BACKGROUND As the world continues to transition toward carbon emissions–free energy technologies, there remains a need to also reduce the carbon emissions of the chemical production industry. Today many of the world’s chemicals are produced from fossil fuel–derived feedstocks. Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into chemical feedstocks offers a way to turn waste emissions into valuable products, closing the carbon loop. When coupled to renewable sources of electricity, these products can be made with a net negative carbon emissions footprint, helping to sequester CO2 into usable goods. Research and development into electrocatalytic materials for CO2 reduction has intensified in recent years, with advances in selectivity, efficiency, and reaction rate progressing toward practical implementation. A variety of chemical products can be made from CO2, such as alcohols, oxygenates, synthesis gas (syngas), and olefins—staples in the global chemical industry. Because these products are produced at substantial scale, a switch to renewably powered production could result in a substantial carbon emissions reduction impact. The advancement of electrochemical technology to convert electrons generated from renewable power into stable chemical form also represents one avenue to long-term (e.g., seasonal) storage of energy. ADVANCES The science of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction continues to progress, with priority given to the need to pinpoint more accurately the targets for practical application, the economics of chemical products, and barriers to market entry. It will be important to scale CO2 electrolyzers and increase the stability of these catalysts to thousands of hours of continuous operation. Product separation and efficient recycling of CO2 and electrolyte also need to be managed. The petrochemical industry operates at a massive scale with a complicated global supply chain and heavy capital costs. Commodity chemical markets are difficult to penetrate and are priced on feedstock, which is currently inexpensive as a result of the shale gas boom. CO2 capture costs from the flue or direct air and product separation from unreacted CO2 are also important to consider. Assuming that the advancement of electrocatalytic technologies continues apace, what will it take to disrupt the chemical production sector, and what will society gain by doing so? This review presents a technoeconomic and carbon emissions assessment of CO2 products such as ethylene, ethanol, and carbon monoxide, offering target figures of merit for practical application. The price of electricity is by far the largest cost driver. Electrochemical production costs begin to match those of traditional fossil fuel–derived processes when electricity prices fall below 4 cents per kWh and energy conversion efficiencies reach at least 60%. When powered by renewable electricity, these products can be made with a net negative carbon emissions footprint. A comparative analysis of electrocatalytic, biocatalytic, and fossil fuel–derived chemical production shows that electrocatalytic production has the potential to yield the greatest reduction in carbon emissions, provided that a steady supply of clean electricity is available. Additionally, opportunities exist to combine electrochemical conversion of CO2 with a range of other thermo- and biocatalytic processes to slowly electrify the existing petrochemical supply chain and further upgrade CO2 into more useful chemicals. Technical challenges such as operating lifetime, energy efficiency, and product separation are discussed. Supply chain management of products and entrenched industrial petrochemical competition are also considered. OUTLOOK There exists increasingly widespread recognition of the need to transition to carbon emissions–free means of chemical production. CO2 pricing mechanisms are being developed and are seeing increased governmental support. The nascent carbon utilization economy is gaining traction, with startup companies, global prizes, and industrial research efforts all pursuing new carbon conversion technologies. Recent advances in electrochemical CO2 reduction through the use of gas diffusion electrodes are pushing current densities and selectivities into a realm of industrial use. Despite this progress, there remain technical challenges that must be overcome for commercial application. Additionally, market barriers and cost economics will ultimately decide whether this technology experiences widespread implementation. Electrochemical CO2 conversion. Reduction of CO2 using renewably sourced electricity could transform waste CO2 emissions into commodity chemical feedstocks or fuels. Electrocatalytic transformation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into chemical feedstocks offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions by shifting the chemical industry away from fossil fuel dependence. We provide a technoeconomic and carbon emission analysis of possible products, offering targets that would need to be met for economically compelling industrial implementation to be achieved. We also provide a comparison of the projected costs and CO2 emissions across electrocatalytic, biocatalytic, and fossil fuel–derived production of chemical feedstocks. We find that for electrosynthesis to become competitive with fossil fuel–derived feedstocks, electrical-to-chemical conversion efficiencies need to reach at least 60%, and renewable electricity prices need to fall below 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. We discuss the possibility of combining electro- and biocatalytic processes, using sequential upgrading of CO2 as a representative case. We describe the technical challenges and economic barriers to marketable electrosynthesized chemicals. Science, this issue p. eaav3506
