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Clean Technol., Volume 6, Issue 4 (December 2024) – 9 articles

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24 pages, 6433 KiB  
Article
Research on Hybrid Heating System in Cold Oilfield Regions
by Meng Xu, Zhiyang Xu, Xinxin Wei, Gaoxiang Zhang and Changyu Liu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1480-1503; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040071 (registering DOI) - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 289
Abstract
Efficient and clean treatment of wastewater and energy recovery and utilization are important links to realize low-carbon development of oilfields. Therefore, this paper innovatively proposes a multi-energy complementary co-production heating system which fully and efficiently utilizes solar energy resources, oilfield waste heat resources, [...] Read more.
Efficient and clean treatment of wastewater and energy recovery and utilization are important links to realize low-carbon development of oilfields. Therefore, this paper innovatively proposes a multi-energy complementary co-production heating system which fully and efficiently utilizes solar energy resources, oilfield waste heat resources, and biomass resources. At the same time, a typical dormitory building in the oil region was selected as the research object, the system equipment selection was calculated according to the relevant design specifications. On this basis, the simulation system model is established, and the evaluation index and operation control strategy suitable for the system are proposed. The energy utilization rate of the system and the economic, energy-saving, and environmental benefits of the system are simulated. The results show that, under the simulated conditions of two typical days and a heating season, the main heat load of the system is borne by the sewage source heat pump, the energy efficiency is relatively low in the cold period, and the energy-saving characteristics are not obvious. With the increase in heating temperature and anaerobic reactor volume, the energy consumption of the system also increases, and the energy efficiency ratio of each subsystem and the comprehensive energy efficiency ratio of the system gradually decrease. In addition, although the initial investment in cogeneration heating systems is high, the operating costs and environmental benefits are huge. Under the condition of maintaining 35 °C, the anaerobic reactor in the system can reduce carbon emissions by 12.15 t per year, reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 98.4 kg, reduce dust emissions by 49.2 kg, and treat up to 2700 t of sewage per year, which has broad application prospects. Full article
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15 pages, 4363 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Carbon-Dioxide Emissions of Diesel and LNG Heavy-Duty Trucks in Test Track Environment
by Gergő Sütheö and András Háry
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1465-1479; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040070 (registering DOI) - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 282
Abstract
Environmental protection and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are getting increasingly high priority in the area of mobility. Several regulations, goals and projects have been published in recent years that clearly encourage the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, the adoption of [...] Read more.
Environmental protection and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are getting increasingly high priority in the area of mobility. Several regulations, goals and projects have been published in recent years that clearly encourage the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, the adoption of green alternatives and the use of renewable energy sources. The study compares CO2 emissions between conventional diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG) heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), and furthermore investigates the main influencing factors of GHG emissions. This study was carried out in a test–track environment, which supported the perfect reproducibility of the tests with minimum external influencing factors, allowing different types of measurements. At the results level, our primary objective was to collect and evaluate consumption and emission values using statistical methods, in terms of correlations, relationships and impact assessment. In this research, we recorded CO2 and pollutant emission values indirectly via the fleet management system (FMS) using controller area network (CAN) messages. Correlation, regression and statistical analyses were used to investigate the factors influencing fuel consumption and emissions. Our scientific work is a unique study in the field of HDVs, as the measurements were performed on the test track level, which provide accuracy for emission differences. The results of the project clearly show that gas technology can contribute to reducing GHG emissions of HDVs, and LNG provides a reliable alternative way forward for long-distance transportation, especially in areas of Europe where filling stations are already available. Full article
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20 pages, 4975 KiB  
Article
Effect of Methane on Combustion of Glycerol and Methanol Blends Using a Novel Swirl Burst Injector in a Model Dual-Fuel Gas Turbine Combustor
by S. M. Rafiul Islam, Ishaan Patel and Lulin Jiang
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1445-1464; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040069 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, has moderate energy but high viscosity, making clean combustion challenging. Quickly evaporating fine fuel sprays mix well with air and burn cleanly and efficiently. Unlike conventional air-blast atomizers discharging a jet core/film, a newly developed swirl burst (SB) [...] Read more.
Glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, has moderate energy but high viscosity, making clean combustion challenging. Quickly evaporating fine fuel sprays mix well with air and burn cleanly and efficiently. Unlike conventional air-blast atomizers discharging a jet core/film, a newly developed swirl burst (SB) injector generates fine sprays at the injector’s immediate exit, even for high-viscosity fuels, without preheating, using a unique two-phase atomization mechanism. It thus resulted in ultra-clean combustion for glycerol/methanol (G/M) blends, with complete combustion for G/M of 50/50 ratios by heat release rate (HRR). Lower combustion efficiencies were observed for G/M 60/40 and 70/30, representing crude glycerol. Hence, this study investigates the effect of premixed methane amount from 0–3 kW, and the effect of atomizing gas to liquid mass ratio (ALR) on the dual-fuel combustion efficiency of G/M 60/40-methane in a 7-kW lab-scale swirl-stabilized gas turbine combustor to facilitate crude glycerol use. Results show that more methane and increased ALR cause varying flame lift-off height, length, and gas product temperature. Regardless, mainly lean-premixed combustion, near-zero CO and NOx emissions (≤2 ppm), and ~100% combustion efficiency are enabled for all the cases by SB atomization with the assistance of a small amount of methane. Full article
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14 pages, 786 KiB  
Article
An Assessment of Water Quality and Pollution Sources in a Source Region of Northwest China
by Huijuan Xin, Shuai Zhang and Weigao Zhao
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1431-1444; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040068 - 20 Oct 2024
Viewed by 506
Abstract
China prioritizes ensuring drinking water safety, particularly in the water-scarce northwest region. This study, utilizing water quality data from 52 village and town water sources since August 2022, assesses water quality, with a specific focus on key indicators related to organic pollution sources. [...] Read more.
China prioritizes ensuring drinking water safety, particularly in the water-scarce northwest region. This study, utilizing water quality data from 52 village and town water sources since August 2022, assesses water quality, with a specific focus on key indicators related to organic pollution sources. This study provides a scientific foundation for enhancing water quality in these sources. Employing category factor analysis for classification and grading, principal component analysis for qualitative analysis of key evaluation indicators, and the absolute principal component linear regression equation for quantitative calculation of pollution sources, this study reveals that all 52 water sources meet quality standards. Principal component analysis categorizes pollution sources as diverse types of organic compounds in surface water. Source analysis calculations highlight decay-type organic substances as major contributors to increased water color and permanganate index, with pollution contribution rates of 54.78% and 31.31%, respectively. Fecal-type organic substances dominate the increase in dissolved total solids and total coliforms, with pollution contribution rates of 56.65% and 40.16%, respectively. Additionally, high-molecular-weight organic substances exhibit lower concentrations in the water. This article presents a systematic water quality assessment methodology, which is used for the first time to qualitatively assess the types of water sources and to quantitatively trace specific sources of organic pollution in source water in northwest China. This systematic study’s results, involving initial assessment followed by traceability, recommend the adoption of a simple contact filtration and disinfection process to enhance water quality in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Drinking Water)
24 pages, 5650 KiB  
Article
Reducing Energy Consumption Using DOE and SPC on Cork Agglomeration Line
by Hugo Silva, André S. Santos and Leonilde R. Varela
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1407-1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040067 - 18 Oct 2024
Viewed by 415
Abstract
The industrial landscape has revealed two trends: increased competitiveness and a greater demand for sustainable solutions. Materials with cork in their composition are an appealing solution, since they guarantee the desired mechanical characteristics while contributing to the prevention of environmental degradation. Given the [...] Read more.
