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Life cycle assessment of 1 kg hydrogen production utilizing dry reforming of biogas produced via anaerobic co-digestion of biomass
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The energy demand is experiencing an upward trajectory, primarily driven by the utilization of fossil fuel resources. However, due to fuel shortage, rising demand, and environmental concerns, people are seeking green alternatives. Hydrogen fuel is a clean, efficient, and renewable option. This research investigates the synthesis of hydrogen via the dry reforming process of biogas produced through the anaerobic co-digestion method. It also addresses the study of the life cycle assessment of both renewable and non-renewable hydrogen production routes. A life cycle assessment has been performed using 1 kg of hydrogen generation as the functional unit. A cradle-to-gate analysis has been considered for this study. A definitive system boundary has been considered from biomass generation to 1 kg H2 production. It includes building several units, catalysts, biomass and water transportation, cooling water supply, heat and electricity distribution, etc. For the entire procedure, a well-calculated inventory has been established. The evaluation of environmental footprints has been performed using the software openLCA. Five impact categories (climate change, ozone depletion, acidification, particulate matter formation, and freshwater eutrophication) were investigated and compared to a renewable and a non-renewable method from a previous investigation. The effectiveness of implementing anaerobic co-digestion for producing H2 over conventional coal gasification and renewable electrolysis is described and also demonstrated by graphs. This study reveals that anaerobic co-digestion is preferable to energy-intensive electrolysis and coal gasification, despite its considerable particulate matter impact.

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Catalytic Performance of Doped Ni2P Surfaces for Ammonia Synthesis

Ammonia plays a crucial role in upholding the global food supply chain because it is a key ingredient in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers. NH3 is produced industrially from N2 and H2 using the Haber-Bosch process. This process is energy-intensive and requires the consumption of natural gas and coal to produce hydrogen, which leads to the generation of various greenhouse gases. The conventional transition metal catalysts used in this process, such as Fe and Ru, operate at elevated temperatures and pressure to cleave the strong N≡N bond in N2, which is the rate limiting step, followed by sequential hydrogenation of N atoms on the catalytic surface to produce NH3. Previous studies have indicated that reducing the activation barrier of N2 on metal catalysts can lead to stronger binding of atomic N on the surface, ultimately inhibiting N2 activation sites. Recently, metal phosphide catalysts have gained attention for their unique activity, selectivity, and resistance to deactivation in various catalytic reactions. In this study, we investigate the catalytic performance of Ni2P catalyst doped with different transition metals (e.g., Ru and Fe) for ammonia synthesis using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We also explore H-assisted N–N activation pathways involving diazene (NH–NH) and hydrazine (NH2–NH2) to weaken the N–N bond prior to activation.

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Preservation of Bone Volume in Implant-Supported Post-Extraction Sockets: Tissue Conditioning during Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Socket preservation is a vital procedure in oral surgery to maintain the integrity of the alveolar ridge following tooth extraction, providing a favourable environment for subsequent implant placement. The success of post-extractive implantology relies on osseointegration and the establishment of harmonious soft tissue contours. A supporting literature review was conducted to analyse the socket preservation technique and the role of prosthodontics in facilitating optimal soft tissue healing. Relevant studies and clinical trials published between 2000 and 2023 were included. The search was performed using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, using keywords related to socket preservation, post-extractive implantology, prosthodontics, and soft tissue conditioning. Socket preservation techniques, such as guided bone regeneration and biomaterials, have been proven effective in minimising bone resorption and preserving the alveolar ridge volume. However, with proper consideration of the prosthetic aspects, these techniques may yield optimal aesthetic outcomes. Prosthodontics plays a crucial role in soft tissue conditioning by providing provisional restorations, functional and esthetic support, and contouring the emergence profile. The socket preservation technique in oral surgery is fundamental for successful post-extractive implantology. However, it is equally important to consider the prosthodontic aspects to ensure adequate soft tissue conditioning. Provisional restorations can help shape the surrounding soft tissues, maintaining a proper emergence profile and enhancing the final aesthetic outcome.

