Search in Publications
Found 6341 publications
Assessing the future impact of 12 direct air capture technologies
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Science
Publication Date: 2024-10-05
Volume: 298
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is regarded as an effective method to decrease the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and thus alleviate the greenhouse effect. This article conducts a comparative analysis of the CO2 emissions of 12 state-of-the-art DAC technologies. The evaluations consider regional (EU, USA, and China) and temporal (years 2023, 2030, and 2050) energy supply variations. It is found that the CO2 emissions generally decrease over time for all the different regions considered. The best CO2 emission performance is found in Europe, followed by the United States and China. The evaluation also finds that currently a substantial number of DAC technologies could not achieve net-negative emission, especially for China. In 2050, most of the DAC technologies are found to perform significantly better in terms of their negative emission performance. We also found that the utilization of fossil fuels, especially coal, needed to operate the DAC process, substantially hinders its ability to achieve net-negative emission. Electrochemical-based technologies are found to outperform others in all scenarios, especially when powered with renewable electricity. The DAC technologies relying on steam-based sorbent regeneration can greatly reduce their CO2 emission when low-carbon energy is used for steam generation. Finally, in all the different scenarios, the DAC technologies incorporating high-temperature calcination regenerations exhibit the worst performance due to the lack of low-emission energies for generating fired heat.
Open Access: Yes
Model Order Reduction Methods for Rotating Electrical Machines: A Review
Publication Name: Energies
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 20
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Due to the rise of e-mobility applications, there is an increased demand to create more accurate control methods, which can reduce the loss in an e-drive system. The accurate modeling of the rotating machines needs to resolve a partial differential equation system that describes the thermal and mechanical behavior of the different parts in addition to the electromagnetic design. Due to these models’ limited resources and high computation demand, they cannot be used directly for real-time control. Model order reduction methods have been of growing interest in the past decades and offer solutions for this problem. According to the processed literature, many model order reduction-based methods are used for a wide range of problems. However, a paper has not been published that discusses a model order reduction-based real-time control model that is actually used in the industry. This paper aims to summarize and systematically review the model order reduction methods developed for rotating electrical machines in the last two decades and examine the possible usage of these methods for a real-time control problem.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/en17205145
Impact of Dehydration Techniques on the Nutritional and Microbial Profiles of Dried Mushrooms
Publication Name: Foods
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 20
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The global consumption of dried mushrooms has increased worldwide because of their rich nutritional value and culinary versatility. Dehydration methods such as sun drying, hot air drying, freeze drying, and microwave drying are employed to prolong the shelf life of a food product. These methods can also affect the food product’s nutritional value and the final product’s microbial profile. Each technique affects the retention of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds differently. Additionally, these techniques vary in their effectiveness at reducing microbial load, impacting the dried mushrooms’ safety and shelf life. This review addresses the gap in understanding how different dehydration methods influence dried mushrooms’ nutritional quality and microbial safety, which is crucial for optimizing their processing and consumption. It targets researchers, food processors, and consumers seeking to improve the quality and safety of dried mushrooms. This review comprehensively examines the impact of major dehydration techniques, including sun drying, hot air drying, microwave drying, and freeze drying, on the nutritional and microbial profiles of dried mushrooms. Each method is evaluated for its effectiveness in preserving essential nutrients and reducing microbial load. Current research indicates that freeze drying is particularly effective in preserving nutritional quality, while hot air and microwave drying significantly reduce microbial load. However, more well-designed studies are needed to fully understand the implications of these methods for safety and nutritional benefits. These findings are valuable for optimizing dehydration methods for high-quality dried mushrooms that are suited for culinary and medicinal use.
Open Access: Yes
Effects of Various Herbicide Types and Doses, Tillage Systems, and Nitrogen Rates on CO2 Emissions from Agricultural Land: A Literature Review
Publication Name: Agriculture Switzerland
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Although herbicides are essential for global agriculture and controlling weeds, they impact soil microbial communities and CO2 emissions. However, the effects of herbicides, tillage systems, and nitrogen fertilisation on CO2 emissions under different environmental conditions are poorly understood. This review explores how various agricultural practices and inputs affect CO2 emissions and addresses the impact of pest-management strategies, tillage systems, and nitrogen fertiliser usage on CO2 emissions using multiple databases. Key findings indicate that both increased and decreased tendencies in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were observed, depending on the herbicide type, dose, soil properties, and application methods. Several studies reported a positive correlation between CO2 emissions and increased agricultural production. Combining herbicides with other methods effectively controls emissions with minimal chemical inputs. Conservation practices like no-tillage were more effective than conventional tillage in mitigating carbon emissions. Integrated pest management, conservation tillage, and nitrogen fertiliser rate optimisation were shown to reduce herbicide use and soil greenhouse gas emissions. Fertilisers are similarly important; depending on the dosage, they may support yield or harm the soil. Fertiliser benefits are contingent on appropriate management practices for specific soil and field conditions. This review highlights the significance of adaptable management strategies that consider local environmental conditions and can guide future studies and inform policies to promote sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.
Open Access: Yes
Evaluation of Advances in Battery Health Prediction for Electric Vehicles from Traditional Linear Filters to Latest Machine Learning Approaches
Publication Name: Batteries
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
In recent years, there has been growing interest in Li-ion battery State-of-Health (SOH) estimation due to its critical role in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Effective energy management and accurate SOH prediction are essential for the reliability and sustainability of EVs. This paper presents an in-depth review of SOH estimation techniques, starting with an overview of seminal methods that lay the theoretical groundwork for battery modeling and SOH prediction. The review then evaluates recent advancements in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, emphasizing their contributions to improving SOH estimation. Through a rigorous screening process, the paper systematically assesses the evolution of these advanced methods, addressing specific research questions to evaluate their effectiveness and practical implications. Key findings highlight the potential of hybrid models that integrate Equivalent Circuit Models (ECMs) with Deep Learning approaches, offering enhanced accuracy and real-time performance. Additionally, the paper discusses limitations of current methods, such as challenges in translating laboratory-based models to real-world conditions and the computational complexity of some prospective methods. In conclusion, this paper identifies promising future research directions aimed at optimizing hybrid models and overcoming existing constraints to advance SOH estimation and battery management in Electric Vehicles.
