scholarly journals BIOFUELS AS PROMISING FUELS

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladan Mićić ◽  
Pero Dugić ◽  
Zoran Petrović ◽  
Milorad Tomić
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Technical Issues

The use of fossil fuels results in global warming and pollution. In comparison with fossil fuels biofuels represent an eco-friendly, biodegradable, sustainable, cost-competitive and promising alternative energy source. They contain high energy content and do not contribute to greenhouse effect. Therefore, using cheap or renewable resources as the feedstock for biofuels production has a great potential in terms of a major contribution to future energy supply. The production and use of biofuels is already well established and a further promotion of these fuels such as lipid biofuels (bioethanol, pure plant oils and biodiesel) and gas biofuels (biomethane, biohydrogen) mainly depends on non-technical issues, such as policies and cost–effectiveness. Biofuels will definitely stay for the foreseeable future and still can continue to provide the earth and the human population with a relatively clean source of energy with several benefits such as economic benefits of providing employment and health benefits of reduced carbon emissions, leading to cleaner air. With increasing sophistication of technology and intense research and development done, one can safely infer that biofuel will become more appealing and applicable for use on a globally commercial level. As such, biofuel is acknowledged as the Earth’s future energy source. Until a newer and cleaner energy source is discovered, scientists will definitely persist in researching and enhancing biofuels to make them more cost-effective, while still being environmentally friendly.

Combustion of Apple Juice Wastes in a Cyclone Combustor for Thermal Energy Generation (ES2009-90152)

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Virmond ◽  
Robson L. Schacker ◽  
Waldir Albrecht ◽  
Christine A. Althoff ◽  
Maurício de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Apple Juice ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Nox Emission ◽  
Unburned Carbon ◽  
Cyclone Combustor ◽  
Combustion Tests

The solid waste generated from the apple juice industry (apple bagasse (AB)) was characterized as a fuel, and the potential for its utilization as an alternative energy source was assessed through its combustion in a pilot scale cyclone combustor. A comparative evaluation of the AB and sawdust (SD) properties, as well as of the emissions during the combustion tests, was performed. The high energy content of AB (lower heating value (LHV) equal to 21.09 MJ kg−1), dry and ash-free (daf) basis, which is 26.9% higher than the LHV of SD (16.62 MJ kg−1, daf), and combined with the high volatile matter content (85.36 wt %, daf) improve the ignition and burning of the solids. The emissions of CO, SO2, and NOx and the total organic carbon (TOC) were compared with guideline limits established by Brazilian and international legislation. AB generated much lower CO than sawdust in spite of almost half of excess air levels (13% compared with 26%) and met even the stringent limit of the German regulation for waste incineration. The unburned carbon percentages found in the ash resulted from SD and AB combustion tests were 0.24% and 0.96% in weight, respectively. The absence of sulfur in AB composition represents an advantage with nondetectable SO2. The average level of NOx emission with SD combustion was 242 mg N m−3 and met all the regulation limits. The average NOx emission with AB combustion though was 642 mg N m−3 and met the U.S. EPA regulation but was marginally higher than the Brazilian norm by 15%. TOC concentrations remained below the limits considered even though the TOC level was higher in the AB combustion test. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were not detected or were under the quantification limit of the equipment used in their analysis. Comparing the properties, the burning profiles of SD and AB, and the emissions from their combustion tests, it can be stated that the waste originating from the apple juice industry is suitable for direct combustion, constituting a renewable energy source for this industrial sector.

scholarly journals Photobiological hydrogen as a renewable fuel

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Vidya Jose
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Atmospheric Effects ◽  
Global Energy Consumption

The huge global energy consumption has raised concerns over the depletion in readily available conventional energy resources. Besides, there are harmful atmospheric effects of fossil fuels and the qualms of future energy resources. The world hence is in dire need of new renewable energy sources that are cheap, non-polluting, environmentally friendly, and clean. This is the only way we can stop using fossil. Hydrogen is considered as an ideal fuel for the future because of its high energy content and its clean combustion to water. However, extensive technologies are required to introduce hydrogen as an alternative clean and cost-effective future fuel, which brings about the relevance of the exploitation of the microorganisms for large-scale renewable energy production. Reports of photobiological hydrogen production by oxygenic photosynthetic microbes, such as green algae and cyanobacteria and by anaerobic photosynthesis, are summarized in this paper, with a focus on the major obstacles that must be overcome by scientific and technical breakthroughs to make way for commercially feasible energy. The principle, progress, and prognosis of photobiological hydrogen as a renewable energy source are reviewed.

Progress in Magnesium-Based Hydrogen Storage Materials

2012 ◽  
Vol 174-177 ◽  
pp. 1339-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Min Kan ◽  
Ning Zhang ◽  
Xiao Yang Wang ◽  
Hong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Storage ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Oxygen Contamination ◽  
Kinetics Of

Hydrogen is considered a promising alternative energy carrier that can potentially facilitate the transition from fossil fuels to sources of clean energy because of its prominent advantages such as high energy density, great variety of potential sources, light weight and low environmental impact (water is the sole combustion product). Due to low price and abundance magnesium should be considered as a potential candidate for hydrogen storage. Recent progress in the application of Magnesium-based nanostructured and composite materials in hydrogen storage is presented in this review. The main focus is on the synthesis of composite material, the design of nanocomposite material, the improvement of the thermodynamical properties and kinetics of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation and the improvement of resistance towards oxygen contamination.

Assessing desalination as a sustainable alternative using a multiple criteria decision support model

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Fernandes ◽  
M. C. Almeida ◽  
A. G. Henriques
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Multiple Criteria ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Decision Support Model

Desalination technologies provide an alternative for potable water production, having significant potential for application where fresh water scarcity exists. Potential benefits have to be balanced with other factors, such as high costs, high energy consumption, and significant environmental impacts, for the understanding of real risks and gains of desalination within the context of integrated water resources management. Multiple factors can be considered when analysing the viability of a desalination project but often a limited approach is used. The complexity in the analysis lies in finding the alternatives that obey to multiple objectives (e.g. reduced environmental impact, social acceptance, less cost associated). In this paper, development of a methodology based on multiple criteria decision support system for the evaluation and ranking the potential of desalination technologies is described and applied to a Portuguese case study. Relevant factors to the selection of desalination technologies were identified using SWOT analysis and the MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) approach was applied. Technical alternatives considered include reverse osmosis and multi-effect desalination (MED), together with energy production by fossil fuels or solar energy. Production of water by conventional approaches was also considered. Results, for non-economic benefits, show higher score for MED solar but, in the cost-benefit analysis, conventional methods of water production have higher ranking since costs of renewable energies are not yet competitive. However, even if not preferred in economic terms, desalination is ranked significantly above the conventional approaches for non-economic criteria.

scholarly journals Peanut Shell for Energy: Properties and Its Potential to Respect the Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel-Angel Perea-Moreno ◽  
Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro ◽  
Quetzalcoatl Hernandez-Escobedo ◽  
Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Peanut Shell ◽  
Agroindustrial Waste ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Peanut Shells ◽  
Industrial Heating

