Gas Utilization Research Articles

Energetical effect of electrochromic glazing on the double-skin façade of the building in different climates

Today, energy has an essential role in the world’s future, and managing its consumption can be very influential and crucial in human life. Most of the energy consumption in any country is related to building. The aim of writing this article is to investigate the effect of combining electrochromic glazing and double skin facades. For this purpose, a double skin facade building with simple glass and a building in which electrochromic is used in the second layer of the facade were compared. These buildings were designed by Design Builder. The results demonstrated significant reductions in energy consumption in the second case. To study the effect of weather on the performance of this system, four cities in Iran with diverse climates have been selected. The energy consumption of cooling, heating, lighting, electricity, and gas utilization of the same building in different climates was studied. Using electrochromic glazing in the double-skin facade reduced the annual electrical consumption of the entire building by up to 3.5% for hot_humid weather. Also, the total annual gas consumption of the building was reduced up to 22.7% for hot and dry weather.

Performance enhancement of microwave discharge cathode by external gas injection system

The effect of external gas injection near the plume on the performance of a microwave discharge cathode is investigated. Experiments were conducted under two gas injection conditions: gas addition and gas distribution. Gas distribution tended to lead to better performance than gas addition. In the gas distribution experiments, the total gas consumption was kept constant, the internal gas flow rate was reduced, and external gas was supplied. The electron current increased from 0.26 to 0.49 A at 35 V when the microwave power was 15 W. When the sum of the internal and external gas flow rates was held constant, external gas injection lowered the neutralization costs and increased the gas utilization efficiency. The neutralization current was successfully increased by 48 % at 12 W of microwave power compared with 8 W of microwave power with the same level of naturalization cost and gas utilization efficiency. The electron temperature and plasma density in the plume, as measured using a Langmuir probe, suggested that an increase of ionization in the plume by the external gas injection enhanced the cathode's performance.

Progress and advancements of coal mine gas control and management for safe mining in China

Coal is a guarantee and ballast of China’s energy security, and the Chinese government strongly supports the development of the coal industry. The level of coal mine gas control and utilization in China has increased to a new level, which has effectively promoted the high-quality development of China’s coal industry. In this new situation, the future innovative development of China’s coal mine gas control is discussed in six directions: continuously promoting the construction of transparent mines, paying attention to the atypical coal and gas outburst disasters, disaster monitoring and early warning, precise development of coal mine gas, industrialization technology of low-concentration gas, and coal mine gas control under the dual-carbon target. This will continue to contribute to the high-quality development of China’s coal industry and promote green, low-carbon transformations, and high-quality development in the coal industry.

Blast furnace operation profile monitoring system based on DB-Mini-KMeans and multi-layer perceptron

This article proposes a system for monitoring a blast furnace operation based on DB-Mini-KMeans and multi-layer perceptron (MLP), which solves a difficult problem categorising the furnace operation types. The system uses the correlation between cooling wall temperature and furnace operation type, creates an furnace operation type recognition model with optimised K-Means and MLP algorithms and makes a comparison test with other recognition models; evaluates all kinds of operation types by combining six blast furnace production indexes, such as gas utilisation rate and airflow and establishes a monitoring system of furnace operation types in blast furnaces. The clustering performance of the system has been improved by nearly 40%, and the recognition accuracy of various operation types has reached more than 90%, covering functions such as two-dimensional schematic diagrams of furnace operation types and status warnings, which provide help and support for people to analyse furnace conditions.

Impact of higher income on environmental interest

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between income levels and pro-environmental behavior using a utility customer survey. Amid urgent environmental challenges like pollution and climate change, it investigates how household income influences such behavior. Respondents were divided into high-income (90% or above) and lower income (below 90%) groups. While results were inconclusive, indicating no significant inclination toward pro-environmental behavior in higher-income groups, commonalities in perceived behaviors were observed. Notable differences included larger household sizes, greater satisfaction with natural gas utilities, and longer residency among higher-income respondents. However, factors like age, political preferences, and utility satisfaction showed no significant disparity. Although the high-income group was slightly more inclined toward energy-saving measures, both groups prioritized energy conservation similarly. Income-related discrepancies in self-awareness regarding home efficiency compared to neighbors were negligible. This study augments existing research but suggests the necessity for further research across different jurisdictions and timeframes to measure income’s impact.

