Pub Date : 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121154
César Gracia-Monforte , Alejandro Lete , Frédéric Marias , Javier Ábrego , Jesús Arauzo
This work presents the methodology and results of the energy, exergy, and mass balances of a fixed-bed downdraft biomass pyrolysis pilot plant. The analysis covers different operating modes: pyrolysis without energy recovery, with energy recovery from products, and with combustion of non-condensable gases including exhaust-gas heat recovery. The proposed framework enables consistent comparison of energy and exergy performance under varying process configurations. Experimental results show that the external heat demand of the pyrolysis process strongly depends on the energy recovery strategy. When products are cooled to the reference state, the required heat input is approximately 1.3 MJ/kg, increasing to about 3 MJ/kg when products leave at the pyrolysis temperature. The combustion of process gases significantly reduces this demand, while integrating exhaust-gas heat recovery leads to quasi-autothermal operation. Exergy analysis reveals that gas combustion and heat recovery lower exergy efficiency due to the conversion of high-quality pyrogases into exhaust gases. Nevertheless, the methodology developed allows quantifying these trade-offs and provides a comprehensive tool to evaluate process integration strategies in biomass pyrolysis systems aimed at improved thermal performance and sustainability.
{"title":"Energy, exergy and mass balances of a biomass pyrolysis pilot plant","authors":"César Gracia-Monforte , Alejandro Lete , Frédéric Marias , Javier Ábrego , Jesús Arauzo","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents the methodology and results of the energy, exergy, and mass balances of a fixed-bed downdraft biomass pyrolysis pilot plant. The analysis covers different operating modes: pyrolysis without energy recovery, with energy recovery from products, and with combustion of non-condensable gases including exhaust-gas heat recovery. The proposed framework enables consistent comparison of energy and exergy performance under varying process configurations. Experimental results show that the external heat demand of the pyrolysis process strongly depends on the energy recovery strategy. When products are cooled to the reference state, the required heat input is approximately 1.3 MJ/kg, increasing to about 3 MJ/kg when products leave at the pyrolysis temperature. The combustion of process gases significantly reduces this demand, while integrating exhaust-gas heat recovery leads to quasi-autothermal operation. Exergy analysis reveals that gas combustion and heat recovery lower exergy efficiency due to the conversion of high-quality pyrogases into exhaust gases. Nevertheless, the methodology developed allows quantifying these trade-offs and provides a comprehensive tool to evaluate process integration strategies in biomass pyrolysis systems aimed at improved thermal performance and sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 121154"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146116470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121151
Zhangda Liu , Zhan Gao , Houchang Pei , Qi Li , Zhengkai Tu
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating in dead-end mode suffer from spatially coupled water-thermal non-uniformities, which lead to inlet membrane dehydration and outlet flooding, jointly degrading performance and durability. Conventional uniform cooling strategies cannot effectively decouple these competing phenomena, which motivates the development of spatially differentiated thermal management approaches. A multi-zone cooling strategy has been developed to enable independent precision control of three temperature zones (30°C/60°C/80°C) within a single cell. This innovation achieves synergistic water-thermal regulation by actively leveraging thermal gradients: Outlet flooding is suppressed through a localized high-temperature zone (80°C) that enhances liquid water evaporation; Inlet membrane dehydration is prevented via a cooler upper zone (30°C) that promotes water retention; Compared with integral cooling at 60°C, the optimized multi-zone cooling improved current–density uniformity by 45.49%, reduced ohmic resistance by up to 26.12%, and increased cell voltage by 6.86% at 1100 mA·cm-2, while decreasing electrochemical surface area loss from 38.52% to 7.16% and suppressing the growth of hydrogen crossover by 59.57% over 120 h These results indicate that multi-zone cooling can effectively decouple water-thermal failure modes in dead-end operation and significantly enhance performance stability and durability, highlighting its potential for advanced thermal management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
{"title":"Multi-zone cooling strategy for dead-end proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Enhancing performance, water-thermal balance and durability","authors":"Zhangda Liu , Zhan Gao , Houchang Pei , Qi Li , Zhengkai Tu","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating in dead-end mode suffer from spatially coupled water-thermal non-uniformities, which lead to inlet membrane dehydration and outlet flooding, jointly degrading performance and durability. Conventional uniform cooling strategies cannot effectively decouple these competing phenomena, which motivates the development of spatially differentiated thermal management approaches. A multi-zone cooling strategy has been developed to enable independent precision control of three temperature zones (30°C/60°C/80°C) within a single cell. This innovation achieves synergistic water-thermal regulation by actively leveraging thermal gradients: Outlet flooding is suppressed through a localized high-temperature zone (80°C) that enhances liquid water evaporation; Inlet membrane dehydration is prevented via a cooler upper zone (30°C) that promotes water retention; Compared with integral cooling at 60°C, the optimized multi-zone cooling improved current–density uniformity by 45.49%, reduced ohmic resistance by up to 26.12%, and increased cell voltage by 6.86% at 1100 mA·cm-2, while decreasing electrochemical surface area loss from 38.52% to 7.16% and suppressing the growth of hydrogen crossover by 59.57% over 120 h These results indicate that multi-zone cooling can effectively decouple water-thermal failure modes in dead-end operation and significantly enhance performance stability and durability, highlighting its potential for advanced thermal management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"353 ","pages":"Article 121151"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146116472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121145
