Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy最新文献

Studies using sustainable and environmentally friendly raw materials are prominent among researchers due to rising environmental concerns. Oleic acid was epoxidized using performic acid, generated in situ through the reaction between formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This study investigated the effects of key parameters, including the type of oil, stirring speed, reaction temperature, and molar ratios of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide to oleic acid, on the efficiency of the epoxidation process. The highest relative conversion to oxirane of 82% was achieved under optimal conditions, with a molar ratio of 2:1.5 (formic acid to hydrogen peroxide), a temperature of 50°C, and a stirring speed of 450 rpm. The existence of the epoxide group was proved through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, where the peak was observed at a wavenumber of 938.68 cm⁻¹. Additionally, numerical simulations employing a genetic algorithm demonstrated strong alignment with experimental results, offering valuable insights into process optimization for improved epoxide production.

Mycoremediation is utilized for the breakdown of a mixture of anthraquinone dyes (MAQD). Due to co-metabolism, the White Rot Fungal Consortium (WRFC) is preferable to pure isolates. The suspended and chitosan-encapsulated WRFC5 (Trametes cubensis WF2, Polyporus umbellatus VS12, Pleurotus pulmonarius MTCC 1805 and Leiotrametes flavida MTCC 12927) were able to decolorize MAQD: Acid blue 129, Alizarin cyanin green, and Remazol brilliant blue R (200 ppm) by 44.53% and 97.35% respectively in 8 h with optimized inoculum size (6%), pH (7), temperature (30°C), glucose (1.25%), potassium nitrate (0.06%) and shaking speed (80 rpm). The reusability of immobilized WRFC5 in chitosan beads was possible up to 20 cycles, yielding a decolorization percentage of 78.85% for the 20th cycle in 8 h. TDS, BOD, and COD of MAQD were reduced by 92.94%, 70%, and 81.25% respectively using suspended WRFC5 and 97.57%, 98.75%, and 99.2% respectively using immobilized WRFC5 in 8 h. Suspended WRFC5 could also reduce color, chloride, nitrate, and lead by 44.53%, 42.66%, 94.33%, and 57.14% respectively, whereas immobilized WRFC5 could reduce by 97.35%, 84%, 99.99%, and 77.85% respectively in 8 h. MnP activity might be the reason for efficient decolorization and degradation by suspended and immobilized WRFC5. The highest MnP activity by suspended and immobilized WRFC5 was found to be 2089.93 and 61.89 U/mL respectively. The above study concluded that the developed chitosan-encapsulated WRFC5 could possibly be used as an excellent natural biomaterial for the simultaneous elimination of color, chloride, nitrate, and lead from MAQD-containing wastewater in a very short span of time and reused for around 20 cycles.

As global energy demands increase, enhancing renewable energy technologies, particularly wind turbines, is essential to meet sustainability goals. However, achieving higher efficiency remains challenging due to limitations in traditional blade designs. This study explores an innovative solution by applying biomimetic principles inspired by the Peregrine Falcon, known for its exceptional aerodynamic capabilities and high-speed dives. The surface characteristics of the falcon's wings were transferred to a conventional NACA 0012 aerofoil to evaluate the impact on aerodynamic performance. Experimental analyses were conducted using a subsonic wind tunnel to test the bio-inspired blade across various angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. Results demonstrated that the Peregrine Falcon-inspired blade achieved a notable 9% increase in the lift-to-drag ratio compared to a traditional flat blade. The findings suggest that bio-inspired designs can significantly improve turbine efficiency by reducing drag and enhancing lift forces. Such modifications could potentially lead to reduced operational costs and improved energy output for wind energy systems. This study highlights the potential of biomimetic design in advancing renewable energy solutions, offering a promising pathway for optimizing the aerodynamic performance of wind turbine blades.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the various external elements that have an effect on photovoltaic panels and lead to a decline in the efficiency of those panels. Accumulation of snow on photovoltaic panels lowers power generation. Moreover, it can be generated efficiently between 40% and 50%, depending on tilt angle. Dust buildup can reduce solar panel efficiency by 20%–30%, with the effect varying by altitude due to differences in dust levels. Bird droppings increase power loss and generate hot spots on the panel surface. This causes a reduction in performance by 20% to 30% and permanently damages the affected area of the solar cell. Variation in relative humidity influences the power output of photovoltaic panels, with increased moisture levels often leading to performance losses. Additionally, the rainy season further impacts efficiency due to reduced solar irradiance. 100% shading over photovoltaic panels may reduce approximately 60% of their total power loss, and partial shading may reduce approximately 10%–15% power loss. Whether manufacturing or installation, hardware failure leads to significant power loss in photovoltaic panels. A proper cleaning method is required for the removal of snow and dust from its surface, which leads to minimum power loss. Material properties need to be examined under mechanical and thermal stresses while manufacturing photovoltaic panels.

