Search Results (72)

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for achieving net-zero emissions, yet amine-based capture systems face significant challenges including high energy penalties (20–30% of power plant output) and operational costs ($50–120/tonne CO${}_2$). This study develops and validates a novel multi-scale Digital Twin (DT) framework integrating Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to address these challenges through real-time optimization. The framework combines molecular dynamics, process simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and deep learning to enable real-time predictive control. A key innovation is the sequential training algorithm with domain decomposition, specifically designed to handle the nonlinear transport equations governing CO${}_2$ absorption with enhanced convergence properties.The algorithm achieves prediction errors below 1% for key process variables (R${}^2$> 0.98) when validated against CFD simulations across 500 test cases. Experimental validation against pilot-scale absorber data (12 m packing, 30 wt% MEA) confirms good agreement with measured profiles, including temperature (RMSE = 1.2 K), CO${}_2$ loading (RMSE = 0.015 mol/mol), and capture efficiency (RMSE = 0.6%). The trained surrogate enables computational speedups of up to four orders of magnitude, supporting real-time inference with response times below 100 ms suitable for closed-loop control. Under the conditions studied, the framework demonstrates reboiler duty reductions of 18.5% and operational cost reductions of approximately 31%. Sensitivity analysis identifies liquid-to-gas ratio and MEA concentration as the most influential parameters, with mechanistic explanations linking these to mass transfer enhancement and reaction kinetics. Techno-economic assessment indicates favorable investment metrics, though results depend on site-specific factors. The framework architecture is designed for extensibility to alternative solvent systems, with future work planned for industrial-scale validation and uncertainty quantification through Bayesian approaches. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are essential for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grid storage, but their rapidly increasing demand is paralleled by growing waste volumes. Current disposal methods remain costly, complex, energy-intensive, and environmentally unsustainable. This pilot study investigates a scalable, low-impact disposal method by incorporating LIB waste into concrete, evaluating both the structural and environmental effects of LIB waste on concrete performance. Several cement–mortar cube specimens were cast and tested under compression using the cement–mortar mix with varying battery waste components, such as black mass and varied metals. All mortar mixes maintained an identical water-to-cement ratio. The compressive strength of the cubes was measured at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after casting and compared. The mix containing black mass exhibited a 35% reduction in compressive strength on day 28, whereas the mix containing varied metals showed a 55% reduction relative to the control mix without LIB waste. A case study was conducted to evaluate the combined structural and environmental performance of a concrete specimen incorporating LIB waste by estimating the embodied carbon (EC) for each mix and comparing the strength-to-net EC ratio. Selective incorporation of LIB waste into concrete provides a practical, low-carbon upcycling pathway, reducing both embodied carbon and landfill burden while enabling greener, non-structural construction materials. This sustainable approach simultaneously mitigates battery waste and lowers cement-related CO₂ emissions, delivering usable concrete for non-structural and low-strength structural applications. Full article

Rapid decarbonization and decentralization of power systems are driving the integration of renewable generation, energy storage and digital technologies into unified energy ecosystems. In this context, photovoltaic (PV) systems combined with battery and hydrogen storage and blockchain-based platforms represent a promising pathway toward sustainable and transparent energy management. This study evaluates the techno-economic performance and operational feasibility of integrated PV systems combining battery and hydrogen storage with a blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading platform. A simulation framework was developed for two representative consumer profiles: a scientific–educational institution and a residential household. Technical, economic and environmental indicators were assessed for PV systems integrated with battery and hydrogen storage. The results indicate substantial reductions in grid electricity demand and CO₂ emissions for both profiles, with hydrogen integration providing additional peak-load stabilization under current cost constraints. Blockchain functionality was validated through smart contracts and a decentralized application, confirming the feasibility of P2P energy exchange without central intermediaries. Grid electricity consumption is reduced by up to approximately 45–50% for residential users and 35–40% for institutional buildings, accompanied by CO₂ emission reductions of up to 70% and 38%, respectively, while hydrogen integration enables significant peak-load reduction. Overall, the results demonstrate the synergistic potential of integrating PV generation, battery and hydrogen storage and blockchain-based trading to enhance energy independence, reduce emissions and improve system resilience, providing a comprehensive basis for future pilot implementations and market optimization strategies. Full article

