Processes

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 171 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction”

by Luis Miguel Calvo

Processes 2022, 10(8), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10081619 - 16 Aug 2022

Viewed by 721

Abstract

The problem of global warming and its relationship with human activity is increasingly evident [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

19 pages, 2898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of a Single Multilayer Perceptron Model to Predict the Solubility of CO₂ in Different Ionic Liquids for Gas Removal Processes

by Elías N. Fierro, Claudio A. Faúndez, Ariana S. Muñoz and Patricio I. Cerda

Processes 2022, 10(9), 1686; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10091686 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1333

Abstract

In this work, 2099 experimental data of binary systems composed of CO₂ and ionic liquids are studied to predict solubility using a multilayer perceptron. The dataset includes 33 different types of ionic liquids over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and solubilities. [...] Read more.

In this work, 2099 experimental data of binary systems composed of CO₂ and ionic liquids are studied to predict solubility using a multilayer perceptron. The dataset includes 33 different types of ionic liquids over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and solubilities. The main objective of this work is to propose a procedure for the prediction of CO₂ solubility in ionic liquids by establishing four stages to determine the model parameters: (1) selection of the learning algorithm, (2) optimization of the first hidden layer, (3) optimization of the second hidden layer, and (4) selection of the input combination. In this study, a bound is set on the number of model parameters: the number of model parameters must be less than the amount of predicted data. Eight different learning algorithms with (4,m,n,1)-type hidden two-layer architectures (m = 2, 4, …, 10 and n = 2, 3, …, 10) are studied, and the artificial neural network is trained with three input combinations with three combinations of thermodynamic variables such as temperature (T), pressure (P), critical temperature (Tc), critical pressure, the critical compressibility factor (Zc), and the acentric factor (ω). The results show that the 4-6-8-1 architecture with the input combination T-P-Tc-Pc and the Levenberg–Marquard learning algorithm is a very acceptable and simple model (95 parameters) with the best prediction and a maximum absolute deviation close to 10%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3852 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Influence of Maintenance Actions in the Drying Stage of a Paper Mill on CO₂ Emissions

by Luis Miguel Calvo and Rosario Domingo

Processes 2021, 9(10), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9101707 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1858

Abstract

Greenhouse gases from industrial activities have become a global problem. Emissions management is being developed to raise awareness of the importance of controlling pollution in general and atmospheric emissions in particular. In 2017, the deficit of the rights of issuance in the industrial [...] Read more.

Greenhouse gases from industrial activities have become a global problem. Emissions management is being developed to raise awareness of the importance of controlling pollution in general and atmospheric emissions in particular. In 2017, the deficit of the rights of issuance in the industrial sectors increased up to 8.3% (verified emissions in 2017 versus allocation in 2017). This trend will increase more at the end of Phase III due to a progressive reduction in allocation. Phase IV will be much more restrictive in allocating emission rights than Phase III. The extra cost of this deficit reinforces the need for industry in general to reduce CO₂ and for the paper industry to reduce GHG emissions and generate credits. Old factories are typically identified as sources of pollution in addition to being inefficient compared to new factories. This article discusses the possibilities offered by maintenance actions, whose integration into a process can successfully reduce the environmental impact of industrial plants, particularly by reducing the CO₂ equivalent emissions (CO₂-eq units henceforth CO₂) they produce. This case study analyzes the integration of maintenance rules that enable significant thermal energy savings and consequently CO₂ emissions reduction associated with papermaking. Managing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as the amount of cold water added to the boiler circuit and the conditions of the air blown into the dryer section hood, can be used as indicators of CO₂ emissions generated. The control of the water and temperature reduces these emissions. A defined measure—in this case, t CO₂/t Paper—indicates an achievement of a 21% reduction in emissions over the past 8 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 68660 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Quantifying the Impact of Production Globalization through Application of the Life Cycle Inventory Methodology and Its Influence on Decision Making in Industry

by Humberto. J. Prado-Galiñanes and Rosario Domingo

Processes 2021, 9(8), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9081271 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2419

Abstract

Industries are nowadays not only expected to produce goods and provide services, but also to do this sustainably. What qualifies a company as sustainable implies that its activities must be defined according to the social and ecological responsibilities that are meant to protect [...] Read more.

Industries are nowadays not only expected to produce goods and provide services, but also to do this sustainably. What qualifies a company as sustainable implies that its activities must be defined according to the social and ecological responsibilities that are meant to protect the society and the environment in which they operate. From now on, it will be necessary to consider and measure the impact of industrial activities on the environment, and to do so, one key parameter is the carbon footprint. This paper demonstrates the utility of the LCI as a tool for immediate application in industries. Its application shall facilitate decision making in industries while choosing amongst different scenarios to industrialize a certain product with the lowest environmental impact possible. To achieve this, the carbon footprint of a given product was calculated by applying the LCI method to several scenarios that differed from each other only in the supply-chain model. As a result of this LCI calculation, the impact of the globalization of a good’s production was quantified not only financially, but also environmentally. Finally, it was concluded that the LCI/LCA methodology can be considered as a fundamental factor in the new decision-making strategy that sustainable companies must implement while deciding on the business and industrial plan for their new products and services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Swirl and Boiling Heat Transfer on the Performance Enhancement and Emission Reduction for a Medium Diesel Engine Fueled with Biodiesel

by Dongli Tan, Zhiyong Chen, Jiangtao Li, Jianbin Luo, Dayong Yang, Shuwan Cui and Zhiqing Zhang

Processes 2021, 9(3), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9030568 - 23 Mar 2021

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 3260

Abstract

In order to improve the accuracy of numerical simulation, a new heat transfer model is developed by using a modular approach in the Anstalt für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen (AVL)-Boost software. The improved heat transfer model mainly considers the effects of the swirl and boiling heat [...] Read more.

