We assess the static and dynamic implications of alternative market-based policies limiting greenhouse gas emissions in the US cement industry. Our results highlight two countervailing market distortions. First, emissions regulation exacerbates distortions associated with the exercise of market power in the domestic cement market. Second, emissions “leakage” in trade-exposed markets offsets domestic emissions reductions. Taken together, these forces can result in social welfare losses under policy regimes that fully internalize the emissions externality. Market-based policies that incorporate design features to mitigate the exercise of market power and emissions leakage deliver welfare gains when damages from carbon emissions are high.
Marcos Kalinowski, Lucas Romao, Ariane Rodrigues
et al.
Lean R&D has been used at PUC-Rio to foster industry-academia collaboration in innovation projects across multiple sectors. This industrial experience paper describes recent experiences and evaluation results from applying Lean R&D in partnership with Petrobras in the oil and gas sector and Americanas in retail. The findings highlight Lean R&D's effectiveness in transforming ideas into meaningful business outcomes. Based on responses from 57 participants - including team members, managers, and sponsors - the assessment indicates that stakeholders find the structured phases of Lean R&D well-suited to innovation projects and endorse the approach. Although acknowledging that successful collaboration relies on various factors, this industrial experience positions Lean R&D as a promising framework for industry-academia projects focused on achieving rapid, impactful results for industry partners.
ObjectiveIn China, there is a significant geographical mismatch between methanol production and demand. Production is concentrated in the coal-rich regions of Northwest China, while demand is primarily in the economic belts of Central and Eastern China, such as east and south China. This mismatch has resulted in extensive cross-regional transportation of methanol from west to east and north to south. Currently, methanol transportation through highway is dominant in China, facing significant cost challenges and carbon emission pressure. The traditional methanol transportation system struggles to meet the needs of industrial development. MethodsThe economic efficiency of multimodal methanol transportation was systematically analyzed, and a low-cost, low-energy transportation solution was developed to provide theoretical support and practical pathways for the efficient circulation of the methanol industry under the new energy system. Using the data on production capacity, output and consumption of China’s methanol industry from 2020 to 2024, along with pipeline transportation price and enterprise transportation cost survey data disclosed by PipeChina, the cost breakdown structure method was adopted to quantitatively analyze the costs of 4 transportation modes: highway, railway, pipeline, and waterway. A unit transportation cost calculation model was established to compare the economic efficiency and carbon emissions of different transportation modes. In response to the difficulties in methanol transportation and considering the dispersed and small-scale production and demand of methanol, a multimodal transportation scheme featuring “agglomeration” at both ends was proposed, and its feasibility was verified through cost sharing and transportation volume calculation. ResultsPipeline is most economical for methanol transportation, with unit costs for newly built pipelines ranging from RMB 0.18 to 0.28/(t·km). Co-transportation using existing refined oil pipelines can further reduce costs to RMB 0.16−0.25/(t·km). The multimodal transportation model featuring “agglomeration” at both ends enables long-distance, low-cost transport between methanol production and consumption areas, reduces energy consumption, and supports the green transformation of the economy and environmentally-friendly development. ConclusionThe implementation of an optimized transportation system, centered on pipeline transportation with agglomeration at both ends, should focus on promoting: ① the construction of dedicated methanol loading and unloading facilities and cross-regional pipeline networks to address the challenges posed by decentralized production and demand; ② breakthroughs in batch transportation technology for refined oil pipelines to improve purity control during co-transportation; and ③ the establishment of a multimodal transport coordination mechanism at the policy level to minimize institutional costs in the transshipment process.
