Search Results (132)

Photovoltaic (PV) micro-installations producing renewable electricity and automatic pellet boilers producing renewable heat energy are promising solutions for single-family houses. A single-family house equipped with a prosumer 7.56 kWp PV micro-installation and a 26 kW pellet boiler was analyzed. This study aimed to analyze the production and use of electricity and heat over three successive years (from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023) and to identify opportunities for securing renewable energy supply for the house. Electricity production by the PV was, on average, 6481 kWh year⁻¹; the amount of energy fed into the grid was 4907 kWh year⁻¹; and the electricity consumption by the house was 4606 kWh year⁻¹. The electricity supply for the house was secured by drawing an average of 34.2% of energy directly from the PV and 85.2% from the grid. Based on mathematical modeling, it was determined that if the PV installation had been located to the south (azimuth 180°) in the analyzed period, the maximum average production would have been 6897 kWh. Total annual heat and electricity consumption by the house over three years amounted, on average, to 39,059 kWh year⁻¹. Heat energy accounted for a dominant proportion of 88.2%. From a year-round perspective, a properly selected small multi-energy installation can ensure energy self-sufficiency and provide renewable energy to a single-family house. Full article

Background: The relationship between genetic diversity and fitness is well understood, but few studies have investigated how behavior influences genetic diversity, or vice versa. We investigated the relationship between feeding behavior (on a pelleted diet) and genetic diversity in pikeperch, a piscivorous species. Methods: A total of 135 juvenile pikeperch from the same stock were grouped into three behavioral groups: pellet consuming, pellet refusing, and cannibalistic. Eighteen microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic diversity and structure of individuals. Results: The juveniles were classified into two genetic clusters: one dominated by pellet-consuming individuals and the other by pellet-refusing individuals containing equal proportions of cannibal individuals. Three of the microsatellite markers were under selection, but only one showed significant genetic segregation between the groups. For this marker, the pellet consumption was associated with low fragment length. Individual multilocus heterozygosity was significantly higher in the pellet-refusing group. Conclusions: These results suggest that pellet consumption acts as an uncontrolled selective force during domestication, influencing the genetic variability of domesticated populations. The ability to habituate to pellets has a significant genetic basis. Cannibalism does not affect genetic variability, and the emergence of the trait is independent of the propensity to consume pellets. Full article

The black fig fly, Silba adipata (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), is an invasive pest recently introduced to Mexico, where it has rapidly spread across fig-producing regions. Despite its economic importance, effective monitoring strategies remain poorly studied. The present study evaluated the response of S. adipata adults to visual (color) and olfactory (attractant) cues under laboratory and field conditions in fig orchards. No significant color preferences were observed in laboratory choice tests using nine colors or in field trials using traps of four different colors. In the laboratory, traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate solution, torula yeast + borax, or Captor + borax, captured similar numbers of flies, whereas CeraTrap^® was less attractive. Traps containing 2% ammonium sulfate were more effective than 2% ammonium acetate, though attraction was comparable when ammonium acetate was diluted to 0.2% or 0.02%. In the field, torula yeast + borax and 2% ammonium sulfate mixed with fig latex outperformed the 2% ammonium sulfate solution alone, although seasonal variation influenced trap performance. A high proportion of field-captured females were sexually immature. Torula yeast + borax attracted high numbers of non-target insects and other lonchaeid species, which reduced its specificity. In contrast, traps containing fig latex mixtures showed higher selectivity, although some S. adipata adults could not be sexed due to specimen degradation. These findings highlight the value of torula yeast pellets and 2% ammonium sulfate plus fig latex for monitoring this pest, but merit validation in field studies performed over the entire crop cycle across both wet and dry seasons. Future studies should evaluate other proteins, ammonium salt combinations and fig latex volatiles in order to develop effective and selective monitoring or mass trapping tools targeted at this invasive pest. Full article