In order to improve the accuracy of numerical simulation, a new heat transfer model is developed by using a modular approach in the Anstalt für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen (AVL)-Boost software. The improved heat transfer model mainly considers the effects of the swirl and boiling heat transfer inside the engine. In addition, a chemical kinetics mechanism including 475 reactions and 134 species is employed to predict the combustion of diesel engines fueled with biodiesel. The result shows that the boiling heat transfer will occur, especially in the high-temperature area. Analysis shows that the improved model is reliable and its precision is increased. Finally, the perturbation method is employed to investigate the relatively important inputs as the complex nonlinear function with a lot of output data and input data produced by the improved model. The relative effects of different parameters such as EGR, injection mass, injection timing, compression ratio, inlet air pressure, fuel injection pressure, exhaust pressure and inlet air temperature on performance and emission characteristics are compared. The eight parameters are investigated on four outputs of brake power, Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC), NO_x and HC. The injected fuel mass plays an important role in emissions and performance. The EGR, compression ratio and inlet air pressure have a great effect on the HC and NO_x emission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Renewable Energy and CO₂ Emission Levels Nexus at an EU Level: A Panel Data Regression Approach

by Mihail Busu and Alexandra Catalina Nedelcu

Processes 2021, 9(1), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9010130 - 09 Jan 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3379

Abstract

In the past decades, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have become an important issue for many researchers and policy makers. The focus of scientists and experts in the area is mainly on lowering the CO₂ emission levels. In this article, panel [...] Read more.

In the past decades, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have become an important issue for many researchers and policy makers. The focus of scientists and experts in the area is mainly on lowering the CO₂ emission levels. In this article, panel data is analyzed with an econometric model, to estimate the impact of renewable energy, biofuels, bioenergy efficiency, population, and urbanization level on CO₂ emissions in European Union (EU) countries. Our results underline the fact that urbanization level has a negative impact on increasing CO₂ emissions, while biofuels, bioenergy production, and renewable energy consumption have positive and direct impacts on reducing CO₂ emissions_. Moreover, population growth and urbanization level are negatively correlated with CO₂ emission levels. The authors’ findings suggest that the public policies at the national level must encourage the consumption of renewable energy and biofuels in the EU, while population and urbanization level should come along with more restrictions on CO₂ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 3577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Technological Innovation in a Dynamic Model of the Environmental Supply Chain Curve: Evidence from a Panel of 102 Countries

by Muhammad Khalid Anser, Muhammad Azhar Khan, Usama Awan, Rubeena Batool, Khalid Zaman, Muhammad Imran, Sasmoko, Yasinta Indrianti, Aqeel Khan and Zainudin Abu Bakar

Processes 2020, 8(9), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8091033 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 65 | Viewed by 4554

Abstract

Advancing smart production systems for green production remains a crucial priority for manufacturers, while the vision to achieve green supply chain management process (GSCMP) remains obstructed due to using less fuel-efficient technologies. This study suggested an intelligent logistics design that infused technological indicators [...] Read more.

Advancing smart production systems for green production remains a crucial priority for manufacturers, while the vision to achieve green supply chain management process (GSCMP) remains obstructed due to using less fuel-efficient technologies. This study suggested an intelligent logistics design that infused technological indicators with logistics performance indices (LPIs) to minimize carbon damages in a panel of 102 countries. The study used patent applications and trademark applications to analyze the technological progress, whereas LPIs—i.e., LPI-1 for assessing quality and competence services, and LPI-2 for trade and transport infrastructure—are used to determine supply chain management process across countries. The results show that carbon damages follow a U-shaped structure with technology-induced LPIs (TI-LPIs) and GDP per capita. The country’s GDP per capita and TI-LPIs decrease carbon damages up to US$15,000,000, while the moderation of patents application (and trademark applications) with LPI1 and LPI2 substantially decreases carbon damages up to US$13,800,000 (US$34,100,000) and US$6,100,000 (US$20,200,000), respectively. The causality estimates confirmed the growth-led carbon damages, technology-led carbon damages, growth-led logistics indices, and technology-led growth across countries. The results emphasized the need to move forward by adopting fuel-efficient technologies to minimize carbon damages across countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

32 pages, 1895 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Opportunities and Barriers of Hydrogen–Electric Hybrid Powertrain Vans: A Systematic Literature Review

by Oscar Castillo, Roberto Álvarez and Rosario Domingo

Processes 2020, 8(10), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8101261 - 07 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3409

Abstract

The environmental impact of the road transport sector, together with urban freight transport growth, has a notable repercussions in global warming, health and economy. The need to reduce emissions caused by fossil fuel dependence and to foster the use of renewable energy sources [...] Read more.

The environmental impact of the road transport sector, together with urban freight transport growth, has a notable repercussions in global warming, health and economy. The need to reduce emissions caused by fossil fuel dependence and to foster the use of renewable energy sources has driven the development of zero-emissions powertrains. These clean transportation technologies are not only necessary to move people but to transport the increasing demand for goods and services that is currently taking place in the larger cities. Full electric battery-powered vans seem to be the best-placed solution to the problem. However, despite the progress in driving range and recharge options, those and other market barriers remain unsolved and the current market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is not significant. Based on the development of hydrogen fuel cell stacks, this work explains an emerging powertrain architecture concept for N1 class type vans, that combines a battery-electric configuration with a fuel cell stack powered by hydrogen that works as a range extender (FC-EREV). A literature review is conducted, with the aim to shed light on the possibilities of this hybrid light-duty commercial van for metropolitan delivery tasks, providing insights into the key factors and issues for sizing the powertrain components and fuel management strategies to meet metropolitan freight fleet needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Optimization Technology of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (8 papers)

Editorial

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI