Search Results (142)

The potential of dry reforming methane (DRM) to convert two greenhouse gases concurrently is drawing interest from around the world. This research focused on developing supported nickel catalysts for the DRM, utilizing stabilized zirconia (SZ31107), which contains 5% SiO₂, as the support material. To promote the catalysts with a 5 wt.% Ni concentration, we used varying gallium loadings, specifically 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%. After a detailed analysis, characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, N₂-physorption, temperature-programmed reduction/desorption techniques, thermogravimetry, and Raman spectroscopy. The optimal DRM performance, achieved at 700 °C with a 1:1 CH₄:CO₂ feed, was recorded for the catalyst that has 0.25 wt.% Ga. The catalyst demonstrated remarkable average conversion rates of 56% for CH₄ and 66% for CO₂ after 300 min at 700 °C, with an H₂:CO ratio of 0.84. Activity was further enhanced by raising the temperature to 800 °C, which resulted in an 87% CO₂ conversion and an 80% CH₄ conversion. Studies on the catalyst’s long-term stability revealed a slow deactivation. With computed activation energies of 28,009 J/mol for CH₄ conversion and 21,875 J/mol for CO₂ conversion, temperature-programmed reaction tests conducted over the best catalyst demonstrated the DRM reaction’s endothermic character. Small additions of Ga encouraged the creation of more graphitic carbon structures, according to Raman spectroscopy of spent catalysts; the ideal catalyst had the lowest I_D/I_G ratio. These results suggest that the 5Ni+0.25Ga/SZ31107 catalyst is a promising candidate for large-scale syngas and hydrogen production. Full article

Adequate and diverse diets are essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet food insecurity and malnutrition continue to threaten this fundamental right, which remains a pressing concern in many resource-poor settings. This study investigated food and nutrition security in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Makhanda, South Africa, through a community-based participatory research approach. Using a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations, and community asset mapping across eight ECD centres enrolling 307 children aged 0–5 years, the study engaged ECD facilitators and analysed dietary practices across these centres. Results indicated that financial constraints severely affect the quality and diversity of food provided at the centres, thus undermining the ability to provide nutritionally adequate meals. The average amount spent on food per child per month at the centres was R90 ± R25 (South African Rand). Although three meals were generally offered daily, cost-driven dietary substitutions with cheaper, less diverse alternatives, often at the expense of nutritional value, were common. Despite guidance from Department of Health dieticians, financial limitations contributed to suboptimal feeding practices, with diets dominated by grains and starchy foods, with limited access to and rare consumption of protein-rich foods, dairy, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. ECD facilitators noted insufficient parental contributions and low engagement in supporting centre operations and child nutrition provision, indicating a gap in awareness and limited nutrition knowledge regarding optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The findings emphasise the need for sustainable, multi-level and community-led interventions, including food gardening, creating ECD centre food banks, parental nutrition education programmes, and enhanced financial literacy among ECD facilitators. Strengthening local food systems and establishing collaborative partnerships with communities and policymakers are essential to improve the nutritional environment in ECD settings. Similarly, enhanced government support mechanisms and policy-level reforms are critical to ensure that children in resource-poor areas receive adequate nutrition. Future research should focus on scalable, locally anchored models for sustainable child nutrition interventions that are contextually grounded, community-driven, and should strengthen the resilience of ECD centres in South Africa. Full article

