Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katelyn A. Yu, Brian C. McDonald, Robert A. Harley
Summary: Fuel-based NOx emission inventories for California and the US over the period 1990-2020 showed a 70% decline in total on-road NOx emissions, with California leading the reduction by 48% compared to the national decrease. Further efforts have been taken in California to introduce new heavy-duty engines equipped with selective catalytic reduction systems, contributing to the steeper decrease in diesel NOx emissions in the state.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Topi Ronkko, Liisa Pirjola, Panu Karjalainen, Pauli Simonen, Kimmo Teinila, Matthew Bloss, Laura Salo, Arindam Datta, Banwari Lal, Rakesh K. Hooda, Sanna Saarikoski, Hilkka Timonen
Summary: This study aims to address air quality issues in India and emphasizes the importance of monitoring particle number concentrations and black carbon (BC) in urban areas, especially in traffic environments, where people can be significantly exposed to fresh exhaust emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Zhang, Wanchen Sun, Liang Guo, Yuying Yan, Jun Li, Shaodian Lin, Qiao Wang, Yi Sun
Summary: The dual-fuel combustion mode can increase the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine, and using coal to liquid (CTL) as pilot fuel can further improve overall performance by reducing combustion duration, peak of heat release rate, and peak of pressure rise rate.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ronald L. Fedie, Clayton McNeff, Charles McNeff, Larry C. McNeff, Peter G. Greuel, Bingwen Yan, Julie A. Jenkins, Jason T. Brethorst, Grant B. Frost, Thomas R. Hoye
Summary: Innovative hydrothermal, continuous-flow catalytic process was used to produce green gasoline, jet, and diesel biofuels from waste greases under supercritical water conditions with recycled water as the only added chemical. Stable catalysts were explored to optimize biofuels yield and minimize gas and acidic compounds production. The biofuels met ASTM fuel specifications and demonstrated high engine power performance levels compared to petroleum fuels, with lower CO and pollutant emissions.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephen Matheson, Robert Fleck, Thomas Lockwood, Raissa L. Gill, Peter J. Irga, Fraser R. Torpy
Summary: This study evaluates the potential of a commercial small green wall system in removing volatile organic compounds, especially gasoline vapour. The results demonstrate the system's ability to effectively remove a wide variety of harmful compounds and reduce benzene derivatives concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Anni H. Hartikainen, Mika Ihalainen, Pasi Yli-Pirila, Liqing Hao, Miika Kortelainen, Simone M. Pieber, Olli Sippula
Summary: Traffic remains a major source of urban air pollution despite reductions in vehicle emissions. This study investigates the photochemical transformation of exhaust emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles, finding that vehicle operation significantly affects exhaust composition and secondary aerosol formation potential.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhixiong Weng, Yuqi Song, Cuiyun Cheng, Dan Tong, Meng Xu, Minghao Wang, Yang Xie
Summary: The Chinese government's strict policies on coal-fired power plants have had considerable environmental benefits, but further testing is needed to determine whether these plants still contribute to air pollution. Using a Difference-In-Differences model, this study compared air quality stations with varying degrees of influence from nearby coal-fired power plants during pandemic lockdowns. The results showed that reduced operation of coal-fired power plants during the lockdowns led to improvements in air quality, but the extent of the impact varied across cities with different economic levels, electricity usage, population sizes, and between capital and non-capital cities. Technological upgrades are crucial for addressing emission control issues and improving air quality.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bhupendra Das, Prakash Bhave, Siva Praveen Puppala, Sagar Adhikari, Shreeti Sainju, Enna Mool, Rejina M. Byanju
Summary: A comprehensive emission inventory of the transport sector in Nepal was developed for the first time using fuel-based emission factors (EFs). The study estimated air pollutant emissions from diesel vehicles, compared diesel consumption by vehicle category with national sales data, and used Monte Carlo to estimate uncertainties. Tail pipe emission measurements were conducted using Ratnoze1 and Microaeth, and fuel-based EFs of CO2, CO, BC, and PM2.5 were calculated through the carbon mass balance method.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lucian Miron, Radu Chiriac, Marek Brabec, Viorel Badescu
Summary: Ignition delay is crucial in characterizing combustion process in Diesel engines, depending on fuel structure, engine conditions, and influence on performance. Biofuels like biodiesel B7 and B20 are of interest due to depletion of petroleum resources, with studies comparing their ignition delay to improve combustion control.
