Search Results (10)

This study investigates the dynamic effect of economic liberalization, privatization, and globalization on the export performance of Ethiopian manufacturing firms. We use structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the direct and indirect influences between these macroeconomic reforms and export performance, which are mediated by firms’ competitive priorities in the global market, using cross-sectional data from 114 manufacturing privatized manufacturing firms by using key informant techniques. The study looks into how firms’ export competitiveness and export performance are affected by economic liberalization, privatization, and global market integration since 1991 national economic reform. This model identified liberalization, privatization, and globalization as independent variables that mediated export performance under competitive priority. The findings of the proposed framework showed that all of the predictive variables (LPG) were significant at p < 0.05, indicating that liberalization, privatization, and economic globalization influence export performance across all competitive priorities. The result further revealed that by expanding access to international markets and promoting competitive efficiency, economic globalization/integration, privatization incentives, and economic liberalization changes all significantly improve export performance. The results also infer that LPG provides an intervening role in boosting export performance under firms’ competitive priorities (cost, flexibility, and quality). However, resolving issues, including inefficient regulations and inconsistent incentives, is important to realize these advantages. To optimize the advantages of these dynamics, policymakers must concentrate on establishing a business environment that encourages firms to partake in export, innovation, and competition. The study contributes to the literature by offering sector-specific insights for policymakers aiming to optimize privatization strategies and trade reforms to boost Ethiopia’s manufacturing exports. The results underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to mitigate short-term disruptions while maximizing long-term export gains in a liberalized economy. Full article

The Indonesian Government’s substantial investment in energy subsidies, designed to assist poor and vulnerable households, ironically favors the wealthy and exacerbates inequality. This study delves into household-based energy subsidy policies in Indonesia, focusing on their effects on gender and social inclusiveness. By combining qualitative document analysis with micro-level data analysis—typically reserved for social protection programs—and national socioeconomic data, this study reveals significant access gaps to energy subsidies. The findings indicate that the existing policy benefits affluent households, leaving marginalized groups such as female-headed households, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly from low-income families without access to subsidies. This gap stems from the current price-based subsidy approach and the unequal distribution of energy services. The study recommends a fundamental shift from commodity-based subsidy policy to direct household subsidies, removing barriers to access and encouraging more equitable, gender-responsive, and inclusive policies. The benefits of these reforms can optimize subsidy budget allocation, increase targeting accuracy, and encourage pro-poor measures. In addition, this can spur the development of local alternative energy, thereby contributing to a just energy transition in Indonesia. Full article

With increasing concerns about global warming, the push for sustainable and eco-friendly fuels is accelerating. Propane, recognized as liquefied petroleum gas or LPG, has garnered research interest as an alternative fuel due to its notable advantages, including a high-octane rating, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and potential cost-effectiveness. However, to realize its full potential as an alternative fuel it is essential to develop catalysts that efficiently handle emissions at low temperatures. In our research, we investigated three distinct palladium (Pd)-based three-way catalyst (TWC) formulations (PdRh, Pd-only, and Pd-OSC) to investigate the influence of typical TWC components rhodium (Rh) and oxygen storage components (OSC) in exhaust scenarios relevant to propane-fueled engines. Among these, the formulation containing oxygen storage components (Pd-OSC) showed the highest reactivity for both NO and C₃H₈ while minimizing performance degradation from hydrothermal aging (HTA). Notably, the temperature of 50% conversion (T₅₀) for propane in the Pd-OSC fresh and HTA sample was lower by 30 °C and 13 °C, respectively, compared to the Pd-only sample, highlighting the role of oxygen storage materials in enhancing catalyst performance, even without dithering. Additionally, N₂ physisorption showed that the Pd-OSC sample has a higher surface area and increased pore volume. This underscores the idea that OSC materials not only augment the catalyst’s porosity but also optimize reactant accessibility to active sites, thus elevating catalytic efficiency. In addition to evaluating performance, we further explored the performance and characteristics of the catalysts using catalytic probe reactions, such as water–gas shift and steam reforming reactions. Full article

