Article
Environmental Sciences
Yafeng Wang, Yuegang Tang, Ruiqing Li, Xin Guo, John P. Hurley, Robert B. Finkelman
Summary: Solid wastes from commercial coal gasification plants in China pose a significant environmental issue due to the large quantities produced. Hazardous trace elements in the residues show different release patterns, with some exceeding regulatory limits. Risk assessment indicates medium risk to the ecosystem, highlighting the need for consideration of potential environmental pollution from coal gasification plants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Maximilian Hungsberg, Christian Dreiser, Stefan Brand, Olaf Wachsen, Alfons Drochner, Bastian J. M. Etzold
Summary: A thermodynamic equilibrium model is used to study the application of plasma gasification in waste valorization, focusing on the achievable total amount of syngas and the H2/CO ratio. The study reveals that the compositions obtained by plasma gasification are in high agreement with the ideal equilibrium composition, and a temperature invariant product composition can be achieved at high temperatures.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
D. A. Buentello-Montoya, C. A. Duarte-Ruiz, J. F. Maldonado-Escalante
Summary: This study simulates the co-gasification of plastics and biomass and finds that increasing the proportion of plastics in the gasification feedstock improves the gas heating value and tar content. PET is the least valuable plastic in the process, and the H2/CO ratio decreases with temperature during the gasification of a mixture of PP/PET/biomass, which is important for the end-use of the syngas.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rezgar Hasanzadeh, Parisa Mojaver, Shahram Khalilarya, Taher Azdast
Summary: Gasification process of polyethylene waste was studied using a co-gasification method and hybrid multi-criteria decision-making techniques. Parametric study was conducted to investigate the interaction effects of gasification parameters. The TOPSIS and VIKOR methods were used for alternative ranking based on five criteria, and the L0H100 alternative was found to be the best choice in most cases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lei Liao, Jinhao Zheng, Chongcong Li, Rui Liu, Yan Zhang
Summary: In this study, entrained-flow gasification of pine sawdust was investigated using a combination of thermodynamic equilibrium modeling and experimentation. The results showed that increasing the H2O content improved the yield of CO and H2, while excess CO2 hindered the gas yield. The addition of H2O and CO2 reduced the solid products, but soot, a by-product of the gasification process, was difficult to remove completely. Both experimental and modeling results demonstrated that the CH4 yield increased with increasing H2O. The modeling approach was modified by considering carbon conversion for carbon balance calculation and adjusting the equilibrium constants of methanation and water-gas shift reactions. The modified model showed good accuracy, as indicated by low error values. An empirical expression for carbon conversion with four operating variables was also developed, enhancing the validity and applicability of the modified model. The predicted syngas compositions were in good agreement with the experimental results.
JOURNAL OF THE ENERGY INSTITUTE
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Regina Francielle Silva Paulino, Alexei Mikhailovich Essiptchouk, Lucas Pamplona Cardozo Costa, Jose Luz Silveira
Summary: This study investigates the thermodynamic characteristics of biomedical waste generated in Brazil through plasma gasification simulation. It determines the optimal operating point and estimates the required electrical power and the potential for electricity generation.
