scholarly journals Thermal and Photocatalytic Performance of Unsaturated Polyester Resins Modified with TiO2 Nanoparticles as Panel Bodies for Vehicles

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2036
Author(s):  
Miren Blanco ◽  
Cristina Monteserín ◽  
Nerea Uranga ◽  
Estíbaliz Gómez ◽  
Estíbaliz Aranzabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tio2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Unsaturated Polyester ◽  
Curing Kinetics ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Photocatalytic Effect

The transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to climate emissions and experiences the highest growth in energy use. This study explores the use of TiO2 nanoparticles for obtaining photocatalytic nanocomposites with improved infrared reflectance properties. The nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing 0–20 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticles in an unsaturated polyester resin. The effect of TiO2 on the curing kinetics was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, showing a significant delay of the curing reactions. The thermal reflectance of the modified resins was characterized by UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, measuring total solar reflectance (TSR). The TiO2 greatly increased the TSR of the resin, due to the reflectance properties of the nanoparticles and the change in color of the modified resin. These nanocomposites reflect a significant part of near-infrared radiation, which can contribute to a reduction of the use of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Moreover, the photocatalytic effect of the TiO2 modified nanocomposites was studied by monitoring the degradation of an organic model contaminant in an aqueous medium under UV light, and the reusability of the nanocomposites was studied with 5 cycles. The developed nanocomposites are proposed as a solution for reducing global warming and pollutant emissions.

scholarly journals Technoeconomic Analysis and Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicle Introduction in Taxis: A Case Study of Mexico City

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Daniel Arturo Maciel Fuentes ◽  
Eduardo Gutiérrez González
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Technoeconomic Analysis

In recent decades, urban air pollution has increased considerably in Mexico City, leading to harmful effects on the ecosystem. To reduce pollutant emissions, new sustainable technologies have been adopted in the transport sector. To date, no studies have conducted a technoeconomic analysis of the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) in regard to taxis in Mexico. To address this gap in the research, this study aimed to perform a cost-environmental impact assessment of electric taxi introduction in Mexico City using the life-cycle cost (LCC) methodology and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to identify parameters with the greatest influence on the LCC. The LCC of EVs was found to be larger than that of internal combustion vehicles (ICVs); the acquisition cost was identified as the greatest contributor to the total LCC, followed by the maintenance cost. Worldwide, mixed results have been reported due to differences in the use of local parameters and values. To promote EVs, it is necessary to reduce either acquisition costs or battery costs. The environmental analysis showed that there is only a slight reduction in GHG emissions with electric taxi introduction. Nevertheless, cleaner renewable energy sources must be adopted and considered in order to achieve a much greater reduction and take full advantage of the benefits of EVs.

scholarly journals Joint Measurements of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and light-absorptive PM in woodsmoke-dominated ambient and plume environments

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Max Zhang ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
Geng Chen ◽  
Jiajun Gu ◽  
James Schwab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Infrared Range ◽  
Wood Combustion ◽  
Near Ultraviolet ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Saranac Lake ◽  
Near Infrared Range ◽  
Strong Linear Relationship

Abstract. DC, also referred to as Delta-C, measures enhanced light absorption of particulate matter (PM) samples at the near-ultraviolet (UV) range relative to the near-infrared range, which has been proposed previously as a woodsmoke marker due to the presence of enhanced UV light absorbing materials from wood combustion. In this paper, we further evaluated the applications and limitations of using DC as both a qualitative and semi-quantitative woodsmoke marker via joint continuous measurements of PM2.5 (by nephelometer pDR-1500) and light-absorptive PM (by 2-wavelength and 7-wavelength Aethalometer®) in three Northeastern U.S. cities/towns including Rutland, VT, Saranac Lake, NY and Ithaca, NY. We compared the pDR-1500 against a FEM PM2.5 sampler (BAM 1020), and identified a close agreement between the two instruments in a woodsmoke-dominated ambient environment. The analysis of seasonal and diurnal trends of DC, BC (880 nm) and PM2.5 concentrations supports the use of DC as an adequate qualitative marker. The strong linear relationships between PM2.5 and DC in both woodsmoke-dominated ambient and plume environments suggest that DC can reasonably serve as a semi-quantitative woodsmoke marker. We proposed a DC-based indicator for woodsmoke emission, which was then shown to exhibit relatively strong linear relationship with heating demand. While we observed reproducible PM2.5-DC relationships in similar woodsmoke-dominated ambient environments, those relationships differ significantly with different environments, and among individual woodsmoke sources. DC correlated much more closely with PM2.5 than EcoChem PAS2000-reported PAH in woodsmoke-dominated ambient environments. Our analysis also indicates the potential for PM2.5-DC relationships to be utilized to distinguish different combustion and operating conditions of woodsmoke sources, and that DC-Heating demand relationships could be adopted to estimate woodsmoke emissions. However, future studies are needed to elucidate those relationships.

