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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 9765

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Irfan Anjum Badruddin Magami

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Interests: thermofluid; renewable energy; biomechanics; CFD; FEM; IC Engine; multidisciplinary resaerch

Dr. T. M. Yunus Khan

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Interests: renewable energy; IC engine; biofuels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Sarfaraz Kamangar

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Interests: biomechanics; CFD; biofuels; renewable energy; IC engine

Dr. C. Ahmed Saleel

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Interests: renewable energy; CFD; energy storage

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growth in technology has resulted in amazing advancements, and comfort for all living things on the globe. These developments are mostly driven by energy. The push for further growth is constantly increasing, placing significant strain on energy supply. The ever-increasing need for conventional energy, on the other hand, has resulted in irreversible environmental losses, posing a threat to all forms of life. In this context, renewable energy plays a critical role in protecting the earth while still allowing for long-term growth. However, the technologies that are available for this purpose are still in their infancy and require a great deal of attention to continue to evolve.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a forum for all scholars to present their discoveries on technological developments in renewable energy and sustainability. It covers a wide range of topics, including all types of renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Prospective authors are encouraged to submit their most recent work on the subject.

Prof. Dr. Irfan Anjum Badruddin Magami
Dr. T. M. Yunus Khan
Dr. Sarfaraz Kamangar
Dr. C. Ahmed Saleel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainability
solar energy
wind energy
biofuel
geothermal energy
hydro energy
tidal energy
biomass
optimization of renewable energy for sustainability
nanotechnology and renewable energy
renewable energy and sustainability challenges

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 7813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning Prediction and Optimization of Performance and Emissions Characteristics of IC Engine

by Mallesh B. Sanjeevannavar, Nagaraj R. Banapurmath, V. Dananjaya Kumar, Ashok M. Sajjan, Irfan Anjum Badruddin, Chandramouli Vadlamudi, Sanjay Krishnappa, Sarfaraz Kamangar, Rahmath Ulla Baig and T. M. Yunus Khan

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13825; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813825 - 16 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1333

Abstract

In this work, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of different biodiesel blends with hydrogen peroxide additive on the performance and emissions of an internal combustion engine under various operating parameters. A CI engine was operated with diesel, four dissimilar biodiesels, and H₂O₂ at various proportions. The biodiesel blends used were Jatropha (D60JB30A10, D60JB34A6, D60JB38A2, D60JB40), Honge (D60HB30A10, D60HB34A6, D60HB38A2, D60HB40), Simarouba (D60SB30A10, D60SB34A6, D60SB38A2, D60SB40), and Neem (D60NB30A10, D60NB34A6, D60NB38A2, D60NB40). The engine was tested at different injection operating pressures (200, 205, and 210 bar), a speed of 1500 rpm, and a CR of 17.5:1. From the experiments conducted, it was highlighted that, under specific conditions, i.e., with an injection pressure of 205 bar, 80% load, a compression ratio of 17.5, an injection timing set at 230 before top dead center, and an engine speed of 1500 rpm, the biodiesel blends D60JB30A10, D60HB30A10, D60SB30A10, and D60NB30A10 achieved the highest brake thermal efficiencies of 24%, 23.9675%, 23.935%, and 23.9025%, respectively. Notably, the blend D60JB30A10 stood out with the highest brake thermal efficiency of 24% among these tested blends. Similarly, when evaluating emissions under the same operational conditions, the D60JB30A10 blend exhibited the lowest emissions levels: CO (0.16% Vol), CO₂ (7.8% Vol), HC (59 PPM), and Smoke (60 HSU), while NOx (720 PPM) emissions showed a relative increase with higher concentrations of the hydrogen-based additive. The D60HB30A10, D60SB30A10, and D60NB30A10 blends showed higher emissions in comparison. Additionally, the study suggests that machine learning techniques can be employed to predict engine performance and emission characteristics, thereby cutting down on time and costs associated with traditional engine trials. Specifically, machine learning methods, like XG Boost, random forest regressor, decision tree regressor, and linear regression, were utilized for prediction purposes. Among these techniques, the XG Boost model demonstrated highly accurate predictions, followed by the random forest regressor, decision tree regressor, and linear regression models. The accuracy of the predictions for XG Boost model was assessed through evaluation metrics such as R2-Score (0.999), Root Mean Squared Error (0.540), Mean Squared Error (0.248), and Mean Absolute Error (0.292), which allowed for a thorough analysis of the algorithm’s performance compared to actual values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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21 pages, 3672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal and CFD Analyses of Sustainable Heat Storage-Based Passive Greenhouse Dryer Operating in No-Load Condition

by Asim Ahmad, Om Prakash, Shailesh Kumar Sarangi, Prashant Singh Chauhan, Rajeshwari Chatterjee, Shubham Sharma, Raman Kumar, Sayed M. Tag, Abhinav Kumar, Bashir Salah and Syed Sajid Ullah

