Membrane-Based Energy Efficient Dewatering of Microalgae in Biofuels Production and Recovery of Value Added Co-Products

The main goal of energy-efficient manufacturing is to generate products with maximum value-added at minimum energy consumption. To this end, in metal cutting processes, it is necessary to reduce the specific cutting energy while, at the same time, precision requirements have to be ensured. Precision is critical in metal cutting processes because they often constitute the final stages of metalworking chains. This paper presents a method for the planning of energy-efficient machining processes based on numerical simulations. It encompasses two levels of planning flexibility: process adjustment and process design. At the process adjustment level, within the constraints of existing machines and tools, numerical simulations of orthogonal cutting are used to determine cutting parameters for increased energy efficiency. In this case, the model encompasses specific cutting energy, tool wear, chip geometry, and burr shape. These factors determine the energy and resources required for the chip formation itself, tool replacements, cleaning and deburring and with that the overall energy efficiency and precision. In the context of process design, with the ability to select machines, machine configurations, tools, and cooling systems, numerical simulations of cutting processes that incorporate machine and tool conditions are applied in the planning of energy-efficient machining. The method is demonstrated for the case of drilling processes and supported by experimental investigations that identify the main influences on energy efficiency in drilling.

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Advancements in Catalytic Conversion of Biomass into Biofuels and Chemicals

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13205438 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (20) ◽

pp. 5438

Author(s):

Chang Geun Yoo ◽

Tae Hyun Kim

Keyword(s):

Renewable Resources ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Alternative Fuels ◽

Value Added ◽

Catalytic Conversion ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Effective Utilization ◽

Earth Abundant ◽

Fuels And Chemicals ◽

Value Added Products

The shortage of resources and increasing climate changes have brought the need for sustainable and renewable resources to people’s attention. Biomass is an earth-abundant material and has great potential as a feedstock for alternative fuels and chemicals. For the effective utilization of biomass, this biopolymer has to be depolymerized and transformed into key building blocks and/or the targeted products, and biological or chemical catalysts are commonly used for the rapid and energy-efficient reactions. This Special Issue introduces recent advances in the catalytic conversion of biomass into biofuels and value-added products.

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Energy-efficient mineral carbonation of blast furnace slag with high value-added products

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.150 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 197 ◽

pp. 242-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Qiang Liu ◽

Weizao Liu ◽

Jinpeng Hu ◽

Lin Wang ◽

Jianqiu Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blast Furnace ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Blast Furnace Slag ◽

Value Added ◽

Mineral Carbonation ◽

Furnace Slag ◽

Value Added Products

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Nutrient Recovery from Agricultural Wastewater by Integrated Electrokinetic Processes

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21013 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shu-Yuan Pan ◽

Chao-Yu Wei ◽

Anwar Jamaal Wade ◽

Po-Chih Tseng

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Large Scale ◽

Value Added ◽

Nutrient Recovery ◽

Agricultural Wastewater ◽

Nutrient Reuse ◽

Process Chemistry ◽

Electrokinetic Separations ◽

Phosphorus And Potassium ◽

Nitrogen Phosphorus

<p>Agricultural wastewater including anaerobic digestate is annually generated in a huge quantity in Taiwan. The management of agricultural wastewater should be emphasized on the recovery and production of value-added resources, such as macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), for realizing the circular bioeconomy. In this paper, we will illustrate the development of energy-efficient electrokinetic processes for nutrient recovery from agricultural wastewater. First, we evaluate the performance of electrokinetic separations processes for recovery of macronutrients. We also discuss major challenges in managing nutrient reuse by the developed electrokinetic methods. Then, we elucidate the process chemistry and reaction kinetics by the processes. Lastly, we consider the interconnectivity among water, energy and the produced macronutrients in the context of large-scale deployment.</p>

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Investments in Croatian RES Plants and Energy Efficient Building Retrofits: Substitutes or Complements?

Energies ◽

10.3390/en15010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 2

Author(s):

Davor Mikulić ◽

Damira Keček

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Energy Efficient ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Value Added ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Economic Effects ◽

Energy Sources ◽

Full Time ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Energy Efficient Building

Croatian energy strategy defines ambitious goals aimed at achieving energy transition toward a sustainable low-carbon society. Achieving those goals requires significant investments in the renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency of buildings. The purpose of this paper is to estimate and compare the economic effects of the energy transition on the renewable energy supply and demand side. The estimation of the energy transition effects in Croatia in the period 2020–2050 is based on the input-output model, which identifies direct, indirect and induced effects of investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficient buildings renovation. Results of the study reveal relatively higher gross value added and employment effects induced by investments in building retrofits, but the effects of investments in renewable energy are also significant. Investments in sustainable, efficient and environmentally effective energy system could significantly contribute to Croatian GDP. While GVA effects range from 0.4% to 0.6% of annual GDP, the share of full-time equivalent jobs induced by energy transition could reach 0.5% to 1% of total employment in Croatia. Investments in RES plants and energy efficient building reconstruction are not substitutes but complements which ensure a smooth energy transition if undertaken together.