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are an important step to mitigate CO₂ emissions. This study focuses on CO₂ capture from biomass combustion in fluidized bed boilers using a vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process. A pilot-scale VPSA unit was used to evaluate the dynamic adsorption behavior of zeolite 13X and clinoptilolite under realistic operating conditions. Moreover, a simplified one-dimensional isothermal mathematical model of a fixed-bed adsorption column was developed to simulate breakthrough curves to validate whether the model reproduces the observed experimental trends. Experimental results confirmed that fresh zeolite 13X exhibited the highest CO₂ adsorption capacity, while clinoptilolite showed moderate uptake. For both sorbents, a decrease in derived adsorption capacity was observed after prior use. The developed mathematical model successfully reproduced the experimental breakthrough curves, achieving coefficients of determination (R²) up to 0.99 and percentage fit (%Fit) values close to 94% for fresh sorbents, while lower correlations were observed for used sorbents. The model reliably captured the breakthrough curves, validating its applicability for process prediction. These results highlight the effectiveness of combining experimental measurements with modeling to assess sorbent performance and guide further optimization of VPSA processes under realistic flue gas conditions. Full article

The European Union’s enhanced greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for 2030 make the large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies essential to achieve deep decarbonization goals. Within this context, this study aims to advance CCS research by developing and testing a pilot-scale system that integrates gasification for syngas and power production with CO₂ absorption and solvent regeneration. The work focuses on improving and validating the operability of a pilot plant section designed for CO₂ capture, capable of processing up to 40 kg CO₂ per day through a 6 m absorber and stripper column. Experimental campaigns were carried out using different amine-based absorbents under varied operating conditions and liquid-to-gas (L/G) ratios to evaluate capture efficiency, stability, and regeneration performance. The physical properties of regenerated and CO₂-saturated solvents (density, viscosity, pH, and CO₂ loading) were analyzed as potential indicators for monitoring solvent absorption capacity. In parallel, a process simulation and optimization study was developed in Aspen Plus, implementing a split-flow configuration to enhance energy efficiency. The combined experimental and modeling results provide insights into the optimization of solvent-based CO₂ capture processes at pilot scale, supporting the development of next-generation capture systems for low-carbon energy applications. Full article

This work investigates the geochemical response of carbonate reservoir rocks to CO₂-enriched fluids, focusing on mineralogical changes and potential geological storage consequences. Laboratory experiments involved Žarošice field (Czech Republic) dolomite rock and in situ representative pore water. The findings show that CO₂ injection causes carbonate and feldspar dissolution, causing a detectable porosity increase (~0.25 percentage points). These findings lay the groundwork for assessing the potential of using dolomitized carbonate rocks for pilot CO₂ sequestration projects in Central Europe. Full article

CO₂ circulation between subsurface wells is a promising approach for geothermal energy recovery from deep saline formations originally developed for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This study evaluates the feasibility, operability, and performance of sustained CO₂ flow between an injector and a producer at the Canadian Aquistore site, a location with active CO₂ injection and an established geological model. A high-resolution sector model, derived from a history-matched parent simulation, was used to conduct a comprehensive uncertainty analysis targeting key operational and subsurface variables, including injection and production rates, downhole pressures, completion configurations and near-wellbore effects. All simulation scenarios retained identical initial and boundary conditions to isolate the impact of each variable on system behavior. Performance metrics, including flow rates, pressure gradients, brine inflow, and CO₂ retention, were analyzed to evaluate CO₂ circulation efficiency. Simulation results reveal several critical findings. Elevated injection rates expanded the CO₂ plume, while bottomhole pressure at the producer controlled brine ingress from the regional aquifer. Once the CO₂ plume was fully developed, producer parameters emerged as dominant control factors. Completion designs at both wells proved vital in maximizing CO₂ recovery and suppressing liquid loading. Permeability variations showed limited influence, likely due to sand-dominated continuity and established plume connectivity at Aquistore. Visualizations of water saturation and CO₂ plume geometry underscore the need for constraint optimization to reduce fluid mixing and stabilize CO₂-rich zones. The study suggests that CO₂ trapped during circulation contributes meaningfully to permanent storage, offering dual environmental and energy benefits. The results emphasize the importance of not underestimating subsurface complexity when CO₂ circulation is expected to occur under realistic operating conditions. This understanding paves the way to guide future pilot tests, operational planning, and risk mitigation strategies in CCS-enabled geothermal systems. Full article

This study investigates the viability of using Ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for heat generation in terms of both reactive Nitrogen and Carbon emissions and production cost. As a carbon-free, environmentally friendly energy carrier, Ammonia has the potential to play a significant role in the sustainable, clean energy supply of the future. However, a major drawback of the steady combustion of ammonia for process heat generation is the extremely high levels of NO_x emissions it produces. In this pilot-scale study, the experimental results show that, through the oscillating combustion of NH₃, NO_x emissions can be reduced by as much as 80%. Production costs were compared to evaluate the economic feasibility of Ammonia-based heat; the results reveal the economic challenges associated with using Ammonia compared to natural gas, even when accounting for the development of CO₂ pricing. Only in terms of Carbon Capture and Storage requirements is Ammonia-based heat economically advantageous. This study also scrutinizes the economies of the production of gray and green Ammonia. Considering CO₂ certificate costs, the cost of green ammonia would be competitive in the near future. Full article