Pellets can be produced not only from forest dendromass but also from agricultural dendromass derived from short rotation coppice (SRC) plantations, as well as surplus straw from cereal and oilseed crops. This study aimed to determine the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of 16 types of pellets produced from four types of forest biomass (Scots pine I, alder, beech, and Scots pine II), four types of agricultural biomass (SRC willow, SRC poplar, wheat straw, and rapeseed straw), and eight types of pellets from mixtures of wood biomass and straw. Another aim of the study was to demonstrate which pellet types met the parameters specified in three standards, categorizing pellets into thirteen different classes. As expected, pellets produced from pure Scots pine sawdust exhibited the best quality. The quality of the pellets obtained from mixtures of dendromass and straw deteriorated with an increase in the proportion of cereal straw or rapeseed straw in relation to pure Scots pine sawdust and SRC dendromass. The bulk density of the pellets ranged from 607.9 to 797.5 kg m⁻³, indicating that all 16 pellet types met the requirements of all six classes of the ISO standard. However, it was determined that four types of pellets (rapeseed, wheat, and two others from biomass mixtures) did not meet the necessary requirements of the Premium and Grade 1 classes. The ash content ranged from 0.44% DM in pellets from pure Scots pine sawdust to 5.00% DM in rapeseed straw pellets. Regarding ash content, only the pellets made from pure Scots pine sawdust met the stringent requirements of the highest classes, A1, Premium, and Grade 1. In contrast, all 16 types of pellets fulfilled the criteria for the lower classes, i.e., Utility and Grade 4. Concerning the nitrogen (N) content, seven types of pellets met the strict standards of classes A1 and Grade 1, while all the pellets satisfied the less rigorous requirements of classes B and Grade 4. Full article

Amid escalating global climate crises and the urgent imperative to meet the Paris Agreement’s carbon neutrality targets, the steel industry—a leading contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions—confronts unprecedented challenges in driving sustainable industrial transformation through innovative low-carbon steelmaking technologies. This paper examines decarbonization technologies across three stages (source, process, and end-of-pipe) for two dominant steel production routes: the long process (BF-BOF) and the short process (EAF). For the BF-BOF route, carbon reduction at the source stage is achieved through high-proportion pellet charging in the blast furnace and high scrap ratio utilization; at the process stage, carbon control is optimized via bottom-blowing O₂-CO₂-CaO composite injection in the converter; and at the end-of-pipe stage, CO₂ recycling and carbon capture are employed to achieve deep decarbonization. In contrast, the EAF route establishes a low-carbon production system by relying on green and efficient electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-based shaft furnaces. At the source stage, energy consumption is reduced through the use of green electricity and advanced equipment; during the process stage, precision smelting is realized through intelligent control systems; and at the end-of-pipe stage, a closed-loop is achieved by combining cascade waste heat recovery and steel slag resource utilization. Across both process routes, hydrogen-based direct reduction and green power-driven EAF technology demonstrate significant emission reduction potential, providing key technical support for the low-carbon transformation of the steel industry. Comparative analysis of industrial applications reveals varying emission reduction efficiencies, economic viability, and implementation challenges across different technical pathways. The study concludes that deep decarbonization of the steel industry requires coordinated policy incentives, technological innovation, and industrial chain collaboration. Accelerating large-scale adoption of low-carbon metallurgical technologies through these synergistic efforts will drive the global steel sector toward sustainable development goals. This study provides a systematic evaluation of current low-carbon steelmaking technologies and outlines practical implementation strategies, contributing to the industry’s decarbonization efforts. Full article

Due to its good adaptability, the pneumatic conveying feeder has been widely developed and applied in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs). Its important performances include the integrity of feed pellets and the feeding accuracy. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a feed distribution device for a small-scale pneumatic conveying feeder. A cylindrical hopper with a feed capacity of 4 kg and a feed distribution device were designed based on theoretical calculations. The motion and force of feed pellets during the distribution process were studied using the discrete element method (DEM) simulation to evaluate the integrity of feed pellets. Additionally, to evaluate feeding accuracy, the effect of discharge disk rotational speed on single feeding quantity was studied using DEM simulations and experimental validations, as well as the effect of the proportion of feed pellets in the hopper. Results showed that the maximum force on feed pellets was 1.25 N during the distribution process. It was inferred that the feed pellets can be distributed without breaking based on their shear strength. When the rotational speed of the discharge disk was set at a maximum of 28 rpm, the relative error of single feeding quantity between simulation and actual experiments was 4.43%, and the single feeding mass was 62.74 g, suggesting an optimal speed. In addition, the average single feeding quantity ranged from 262 to 301 feed pellets at the different proportions of feed pellets in the hopper, and its coefficient of variation was 12.46%, which generally meets the distribution requirements of the small-scale feeder. This study provides a feed distribution device for a small-scale pneumatic conveying feeder and offers references for the relevant analysis of DEM simulation. Full article