This study investigates the key factors influencing sustainable economic growth (SEG) in New Zealand from 1980 to 2023, with a focus on the energy, green, and blue economy, and the short- and long-term effects of these drivers. Using Vector Autoregression (VAR), Granger causality, Error Correction Model (ECM), and Impulse Response Function (IRF) analyses, the study examines dynamic interactions between economic growth and various indicators, including energy intensity, energy use, renewable energy, innovation, technical assistance, fisheries production, agriculture, forestry, and trade openness. The results show that energy intensity, renewable energy, energy use, and technical assistance significantly affect SEG, with differing immediate and lagged impacts. IRF analysis highlights that renewable energy and energy intensity positively influence long-term growth, while energy use has negative effects. Innovation and technical assistance yield delayed but growing benefits. Fisheries and agriculture initially impede growth but become positive contributors over time. Trade openness supports short-term growth before stabilizing. Granger causality confirms strong links for energy intensity, energy use, innovation, and technical assistance. Policy implications suggest that energy policies should focus on boosting energy efficiency and expanding renewable sources to reduce the harmful effects of conventional energy use. Innovation policy should offer transitional support through incentives or public-private partnerships to ease short-term disruptions. Technical assistance must be strengthened through international cooperation to support technological adoption and sustainable practices. Fisheries and agricultural policies should prioritize sustainability standards and conservation practices to ensure long-term growth. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance sustainability and economic resilience.

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials due to their unique optical properties, biocompatibility, and potential applications. In this study, CDs were successfully synthesized from carrot, orange, and cucumber peels using a hydrothermal-assisted green method. Various analyses, including XRD, EDAX, FTIR, and FESEM, were conducted to investigate their structural characteristics, elemental composition, surface functional groups, and morphology. UV–visible and PL spectroscopy were used to examine their optical properties. XRD confirmed the CDs' structural formation, while EDAX revealed carbon weight percentages of 52%, 59%, and 58% for carrot, orange, and cucumber peels, respectively. FTIR analysis identified epoxy and hydroxyl functional groups containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. FESEM images showed a spherical morphology. Under UV light, the synthesized CDs exhibited green fluorescence. Fluorescence studies demonstrated maximum emissions at excitation wavelengths of 360 nm, 350 nm, and 340 nm for carrot, orange, and cucumber-derived CDs, respectively. As an application, the antioxidant activity of CDs was measured. The results indicated that CDs derived from orange peel exhibited the highest antioxidant efficiency, reaching 87%. The results revealed that the CDs exhibit strong fluorescence and antioxidant properties, with orange peel-derived CDs showing the highest antioxidant activity (87%). Using fruit peels as precursors provides a sustainable approach to waste management and offers a cost-effective method for producing CDs with potential applications in bioimaging, sensing, and catalysis.

