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Processes
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Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection
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Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Process Control and Monitoring".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2025 | Viewed by 8348

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Javier Martínez-Gómez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Teoría de la Señal y Comunicación, (Área de Ingeniería Mecánica) Escuela Politécnica, Universidad de Alcalá, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Interests: decision analysis; multi-criteria decision methods; phase change material; energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Process systems engineering (PSE) integrates chemical engineering, systems engineering, intelligent engineering, control engineering, information technology, computer technology, management science and other disciplines of theory and technology for system optimization and sustainability. With the development of artificial intelligence, 5G technology, big data, blockchain and robots, PSE aims to save energy, protect the environment, achieve safety control, optimize operation and strengthen the process of complex process production systems. From the system perspective, PSE is used for the development of multi-scale processing methods and data integration technology platforms for industrial process data, integrated modeling and system simulation technology platforms for logistics and energy flow, as well as technology platforms for state inspection and safety analysis for process integration and process-strengthening solutions.

This Special Issue seeks high-quality articles focusing on the latest novel developments in process systems engineering, with regard to environmental protection and sustainable development. It focuses on advances in process design, product design, and process dynamics and control toward sustainability. Research endeavors contributing to this quest have already expanded the boundary of PSE to consider economic, environmental, and societal aspects of processes, products, and their life cycles.

Dr. Javier Martínez-Gómez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • process systems engineering
  • environmental protection
  • sustainable development
  • process analysis, optimization and integration
  • decision analysis
  • phase change material
  • energy storage