Open Access: Yes
Spectroscopi c Anal ysi s of Chrysoti l e Asbestos and i ts Environmental Resistance in Asbestos Cement Waste Products
Publication Name: Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 32
Issue: 6
Page Range: 2441-2458
Description:
Most asbestos-related studies have focused on asbestos exposure risks, their associated health implications, and waste management issues. Our research introduced a unique perspective that has rarely been explored: the impact of environmental factors on asbestos cement products. The novelty of the study is that, in contrast to previous research, in addition to determining the material quality of asbestos, it analyses the trace materials, additives and the emissive nature of chrysotile fibers. This study aims to identify the chrysotile-asbestos content in three common asbestos cement products found in Hungary, with regard to the release of their fibers upon exposure to the environment and to identify trace elements that could be used to identify the origin and function of each of these products. Our analyses revealed the presence of chrysotile in each tested sample, with spectral matches ranging from 59.6% to 86.7%. Asbestos cement products exposed to various environmental influences for long periods showed a greater chrysotile emission capacity than those unexposed or hermetically sealed ones. Additionally, we established that all asbestos cement products contained glass fibers, with an average spectral match of 62.1%. We further identified polysilicate in the materials with an average spectral match of 66.0%, as it was included in asbestos cement products to enhance their heat resistance. Our results pave the way for a new methodology for assessing asbestos cement products with regard to the implementation of their trace element level assessments.
Open Access: Yes
Constructability-based design approach for steel structures: From truss beams to real-world inspired industrial buildings
Publication Name: Automation in Construction
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 166
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper presents an optimization framework for steel trusses. The authors implemented a penalty-based approach to optimise the size, shape, and topology based on a dynamic grouping strategy to address the constructability challenges. The main contribution of the paper is the use of damped exponential constructability penalties. This approach ensures optimal designs by balancing structural complexity, through standardization in design, and minimizing the total number of members and variety of sections, with the overall structural cost. The paper also presents a detailed analysis that underscores the sensitivity of the optimization convergence to the algorithmic hyperparameters, emphasizing the role of cross-section assignments and stabilization of truss piece counts. The optimization framework is validated on a trussed roof structure based on the findings from the single truss optimization. The best truss topology proved to be the Howe truss configuration, highlighting its efficiency in meeting the defined objective function.
Open Access: Yes
Pathways to sustainability: Evaluating the impact of green energy, natural resources, FinTech, and environmental policies in resource-abundant countries
Publication Name: Resources Policy
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 97
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The escalating concerns about ecological sustainability have made the consumption of resources a crucial global issue. The speedy growth of the economy is heavily reliant on excessive consumption of resources, which significantly contributes to the imbalance between biodiversity and ecological footprint, resulting in a decrease in the carrying capacity. Both researchers and policymakers strive to enhance the amount of financial capital in the present time while ensuring that the country's economic growth remains unaffected. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of green energy, financial technology (FinTech), and environmental regulations on enhancing the environmental sustainability of resource-rich countries from 1992 to 2022. To address problems with cross-sectional dependency and slope heterogeneity, this study employs the CS- ARDL model. The long-term results indicate that the reliance on income from natural resources decreased the load capacity factor. However, the load capacity factor was improved by shifting to green energy, adopting fintech, and implementing environmental regulations. The utilization of the AMG and CCEMG estimate procedures enhances the validity of the research findings. These findings provide essential policy recommendations for all stakeholder involved.
Open Access: Yes
Blockchain-based concept for total site heat integration: A pinch-based smart contract energy management in industrial symbiosis
Publication Name: Energy
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 305
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Industrial symbiosis has gained prominence in pursuing sustainable industrial practices, aiming to optimise resource utilisation and reduce environmental impacts. A critical aspect of this endeavour is the efficient management of energy resources within an industrial ecosystem. This paper presents a novel approach to enhance Total Site Heat Integration (TSHI) implementations by employing Blockchain as a facilitator for decentralised energy management. TSHI is an efficient and widely applied method for industrial symbiosis concerning energy flows, which employs the steam mains in site utility systems as the platform for exchanging heat between industrial processes at various temperature levels. It is shown that the synergy of Pinch Analysis and Smart Contract technologies is capable of facilitating energy integration of processes belonging to independent market actors, compared with the currently dominant integration inside a single company. The proposed framework leverages Blockchain as a distributed ledger to enable secure, transparent, and automated energy management across multiple industrial entities in an industrial symbiotic network. The integration of Pinch Analysis principles ensures that the Heat Integration process is optimised to improve the overall energy efficiency. Smart contracts enable automatic negotiation and execution of energy transactions based on predefined rules, minimising the time lag for concluding deals on energy resource exchange and conservation. This paper examines several scenarios to illustrate the implementation of the proposed Blockchain-based TSHI concept within an industrial symbiosis network. It is demonstrated that up to 16 % cost savings are possible by simply enabling transparency via Blockchain. The results could drive innovative development to revolutionise decentralised energy management in a complex industrial ecosystem, especially by synchronising energy exchanges in time.
Open Access: Yes