Digital Twin (DT) technology has rapidly matured from pilot projects to integral components of advanced asset management and process optimization in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. This review provides a structured synthesis of the current state of digital twin frameworks, with a focus on offshore and topside gas-processing systems, such as those found on Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO). Emphasis is placed on high-fidelity process simulations and scalable architectures integrating real-time data with advanced analytics. Drawing on over 85 peer-reviewed sources and industrial frameworks, the paper outlines modular DT architectures, encompassing steady-state and dynamic process simulations (e.g., Aspen HYSYS), reduced-order and hybrid machine learning models, co-simulation environments, and advanced equation-of-state packages (e.g., GERG-2008). Special attention is given to compressor map integration, Equations of State (EOS) selection, ISO/IEC standard compliance, and digital thread continuity. Additionally, the review explores economic and sustainability-driven DT implementations, including flare and methane mitigation, ISO 50001-aligned energy optimization, and lifecycle/decommissioning strategies. It concludes with a technical and economic assessment of DT maturity for gas compression facilities, identifying research gaps in standardization, long-term validation, and cybersecurity integration. The insights provided are intended to support decision-makers, engineers, and researchers in deploying scalable, auditable, and high-impact DT solutions across the O&G value chain. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rapid, objective phenotyping of donor kidneys is needed to support peri-implant decisions. Label-free Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of static cold-storage Celsior^® perfusion fluid can discriminate kidneys recovered from donation after circulatory death (DCD) versus donation after brain death (DBD). Methods: Preservation solution from isolated kidney allografts (n = 10; 5 DCD/5 DBD) matched on demographics was analyzed in the Amide I and fingerprint regions. Several spectral preprocessing steps were applied, and feature extraction was based on the Fast Correlation-Based Filter. Support vector machines and Naïve Bayes were evaluated. Unsupervised structure was assessed based on cosine distance, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical clustering. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) was used to examine band co-variation. Results: Donor cohorts were well balanced, except for higher terminal serum creatinine in DCD. Quality metrics were comparable, indicating no systematic technical bias. In Amide I, derivatives improved classification, but performance remained modest (e.g., second derivative with feature selection yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 and an accuracy of 0.90 for support vector machines; Naïve Bayes reached an AUC of 0.92 with an accuracy of 0.70). The fingerprint window was most informative. Naïve Bayes with second derivative plus feature selection identified bands at ~1202, ~1203, ~1342, and ~1413 cm⁻¹ and achieved an AUC of 1.00 and an accuracy of 1.00. Unsupervised analyses showed coherent grouping in the fingerprint region, and 2D correlation maps indicated coordinated multi-band changes. Conclusions: Performance in this 10-sample pilot should be interpreted cautiously, as perfect leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) estimates are vulnerable to overfitting. The findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating, and they require confirmation in larger, multicenter cohorts with a pre-registered analysis pipeline and external validation. Full article

Mountain regions are increasingly affected by the interplay of climate change, infrastructure stress, and evolving socio-ecological systems, intensifying pressure on both water and energy systems. This systematic review investigates how recent scientific literature addresses the management and integration of water and energy systems in mountainous contexts. Following PRISMA guidelines, 88 peer-reviewed studies from 2022 to 2025 were selected through structured database queries and thematic screening. Two key imbalances emerge. First, a geographical imbalance is evident: while the majority of studies come from Asia, Europe shows a strong record of applied efforts, the Americas are moderately represented, and research from Africa remains scarce. Second, a thematic imbalance: water management research is conceptually and methodologically mature, while energy-focused studies remain limited in number and scope. Efforts toward integrated water–energy management are emerging but are mostly confined to pilot projects or modelling exercises, often lacking systemic framing and institutional support. From these findings, three priority directions are identified: advancing adaptive co-design approaches that link water supply, energy storage, ecological flows, and human demand; harmonizing methods, metrics and cross-regional benchmarks to enhance comparability and transferability; strengthening social and institutional pathways to foster resilient, adaptive water–energy systems in mountain environments. Full article

Existing CO₂ leakage risk assessment frameworks for CO₂ capture, geological storage and utilization (CCUS) projects face limitations due to subjective biases and poor adaptability to long-term scale sequestration. This study proposed a dynamic risk assessment method for CO₂ leakage based on a timeliness analysis of different leakage paths and accurate time-dependent numerical simulations, and it was applied to the first CO₂ enhanced gas recovery (CCUS-EGR) pilot project of China in the Maokou carbonate gas reservoir in the Wolonghe gas field. A 3D geological model of the Maokou gas reservoir was first developed and validated. The CO₂ leakage risk under different scenarios including wellbore failure, caprock fracturing, and new fracture activation were evaluated. The dynamic CO₂ leakage risk of the CCUS-EGR project was then quantified using the developed method and numerical simulations. The results revealed that the CO₂ leakage risk was observed to be the most pronounced when the caprock integrity was damaged by faults or geologic activities. This was followed by leakage caused by wellbore failures. However, fracture activation in the reservoir plays a neglected role in CO₂ leakage. The CO₂ leakage risk and critical risk factors dynamically change with time. In the short term (at 5 years), the project has a low risk of CO₂ leakage, and well stability and existing faults are the major risk factors. In the long term (at 30 years), special attention should be paid to the high permeable area due to its high CO₂ leakage risk. Factors affecting the spatial distribution of CO₂, such as the reservoir permeability and porosity, alternately dominate the leakage risk. This study established a method bridging gaps in the ability to accurately predict long-term CO₂ leakage risks and provides a valuable reference for the security implementation of other similar CCUS-EGR projects. Full article

