Article
Energy & Fuels
Huina Guo, Lele Feng, Yuxin Wu, Yang Zhang
Summary: Understanding the combustion characteristics of biomass particles in a turbulent gas environment is crucial for biomass conversion facilities design and operation. Experimental study shows that increasing turbulence intensity accelerates the heating rate and significantly shortens the burnout time of biomass particles. The volatile flame area fluctuates with turbulent intensity.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wei Cheng, Jing'ai Shao, Youjian Zhu, Wennan Zhang, Hao Jiang, Junhao Hu, Xiong Zhang, Haiping Yang, Hanping Chen
Summary: Torrefaction can improve fuel properties and reduce operating costs. However, the emission behavior of particulate matter (PM) during torrefied pellet combustion is still unknown. In this study, cotton stalks were torrefied at temperatures of 220-300°C with oxygen concentrations of 0-21%. The burned torrefied pellets were analyzed using a Dekati low-pressure impactor to investigate PM emission behavior. The results show that oxidative torrefaction leads to significant decreases in H/C and O/C ratios, making the fuel properties similar to coal. The heating value is greatly improved and sensitive to the torrefaction temperature. Both non-oxidative and oxidative torrefaction result in a considerable increase in PM10 yield. The main composition of PM1 changes from KCl to K2SO4 due to the release of chlorine during torrefaction. Additionally, the presence of oxygen facilitates the transformation of alkali and alkaline-earth metals into coarse particles, as indicated by the generally high levels of calcium and potassium in PM1-10. The optimal torrefaction conditions for producing high-quality torrefied cotton stalk pellets with high heating values and low PM emission in subsequent combustion applications are around 260°C with a low oxygen concentration of 0-6%.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianxiu Hao, Yafang Zhang, Tianyuan Zhang, Huacong Zhou, Quansheng Liu, Keduan Zhi, Na Li, Runxia He
Summary: This study presents an efficient approach for the functional use of biomass based on its structural properties and successfully develops a novel catalyst Zr-CMC. The experimental results demonstrate that Zr-CMC exhibits high conversion and yield of FF under mild conditions, and possesses excellent stability. The prepared catalyst shows potential for application in biomass conversion due to its advantages of sustainable raw materials, high efficiency, and excellent stability.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Nattawut Setkit, Xian Li, Hong Yao, Nakorn Worasuwannarak
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in torrefaction behavior between hot-pressed pellets (HP) and Raw or cold-pressed pellets (CP), with HP showing higher mass and energy yields after torrefaction. Gas formation analysis indicated that HP torrefaction accelerated dehydration and deoxygenation reactions, producing a large amount of H2O and CO2.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ming Zhai, Xuesong Li, Di Yang, Zhaoyang Ma, Peng Dong, Zhen Leng
Summary: The melting of ash during biomass pellet combustion affects combustion efficiency. This study evaluated the characteristics of ash formation and melting of various biomass fuels. The aggregation of fusible matters was identified as the main factor affecting ash fusion, which inhibited combustion reaction but promoted carbon conversion.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
G. Gianfelice, P. Canu
Summary: This study explores the chemical and physical processes within a single wood pellet to improve the design of wood pellet stoves and boilers, revealing that the conversion rate is controlled by heat conduction and is linearly proportional to the surrounding temperature. It also found that at higher combustion temperatures, the char yield decreases and useful heat must be extracted from volatiles combustion.
Article
Polymer Science
Shaoning Cui, Congli Cui, Shengju Ge, Wei Xie, Mengting Yu, Ying Li, Qingjie Sun, Liu Xiong
Summary: The physical properties of hydrocolloids currently restrict their wide application in the food industry. By adding cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and sodium alginate (SA) solutions, their viscoelasticity can be improved and the non-Newtonian flow behaviors can be regulated under different conditions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Senem Ozgen
Summary: An overview of particulate matter reduction methods for small pellet boilers used in residential, commercial, and institutional settings is provided. Primary and secondary measures show potential for reducing PM, with advanced regulation of air flows and fuel-oriented methods being widely applied. However, challenges remain in improving secondary control measures and validating the feasibility of marketable devices.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ali Hedayati, Robert Lindgren, Nils Skoglund, Christoffer Boman, Norbert Kienzl, Marcus Ohman
Summary: In this study, ash transformation and release of critical ash-forming elements during the combustion of different types of agricultural opportunity fuels were investigated. The results showed that the main fractions of potassium and phosphorus remained in the residual ash in different forms, providing insights into the chemical changes during combustion.
