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This review showcases a comprehensive analysis of studies that highlight the different conversion procedures attempted across the globe. The resources of biogas production along with treatment methods are presented. The effect of different governing parameters like feedstock types, pretreatment approaches, process development, and yield to enhance the biogas productivity is highlighted. Biogas applications, for example, in heating, electricity production, and transportation with their global share based on national and international statistics are emphasized. Reviewing the world research progress in the past 10 years shows an increase of ~ 90% in biogas industry (120 GW in 2019 compared to 65 GW in 2010). Europe (e.g., in 2017) contributed to over 70% of the world biogas generation representing 64 TWh. Finally, different regulations that manage the biogas market are presented. Management of biogas market includes the processes of exploration, production, treatment, and environmental impact assessment, till the marketing and safe disposal of wastes associated with biogas handling. A brief overview of some safety rules and proposed policy based on the world regulations is provided. The effect of these regulations and policies on marketing and promoting biogas is highlighted for different countries. The results from such studies show that Europe has the highest promotion rate, while nowadays in China and India the consumption rate is maximum as a result of applying up-to-date policies and procedures.

Abstract This review deals with organic Rankine cycle powered by geothermal resource which is one favorable substitute for conventional fossil energy. Organic Rankine cycle power plants are suitable for utilization of low-temperature energy sources (low grade energy) such as geothermal resource having low temperature (below 150 ᵒC). The applications of organic Rankine cycle for electricity production from geothermal energy resource was reviewed first, where the choice of geothermal energy resources and organic fluids was discussed for different ORC configurations and operating conditions. Hybrid optimization approaches for the purpose of maintaining long term performance of enhanced geothermal system reservoirs were also summarized. Furthermore, an in-depth review of energy and exergy efficiencies of ORCs was conducted. Key factors that influence the energy and energy efficiencies of organic Rankine cycle were discussed in detail. Then, the economic indexes such as electricity production cost and levelized cost of electricity for different organic Rankine cycle configurations were compared with other conventional power generation systems to examine the commercialization of the Organic Rankine cycle. Finally, life cycle assessment that evaluates the whole life performance of geothermal organic Rankine cycle energy systems was reviewed. The Environmental impacts of geothermal ORC were also considered. Compared with other review papers on geothermal organic Rankine cycle s, the present review provides the latest materials for more systematically surveying the geothermal organic Rankine cycle, which will be a valuable source of guidance and directions for engineers and researchers in this field.

The production of cement requires significant energy and is responsible for more than 5% of global CO2 emissions; therefore it is imperative to reduce the production and use of ordinary portland cement (OPC). This paper examines the compressive strength development of low water-to-binder (w/b) ratio self-consolidating concrete (SCC) in which 90% of the cement is replaced with industrial by-products including ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash, and silica fume. The emphasis in this paper is on replacing a large volume of cement with GGBS, which represented 10% to 77.5% of the cement replaced. Fresh properties at w/b ratio of 0.27 were examined by estimating the visual stability index (VSI) and t50 time. The compressive strength was determined after 3, 7, 28, and 56 days of curing. The control mix made with 100% OPC developed compressive strength ranging from 55 MPa after three days of curing to 76.75 MPa after 56 days of curing. On average, sustainable SCC containing 10% OPC developed strength ranging from 31 MPa after three days of curing to 56.4 MPa after 56 days of curing. However, the relative percentages of fly ash, silica fume, and GGBS in the 90% binder affect the strength developed as well. In addition, this paper reports the effect of the curing method on the 28 day compressive strength of environmentally friendly SCC in which 90% of the cement is replaced by GGBS, silica fume, and fly ash. The highest compressive strength was achieved in samples that were cured for three days under water, then left to air-dry for 25 days, compared to samples cured using chemical compounds or samples continuously cured under water for 28 days. The study confirms that SCC with 10% OPC and 90% supplementary cementitious composites (GGBS, silica fume, fly ash) can achieve compressive strength sufficient for many practical applications by incorporating high amounts of GGBS. In addition, air-curing of samples in a relatively high temperature (after three days of water curing) produce a higher 28 day compressive strength compared to water curing for 28 days, or membrane curing.

Bio-electrochemical anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most recent advancement in anaerobic treatment processes. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are used for bio-electrochemical treatment, where the supplied external power is used to enhance the performance of AD. Multiple studies have investigated the viability of MECs under various operating parameters and for different organic wastes. The present paper aims at reviewing the latest literature regarding bio-electrochemical enhanced AD through MECs. It was concluded that MEC reactors significantly enhance AD performance under different supplied voltages, temperatures, electrodes configuration, as well as other operating parameters. Based on the compiled literature, further comprehensive life cycle assessment of MECs is recommended prior to any full-scale implementation.

Abstract When humid atmospheric air is passed through a direct expansion or chilled water cooling coils, moisture is condensed if the coil surface temperature is lower than the dew point of air. For climatic conditions with high temperature and relative humidity such as those in UAE coastal regions, this cooling process, if optimized, can result in appreciable amounts of fresh water suitable for human consumption. In the present work, the cooling/dehumidification process is analyzed and the parameters controlling the heat and mass transfer rates are optimized for the climatic conditions in humid regions in the UAE.

Abstract This paper presents the experimental results of saturated two-phase flow ammonia in a vertical shell and tube heat exchanger comprising of seven dimpled enhanced tubes with solid PVC nonconductive round rods inserted in the lower 2/3rd section of each tube creating 67% annular section. The source of heat was hot ethylene glycol/water solution flowing on the shell side. The range of saturation temperature for ammonia was -20°C ≤ T sat ≤ -2°C, heat flux range 5 kW m−2 ≤ q ˙ ≤ 45 kW m−2, exit vapor quality range 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9 and mass flux 76.9 kg m−2 s−1≤ G ≤ 145.7 kg m−2 s−1. For each saturation temperature, the effects of heat flux and mass flux were studied while the exit vapor quality at each mass flux varied between 0.1 and 0.9. Around 40% increase in heat transfer performance was observed with saturation temperature between –20°C to –2°C at exit vapor quality of 0.7. Heat transfer performance also increased with heat flux at fixed mass flux at each saturation temperature while the performance showed initial increase with quality and then a drop at the onset of dry out.

Seawater-based pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is an innovative process at research stage. With respect to process optimization, factors affecting seawater-based pretreatment of lignocellulosic date palm residues were studied for the first time in this paper. Pretreatment temperature (180°C-210°C), salinity of seawater (0ppt-50ppt), and catalysts (H2SO4, Na2CO3, and NaOH) were investigated. The results showed that pretreatment temperature exerted the largest influence on seawater-based pretreatment in terms of the enzymatic digestibility and fermentability of pretreated solids, and the inhibition of pretreatment liquids to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Salinity showed the least impact to seawater-based pretreatment, which widens the application spectrum of saline water sources such as brines discharged in desalination plant. Sulfuric acid was the most effective catalyst for seawater-based pretreatment compared with Na2CO3 and NaOH.

The brackish water desalination process by freezing is a developed technology that becomes a practical option for water desalination due to low energy consumption. This study aims to experimentally investigate the major operating parameters of freezing processes such as freezing time and initial brackish water concentration and their impact on the quality of the treated water. Samples of salty water with different concentrations were processed with different freezing times and the input and output quality of the water were investigated. The results showed that high-quality potable water with a concentration of 215 mg/l could be achieved by processing brackish water with an initial concentration of 2240 mg/l, the required power to produce 1 kg of potable water according to EPA standards is 0.11 kWh.