Synthesis of Amino-Functionalized Graphene Oxide/Azobenzene Polyimide and its Simulation of Optical Switches

2017 ◽  
Vol 231 (11-12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianlin Cao ◽  
Fanyu Zhao ◽  
Zulin Da ◽  
Fengxian Qiu ◽  
Dongya Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Optical Switches ◽  
Attenuated Total Reflection ◽  
Functionalized Graphene ◽  
Visible Spectroscopy ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Functionalized Graphene Oxide ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
532 Nm

AbstractIn this work, an amino-functionalized graphene oxide (AFGO) was synthesized by graphene oxide (GO) and ethylene diamine. A novel amino-functionalized graphene oxide/azobenzene polyimide (AFGO/ACPI) was synthesized with AFGO, azobenzene chromophore and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The structure, mechanical and thermal property of AFGO/ACPI were characterized and measured by fourier transform infrared, UV-visible spectroscopy, near-infrared spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. To obtain the refractive index of AFGO/ACPI at different temperature and wavelength (532 nm, 650 nm and 850 nm), the attenuated total reflection (ATR) method was used to measure, and thermo optic coefficients (dn/dT) were −7.22×10

A method for energy efficiency assessment during urban energy planning

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Regina de Casas Castro Marins
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Energy Planning ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Urban Energy

Purpose – Energy use in urban areas has turned a subject of local and worldwide interest over the last few years, especially emphasized by the correlated greenhouse gases emissions. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the overall energy efficiency potential and emissions resulting from integrated solutions in urban energy planning, in the scale of districts and neighbourhoods in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based on the description and the application of a method to analyse energy performance of urban areas and support their planning. It is a quantitative bottom-up method and involves urban morphology, urban mobility, buildings and energy supply systems. Procedures are applied to the case study of Agua Branca urban development area, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Findings – In the case of Agua Branca area, energy efficiency measures in buildings have shown to be very important mostly for the buildings economies themselves. For the area as a whole, strategies in promoting public transport are more effective in terms of energy efficiency and also to decrease pollutant emissions. Originality/value – Literature review has shown there is a lack of approaches and procedures able to support urban energy planning at a community scale. The bottom-up method presented in this paper integrates a plenty of disaggregated and multisectoral parameters at the same stage in urban planning and shows that is possible to identify the most promising actions by building overall performance indexes.

scholarly journals Design and Pinch Analysis of a GFT Process for Production of Biojet Fuel from Biomass and Plastics

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6035
Author(s):  
Alejandro López-Fernández ◽  
David Bolonio ◽  
Isabel Amez ◽  
Blanca Castells ◽  
Marcelo F. Ortega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Cooling Water ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Pinch Analysis ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Fischer Tropsch ◽  
Fuel Density

Environmental problems are frequently related to energy use, estimated to grow at 1.6% per year until 2035. The transport sector accounts for 30% of energy demand and aviation is growing around 2.6% per year. Thus, low-emissions policies promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels. This work simulates a gasification and Fischer-Tropsch process to obtain biojet fuel from biomass and plastic waste. Syngas obtained through cogasification is purified by amine scrubbing and subjected to a Fischer-Tropsch process to produce hydrocarbons, which are upgraded for optimal fuel properties. Pinch analysis is applied to minimize energy usage, while Rankine cycles and a cooling tower are designed to cover the demand of electricity and cooling water. Results show that mass yields of the process towards biofuels are 13.06%, with an output of 1697.45 kg/h of biojet fuel. Density, kinematic viscosity, pour and flammability points and the lower calorific value of the biojet fuel comply with the ASTM D7566 standard. Pinch analysis allows to reduce 41.58% and 100% of cooling and heating demands, respectively, using biomass as renewable energy for heating. Moreover, steam generation covers 38.73% of the required electricity. The produced biojet fuel emits 20.14 gCO2eq/MJ and has a minimum selling price of 1.37 EUR/L.

scholarly journals Activated Charcoal Supported Cadmium Doped TiO2 for Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 108-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Prabha ◽  
V.L. Chandraboss ◽  
J. Kamalakannan ◽  
S. Senthilvelan
Keyword(s):  
Uv Light ◽  
Precipitation Method ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Raman Analysis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Photo Catalytic Activity ◽  
Photocatalytic Effect ◽  
Fourier Transform Raman ◽  
Ft Raman

The photocatalytic activity was studied under UV light using AC-Cd/TiO2 prepared via precipitation method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) , high resolution scanning electron micrographs (HR-SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform Raman analysis (FT-RAMAN). The enhanced photo catalytic activity of the AC-Cd/TiO2 is demonstrated through photodegradation of methylene blue under UV light radiation at 365 nm. The mechanism of photocatalytic effect of AC-Cd/TiO2 nanocomposite material has been discussed Further its antibacterial activity against two gram positive and two gram negative bacterial strain is studied.

scholarly journals Synthesis, Mesomorphism and the Optical Properties of Alkyl-deuterated Nematogenic 4-[(2,6-difluorophenyl)ethynyl]biphenyls

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4653
Author(s):  
Jakub Herman ◽  
Piotr Harmata ◽  
Michał Czerwiński ◽  
Olga Strzeżysz ◽  
Marta Pytlarczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Differential Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Liquid Crystalline ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Synthesis And Characterization ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry

The synthesis and characterization of new deuterated liquid crystal (LC) compounds based on phenyl tolane core is described in this paper. The work presents an alternative molecular approach to the conventional LC design. Correlations between molecular structure and mesomorphic and optical properties for compounds which are alkyl-hydrogen terminated and alkyl-deuterium, have been drawn. The compounds are characterized by mass spectrometry (electron ionization) analysis and infrared spectroscopy. They show enantiotropic nematic behavior in a broad temperature range, confirmed by a polarizing thermomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Detailed synthetic procedures are attached. Synthesized compounds show a significantly reduced absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) and medium-wavelength infrared (MWIR) radiation range, and stand as promising components of medium to highly birefringent liquid crystalline mixtures.

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