Article
Polymer Science
Pornchai Rachtanapun, Pensak Jantrawut, Warinporn Klunklin, Kittisak Jantanasakulwong, Yuthana Phimolsiripol, Noppol Leksawasdi, Phisit Seesuriyachan, Thanongsak Chaiyaso, Chayatip Insomphun, Suphat Phongthai, Sarana Rose Sommano, Winita Punyodom, Alissara Reungsang, Thi Minh Phuong Ngo
Summary: Carboxymethyl bacterial cellulose (CMCn) was synthesized from bacterial cellulose from nata de coco by carboxymethylation using different NaOH concentrations, with the optimal condition resulting from 30g/100mL NaOH providing the highest DS value. The tensile strength of CMCn films increased with NaOH concentration up to 30g/100mL, but decreased at higher concentrations. The highest elongation at break was obtained from CMCn films synthesized with 50g/100mL NaOH concentration.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dennis Krueger, Ozge Cepeliogullar Mutlu
Summary: In this study, a small-scale biomass burner using TLUD technology with automatic process control was developed for process heat generation. The emissions were found to be below official limits, indicating potential for further development.
Article
Thermodynamics
Seyed Morteza Mousavi, Hesam Fatehi, Xue-Song Bai
Summary: This paper presents a novel multi-region Eulerian model for studying the conversion of thermally thick biomass particles. The model treats the particle and the surrounding fluid as separate regions coupled through an interface. The use of a multi-region approach offers benefits such as more realistic radiation modeling, flexibility in defining flow boundary conditions, and the ability to use different governing equations for each region. The model also provides a solution to the computational cost issue by coupling particle-fluid interactions. Sub-models for drying, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, and shrinkage are included in the model, and the results are compared to experimental data. The model is used to investigate the effects of shrinkage, anisotropic heat transfer, and gas phase reactions during pyrolysis.
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shumin Wang, Yingxuan Xie, Huanhuan Su, Yanran Luo, Mengting Wang, Teng Li, Yuying Fu
Summary: Curcumin solid dispersions (Cur SDs) were prepared using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at different dosages. The addition of CMC enhanced the characteristic peak shift of curcumin, reduced contact angle, increased surface free energy, and improved the solubility of Cur SDs. The morphology of Cur SDs changed from needle-like to sheet-like with the addition of CMC. The addition of CMC significantly improved the anti-proliferation effect of Cur SDs, enhancing the bioavailability of curcumin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lin Lin, Shuangxi Peng, Ce Shi, Changzhu Li, Zichun Hua, Haiying Cui
Summary: This study prepared edible films using cassava starch and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as basic raw materials and apple polyphenol as biologically active components. The addition of apple polyphenol increased the flexibility and barrier ability of the film. The microstructure analysis showed hydrogen bonds formed between apple polyphenol, cassava starch, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, improving the crystallinity and compactness of the film. Additionally, the film demonstrated antioxidant potential in chicken preservation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kuangyu Li, Weijie Yan, Xianliang Huang, Lingbo Yu, Yumin Chen, Chun Lou
Summary: The method described uses K concentration, temperature, and characteristic spectral line radiation intensity in flame for calibration and establishes a radiation function model. It can be applied to measure K concentration and diagnose combustion processes, such as comparing K release concentrations and combustion temperatures of different fuels during volatile and char combustion stages.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoxia Yang, Tao Kan, Amanj Kheradmand, Haimei Xu, Vladimir Strezov, Aibing Yu, Yijiao Jiang
Summary: Syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is an important feedstock for the production of chemicals and fuels. The tunable H2/CO ratio of syngas produced through sorption-enhanced steam gasification of sewage sludge offers a promising approach to integrate biomass gasification with syngas application, allowing for the production of value-added products. The potential of two-stage SESG in promoting tar decomposition for enhanced syngas production is also highlighted.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Youjian Zhu, Yiming Chen, Wei Cheng, Wennan Zhang, Junhao Hu, Kuo Zeng, Haiping Yang, Jingai Shao, Hanping Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of three calcium phosphate additives on PM1 emissions from cornstalk combustion, with one additive showing promising potential in reducing PM1 emissions. The addition of Ca-3(PO4)(2) was found to be a potentially effective method in reducing PM1 emissions during straw biomass combustion.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wei Cheng, Youjian Zhu, Jing'ai Shao, Wennan Zhang, Guihao Wu, Hao Jiang, Junhao Hu, Zhen Huang, Haiping Yang, Hanping Chen