An up-to-date assessment of environmental emissions in the US health care sector is essential to help policy makers hold the health care industry accountable to protect public health. We update national-level US health-sector emissions. We also estimate state-level emissions for the first time and examine associations with state-level energy systems and health care quality and access metrics. Economywide modeling showed that US health care greenhouse gas emissions rose 6 percent from 2010 to 2018, reaching 1,692 kg per capita in 2018-the highest rate among industrialized nations. In 2018 greenhouse gas and toxic air pollutant emissions resulted in the loss of 388,000 disability-adjusted life-years. There was considerable variation in state-level greenhouse gas emissions per capita, which were not highly correlated with health system quality. These results suggest that the health care sector's outsize environmental footprint can be reduced without compromising quality. To reduce harmful emissions, the health care sector should decrease unnecessary consumption of resources, decarbonize power generation, and invest in preventive care. This will likely require mandatory reporting, benchmarking, and regulated accountability of health care organizations.
Abstract In oil and gas industry, produced water is considered as the largest waste stream, which contains relatively higher concentration of hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other pollutants. Due to the increase in industrial activities, the generation of produced water has increased all over the world and its treatment for reuse is now important from environmental perspective. Treatment of produced water can be done through various methods including physical (membrane filtration, adsorption etc.), chemical (precipitation, oxidation), and biological (activated sludge, biological aerated filters and others) methods. This paper aims to highlight characteristics of produced water in detail and physical, chemical, and biological techniques used for its treatment. In addition, reuse of produced water for different purposes has been discussed. At the end, few case studies from different countries, related to the treatment and reuse of their produced waters have been included.
IntroductionRose water, as one of the distillation products prepared from the rose, is widely used in the food industry and traditional medicine in Iran. Therefore, maintaining the microbial and chemical quality of this product is important. Non-thermal processing technologies have attracted wide attention from the food industry. These alternative technologies can increase shelf life and reduce the negative impact on nutrients and natural flavor of foods. Cold plasma technology has been used as a replacement for new generation methods and as a non-thermal technology in the food processing. This research was designed to investigate the effect of atmospheric pressure cold plasma on the physicochemical properties and microbial load of rose water. Materials and MethodsIn this experimental research, a dielectric barrier discharge system was designed. This system was used by producing plasma microbubbles to have an effect on rose water samples with an essential oil content of 28 mg/100 ml. Rose water samples were plasma-treated at 12 and 15 kV for 4, 6 and 8 minutes. Tthe essential oil amount, acid value, iodine number, pH, density, oxidation number, ester number and the total bacterial count were then performed on the samples.Results and DiscussionPlasma showed no significant change in the density of rose water in all treatments. Changes in acidity, pH, ester number and iodide number were observed with increasing time and plasma voltage. These changes were significant between the treatment groups and the control group (P<0.05), but not significant within the treatment groups (P<0.05). The greatest decrease in the amount of essential oil was 10.81 and 8.49 mg per 100 ml of rose water, respectively, related to the treatment with voltage of 15 kV at 6 and 8 minutes. Generation/destruction paths of the radicals and their reactions demonstrate the complicated interplay between the plasma induced species (electrons, photons, radicals, etc.) and the dissolved compounds in the liquid species, which ultimately affect the ion concentration (pH and σ) and the oxidizer concentration (redox) in the liquid. However, a decrease in pH is accompanied by an increase in Eh and σ, with a parallel increase in ROS. In addition, plasma in 8 minutes at voltages of 12 and 15 kV caused a decrease of about 3 log in the total number of mesophilic bacteria compared to the control group. Plasma significantly reduced the total number of mesophilic bacteria in rose water. The bactericidal activity of plasma might occur through several mechanisms. Impact on permeabilisation of the cell membrane or wall, leading to leakage of cellular components, containing potassium, nucleic acid, and proteins. In addition, it causes critical damage of intracellular proteins from oxidative or nitrosative species and direct chemical DNA damage. Plasma-generated reactive species and specially H2O2 were found to be the causative agent of cell death. H2O2 is a well-known antibacterial agent that damages iron–sulphur and mononuclear iron enzymes in bacterial cells.ConclusionThe application of plasma at high voltage and longtime caused a sharp decrease in the amount of essential oil, increased acidity and decreased pH of rose water. It is suggested that future studies be conducted on the type of gas used to produce plasma, the size of the reactor used, and the identification of changes in essential oil compounds using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.Funding Sources This research did not receive any specific funding from funding organizations in the public, commercial or non-profit sectors. Acknowledgement The present research is derived from the master's thesis in physics, and therefore the support of the research deputy of Kashan University and Kashan University of Medical Sciences is acknowledged and thanked.
A gasfield with reserves exceeding 100 billion cubic meters has been discovered in the Central Canyon on the southern slope of the Lingshui Sag in Qiongdongnan Basin. However, the northern slope shows poor oil and gas enrichment, with gas detected but no fields found. One of the key reasons is the absence of large-scale high-quality reservoirs encountered during drilling. To clarify the sedimentary evolution model and distribution patterns of high-quality sand bodies on the northern slope of the Lingshui Sag, this study integrated drilling, logging, mud logging, testing, and seismic data, using techniques such as thin section observation, grain size analysis, and physical property testing. Core facies, logging facies, and seismic facies analyses were carried out for the key strata to establish the sedimentary evolution model of Meishan Formation. Combined with reservoir microscopic characteristics and fault-sand matching, the oil-gas geological significance was clarified. The results showed that during the Meishan Formation period, sediment sources were provided by Hainan Island, and a shelf delta-submarine fan sedimentary system was developed. In the study area, the microfacies sand bodies of channels and channel-lobe complexes were relatively coarse and thick, with box-shaped or bell-shaped logging curves, and stratification and bioturbation were observed in the cores. Seismic data showed U-shaped or V-shaped low-frequency continuous parallel reflections, which served as the main exploration targets in the study area. The development of submarine fans and the differentiation of their internal sand bodies were mainly controlled by fluctuations in relative sea level, paleogeomorphic features, and the intensity of sediment supply. During the second member of the Meishan Formation (hereinafter referred to as Meishan 2) period, the relative sea level dropped, the sediment supply was abundant, and the relative accommodation space was relatively small, with <italic>A</italic>/<italic>S</italic> ≤ 1 (<italic>A</italic> representing relative accommodation space and <italic>S</italic> representing sediment supply). Sediments were transported over long distances to the continental slope, forming multiple phases of submarine fan progradation. Laterally, the development of submarine fans and the differences within their internal sand bodies were controlled by paleogeomorphology and distance from the sediment source, mainly developing in the proximal slope break zones and fault-controlled slope break zones formed by synsedimentary faults. The Meishan 2 reservoirs in the study area had porosity ranging from 8.40% to 26.24%, and permeability ranging from 0.05×10<sup>-3</sup> µm<sup>2</sup> to 26.49×10<sup>-3</sup> µm<sup>2</sup>, mainly characterized by medium porosity and ultra-low to low permeability. High-quality reservoirs were controlled by late-stage reworking. Contour currents could wash, transport, and redeposit gravity flow sediments formed earlier, significantly improving reservoir physical properties. Under the general background of sand deficiency in the study area, the coupling between faults and sand bodies constrained the degree of oil and gas enrichment. Drilling results showed that oil and gas were highly active near the No.2 fault zone. The sand body enrichment zone of the No.2 fault zone was an important oil and gas target for future exploration.
Petroleum refining. Petroleum products, Gas industry
Iliya Iliev, Antonina Filimonova, Andrey Chichirov
et al.