Forecasting of blast furnace gas utilisation rate via convolutional autoencoders and K-nearest neighbour methods

Gas utilisation rate (GUR) is an essential parameter to characterise the level of energy utilisation efficiency and operation status of blast furnaces (BFs). In the present study, data collected from a BF plant with vanadium–titanium magnetite were subjected to correlation and distribution analyses. Based on the operation cycle of the BF, production parameters from the preceding eight consecutive hours were selected as input parameters for the model. Convolutional autoencoders (CAEs) were employed to extract coded features from the selected data, serving as indirect inputs to the prediction model. Subsequently, K-nearest neighbour (KNN) was utilised to establish a mapping relationship between the coded features and GUR, facilitating forecasting for the subsequent 3 hours. Additionally, a hybrid approach incorporating both supervised and unsupervised training methods was utilised to facilitate GUR prediction, and the performance of the CAE–KNN model was re-validated using data from the remaining sections of the plant. The hit rate of predictions is no less than 96% as the permissible error was within 1.5%.

Surface basic site effect on CoLa/m-Al2O3 catalysts for dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a novel technology that enables the direct utilization of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) for the production of value-added products. In the DRM reaction, the acid-base characteristics of the catalyst support play a pivotal role in determining the performance of the catalyst. In this study, a series of Co-based catalysts with different alkali earth metal-modified Al2O3 composite supports, specifically m-Al2O3 (m=Ca, Mg, and Ba), were prepared using the impregnation method. Various characterization techniques were employed to investigate the impact of alkaline site modulation on the support surface with respect to anti-sintering and anti-coking properties. The results demonstrate that the m-Al2O3 composite support catalysts, prepared with Mg and Ca modulation, exhibit an abundance of basic sites and oxygen vacancies. This promotes the adsorption and activation of CO2, enhances the rate of carbon elimination, and effectively addresses carbon deposition and metal sintering issues. Notably, the CoLa/Mg-Al2O3 catalyst shows the highest performance under reaction conditions of 750 °C, with CH4 and CO2 conversions reaching 92.3 % and 97.5 %, respectively. On the other hand, the CoLa/Ba-Al2O3 catalysts display poor performance in dry reforming. Kinetic studies indicate that CoLa/Mg-Al2O3 catalyst significantly reduce the apparent activation energy required for CH4 and CO2 cracking. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the introduction of alkali earth metals can promote the dissociation of CH4 and CO2.

CO2 reforming of ethane using Ni-La intermetallic sites within a nanocapsule framework

CO2 reforming of light alkanes from unconventional gas resources (shale gas/coalbed gas) presents an attractive route to achieve CO2 utilization and valuable chemical production. However, it remains challenging in both high stability and product selectivity due to the inevitable strong competition between dry reforming and oxidative dehydrogenation pathways. We report here a La modified Ni@SiO2 nanocapsule as the thermal-catalyst for CO2 reforming of ethane, achieving complete ethane conversion and remarkable CO2 conversion of 86.5 %, with stability for more than 200 h experiencing no carbon deposition. Detailed kinetic study, in situ characterizations and DFT calculation results revealed that the formation of NiLa intermetallic sites improved the adsorption of active oxygen species and activation of C2H6, which stabilized the key intermediate CH3CH2O* as well as the subsequent C2* cracking to CHx(O)*, leading to high selectivity toward syngas. Meanwhile, the removal of carbon deposits on Ni-La2O3 interfaces are faster than Ni surface. The synergism of spatial confinement structure provided by the nanocapsule with sufficient mechanical strength together with the chemical Ni-La2O3 interface of the enwrapped Ni-La mixed metal (oxide) NPs can timely eliminate C2* intermediates, which results in the most effective anti-coking ability during ethane reforming. This work highlights a tangible process towards unconventional (C2+) gas utilization with fine-tunable nanoreactor catalysts.

Impact of Nitrate on the Removal of Pollutants from Water in Reducing Gas-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactors: A Review.

The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) is a novel wastewater treatment technology, garnering attention due to its high gas utilization rate and effective pollutant removal capability. This paper outlines the working mechanism, advantages, and disadvantages of MBfR, and the denitrification pathways, assessing the efficacy of MBfR in removing oxidized pollutants (sulfate (SO4-), perchlorate (ClO4-)), heavy metal ions (chromates (Cr(VI)), selenates (Se(VI))), and organic pollutants (tetracycline (TC), p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB)), and delves into the role of related microorganisms. Specifically, through the addition of nitrates (NO3-), this paper analyzes its impact on the removal efficiency of other pollutants and explores the changes in microbial communities. The results of the study show that NO3- inhibits the removal of other pollutants (oxidizing pollutants, heavy metal ions and organic pollutants), etc., in the simultaneous removal of multiple pollutants by MBfR.