To reduce air pollution worldwide, regulations on exhaust gas emissions from ships are becoming increasingly stringent. One fuel that is being considered as an alternative to replace the heavy fuel oil used in existing ship engines and thereby reduce harmful emissions, such as NO_x, SO_x, and greenhouse gases, is sulfur-free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). To assess the viability of this alternative, it is necessary to understand propane reactivity, the main component of LPG, and develop after-treatment devices applicable to LPG engines. This research evaluated the performance of three prototype Pd-based three-way catalysts (TWCs) with varying Pd loadings (6.5, 4.1, and 1.4 g/L), focusing on their effectiveness concerning propane reactivity in LPG engines. For the fresh samples, catalysts with 4.1 g/L Pd demonstrated performance that was comparable to, or even surpassed, those containing 6.5 g/L Pd. Notably, the temperature of 50% conversion (T₅₀) for NO and C₃H₈ in the fresh Pd-4.1 was lower by 14 °C and 10 °C, respectively, compared to the fresh Pd-6.5 sample, despite having 37% less precious-metal loading. However, after hydrothermal aging at 900 °C for 100 h, the performance of the 4.1 g/L Pd catalyst significantly deteriorated, exhibiting lower efficiency than the 6.5 g/L Pd catalyst. The study also delved into various probe reactions, including the water–gas shift and propane steam reforming. Advanced analytical techniques, such as N₂ physisorption and scanning transmission electron microscopy, were employed to elucidate the texture and structural characteristics of the catalyst, providing a comprehensive understanding of its behavior and potential applications. Through this research, within the efforts of the maritime sector to address challenges posed by emission regulations and rising costs associated with precious metals, this study has the potential to contribute to the development of cost-effective emission control solutions. Full article

The interest in Gas-to-Liquid technology (GTL) is growing worldwide because it involves a two-step indirect conversion of natural gas to higher hydrocarbons ranging from Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to paraffin wax. GTL makes it possible to obtain clean diesel, naphtha, lubes, olefins, and other industrially important organics from natural gas. This article is a brief review discussing the state-of-the-art of GTL, including the basics of syngas manufacturing as a source for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), hydrocarbons synthesis (Fischer-Tropsch process), and product upgrading. Each one is analyzed, and the main characteristics of traditional and catalysts technologies are presented. For syngas generation, steam methane reforming, partial oxidation, two-step reforming, and autothermal reforming of methane are discussed. For Fischer–Tropsch, we highlight the role of catalysis and selectivity to high molecular weight hydrocarbons. Also, new reactors technologies, such as microreactors, are presented. The GTL technology still faces several challenges; the biggest is obtaining the right H₂:CO ratio when using a low steam-to-carbon ratio. Despite the great understanding of the carbon formation mechanism, little has been made in developing newer catalysts. Since 60–70% of a GTL plant cost is for syngas production, it needs more attention, particularly for developing the catalytic partial oxidation process (CPO), given that modern CPO processes using a ceramic membrane reactor reduce the plant’s capital cost. Improving the membrane’s mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability can commercialize the process. Catalytic challenges accompanying the FTS need attention to enhance the selectivity to produce high-octane gasoline, lower the production cost, develop new reactor systems, and enhance the selectivity to produce high molecular weight hydrocarbons. Catalytically, more attention should be given to the generation of a convenient catalyst layer and the coating process for a given configuration. Full article

The catalytic performance of Rh/TiO₂ catalyst was investigated for the reaction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) steam reforming with respect to the operating conditions employed. The impacts of reaction temperature, steam/C ratio, Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV), and time were examined and discussed both in the absence and presence of butane in the feed. It was found that the catalytic performance is improved by increasing the reaction temperature, steam content in the feed, and/or by decreasing GHSV. In the presence of butane in the feed, the effect of H₂O/C ratio on catalytic performance is prominent, whereas the opposite was observed for the effect of GHSV. The propane conversion curve decreases by adding butane in the feed, indicating that the presence of butane retards propane steam reforming. The investigation of the dynamic response of Rh/TiO₂ catalyst to variations of H₂O/C ratio showed that neither catalytic activity nor product selectivity is varied with time following abrupt changes of the steam/C ratio between 2 and 7. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability with time-on-stream at 500 and 650 °C. However, a reversible catalyst deactivation seems to be operable when the reaction occurs at 600 °C, resulting in a progressive decrease of propane conversion, which, however, can be completely restored by increasing the temperature to 650 °C in He flow, respectively. The long-term stability of Rh/TiO₂ catalyst in the form of pellets showed that this catalyst is not only active and selective but also stable, and therefore, it is a promising catalyst for the reaction of LPG steam reforming. Full article