Article
Thermodynamics
Isabelly P. Silva, Rafael M. A. Lima, Hortencia E. P. Santana, Gabriel F. Silva, Denise S. Ruzene, Daniel P. Silva
Summary: This study aimed to improve the prediction of gasification system behavior by developing and applying empirical correlations for tar, coal, and methane, resulting in models that better described experimental results compared to traditional models.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Muflih A. Adnan, Mohammad M. Hossain, Md Golam Kibria
Summary: Municipal solid waste (MSW) can be a potential sustainable energy source. Research has shown that gasification can effectively convert waste into electricity and chemical products.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alexander Ilyushechkin, Chong He, San Shwe Hla
Summary: This study investigated the chemical species, mineralogy, and trace element mobilization in laboratory-produced ashes from different MSW streams processed under reducing and oxidizing atmospheres. Significant differences were found in mineral phase compositions and trace element concentrations between ashes produced under combustion and gasification conditions. Potential management strategies for MSW streams and utilization of mineral matter after combustion and gasification were proposed based on trace element concentrations in the ashes. Most MSW ashes were classified as Class IV (secure) waste according to Australian regulations.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhongfa Hu, Yangfan Peng, Fenjin Sun, Shanshan Chen, Yuegui Zhou
Summary: Underground coal gasification is a promising technology for converting coal resources into high-quality synthesis gas with low cost. The study found that gasification pressure and temperature have significant effects on the composition of synthesis gas, and increasing the oxygen/steam ratio enhances the contents of H-2 and CH4, as well as the low heating value of the synthesis gas.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Athi-enkosi Mavukwana, Neil Stacey, James Alistair Fox, Baraka Celestin Sempuga
Summary: Waste tyres are a problematic pollutant due to their persistence, toxicity, flammability, and difficulty in processing or storing. However, they offer promising properties as an energy material with higher energy density than coal. Thermochemical valorisation pathways like pyrolysis and gasification have been shown to produce valuable chemical products from waste tyres, although there is no established technology for waste tyre conversion yet. Pyrolysis pathways perform better in terms of thermodynamic efficiency and carbon footprint, while gasification routes offer higher potential revenue.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuanbo Lou, Shengchao Jiang, Bing Du, Xiaodong Dai, Tao Wang, Jiawei Wang, Yongsheng Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the total contents and chemical forms of 13 hazardous trace elements in fly ash from municipal waste incineration to assess their environmental leaching risk and migration capacity. The results showed significant variations in the content of different trace elements, with the lowest amount recorded for Se and the highest amount for Zn. The risk evaluation demonstrated that all trace elements pose at least a low risk, while Cd and Sb have an extremely high risk level, resulting in a seriously polluted risk for the combined fly ash contamination.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kazuko Yui, Hidetoshi Kuramochi, Masahiro Osako
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of multizonal thermodynamic equilibrium calculation in waste incineration by comparing results with incineration tests and literature information. The calculation successfully reproduced the gas phase chemical speciation of heavy metals in the incinerator expected from high temperature properties but did not match the measured fly ash speciation. Possible reasons for these inconsistencies were considered.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
A. C. Cruz, M. E. Ramalho, R. M. Pilao
Summary: In this study, the co-gasification of treated crude glycerol and animal fat was investigated using steam as the gasification agent. The results showed that the use of dolomite as a catalyst promoted the production of a gas rich in H-2 and CO2, and the gasification parameters increased with temperature.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zherui Ma, Jiangjiang Wang, Yingsong Feng, Ruikun Wang, Zhenghui Zhao, Hongwei Chen
Summary: This study proposes an optimization framework that considers the prediction uncertainties of SCWG data-driven models to optimize the gasification efficiency of organic solid waste. By constructing prediction models and optimization models, robust optimization results are obtained.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Niko Pietari Niemela, Antti Mikkonen, Kaj Lampio, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: Designing and optimizing superheaters with large transverse tube spacing is challenging due to the complicated vortex-shedding phenomenon. Various factors affect the accuracy of predicting heat transfer and flow characteristics, requiring complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling.
HEAT TRANSFER ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Georgios Kanellis, Antti Oksanen, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: A gradient-based optimization method was developed to optimize NH3 injections of an existing biomass-fired boiler in order to minimize both NO and NH3 emissions. The study utilized a custom-built OpenFOAM(R) solver to model the reactive flow inside the boiler and calculated NO and NH3 species using a post-processing technique. The multiobjective optimization problem was solved by optimizing various weight combinations of the objectives.
ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Abhishek Singhal, Jukka Konttinen, Tero Joronen
Summary: Increasing the washing temperature and solid-to-liquid ratio can improve the removal efficiency of ash, chlorine, sulfur, and other elements. A solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:15 is found to be more practical, and washing 3 cm sized wheat straw for 10 minutes at 40°C with a 1:15 ratio is recommended for industrial applications due to its low fouling propensity and energy loss.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Abhishek Singhal, Jukka Konttinen, Tero Joronen
Summary: By modifying four basic parameters of washing pre-treatment - washing time, temperature, biomass size, and solid-to-liquid ratio, this study achieved significant improvements in fuel properties and fouling and slagging tendency of agricultural residues.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Esa Kurkela, Minna Kurkela, Ilkka Hiltunen
Summary: This article discusses the pilot-scale development of a process concept for the production of advanced transportation biofuels. The concept combines gasification and synthesis technologies to meet the fuel demands of heavy-duty transport sectors that are difficult to electrify.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anubhuti Bhatnagar, Robert Barthen, Henrik Tolvanen, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: Bio-oil from crop residues is unstable due to reactive compounds and metals, hindering its use as a chemical feedstock. Different pyrolysis methods were tested on groundnut shells, with two-step pyrolysis at 340 degrees C and continuous heating producing the most stable bio-oil despite higher AAEM concentrations. Storage temperature and solvent addition further improved bio-oil stability, with minimal degradation observed after storage at 4 degrees C with methanol. This study contributes to the development of stepwise pyrolysis units for crop residue management.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Abhishek Singhal, Maria Goossens, Jukka Konttinen, Tero Joronen
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of washing parameters on the chemical composition of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and recommended optimal conditions for large-scale washing pre-treatment. The results showed significant removal rates of elements such as Cl, S, K, ash, and N after washing EFB, with a second-order leaching kinetics observed. Pilot tests confirmed the effectiveness of the pre-treatment, supporting the recommended parameters of 10 minutes washing at 50 degrees C with a 1:15 S:L ratio for large-scale applications.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Abhishek Singhal, Maria Goossens, Davide Fantozzi, Antti Raiko, Jukka Konttinen, Tero Joronen
Summary: Two novel washing approaches, SWFW and SWWR, were developed in this study. SWFW showed significant reduction in fouling, slagging, and corrosion of biomass, while SWWR achieved similar to higher efficiency with better energy yields. Industrial-scale testing confirmed the applicability of SWWR, making it recommended for industrial applications.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anubhuti Bhatnagar, Abhishek Singhal, Henrik Tolvanen, Kati Valtonen, Tero Joronen, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: This study investigated biomass blending and water washing as methods to improve the product quality of two-step pyrolysis of rice straw. The results showed that blending rice straw with groundnut shells/wheat straw increased the bio-oil yields, while washing rice straw reduced the ash content and increased the levoglucosan yield.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pauli Losoi, Jukka Konttinen, Ville Santala
Summary: This study theoretically derived the optimal placement of feed points and evaluated the utility of multiple feed points in large-scale bioreactors. The results showed that optimal multipoint feeds can improve mixing, reduce gradients of pH, substrate, and oxygen, and restore the performance of the bioreactors to ideal conditions. This approach also mitigates the heterogeneity of the biomass population.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Thermodynamics
Avishek Goel, Elyas M. Moghaddam, Wen Liu, Chao He, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: Biomass chemical looping gasification (BCLG) offers significant advantages in terms of gasification efficiency, CO2 capture, and reduced emissions, but further experimental and modeling studies are needed to advance its industrial applications.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anubhuti Bhatnagar, Poonam Khatri, Malgorzata Krzywonos, Henrik Tolvanen, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: The current study evaluates the economic and environmental performance of a decentralized biorefinery that converts rice and wheat straw into bio-oil and biochar using two-step pyrolysis. The study found that pyrolysis of unwashed rice straw and wheat straw with biochar as a carbon sink can reduce global warming potential. However, pyrolysis of washed straw contributes to global warming potential. Treating biomass locally is environmentally beneficial compared to centralized processing. The study also calculated the minimum selling price for biochar, which falls within the range of commercial prices.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Abhishek Singhal, Avishek Goel, Anubhuti Bhatnagar, Christian Roslander, Ola Wallberg, Jukka Konttinen, Tero Joronen
Summary: The study evaluates the effect of water and acetic acid washing on the chemical composition of spruce bark, and finds that acetic acid washing has better results. By studying the leaching behavior and ash transformation of troubling elements, practical recommendations are provided for industrial applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fahim Fayaz, Chao He, Avishek Goel, Jukka Rintala, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: Oxidative ethanol dry reforming using 10%Co/Al2O3 catalyst is a promising method to produce high-quality syngas, which can be upgraded to liquid biofuels and chemicals. Increasing the reaction temperature improves the conversion of ethanol and CO2, and yields higher amounts of H2 and CO.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Georgios Kanellis, Myrto Zeneli, Nikolaos Nikolopoulos, Carina Hofmann, Jochen Stroehle, Sotirios Karellas, Jukka Konttinen