CHEN Jun, WANG Haimei, CHEN Xi, TANG Yong, TANG Liangrui, SI Rong, WANG Huijun, HUANG Xianzhu, LENG Bing
To address the challenges of rapid production decline and low recovery of shale oil wells, it is imperative to supplement formation energy and explore innovative development methods. Compared with conventional waterflooding, CO2 exhibits superior injectivity and miscibility with crude oil, making it an effective oil displacement medium. Simultaneously, CO2 is a major greenhouse gas and a key target for emission reduction. Therefore, exploring CO2 huff-n-puff in shale oil reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery while simultaneously achieving carbon sequestration has significant practical value. However, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology in shale oil is still in its exploratory stage, facing challenges such as immature numerical simulation techniques and the lack of large-scale injection-production operations. To investigate the mechanisms and key controlling factors of enhanced oil recovery through CO₂ injection in shale oil, this study employed numerical simulation techniques, integrating logging data, geological parameters, and fracturing operation data to model the formation and distribution of hydraulic fractures. A composite discrete fracture network numerical model combining both artificial and natural fractures was established to analyze the oil recovery enhancement mechanisms of CO2 huff-n-puff. The study clarified the influence patterns of reservoir engineering parameters in CO₂ huff-n-puff on both cumulative oil increment and CO₂ storage capacity, and determined the primary controlling factors among these parameters. The results showed that CO2 huff-n-puff restored production capacity in shale oil wells by replenishing formation energy, extracting light and intermediate components from shale oil, and leveraging CO2 diffusion, oil viscosity reduction, and expansion effects. Considering both oil recovery and storage, the optimal injection strategy for a single well included: initiating when daily oil production declined to just above 8 m3, injecting 15 000-24 000 tons of CO₂ at a rate of 500-900 t/d, shut-in duration of 30-50 days, and conducting 2-3 huff-n-puff cycles. Among the shale oil reservoir engineering parameters, injection volume was identified as the primary factor, with a weight of 0.48. These findings provide technical guidance and evaluation support for the implementation of CCUS technology in shale oil reservoirs.
Petroleum refining. Petroleum products, Gas industry
Sustainability has become a paramount concern in the manufacturing industry, with a growing emphasis on eco-friendly products to preserve our planet’s life-support systems. However, evaluating the ”greenness” of a manufactured product is a complex task due to data availability, varying definitions of ”green” products, and diverse environmental impacts. This research addresses this challenge by identifying, classifying, and prioritizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess green manufactured products, specifically within the Indian manufacturing context. A systematic approach was employed, incorporating Pareto analysis and the Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) to identify the most significant KPIs and assign them priority. Industry, academia, and customer perspectives were considered, resulting in distinct priorities. Industry experts prioritize economic aspects, while academia emphasizes health and safety. Customers focus on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. This diversity of perspectives underscores the need for businesses to tailor their sustainability strategies to meet evolving customer demands while considering economic implications. The study identifies 30 vital KPIs crucial for evaluating green product manufacturing, encompassing dimensions like waste management, energy efficiency, workplace safety, and societal compliance. By considering these KPIs, businesses can make informed decisions to improve sustainability, reduce their environmental footprint, and align with consumer expectations. The findings provide a roadmap for businesses and policymakers to develop more effective strategies, targeting diverse stakeholder groups and promoting the production and use of green products. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in sustainable manufacturing and serves as a valuable tool for manufacturers in India and beyond, aiding them in navigating the complexities of manufacturing green products and meeting the rising demand from environmentally conscious consumers.
We present a comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art of the approximate analytic approaches describing the finite-temperature thermodynamic quantities of the Lieb-Liniger model of the one-dimensional (1D) Bose gas with contact repulsive interactions. This paradigmatic model of quantum many-body-theory plays an important role in many areas of physics -- thanks to its integrability and possible experimental realization using, e.g., ensembles of ultracold bosonic atoms confined to quasi-1D geometries. The thermodynamics of the uniform Lieb-Liniger gas can be obtained numerically using the exact thermal Bethe ansatz (TBA) method, first derived in 1969 by Yang and Yang. However, the TBA numerical calculations do not allow for the in-depth understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms that govern the thermodynamic behavior of the Lieb-Liniger gas at finite temperature. Our work is then motivated by the insights that emerge naturally from the transparency of closed-form analytic results, which are derived here in six different regimes of the gas and which exhibit an excellent agreement with the TBA numerics. Our findings can be further adopted for characterising the equilibrium properties of inhomogeneous (e.g., harmonically trapped) 1D Bose gases within the local density approximation and for the development of improved hydrodynamic theories, allowing for the calculation of breathing mode frequencies which depend on the underlying thermodynamic equation of state. Our analytic approaches can be applied to other systems including impurities in a quantum bath, liquid helium-4, and ultracold Bose gas mixtures.