Working fluid selection and performance analysis for multistage ship waste heat recovery based on thermal power generation‐organic Rankine cycle combined cycle

AbstractThe energy utilization rate of ships is low, and waste heat accounts for most of the energy loss of the main engine. In this work, a new method called the thermal power generation‐organic Rankine cycle cascaded cycle is suggested to recover ships waste heat in a cascade utilization way. When comparing the performances of R245fa and R1234ze as working fluids, factors such as performance simulation, environmental protection, and safety were taken into account. Based on these simulation, the organic working fluid chosen is R245fa. On the basis of the cascaded cycle, the influence of working fluid flow rates on essential performance parameters, such as power‐production cost, power output, thermal efficiency, and waste heat utilization of main engine flue gas is explored. The experimental system performs at its best for all metrics when the working fluid flow rates is 0.0403 kg/s, including power output of 483.25 W, thermal efficiency of 8.34%, power‐production cost of 0.3464 $/kWh, and waste heat utilization of main engine flue gas of 69.05%.

Investigation on the pore structure-performance relationship of porous carbon adsorbents for SF6/N2 separation via fine pore modulation

The capture and recovery of SF6 as electron specialty gas from SF6/N2 by adsorptive separation have obvious advantages such as the mitigation of greenhouse effect and resource utilization of waste gas. The comprehensive understanding of pore structure-performance relationship of porous materials is beneficial for guiding the design of highly-efficient adsorbents for separating SF6/N2, but is presently limited. In this work, a series of citric acid (CA) and KOH with different molar ratios are designed to synthesize carbon adsorbents denoted as CAK via a one-step carbonization-activation method and probed for the adsorptive separation of SF6/N2. Characterization results reveal that the micropores in carbon adsorbents are finely tuned from 0.73 to 0.88 nm at an angstrom level through increasing the KOH/CA molar ratios in precursors, and the significant mesopores are formed in CAK4. Static adsorption results indicate that the SF6 adsorptive capacity at low pressure of 10 kPa increases and then decreases with the increasing contents of KOH, and the highest value is obtained in CAK2, while the diffusion rates illustrated from the adsorption kinetics continuously increase. By correlating the pore structures with adsorption capacity of adsorbents, the critical role of micropores with size ≤ 0.9 nm in determining the SF6 capacity at 10 kPa and mesopores in enhancing the mass transfer is quantitatively confirmed. The dynamic breakthrough results of CAKx carbon adsorbents for SF6/N2 separation are well explained with these understandings, which are important for guiding the design of porous adsorbents with high-performance for SF6 capture and recovery.

Experimental study on hydrogen-enriched natural gas jet fire hazards: Assessment of the flame geometrical parameters

In the future, hydrogen will be more frequently injected into natural gas networks for storage and transportation purposes. A diffusion jet flame forms when gaseous fuel leakage occurs during the transportation or utilization of hydrogen-enriched natural gas, and the fuel is ignited by an ignition source in still air. In the study, methane was chosen to simulate natural gas. Experiments with the hydrogen addition fraction reaching up to 20% were performed to study the effects of the initial flame angle (θ = 90°, 60°, 30°, 0°, and −30°), variable nozzle diameter (de = 3.15, 4, 4.94, 5.65, and 6 mm) and a multitude of fuel flow rates (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 L/min) on the morphological parameters of the gas jet flames. The geometrical features of the jet flame were determined via video processing for each experiment. The geometrical parameters of hydrogen-enriched natural gas were quantified under different conditions. The experimental results indicate that a dimensionless prediction model was established for the flame height of hydrogen-enriched natural gas by modifying the flame Froude number (Frf) for vertical jet flames. For upward jet flames, the normalized flame horizontal projection length (Lx) of hydrogen-enriched natural gas is well correlated with Q∗. A global prediction model for inclination angles of 0° ≤ θ ≤ 60° and 2000 < Q∗<20,000 was proposed based on the experimental data. For downward jet flames, the normalized horizontal projection length and downward extension length (Ld) of the hydrogen-enriched natural gas jet flame are correlated with Q∗, with powers of 2/5 and 3/5, respectively. Dimensionless prediction models for the horizontal projection length and downward extension length are given by modifying the flame Froude number. Quantitative results were proposed in order to gain insight into the development of the key parameters and the effects on the environment, from which extinguishing concepts and safety areas can be directly derived.

