a distinct growth advantage for tomatoes and lower sodium in fruits than tap water, at 285 mg/kg and 636 mg/kg, respectively. For ryegrass, the differences were minimal, but there was no disadvantage to using roof water for fertigation. Following three years of a blue green roof’s operational life, export of inorganic nutrients from the roof, local storage, and then application to plants were effective in contributing additional fertiliser.

Fog water harvesting potential and its use in supplementary irrigation of rainfed crops (winter wheat) in Abi-beyglu, Ardabil (Iran)

Abstract In arid and semi-arid areas where available water resources are very limited, the application of unconventional sources of water like the fog is of paramount importance. In this paper, the feasibility of using a standard fog collector (SFC) to collect fog water for complementary irrigation of rainfed wheat in the Abi-beyglu area was investigated. For this purpose, collected water volume was measured on a daily basis during fog time in 2021. The water demand of the winter wheat was estimated by the FAO Penman–Monteith equation under dry and normal conditions. Then the contribution of the collected water to supply the water demand of the wheat and the resultant increase in the yield under two different scenarios, namely complementary irrigation with 30 and 60 mm of collected water, was estimated using the AquaCrop model. Results showed that it is feasible to obtain an average water production of 3.6 L/m2/day over the studied period. Upon irrigation with 30 and 60 mm of collected water under dry and normal conditions, 26 and 34% of the water deficiency for wheat farming was supplied, leading to increased crop yields by 0.6 and 1.7 ton/ha, respectively.

Efficiency of growth regulators in corn crops of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

The continuous increase in prices for mineral fertilisers for corn limits the use of fertilisers, which leads to the search for unconventional sources of food elements, and in particular, the use of biological natural and synthetic growth stimulators that are not harmful to the environment and allow wider use of the entire genetic potential of corn. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of various plant growth regulators on the intensity of photosynthesis, development, growth and productivity of corn of various ripeness groups in the steppe of Ukraine. The field scientific study was conducted according to generally accepted methods of research, followed by the use of mathematical processing of experimental data using variance analysis. An increase in the chlorophyll content was identified when Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate preparations were applied compared to Vympel 2 and Alpha Nano Grow by 11.3-23.7%. The increase in grain from the use of growth stimulators on corn was in the early-maturing hybrid DN Pivikha – 0.13-0.37 t/ha (2.7-7.7%), mediumearly DN Khortytsia – 0.85-1.08 t/ha (16.6-18.5%), medium-maturing DN Julia – 0.20- 0.22 t/ha (3.20-3.4%), medium-late DN Olena – 0.05-0.53 t/ha (0.65-7.6%). Among the preparations used, Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate should be highlighted, which provided a tendency to increase the crude protein content to 6.42- 8.4%, or by 0.12-0.48 percentage points more compared to the control (3.53-4.71%), and the crude fat content to 3.73-5.52%, or by 0.20-0.81 percentage points. The use of growth stimulators in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine on corn, especially Avangard Grow Amino and Avangard Grow Humate on early-maturing and medium-early corn hybrids, allows increasing the gross yield of high-quality grain by 7.6-18.4%