Ali A. Al-Taq, Murtada Saleh Aljawad, Olalekan Saheed Alade
et al.
Managing chemical reactivity is crucial for sustainable chemistry and industry, fostering efficiency, reducing chemical waste, saving energy, and protecting the environment. Emulsification is used for different purposes, among them controlling the reactivity of highly reactive chemicals. Thermochemical fluids (TCFs), such as NH<sub>4</sub>Cl and NaNO<sub>2</sub> salts, have been utilized in various applications, including the oil and gas industry. However, the excessive reactivity of TCFs limits their applications and consequently negatively impacts the potential success rates. In this study, an emulsification technique was employed to control the high reactivity of TCFs explored at 50% and 70% in diesel, using three distinct emulsifier systems at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% to form water-in-oil emulsions. The reactivity of 4M neat TCFs and emulsified solutions was examined in an autoclave reactor as a function of triggering temperatures of 65–95 °C, volume fraction, and emulsifier type and concentration. Additionally, this study explores an alternative method for controlling TCF reactivity through pH adjustment. It investigates the impact of TCFs at pH values ranging from 6 to 10 and the initial pressure on the resulting pressure, temperature, and time needed to initiate the TCF’s reaction. The results revealed that both emulsification and pH adjustment have the potential to promote sustainability by controlling the reactivity of TCF reactions. The findings from this study can be utilized to optimize various downhole applications of TCFs, enhancing the efficiency of TCF reactions and success rates. This paper presents in detail the results obtained, and discusses the potential contributions of the examined TCFs’ reactivity control techniques to sustainability.
Objective Seal rings and gaskets are deemed indispensable sealing components for the safe operation of pure hydrogen/ hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas pipelines. Therefore, investigating their performance in hydrogen environments holds great significance for the safe operation of these pipelines. Methods This study focused on reviewing the advancements in research concerning seal rings and gaskets both in China and abroad. It delved into pivotal aspects, including prevalent seal materials for hydrogen environments, the mechanism of hydrogen permeation through seal rings accompanied by hydrogen absorption induced swelling and blister fracture, as well as the compression resilience and creep relaxation of gaskets in non-hydrogen environments, and hydrogen embrittlement of gaskets within hydrogen environments. Results Current researches on the properties of seal rings and gaskets in non-hydrogen environments have achieved promising progress. However, since pure hydrogen or hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas pipelines are still in the stage of initial development, researches on the properties of seal rings and gaskets in these environments are deficient, and many weak points relating to this area are requiring urgent care. Conclusion Hydrogen permeation through rubber O-rings occurs at the molecular level, and this process is influenced by gas pressure and external temperatures. Notably, carbon black and silicon dioxide, serving as filling materials, exhibit significant variations in hydrogen absorption within rubber materials. This necessitates a deeper examination of alternative filling materials and additives to understand their effects on hydrogen absorption. The volumetric expansion of rubber seal materials is observed in hydrogen environments, involving distinct mechanisms of swelling induced by hydrogen absorption and blister fracture. Acknowledging sudden drops in ambient pressure as an indispensable condition for blister fracture and transparent EPDM rubber as the main object of the blister fracture research, this paper advocates further investigation into other hydrogen-compatible rubber materials and the impact of varying hydrogen blending ratios on O-ring swelling. It also underscores the deficiency of in-situ mechanical experimental research on gaskets in contact with hydrogen, emphasizing the crucial need to establish a quantifiable relationship between hydrogen blending ratios and the mechanical performance parameters of gaskets.