Molar-scale formate production via enzymatic hydration of industrial off-gases

Decarbonizing the steel industry, a major CO2 emitter, is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Escaping the grip of CO combustion methods, a key contributor to CO2 discharge, is a seemingly simple yet formidable challenge on the path to industry-wide net-zero carbon emissions. Here we suggest enzymatic CO hydration (enCOH) inspired by the biological Wood‒Ljungdahl pathway, enabling efficient CO2 fixation. By employing the highly efficient, inhibitor-robust CO dehydrogenase (ChCODH2) and formate dehydrogenase (MeFDH1), we achieved spontaneous enCOH to convert industrial off-gases into formate with 100% selectivity. This process operates seamlessly under mild conditions (room temperature, neutral pH), regardless of the CO/CO2 ratio. Notably, the direct utilization of flue gas without pretreatment yielded various formate salts, including ammonium formate, at concentrations nearing two molar. Operating a 10-liter-scale immobilized enzyme reactor feeding live off-gas at a steel mill resulted in the production of high-purity formate powder after facile purification, thus demonstrating the potential for decarbonizing the steel industry.

Research on Low Concentration Gas Catalytic Oxidation Power Generation System

In response to the difficulties in direct utilization of low concentration gas in coal mines and the slow development of industrial application of catalytic oxidation technology, a new mode of direct utilization of low concentration gas with a methane concentration of 1.0% in coal mines in catalytic oxidation gas turbine power generation is explored. And based on the development of a 30kW low concentration gas catalytic oxidation gas turbine power generation system, this paper introduces the design process of key equipment such as catalytic oxidation burners, low-temperature and low-pressure turbines, and countercurrent regenerators, providing a technical reference for the utilization of low concentration gas catalytic oxidation.

INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS COMBUSTION VOLUMES ON AVERAGE ANNUAL SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE INCREASE IN WESTERN SIBERIA

On April 2016, Russia signed the Paris Climate Agreement, under which by 2030 it pledged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to no more than 70 % of 1990 levels annually. However, this may be hindered by a number of factors, in particular the significant increase in oil production at new oil and gas fields being brought into commercial development. Most of these facilities are concentrated in inaccessible areas with poor infrastructure, which significantly complicates the process of associated petroleum gas utilization and calls into question the fulfillment of commitments made. At the moment, carbon regulation in Russia is at the initial stage: in 2018, the level of greenhouse gas emissions from Russia amounted to only 52 % of the 1990 level. This has a significant contribution to the change in the temperature background of oil-producing regions, the main one being Western Siberia. Therefore, the study of such a massive anthropogenic impact on the environment, such as the mass flaring of associated petroleum gas on an industrial scale, is confidently correlated with Russia's stated strategic goals to significantly reduce the amount of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Comparative life cycle assessment of landfill gas utilization in South Korea with parametric uncertainties

Landfill gas, a major contributor to global CH4 emissions, which have a much greater impact on global warming than CO2 does, is inevitable as a waste derivative. Upcycling landfill gas into value-added products is a powerful strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to use materials in a circular system. This study presents a full life cycle assessment of electricity produced using landfill gas at the Sudokwon landfill site, the largest case of landfill gas upcycling in South Korea. To ensure the representativeness of the results, we used statistical data to capture the technical and regional characteristics of the national market share as primary data. In addition, a parametric uncertainty analysis integrated with data quality assessment was conducted to reflect the temporal dynamics of landfills and enhance the reliability of this study. Our findings demonstrate that upcycling landfill gas into electricity is environmentally beneficial across sixteen impact categories compared with two baseline scenarios that do not involve landfill gas upcycling. The methodological approaches presented herein can address multifunctional challenges in waste treatment systems and improve the reliability of life cycle inventories.

A Research Paper on Design &amp; Development of HHO Generator

This abstract encapsulates the essence of the research paper focusing on the design, development, and testing of an HHO (Hydrogen-Hydrogen-Oxygen) generator. The study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of HHO technology in producing hydrogen gas for various applications, including engine decarbonization, renewable energy production, and industrial processes. The research begins with an in-depth exploration of HHO generation principles, electrolysis techniques, and system components. Through systematic design and engineering processes, a prototype HHO generator is developed, integrating innovative features to enhance efficiency, safety, and reliability. Experimental testing is conducted to evaluate the performance of the HHO generator across a range of operating conditions. In this study, we explore the utilization of oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) as an supplementary source for internal combustion engines. The electrolysis process of water with an electrolyte (such as KaOH) produces HHO gas, which can address fossil fuel shortages and mitigate environmental pollution.

