面对人类社会可持续发展的能源选择

经济增长和人类的可持续发展,需要廉价、可靠和环境友好的能源供给和利用。然而目前使用的主要能源,包括天然气、石油、煤炭、核能和可再生能源,以及它们的主要利用方式,并不能完全满足这种要求,现有能源系统的变革,以提高效率、消除污染物排放、减少单位能量温室气体的释放,是实现可持续发展的第一关键步骤．要真正实现可持续发展,必须在不断研究与发展的基础上,首先进行能源资源和利用技术的创新变革,以可再生资源为能源的燃料电池和氢经济,是满足可持续发展要求的零排放的能源技术中．最恰当的结合,煤炭由于其储量丰富、便宜、安全和使用期长,在这种转型过程中扮演着关键角色：煤气化与燃料电池技术和未来二氧化碳（CO2）的分离与储存技术的结合,可以实现零排放。煤炭利用技术也将提高可再生能源,特别是生物质和废弃物,在可持续能源中的比例和重要性。     

Advances,opportunities, and challenges of hydrogen and oxygen production from seawater electrolysis: An electrocatalysis perspective

With increasing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of developing renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels has become a vital global task. Hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy systems at a large scale is an essential measure to reduce greenhouse gas and particulate emissions. Electrolysers use a substantial amount of water (mainly freshwater) to produce hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode, and anode, respectively. However, seawater is preferred because it is the most abundant water resource. Although many R&D efforts on seawater electrolysis have been carried out since the 1970s, the barriers are the undesired chlorine gas evolution reaction at the anode, and corrosion induced by chloride ions. Unlike the available data for electrocatalyst materials based upon platinum group metals in pure solutions, limited data is available for electrocatalysts in seawater. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis.     

Thermodynamic analysis of the province of Ravenna (Italy)

This is a thermodynamic analysis of the Province of Ravenna (Italy) and its districts (Ravenna, Faenza and Lugo) and an evaluation of entropy waste production based on a balance sheet of greenhouse gases. The method used is energy analysis. The results show that the Province and Ravenna are characterized by a heavy exploitation of local non renewable resources, Faenza strikes a good balance between economic development and environment conservation and Lugo is less sustainable than the others. The greenhouse gas balance shows that the Province emits 10.5 times the quantity of greenhouse gases that it adsorbs and that the emissions reduction is required in the energy sector, which is responsible for 92% of the total.     

Power‐to‐Syngas: An Enabling Technology for the Transition of the Energy System?

Power‐to‐X concepts promise a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously guaranteeing a safe energy supply even at high share of renewable power generation, thus becoming a cornerstone of a sustainable energy system. Power‐to‐syngas, that is, the electrochemical conversion of steam and carbon dioxide with the use of renewably generated electricity to syngas for the production of synfuels and high‐value chemicals, offers an efficient technology to couple different energy‐intense sectors, such as “traffic and transportation” and “chemical industry”. Syngas produced by co‐electrolysis can thus be regarded as a key‐enabling step for a transition of the energy system, which offers additionally features of CO₂‐valorization and closed carbon cycles. Here, we discuss advantages and current limitations of low‐ and high‐temperature co‐electrolysis. Advances in both fundamental understanding of the basic reaction schemes and stable high‐performance materials are essential to further promote co‐electrolysis.     

The artificial water cycle: emergy analysis of waste water treatment

The artificial water cycle can be divided into the phases of water capture from the environment, potabilisation, distribution, waste water collection, waste water treatment and discharge back into the environment. The terminal phase of this cycle, from waste water collection to discharge into the environment, was assessed by emergy analysis. Emergy is the quantity of solar energy needed directly or indirectly to provide a product or energy flow in a given process. The emergy flow attributed to a process is therefore an index of the past and present environmental cost to support it. Six municipalities on the western side of the province of Bologna were analysed. Waste water collection is managed by the municipal councils and treatment is carried out in plants managed by a service company. Waste water collection was analysed by compiling a mass balance of the sewer system serving the six municipalities, including construction materials and sand for laying the pipelines. Emergy analysis of the water treatment plants was also carried out. The results show that the great quantity of emergy required to treat a gram of water is largely due to input of non renewable fossil fuels. As found in our previous analysis of the first part of the cycle, treatment is likewise characterised by high expenditure of non renewable resources, indicating a correlation with energy flows.     

Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic CO2 Methanation: From Reaction Fundamentals to Catalyst Developments

Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is demanded due to the gradual depletion of petroleum oil/gas and the environmental impact of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere. Electrocatalytic and photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to methane (CH₄) using renewable energy sources is crucial for sustainable chemical/fuel production and greenhouse gas reduction. In recent years, extensive research has focused on understanding the fundamental aspects of the two approaches, such as reaction mechanisms and active sites, and exploring/designing novel catalytic materials. This review initially discusses the reaction fundamentals, including performance evaluation indexes, reactors, and mechanisms, to understand the catalytic reactions. Subsequently, various catalyst preparation strategies and characterization methods are summarized, trying to outline the catalyst design principle based on the obtained understanding of the reaction mechanisms. Finally, research challenges and perspectives for future development in this area are discussed and presented. It is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the photo/electrocatalytic CO₂ methanation, valuable knowledge to novice researchers, and a helpful reference for future research endeavors.     

In-flight Melting Behavior of Granulated Alkali-Free Raw Material in Induction Thermal Plasmas

A new in-flight glass melting technology with induction thermal plasmas was developed to reduce the energy consumption and the emissions of greenhouse gases for glass production. The effects of carrier gas on the in-flight melting behavior of granulated alkali-free raw material were investigated by various modern analyses. Results show that the particles have smooth spherical surface and compact structure after heat treatment. As the carrier gas flow rate increases, the vitrification degree decreases and the average diameter increases. Higher vitrification results in more shrinkage of particle. The carbonates in raw material decompose completely during in-flight melting. The highest volatilization of B₂O₃ is attributed to more heat transferred from plasmas to particles at the lowest carrier gas flow rate.     

Promoting CO2 electroreduction on boron-doped diamond electrodes: Challenges and trends

CO₂ electroreduction (eCO₂R) into fuel products is a promising technology to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and store renewable energy. The main metal-based electrocatalysts widely employed in CO₂ reduction are characterized by high overpotentials, low stability, and unsatisfactory selectivity. As a result, a growing interest in the use of boron-doped diamond (BDD)-based electrocatalysts have been observed due to its excellent properties. This review sheds light on the techniques applied toward the eCO₂R on BDD surface and the effects of the operational conditions. Particular emphasis will be given on recent advances made in the quest for enhancing the performance of BDD in eCO₂R through its modification with defects insertion or functionalization with metal-based materials. The review will also present a brief overview of the challenges and directions of future research with respect to the development of different electrochemical systems for eCO₂R on BDD electrodes.     

Microfluidic Microalgae System: A Review

Microalgae that have recently captivated interest worldwide are a great source of renewable, sustainable and economical biofuels. The extensive potential application in the renewable energy, biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries have made them necessary resources for green energy. Microalgae can substitute liquid fossil fuels based on cost, renewability and environmental concern. Microfluidic-based systems outperform their competitors by executing many functions, such as sorting and analysing small volumes of samples (nanolitre to picolitre) with better sensitivities. In this review, we consider the developing uses of microfluidic technology on microalgal processes such as cell sorting, cultivation, harvesting and applications in biofuels and biosensing.     

Review of Building Integrated Photovoltaics System for Electric Vehicle Charging

The transition to sustainable transportation has fueled the need for innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) systems have emerged as a promising technology that combines renewable energy generation with the infra-structure of buildings. This paper comprehensively reviews the BIPV system for EV charging, focusing on its technology, application, and performance. The review identifies the gaps in the existing literature, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of BIPV systems in the context of EV charging. A detailed review of BIPV technology and its application in EV charging is presented, covering aspects such as the generation of solar cell technology, BIPV system installation, design options and influencing factors. Furthermore, the review examines the performance of BIPV systems for EV charging, focusing on energy, economic, and environmental parameters and their comparison with previous studies. Additionally, the paper explores current trends in energy management for BIPV and EV charging, highlighting the need for effective integration and recommending strategies to optimize energy utilization. Combining BIPV with EV charging provides a promising approach to power EV chargers, enhances building energy efficiency, optimizes the building space, reduces energy losses, and decreases grid dependence. Utilizing BIPV-generated electricity for EV charging provides electricity and fuel savings, offers financial incentives, and increases the market value of the building infrastructure. It significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with grid and vehicle emissions. It creates a closed-loop circular economic system where energy is produced, consumed, and stored within the building. The paper underscores the importance of effective integration between Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, emphasizing the necessity of innovative grid technologies, energy storage solutions, and demand-response energy management strategies to overcome diverse challenges. Overall, the study contributes to the knowledge of BIPV systems for EV charging by presenting practical energy management, effectiveness and sustainability implications. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working towards sustainable transportation and energy systems.     

