Spruce and Barley Elemental and Stochiometric Analysis Affected by the Impact of Pellet Production and Torrefaction

Biomass is a potential biofuel which may help fighting high carbon dioxide emissions and negative impacts of global warming. Analysis of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were performed at the laboratory of Czech University of Life Sciences. Material was torrefied in an inert nitrogen atmosphere at the temperatures of 250 °C and 280 °C for 45 minutes. Elementary and stoichiometric parameters were monitored and impact of torrefaction and pellet production on carbon footprint was determined. Torrefied and pelleted material showed better fuel properties in comparison to the original material. Calorific value of the torrefied spruce wood chip increased by 12.27% when torrefied at the temperature of 250 °C, and by 25.41% when torrefied at the temperature of 280 °C.

Assessment of Carbon Footprint of Various Cotton Knitwear Production Processes in Bangladesh

Carbon footprint is defined as the amount of greenhouse gases generated during the whole lifetime or within a specific boundary of a product. This study measured the average carbon footprint of some common cotton knitwear T-shirts, polo shirts, and fleece jackets during production using CCalC2 software. Energy and water consumption data were taken as the study's input, while direct and indirect emissions were not specified. The results show the amount of carbon dioxide emitted at different stages of knitwear production. Cotton processing and yarn spinning resulted in relatively high carbon dioxide emissions, while wet treatment gave similar results. Fleece jacket production gave high amounts of emitted carbon dioxide due to its complex fabric structure and high fabric weight, while T-shirts gave the lowest amount of the fabrics tested.

Effect of Nano-Additives on the Strength and Durability Characteristics of Marl

Low bearing capacity soils may pose serious construction concerns such as reduced bearing capacity and excessive hydro-associated volume changes. Proper soil remediation techniques must be planned and implemented before commencing any construction on low bearing capacity soils. Environmentally friendly soil stabilizers are gradually replacing traditional soil stabilizers with high carbon dioxide emissions such as lime and cement. This study investigated the use of an alternative pozzolanic mix of nano-additives (i.e., nano-silica and nano-alumina) and cement to reduce the usage of cement for achieving competent soil stabilization outcomes. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), direct shear, and durability tests were conducted on marl specimens cured for 1, 7, and 28 days stabilized with nano-additives (0.1~1.5%), 3% cement, and combined 3% cement and nano-additives. The UCS and shear strength of stabilized marl increased with nano-additives up to a threshold nano-additive content of 1% which was further intensified with curing time. Nano-additive treated cemented marl specimens showed long durability under the water, while the cemented marl decomposed early. The microfabric inspection of stabilized marl specimens showed significant growth of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) products within the micro fabric of nano-silica treated marl with reduced pore-spaces within aggregated particles. The results confirmed that nano-additives can replace cement partially to achieve multi-fold improvement in the strength characteristics of the marl.

Cyclotetrabenzil-Based Porous Organic Polymers with High Carbon Dioxide Affinity

Porous organic polymers (POPs) incorporating macrocyclic units have been investigated in recent years in an effort to transfer macrocycles’ intrinsic host-guest properties onto the porous networks to achieve complex separations. In this regard, highly interesting building blocks are presented by the family of cyclotetrabenzoin macrocycles with rigid, well-defined, electron-deficient cavities. This macrocycle shows high affinity towards linear guest molecules such as carbon dioxide, thus offering an ideal building block for the synthesis of CO2-philic POPs. Herein, we report the synthesis of a porous organic polymer through the condensation reaction between cyclotetrabenzil with 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene under ionothermal conditions using the eutectic zinc chloride/sodium chloride/potassium chloride salt mixture at 250 oC. Notably, following the condensation reaction, the macrocycle favors 3D growth rather than 2D one while retaining the cavity. The resulting polymer, named 3D-mPOP, showed a highly microporous structure with the BET surface area of 1142 m2 g−1 and a high carbon dioxide affinity with a binding enthalpy of 39 kJ mol−1. Moreover, 3D-mPOP showed very high selectivity for carbon dioxide in carbon dioxide/methane and carbon dioxide /nitrogen mixtures.