Summary: A new phosphoric acid modification method was proposed to improve the reduction efficiency of PM0.2 by kaolin additive in agricultural biomass pellet combustion, significantly reducing PM0.2 emissions. The modification destroyed the internal structure of kaolin and increased its pore structure, leading to better alkali capture ability.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sara Yasipourtehrani, Vladimir Strezov, Tao Kan, Tim Evans
Summary: The research found that Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) has the potential to be used in removing dyes from industrial wastewater, with better efficiency in removing acidic dyes. The chemical composition of BFS has impacts on the efficiency of dye removal, with different abilities in removing cationic and acidic dyes under varying residence times.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mauricio C. Bagatini, Tao Kan, Tim J. Evans, Vladimir Strezov
Summary: The study investigates the reduction of iron ore by biomass volatiles and explores the steps involved, aiming for optimization of its use in the ironmaking industry. Reduction of iron ore occurred mainly by non-condensable gases from biomass pyrolysis at low temperatures and by carbon deposition at high temperatures, with the deposited carbon being more reactive than other carbon sources commonly used. The activation energy for carbothermic reduction indicates carbon gasification as the reaction-limiting step.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE METALLURGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jing He, Vladimir Strezov, Xiaoteng Zhou, Ravinder Kumar, Haftom Weldekidan, Tao Kan
Summary: By engineering the metal(loid)-enriched biomass with magnesium carbonate, the pyrolysis temperature can reach up to 700 ℃ with reduced environmental risks, providing a safe and value-added approach for phytoremediation residual management.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tao Kan, Vladimir Strezov, Tim Evans, Ravinder Kumar, Jing He, Xiaoteng Zhou, Jiawei Ren, Qiang Lu
Summary: This study proposed a novel strategy for reusing steelmaking slag to treat biomass and produce valuable products. The slag elements acted as catalysts for upgrading the bio-oil quality and as an adsorbent for phosphorus removal from wastewater. X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed the presence of nano-size calcite particles on the products from different pyrolysis temperatures.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoteng Zhou, Vladimir Strezov, Yijiao Jiang, Tao Kan, Tim Evans
Summary: This study investigated air pollution levels and air quality index (AQI) values in 368 cities in mainland China from 2015 to 2018. The results showed strong correlations between industrial capacities and air pollution levels. Despite reductions in pollutant concentrations due to regulations, the annual average concentrations still exceeded recommended limits. The study highlights the need to control traffic emissions to further reduce air pollution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qiang Hu, Wei Cheng, Qiaoting Mao, Junhao Hu, Haiping Yang, Hanping Chen
Summary: This study characterized the physicochemical properties of chars produced from biomass pellet pyrolysis under different heating rates. The results showed that the heating rate had significant effects on the char yield, physical properties, chemical structure, and gasification reactivity, with some irregular patterns observed in certain properties.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wei Cheng, Jing'ai Shao, Youjian Zhu, Wennan Zhang, Hao Jiang, Junhao Hu, Xiong Zhang, Haiping Yang, Hanping Chen
Summary: Torrefaction can improve fuel properties and reduce operating costs. However, the emission behavior of particulate matter (PM) during torrefied pellet combustion is still unknown. In this study, cotton stalks were torrefied at temperatures of 220-300°C with oxygen concentrations of 0-21%. The burned torrefied pellets were analyzed using a Dekati low-pressure impactor to investigate PM emission behavior. The results show that oxidative torrefaction leads to significant decreases in H/C and O/C ratios, making the fuel properties similar to coal. The heating value is greatly improved and sensitive to the torrefaction temperature. Both non-oxidative and oxidative torrefaction result in a considerable increase in PM10 yield. The main composition of PM1 changes from KCl to K2SO4 due to the release of chlorine during torrefaction. Additionally, the presence of oxygen facilitates the transformation of alkali and alkaline-earth metals into coarse particles, as indicated by the generally high levels of calcium and potassium in PM1-10. The optimal torrefaction conditions for producing high-quality torrefied cotton stalk pellets with high heating values and low PM emission in subsequent combustion applications are around 260°C with a low oxygen concentration of 0-6%.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wei Yang, Youjian Zhu, Yu Li, Wei Cheng, Wennan Zhang, Haiping Yang, Zhiwu Tan, Hanping Chen