China leads global carp aquaculture (farming of species within the family Cyprinidae), producing 20 million tons annually in a sector shaped by favorable policies, infrastructure, and innovation. Carp farming in China is rooted in millennia of traditional practices and transformative post-1978 economic reforms. This review synthesizes the historical trajectory, technological advancements, policy frameworks, and sustainability challenges shaping China’s carp aquaculture sector. Historically, carp polyculture systems, developed during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), laid the foundation for resource-efficient practices. Modern intensification, driven by state-led policies, genetic innovations, and feed-based systems, enabled unprecedented growth. However, rapid expansion has exacerbated environmental trade-offs, including nutrient pollution, habitat loss, and antibiotic resistance, while socioeconomic disparities, aging labor forces, and market volatility threaten sectoral resilience. Policy shifts since the 2000s prioritize ecological sustainability, exemplified by effluent regulations, wetland restoration, and green technologies. Despite progress, challenges persist in reconciling economic viability with environmental safeguards. Key success factors include long-term policy support, smallholder capacity building, vertically integrated supply chains, product differentiation, and adaptive management. With balanced policies emphasizing economic, social, and environmental sustainability, carp aquaculture can enhance domestic food and nutrition security. China’s experience showcases the potential of aquaculture to bolster food security but highlights the urgent need to harmonize productivity with ecological and social equity to ensure long-term resilience. Lessons from China’s model offer actionable insights for global aquaculture systems navigating similar sustainability imperatives. Full article

In this work, Aspen Plus was used to simulate a sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) process in a fluidized bed reformer using a Ni-based catalyst and CaO as a sorbent for CO₂ removal from the reaction environment. The performances of the process in terms of the outlet gas hydrogen purity (y_H2), methane conversion (X_CH4), and hydrogen yield (η_H2) were investigated. The process was simulated by varying the following different reformer operating parameters: pressure, temperature, steam/methane (S/C) feed ratio, and CaO/CH₄ feed ratio. A clear sorption-enhanced effect occurred, where CaO was fed to the reformer, compared with traditional SMR, resulting in improvements of y_H2, X_CH4, and η_H2. This effect, in percentage terms, was more relevant, as expected, in conditions where the traditional process was unfavorable at higher pressures. The presence of CaO could only partially balance the negative effect of a pressure increase. This partial compensation of the negative pressure effect demonstrated that the intensification process has the potential to produce blue hydrogen while allowing for less severe operating conditions. Indeed, when moving traditional SMR from 1 to 10 bar, an average decrease of y_H2, X, and η by −16%, −44%, and −41%, respectively, was recorded, while when moving from 1 bar SMR to 10 bar SE-SMR, y_H2 showed an increase of +20%, while X_CH4 and η_H2 still showed a decrease of −14% and −4%. Full article

Biogas is a crucial renewable energy source for green hydrogen (H₂) production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and serving as a carbon-free energy carrier with higher specific energy than traditional fuels. Currently, methane reforming dominates H₂ production to meet growing global demand, with biogas/landfill gas (LFG) reform offering a promising alternative. This study provides a comprehensive simulation-based evaluation of Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) and Dry Methane Reforming (DMR) of biogas/LFG, using Aspen Plus. Simulations were conducted under varying operating conditions, including steam-to-carbon (S/C) for SMR and steam-to-carbon monoxide (S/CO) ratios for DMR, reforming temperatures, pressures, and LFG compositions, to optimize H₂ yield and process efficiency. The comparative study showed that SMR attains higher specific H₂ yields (0.14–0.19 kgH₂/Nm³), with specific energy consumption between 0.048 and 0.075 MWh/kg of H₂, especially at increased S/C ratios. DMR produces less H₂ than SMR (0.104–0.136 kg H₂/Nm³) and requires higher energy inputs (0.072–0.079 MWh/kg H₂), making it less efficient. Both processes require an additional 1.4–2.1 Nm³ of biogas/LFG per Nm³ of feed for energy. These findings provide key insights for improving biogas-based H₂ production for sustainable energy, with future work focusing on techno–economic and environmental assessments to evaluate its feasibility, scalability, and industrial application. Full article