Managing established bronchopulmonary dysplasia without using routine blood gas measurements

ObjectiveRoutine blood gas measurements are common in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (sBPD) and are a noxious stimulus. We developed a guideline-driven approach to evaluate the care of infants with sBPD without routine blood gas sampling in the chronic phase of NICU care (after diagnosis at 36 weeks PMA).Study designWe examined blood gas utilization and outcomes in our sBPD inpatient care unit using data collected between 2014 and 2020.Results485 sBPD infants met inclusion criteria, and 303 (62%) never had a blood gas obtained after 36 weeks PMA. In infants who had blood gas measurements, the median number of total blood gases per patient was only 4 (IQR 1–10). We did not identify adverse effects on hospital outcomes in patients without routine blood gas measurements.ConclusionsWe found that patients with established BPD could be managed without routine blood gas analyses after 36 weeks PMA.

Post-Pandemic Natural Gas Utilization in Trinidad and Tobago: A Sectoral Analysis (2020–2023)

This paper examines the impact of post-pandemic shifts on natural gas utilization in Trinidad and Tobago, one of the largest producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Latin America and a significant exporter of ammonia and methanol. Employing a qualitative analysis supplemented by Granger Causality tests, the study analyzes the changes in natural gas demand across key sectors from 2020 to 2023. The findings reveal substantial volatility in natural gas prices post-COVID-19, influenced by global events that have heightened the sensitivity of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy to international market dynamics. With the nation at the crossroads of diversifying energy sources and addressing climate change imperatives, the study suggests strategic investments in renewable energies, energy efficiency, and technological upgrades. The research highlights the economic benefits of using natural gas for petrochemical production over electricity generation and points to the resilience offered by the diversity in the petrochemical export market, contrasted with the concentrated LNG export market. The study concludes with a call for integrated policy planning and an accelerated energy transition, advocating for a sustainable and resilient energy sector aligned with global climate goals.

MACROECONOMIC STRATEGY FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE GAS DISTRIBUTION MARKET ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE MARSHALL PLAN

Ukraine suffered giant human, material, and resource losses from the war. This led to a change in the Strategy and Tactics for the future allocation of resources and strategies for the macroeconomic recovery of the energy sector. A sharp decline in Ukraine's energy intensity in all sectors of the economy resulted in a general decline in the country's gross domestic product. As a result of the military intervention, Ukraine's energy sector is characterized by high import dependence, low energy efficiency, and financial illiquidity. In addition, the subsequent market transformation has led to chaotic pricing of gas resources and utilities and low household income. The article discusses the main aspects of the famous Marshall Plan for the post-war reconstruction of the Ukrainian economic and energy systems. The study pays special attention to the macroeconomic Strategy for the energy sector's recovery. The article considers the existing developments of researchers and practitioners in analyzing the impact of the Marshall Plan on the recovery of European countries after World War II. When implementing this plan in the context of current national realities, the author outlines certain aspects that could be taken into account in the necessary implementation of a standard European policy of Ukraine's reconstruction, intensification of the business legal and competitive environment, and implementation of integrity issues about the focus and priority of individual industries and areas. It is particularly urgent to address the combination of renewable features in the context of European environmental, climate, and economic policies. Considering Ukraine's energy balance in wartime, the existing Energy Strategy should summarize the growth that will be implemented slowly. Gas resources will continue to play an essential role in domestic energy consumption. Therefore, in analyzing existing approaches, trends, and our beliefs, we modeled a possible macroeconomic Strategy for restoring Ukraine's gas distribution sector in the postwar period based on approaches specific to the Marshall Plan. The macroeconomic Strategy for restoring gas distribution companies in postwar Ukraine is a complex concept and consists of several government measures. This Strategy should consider the Marshall Plan, which has already positively affected some countries after World War II. The basis of this recovery plan is access to fuel and energy resources in a technically reliable, safe, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable manner in the interests of consumers and society. Ukraine suffered giant human, material, and resource losses from the war. This has led to a change in the Strategy and Tactics for the future allocation of resources and macroeconomic recovery strategies for the energy sector. A sharp decline in Ukraine's energy intensity in all sectors of the economy resulted in a general decline in the country's gross domestic product. As a result of the military intervention, Ukraine's energy sector is characterized by high import dependence, low energy efficiency, and financial illiquidity. In addition, the resulting market transformation has led to chaotic pricing for gas resources and utilities.