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 4087 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Energy Storage Participation in Primary Frequency Regulation: A Novel Analytical Approach for Virtual Inertia and Damping Control in Low-Carbon Power Systems
by Wentian Lu, Enkai Tan, Lefeng Cheng, Kuozhen Zhang and Wenjie Liu
Processes 2025, 13(4), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041146 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 187
Abstract
As renewable energy penetration increases, maintaining grid frequency stability becomes more challenging due to reduced system inertia. This paper proposes an analytical control strategy that enables distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide inertial and primary frequency support. A reduced second-order model is developed [...] Read more.
As renewable energy penetration increases, maintaining grid frequency stability becomes more challenging due to reduced system inertia. This paper proposes an analytical control strategy that enables distributed energy resources (DERs) to provide inertial and primary frequency support. A reduced second-order model is developed based on aggregation theory to simplify the multi-machine system and facilitate time-domain frequency analysis. Building on this model, we design virtual inertia and damping coefficients for the frequency response, ensuring that it meets acceptable limits for both overshoot and steady-state deviation. To address energy storage constraints, an adaptive strategy is introduced to adjust control parameters dynamically based on the state of charge (SOC). Simulation results validate the accuracy of the aggregation model, showing that it closely approximates the full multi-machine system with minimal error. The proposed method significantly enhances frequency stability under varying load conditions while maintaining efficient SOC utilization. This study provides a practical framework for integrating DERs into grid frequency regulation by combining analytical control design with SOC-aware adaptation. The approach offers a computationally efficient alternative to detailed models, supporting more responsive and stable low-inertia power systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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55 pages, 10087 KiB  
Article
Evolutionary Game Theory-Based Analysis of Power Producers’ Carbon Emission Reduction Strategies and Multi-Group Bidding Dynamics in the Low-Carbon Electricity Market
by Jianlin Tang, Bin Qian, Yi Luo, Xiaoming Lin, Mi Zhou, Fan Zhang and Haolin Wang
Processes 2025, 13(4), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13040952 - 23 Mar 2025
Viewed by 302
Abstract
China’s power generation system has undergone reforms, leading to a competitive electricity market where independent producers participate through competitive bidding. With the rise of low-carbon policies, producers must optimize bidding strategies while reducing carbon emissions, creating complex interactions with local governments. Evolutionary game [...] Read more.
China’s power generation system has undergone reforms, leading to a competitive electricity market where independent producers participate through competitive bidding. With the rise of low-carbon policies, producers must optimize bidding strategies while reducing carbon emissions, creating complex interactions with local governments. Evolutionary game theory (EGT) is well-suited to analyze these dynamics. This study begins by summarizing the fundamental concepts of electricity trading markets, including transaction models, bidding mechanisms, and carbon reduction strategies. Existing research on the application of evolutionary game theory in power markets is reviewed, with a focus on theoretical constructs such as evolutionary stable strategies and replicator dynamics. Based on this foundation, the study conducts a detailed mathematical analysis of symmetric and asymmetric two-group evolutionary game models in general market scenarios. Building upon these models, a three-group evolutionary game framework is developed to analyze interactions within power producer groups and between producers and regulators under low-carbon mechanisms. A core innovation of this study is the incorporation of a case study based on China’s electricity market, which examines the evolutionary dynamics between local governments and power producers regarding carbon reduction strategies. This includes analyzing how regulatory incentives, market-clearing prices, and demand-side factors influence producers’ bidding and emission reduction behaviors. The study also provides a detailed analysis of the bidding strategies for small, medium, and large power producers, revealing the significant impact of carbon pricing and market-clearing prices on strategic decision-making. Specifically, the study finds that small producers tend to adopt more conservative bidding strategies, aligning closely with market-clearing prices, while large producers take advantage of economies of scale, adjusting their strategies at higher capacities. The study explores the conditions under which carbon emission reduction strategies achieve stable equilibrium, as well as the implications of these equilibria for both market efficiency and environmental sustainability. The study reveals that integrating carbon reduction strategies into power market dynamics significantly impacts bidding behaviors and long-term market stability, especially under the influence of governmental penalties and incentives. The findings provide actionable insights for both power producers and policymakers, contributing to the advancement of low-carbon market theories and supporting the global transition to sustainable energy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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22 pages, 6455 KiB  
Article
Process Improvement and Economic and Environmental Evaluation of Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel Production from Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Oil
by Amata Anantpinijwatna, Lida Simasatitkul, Kanokporn Yooyen, Suksun Amornraksa, Suttichai Assabumrungrat and Karittha Im-orb
Processes 2025, 13(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010075 - 1 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1492
Abstract
The co-production of BHD with other renewable fuels (i.e., using a novel process involving carbon dioxide utilization to achieve the global sustainability goal) is presented. The three configurations of BHD production from refined bleached deodorized palm oil (RBDPO), including (1) the conventional BHD [...] Read more.
The co-production of BHD with other renewable fuels (i.e., using a novel process involving carbon dioxide utilization to achieve the global sustainability goal) is presented. The three configurations of BHD production from refined bleached deodorized palm oil (RBDPO), including (1) the conventional BHD process with hydrogen recovery (BHD process), (2) the BHD process coupled with the Fischer–Tropsch process (BHD-FT process), and (3) the BHD process coupled with the bio-jet fuel and methanol processes (BHD-BIOJET-MEOH process) are investigated using the process model developed in Aspen Plus. The effect of the operating parameters is studied, and the condition of each process offering the highest BHD yield is proposed. Then, the pinch analysis and heat exchanger network (HEN) design of each proposed process are performed to find the highest energy-efficient configuration. The economic and environmental analysis is later performed to investigate the sustainability performance of each configuration. The conventional BHD process requires less hydrogen and consumes less energy than the others. The BHD-BIOJET-MEOH process is the most economically feasible, offering the highest net present value (NPV) of USD 7.93 million and the shortest payback period of 3 years and 1 month. However, it offers the highest carbon footprint of 0.820 kgCO2 eq./kg of BHD, and it presented the highest potential environmental impact (PEI) in all categories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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16 pages, 894 KiB  
Article
Forecasting CO2 Emissions in India: A Time Series Analysis Using ARIMA
by Hrithik P. M., Mohd Ziaur Rehman, Amir Ahmad Dar and Tashi Wangmo A.
Processes 2024, 12(12), 2699; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12122699 - 29 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1393
Abstract
This study evaluates the capability of the ARIMA (Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average) to predict CO2 emissions in India using data from 1990 to 2023, addressing a critical need for accurate forecasting amid various economic and environmental uncertainties. It is observed that [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the capability of the ARIMA (Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average) to predict CO2 emissions in India using data from 1990 to 2023, addressing a critical need for accurate forecasting amid various economic and environmental uncertainties. It is observed that ARIMA yields high accuracy with respect to the prediction, and hence, it is reliable for environmental forecasting. These predictions give policymakers evidence-based information to aid in implementing sustainable climate policies within India. To ensure reliable predictions, the study methodology utilizes the Box–Jenkins approach, which encompasses model identification, estimation, and diagnostic checking. The initial step in the study is the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test, which assesses data stationarity as a prerequisite for precise time series forecasting. Model selection is guided by the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), which balances prediction accuracy with model complexity. The efficiency of the ARIMA model is assessed by comparing the actual observed values to the predicted CO2 emissions and the results demonstrate ARIMA’s effectiveness in forecasting India’s CO2 emissions, validated by statistical measures that confirm the model’s robustness. The value of the present study lies in its focused assessment of the relevance of the ARIMA model to the specific environmental and economic context of India, with actionable insight for policymakers. This study enhances prior research by incorporating a focused approach to data-driven policy formulation that increases climate resilience. The establishment of a reliable model for the forecasting of CO2 will aspire to support informed decision making in environmental policy and help India move forward toward sustainable climate goals. This study only serves to highlight the applicability of ARIMA in terms of environment-based forecasting and permits further emphasis on how much this method can be a useful data-based tool in climate planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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14 pages, 3129 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Benefits of Electric Cooking in Ecuador: A Long-Term Perspective
by Veronica Guayanlema, Javier Martínez-Gómez, Javier Fontalvo and Vicente Sebastian Espinoza
Processes 2024, 12(11), 2400; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112400 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 912
Abstract
The study quantifies the benefits of expanding electric cooking in the residential sector in replacement of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), including economic savings and the avoided emissions resulting from this transition, viewed through the perspective of a long-range optimal energy system model developed [...] Read more.
The study quantifies the benefits of expanding electric cooking in the residential sector in replacement of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), including economic savings and the avoided emissions resulting from this transition, viewed through the perspective of a long-range optimal energy system model developed for the Ecuadorian energy system under the LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternative Planning) framework. In Ecuador, electricity generation is predominantly based on hydropower obtained from run-of-the-river schemes. The model results indicate that a sectorial-level policy to promote electric cooking reduces the use of LPG per annum, which consequently leads to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the electric cooking scenario also complements the Ecuadorian vision of reducing deforestation and reaching carbon neutrality. Furthermore, the subsidies to LPG will be reduced, improving energy sovereignty. Finally, the paper discusses the effects and implications of this policy implementation over the nationally determined contributions (NDC). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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24 pages, 4025 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment of CO2-Based and Conventional Methanol Production Pathways in Thailand
by Adeel Rafiq, Ahsan Farooq and Shabbir. H. Gheewala
Processes 2024, 12(9), 1868; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091868 - 31 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2592
Abstract
Methanol production through carbon capture and utilization technologies offers promising alternatives to traditional natural-gas-based methods, potentially mitigating climate change impacts and improving resource efficiency. This study evaluates four methanol production pathways: CO2 hydrogenation, tri-reforming of methane, electrochemical CO2 reduction, and co-electrolysis [...] Read more.
Methanol production through carbon capture and utilization technologies offers promising alternatives to traditional natural-gas-based methods, potentially mitigating climate change impacts and improving resource efficiency. This study evaluates four methanol production pathways: CO2 hydrogenation, tri-reforming of methane, electrochemical CO2 reduction, and co-electrolysis of CO2 and water. The analysis covers 19 scenarios, combining three electricity mixes (100% Thai grid mix, 50% Thai grid mix and 50% renewable energy, and 100% renewable energy) with two hydrogen production technologies (alkaline water electrolysis and grey hydrogen). Environmental life cycle assessment results showed that most pathways perform well when using the 100% renewable energy with co-electrolysis (CE-100%) showing the most substantial reductions across all impact categories as compared conventional methanol production. Electrochemical reduction demonstrated the poorest environmental performance for all scenarios. In Thailand, implementing the CE-100% pathway could potentially yield 12.4 million tonnes of methanol annually from the cement industry’s CO2 emissions, with an estimated value of approximately USD 5.4 billion, while reducing emissions from the industrial processes and product use (IPPU) sector by 75%. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, supporting Thailand’s transition towards sustainable methanol production and broader climate goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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Review