Elucidation of the Roles of Ionic Liquid in CO2 Electrochemical Reduction to Value-Added Chemicals and Fuels

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂ER) is amongst one the most promising technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions since carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be converted to value-added products. Moreover, the possibility of using a renewable source of energy makes this process environmentally compelling. CO₂ER in ionic liquids (ILs) has recently attracted attention due to its unique properties in reducing overpotential and raising faradaic efficiency. The current literature on CO₂ER mainly reports on the effect of structures, physical and chemical interactions, acidity, and the electrode–electrolyte interface region on the reaction mechanism. However, in this work, new insights are presented for the CO₂ER reaction mechanism that are based on the molecular interactions of the ILs and their physicochemical properties. This new insight will open possibilities for the utilization of new types of ionic liquids. Additionally, the roles of anions, cations, and the electrodes in the CO₂ER reactions are also reviewed.     

Energetic,exergetic, environmental and economic assessment of a novel control system for indirect heaters in natural gas city gate stations

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions in natural gas city gate stations are important issues in the natural gas industry. In order to...     

Hydrogen production by photosynthetic microorganisms

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Hydrogen is a clean energy alternative to the fossil fuels, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions. We developed a stable system for the conversion of...     

Wood-ethanol for climate change mitigation in Canada

The impetus for this paper is Canada’s commitment under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions as well as reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. Wood-based ethanol offers an excellent opportunity for greenhouse gas mitigation due to market potential, an ability to offset significant emissions from the transportation sector, a reduction of emissions from CO₂-intensive waste-management systems, and carbon sequestration in afforested plantations. While there are technological and economic barriers to overcome, using wood-biomass as a source of ethanol can be an economically viable tool for reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. This paper examines the costs and mitigation potential of the production of ethanol from biomass supplied from industrial wood waste as well as from trees harvested from afforested land.     

Towards Green Ammonia Synthesis through Plasma-Driven Nitrogen Oxidation and Catalytic Reduction

Ammonia is an industrial large-volume chemical, with its main application in fertilizer production. It also attracts increasing attention as a green-energy vector. Over the past century, ammonia production has been dominated by the Haber–Bosch process, in which a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen gas is converted to ammonia at high temperatures and pressures. Haber–Bosch processes with natural gas as the source of hydrogen are responsible for a significant share of the global CO₂ emissions. Processes involving plasma are currently being investigated as an alternative for decentralized ammonia production powered by renewable energy sources. In this work, we present the PNOCRA process (plasma nitrogen oxidation and catalytic reduction to ammonia), combining plasma-assisted nitrogen oxidation and lean NO_x trap technology, adopted from diesel-engine exhaust gas aftertreatment technology. PNOCRA achieves an energy requirement of 4.6 MJ mol⁻¹ NH₃, which is more than four times less than the state-of-the-art plasma-enabled ammonia synthesis from N₂ and H₂ with reasonable yield (>1 %).     

Environmentally friendly fuel briquettes and pellets based on renewable lignocellulosic raw material and recycling thereof

This paper presents data regarding developments in the field of renewable energy sources based on lignocellulosic raw material, which can continuously provide a wide range of energy services. Data regarding reserves of nonhydrocarbon raw materials are presented: Russian forests represent 25% of the world timber reserves (perennial lignocellulosic materials), while fields and croplands represent 9% of the annual plants growing in the world. Processing of renewable lignocellulosic raw materials and biomass into fuel pellets and briquettes is capable of providing reliable supply of heating, electricity, and transport energy without green-house gas emissions and affecting the climate (in compliance with the Kyoto Protocol). The features of catalytic biomass gasification, which can be used to design the combined processes of biomass processing with simultaneous obtaining of fuel gas or synthesis gas, as well as nanoporous carbon materials, are discussed.     

