Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Meng-Choung Chiong, Hooi-Siang Kang, Nik Mohd Ridzuan Shaharuddin, Shabudin Mat, Lee Kee Quen, Ki-Hong Ten, Muk Chen Ong
Summary: The study reviews the performance results and evaluation of alternative fuel engines under low-medium speed operation in the shipping industry. Neat waste plastic oil and tyre pyrolysis oil showed poorer emissions performance than diesel, while blending TPO with biodiesel improved engine performance significantly. Ammonia is a promising candidate due to its carbon-free composition, but technology is needed to address high NOx emissions. Diesel-like fuel derived from waste lubricant oil demonstrated notably better engine performance than fossil diesel.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
F. Faisal, M. G. Rasul, Ashfaque Ahmed Chowdhury, D. Schaller, M. I. Jahirul
Summary: This study found that the crude plastic pyrolytic oil produced from thermal pyrolysis of mixed waste plastics and mixed virgin plastics was not suitable for direct use as automobile fuel. However, after further refining through vacuum distillation and hydrotreatment, the distilled plastic diesel and hydrotreated plastic diesel were found to be well suited as drop-in diesel fuels.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michaela Burke Stevens, Megha Anand, Melissa E. Kreider, Eliza K. Price, Jose Zamara Zeledon, Liang Wang, Jiayu Peng, Hao Li, John M. Gregoire, Jens Hummelshoj, Thomas F. Jaramillo, Hongfei Jia, Jens K. Norskov, Yuriy Roman-Leshkov, Yang Shao-Horn, Brian D. Storey, Santosh K. Suram, Steven B. Torrisi, Joseph H. Montoya
Summary: In this article, the results of a research consortium focused on advancing understanding of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis are highlighted. Collaborations between different institutions and scientific disciplines have provided unique insights into fuel cell catalysts. The article emphasizes the importance of material designs, catalyst durability, and the role of emerging artificial intelligence tools in accelerating the design and discovery of fuel cell catalysts.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Navid Taghavi, Isuru Abeykoon Udugama, Wei-Qin Zhuang, Saeid Baroutian
Summary: This review outlines the most commonly generated non-degradable plastics, the threats they pose to the environment, and the current methods of degradation with their limitations. Although biodegradation is an environmentally friendly method, challenges including slow processing time and low degradation rate still hinder its application at large scale.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. Pakiya Pradeep, S. Gowthaman
Summary: Recovering liquid fuel from waste polymers through pyrolysis is an effective way to reduce environmental impact and fossil fuel demand. The addition of catalysts during the pyrolysis process improves the extraction rate and fuel properties of the pyrolysis oil. This study investigates the effect of different concentrations of magnesium bentonite catalysts on the pyrolysis of LDPE, and found that 1% and 2% catalyst concentrations resulted in higher extraction rates and better fuel properties.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zezhou Chen, Linlin Xu, Xurui Zhang
Summary: The pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE) over Fe-modified Pt/Al2O3 catalysts in the absence of external H2 was investigated to achieve the mild conversion of PE. Results showed that a slight impregnation of Fe can improve the oil yield and light oil selectivity, and promote the formation of aromatics and alkenes. Multiple active sites including Pt, Fe, and Lewis acid site of Al2O3 work systematically to drive the tandem catalysis. Fe modification on Pt/Al2O3 plays multiple roles in catalysis, while over-impregnation of Fe can result in Pt sites deactivation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kryss Waldschlager, Muriel Z. M. Bruckner, Bethanie Carney Almroth, Christopher R. Hackney, Tanveer Mehedi Adyel, Olubukola S. Alimi, Sara Lynn Belontz, Win Cowger, Darragh Doyle, Andrew Gray, Ian Kane, Merel Kooi, Matthias Kramer, Simone Lechthaler, Laura Michie, Tor Nordam, Florian Pohl, Catherine Russell, Amalie Thit, Wajid Umar, Daniel Valero, Arianna Varrani, Anish Kumar Warrier, Lucy C. Woodall, Nan Wu
Summary: Although the study of microplastics in the aquatic environment is still in its infancy, valuable insights can be gained by drawing on research in sedimentology. By analyzing existing literature, we identify seven research goals that are crucial to improving our understanding of microplastics, and propose relevant tasks to achieve each goal.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minghui Li, Yinping Pan, Zongkun Hou, Zhenyi Wu, Zhijun Zeng, Bochu Wang