Heavy industry is a significant contributor to CO₂ global emissions, accounting for approximately 25% of the total. In Europe, the continent’s largest emitting industries, including steel, cement, and power generation, face significant decarbonization challenges due to multiple interrelated factors. Heavy industry must achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, as outlined in the 13th United Nations Sustainable Goals. One strategy to achieve this goal involves Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) with post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) technologies playing a critical role. Key methods include absorption, which uses chemical solvents like amines; adsorption, employing solid sorbents; cyclic CO₂ capture, such as calcium looping methods; cryogenic separation, which involves chilling flue gas to liquefy CO₂; and membrane separation, leveraging polymeric materials. Each technology offers unique advantages and challenges, necessitating hybrid approaches and policy support for widespread adoption. In this sense, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing European pilot and demonstration units and projects, funded by the EU across several industries. It specifically focuses on PCC. This study examines 111 industrial facilities across Europe, documenting the PCC technologies deployed at plants of varying capacities, geographic locations, and operational stakeholders. The review further evaluates the techno-economic performance of these systems, assessing their potential to advance carbon neutrality in heavy industries. Full article

The global energy sector is aiming to substantially reduce CO₂ emissions to meet the UN climate goals. Among the proposed strategies, underground storage solutions such as radioactive disposal, CO₂, NH₃, and underground H₂ storage (UHS) have emerged as promising options for mitigating anthropogenic emissions. These approaches require rigorous research and development (R&D), often involving laboratory-scale experiments to establish their feasibility before being scaled up to pilot plant operations. Microorganisms, which are ubiquitous in laboratory environments, can significantly influence geochemical reactions under variable experimental conditions of porous media and a salt cavern. We have selected a consortium composed of Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Cronobacter sp. bacteria, which are typically present in the laboratory environment. These microorganisms can contaminate the rock sample and develop experimental artifacts in UHS experiments. Hence, it is pivotal to sterilize the rock prior to conduct experimental research related to effects of microorganisms in the porous media and the salt cavern for the investigation of UHS. This study investigated the efficacy of various disinfection and sterilization methods, including ultraviolet irradiation, autoclaving, oven heating, ethanol treatments, and gamma irradiation, in removing the microorganisms from silica sand. Additionally, the consideration of their effects on mineral properties are reviewed. A total of 567 vials, each filled with 9 mL of acid-producing bacteria (APB) media were used to test killing efficacy of the cleaning methods. We conducted serial dilutions up to 10⁻⁸ and repeated them three times to determine whether any deviation occurred. Our findings revealed that gamma irradiation and autoclaving were the most effective techniques for eradicating microbial contaminants, achieving sterilization without significantly altering the mineral characteristics. These findings underscore the necessity of robust cleaning protocols in hydrogeochemical research to ensure reliable, reproducible data, particularly in future studies where microbial contamination could induce artifacts in laboratory research. Full article

Under the dual-carbon policy framework, geological CO₂ storage, particularly in saline aquifers, is pivotal to achieving national emission reduction targets. However, selecting geologically favorable storage sites demands quantitative assessment of complex geological factors—a task hindered by subjective traditional methods. To address this, the study employs an integrated approach combining multi-criteria decision analysis (Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation) with multiphase flow simulations to investigate the Dezhou Subdepression in Shandong Province. The results indicate that the Dezhou Subdepression is moderately favorable for CO₂ geological storage, characterized by geologically optimal burial depth and favorable reservoir conditions. When the injection pressure increases from 1.1 times the original Group pressure (1.1P) to 1.5 times the original Group pressure (1.5P), the lateral migration distance of CO₂ expands by 240%, and the total storage capacity increases by approximately 275%. However, under 1.5P conditions, the CO₂ plume reaches the model boundary within 6.3 years, underscoring the increased risk of CO₂ leakage under high-pressure injection scenarios. This study provides strategic insights for policymakers and supports strategic planning for a CO₂ storage pilot project in the Dezhou Subdepression. It also serves as a reference framework for future assessments of CO₂ geological storage potential. Full article