This study examines the environmental impacts of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent and toxic compound formed as a degradation product of fluorinated gases (F-gases) commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. TFA is highly mobile, resistant to biodegradation, and accumulates in aquatic ecosystems, posing significant risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Using environmental modeling, this research simulates TFA accumulation patterns and evaluates its ecotoxicological thresholds on aquatic organisms. The findings reveal that current regulatory frameworks underestimate the long-term ecological risks associated with TFA, including its bioaccumulation potential and toxicity to sensitive aquatic species. The study highlights the urgent need for greener refrigerant technologies, stricter environmental regulations, and globally coordinated monitoring strategies to mitigate TFA's environmental threats. Recommendations include transitioning to natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons, developing next-generation cooling systems, and establishing maximum permissible concentration limits for TFA in water quality standards. Enhanced monitoring programs are necessary to track TFA accumulation in aquatic ecosystems and assess its long-term effects on biodiversity and public health. This research contributes to closing critical knowledge gaps regarding TFA's persistence and impacts, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and proactive measures to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and ensure sustainable environmental management.

Solar photovoltaics has long been a major research area in renewable and sustainable energy, with a large percentage of these efforts directed towards resolving PV limitations, the most critical of which is energy availability. The amount of solar PV power output is related to the amount of irradiation incident on it; hence, times of no or low irradiation levels result in zero or reduced power generation. The design and analysis of the optical performance of a contact-separation triboelectric nanogenerator integrated hybrid PV cell that can scavenge energy from rain without interfering with the device's normal operation is presented in this work. The hybrid cell's redesigned materials and structure enable it to minimize optical scattering losses recorded at the top glass layer of conventional PV devices by up to 50% while enhancing transmittivity from 90% to 95% across the visible wavelength range of 400–800 nm.

The growing dependence on energy-intensive household clothes dryers presents pressing sustainability challenges, while systematic investigations correlating operational parameters with quantifiable energy-carbon tradeoffs are critically lacking. This study bridges this knowledge gap by investigating the energy and environmental performance of tumble drying through an experimental framework integrating textile properties, operational parameters, and drum geometry. A response surface methodology with 40 designed experimental conditions quantified specific moisture extraction rate, carbon footprint, and monetary utility cost. Multivariate analysis revealed four statistically significant determinants: drum speed (optimal at 1.5 m/s for falling textile motion), load size (3 kg balancing airflow efficiency), air mass flow rate (220 m³/h ensuring heat/mass transfer), and initial moisture content (lowered via mechanical dewatering). Through parameter optimization, an eco-efficient drying procedure achieved 47.7% lower energy consumption, 55.4% higher specific moisture extraction rate, 70.9% reduced carbon emissions, and 77.9% lower monetary utility cost compared with conventional methods. These results highlight the importance of optimizing drying parameters to reduce environmental impact and operational costs. The study provides actionable insights for consumers to adopt sustainable laundry habits and for manufacturers to improve dryer designs. By bridging empirical data, technical optimization, and behavioral strategies, this work establishes a holistic framework for sustainable clothes drying, contributing to household carbon mitigation efforts.

This study examines the impact of integrating proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and reverse osmosis (RO) desalination systems into a solar liquid natural gas (SLNG) system. To this end, two configurations are analyzed: the basic SLNG system and the enhanced SLNG-PEMFC/RO system, incorporating PEMFC and RO technologies. Energy, exergy, and exergo-economic assessments are conducted for both setups. The findings reveal that integrating PEMFC and RO into the SLNG system boosts net output power by 26.22%, energy efficiency by 39.28%, and production revenue by 201%. However, the exergy efficiency, LCOE, and payback period of the SLNG-PEMFC/RO system are 31.84%, 82%, and 205.5% lower, respectively, compared to the base SLNG system. Additionally, increasing PEMFC temperature enhances net output power, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency by 26.5%, 4.64%, and 11.03%, respectively. On the other hand, higher PEMFC temperatures result in increases of 10.56% in LCOE and 21.5% in production revenue. Notably, PEMFC pressure has the least influence on the performance of the SLNG-PEMFC/RO system.