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Recent Advances in Particle Fluidization

Recent advances in particle fluidization focus on improving the efficiency and control of various processes used in different industries. New technologies, such as spouted beds and circulating fluidized beds, have emerged to improve particle distribution. Additionally, the integration of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and other advanced technology leads to the effective observation of particle fluidization behavior and up-scaling of fluidized beds. In this paper, we aim to give a thorough analysis of studies from various research groups in the field of particle fluidization. The fundamentals of fluidization, recent advanced techniques, models, and simulations, and application of the process will be emphasized. Moreover, it discusses various aspects regarding the challenges and opportunities of the fluidization process. Advances in particle fluidization hold great promise for improving industrial processes and enabling technologies in various industries.

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Experimental study on the influence of chitosan based solution on eggplant and green pepper plants

Water shortages are one of the main factors affecting plant growth, development, and yield, particularly in poor counties. Using chitosan biopolymer improves water efficiency and plant growth. It was therefore decided to investigate the effects of chitosan-based solution on eggplant and pepper growth, moisture content, and thermal conductivity. Multiple methods were used in this experiment. After a period of time, the plant whose soil contained chitosan's results showed that the soil moisture content was higher than the plant whose soil did not contain chitosan. As a result of the use of chitosan, the soil moisture level is increased, which reduces water consumption while watering the plants by 70-80%. In the electrical conductivity experiment, it was found that the plant with chitosan had lower electrical conductivity by approximately 50% than the plant without chitosan. This indicates low content of salt, which allowed it to remain in the appropriate range. Results also demonstrated that eggplant plants preserve high water compared to the pepper plants by roughly 10%.

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Non-Timber Forest Products Bylaws, its impacts on household's food security in Kondoa District, United Republic of Tanzania.

Since early time, human have depended on forest resources to survive. Due to high demand of forest resources for fuel, food, and shelter, hence, the introduction of forest protection and management with the aim of protecting the forest resources. This involves bylaws, which help to regulate and control the community access and use of the forest products as it affected much of the availability of NTFPs to enhance food security in the study area. Our results that 74% of respondents in the study area have a food shortage. Regarding household food security improvement, 81%, 63%, and 36.31% of respondents were enhanced through selling household assets, food aid from institutions and government, and eating edible NTFPs, respectively. Dead woods, wild vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and medicinal plants were allowed to be gathered by communities. Based on the perception of people to improve forest management in the study area, it is essential now to make consensus with the bylaws which have been set. This will help to improve forest management in the area.

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Synthesis, spectral characteristics, and molecular docking studies of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-N-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-(3-arylthioureido)ethyl)acetamide.

2-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid and its derivatives are promising anti-inflammatory agents capable of selectively inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme. In this paper, we report on the synthesis of a series of new derivatives of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid - 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-N-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-(3-arylthioureido)ethyl)acetamides. The method for the synthesis of these compounds is based on the addition of aromatic amines to 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-N-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-isothiocyanatoethyl)acetamide. Target products were obtained in 58-72% yield. The structure of the obtained compounds was reliably proven by 1Н and 13С NMR spectroscopy data. In order to establish the prospects of the synthesized compounds as potential anti-inflammatory agents, we carried out molecular docking studies with COX-2. Molecular docking was carried out using the AutoDock Vina program based on the PyRx 0.8 platform. The preparation of the enzyme structure (PDB ID: 4M11, Mus musculus) and structures of potential inhibitors was carried out using the Chimera 1.14 and ArgusLab 4.0.1 programs, respectively. The conformation corresponding to the lowest energy was chosen as the most likely binding position. According to the results of molecular docking, the structures of the synthesized compounds effectively interact with the active site of COX-2 and surpass 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid in terms of the strength of the complex formed with this enzyme.

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A study of analysis method for the surface roughness on the inner bore of diesel engines before and after running-in operations.

