Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy最新文献

This experimental study aimed to improve the output of the Conical Distiller (CD) using low-cost natural bio-materials. Three CDs (simple CD (SCD), a CD with Natural Peanut Shells (CD-NPS) and a CD with Black-Painted Peanut Shells (CD-BPS)) were fabricated for comparative analysis under identical climatic conditions. Experimental results revealed that the daily yields, energy, and exergy efficiencies for SCD, CD-NPS, and CD-BPS are 4.69 kg, 6.49%, 45.30%, and 7.43%, 31.23%, 52.06%, and 1.15%, 1.78%, 2.38%, respectively. The results showed that the daily yields of CD-NPS and CD-BPS increased by 38.4% and 58.4%, respectively, and the daily energy efficiency of CD-NPS and CD-BPS increased by 45.06% and 66.69%, respectively, compared with the SCD. The daily exergy efficiency of CD-NPS and CD-BPS increased by 54.20% and 106.64%, respectively, compared with the SCD. The economic analysis confirmed that integrating BPS is an effective and cost-effective way to improve the CD yield.

Achieving carbon decoupling within the livestock sector is a crucial step toward promoting green and low-carbon transitions, which is essential for meeting dual-carbon targets. Existing research has thoroughly examined the decoupling status and spatiotemporal evolution of carbon emissions from livestock farming, but has paid insufficient attention to the stability of decoupling and its underlying causes. This study innovatively introduces the concepts and identification methodologies of decoupling traps and real-pseudo decoupling. By utilizing the Tapio decoupling model, we evaluate the carbon decoupling status and real decoupling achievements across Chinese provinces. A binary logit model is employed to identify key determinants for overcoming decoupling traps. Our findings reveal that (1) China's livestock sector carbon emissions have shown a fluctuating downward trend, with total emissions decreasing from 466 million tons to 377 million tons—a reduction of 19.12%. (2) From the 2006 to 2010 period to the 2021 to 2023 period, the relationship between livestock carbon emissions and economic growth in China was predominantly characterized by strong decoupling and weak decoupling. Although overall decoupling performance is relatively favorable, significant spatial heterogeneity and temporal volatility are observed. (3) Substantial disparities exist among provinces regarding real-pseudo decoupling. Real decoupling is primarily concentrated in economically advanced municipalities and major livestock production regions, while other areas remain in a state of pseudo-decoupling, thereby falling into decoupling traps. (4) Industrial structure, technological progress, urbanization level, government support, and infrastructure development are identified as critical pathways to facilitate the transition from pseudo-decoupling to real decoupling.

Excessive carbon dioxide emissions have become one of the main factors contributing to global warming, and developing effective carbon dioxide sequestration technologies has become an urgent need to address climate change. Basalt mineralization sequestration technology has shown great potential for the long-term stable sequestration of CO₂. This article reviews the current research status of CO₂ mineral sequestration in basalt, with a focus on analyzing the main factors affecting sequestration rates, including mineral composition, temperature, pH, porosity, and permeability. Additionally, it summarizes the methods for evaluating the sequestration potential of basalt. Studies have shown that the mineral composition of basalt can form stable carbonate minerals when reacting with CO₂, effectively sequestering CO₂ with a high sequestration rate. In addition, temperature and pH conditions have a significant impact on the mineralization sequestration rate, and optimal reaction conditions can significantly improve reaction efficiency. Compared to traditional CO₂ sequestration methods, basalt mineral sequestration offers more long-term, safe, and stable sequestration effects. Finally, this article summarizes future research directions for CO₂ sequestration in basalt, providing a theoretical foundation and technical support to promote technological advancements and applications in this field.

Growing environmental issues associated with conventional plastic packaging have spurred further research into sustainable biomass-derived alternatives, particularly underutilized Marine wastes. Highlights show the potential of Marine waste for renewable, high-performance eco-friendly food packaging materials. This is the first critical review on the use of marine isolate as feedstock in the production of biodegradable plastics. The review includes a detailed analysis of characterization in terms of physicochemical properties related to a high lignocellulosic nature and its importance as raw materials utilized among various biomass conversion technologies such as thermochemical, biochemical, and hybrid approaches. This review emphasizes the relevance of environmental Marine waste, its transition to biodegradable plastics, composite materials, and edible films boosted by catalytic pyrolysis together with enzymatic hydrolysis or microbial fermentation, causing improvement in their mechanical properties (strength), thermal stability, and ability as a barrier. In a different sense, the review further discusses the employment of nanotechnology together with green chemistry to fine-tune these conversion processes and functionalities in biopolymeric-based packaging materials. It critically reviews challenges related to process efficiency, economic viability, and regulatory compliance along with recent technological advancements in the field of biorefinery, as well as future directions for Research and Development. Thus, the review highlights that in addition to Marine waste valorisation, a broader circular bioeconomy approach could significantly support the reduction of environmental impacts through bio-based and sustainable packaging solutions.

This study analyzes how government support drives socio-economic benefits during renewable energy transitions in fossil-fuel-dependent economies, using Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 as a strategic case. Employing dynamic fixed effects, system GMM, and Vector Autoregression models on panel data from 42 renewable energy firms (2012–2024), we find that bundled post-2016 support—financial aid, regulatory frameworks, and localization mandates—amplified outcomes. Financial support boosted renewable capacity and reduced fossil fuel imports; regulatory strength delivered sustained energy poverty reduction; and localization spurred job creation despite initial carbon costs, with regulatory and localization impacts proving slower but more durable than financial stimuli. Key policy implications highlight the necessity of coordinated policy bundling under a unified vision for petro-states, regulatory precision for equitable poverty reduction, complementary SME measures for inclusive growth under localization mandates, and sequencing that accounts for differing impact timelines, affirming the state's critical role.

This study examines the effect of CuO and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles as heat transfer enhancers to increase the thermal performance of the chilled water refrigeration system. An experimental test rig was built that consisted of three parallel evaporator circuits that were immersed in three different water basins with CuO-water, Al₂O₃-water nanofluids and pure water as reference. The system consisted of a reciprocating compressor, air-cooled condenser, capillary expansion valve and air handling unit with copper coil heat exchanger. Nanofluids were produced by ultrasonic homogenization at mass fractions of 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% wt. Experimental measurements indicate that the optimal performance occurs for CuO-water nanofluid at 0.5% wt. Reasons for this are that the coefficient of performance is increased by 22%, the compressor power consumption by 31% and the heat rejection ratio by 0.8% compared to pure water. Large drops in temperature were observed at evaporator and condenser outlets. The performance improvement mechanisms are a result of the high thermal conductivity of nanofluids that increases the heat convection mechanism at the evaporator surfaces. Subcooling effects at the condenser outlet decrease the refrigerant enthalpy entering the expansion device to improve the refrigeration effect and minimize the work input of the compressor. These results prove the metal oxide nanofluids as efficient passive enhancement techniques for energy-efficient HVAC applications.

Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) is a notable non-timber forest product (NTFP) in India, demonstrating remarkable phytochemistry and significant potential for the generation of bioethanol. This study examines the environmental impacts associated with MgO synthesis and biomass utilization via a dual-step process: (1) the green synthesis of MgO nanoparticles (nps) using Mahua flower extracts and (2) the production of bioethanol from the spent floral biomass. The cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment indicated a global warming potential of 11.90 kg CO₂ equivalent for Step 1 of the green synthesis of MgO nps relative to conventional chemical methods, thus supporting its green attributes. Step 2 demonstrated the conversion of spent flowers with spent sugars (≈32%) into bioethanol, resulting in a yield of ≈50% compared to fresh flowers. The research highlights the principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling by converting waste into valuable bioethanol and potential soil amendments, thereby supporting a circular economy framework. This study illustrates the dual use of Mahua flowers as a renewable resource for the synthesis of nps and the production of bioethanol, while offering insights into the efficient utilization of biomass aligning with sustainability objectives.

Renewable energy (RE) is fundamental in unlocking the dilemma in promoting economic goods and environmental protection. The United Nations (UN) through the “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs) is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth (SEG), through the utilization of clean energy. To this end, literature presents studies that examine how to improve RE development. However, there remains a gap in the literature on how research and development (R&D) and energy efficiency (EE) promote RE development in the European Union (EU). The analysis of this research utilizes the data of the EU economies for the time ranging from 1990 to 2019. The “Methods of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR)” is adopted to overcome “cross-sectional dependence (CD)” and “heterogeneity” where longitudinal data is used. The findings show that EE and R&D are fundamental in promoting RE development in the EU economies. Inflation is also associated with improved RE development. However, the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and financial development (FD) reduce RE development in the EU region. The major policies presented in this research encourage governments to promote expenditure on R&D in order to support the development of RE resources.