Sustainably produced hydrogen has the potential to substitute fossil fuels and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Fraunhofer UMSICHT develops a new thermochemical conversion technology to gasify ash-rich biogenic residues and waste materials that are difficult to treat with conventional gasifiers, enabling their conversion into higher-quality energy carriers such as hydrogen and syngas. Ash-rich feedstocks are difficult to convert in conventional gasification methods, as they tend to agglomerate and form slag, leading to blockages in the reactor and process disturbances. In this experimental study, hydrogen-rich syngas is produced from biogenic residual and waste materials (sewage sludge) using the Enhanced Carbon-To-X-Output (EXO) process. The EXO process is a three-stage thermochemical conversion process that consists of a combination of multi-stage gasification and a subsequent reforming step. The influence of temperature in the reforming step on the gas composition and hydrogen yield is systematically investigated. The reformer temperature of the process is gradually increased from 500 °C to 900 °C. The feedstock throughput of the pilot plant is approximately 10 kg/h. The results demonstrate that the temperature of the reforming step has a significant impact on the composition and yield of syngas as well as the hydrogen yield. By increasing the reformer temperature, the syngas yield could be enhanced. The hydrogen yield increased from 15.7 g_H2/kg_Feed to 35.7 g_H2/kg_Feed. The hydrogen content in the syngas significantly increased from 23.6 vol.% to 39 vol.%. The produced syngas can be effectively utilized for sustainable hydrogen production, as a feedstock for subsequent syntheses, or for power and heat generation. Full article

A thermodynamic analysis of a compact hydrogen generation system for mobile fuel cell applications is presented. The system consists of a miniature autothermal steam reformer (ATR) and a water–gas shift (WGS) reactor, designed to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels for a 1 kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Methane is used as the model fuel, and the study focuses on optimizing feed compositions and operational conditions to maximize hydrogen yield and purity. Feed compositions and operational conditions are optimized. In total, 0.7 Nm³ h⁻¹ H₂ is generated from 0.25 Nm³ h⁻¹ CH₄ with properly adjusted steam and air feeding. Issues with product purity and start-up procedures have been identified and discussed, along with feasible solutions. The system is suitable for remote and mobile applications. Full article

Urban free-roaming cats present challenges like noise, urination, defecation, property damage, public health risks, and wildlife predation. Traditional enforcement methods, such as containment laws and impounding, are ineffective, especially in low-income areas, where many free-roaming cats live. These cats are often cared for by “semi-owners”, who feed them without formal ownership. Financial barriers to sterilization for owned and semi-owned cats in these areas result in unplanned litters, sustaining the free-roaming population and burdening local authorities and animal welfare organizations. Cats causing complaints are frequently impounded and euthanized, affecting the mental health of veterinary, shelter, and council staff. This paper critiques punitive, compliance-driven strategies and highlights the success of assistive Community Cat Programs offering free sterilization, microchipping, and registration. In Banyule, Victoria, such a program reduced cat impoundments by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, and complaints by 36% between 2013 and 2021. Two other programs in large cities and rural towns in NSW and a rural town in Queensland have now reported similar results. Based on the One Welfare framework, these programs address the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental health. By removing financial barriers, they build trust between authorities and caregivers, improving compliance and welfare for cats, communities, and wildlife. However, following the loss of key program staff and the reintroduction of financial barriers in Banyule, cat intake rose by 140% between 2022 and 2024, demonstrating the detrimental impact of financial barriers and punitive approaches. This underscores the importance of sustained, community-based solutions and legislative reforms that prioritize humane, barrier-free strategies. Understanding the critical success factors for Community Cat Programs is essential for effective cat management. Full article

Biogas (primarily biomethane), as a carbon-neutral renewable energy source, holds great potential to replace fossil fuels for sustainable hydrogen production. Conventional biogas reforming systems adopt strategies similar to industrial natural gas reforming, posing challenges such as high temperatures, high energy consumption, and high system complexity. In this study, we propose a novel multi-product sequential separation-enhanced reforming method for biogas-derived hydrogen production, which achieves high H₂ yield and CO₂ capture under mid-temperature conditions. The effects of reaction temperature, steam-to-methane ratio, and CO₂/CH₄ molar ratio on key performance metrics including biomethane conversion and hydrogen production are investigated. At a moderate reforming temperature of 425 °C and pressure of 0.1 MPa, the conversion rate of CH₄ in biogas reaches 97.1%, the high-purity hydrogen production attains 2.15 mol-H₂/mol-feed, and the hydrogen yield is 90.1%. Additionally, the first-law energy conversion efficiency from biogas to hydrogen reaches 65.6%, which is 11 percentage points higher than that of conventional biogas reforming methods. The yield of captured CO₂ reaches 1.88 kg-CO₂/m³-feed, effectively achieving near-complete recovery of green CO₂ from biogas. The mild reaction conditions allow for a flexible integration with industrial waste heat or a wide selection of other renewable energy sources (e.g., solar heat), facilitating distributed and carbon-negative hydrogen production. Full article