The integration and control of energy systems for power generation consists of multiple heterogeneous subsystems, such as chemical, electrochemical, and thermal, and contains challenges that arise from the multi-way interactions due to complex dynamic responses among the involved subsystems. The main motivation of this work is to design the control system for an autonomous automated and sustainable system that meets a certain power demand profile. A systematic methodology for the integration and control of a hybrid system that converts liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to hydrogen, which is subsequently used to generate electrical power in a high-temperature fuel cell that charges a Li-Ion battery unit, is presented. An advanced nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) framework is implemented to achieve this goal. The operational objective is the satisfaction of power demand while maintaining operation within a safe region and ensuring thermal and chemical balance. The proposed NMPC framework based on experimentally validated models is evaluated through simulation for realistic operation scenarios that involve static and dynamic variations of the power load. Full article

Coupling of the pre-reforming and partial oxidation was considered for the conversion of liquefied petroleum gas to syngas for the feeding applications of solid oxide fuel cells. Compared with conventional two step steam reforming, it allows the amount of water required for the process, and therefore the energy needed for water evaporation, to be lowered; substitution of high-potential heat by lower ones; and substitution of expensive tubular steam reforming reactors by adiabatic ones. The supposed process is more productive due to the high reaction rate of partial oxidation. The obtained syngas contains only ca. 10 vol.% H₂O and ca. 50 vol.% of H₂ + CO, which is attractive for the feeding application of solid oxide fuel cells. Compared with direct partial oxidation of liquefied petroleum gas, the suggested scheme is more energy efficient and overcomes problems with coke formation and catalyst overheating. The proof-of-concept experiments were carried out. The granular Ni-Cr₂O₃-Al₂O₃ catalyst was shown to be effective for propane pre-reforming at 350–400 °C, H₂O:C molar ratio of 1.0, and flow rate of 12,000 h⁻¹. The composite Rh/Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O_2-δ–ƞ-Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalyst was shown to be active and stable under conditions of partial oxidation of methane-rich syngas after pre-reforming and provided a syngas (H₂ + CO) productivity of 28 m³·L_cat⁻¹·h⁻¹ (standard temperature and pressure). Full article

The hydrogen economy refers to an economic and industrial structure that uses hydrogen as its main energy source, replacing traditional fossil-fuel-based energy systems. In particular, the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) is one of the key factors enabling a hydrogen economy, and aggressive investment in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is essential to make large-scale adoption of HFCVs possible. In this study, we address the problem of effectively designing a hydrogen supply network for refuelling HFCVs in urban areas relatively far from a large hydrogen production site, such as a petrochemical complex. In these urban areas where mass supply of hydrogen is not possible, hydrogen can be supplied by reforming city gas. In this case, building distributed hydrogen production bases that extract large amounts of hydrogen from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) and then supply hydrogen to nearby hydrogen stations may be a cost-effective option for establishing a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the early stage of the hydrogen economy. Therefore, an optimization model is proposed for effectively deciding when and where to build hydrogen production bases and hydrogen refuelling stations in an urban area. Then, a case study of the southeastern area of Seoul, known as a commercial and residential center, is discussed. A variety of scenarios for the design parameters of the hydrogen supply network are analyzed based on the target of the adoption of HFCVs in Seoul by 2030. The proposed optimization model can be effectively used for determining the time and sites for building hydrogen production bases and hydrogen refuelling stations. Full article

Low-temperature hydrogen production from natural gas via steam reforming requires novel processing concepts as well as stable catalysts. A process using zeolite membranes of the type MFI (Mobile FIve) was used to enrich natural gas with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) alkanes (in particular, propane and n-butane), in order to improve the hydrogen production from this mixture at a reduced temperature. For this purpose, a catalyst precursor based on Rh single-sites (1 mol% Rh) on alumina was transformed in situ to a Rh1/Al₂O₃ catalyst possessing better performance capabilities compared with commercial catalysts. A wet raw natural gas (57.6 vol% CH₄) was fully reformed at 650 °C, with 1 bar absolute pressure over the Rh1/Al₂O₃ at a steam to carbon ratio S/C = 4, yielding 74.7% H₂. However, at 350 °C only 21 vol% H₂ was obtained under these conditions. The second mixture, enriched with LPG, was obtained from the raw gas after the membrane process and contained only 25.2 vol% CH₄. From this second mixture, 47 vol% H₂ was generated at 350 °C after steam reforming over the Rh1/Al₂O₃ catalyst at S/C = 4. At S/C = 1 conversion was suppressed for both gas mixtures. Single alkane reforming of C₂–C₄ showed different sensitivity for side reactions, e.g., methanation between 350 and 650 °C. These results contribute to ongoing research in the field of low-temperature hydrogen release from natural gas alkanes for fuel cell applications as well as for pre-reforming processes. Full article