Summary: This study investigates the influence of co-combustion of rice husk with cotton stalk or cornstalk on PM emissions. The experimental results demonstrate a significant reduction in PM1 yields during the co-combustion process. The synergistic effect of physical dilution and chemical reactions between alkali metals and Si-containing species in the ash contributes to the inhibition of fine particulate matter generation. The Si/(Ca+Mg) ratio in the ash chemistry, especially for rice husk/cornstalk, plays a crucial role in the degree of PM reduction.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xiaoxia Yang, Shengshen Gu, Amanj Kheradmand, Tao Kan, Jing He, Vladimir Strezov, Ruiping Zou, Aibing Yu, Yijiao Jiang
Summary: The introduction of steam, Ni-CaO catalyst, and biochar into a two-stage sorption-enhanced catalytical thermochemical conversion process enables the production of tunable syngas from biomass, which is important for its versatile applications.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jing He, Ravinder Kumar, Tao Kan, Vladimir Strezov
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive review of research on phytoextraction and biomass pyrolysis of heavy-metal-enriched biomass, focusing on the properties of pyrolysis products and the behavior of heavy metal(loid)s during pyrolysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hao Jiang, Jing'ai Shao, Youjian Zhu, Jie Yu, Wei Cheng, Haiping Yang, Xiong Zhang, Hanping Chen
Summary: High-temperature pyrolysis of waste tires is a promising method for producing high-quality carbon black. The study examined the formation characteristics of carbon black during tire pyrolysis at different temperatures and residence times. It was found that the carbon black yield and graphitization degree increased with temperature and residence time. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the evolution process from tire to initial carbon black. The findings can contribute to the production of high-quality carbon black through waste tire pyrolysis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Simona Domazetovska, Vladimir Strezov, Risto V. Filkoski, Tao Kan
Summary: This paper investigates the potential of biomass pyrolysis as a sustainable and renewable energy solution. It analyzes the pyrolytic gas, oil, and char produced from different biomass types and evaluates their energy potential and suitability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shitong Fang, Houfan Du, Tao Yan, Keyu Chen, Zhiyuan Li, Xiaoqing Ma, Zhihui Lai, Shengxi Zhou
Summary: This paper proposes a new type of nonlinear VIV energy harvester (ANVEH) that compensates for the decrease in peak energy output at low wind speeds by introducing an auxiliary structure. Theoretical and experimental results show that ANVEH performs better than traditional nonlinear VIV energy harvesters under various system parameter variations.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Jiang, Shuo Zhang, Teng Wang, Yufei Zhang, Aimin Sha, Jingjing Xiao, Dongdong Yuan
Summary: A standardized method was developed to evaluate the availability of solar energy resources in road areas, which combined the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Geographic Information System (GIS). By analyzing critical factors and using a multi-indicator evaluation method, the method accurately evaluated the utilization of solar energy resources and guided the optimal location selection for road photovoltaic (PV) projects. The results provided guidance for the application of road PV projects and site selection for route corridors worldwide, promoting the integration of transportation and energy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chang Liu, Jacob A. Wrubel, Elliot Padgett, Guido Bender
Summary: The study investigates the effects of coating defects on the performance of the anode porous transport layer (PTL) in water electrolyzers. The results show that an increasing fraction of uncoated regions on the PTL leads to decreased cell performance, with continuous uncoated regions having a more severe impact compared to multiple thin uncoated strips.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Marcos Tostado-Veliz, Xiaolong Jin, Rohit Bhakar, Francisco Jurado
Summary: In this paper, a coordinated charging price mechanism for clusters of parking lots is proposed. The research shows that enabling vehicle-to-grid characteristics can bring significant economic benefits for users and the cluster coordinator, and vehicle-to-grid impacts noticeably on the risk-averse character of the uncertainty-aware strategies. The developed pricing mechanism can reduce the cost for users, avoiding to directly translate the energy cost to charging points.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Duan Kang
Summary: Building an energy superpower is a key strategy for China and a long-term goal for other countries. This study proposes an evaluation system and index for measuring energy superpower, and finds that China has significantly improved its ranking over the past 21 years, surpassing other countries.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fucheng Deng, Yifei Wang, Xiaosen Li, Gang Li, Yi Wang, Bin Huang
Summary: This study investigated the synergistic blockage mechanism of sand and hydrate in gravel filling layer and the evolution of permeability in the layer. Experimental models and modified permeability models were established to analyze the effects of sand particles and hydrate formation on permeability. The study provided valuable insights for the safe and efficient exploitation of hydrate reservoirs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Wang, Xiwen Chen, Natan Vital, Edward Duffy, Abolfazl Razi
