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Abstract The hybrid pneumatic power system (HPPS) proposed in this research replaces the battery’s electric-chemical energy with flow work and optimizes the management and utilization of the energy. This power system is able to keep the internal-combustion engine working at its optimal condition and turn its waste energy into effective mechanical energy and so enhance the thermal efficiency of the whole system. Using computer simulation software ITI-SIM, this study simulates the overall dynamic characteristics of the system in accordance with the regulated running-vehicle test-mode ECE47, and, with experimental verification and analysis, proves that this system can meet the requirements of the standard running-car mode. As for recycling the waste energy, the experimental results show that this design could offset the shortcomings of the low-density of pneumatic power and so effectively enhance the efficiency of the whole system.

Abstract Recharging infrastructure (RI) deployment plays a vital role in improving the public recharging availability for transport electrification. Decarbonizing transportation using low-emission electricity requires massive RI network. Even though the consumers are reluctant to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) until RIs are sufficiently placed, the investors are not willing to invest in RIs due to recharging demand uncertainties. Therefore, a scientific planning framework is needed to ensure the sustainable deployment of EV-RIs in complex networks. In this study, a lifecycle thinking-based multi-period infrastructure-planning framework is proposed to develop sustainable public EV-RIs in an urban context. This framework consists of a temporal model to find the dynamic EV-RI demands, a stochastic model to obtain travel distances, and a multi-objective optimization model to select the best desirable capacities and locations for potential EV-RIs. A case study of a typical medium-scale municipality in Canada was assessed using the proposed framework and validated using conventional infrastructure planning scenarios. The geo-processing data, regional travel behaviors, and recharging characteristics were used as model inputs. The results of the case study showed that the proposed framework can be used to estimate multi-period public recharging demands, minimize lifecycle costs, maximize service coverage and infrastructure utilization, and ensure reasonable paybacks compared to conventional planning approaches. Moreover, this framework can be used to compare different investment assistances, which are required in the early stages of the RI deployment process to encourage investors. Furthermore, government and private institutions can use this framework to identify recharging demands, permitting, and developing RIs in the long-run.

Abstract The residential sector accounts for most of energy-consumption in developing countries in the form of traditional energy. The use of commercial energy is nominal and confined mostly to urban areas where fuelwood is already monetized. A model, based on an end-use/process analysis approach, is developed on a spreadsheet, which is capable of simulating scenarios to address issues of increasing traditional energy-demand caused by population growth, sustainable supply capacity of the existing energy resources, potential for development of new and renewable energy resources, technology. This paper is divided into two parts: general energy issues and the modelling approach, and the application of this approach to Nepal in the context of fuelwood-supply sustainability.

Highly efficient nanocatalysts which can selectively decompose hydrous hydrazine for hydrogen production are introduced.

AbstractConcrete is a valuable construction material with high mechanical strength and durability, used extensively in the construction industry. It is produced by mixing sand, stones, cement, and water in different proportions depending on the desired quality of the final product. Water reducers are additional chemical ingredients used in concrete to reduce the quantity of water required in the concrete mixture. When added to concrete, water reducers increase the workability and flowability of concrete in the freshly mixed state and improve the mechanical strength and durability of the final hardened product. This review paper describes the different types and applications of concrete water reducers used in the construction industry including their working mechanisms and fluidity effects on concrete properties. It discusses the production of synthetic and bio‐based concrete water reducers and reviews the present challenges involved in the preparation of bio‐based concrete water reducers from renewable resources. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Abstract Conversion of carbon contained in the solid residues (tars + biochar) derived from urban biomass gasification named herein TC would allow enhancing the yield of carbon species (CO/CO2) in synthetic gas. For this purpose, three low cost materials have been tested as possible catalysts: iron species (reduced Fe), bone meal (BM), and ashes (ash) recovered from biochar complete oxidation. The parametric study used the following as variables: air GHSV, onset of reaction temperature, reaction time to optimize CO/CO2 molar ratio and tar content in the produced gas. Results showed an autocatalytic effect of biochar leading to the catalytic conversion of approximately 78% of tars by the native metals contained in TC. The catalytic effect was further enhanced by adding Fe, BM, and extra ash. Addition of Fe catalyst resulted in significant heat generation (temperature increase of ca. 500 °C) and a twofold decrease in reaction time to consume all the carbon. Use of ash and BM as catalysts exhibit heat generation comparable to Fe, along with an improved reaction time, complete tars conversion and a CO/CO2 molar ratio to above 1.3 in the produced gas.