Plasma catalysis is capable of significantly enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of the ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ reforming of methane. Simulation is an effective method for studying internal principles and operational mechanisms of the plasma-catalyzed ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ reforming of methane. However, simulation has some potential problems such as poor convergence and high computational complexity. To address these challenges, a stacking ensemble learning-assisted simulation of the plasma-catalyzed ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ reforming of methane was proposed. The stacking ensemble model, trained on limited converged simulation data, interpolates non-convergent points by leveraging the combined predictive power of multiple base models (KNN, DT, XGBoost). This approach ensures that predictions remain within the training data’s parameter space, minimizing extrapolation risks. We utilize Bayesian optimization and stacking ensemble methods aimed at improving the accuracy and generalization capability of this model. Experimental results show that this model can provide accurate CO density values under different $E/N$ and ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ gas-feeding ratio conditions. The comparative analysis results also demonstrate that Bayesian optimization and ensemble techniques can effectively improve model accuracy. This model combines advanced machine learning techniques with traditional simulation techniques. The time for predicting particle density under new experimental conditions has been reduced from 24 min in numerical simulation to a few seconds, which is 99.8% less than traditional 0D simulations, while maintaining high prediction accuracy (R² = 0.9795). Full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance and iterate, various industries have undergone intelligent reformation. China’s animal husbandry industry, given its importance for people’s livelihoods, is no exception to this transformation. Using AI technology in this field is becoming increasingly common since it not only improves production efficiency but also revolutionizes traditional business models. Animal science is a fundamental discipline that drives the progress of animal husbandry by studying the growth, breeding, nutritional needs, and feeding management of livestock and poultry. This discipline also explores advanced veterinary theories and technologies for epidemic prevention and control. The ultimate objective of this discipline is to ensure the production of high-quality and sufficient animal products to fulfill the demands of both production and daily life. It is predicted that the deep integration of AI technology into animal science will bring unprecedented opportunities to the animal husbandry industry. This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on students’ learning experiences and future educational directions. By situating the research within the context of current developments in educational technology, we hope to provide valuable insights for educators and policymakers and employ a questionnaire survey to explore the perceptions and attitudes of students majoring in animal science from various agricultural institutions in China toward this integration. The results of the study provide valuable and practical references for the cultivation and development of artificial intelligence talent in China’s livestock industry. Full article

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Jordan’s energy transition, integrating regulatory, infrastructural, and social aspects to advance the nation’s journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure. Utilizing regression analysis and data from 447 households, this study defines the interdependence of policy and infrastructure in solar energy adoption, identifying tariff structures as a primary influencer. The current net metering policy, which limits compensation to 80% of exported energy, results in lengthy payback periods, contrasting with Morocco’s successful 100% feed-in tariff model and its shorter payback period. This comparative perspective, examining Morocco, Egypt, and the UAE, identifies effective renewable strategies. Those underline this study’s global relevance, particularly in promoting equitable access and infrastructural modernization. The article’s practical dimension is another major asset. Beyond diagnosing challenges such as deficiencies in battery storage and urban–rural disparities in subsidy access, the authors propose concrete reforms like licensing simplification, tariff indexing, and energy storage development. That dual academic and applied value positions this study as a crucial resource for shaping Jordanian energy policy and aiding other developing nations in their renewable energy pursuits. By filling a research gap, this article quantitatively assesses the interaction between regulatory policy and infrastructure, which are often separately studied, while the use of random sampling enhances the validity of its statistical inferences. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the broader discourse on renewable energy transitions within the MENA region and beyond, aligning policy, technology, and equity to support Jordan’s sustainable energy efforts. Full article