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Nickel-molybdenum nitride nanoplate electrocatalysts for concurrent electrolytic hydrogen and formate productions

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-019-13375-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Yan Li ◽

Xinfa Wei ◽

Lisong Chen ◽

Jianlin Shi ◽

Mingyuan He

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Low Cost ◽

Value Added ◽

Cell Voltage ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Electrochemical Performances ◽

Molybdenum Nitride ◽

Carbon Fiber Cloth ◽

Electrolytic Hydrogen ◽

Formate Production

AbstractHydrogen production by electrocatalytic water splitting is an efficient and economical technology, however, is severely impeded by the kinetic-sluggish and low value-added anodic oxygen evolution reaction. Here we report the nickel-molybdenum-nitride nanoplates loaded on carbon fiber cloth (Ni-Mo-N/CFC), for the concurrent electrolytic productions of high-purity hydrogen at the cathode and value-added formate at the anode in low-cost alkaline glycerol solutions. Especially, when equipped with Ni-Mo-N/CFC at both anode and cathode, the established electrolyzer requires as low as 1.36 V of cell voltage to achieve 10 mA cm−2, which is 260 mV lower than that in alkaline aqueous solution. Moreover, high Faraday efficiencies of 99.7% for H2 evolution and 95.0% for formate production have been obtained. Based on the excellent electrochemical performances of Ni-Mo-N/CFC, electrolytic H2 and formate productions from the alkaline glycerol solutions are an energy-efficient and promising technology for the renewable and clean energy supply in the future.

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Small-Scale Woodlot Growers’ Interest in Participating in Bioenergy Market In Rural Ethiopia

Environmental Management ◽

10.1007/s00267-021-01524-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zerihun Nigussie ◽

Atsushi Tsunekawa ◽

Nigussie Haregeweyn ◽

Mitsuru Tsubo ◽

Enyew Adgo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Value Added ◽

Small Scale ◽

Biomass Feedstock ◽

Income Levels ◽

Rural Ethiopia ◽

Biomass Residues ◽

Biomass Stove ◽

Land Holdings ◽

Household Heads

AbstractProduction of value-added outputs from biomass residues represents an opportunity to increase the supply of renewable energy in Ethiopia. Particularly, agroforestry could provide biomass residues for improved bioenergy products. The aim of this study was to characterize the interest of growers to provide biomass residues to a hypothetical biomass feedstock market. This study relied on a survey conducted on a sample of 240 farmers. Although the awareness of potential biomass products was generally quite low, a majority of farmers expressed interest in supplying biomass residues, but the level of interest depended on certain individual socio-economic and demographic characteristics. For example, younger and female household heads were found to be more interested in participating in the hypothetical biomass market, as were households with an improved biomass stove, larger land holdings, and higher income levels. In addition, larger households and those that felt less vulnerable to firewood scarcity also expressed more interest. As a whole, the results imply that farmers, particularly those with younger and female heads of households, should be supported with programs tailored to ensure their inclusion in biomass supply chains. Respondents generally preferred farm-gate sales of biomass, so the collecting, baling, and transporting of woody residues need to be properly incentivized or new actors need to be recruited into the supply chain. Providing households with energy-efficient tools such as improved stoves would not only increase demand for biomass products, but also increase the amount of biomass residues that could be supplied to the market instead of used at home.

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Interfacial engineering of Cu2Se/Co3Se4 multivalent hetero-nanocrystals for energy-efficient electrocatalytic co-generation of value-added chemicals and hydrogen

Applied Catalysis B Environmental ◽

10.1016/j.apcatb.2020.119800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 285 ◽

pp. 119800

Author(s):

Bin Zhao ◽

Jianwen Liu ◽

Chenyu Xu ◽

Renfei Feng ◽

Pengfei Sui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficient ◽

Value Added ◽

Interfacial Engineering

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Sustainable 2,5-furandicarboxylic synthesis by a direct 5-hydroxymethylfurfural fuel cell based on a bifunctional PtNiSx catalyst

Chemical Communications ◽

10.1039/d0cc06087a ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (88) ◽

pp. 13611-13614

Author(s):

Jialu Wang ◽

Xian Zhang ◽

Guozhong Wang ◽

Yunxia Zhang ◽

Haimin Zhang

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Electric Energy ◽

Value Added ◽

Chemical Energy ◽

New Type

A new type of direct 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation fuel cell based on a bifunctional PtNiSx/CB catalyst not only transformed chemical energy into electric energy but also converted HMF into value-added 2,5-furandicarboxylic (FDCA).

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