The peanut (Arachys hypogaea) is a plant of the Fabaceae family (legumes), as are chickpeas, lentils, beans, and peas. It is originally from South America and is used mainly for culinary purposes, in confectionery products, or as a nut as well as for the production of biscuits, breads, sweets, cereals, and salads. Also, due to its high percentage of fat, peanuts are used for industrialized products such as oils, flours, inks, creams, lipsticks, etc. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistical yearbook in 2016, the production of peanuts was 43,982,066 t, produced in 27,660,802 hectares. Peanuts are grown mainly in Asia, with a global production rate of 65.3%, followed by Africa with 26.2%, the Americas with 8.4%, and Oceania with 0.1%. The peanut industry is one of the main generators of agroindustrial waste (shells). This residual biomass (25–30% of the total weight) has a high energy content that is worth exploring. The main objectives of this study are, firstly, to evaluate the energy parameters of peanut shells as a possible solid biofuel applied as an energy source in residential and industrial heating installations. Secondly, different models are analysed to estimate the higher heating value (HHV) for biomass proposed by different scientists and to determine which most accurately fits the determination of this value for peanut shells. Thirdly, we evaluate the reduction in global CO2 emissions that would result from the use of peanut shells as biofuel. The obtained HHV of peanut shells (18.547 MJ/kg) is higher than other biomass sources evaluated, such as olive stones (17.884 MJ/kg) or almond shells (18.200 MJ/kg), and similar to other sources of biomass used at present for home and industrial heating applications. Different prediction models of the HHV value proposed by scientists for different types of biomass have been analysed and the one that best fits the calculation for the peanut shell has been determined. The CO2 reduction that would result from the use of peanut shells as an energy source has been evaluated in all production countries, obtaining values above 0.5 ‰ of their total emissions.

scholarly journals Recent Progress on Zinc-Ion Rechargeable Batteries

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wangwang Xu ◽  
Ying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Zinc Ion ◽  
Rechargeable Batteries ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Storage Technologies

Abstract The increasing demands for environmentally friendly grid-scale electric energy storage devices with high energy density and low cost have stimulated the rapid development of various energy storage systems, due to the environmental pollution and energy crisis caused by traditional energy storage technologies. As one of the new and most promising alternative energy storage technologies, zinc-ion rechargeable batteries have recently received much attention owing to their high abundance of zinc in natural resources, intrinsic safety, and cost effectiveness, when compared with the popular, but unsafe and expensive lithium-ion batteries. In particular, the use of mild aqueous electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) demonstrates high potential for portable electronic applications and large-scale energy storage systems. Moreover, the development of superior electrolyte operating at either high temperature or subzero condition is crucial for practical applications of ZIBs in harsh environments, such as aerospace, airplanes, or submarines. However, there are still many existing challenges that need to be resolved. This paper presents a timely review on recent progresses and challenges in various cathode materials and electrolytes (aqueous, organic, and solid-state electrolytes) in ZIBs. Design and synthesis of zinc-based anode materials and separators are also briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of Sequestering Carbon in Green Ash Forests in the Lower Mississippi River Valley

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 731-740
Author(s):  
Ching-Hsun Huang ◽  
Gary D. Kronrad ◽  
Shiaolin D. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Green Ash ◽  
Carbon Credits ◽  
Lower Mississippi River ◽  
The Cost

Since the U.S. is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), it has become crucial to develop options that are both cost effective and supportive of sustainable development to reduce atmospheric CO2. Electric utility companies have the options of reducing their use of fossil fuels, switching to alternative energy sources, increasing efficiency, or offsetting carbon emissions. This study determined the cost and profitability of sequestering carbon in green ash plantations, and the number of tons of carbon that can be sequestered. The profitability of green ash is $2,342 and $3,645 per acre on site indices (measurement of soil quality) 65 and 105 land, respectively, calculated with a 2.5% alternative rate of return (ARR). These figures shift to –$248 and –$240 calculated with a 15.0% ARR. If landowners who have an ARR of 2.5% can sell carbon credits for $10 per ton of carbon, profits will increase by $107 per acre on poor sites and $242 on good sites. Over one rotation (cutting cycle), 38.56 net tons of carbon can be sequestered on an acre of poor quality land and 51.35 tons on good quality land. The cost of sequestering carbon, without including revenues from timber production and carbon credits, ranges from a high of $15.20 per ton on poor sites to $14.41 on good sites, calculated with a 2.5% ARR; to a high of $8.51 per ton on poor sites to $7.63 on good sites, calculated with a 15.0% ARR. The cost of storing carbon can be reduced significantly if the trees can be sold for wood products.