In modern automotive engines, the importance of lubrication properties is increasing with the demand for optimizing mechanical durability and fuel efficiency. The running-in of engines removes microscopic irregularities from the surfaces of engine parts, thereby enhancing the lubrication performance. Therefore, the running-in of engines has the effect of enhancing engine performance and durability, thereby potentially extending their lifespan. On the other hand, running-in is a complicated procedure, and a part of it needs to be performed by consumers themselves. One solution to this problem is to machine the surfaces of the engine parts before running-in so that they have the same surface condition as that after running-in. Realizing this solution requires appropriate evaluation and quantification of surface roughness by the understanding of the changes in the surface topography of engine parts before and after running-in. This study examines the surface roughness of diesel engine cylinder liners and analyzes the differences in the surface topography before and after running-in. Furthermore, this study develops new parameters to quantify the difference in the surface textures of the cylinder liner before and after running-in. The developed parameters are compared with Rsk and Rku, which are the parameters for evaluating the surface wear of parts and are used in the ISO standards, to verify their usefulness in surface analysis.

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Dynamic response of a sono-electrolyzer under PV supply for hydrogen production: A modelling approach for the kinetic and energetic assessment under northern Algerian meteorological conditions

The experimental study of a membraneless single cell of a sono-electrolyzer based on indirect continuous sonication (40 kHz, 60 We) and alkaline electrolysis under a current source is being harnessed to model and simulate the performance of a multi-cell sono-electrolyzer supplied by PV under the real meteorological conditions. The study focuses on the kinetic performance in terms of hydrogen production rates, and the energetic performance through the monitoring of the efficiency of energy conversion. The site of the study (36.9° N, 7.77° E) is located at the extreme North-East of Algeria, whilst the studied period covers the semester ranging from March to September. The alkaline electrolyte consists of 25% w/w of KOH aqueous solution, and Nickel plate is considered for the electrodes’ material. A validated semi empirical model for the dynamic assessment of the global incident solar radiation is adopted, in association with a fundamental model based on the electrical analogy of the electrolytic cell. The sonication is integrated within the model throughout the electrodes’ coverage percentage affecting the bubble resistance and consequently the ohmic overpotential.

The experimental setup and measurements, coupled to the preliminary numerical model led to a fraction of electrodes’ coverage of 37%. The characterization of the sonication system through the calorimetric technique demonstrated an acoustic efficiency of 13.7%. the connection of the PV to the multi-cell sono-electrolyzer has been optimized under the average polarization curves at the selected representative days within the studied period. The gain in terms of the bubble and ohmic resistances have been deduced for the final design throughout the simulated dynamic conditions.

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Mechanical Performance of Protective Epoxy Coatings with Bio-based Ingredients for Flax-Fiber Composites

With its long and continuous cellulose fibers, flax offers excellent specific tensile strength and stiffness relatively to other natural fibers such as hemp or jute and it is widely used as fiber reinforcement in composites with relevance in industries such as automotive, sports and maritime environment. However, the use of natural fibers poses additional challenges relative to synthetic fibers to ensure functional lifetime of composites: in particular, water resistance and resistance against UV conditions should be improved for outdoor use. Therefore, a protective coating offering high resistance against environmental conditions and mechanical damage can be applied to avoid direct surface exposure of the natural fibers. The linseed oil or wax coatings increase hydrophobic surface properties and limit water ingress, but they have drawbacks such as extended curing periods through oxidative crosslinking and weak mechanical performance. Seeking alternatives for natural fiber composites, the potential for biobased crosslinked coatings to enhance mechanical robustness, surface protection and durability was explored by screening various coating grades including bio-based epoxy resin, diluents and crosslinkers. The epoxy coatings with a bio-based phenalkamine crosslinker offer higher hardness and scratch resistance and the water resistance was improved in presence of the amine crosslinker with long alkyl chains. In parallel, the mechanical abrasion resistance of crosslinked coatings hugely increased in relation with the intrinsic mechanical properties and crosslinking density of the coating. The processing of the epoxy coatings was further enhanced by adding a biobased trifunctional diluent with low viscosity, while providing limited shrinkage and good compatibility with the composite substrate. Moreover, the UV resistance was better for epoxy coatings with a biobased diluent likely through migration effects and formation of a protective layer at the outer surface.

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