Currently, the key challenge of the oil-refining industry worldwide is to produce environmentally friendly fuel in large volumes to meet market demand, which is due to strict environmental standards governing the permissible sulfur content in fuel. Natural gas, refinery gas, and coal gas contain acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. These compounds must be removed from the gas stream because of the toxicity of H<sub>2</sub>S and to prevent the acid gas-induced corrosion of pipelines and facilities. Hydrogen sulfide is released as a result of various industrial processes, and its removal is critical because this compound can cause corrosion and environmental damage even at low concentrations. Sulfur compounds are also present in natural gas, biofuels and other fuel gases used in power plants. This article proposes new adsorbents of natural and waste origin and presents the results of their testing for the removal of acid gases. This paper also considers methods for the preparation of adsorbents from waste and procedures for the removal of sulfur-containing compounds. Using agricultural, industrial waste to produce activated sorbents not only solves the problem of waste disposal but also reduces the cost of desulfurization, contributing to the creation of sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. The Review Section comprehensively summarizes current research on hydrogen sulfide removal in gas cleaning processes using agricultural and industrial waste as highly efficient adsorbents. In the Experimental Section, 10 composite materials based on natural raw materials and wastes, as well as 6 commercial adsorbents, were synthesized and tested under laboratory conditions. The choice of materials for the adsorbent production was based on the principles of environmental friendliness, availability, and cost-effectiveness. The developed materials based on modified sludge from water treatment plants of thermal power plants are effective sorbents for the purification of gas emissions from petrochemical enterprises. For industrial use, it is necessary to solve the problems of increasing the economic attractiveness of sorbents from waste, the ability of regeneration, the competitive adsorption of pollutants, the use of indicator sorbents, the optimization of operating conditions, and safe waste disposal.
Azadeh Rashidimehr, Fatemeh Mohammadi-Nasrabadi, Barbod Alhouei
et al.
Abstract This study aimed to assess lipid quality indices in various dairy products. A total of seventy samples representing seven commonly consumed dairy products, including milk, yogurt, doogh, kashk, cheese, cream, and ice cream, were randomly collected from chain stores in Iran. The fatty acid composition of these samples was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and lipid quality indices were calculated using the appropriate equations. The results showed that cream and fermented dairy products had the highest concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while ice cream had the lowest levels of SCFAs but the highest concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which accounted for 7.27% of the total fatty acids. Cheese and cream were rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), whereas yogurt contained the highest proportion of long-chain saturated fatty acids, making up 46% of the total fatty acids. Additionally, ice cream exhibited the most favorable lipid quality indices, characterized by lower atherogenicity (AI: 1.70 ± 0.87) and thrombogenicity (TI: 2.54 ± 0.32), along with a superior hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (H/H) ratio of 0.92 ± 0.16. Overall, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the primary groups of fatty acids and their corresponding healthy lipid indices, depending on the type of dairy products analyzed. These findings can assist food policy makers in identifying practical solutions for the development of the dairy industry and in promoting healthier dairy products to support public health.
Electrolytic aluminum production has been one of high energy consuming industries. It still relies on fossil-fired units and has a serious problem of carbon emissions. The transformation of high energy-consuming industrial park (HEIP) to low-carbon economy is imminent. New opportunity is bought by the coupling of green certificate trading (GCT) and carbon emission trading (CET) provides for HEIP to participate in power and carbon markets. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimization scheduling strategy for HEIP participating in both GCT and CET. Firstly, the operational characteristics of carbon capture power plant (CCPP) with flue gas bypass and liquid storage tank were studied. The advantage of CCPP was also analyzed. Secondly, the entire process of electrolytic aluminum production was introduced, along with its demand response model. Then, the correlation mechanism between GCT and CET was studied, in order to promote energy conservation and emission reduction in HEIP. On this basis, an optimal dispatch model for HEIP was established based on distributionally robust chance constraint (DRCC). The uncertainty risk in both sources and loads can be quantified by conditional value at risk (CVaR). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy was verified by Baotou Aluminum Industry “source-network-load-storage integrated project”. The results would contribute to reducing the carbon emissions and total cost of HEIP, and improving renewable energy utilization capacity. It has extendable and utility value to low-carbon economy development of HEIP.
Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations
Indonesia, as the world's largest producer of palm oil, generates a large amount of liquid waste that has the potential to be a renewable energy source. The main problem of liquid waste originated from palm oil industry, apart from its nature, is its potential long-term usability, especially when improvements in biogas-based power generating technologies are put into consideration. Based on these problems, the main purpose of this research is to compare the economical, technical, and environmental scalability between palm oil mill effluent (POME)-based biogas power generation and older, existing diesel-based power generation and analyzing their scalability potential in long term, in aim to increase the utilization of renewable energy portion in Indonesia. This research is conducted by observing an actual palm oil mill facility and its power generation system. Data are analyzed by qualitative and quantitative method by means of computer simulation before being compared with diesel-based power generation system. Based on simulations and comparative analysis, POME-based biogas can be utilized as a fuel source for power generation using gas-fired power generating technology, due to its methane content. With these characteristics, it is possible to analyze the scalability potential of POME-based biogas power plants in the diversification of new and renewable energy sources. Studies on potential development show that biogas power plants are more efficient and have a linear correlation with the volume of liquid waste, and can be adapted in lieu of power generating-related technology advancements. As a result, energy derived from POME can support energy independence and contribute to the growth of clean energy.
Leon Kleebank, Frank Vewinger, Arturo Camacho-Guardian
et al.
Critical exponents characterize the divergent scaling of thermodynamic quantities near phase transitions and allow for the classification of physical systems into universality classes. While quantum gases thermalizing by interparticle interactions fall into the XY model universality class, the ideal Bose gas has been predicted to form a distinct universality class whose signatures have not yet been revealed experimentally. Here, we report the observation of critical scaling in a two-dimensional quantum gas of essentially noninteracting photons, which thermalize by radiative contact to a reservoir of molecules inside a microcavity. By measuring the spatial correlations near the condensation transition, we determine the critical exponent for the correlation length to be $ν= 0.52(3)$. Our results constitute a first experimental test of the long-standing scaling predictions for the Bose gas universality class.
Sayat Zh. Raikulov, Sergey V. Maryan, Tolegen Kh. Yamagulov
Background: Improving technologies for lost circulation control and water shutoff remains a key priority in drilling oil and gas wells. In West Kazakhstan, which holds significant hydrocarbon reserves, various methods are applied, including cement slurries, lost circulation materials (LCM) of different particle sizes, and high-viscosity or polymer systems. Despite notable progress in cementing technologies, universal solutions that combine lost circulation control with water shutoff are still scarce. Their effectiveness is highly dependent on the geological and technical conditions of each field. Current research focuses on selective materials that adapt to reservoir heterogeneity and deliver reliable sealing. Aim: This study summarizes field experience with lost circulation and water shutoff technologies in wells drilled in West Kazakhstan. It also analyzes existing isolation materials and systems in terms of their effectiveness, limitations, and future potential. Materials and methods: The study used data from wells drilled in West Kazakhstan, results of field tests, and patent and technical literature on modern cementing and isolation materials. Results: This study reviews existing isolation systems, their mechanisms, and limitations, supported by field examples and patented technologies. A key focus is the concept of a universal sealing material able to address both lost circulation and water shutoff. This approach could enhance the efficiency of isolation treatments, lower operating costs, and reduce environmental risks. Conclusion: The effectiveness of isolation treatments depends on both the proper selection of materials and the technology of their application. The analysis of existing solutions indicates that, despite a variety of options, consistent performance is not always achieved under complex geological conditions. Therefore, further research is required to optimize formulations and adapt technologies to the specific characteristics of regional fields.
Floriana Boscaino, Elena Ionata, Salvatore De Caro
et al.