Summary: This study focuses on the transient three-dimensional CFD simulation of the novel bubbling-bed calciner for calcium looping pilot plant. The study accurately models the granular flow using the state-of-the-art Eulerian-Eulerian approach and considers the drag coefficient and calcination kinetics. The study also takes into account the heat transfer mechanisms from the heat pipes to the bubbling bed, verifying the simulation results against experimental data. The study provides insights into the effect of hydrodynamics on heat transfer and indicates that fluidization velocity has a mild impact on the total heat flux.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yingna Du, Chen Huang, Wei Jiang, Qiangwei Yan, Yongfei Li, Gang Chen
Summary: In this study, anionic surfactants modified hydrotalcite was used as a flow improver for crude oil under low-temperature conditions. The modified hydrotalcite showed a significant viscosity reduction effect on crude oil. The mechanism of the modified hydrotalcite on viscosity and pour point of crude oil was explored through characterization and analysis of the modified hydrotalcite and oil samples.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohammad Saeid Rostami, Mohammad Mehdi Khodaei
Summary: In this study, a hybrid structure, MIL-53(Al)@MWCNT, was synthesized by combining MIL-53(Al) particles and -COOH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The hybrid structure was then embedded in a polyethersulfone (PES) polymer matrix to prepare a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separation. The addition of MWCNTs prevented MIL-53(Al) aggregation, improved membrane mechanical properties, and enhanced gas separation efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yunlong Li, Desheng Huang, Xiaomeng Dong, Daoyong Yang
Summary: This study develops theoretical and experimental techniques to determine the phase behavior and physical properties of DME/flue gas/water/heavy oil systems. Eight constant composition expansion (CCE) tests are conducted to obtain new experimental data. A thermodynamic model is used to accurately predict saturation pressure and swelling factors, as well as the phase boundaries of N2/heavy oil systems and DME/CO2/heavy oil systems, with high accuracy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Morteza Afkhamipour, Ebad Seifi, Arash Esmaeili, Mohammad Shamsi, Tohid N. Borhani
Summary: Non-conventional amines are being researched worldwide to overcome the limitations of traditional amines like MEA and MDEA. Adequate process and thermodynamic models are crucial for understanding the applicability and performance of these amines in CO2 absorption, but studies on process modeling for these amines are limited. This study used rate-based modeling and Deshmukh-Mather method to model CO2 absorption by DETA solution in a packed column, validated the model with experimental data, and conducted a sensitivity analysis of mass transfer correlations. The study also compared the CO2 absorption efficiency of DETA solution with an ionic solvent [bmim]-[PF6] and highlighted the importance of finding optimum operational parameters for maximum absorption efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Arastoo Abdi, Mohamad Awarke, M. Reza Malayeri, Masoud Riazi
Summary: The utilization of smart water in EOR operations has gained attention, but more research is needed to understand the complex mechanisms involved. This study investigated the interfacial tension between smart water and crude oil, considering factors such as salt, pH, asphaltene type, and aged smart water. The results revealed that the hydration of ions in smart water plays a key role in its efficacy, with acidic and basic asphaltene acting as intrinsic surfactants. The pH also influenced the interfacial tension, and the aged smart water's interaction with crude oil depended on asphaltene type, salt, and salinity.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dongao Zhu, Kun Zhu, Lixian Xu, Haiyan Huang, Jing He, Wenshuai Zhu, Huaming Li, Wei Jiang
Summary: In this study, cobalt-based metal-organic frameworks (Co-based MOFs) were used as supports and co-catalysts to confine the NHPI catalyst, solving the leaching issue. The NHPI@Co-MOF with carboxyl groups exhibited stronger acidity and facilitated the generation of active oxygen radicals O2•, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity. This research provides valuable insights into the selection of suitable organic linkers and broadens the research horizon of MOF hybrids in efficient oxidative desulfurization (ODS) applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Edwin G. Hoyos, Gloria Amo-Duodu, U. Gulsum Kiral, Laura Vargas-Estrada, Raquel Lebrero, Rail Munoz
Summary: This study investigated the impact of carbon-coated zero-valent nanoparticle concentration on photosynthetic biogas upgrading. The addition of nanoparticles significantly increased microalgae productivity and enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus assimilation. The presence of nanoparticles also improved the quality of biomethane produced.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yao Xiao, Asma Leghari, Linfeng Liu, Fangchao Yu, Ming Gao, Lu Ding, Yu Yang, Xueli Chen, Xiaoyu Yan, Fuchen Wang
Summary: Iron is added as a flocculant in wastewater treatment and the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sludge produces wastewater containing Fe. This study investigates the effect of aqueous phase (AP) recycling on hydrochar properties, iron evolution and environmental assessment during HTC of sludge. The results show that AP recycling process improves the dewatering performance of hydrochar and facilitates the recovery of Fe from the liquid phase.