COVID-19 has reinvigorated the policy debate for a universal healthcare system, attracting much attention on social media. In this paper, we study the online discourse of Medicare-For-All before and after COVID-19 by examining the Twitter feeds of two opposing health advocacy groups—Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and Partnership for America’s Healthcare Future (P4AHCF). Our empirical results show a sharp contrast between the two interest groups’ communication strategies. PNHP showed a consistent narrative before and after the onset of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020, marked by personalized stories, references to diverse demographic groups, and a growing number of Medicare-For-All tweets. In contrast, P4AHCF showed more scientific terminology and data-centric tweets and had an inconsistent narrative with a sudden surge in positive sentiments and a complete silence on Medicare-For-All right after 11 March. The difference in communication strategies is consequential. PNHP has higher engagement with Twitter users and is more adaptive to a pandemic narrative than P4AHCF. We discuss how distinctive social media strategies can be explained by the groups’ different audiences and resources. The findings add to our understanding of healthcare advocacy campaigns on social media and the implication of a pandemic for health policy reform. Full article

Based on the historical background of the changes made to the grassland property rights system, the first part of this study restores the changes in property rights systems in six major autonomous counties of grassland animal husbandry production in Qinghai region, while the second part qualitatively analyzes the changes in grassland animal husbandry operations and herdsmen’s life under the changes in property rights. The results show that, with the reform of the property rights system, the range of livestock grazing has changed from large-scale nomadic grazing to regional rotational grazing. The herds are mainly yaks and Tibetan sheep, accounting for more than 90%, with the proportion of Tibetan sheep being higher than that of yaks. The numbers of total livestock and those on the market first rose and then declined, showing a dynamic balance in recent 10 years, while the number of breeding female animals has increased year by year. Artificial grass planting has gradually become popularized in pastoral areas. The time span of livestock supplementary feeding has increased and is more scientific, and the output value of animal husbandry has increased year by year, showing a strong peak associated with intensification. The proportion of the population engaged in animal husbandry has decreased gradually with increasing population in the region. The income sources of herdsmen have become more and more diversified and are increasing year by year, and the Engel coefficient presents a downward trend. The human environment in pastoral areas has improved. Based on the above analysis, suggestions for the sustainable and high-quality production of animal husbandry under the current grassland property rights system are put forward, as well as for the construction of green organic agricultural and livestock product export land in Qinghai Province. Full article

Novel Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were synthesised and their activity in the dry reforming of methane process was assessed. These materials were prepared into extrudates shaped like pellets and tested in a pyrolysis pilot plant fitted with a catalytic reactor for sewage sludge pyrolysis tar removal. The Ni/SBA-15 catalyst pellets remained highly active and stable throughout the test’s duration, converting 100% tar in the hot gas to smaller non-condensable gases, thereby increasing the pyrolysis gas fraction and eliminating the problematic tar in the vapour stream. Catalyst characterisation with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) confirmed that both the Ni/SBA-15-powered catalyst and the pellets were resistant to sintering and carbon deposition and remained highly active even with relatively high-level sulphur in the feed stream. The Ni/SBA-15 catalyst extrudates were prepared by mixing the powdered catalyst with varied amounts of colloidal silica binder and fixed amounts of methyl cellulose and water. The highest mechanical strength of the extrudates was determined to be of those obtained with 36% of the inorganic binder. The physical properties and catalytic activity of Ni/SBA-15 pellets with 36% colloidal silica were compared with the original powdered Ni/SBA-15 catalyst to assess the binder inhibitory effect, if any. The results confirmed that colloidal silica binder did not inhibit the desired catalyst properties and performance in the reaction. Instead, enhanced catalytic performance was observed. Full article