Much of New South Wales and southern Queensland suffered from extreme drought from 2017 to 2019. This study models drought and bushfires impacts using VU‐TERM, a multi‐regional, dynamic CGE model. Prolonged drought pushed national real GDP to 0.7 per cent or more below base in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. NSW’s real GDP fell relative to forecast by 1.1 per cent or $6.9 billion in 2018–2019 and 1.6 per cent or $10.2 billion in 2019–2020. These impacts reflect a severe diminution of farm output, given that agriculture accounts for around 1.6 per cent of NSW’s income. Bushfires exacerbated 2019–2020 losses. We assume that there is a full recovery in seasonal conditions in 2020. However, prolonged drought and bushfire destruction deplete farm capital through depressed investment and diminished herd numbers. Consequently, the income earning capacity of farms in recovery remains below that of a no drought base. The net present value of the national welfare loss is $63 billion, split between $53 billion in losses from drought and $10 billion from bushfires. The latter excludes any valuation of human lives lost, flora, fauna or forestry destruction. In the longer term, adaptation and policy responses will need to reflect the expectation of increased frequency of adverse climatic events.

AbstractCellulose and lignin nanoparticles are high‐value‐added products obtained from lignocellulosic biomasses through several steps of cellulose purification and lignin extraction. These steps drastically reduce the potential feedstock revenue when carried out as stand‐alone methodologies. To increase biomass yields, we describe here a strategy to design a biorefinery focused on producing cellulose and lignin nanoparticles as main products, but also aim to recover and benefit from other biomass components using only water‐based processes. Sequential pressurized liquid extractions and diluted acid and alkaline treatments were carried out to fractionate elephant grass biomass, yielding (for every 100 g of biomass): 30 g of cellulose pulp (converted to 9 g of cellulose nanocrystals and 9 g of cellulose nanofibers); 10 g of lignin (used to produce 8.5 g of stable colloidal lignin nanoparticles by probe‐sonication in water); 7.5 g of extractives (e.g. sterols and phenolics) and 23 g of xylose (converted to 4.1 g of furfural). Alternatively, to allow for the flexible use of the cellulose fraction in the proposed biorefinery, 22 g of glucose could be produced by enzymatic hydrolysis. The results demonstrate that water‐based processes are suitable for a holistic use of biomass, providing a comprehensive set of high‐value‐added co‐products that are renewable and cost‐effective chemical, cosmetic, food, polymer and pharmaceutical solutions.

The phosphate (P) fertilizer industry generates a highly hazardous and acidic wastewater. The present study reports the evaluation of an integrated precipitation and Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) process for the treatment of fertilizer plant wastewater and effluent detoxification, assessed by microtoxicity and seed germination tests. Effluent samples were collected from a local P fertilizer industry and were characterized by their high fluoride and P content. First, the samples were pre‐treated by precipitation of P and fluoride ions using hydrated lime. The resulting low‐fluoride and phosphorus effluent was then treated with the EBPR process to monitor the simultaneous removal of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Phosphorus removal included a two‐stage anaerobic/aerobic system operating under continuous flow. Pre‐treated wastewater was added to the activated sludge and operated for 160 days in the reactor. The operating strategy included increasing the organic loading rate from 0.3 to 1.2 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L day. The stable and high removal rates of COD, NH4+‐N, and PO43−‐P were then recorded. The mean concentrations of the influent were approximately 3600 mg COD/L, 60 mg N/L and 14 mg P/L, which corresponded to removal efficiencies of approximately 98%, 86%, and 92%, respectively. The microtoxicity of the treated wastewater was then monitored by LUMIStox and its phytotoxicity was investigated on cress, tomato, wheat, maize, ryegrass, and alfalfa seed germination. LUMIStox tests showed that treatment allowed a significant toxicity removal. Moreover, the untreated wastewater inhibited the species germination even when diluted 10 times, whereas a positive effect of treated wastewater was noticed. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 463–471, 2014