The industrial landscape has revealed two trends: increased competitiveness and a greater demand for sustainable solutions. Materials with cork in their composition are an appealing solution, since they guarantee the desired mechanical characteristics while contributing to the prevention of environmental degradation. Given the change in external factors, there has been a substantial rise in energy costs. Thus, it is essential to optimize processes, with the aim of reducing the consumption of resources, such as electricity. This project was developed at a company that manufactures cork blocks, sheets, and rolls. Regarding blocks, a critical operation of this line is the high-frequency heating, being the bottleneck of this work center. With the critical variables previously identified, planned experiments were conducted based on DOE’s full factorial methodology. Two out of four products revealed inputs with statistical significance. With these results, a reduction in parameters was implemented in the factors and interactions that showed no statistical significance. Finally, average and amplitude control charts, based on the SPC methodology, were applied to solidify and guarantee the quality of the agglomerated blocks, with the parameter changes already introduced. The company benefited from this study by having a significant reduction in its energy consumption. Full article
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18 pages, 5073 KiB  
Article
Metal Oxalates as a CO2 Solid State Reservoir: The Carbon Capture Reaction
by Linda Pastero, Vittorio Barella, Enrico Allais, Marco Pazzi, Fabrizio Sordello, Quentin Wehrung and Alessandro Pavese
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1389-1406; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040066 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 526
Abstract
To maintain the carbon dioxide concentration below the no-return threshold for climate change, we must consider the reduction in anthropic emissions coupled to carbon capture methods applied in synergy. In our recent papers, we proposed a green and reliable method for carbon mineralization [...] Read more.
To maintain the carbon dioxide concentration below the no-return threshold for climate change, we must consider the reduction in anthropic emissions coupled to carbon capture methods applied in synergy. In our recent papers, we proposed a green and reliable method for carbon mineralization using ascorbic acid aqueous solution as the reducing agent for carbon (IV) to carbon (III), thus obtaining oxalic acid exploiting green reagents. Oxalic acid is made to mineralize as calcium (as the model cation) oxalate. Oxalates are solid-state reservoirs suitable for long-term carbon storage or carbon feedstock for manufacturing applications. The carbon mineralization reaction is a double-step process (carbon reduction and oxalate precipitation), and the carbon capture efficiency is invariably represented by a double-slope curve we formerly explained as a decrease in the reducing effectiveness of ascorbic acid during reaction. In the present paper, we demonstrated that the reaction proceeds via a “pure CO2-capture” stage in which ascorbic acid oxidizes into dehydroascorbic acid and carbon (IV) reduces to carbon (III) and a “mixed” stage in which the redox reaction competes with the degradation of ascorbic acid in producing oxalic acid. Despite the irreversibility of the reduction reaction, that was demonstrated in abiotic conditions, the analysis of costs according to the market price of the reagents endorses the application of the method. Full article
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32 pages, 4014 KiB  
Article
Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Post-Combustion Carbon Capture in an NGCC Power Plant in Uzbekistan
by Azizbek Kamolov, Zafar Turakulov, Patrik Furda, Miroslav Variny, Adham Norkobilov and Marcos Fallanza
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1357-1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040065 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
As natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) power plants continue to constitute a crucial part of the global energy landscape, their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions pose a significant challenge to climate goals. This paper evaluates the feasibility of implementing post-combustion carbon capture, [...] Read more.
As natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) power plants continue to constitute a crucial part of the global energy landscape, their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions pose a significant challenge to climate goals. This paper evaluates the feasibility of implementing post-combustion carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) technologies in NGCC power plants for end-of-pipe decarbonization in Uzbekistan. This study simulates and models a 450 MW NGCC power plant block, a first-generation, technically proven solvent—MEA-based CO2 absorption plant—and CO2 compression and pipeline transportation to nearby oil reservoirs to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of CCSU integration. Parametric sensitivity analysis is employed to minimize energy consumption in the regeneration process. The economic analysis evaluates the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) on the basis of capital expenses (CAPEX) and operational expenses (OPEX). The results indicate that CCSU integration can significantly reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1.05 million tonnes annually at a 90% capture rate, although it impacts plant efficiency, which decreases from 55.8% to 46.8% because of the significant amount of low-pressure steam extraction for solvent regeneration at 3.97 GJ/tonne CO2 and multi-stage CO2 compression for pipeline transportation and subsequent storage. Moreover, the CO2 capture, compression, and transportation costs are almost 61 USD per tonne, with an equivalent LCOE increase of approximately 45% from the base case. This paper concludes that while CCSU integration offers a promising path for the decarbonization of NGCC plants in Uzbekistan in the near- and mid-term, its implementation requires massive investments due to the large scale of these plants. Full article
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17 pages, 4580 KiB  
Article
Mechanisms of Water Pollutant Degradation under Electric Discharge Generated in a Cavitating Flow
by Anna Kamler, Vadim Bayazitov, Madina Sozarukova, Roman Nikonov, Igor Fedulov, Giancarlo Cravotto and Irina Abramova
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1340-1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040064 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 454
Abstract
With the aim of developing an innovative water treatment approach for developing countries in the Global South, we have applied the method of treating a cavitating water stream with a plasma discharge under real conditions. To this end, we have optimised the approach [...] Read more.
With the aim of developing an innovative water treatment approach for developing countries in the Global South, we have applied the method of treating a cavitating water stream with a plasma discharge under real conditions. To this end, we have optimised the approach after investigating the effects that occur in the treated medium during such a treatment. Based on the obtained light absorption curves of treated model solutions of titanium oxysulphate and potassium bichromate, it was found that inside the reactor the main role in the destruction of chemical contaminants is played by hydroxide ions, while outside the reactor the main chemical interaction takes place with hydrogen peroxide. The plasma treatment unit was tested in the biological wastewater treatment plant of a health resort in the territory of the Russian Federation (Almetyevsk, Republic of Tatarstan). Water samples taken directly from the tertiary decantation tank were used as real wastewater samples instead of adding chemical reagents for disinfection. It was found that with different modes of operation of the plasma treatment plant, the concentration levels of coliform bacteria, coliphages and Escherichia coli decreased significantly and fell below the limit of permissible concentrations for wastewater discharge. At the same time, the possible effect of the plasma on persistent inorganic compounds was investigated. It was shown that the plasma discharge in the flow of the incoming liquid can almost completely destroy compounds that are difficult to remove, such as hydrogen sulphide and chlorides. In the course of the study, the optimum frequency of electrical pulses of 68 kHz was selected, which ensures the lowest consumption of electrical energy while maintaining the required efficiency. Full article
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14 pages, 1660 KiB  
Article
Use of Vegetable Waste for New Ecological Methods in Wool Fibre Treatments
by Simona Gavrilaș, Mihaela Dochia, Andreea-Raluca Sărsan, Bianca-Denisa Chereji and Florentina-Daniela Munteanu
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(4), 1326-1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6040063 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 971
Abstract
In this current research, various amino acids (lysine, betaine, and cysteine) and peptides (oxidised or reduced glutathione) were considered as potential environmentally friendly alternatives to wool bleaching. A greener methodology was also applied to dyeing. Different agro-wastes (red cabbage, peppercorns, and red and [...] Read more.
In this current research, various amino acids (lysine, betaine, and cysteine) and peptides (oxidised or reduced glutathione) were considered as potential environmentally friendly alternatives to wool bleaching. A greener methodology was also applied to dyeing. Different agro-wastes (red cabbage, peppercorns, and red and yellow onion peels) served as raw pigment materials. The process’s efficiency was characterised by the whiteness degree, colour strength, and fastness to accelerated washing and perspiration. A higher whiteness index value was observed in the cysteine-based formulations. The onion peel exhibited significant tinctorial properties due to the presence of some natural mordants. All the proposed treatments were designed with a primary focus on environmental sustainability. These treatments offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bleaching and dyeing methods for wool. They reduce costs and energy consumption while creating added value by valorising waste. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Waste and By-Products)
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