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19 pages, 1979 KiB  
Review
re-ISSUES—Renewable Energy-Linked Interoperable Smart and Sustainable Urban Environmental Systems
by Raúl Pastor, Antonio Lecuona and Anabel Fraga
Processes 2024, 12(9), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091815 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1110
Abstract
Smart cities will be smart if they improve their citizens’ quality of life; to do so, it is essential to listen to citizens and collaborate with service and technological companies. For that, digitalization seems essential. Environmental management systems are complex and expensive. If [...] Read more.
Smart cities will be smart if they improve their citizens’ quality of life; to do so, it is essential to listen to citizens and collaborate with service and technological companies. For that, digitalization seems essential. Environmental management systems are complex and expensive. If their lifecycle costs are reduced, these systems would be more sustainable. This can be achieved through citizen collaboration (CS), the use of low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and collaboration with local renewable energy businesses. All this leads to a real interoperability challenge. Systems engineering offers a valid framework for managing information and knowledge for environmental systems. It offers a range of guides for processes that can improve the quality of the related information and the reusability of knowledge throughout the lifecycles of these systems. After quantifying the opportunity and the cost for a motivational case of atmospheric neighborhood odor impact and introducing trends and opportunities in energy management, the authors propose a model for renewable energy-linked interoperable smart and sustainable urban environmental systems (re-ISSUES). The model’s ontology is used to discover research trends and potential for improvements to the model itself, enabling semantic interoperability and knowledge reuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process Systems Engineering for Environmental Protection)
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