Salman Soltanian, Maryam Ebrahimzadeh Sarvestani, Omid Norouzi, Francesco Di Maria, Animesh Dutta
{"title":"Identifying environmental hotspots in an industrial anaerobic digestion power plant for integration into the Canadian waste management system: A life cycle perspective","authors":"Salman Soltanian, Maryam Ebrahimzadeh Sarvestani, Omid Norouzi, Francesco Di Maria, Animesh Dutta","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121145","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146109811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121149
Hao Qu, Shijie Zhang, Yuanying Wang
{"title":"A reduced-order dynamic model for variable cross-section pipelines: development and validation, with impact analysis of convective term simplification on simulation","authors":"Hao Qu, Shijie Zhang, Yuanying Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121149","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"87 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146109809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thermo-economic optimization and performance evaluation of an integrated power and cooling system using organic working fluids powered by geothermal and solar energy","authors":"Sajjad Abdi, Kourosh Javaherdeh, Shadi Safari Sabet","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121043","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"294 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146109810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121080
L.E. Muro, F.A. Godínez, J. Escobedo, R. Montoya
Micro-thermophotovoltaic and micro-thermoelectric systems are miniature devices for portable power generation, proposed as alternatives to lithium batteries in applications requiring long-lasting energy supply. Among their components, the combustor plays a central role, but its performance is challenged at microscale due to increased heat losses and reduced residence time. These factors hinder flame stabilization within the chamber, significantly affecting the overall efficiency of the system. To address the challenges of flame stability in micro-combustors, various stabilization techniques have been proposed and implemented, as extensively reviewed in the literature. However, this study focuses on two micro-combustion topics that have been relatively underexplored, offering novel insights and highlighting potential directions for future research. These topics were identified through a comprehensive literature review combined with bibliometric analysis. The areas of focus include the combined use of different stabilization strategies and the application of non-premixed combustion modes within micro-combustion systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of stabilization strategies that enhance flame stability, thermal efficiency, and power output. The crucial role of porous media in enabling stable non-premixed combustion is also emphasized.
{"title":"Micro-combustion for thermophotovoltaic and thermoelectric systems: A review on stabilization and non-premixed modes","authors":"L.E. Muro, F.A. Godínez, J. Escobedo, R. Montoya","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121080","url":null,"abstract":"Micro-thermophotovoltaic and micro-thermoelectric systems are miniature devices for portable power generation, proposed as alternatives to lithium batteries in applications requiring long-lasting energy supply. Among their components, the combustor plays a central role, but its performance is challenged at microscale due to increased heat losses and reduced residence time. These factors hinder flame stabilization within the chamber, significantly affecting the overall efficiency of the system. To address the challenges of flame stability in micro-combustors, various stabilization techniques have been proposed and implemented, as extensively reviewed in the literature. However, this study focuses on two micro-combustion topics that have been relatively underexplored, offering novel insights and highlighting potential directions for future research. These topics were identified through a comprehensive literature review combined with bibliometric analysis. The areas of focus include the combined use of different stabilization strategies and the application of non-premixed combustion modes within micro-combustion systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of stabilization strategies that enhance flame stability, thermal efficiency, and power output. The crucial role of porous media in enabling stable non-premixed combustion is also emphasized.","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"184 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121060
M. Aghabalazadeh, L. Garousi Farshi, A.H. Mosaffa
Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy carrier that has attracted global interest. However, its widespread use is limited by challenges in storage and transportation, which require efficient liquefaction processes. Conventional hydrogen liquefaction systems, like the Claude cycle, have low efficiency and high operating costs. This study presents an improved hydrogen liquefaction system based on the Claude cycle to improve its thermodynamic and economic performance. In the new design, part of the compressor outlet stream is expanded in the first expander. Additionally, the thermal energy from the compressor exhaust is recovered for power generation and gas precooling. Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analyses are performed for both the conventional and proposed systems. The results show that the new system has a higher coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency than the traditional Claude cycle. Furthermore, the exergoeconomic analysis shows a 51.27% reduction in liquefaction cost rate. A parametric analysis also indicates that the new system consistently performs better and at a lower cost across all compressor pressure ratios.