The Utilization of Post-chlorinated Municipal Domestic Wastewater for Biomass and Lipid Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> spp. Under Batch Conditions

South Africa has a rich microalgal biodiversity which has the potential to be used for renewable bio-fuel production in the region. Bioprospecting for oleaginous microalgae in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa, resulted in the establishment of a microalgal culture collection system for alternative energy research in the country. A potential hyper-lipid-producing Chlorella spp. strain was isolated, purified, and cultured in supplemented post-chlorinated wastewater for biomass and lipid production at the laboratory scale under batch mode. The microalgal strain was cultivated in different strengths of BG-11 media supplemented with wastewater from a local municipal domestic wastewater treatment plant. The Chlorella spp. was grown using ambient dissolved carbon dioxide in shake flasks under photosynthetically active radiation (±120 μmolm⁻²s⁻¹). Microalgal biomass and lipid productivity were monitored at 24-h intervals in the batch mode. The microalgal biomass was analyzed by direct light microscopy and indirectly by spectrophotometry at 600 nm, and the lipids were extracted and quantified. The growth rate of the Chlorella spp. was enhanced in post-chlorinated wastewater supplemented with 5 mM NaNO₃ with maximal biomass productivity. A dramatic increase in lipid yield was achieved with the post-chlorinated wastewater supplemented with 25 mM NaNO₃. Low dosages of free chlorine were found to enhance microalgal growth. These findings serve as a basis for further scale-up trials using municipal wastewater as a medium for microalgal biomass and lipid production.     

认识“碳足迹”倡导低碳生活

温室效应及温室气体的排放是全球气候变暖的重要原因,“碳足迹”是近年来国际环保组织及研究者为了形象而准确地衡量温室气体排放对气候以及人类生活的影响提出的新概念,用于测量人类活动中产生的全部温室气体,并以二氧化碳作为等价物,以吨（或千克）为单位计算温室气体的量。这一概念促使人们认识到,在现代生活中每一个人都在这个世界上留下了“碳足迹”,减少“碳足迹”,倡导低碳生活人人可为,有利于唤醒人们的环境意识与责任。论文介绍了“碳足迹”的含义及计算方法,讨论了个人生活与“碳足迹”的关系,从“碳中和”、做出承诺、节能减排、支持新能源的开发与应用等方面提出减少“碳足迹”的建议。     

Insights on Cryogenic Distillation Technology for Simultaneous CO2 and H2S Removal for Sour Gas Fields

Natural gas demand has dramatically increased due to the emerging growth of the world economy and industry. Presently, CO₂ and H₂S content in gas fields accounts for up to 90% and 15%, respectively. Apart from fulfilling the market demand, CO₂ and H₂S removal from natural gas is critical due to their corrosive natures, the low heating value of natural gas and the greenhouse gas effect. To date, several gas fields have remained unexplored due to limited technologies to monetize the highly sour natural gas. A variety of conventional technologies have been implemented to purify natural gas such as absorption, adsorption and membrane and cryogenic separation. The application of these technologies in natural gas upgrading are also presented. Among these commercial technologies, cryogenic technology has advanced rapidly in gas separation and proven ideally suitable for bulk CO₂ removal due to its independence from absorbents or adsorbents, which require a larger footprint, weight and energy. Present work comprehensively reviews the mechanisms and potential of the advanced nonconventional cryogenic separation technologies for processing of natural gas streams with high CO₂ and H₂S content. Moreover, the prospects of emerging cryogenic technologies for future commercialization exploitation are highlighted.     

含氮金属有机框架衍生的铜基催化剂电催化还原二氧化碳

With the development of human society and economy, the demand for energy resources has also increased rapidly. However, the use of traditional fossil energy leads to high amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, causing severe greenhouse effects. This, in turn, triggers a series of environmental problems. Harnessing renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower to replace the traditional energy sources is very urgent. Conversion CO₂ into value-added fuels and chemicals could be a useful strategy to mitigate the current energy and environmental crisis. It is well known that Cu-based materials are good electrocatalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (ECR-CO₂). However, they suffer from some disadvantages such as high overpotential and poor selectivity and durability. Therefore, the development of copper based electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity is essential.