• Energy Research
• Closed Access close
• Open Source close
• Embargo close

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of blending methods on the co-gasification of petroleum coke and lignite with CO 2 using a thermogravimetric system at 0.1 MPa. The weight loss curves, XRD analysis, SEM images, BET specific surface area, were investigated. It was observed that petroleum coke shows a low reactivity because of the graphitic carbon structure, low catalyst content and small specific surface area. Blending with lignite can get a high reactivity. The co-gasification reactivity was significantly influenced by blending methods. Wet grinding is much effective than dry grinding. Long grinding time made lignite show greater BET specific area. And the sample in long grinding time has more association chances between petroleum coke and AAEM species. The co-gasification reactivity increases linearly with a rise of BET specific area.

Using a large dataset of well-level natural gas production from Wyoming, we evaluate the respective roles played by market signals and geological characteristics in natural gas supply. While we find well-level production of natural gas is primarily determined by geological characteristics, producers respond to market signals through drilling rates and locations. Using a novel fixed effects approach based on petroleum-engineering characteristics, we confirm that production decline rates tend to be larger for wells with larger peak-production rates. We also find that the price elasticity of peak production is negative, plausibly because firms drill in less productive locations as prices increase. Finally, we show that drilling is price inelastic, although the price elasticity of drilling increased significantly when new technologies began to be adopted in Wyoming. Our results indicate that the popular view that shale wells have larger decline rates than conventional wells can be at least partially explained by the pattern of falling natural gas prices.

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a power conversion efficiency that is now comparable with conventional silicon solar cells. For PSC applications to succeed in the market, long-term reliability under open-air conditions is essential. Recent experiments have shown that two-dimensional (2D) perovskites seem to exhibit good stability due to the presence of hydrophobic organic spacers, but 2D PSCs are incapable of generating and transporting a large amount of charge due to their extended optical bandgaps. Mixed dimensional perovskites with dimension lies between 2D and 3D recently became a promising candidate to sustain long-term stability and high performances concurrently to address this obstacle. The current research article presents the finding of simulation-based studies performed on novel device architecture consisting of ITO/Nb-Ti2O3/3D Perovskite/2D Perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au. Using optical simulation features of SCAPS, absorption of light is computed in the proposed device. The computational results show that the thickness of the 2D perovskite layer badly affects the solar cell parameters. A thin 2D perovskite behaves as a capped coating that avoids the deterioration of 3D perovskite in open-air environments. The effect of a multivalent defect in the 3D perovskite layer is mathematically modelled, and their impact on overall performance parameters are analyzed. The findings are compared to the same configuration results, except where the absorber layer’s multivalent defect has been substituted by a neutral defect of the same defect density of about (1011 cm−3). Results show that the multivalent defect leads to an underestimation of the efficiency by 4.2%.

Previous findings implicate opioid receptors in the expression of the conditioned rewarding and aversive properties of ethanol. We have recently reported that the conditioned rewarding effect of ethanol is mediated by opioid receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). We attempted to determine whether VTA opioid receptors also mediate the expression of the conditioned aversive properties of ethanol. However, the magnitude of conditioned place aversion (CPA) was not consistent with our previous findings and prevented us from making definitive conclusions. We hypothesized that the handling required to make intracranial infusions in mice alters the expression of CPA, but not conditioned place preference (CPP). Therefore, non-operated animals underwent a Pavlovian conditioning procedure for either ethanol CPA or CPP. Just before testing, half of the animals were held by the scruff of the neck to mimic intracranial infusion handling. Animals conditioned for CPA did not express CPA if they were handled. However, animals conditioned for CPP exhibited robust CPP, regardless of handling. These findings provide additional evidence that the conditioned rewarding and aversive effects of ethanol are mediated by different neural mechanisms.

The effect of the combined application of nano-hydroxyapatite (NHAP) or nano-carbon black (NCB) on the phytoextraction of Pb by ryegrass was investigated as an enhanced remediation technique for soils by field-scale experiment. After the addition of 0.2% NHAP or NCB to the soil, temporal variation of the uptake of Pb in aboveground parts and roots were observed. Ryegrass shoot concentrations of Pb were lower with nano-materials application than without nano-materials for the first month. However, the shoot concentrations of Pb were significantly increased with nano-materials application, in particular NHAP groups. The ryegrass root concentrations of Pb were lower with nano-materials application for the first month. These results indicated that nano-materials had significant effects on stabilization of lead, especially at the beginning of the experiment. Along with the experimental proceeding, phytotoxicity was alleviated after the incorporation of nano-materials. The ryegrass biomass was significantly higher with nano-materials application. Consequently, the Pb phytoextraction potential of ryegrass significantly increased with nano-materials application compared to the gounps without nano-materials application. The total removal rates of soil Pb were higher after combined application of NHAP than NCB. NHAP is more suitable than NCB for in-situ remediation of Pb-contaminated soils. The ryegrass translocation factor exhibited a marked increase with time. It was thought that the major role of NHP and NBA might be to alleviate the Pb phytotoxicity and increase biomass of plants.

Abstract This study investigates the possibility of using and developing hydrokinetic power to supply reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to rural, remote and isolated loads in rural South Africa where reasonable water resource is available. Simulations are performed using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) and the results are compared to those from other supply options such as standalone Photovoltaic system (PV), wind, diesel generator (DG) and grid extension. Finally the paper points out some major challenges that are facing the development of this technology in South Africa.

Abstract Day-ahead forecasts of direct normal irradiance (DNI) from the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), the global model of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), are used to simulate a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant through the System Advisor Model (SAM) to assess the potential value of the IFS in the electricity market. Although DNI forecasting from the IFS still demands advances towards cloud and aerosol representation, present results show substantial improvements with the new operational radiative scheme ecRad (cycle 43R3). A relative difference of approximately 0.12% for the total annual energy availability is found between forecasts and local measurements, while approximately 10.6% is obtained for the previous version. Results of electric energy injection to the grid from a simulated linear focus parabolic-trough system shows correlations coefficients of approximately 0.87 between hourly values of electric energy based on forecasted and measured DNI, while 0.92 are obtained for the daily values. In the context of control strategy, four operational strategies are given for different weather scenarios to handle the energy management of a CSP plant, including the effect of thermal energy storage capacity. Charge and discharge operational strategies are applied accordingly to the predicted energy availability.