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. M. Ramirez-Corredores, Lorenzo Vega-Montoto, Robert Patzelt
Summary: Incorporating biofuels and/or bioblendstocks into commercial fuels can help in the decarbonization of the transportation sector. However, no single biofuel or bioblendstock can meet all the required specifications. Mixing different components together is necessary to meet the specifications. The composition of the base fuel can be adjusted to maximize the value-added to bio-refiners, refiners, and blenders.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Teresa Juarez-Facio, Tiphaine Rogez-Florent, Clemence Meausoone, Clement Castilla, Melanie Mignot, Christine Devouge-Boyer, Helene Lavanant, Carlos Afonso, Christophe Morin, Nadine Merlet-Machour, Laurence Chevalier, Francois-Xavier Ouf, Cecile Corbiere, Jerome Yon, Jean-Marie Vaugeois, Christelle Monteil
Summary: Gasoline emissions contain high levels of pollutants, while biofuels represent a promising alternative. However, there is limited research on the health effects of alternative fuels. This study compared the adverse effects of gasoline and biofuel emissions on human bronchial epithelial cells. The results showed that biofuels Surrogates generated toxic effects similar to gasoline Surrogates, possibly through different toxicity pathways.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanchen Sun, Xin Zhang, Liang Guo, Yi Sun, Yuying Yan, Jun Li, Hao Zhang, Dongqi Fu
Summary: The experiment results showed that increasing the n-butanol fraction in n-butanol/diesel-blended fuel led to a significant decrease in particulate mass emissions, but worsened the emissions of NOx and hydrocarbons. Introducing exhaust gas recirculation helped reduce NOx emissions, but a high EGR rate decreased the engine's indicated thermal efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Juyeon Kim, Hoyoung Park, Jeehoon Han, Jechan Lee
Summary: This study explores a co-production process that converts volatile fatty acids (VFA) derived from anaerobic digestion of organic waste into ethanol (EtOH) and butanol (BuOH) as potential gasoline alternatives. The process integration of acetic acid to EtOH and butyric acid to BuOH is investigated at a large scale to improve energy efficiency and economics. The simulation results show a high overall (EtOH + BuOH)/VFA mass yield of 46.2% and a significant energy efficiency of 37.3%, with most of the heat requirements being fulfilled internally. The techno-economic feasibility of the co-production process is estimated to be US$ 5.29 per gallon of gasoline equivalent.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yaojie Li, Xinlei Liu, Yatai Men, Zhihan Luo, Rui Xiong, Jianpeng Li, Hefa Cheng, Shu Tao, Guofeng Shen
Summary: Nearly three billion people still rely on traditional solid fuels, leading to potentially harmful levels of indoor CO2 exposure. A study in rural coal-use households found significantly elevated indoor CO2 concentrations, posing a variety of health risks. Efforts to reduce exposure to indoor CO2 are crucial for public health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mustafa Vargun, Ahmet Necati Ozsezen, Huseyin Bostali, Cenk Sayin
Summary: This study investigates the effects of injection start timing, pilot injection application, and boost air pressure increase on combustion and exhaust emissions. The results show that using pilot fuel injection and advanced injection timing increases the peak cylinder gas pressure, but also improves combustion noise. Additionally, the combustion reactions of alcohol/diesel fuels occur faster than pure diesel, but this can be reduced with pilot fuel injection application.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chelsea A. O'Driscoll, Leah A. Owens, Erica J. Hoffmann, Madeline E. Gallo, Amin Afrazi, Mei Han, John H. Fechner, James J. Schauer, Christopher A. Bradfield, Joshua D. Mezrich
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandra M. Lai, Ellison Carter, Ming Shan, Kun Ni, Sierra Clark, Majid Ezzati, Christine Wiedinmyer, Xudong Yang, Jill Baumgartner, James J. Schauer
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingyu Tian, Tianqi Cai, Jing Shang, James J. Schauer, Shujian Yang, Lijia Zhang, Yuanxun Zhang