Summary: This review explores the formation and degradation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), and discusses their potential threats to the ecosystem and human health. The potential sources and degradation mechanisms of MPs and NPs are presented. Human exposure to MPs and NPs through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact is inevitable, and the potential risks they pose to human health are discussed. The relevance of MP/NP exposure to human health outcomes is still controversial, and understanding the translocation and degradation of plastics in the human body is important for revealing their potential organotoxicity. Available approaches to alleviate MP/NP pollution and reduce their toxicity in humans are recommended to achieve a plastic-free life.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
A. K. Priya, A. A. Jalil, Kingshuk Dutta, Saravanan Rajendran, Yasser Vasseghian, Hassan Karimi-Maleh, Matias Soto-Moscoso
Summary: In the past 150 years, the production and usage of plastics have replaced traditional materials such as wood, glass, and metals. However, the non-biodegradable nature of plastics poses a significant threat to the environment, leading to the accumulation of plastic garbage and causing harm to life on Earth. Microplastics, especially in aquatic habitats, have the potential to disrupt ecosystem processes and food webs.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Irene Fahim, Omar Mohsen, Dina ElKayaly
Summary: This paper conducts a feasibility study on producing fuel from plastic waste using pyrolysis, with a focus on developing a profitable business model in Egypt. It provides a lucrative business opportunity for investors interested in the green economy.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qian Zhu, Jingping Hu, Bingchuan Liu, Shaogang Hu, Sha Liang, Keke Xiao, Jiakuan Yang, Huijie Hou
Summary: Microbial fuel cells have received significant attention as a sustainable technology for addressing environmental pollution and energy shortage. Recent advancements in functional materials for MFC systems include the development of enhanced anode materials, cost-effective separators/membranes, and efficient cathode catalysts to improve overall performance and efficiency. Challenges and future prospects for functional materials in MFC applications are also discussed in this review.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
David A. Cullen, K. C. Neyerlin, Rajesh K. Ahluwalia, Rangachary Mukundan, Karren L. More, Rodney L. Borup, Adam Z. Weber, Deborah J. Myers, Ahmet Kusoglu
Summary: The recent release of hydrogen economy roadmaps highlights the need for increased global investment in hydrogen production, storage, infrastructure and utilization. The shift in focus towards heavy-duty vehicle applications for fuel cell technologies is discussed, along with the required improvements in fuel cell systems and materials to meet efficiency and durability requirements. The article also summarizes the latest market outlooks and targets for heavy-duty vehicle applications.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Sangmin Lee, Yu Rim Lee, Seon Jeong Kim, Jin-Suk Lee, Kyoungseon Min
Summary: Plastic waste upcycling has emerged as a solution to the environmental crisis caused by plastic, with a focus on enzymatic and microbial degradation as well as catabolism of plastic monomers. This review provides insights into recent advances and barriers in biotechnological upcycling, specifically discussing PETase as a representative plastic-degrading enzyme. It also covers microbial conversion of plastic monomers and the chemobiological upcycling of plastic waste, contributing to the development of viable biotechnological systems and plastic-based circular carbon economies.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Shunxi Li, Ned Djilali, Marc A. Rosen, Curran Crawford, Pang-Chieh Sui
Summary: This paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges of transitioning heavy-duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen fuel cells. It presents recommendations such as synergistic utilization of a battery and hydrogen fuel cells, an incremental transition pathway, and the construction of a hydrogen highway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Manigandan Sekar, Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi, Sandro Nizetic, T. R. Praveenkumar
Summary: The paper reviews the new progress, challenges, and barriers on production of pyrolysis oil from plastic waste. Thermal and catalytic processes are potential methods to produce oil, with discussion on advantages and fuel characteristics. Application of pyrolysis oil on diesel engines and its impact on combustion and emission characteristics are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