Summary: This study proposes a HVAC energy optimization model based on deep reinforcement learning algorithm. It achieves 37% energy savings and ensures thermal comfort for open office buildings. The model has a low complexity, uses a few controllable factors, and has a short training time with good generalizability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Moyue Cong, Yongzhuo Gao, Weidong Wang, Long He, Xiwang Mao, Yi Long, Wei Dong
Summary: This study introduces a multi-strategy ultra-wideband energy harvesting device that achieves high power output without the need for external power input. By utilizing asymmetry, stagger array, magnetic coupling, and nonlinearity strategies, the device maintains a stable output voltage and high power density output at non-resonant frequencies. Temperature and humidity monitoring are performed using Bluetooth sensors to adaptively assess the device.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tianshu Dong, Xiudong Duan, Yuanyuan Huang, Danji Huang, Yingdong Luo, Ziyu Liu, Xiaomeng Ai, Jiakun Fang, Chaolong Song
Summary: Electrochemical water splitting is crucial for hydrogen production, and improving the hydrogen separation rate from the electrode is essential for enhancing water electrolyzer performance. However, issues such as air bubble adhesion to the electrode plate hinder the process. Therefore, a methodology to investigate the two-phase flow within the electrolyzer is in high demand. This study proposes using a microfluidic system as a simulator for the electrolyzer and optimizing the two-phase flow by manipulating the micro-structure of the flow.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shuo Han, Yifan Yuan, Mengjiao He, Ziwen Zhao, Beibei Xu, Diyi Chen, Jakub Jurasz
Summary: Giving full play to the flexibility of hydropower and integrating more variable renewable energy is of great significance for accelerating the transformation of China's power energy system. This study proposes a novel day-ahead scheduling model that considers the flexibility limited by irregular vibration zones (VZs) and the probability of flexibility shortage in a hydropower-variable renewable energy hybrid generation system. The model is applied to a real hydropower station and effectively improves the flexibility supply capacity of hydropower, especially during heavy load demand in flood season.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhen Wang, Kangqi Fan, Shizhong Zhao, Shuxin Wu, Xuan Zhang, Kangjia Zhai, Zhiqi Li, Hua He
Summary: This study developed a high-performance rotary energy harvester (AI-REH) inspired by archery, which efficiently accumulates and releases ultralow-frequency vibration energy. By utilizing a magnetic coupling strategy and an accumulator spring, the AI-REH achieves significantly accelerated rotor speeds and enhanced electric outputs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yi Yang, Qianyi Xing, Kang Wang, Caihong Li, Jianzhou Wang, Xiaojia Huang
Summary: In this study, a novel hybrid Quantile Regression (QR) model is proposed for Probabilistic Load Forecasting (PLF). The model integrates causal dilated convolution, residual connection, and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) for multi-scale feature extraction. In addition, a Combined Probabilistic Load Forecasting System (CPLFS) is proposed to overcome the inherent flaws of relying on a single model. Simulation results show that the hybrid QR outperforms traditional models and CPLFS exceeds the best benchmarks in terms of prediction accuracy and stability.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wen-Jiang Zou, Young-Bae Kim, Seunghun Jung
Summary: This paper proposes a dynamic prediction model for capacity fade in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The model accurately predicts changes in electrolyte volume and capacity fade, enhancing the competitiveness of VRFBs in energy storage applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuechao Ma, Shengtie Wang, Guangchen Liu, Guizhen Tian, Jianwei Zhang, Ruiming Liu
Summary: This paper focuses on the balance of state of charge (SOC) among multiple battery energy storage units (MBESUs) and bus voltage balance in an islanded bipolar DC microgrid. A SOC automatic balancing strategy is proposed considering the energy flow relationship and utilizing the adaptive virtual resistance algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in achieving SOC balancing and decreasing bus voltage unbalance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Raad Z. Homod, Basil Sh. Munahi, Hayder Ibrahim Mohammed, Musatafa Abbas Abbood Albadr, Aissa Abderrahmane, Jasim M. Mahdi, Mohamed Bechir Ben Hamida, Bilal Naji Alhasnawi, A. S. Albahri, Hussein Togun, Umar F. Alqsair, Zaher Mundher Yaseen
Summary: In this study, the control problem of the multiple-boiler system (MBS) is formulated as a dynamic Markov decision process and a deep clustering reinforcement learning approach is applied to obtain the optimal control policy. The proposed strategy, based on bang-bang action, shows superior response and achieves more than 32% energy saving compared to conventional fixed parameter controllers under dynamic indoor/outdoor actual conditions.