Biomass pellets are increasingly recognized as a cost-effective and sustainable renewable energy source worldwide. However, comprehensive sustainability assessments of their production processes are scarce. To address this gap, three distinct scenarios in Northeast China were evaluated using emergy, economic, and environmental analysis methods: corn single production, corn–pellet co-production, and pellet production. A modified method for calculating the environmental loading rate (ELR) was proposed, which accounts for the environmental benefits associated with replacing coal with biomass pellets for heating. The results showed that corn–pellet co-production demonstrates superior energy efficiency compared to corn-only production, but presents a contrasting economic profile. The ELR for corn single production and corn–pellet co-production are 1.57 and 1.63, respectively, with corresponding emergy sustainability indices (ESI) of 0.89 and 0.84. After applying the modified method, the ELR and ESI for corn–pellet co-production were adjusted to 0.84 and 1.63, respectively, and the ESI of pellet production increased from 8.24 to 21.15. Furthermore, processing corn straw into biomass pellets for heating can reduce heating costs by approximately USD 254.26/hm² and reduce emissions of SO₂, NO_x, CO, PM_2.5, and CO₂ by 9.12, 19.82, 580.31, 65.86, and 13,060.66 kg/hm², respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed that transportation distance and renewable electricity have a greater impact on pellet production than corn–pellet co-production. The ESI for pellet production decreases from 21.15 to 14.02 as transport distance increases from 20 km to 100 km, while it rises to 57.81 as the proportion of renewable energy in the power supply increases from 0% to 100%. Full article

Portulaca oleracea L. is an important herb with the same origin in medicine and food. To achieve the precise sowing of P. oleracea, this study employed a mixed experimental design to optimize the pellet formulation of the seeds. Fillers such as kaolin, bentonite, and talcum powder were used, along with binders including polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The physical characteristics and germination properties of the pelletized seeds were evaluated to determine the optimal formulation. The results indicated that, after pelletizing, the seeds exhibited a higher seed viability and vigor, germination rate, and germination index. Specifically, the seed singulation rate correlated positively with the kaolin content, the disintegration rate was proportional to the amount of talcum powder added, and the compression resistance was positively correlated with the bentonite ratio. Using response optimization, the optimal formulation of fillers used for pelletizing P. oleracea seeds was identified as 17% talcum powder, 16% kaolin, and 67% bentonite. Single-factor experiments showed that using PVP as a binder at a mass fraction of 10% resulted in improved pelletizing indices. This study not only optimized the pelletizing formulation of P. oleracea seeds based on physical and germination properties, but also expanded the application of pelletizing in the processing of the seeds of traditional Chinese herbs. It holds significant implications for the mechanized production of small, pelletized seeds of traditional Chinese herbs. Full article

The influence of oolitic hematite on the compressive strength and metallurgical properties of oxidized pellets was examined. The experimental results indicate that when the proportion of oolitic hematite does not exceed 8%, the compressive strength of the pellets can reach over 2500 N when roasted at 1250 °C for 15 min. When the proportion is increased to 10%, the compressive strength remains above 2500 N after roasting at 1250 °C for 20 min. As the proportion of oolitic hematite increases, the reduction expansion rate of the pellets decreases; however, the reducibility also diminishes, and the softening and dripping performance deteriorates. Take into account the characteristics of the comprehensive burden structure in blast furnace operations, the proportion of oolitic hematite in pellet production can be increased to 10.0%. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alternatives to antibiotics in semen extenders used for pig breeding are needed. Cold storage of boar semen is possible in certain extenders; however, bacteria can still survive. Colloid centrifugation can remove bacteria; therefore, a combination of colloid centrifugation and cold storage on the bacterial load and sperm quality of boar semen was investigated. Results: The sperm quality in the original samples were similar in samples with and without antibiotics, respectively. At Day 4, the bacterial count was not different between controls stored at 17 °C with antibiotics and SLC cold-stored samples without antibiotics. The proportion of dead sperm increased in controls at 16–18 °C (28.12 ± 21.72% vs. 32.88 ± 20.94%; p < 0.05), and DNA fragmentation increased from 1.5 ± 1.02% at Day 0 to 6.1 ± 3.64% at Day 4 (p < 0.01), whereas it did not deteriorate in the cold-stored samples (Day 4: %DFI 2.00 ± 1.65% and 1.90 ± 1.05% for SLC samples with and without antibiotics, respectively). Methods: Aliquots of boar ejaculates were extended in Androstar Premium with and without antibiotics. The samples without antibiotics were processed by Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) through Porcicoll; sperm pellets were resuspended in AndroStar Premium, with or without antibiotics, cooled slowly, and stored for 4 days at 4 °C. Controls (aliquots extended in AndroStar Premium with antibiotics) were stored at 17 °C. The bacterial load and sperm quality were assessed in the original samples and after 4 days of storage. Conclusions: Single Layer Centrifugation combined with cold storage is an effective method for reducing the bacterial load in boar semen, with or without antibiotics. Full article