The 120-type air brake system is unique around global rail industry and critical for Chinese freight train operation. Existing research about its simulations does not include detailed models for the emergency brake valves. This paper filled this research gap by developing a detailed fluid dynamic air brake system with a focus on the emergency brake valve. The working principle of the emergency brake vale was reviewed. The brake system model was based on gas flow governing equations (mass and momentum) and orifice flow equations. The model was validated by comparing with measured data from a 150-wagon train. Four braking scenarios were compared. The simulated maximum cylinder pressure was only 5 kPa out of the range of the measured data. The maximum difference regarding the time when cylinder pressure reaches maximum pressure was 4 s. The simulation results have also shown variable switch pressure points for the two-stage brake valve. This is agreed by the measured results and was not shown in previously published research.
Hydraulic fracturing has become the main technology for the efficient development of geothermal energy in hot dry rock (HDR), however, few studies on the propagation behavior and mechanism of HDR hydraulic fractures under high-temperature conditions have investigated. In this paper, a large-size high-temperature true triaxial hydraulic fracturing physical modeling apparatus is designed, and hydraulic fracturing experiments with it are performed to investigate the fracture initiation and propagation behavior in natural granite samples collected from Gonghe Basin, the first HDR site in China. The experimental results show that the designed high-temperature apparatus provides a constant-temperature condition during the whole hydraulic fracturing process and the maximum temperature can reach 600 °C, showing its ability to simulate realistic temperatures and pressures in both ultra-deep and HDR formations. Although the tensile strength of the rock samples remains almost unchanged at a temperature of 200 °C, the cooling effects of the fracturing fluid in high-temperature rock can induce the formation of microfractures and significantly reduce the rock strength, thus lowering the breakdown pressure and increasing the complexity of the hydraulic fracture morphology. Compared with traditional oil and gas reservoirs, the hydraulic fractures in HDR are rougher and the specific surface area of a single fracture is larger, which can be helpful for heat extraction. This study provides a basis for understanding hydraulic fracture geometries and field construction design in HDRs.
Hydrogen is often touted as the fuel of the future, but hydrogen is already an important feedstock for the chemical industry. This review highlights current means for hydrogen production and use, and the importance of progressing R&D along key technologies and policies to drive a cost reduction in renewable hydrogen production and enable the transition of chemical manufacturing toward green hydrogen as a feedstock and fuel. The chemical industry is at the core of what is considered a modern economy. It provides commodities and important materials, e.g., fertilizers, synthetic textiles, and drug precursors, supporting economies and more broadly our needs. The chemical sector is to become the major driver for oil production by 2030 as it entirely relies on sufficient oil supply. In this respect, renewable hydrogen has an important role to play beyond its use in the transport sector. Hydrogen not only has three times the energy density of natural gas and using hydrogen as a fuel could help decarbonize the entire chemical manufacturing, but also the use of green hydrogen as an essential reactant at the basis of many chemical products could facilitate the convergence toward virtuous circles. Enabling the production of green hydrogen at cost could not only enable new opportunities but also strengthen economies through a localized production and use of hydrogen. Herein, existing technologies for the production of renewable hydrogen including biomass and water electrolysis, and methods for the effective storage of hydrogen are reviewed with an emphasis on the need for mitigation strategies to enable such a transition.
Stein Tore Johansen, Bjørn Tore Løvfall, Tamara Rodriguez Duran
et al.