Article
Energy & Fuels
He Liang, Tao Wang, Zhenmin Luo, Jianliang Yu, Weizhai Yi, Fangming Cheng, Jingyu Zhao, Xingqing Yan, Jun Deng, Jihao Shi
Summary: This study investigated the influence of inhibitors (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and heptafluoropropane) on the lower flammability limit of hydrogen and determined the critical inhibitory concentration needed for complete suppression. The impact of inhibitors on explosive characteristics was evaluated, and the inhibitory mechanism was analyzed with chemical kinetics. The results showed that with the increase of inhibitor quantity, the lower flammability limit of hydrogen also increased. The research findings can contribute to the safe utilization of hydrogen energy.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zonghui Liu, Zhongze Zhang, Yali Zhou, Ziling Wang, Mingyang Du, Zhe Wen, Bing Yan, Qingxiang Ma, Na Liu, Bing Xue
Summary: In this study, high-performance solid catalysts based on phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on Zr-SBA-15 were synthesized and evaluated for the one-pot conversion of furfural (FUR) to γ-valerolactone (GVL). The catalysts were characterized using various techniques, and the ratio of HPW and Zr was found to significantly affect the selectivity of GVL. The HPW/Zr-SBA-15 (2-4-15) catalyst exhibited the highest GVL yield (83%) under optimized reaction conditions, and it was determined that a balance between Bronsted acid sites (BAS) and Lewis acid sites (LAS) was crucial for achieving higher catalytic performance. The reaction parameters and catalyst stability were also investigated.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michael Stoehr, Stephan Ruoff, Bastian Rauch, Wolfgang Meier, Patrick Le Clercq
Summary: As part of the global energy transition, an experimental study was conducted to understand the effects of different fuel properties on droplet vaporization for various conventional and alternative fuels. The study utilized a flow channel to measure the evolution of droplet diameters over time and distance. The results revealed the temperature-dependent effects of physical properties, such as boiling point, liquid density, and enthalpy of vaporization, and showed the complex interactions of preferential vaporization and temperature-dependent influences of physical properties for multi-component fuels.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yuan Zhuang, Ruikang Wu, Xinyan Wang, Rui Zhai, Changyong Gao
Summary: Through experimental validation and optimization of the chemical kinetic model, it was found that methanol can accelerate the oxidation reaction of ammonia, and methanol can be rapidly oxidized at high concentration. HO2 was found to generate a significant amount of OH radicals, facilitating the oxidation of methanol and ammonia. Rating: 7.5/10.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Radwan M. EL-Zohairy, Ahmed S. Attia, A. S. Huzayyin, Ahmed I. EL-Seesy
Summary: This paper presents a lab-scale experimental study on the impact of diethyl ether (DEE) as an additive to waste cooking oil biodiesel with Jet A-1 on combustion and emission features of a swirl-stabilized premixed flame. The addition of DEE to biodiesel significantly affects the flame temperature distribution and emissions. The W20D20 blend of DEE, biodiesel, and Jet A-1 shows similar flame temperature distribution to Jet A-1 and significantly reduces UHC, CO, and NOx emissions compared to Jet A-1.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jiang Bian, Ziyuan Zhao, Yang Liu, Ran Cheng, Xuerui Zang, Xuewen Cao
Summary: This study presents a novel method for ammonia separation using supersonic flow and develops a mathematical model to investigate the condensation phenomenon. The results demonstrate that the L-P nucleation model accurately characterizes the nucleation process of ammonia at low temperatures. Numerical simulations also show that increasing pressure and concentration can enhance ammonia condensation efficiency.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shiyuan Pan, Xiaodan Shi, Beibei Dong, Jan Skvaril, Haoran Zhang, Yongtu Liang, Hailong Li
Summary: Integrating CO2 capture with biomass-fired combined heat and power (bio-CHP) plants is a promising method for achieving negative emissions. This study develops a reliable data-driven model based on the Transformer architecture to predict the flowrate and CO2 concentration of flue gas in real time. The model validation shows high prediction accuracy, and the potential impact of meteorological parameters on model accuracy is assessed. The results demonstrate that the Transformer model outperforms other models and using near-infrared spectral data as input features improves the prediction accuracy.