The global transition to renewable energy has accelerated the adoption of wood pellet biomass as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This study explores the role of Total Quality Management (TQM) in optimizing wood pellet utilization for sustainable energy production. By integrating TQM principles—including process optimization, supply chain management, and technological innovation—enterprises can enhance production efficiency, ensure consistent pellet quality, and reduce carbon emissions. Compared to coal, wood pellets offer a lower-emission fuel alternative, with a calorific value of 4000–4600 kcal/kg, producing significantly fewer pollutants while supporting cleaner industrial applications. Although coal has a higher energy density, TQM-driven improvements in pellet production increase combustion efficiency, reducing the fuel quantity required for equivalent energy output. This research analyzes Taiwan’s wood pellet market, identifying challenges such as fluctuating costs, resource availability, and environmental concerns. Through case studies and policy analysis, this study proposes strategies to increase the proportion of wood pellet energy in Taiwan’s electricity mix, aligning with global sustainability goals and promoting net-zero emissions in the power sector. Full article

The utilization of a high pellet ratio in blast furnace smelting represents a pivotal strategy for achieving green and low-carbon ironmaking, which can improve raw material quality, reduce energy consumption, and decrease CO₂ emissions. In this study, the impact of pellet proportion and charging sequence on the burden distribution was investigated using the discrete element method. The results revealed that the pellet mass fraction and the porosity of the ore layer gradually increase from the furnace wall toward the center under different pellet proportion conditions. As the pellet proportion increases, the radial segregation index of the pellets decreases and the porosity of the ore layer slightly increases. Furthermore, alternating charging can reduce pellet rolling, thereby lowering the flowability of the burden. The research outcomes can offer valuable insights for optimizing blast furnace charging operations when using a high pellet ratio, contributing to an improved smelting efficiency. Full article

Obesity is a prevalent health issue among captive wildlife, but the obesity status of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in China has not been systematically investigated. This study assessed obesity in 204 captive Asian elephants across 43 facilities by recording seven potentially relevant variables: sex, age, daily feed supply, proportion of high-calorie feed, outdoor enclosure area, outdoor time, and foot disorders. Body condition was evaluated using visual scoring, revealing a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly in zoo-kept elephants. Over 70% of captive Asian elephants in China were classified as overweight or obese. Statistical analysis indicated that insufficient outdoor time is likely a primary contributor to obesity among zoo elephants. We recommend extending outdoor time and regulating the supply of high-calorie feeds (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and pellets) to promote exercise and balance energy intake. Additionally, implementing positive reinforcement training for routine health checks, including foot exams and blood sampling, could improve data collection on elephant health and welfare, ultimately enhancing obesity management and overall animal well-being. Full article

The carbon emissions from the pelletizing process are much lower than those from the sintering process. Moreover, increasing the proportion of fired pellets in the feedstock fed into the blast furnace can reduce carbon emissions, augment the capacity (the ability of a blast furnace to produce molten iron using the same weight of iron ore) and decrease slag generation. Therefore, much more attention has been paid to the pelletizing process. However, the shortage of high-quality feeds remains a bottleneck in the pelletization industry. Supplying more hematite for fired pellet production is of significant importance. In this study, the physicochemical properties and mineralogical characteristics of Brazilian hematite concentrate (BHC) were systematically analyzed. We simulated the traveling grate process and investigated the effect of BHC dosage on the balling behavior of mixed concentrates, the firing performance of the dry balls and the metallurgical properties of the fired pellets. The results indicate that substituting 20–30% BHC with magnetite concentrates improves the drop number and thermal stability of green balls with a slightly higher dosage of bentonite. The firing characteristics of the dry balls and the reduction index and reduction degradation index of the fired pellets were enhanced, although a slightly adverse effect on the reduction swelling index of the fired pellets was observed. Overall, the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the fired pellets can meet the requirements for blast furnace operations. Substituting magnetite concentrates with 20–30% hematite concentrate in the traveling grate for the pelletization process is technically feasible. Full article

In this work, dry carbonization (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets were conducted to evaluate the physical, chemical, and fuel properties of the produced chars. In the dry carbonization tests, biomass sawdust was incorporated in different proportions on the samples to minimize agglomeration caused by the melting of the plastic fraction. The experiments were carried out in a temperature of 400 °C (DC) and 250–300 °C (HTC), in a residence time of 30 min. The respective chars and hydrochars were characterized according to their mass yield, apparent density, proximate, elemental, and mineral composition, chlorine content, high heating value, thermogravimetric profile, and surface functional groups. The results showed that the dry carbonization of RDF pellets with biomass incorporation, followed by a washing step, resulted in the production of chars with improved properties such as higher fixed carbon and higher heating value (HHV) (25–26 MJ/kg) and lower ash and chlorine content. Additionally, the HTC experiments demonstrated that hydrochars showed improved properties without the need for biomass addition and washing, however, with no significant difference in the HHV (20–21 MJ/kg). Therefore, DC of RDF pellets with 10% biomass incorporation seems to be a promising option to overcome the constraints of RDF utilization as an alternative fuel. Full article