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahlam H. Al Hanai, Dagmara S. Antkiewicz, Jocelyn D. C. Hemming, Martin M. Shafer, Alexandra M. Lai, Mohammad Arhami, Vahid Hosseini, James J. Schauer
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengchuan Lin, Wanqing He, Lei Nie, James J. Schauer, Yuqin Wang, Shujian Yang, Yuanxun Zhang
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lin Fang, Christina Norris, Karoline Johnson, Xiaoxing Cui, Jiaqi Sun, Yanbo Teng, Enze Tian, Wei Xu, Zhen Lig, Jinhan Mo, James Jay Schauer, Marilyn Black, Mike Bergin, Jim Zhang, Yinping Zhang
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Collin Brehmer, Christina Norris, Karoline K. Barkjohn, Mike H. Bergin, Junfeng Zhang, Xiaoxing Cui, Yinping Zhang, Marilyn Black, Zhen Li, Martin Shafer, James J. Schauer
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sierra N. Clark, Alexandra M. Schmidt, Ellison M. Carter, James J. Schauer, Xudong Yang, Majid Ezzati, Stella S. Daskalopoulou, Jill Baumgartner
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weijie Liao, Jiabin Zhou, Shengjie Zhu, Anshan Xiao, Kuan Li, James J. Schauer
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sean A. Tacey, Tibor Szilvasi, James J. Schauer, Manos Mavrikakis
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nanqi Bao, Jake I. Gold, Jonathan K. Sheavly, James J. Schauer, Victor M. Zavala, Van Lehn, Manos Mavrikakis, Nicholas L. Abbott
Summary: This study reveals that liquid crystals can undergo ordering transitions in response to surface reactions triggered by metal oxide substrates, offering a new class of substrates for amplifying atomic-scale transformations. The experiments and computational modeling demonstrate that the reaction between SO2 and H2O on anatase (101) substrates displaces the liquid crystal from the surface, resulting in an orientation transition. Moreover, the liquid crystal shows a high selectivity to SO2, making it a promising material for sensing atmospheric chemical species.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nanqi Bao, Shengli Jiang, Alexander Smith, James J. Schauer, Manos Mavrikakis, Reid C. Van Lehn, Victor M. Zavala, Nicholas L. Abbott
Summary: In this study, we show how analysis of the optical responses of liquid crystal films to targeted gases using a machine learning methodology can improve gas sensing and provide insights into the underlying physical processes. We demonstrate that a three-dimensional convolutional neural network can extract feature information from the color patterns of the liquid crystals to detect and quantify the presence of different gases in mixtures. Our findings suggest that the detection of O3 is driven by the transition time of brightness changes in the liquid crystals, while the detection of Cl2 is driven by late-developing color fluctuations. This research has implications for the design of portable liquid crystal monitoring devices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christina L. Norris, Ross Edwards, Chinmay Ghoroi, James J. Schauer, Marilyn Black, Michael H. Bergin
Summary: Indian cities have poor air quality, and there is limited research on the indoor sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A pilot study in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, quantified hundreds of VOCs inside and outside 26 homes. The study found seasonal variations in VOC concentrations and sources, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of factors contributing to indoor pollution to reduce health risks.
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Williams, R. Duvall, V Kilaru, G. Hagler, L. Hassinger, K. Benedict, J. Rice, A. Kaufman, R. Judge, G. Pierce, G. Allen, M. Bergin, R. C. Cohen, P. Fransioli, M. Gerboles, R. Habre, M. Hannigan, D. Jack, P. Louie, N. A. Martin, M. Penza, A. Polidori, R. Subramanian, K. Ray, J. Schauer, E. Seto, G. Thurston, J. Turner, A. S. Wexler, Z. Ning
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT-X
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huiming Lin, Yindong Tong, Xiufeng Yin, Qianggong Zhang, Hui Zhang, Haoran Zhang, Long Chen, Shichang Kang, Wei Zhang, James Schauer, Benjamin de Foy, Xiaoge Bu, Xuejun Wang
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2019)