Non-conventional yeasts (NCYs) (i.e., non-<i>Saccharomyces</i>) are used as alternative starters to promote aroma complexity of fermented foods (e.g., bakery products). A total of 66 yeasts isolated from artisanal food matrices (bread and pizza sourdoughs and milk whey) from different geographical areas of the Campania region (Italy) were screened for physiological and technological characteristics such as leavening ability, resistance to NaCl and pH, exopolysaccharide and phytase activity production, and carbohydrate assimilation. Selected and isolated microorganisms were also used to study the leavening kinetics in experimental doughs as mixed inocula of two different strains. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the inoculated doughs were analyzed with solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS). Most of the strains belonged to non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> species (<i>Pichia kudriavzevii</i>, <i>Kluyveromyces marxianus</i>) and <i>Saccharomyces</i> (<i>S. cerevisiae</i>). Several strains produced exopolysaccharides (EPSs), that are important for dough rheological properties. Moreover, yeasts isolated from whey showed extracellular phytase activity. The mixed starter culture of the <i>S. cerevisiae</i> and NCY strains showed a synergic effect that enhanced the doughs’ aroma complexity. The use of non-conventional yeasts mixed with <i>S. cerevisiae</i> strains can be advantageous in the bakery industry because they improve the bread aroma profiles and nutritional properties by bioactive molecule production.
This study focuses on the S-to-H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> industry by investigating the chemical looping combustion (CLC) process utilizing Fe-based and Cu-based oxygen carriers (OCs), which are widely applied in CLC technology. The primary objective is to conduct combined CLC reactions of these two metal carriers in a three-zone temperature tube furnace, aiming to achieve a higher SO<sub>2</sub> yield than what is attainable by reacting a single metal carrier with S. The investigation reveals promising industrial applications, offering potential benefits in terms of reducing equipment costs, enhancing energy efficiency, and lowering the emissions of the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> production industry. Through a series of experiments, the study examines the effects of reaction temperature and material molar ratios on SO<sub>2</sub> generation. The solid reaction products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental results indicate that the combined Cu-based and Fe-based OCs exhibit a higher SO<sub>2</sub> yield during the reduction stage compared to using either Fe-based or Cu-based OCs independently. Under optimal conditions, with a carrier gas flow rate of 300 mL/min, an Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/S molar ratio of 6:1 in the second temperature zone, and a reaction temperature of 900 °C, the total SO<sub>2</sub> yield in the third temperature zone reached approximately 85%. This was achieved at a reaction temperature of 850 °C, with an Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/S molar ratio of 6:1 in the first half of the zone and a CuO/S molar ratio of 12:1 in the second half of the zone. SEM-EDS analysis further revealed that the combined OCs showed no significant signs of agglomeration or sintering after 10 cycles of the reaction. However, Cu-based carrier particles increased in size by 50%, while Fe-based carrier particles remained relatively stable. Additionally, the low mass-to-atom ratio of S on the surface of OCs after the cyclic reaction suggests that the reduced-state OCs can be fully oxidized and regenerated following the release of SO<sub>2</sub> during oxidation.
This paper discusses the importance of reflective and socially conscious education in engineering schools, particularly within the EE/CS sector. While most engineering disciplines have historically aligned themselves with the demands of the technology industry, the lack of critical examination of industry practices and their impact on justice, equality, and sustainability is self-evident. Today, the for-profit engineering/technology companies, some of which are among the largest in the world, also shape the narrative of engineering education and research in universities. As engineering graduates form the largest cohorts within STEM disciplines in Western countries, they become future professionals who will work, lead, or even establish companies in this industry. Unfortunately, the curriculum within engineering education often lacks a deep understanding of social realities, an essential component of a comprehensive university education. Here we establish this unusual connection with the industry that has driven engineering higher education for several decades and its obvious negative impacts to society. We analyse this nexus and highlight the need for engineering schools to hold a more critical viewpoint. Given the wealth and power of modern technology companies, particularly in the ICT domain, questioning their techno-solutionism narrative is essential within the institutes of higher education.