A methodology for building pragmatic physics based models (Zoric et al., 2015b) is here adapted to a use-case in the steel industry. The challenge is to predict the erosion of steel ladle linings, such that the model can support operators to decide if the lade lining can be used one more time or not. If the ladle has too thin lining 140 tons of hot liquid steel may escape out of the ladle, with huge consequences for workers and plant. The development was done with a very small core team (two developers), which is typical for many industrial developments. The adopted workflow for the development, challenges that were faced, and some model results are presented. One key learning is that development of models should allow time for maturing the process understanding, and time should be given for many iterations by "questions-responses and actions" at the various levels in the model development. The good interactions between development team and industry case owner is an important success factor. In this case the results of using the PPBM (Pragmatism in physics-based modelling) were good thanks to very successful interaction between development team and industry case owner. Combining or extending the model with use of ML methods and cognition-related methods, such as knowledge graphs and self-adaptive algorithms is discussed.
Natural gas, as one of the main energy sources of the modern clean energy system, is also an important raw material for the chemical industry, and the stable extraction of natural gas reservoirs is often affected by bottom water. It is difficult to control water in natural gas reservoirs, while fractured gas reservoirs are even more demanding. This is due to the complexity of the seepage laws of gas and water in fractures, resulting in the poor applicability of conventional processes for water control. Continuous research is needed to propose a process with effective control capabilities for bottom-water fractured gas reservoirs. Aiming at the above difficulties, this paper is based on a large-scale three-dimensional physical simulation device to carry out physical model design and simulation results testing and analysis. The water control ability of the combination of density-segmented sieve tubes and continuous packers in fractured gas reservoirs is explored. The physical simulation results show that the fracture distribution characteristics control the upward transportation path of bottom water. According to the segmentation characteristics of the fractures at the horizontal section location, optimizing the number of horizontal well screen tube segments and the density of boreholes reduces the cone-in velocity of bottom water before connecting the fractures to a certain extent. And the combined process has different degrees of water control ability for the three stages of bottom water transportation from the fractured gas reservoir to the production well. As the degree of water in the production well increases, the water control ability of the process gradually decreases. After the implementation of the water control process, the water-free gas production period was extended by about 6.84%, and the total production time was extended by about 6.46%. After the shutdown of the horizontal wells, the reduction in daily water production can still reach 21% compared to the natural extraction. The results of this research can provide process suggestions for water control in offshore fractured reservoirs and further ensure stable production in offshore fractured gas reservoirs.
Mulualem G. Gebreslassie, Solomon T. Bahta, Alazar S. Mihrete
The cement industry is struggling with dwindling fossil fuel resources and environmental issues related to climate change. This sector is known for its high energy consumption and generates significant CO2 emissions, accounting for 19% of global thermal energy consumption and 7% of CO2 emissions. For this reason, Cement industries are seeking to replace traditional energy sources with alternative fuels. This study aims to investigate and optimize alternative fuels, evaluating their chemical and physical properties, energy output, production capacity, effect on clinker quality, and impact on combustion flue gas emissions. The study shows that the alternative fuels meet or exceed the minimum international standard of 14 MJ/kg for net calorific value. Therefore, they could replace up to 40% of South African coal in the clinker pre-calcining process. Using alternative fuels such as P. j wood, P. j leaf, P. j charcoal, used tire, and optimized fuels could potentially reduce CO2 emissions by 2%, 9%, 9%, 21%, and 17% respectively. Therefore, policy makers and companies should strongly consider adopting these recommended alternatives.
Alеshkovski Ivan, Andreev Aleksey, Gadzatsev Kirill
et al.
The geopolitical changes that took place in the international arena in 2022, most of which are still ongoing, could not but affect the Russian wind energy industry. The article discusses the consequences of these changes and possible scenarios for further development of the industry, taking into account Russian specifics. The energy strategy of Russia for the period up to 2035, the Strategy of socio-economic development of Russia with low greenhouse gas emissions for the period up to 2050 are analyzed. The potential of the Russian Federation in the field of wind energy is shown. The prospects of cooperation with other countries in order to form a technological base for the manufacture of wind power plants are presented.