• Energy Research

Particles from compressed natural gas (CNG) engine emissions are smaller than those from diesel or even petrol engine emissions and range from 0.01-0.7 ~tm, with majority being between 0.020 and 0.060 p.m. (Ristovski et a12000). Very little data is available on particle emissions from CNG fuelled vehicles. An isolated study in this area by Greenwood et al (1996), indicated that the particle concentration levels emitted from CNG fuelled engines are similar to those from gasoline engines, and at high loads approach those of diesel engines. Recent studies conducted by Ristovski et al (2000) showed that the observed levels of particle emission were in terms of number of the same order as emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. On the other hand emissions of CO and NOx for one of the tested engines, were considerably lower than the maximum allowed by the standards.

Particles from compressed natural gas (CNG) engine emissions are smaller than those from diesel or even petrol engine emissions and range from 0.01-0.7 ~tm, with majority being between 0.020 and 0.060 p.m. (Ristovski et a12000). Very little data is available on particle emissions from CNG fuelled vehicles. An isolated study in this area by Greenwood et al (1996), indicated that the particle concentration levels emitted from CNG fuelled engines are similar to those from gasoline engines, and at high loads approach those of diesel engines. Recent studies conducted by Ristovski et al (2000) showed that the observed levels of particle emission were in terms of number of the same order as emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. On the other hand emissions of CO and NOx for one of the tested engines, were considerably lower than the maximum allowed by the standards.

Earth‐abundant and environmentally friendly aluminosilicate minerals can be one of the promising alternatives to develop cost‐effective energy conversion and storage devices. Herein, in situ growth of transition metal nanoparticles is proposed to modify two commonly available feldspar minerals, albite and microcline, for promoting electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction activity via a one‐step thermal reduction strategy. Three types of transition metal nanoparticles, namely, Ni, Co, and Fe, are selected to modify the albite or microcline surfaces. As expected, these modified products deliver enhanced catalytic activities compared to the pristine minerals. Particularly, Co‐modified microcline (C‐KASO) demonstrates the best performance that even outperforms the commercial RuO2 catalyst. This design by coupling low‐cost aluminosilicate minerals with active transition metal nanoparticles offers a new insight into directly utilizing the natural abundant resources to address the current energy crisis.

Earth‐abundant and environmentally friendly aluminosilicate minerals can be one of the promising alternatives to develop cost‐effective energy conversion and storage devices. Herein, in situ growth of transition metal nanoparticles is proposed to modify two commonly available feldspar minerals, albite and microcline, for promoting electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction activity via a one‐step thermal reduction strategy. Three types of transition metal nanoparticles, namely, Ni, Co, and Fe, are selected to modify the albite or microcline surfaces. As expected, these modified products deliver enhanced catalytic activities compared to the pristine minerals. Particularly, Co‐modified microcline (C‐KASO) demonstrates the best performance that even outperforms the commercial RuO2 catalyst. This design by coupling low‐cost aluminosilicate minerals with active transition metal nanoparticles offers a new insight into directly utilizing the natural abundant resources to address the current energy crisis.

AbstractIt is crucial that the reaction proceeds under visible light and in the presence of oxygen.

AbstractIt is crucial that the reaction proceeds under visible light and in the presence of oxygen.

Understanding the impacts of traffic and climate change on water quality helps decision makers to develop better policy and plans for dealing with unsustainable urban and transport development. This chapter presents detailed methodologies developed for sample collection and testing for heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons, as part of a research study to investigate the impacts of climate change and changes to urban traffic characteristics on pollutant build-up and wash-off from urban road surfaces. Cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, lead, iron, aluminium, manganese and zinc were the target heavy metals, and selected gasoline and diesel range organics were the target total petroleum hydrocarbons for this study. The study sites were selected to encompass the urban traffic characteristics of the Gold Coast region, Australia. An improved sample collection method referred to as ‘the wet and dry vacuum system’ for the pollutant build-up, and an effective wash-off plan to incorporate predicted changes to rainfall characteristics due to climate change, were implemented. The novel approach to sample collection for pollutant build-up helped to maintain the integrity of collection efficiency. The wash-off plan helped to incorporate the predicted impacts of climate change in the Gold Coast region. The robust experimental methods developed will help in field sample collection and chemical testing of different stormwater pollutants in build-up and wash-off. 

Understanding the impacts of traffic and climate change on water quality helps decision makers to develop better policy and plans for dealing with unsustainable urban and transport development. This chapter presents detailed methodologies developed for sample collection and testing for heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons, as part of a research study to investigate the impacts of climate change and changes to urban traffic characteristics on pollutant build-up and wash-off from urban road surfaces. Cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, lead, iron, aluminium, manganese and zinc were the target heavy metals, and selected gasoline and diesel range organics were the target total petroleum hydrocarbons for this study. The study sites were selected to encompass the urban traffic characteristics of the Gold Coast region, Australia. An improved sample collection method referred to as ‘the wet and dry vacuum system’ for the pollutant build-up, and an effective wash-off plan to incorporate predicted changes to rainfall characteristics due to climate change, were implemented. The novel approach to sample collection for pollutant build-up helped to maintain the integrity of collection efficiency. The wash-off plan helped to incorporate the predicted impacts of climate change in the Gold Coast region. The robust experimental methods developed will help in field sample collection and chemical testing of different stormwater pollutants in build-up and wash-off.