{"title":"Design and performance analysis of an improved Claude-cycle-based hydrogen liquefaction system","authors":"M. Aghabalazadeh, L. Garousi Farshi, A.H. Mosaffa","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121060","url":null,"abstract":"Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy carrier that has attracted global interest. However, its widespread use is limited by challenges in storage and transportation, which require efficient liquefaction processes. Conventional hydrogen liquefaction systems, like the Claude cycle, have low efficiency and high operating costs. This study presents an improved hydrogen liquefaction system based on the Claude cycle to improve its thermodynamic and economic performance. In the new design, part of the compressor outlet stream is expanded in the first expander. Additionally, the thermal energy from the compressor exhaust is recovered for power generation and gas precooling. Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analyses are performed for both the conventional and proposed systems. The results show that the new system has a higher coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency than the traditional Claude cycle. Furthermore, the exergoeconomic analysis shows a 51.27% reduction in liquefaction cost rate. A parametric analysis also indicates that the new system consistently performs better and at a lower cost across all compressor pressure ratios.","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":10.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146098354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121138
Nabanita Ghosh, Gopinath Halder
In this study, a novel catalyst was contrived from disposed cigarette butt through hydrothermal carbonization and applied in a catalytic esterification method to transform waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel. The physicochemical attributes of the catalyst were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XPS (X-ray photon electroscopy), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), BET, and NH3-TPD. The resulting catalyst has a surface area of 51.2 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.2470 cm3/g. Optimizing the process parameters as follows: methanol to oil ratio of 12:1, catalyst 6 wt%, reaction temperature 60℃, and reaction time 100 min by means of Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a remarkable biodiesel production of 97.14% was accomplished. The reaction proceeded with a moderately low activation energy of 52.360 kJ/mol. The catalyst exhibited excellent physical stability and reactivity, maintaining performance over eight consecutive cycles with 83.53% conversion. The catalyst’s efficacy in producing biodiesel from WCO was further advocated by 1H NMR and 13C NMR test. The cost of the engineered catalyst and waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCOME) was $5.53/kg and $0.61/L, subsequently implying its economic adaptability. The proposed catalyst was endorsed as an effective and sustainable catalyst for WCOME synthesis via esterification based on the Environment-factor (E-factor) and Turn Over Frequency (TOF). The preparation of a hydrothermally carbonized catalyst from waste cigarette butts for biodiesel production is a noteworthy example of innovative recycling and sustainable energy production.
{"title":"Transforming discarded cigarette butts into novel hydrochar catalyst towards biodiesel synthesis from waste cooking oil: a trash-to-treasure approach","authors":"Nabanita Ghosh, Gopinath Halder","doi":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enconman.2026.121138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a novel catalyst was contrived from disposed cigarette butt through hydrothermal carbonization and applied in a catalytic esterification method to transform waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel. The physicochemical attributes of the catalyst were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XPS (X-ray photon electroscopy), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), BET, and NH<sub>3</sub>-TPD. The resulting catalyst has a surface area of 51.2 m<sup>2</sup>/g and a pore volume of 0.2470 cm<sup>3</sup>/g. Optimizing the process parameters as follows: methanol to oil ratio of 12:1, catalyst 6 wt%, reaction temperature 60℃, and reaction time 100 min by means of Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a remarkable biodiesel production of 97.14% was accomplished. The reaction proceeded with a moderately low activation energy of 52.360 kJ/mol. The catalyst exhibited excellent physical stability and reactivity, maintaining performance over eight consecutive cycles with 83.53% conversion. The catalyst’s efficacy in producing biodiesel from WCO was further advocated by <sup>1</sup>H NMR and <sup>13</sup>C NMR test. The cost of the engineered catalyst and waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCOME) was $5.53/kg and $0.61/L, subsequently implying its economic adaptability. The proposed catalyst was endorsed as an effective and sustainable catalyst for WCOME synthesis via esterification based on the Environment-factor (E-factor) and Turn Over Frequency (TOF). The preparation of a hydrothermally carbonized catalyst from waste cigarette butts for biodiesel production is a noteworthy example of innovative recycling and sustainable energy production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11664,"journal":{"name":"Energy Conversion and Management","volume":"352 ","pages":"Article 121138"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146075359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}