scholarly journals COMBUSTION PERFORMANCE OF SYNGAS FROM PALM KERNEL SHELL IN A GAS BURNER

2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asmadib Yusoff @ Adnan ◽  
Muhammad Roslan Rahim ◽  
Mohammad Nazri Mohd. Jaafar ◽  
Norazila Othman ◽  
Mohd Shuisma Mohd Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Flame Length ◽  
Palm Kernel Shell ◽  
Downdraft Gasifier ◽  
Combustion Performance ◽  
Rich Condition ◽  
Gas Burner

Insufficient and various environmental issues of fossil fuels as the current world dominated energy is now becoming a serious global issue. The rapidly increasing demand for alternative energy sources has contributed to the steady growth of renewable energy. Owing to the fact of the abundant presence of palm kernel shell (PKS) as one of palm biomass wastes in South East Asia region, this paper investigates syngas produced from gasified PKS. The investigation is regarding its composition and combustion performance in a gas burner system. It covers emissions analysis, temperature profile and flame length. The produced syngas from downdraft gasifier was burned in the combustion chamber in air-rich and fuel-rich combustion conditions.  From the experiment, the results showed that the oxidation zone temperature of above 750°C for the downdraft gasifier is suitable for producing syngas. Produced syngas can be classified as pure-carbon monoxide (CO) syngas due to 94.9% CO content with no hydrogen (H2) content and low heating value (LHV) of 10.7 MJ/kg. The wall temperature profiles for burnt syngas produced via downdraft gasification was higher with longer pattern at fuel-rich condition, which signified higher energy of syngas produced from downdraft gasifier compared to fluidised bed gasifier.  The associated flame length was also longer at fuel-rich condition. Produced emission of 56 ppm NOX, 37 ppm CO and 1 ppm SO2 can still be considered as acceptable to human.  It can be concluded that syngas produced from PKS shown a high potential to serve as an alternative source of energy due to its high energy content.

scholarly journals TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE DURING THE ENERGY TRANSITION

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard van der Meijden ◽  
Sjak Smulders
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Technological Change ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Peak Oil ◽  
Nonrenewable Resource ◽  
Alternative Energy Source ◽  
Alternative Energy Sources ◽  
Speed Up

The energy transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources has important consequences for technological change and resource extraction. We examine these consequences by incorporating a nonrenewable resource and an alternative energy source in a market economy model of endogenous growth through expanding varieties. During the energy transition, technological progress is nonmonotonic over time: It declines initially, starts increasing when the economy approaches the regime shift, and jumps down once the resource stock is exhausted. A moment of peak-oil does no longer necessarily occur, and simultaneous use of the resource and the alternative energy source will take place if the return to innovation becomes too low. Subsidies to research and development (R&D) and to renewables production speed up the energy transition, whereas a tax on fossil fuels postpones the switch to renewable energy.

scholarly journals Genetic engineering of microalgae lipid biosynthesis for sustainable biodiesel production

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 072-077
Author(s):  
Siti Zulaiha
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Lipid Production ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Lipid Biosynthesis ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Promising Alternative

Biofuel is one of the most promising alternative energy sources for reducing human reliance on fossil fuels. Microalgae has recently emerged as the most promising biofuel source. However, biofuels from microalgae are still not feasible to replace fossil fuels because of their high production costs, therefore, it is necessary to pick microalgae species with high growth rates and lipid content. Overexpression of lipid biosynthesis enzymes and inhibition of competitive metabolic pathways are two genetic engineering strategies that can be developed to assess microalgae lipid production. Malate and multienzyme enzymes (GPAT, LPAAT and DGAT) can be overexpressed in microalgae to boost lipid production. The strategy of blocking competitive metabolic pathways can be carried out through suppression of starch metabolism and lipid catabolism. The strategy of blocking competitive metabolic pathways has been carried out in several microalgae and is effective for enhancing lipid biosynthesis. Several mutations that block both the starch metabolic and lipid catabolic pathways can result in increased levels of microalgal lipid accumulation.

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