• Energy Research
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AbstractThe reduction of biomass‐derived compounds gives access to valuable chemicals from renewable sources, circumventing the use of fossil feedstocks. Herein, we describe the use of iron‐nickel magnetic nanoparticles for the reduction of biomass model compounds in aqueous media under magnetic induction. Nanoparticles with a hydrophobic ligand (FeNi3‐PA, PA=palmitic acid) have been employed successfully, and their catalytic performance is intended to improve by ligand exchange with lysine (FeNi3‐Lys and FeNi3@Ni‐Lys NPs) to enhance water dispersibility. All three catalysts have been used to hydrogenate 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural into 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan with complete selectivity and almost quantitative yields, using 3 bar of H2 and a magnetic field of 65 mT in water. These catalysts have been recycled up to 10 times maintaining high conversions. Under the same conditions, levulinic acid has been hydrogenated to γ‐valerolactone, and 4’‐hydroxyacetophenone hydrodeoxygenated to 4‐ethylphenol, with conversions up to 70 % using FeNi3‐Lys, and selectivities above 85 % in both cases. This promising catalytic system improves biomass reduction sustainability by avoiding noble metals and expensive ligands, increasing energy efficiency via magnetic induction heating, using low H2 pressure, and proving good reusability while working in an aqueous medium.

Steel is an important industrial raw material and plays an important role in industrial construction. Studying the efficient utilization of complex refractory iron ore with large reserves is of great significance to ensure the strategic safety of China’s iron and steel industry. Focusing on the typical mixed iron ore of siderite (FeCO3) and hematite (Fe2O3), this paper analyzes the possible ways of magnetization roasting from the perspective of thermodynamics and highlights that oxidation–reduction roasting is an easy way to realize industrial application. On this basis, a pilot-scale test of suspension magnetization roasting followed by low-intensity magnetic separation is carried out by using a newly developed suspension magnetization roasting furnace. The effects of roasting temperature, CO consumption, and N2 consumption on the magnetization roasting process are investigated, and 24 h continuous tests are carried out. Here, we find continuous suspension magnetization roasting followed by low-intensity magnetic separation can obtain a total iron grade of over 56% with an average value of 57.18% and a total iron recovery rate of over 91% with an average value of 92.22%. Product analysis shows that after SMR, iron minerals such as siderite and hematite transform into magnetite, with a substantial increase in magnetism, which is conducive to the separation of iron ore. The results provide a reference for the development and utilization of siderite- and hematite-mixed iron ore.

Rare-earth metals used for manufacturing Permanent Magnets (PMs) remain classified as critical raw materials by the European Commission. In order to secure the supply of electrical machines due to the increasing demand of Hybrid and Full Electrical Vehicles ((H)EVs), recycling has emerged as a valuable alternative. Hence, this paper presents the concept of a modular PM machine with a hybrid rotor and 3D flux paths, for application in ((H)EVs). The proposed machine topology is intended to facilitate the extraction of PM material towards a recycling process. The selection of a machine for prototyping is carried out by investigating the effect of the variation of the number of rotor teeth and stator modules on various parameters, with models developed in Finite Element (FE). Finally, the models developed of the selected combination were validated with a detailed experimental evaluation of the prototype.

First of all, overall economic growth objectives in China are concisely and succinctly specified in this report. Secondly, this report presents a forecast of energy supply and demand for China`s economic growth for 2000--2050. In comparison with the capability of energy construction in China in the future, a gap between supply and demand is one of the important factors hindering the sustainable development of Chain`s economy. The electric power industry is one of China`s most important industries. To adopt energy efficiency through high technology and utilizing energy adequately is an important technological policy for the development of China`s electric power industry in the future. After briefly describing the achievements of China`s electric power industry, this report defines the target areas and policies for the development of hydroelectricity and nuclear electricity in the 2000s in China, presents the strategic position of China`s electric power industry as well as objectives and relevant plans of development for 2000--2050. This report finds that with the discovery of superconducting electricity, the discovery of new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials, and progress in materials techniques, the 21st century will be an era of superconductivity. Applications of superconductivity in the energy field, such as superconducting storage, superconducting transmission, superconducting transformers, superconducting motors, its application in Magneto-Hydro-Dynamics (MHD), as well as in nuclear fusion, has unique advantages. Its market prospects are quite promising. 12 figs.

AbstractA new energy paradigm, consisting of greater reliance on renewable energy sources and increased concern for energy efficiency in the total energy lifecycle, has accelerated research into energy‐related technologies. Due to their ubiquity, magnetic materials play an important role in improving the efficiency and performance of devices in electric power generation, conditioning, conversion, transportation, and other energy‐use sectors of the economy. This review focuses on the state‐of‐the‐art hard and soft magnets and magnetocaloric materials, with an emphasis on their optimization for energy applications. Specifically, the impact of hard magnets on electric motor and transportation technologies, of soft magnetic materials on electricity generation and conversion technologies, and of magnetocaloric materials for refrigeration technologies, are discussed. The synthesis, characterization, and property evaluation of the materials, with an emphasis on structure–property relationships, are discussed in the context of their respective markets, as well as their potential impact on energy efficiency. Finally, considering future bottlenecks in raw materials, options for the recycling of rare‐earth intermetallics for hard magnets will be discussed.

