Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy最新文献

In electrochemical (EC) process, power required, and electrode material cost are considered major parameters. Herein, the waste tetra pack (TP) of the beverage industry, composed of a thin aluminum (Al) layer on paper and polyethylene, is used as electrodes in the EC process. Utilizing waste TP in this way can handle major challenges of waste management of TP and wastewater treatment. Three different electrode arrangements of carbon (C), Al, and TP as (anode: cathode) like Al:TP, C:TP, C:Al are explored in the separate batch EC operations for the real dye wastewater (RDW) treatment. The efficacy of RDW treatment has been examined in terms of % COD removal, with the highest COD removal during EC operation noted at solution pH 5, current density—5 mA/cm², electrode gap—1 cm, NaCl—1 g/L, stirrer speed—100 RPM. Under optimum conditions, 95%–48%, 88%–31% and 92%–35% of COD removal have been noticed for Al:TP, C:TP, and C:Al electrode arrangements, respectively for an initial RDW organic load ranging from 500 to 5000 mg/L. With an increase in initial COD, the maximum amount of COD removal is noticed for an initial organic load of 4000 mg/L. Cost study signifies ~113.724, 83.945, 90.292 INR kg-COD removed is needed for Al:TP, C:TP, and C: Al electrode arrangements. In addition, calorific study of sludge/scum signifies their calorific values of 3.18, 3.65, and 2.45 J/mg for Al:TP, C:TP, and C:Al electrode arrangements, respectively. In addition, the aluminum-free paper generated as TP cathode could be used as fuel or fresh paper production.

An effective means of producing sustainable energy is the integration of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology with Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems. In this study, the energy and economic performance assessments of the ORC system are carried out using five distinct organic working fluids, which are R218, R227ea, R236ea, R236fa, and RC318. The solar energy data for Jamshoro, Pakistan, was used as energy input for the operation of the ORC. The ORC system was simulated in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software; the study conducted an extensive examination to assess the viability and energy efficiency of these fluids under concentrated solar radiation. Among the studied fluids, RC318 emerged as one of the most promising fluids among those examined, surpassing the others in terms of thermal efficiency and payback period, with a thermal efficiency of 20.8% and a payback period of 4.7 years. The study further highlighted the importance of choosing organic working fluids that consider both practical constraints and thermodynamic qualities. With its attractive performance characteristics and little environmental effect, RC318 stands out as a sustainable and effective option for CSP–ORC systems as compared to other fluids. The results highlight RC318's potential as a preferred working fluid, supporting the development of renewable energy technologies and the shift to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.

The consumption of energy in industries has resulted in significant carbon emissions. The decomposition analysis of carbon emission factors provides a valuable framework for carbon emission reduction. Two distinct logistic mean divided index models are constructed using logistic mean divided index decomposition to conduct a comprehensive decomposition analysis of Shandong, Guizhou, and Henan provinces in China and their industrial sectors. Compared with the conventional results of the logistic mean divided index model, the cumulative effect is incorporated to elucidate the influence of each factor on carbon emissions. The result shows that coal accounts for over 75% in the three provinces, and these industrial sectors contribute more than 65% of carbon emissions. In these three provinces, the economic output effects are a significant determinant for carbon emissions growth. The industrial structure effects and energy intensity effects represent the primary limiting factors. The primary factor inhibiting carbon emissions from the industrial sectors is energy intensity. To achieve regional green low-carbon transformation, suggestions are put forward from the aspects of economic output, energy consumption, and industrial structure.

The purpose of this study is to critically review advances in improving the performance of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors utilizing two innovative approaches. The first method consists of plating nanocoatings at the front face of the collector using PV/T. These coatings represent anti-reflective, self-cleaning layers that raise light transmittance to the photovoltaic cells to realize an overall rise in energy conversion efficiency by up to 12%, and then directly increase photovoltaic conversion efficiency. On top of that, self-cleaning nanocoatings minimize dust accumulation and maintenance costs in the long term. The second approach investigates a nanofluid-based cooling system developed and integrated into the backsides of PV panels. The engineered suspensions of nanoparticles in base fluids are referred to as nanofluids, and the addition thereof strengthens. By improving heat transfer rates by 15–20% and reducing solar cell operating temperatures by 10–15°C, nanofluids reduce thermal degradation by allowing for the dissipation of heat efficiently. Among the output of the reviewed literature, key findings indicate that the nanocoating raises electrical efficiency by 12%, and the nanofluid cooler effectively lowers operating temperatures by 15–20%, making PV/T collectors more sustainable and economically profitable. Integrating both methods allows the synergistic affinity for achieving higher energy yields and operational stability. The conclusion of this review is that research towards the optimization of nanoparticles, development of a hybrid nanofluid PV/T system formulation, and improvement of a PV/T system cost-effective manufacturing are needed to further advance solar energy harvesting technologies towards next-generation PV/T systems.

This study explores the two-stage anaerobic digestion (TSAD) process as a sustainable approach to converting organic waste into valuable resources within a circular economy framework. The primary focus is developing a closed-loop system that enables effective digestate management and integrates energy production, specifically hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄). Results show that TSAD efficiency improves significantly through pre-treatment techniques and co-digestion strategies. Pre-treatment enhances the breakdown of organic matter, making it more accessible to microbes. Co-digestion helps maintain optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, nutrient levels, pH, and moisture content. These strategies enhance digestion performance without additional water or mineral supplements. The study also evaluates digestate processing for nutrient recovery and biochar production, promoting complete resource utilization. TSAD is not just a biochemical process; it operates as a sequential biorefinery with the potential for large-scale implementation. However, key challenges remain. Energy consumption, environmental impact, and economic viability must be addressed. The costs associated with feedstock transportation, storage, pre-treatment, and digestate handling remain significant. Advancements are needed to improve the overall sustainability and practicality of TSAD systems.

Determining the thermodynamic properties of salt compositions used in energy storage and conversion systems is crucial for electrical applications. This article examines the thermodynamic values of various salt compositions under different temperature and pressure conditions. Additionally, the use of the salt compositions considered in the article is discussed in electrochemistry, battery technology, and other electrical applications. The thermodynamic properties and advantages of each salt mixture are highlighted to show potential application areas and provide readers with a broad perspective. Using data and thermodynamic modeling, the performance of three different salt mixtures (salt (60NaNO₃_40KNO₃), salt (58KF_42ZrF₄), salt (25KF_75KBF₄)) on energy systems was compared. The results obtained were evaluated in terms of energy and exergy efficiencies and net work production for each mixture. The analyses showed that although the salt (25KF_75KBF₄) mixture produces the highest net work, its exergy efficiency is lower than the other mixtures. Numerical data were sourced from the EES (Engineering Equation Solver) library. System performance and efficiencies were examined in detail through simulations using fuzzy logic methods and Python programs. This usage offers practical solutions to increase energy storage systems and contributes to the distribution of salt mixtures used especially in solar power plants and industrial energy conversion systems. The selected optimal salt compositions provide an important roadmap for cost-effective and sustainable energy production by increasing both the energy area and exergy capacity.

The renewable energy transition remains a critical pathway to addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development. However, the drivers of this transition are understudied in fragile and post-conflict countries like Somalia. Most existing empirical research focuses on advanced or emerging economies, leaving a gap in understanding how globalization, trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), urbanization, and economic growth influence renewable energy adoption in under-researched contexts. This study fills that gap by employing quarterly data from 1990 to 2023 and applying the Kernel Regularized Quantile Regression (KRQR) method to assess the heterogeneous impacts of these macroeconomic factors on renewable energy consumption in Somalia. The results reveal that globalization and urbanization exert consistently positive effects across most quantiles, reinforcing their critical roles in advancing renewable energy. Conversely, trade openness and FDI show mixed or nonlinear effects, depending on the level of renewable energy usage. Notably, economic growth demonstrates a negative relationship across all quantiles, indicating Somalia's ongoing dependence on fossil fuels. These findings emphasize the need for context-specific, distribution-sensitive policy frameworks. Policymakers should reform trade and investment strategies to facilitate clean energy technology inflows and promote urban infrastructure planning. Enhancing institutional capacity and aligning growth policies with environmental goals is essential for accelerating Somalia's energy transition.

Azo dye discharged in wastewater streams from textile or other industry without treatment results in environmental pollution. This study attempts to uncover the ability of naturally occurring bacteria in reducing and decolorizing a textile azo dye Novacron Blue in nutrient medium and also from textile dye effluent. We isolated 13 strains from dye effluent; 3 among them exhibited substantial decolorizing efficacy when coincubated with the dye in minimal salt medium broth, pH 7. We investigated morphological, cultural, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of the efficient strains and identified them as Bacillus megaterium, Corynebacterium rathyi, and Flavobacterium sp. Notably, the organisms showed maximum efficiency at 0.01% dye concentration and in the presence of glucose as cosubstrate at 37°C and acidic to neutral pH following 72 h of incubation. At optimized conditions, all the strains strongly reduce the dye in medium and also from effluent filtrate. Our findings thus imply the potential of naturally occurring bacteria in textile dye biodegradation.

This article presents thermodynamic analyses on the integration of transcritical CO₂ cooling systems with multi-effect desalination (MED) systems. The study reveals improvements in energy efficiency, water production capacity, and cost-effectiveness achieved through this integration. The two-module system achieved 55.38% lower energy consumption and 24.6% more freshwater production compared to the single-module system. Annual operating costs were also reduced by 10%. These results were obtained through a combination of energy and exergy analyses, employing thermodynamic modeling to assess system interactions and performance enhancements. Waste heat from the CO₂ cycle was utilized for steam generation in the MED process, enhancing thermal synergy. These findings indicate that integrating transcritical CO₂ systems with MED is widely applicable in water-scarce regions. Future studies should investigate performance under various climatic conditions, potential for large-scale deployment, and integration with renewable energy sources. This work contributes to sustainable water and energy management through innovative system design and heat recovery mechanisms.

This study evaluates the thermal performance of a newly designed Integrated Collector Storage (ICS) system with a Flat Reflector (FR) using both Dynamic System Testing (DST) and Q-H procedures according to ISO 9459-5 and ISO 9459-2 standards, assessing its viability in various climates, including Tunisian, Saudi Arabian, Swedish, Greek, and German conditions. The experimental DST results revealed that the system with double glazing and flat reflectors has a total stored heat capacity (C_s) of 0.62 MJ/K, a useful collector surface area (Ac*) of 1.03 m², and a storage tank heat loss coefficient (U_s) of 10.79 W/K. The use of double glazing allows reducing the loss coefficient to 4.15 W/K, at the expense of decreasing the daily efficiency from 38.9% to 22.9%. The annual solar fraction varies significantly with the season, reaching its lowest at 49% in January and February and peaking at 98% in July and August, while in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the solar fraction reaches 100% from May to October, and in Stockholm (Sweden), the system provides a productivity of 615 kWh per year, demonstrating its viability in both hot and cold climates, and highlighting both the economic and environmental benefits of using such ICS systems by comparing the revenue received with the amount of reduced CO₂ emissions when replacing conventional energy sources. The outcomes further highlight the value of striking a balance between environmental and economic factors when using the conceived system in different locations.