{"references": ["N. Smith and G. Ranjitkhar, \"Nepal Case Study-Part One: Installation\nand performance of the Pico Power Pack,\" Pico Hydro Newsletter,\nApril 2000.", "P. Maher. \"Kenya Case Study 1 at Kathamba and Case Study 2 at\nThima.\" Available:\nhttp://www.eee.nottingham.ac.uk/picohydro/documents.html#kenya", "P. Maher and N. Smith, \"Pico hydro for village power: A practical\nmanual for schemes up to 5 kW in hilly areas,\" 2nd ed., Intermediate\nTechnology Publications, May 2001.", "J. Mariyappan, S. Taylor, J. Church and J. Green, \"A guide to CDM and\nfamily hydro power,\" Final technical report for project entitled Clean\nDevelopment Mechanism (CDM) project to stimulate the market for\nfamily-hydro for low income families, IT Power, April 2004.", "A. Williams, \"Pico hydro for cost-effective lighting,\" Boiling Point\nMagazine, pp. 14-16, May 2007.", "A. Harvey, A. Brown, P. Hettiarachi and A. Inversin, \u00d4\u00c7\u00ffMicro hydro\ndesign manual: A guide to small-scale water power schemes,-\nIntermediate Technology Publications, 1993."]} This paper describes the design and development of pico-hydro generation system using consuming water distributed to houses. Water flow in the domestic pipes has kinetic energy that potential to generate electricity for energy storage purposes in addition to the routine activities such as laundry, cook and bathe. The inherent water pressure and flow inside the pipe from utility-s main tank that used for those usual activities is also used to rotate small scale hydro turbine to drive a generator for electrical power generation. Hence, this project is conducted to develop a small scale hydro generation system using consuming water distributed to houses as an alternative electrical energy source for residential use.

Coal chemical wastewater (CCW) containing toxic and hazardous matters requires to be treated prior to discharge. Promoting the in-situ formation of magnetic aerobic granular sludge (mAGS) in continuous flow reactor process has a great potential for CCW remediation. However, long granulation time and low stability limit the application of AGS technology. In this study, Fe3O4/sludge biochar (Fe3O4/SC) with biochar matrix derived from coal chemical sludge were applied to facilitate the aerobic granulation in two-stage continuous flow reactors, containing separated anoxic and oxic reaction units (abbreviated as A/O process). The performance of A/O process was evaluated at various hydraulic retention times (HRTs) (42 h, 27 h, and 15 h). Magnetic Fe3O4/SC with porous structures, high specific surface area (BET = 96.69 m2/g), and abundant functional groups was successfully prepared by ball-milled method. Adding magnetic Fe3O4/SC to A/O process could promote aerobic granulation (85 days) and the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and total nitrogen (TN) from CCW at all tested HRTs. Since the formed mAGS had high biomass, good settling ability, and high electrochemical activities, mAGS-based A/O process had high tolerance to the decrease of HRT from 42 h to 15 h for CCW treatment. The optimized HRT for A/O process was 27 h, at which Fe3O4/SC addition can result in the increase of COD, NH4+-N and TN removal efficiencies by 2.5 %, 4.7 % and 10.5 %, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA genes sequencing, the relative abundances of genus Nitrosomonas, Hyphomicrobium/Hydrogenophaga and Gaiella in mAGS accounting for nitrification, denitrification as well as COD removal were increased during aerobic granulation. Overall, this study proved that adding Fe3O4/SC to A/O process was effective for facilitating aerobic granulation and CCW treatment.

Fusion has often been billed as the ultimate 21st century sustainable energy source. However, not only is the pace of the program glacially slow, it seems to recede further and further into the future. For instance, when the ITER Tokamak was approved in 2005, the date for the first plasma was 2016. As this is written in 2018, the date has moved back to 2025. It has receded nearly one year for every calendar year! Furthermore, even if ITER is successful, there are many, many fundamental obstacles between it and a commercial, sustainable pure fusion reactor. This paper shows that fusion breeding is a better way, one that could lead to substantial fusion power not too long after midcentury. The reason is that the requirements for a fusion breeder reactor are much relaxed from those of a pure fusion reactor. Fusion breeding is the use of fusion neutrons both to boil water and to breed nuclear fuel for thermal nuclear reactors. Pure fusion is only the former. Fusion breeding’s transition to a power source for the economy could follow rapidly a success by ITER, the National Ignition Facility or both. This paper summarizes years of effort and advocacy for fusion breeding instead of conventional fusion.