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12067; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512067 - 07 Aug 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1146

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive study on thermal and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of an innovative greenhouse dryer designed for passive operation under a no-load condition. The dryer incorporates hybrid thermal storage at the floor and a reflective mirror with thermocoal as the north wall, transforming a classical even-span greenhouse dryer into an efficient and effective system. The experimentation was conducted under clear sky conditions, with variations in global solar radiation (GSR) ranging from 166.6 to 1209 W/m², resulting in an average value of 875.9 W/m². The variations in GSR influenced other ambient parameters, including ambient temperature (28.7 °C to 35.6 °C), ambient relative humidity (33.2% to 45.7%), and ambient wind speed (0.1 to 1.02 m/s). Indoor parameters of the proposed dryer, such as inside temperature (31 °C to 47.35 °C), inside relative humidity (31.1% to 39.1%), ground temperature (44.2 °C to 70.6 °C), and outlet temperature (29 °C to 45.35 °C), were measured hourly. The average values of these parameters were 41.25 °C, 35.31%, 61.65 °C, and 39.25 °C, respectively. Quantitative parameters, including heat loss, overall heat transfer coefficient, coefficient of diffusion, and instantaneous efficiency, were calculated to evaluate the dryer’s performance. The proposed dryer exhibited an improved range of overall heat transfer coefficients (3.87 to 5.03 W/m² K) compared to the modified greenhouse dryer under passive mode and the conventional greenhouse under passive mode. CFD analysis provided temperature distribution plots showing a progressively increasing range of temperatures near the trays, ranging from 310 K to 335 K, suitable for natural convection drying. The findings highlight the superior performance of the innovative dryer compared to contemporary systems. This research contributes to the advancement of drying technology and holds potential for applications in the agriculture and food processing industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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21 pages, 7394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Study of the Effects of Various Operating Parameters on a Biogas-Diesel Dual Fuel Engine

by M. Feroskhan, Saleel Ismail, Gobinath Natarajan, Sreekanth Manavalla, T. M. Yunus Khan, Shaik Dawood Abdul Khadar and Mohammed Azam Ali

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021232 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1410

Abstract

Alternative fuels are found to be the most promising solution to the problem of conventional IC engine pollution because their use curtails its huge emissions without exerting a negative impact on its performance. In this research, a conventional compression ignition engine is investigated by operating it with the combination of simulated biogas and neat diesel under a dual fuel mode of operations. The simulated biogas in the current work comprises different proportions of methane and carbon dioxide in the mixture. The full factorial approach in this work involved studying the effects of parameters such as biogas flow rate, composition, intake temperature, torque, and methane enrichment (complete removal of CO₂ from biogas) on the engine performance, emissions, and combustion indices with an extensive number of experiments. It is witnessed from the research that biogas is capable of providing a maximum of 90% of the overall energy input, while the CI engine operates under dual fuel mode. Under the dual fuel mode of operation involving biogas, a significant amount of reductions are witnessed in secondary fuel consumption (67%), smoke (75%), and NO_x (55%) emissions. At low flow rates, biogas is found to improve brake thermal efficiency (BTE), whereas it reduces hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. Methane enrichment resulted in more diesel substitution by 5.5% and diminishes CO and HC emissions by 5% and 16%, respectively. Increasing the intake temperature caused an increase in thermal efficiency (2%) and a reduction in diesel consumption (~35%), and it curtailed all emission elements except NO_x. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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15 pages, 2439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effort to Mitigate Volatile Fatty Acid Inhibition by Using Mixed Inoculum and Compost for the Degradation of Food Waste and the Production of Biogas

by Lai Llih Shyan, Noreen Suliani Mat Nanyan, Norli Ismail, Adel Al-Gheethi, Hong-Ha T. Nguyen, Dai-Viet N. Vo and Hesham Ali El Enshasy

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021185 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Food waste is a rich organic matter that can potentially be converted into biogas as a source of renewable energy. The limitation in energy production lies in the presence of volatile fatty acid (VFA) during the anaerobic digestion of food waste due to the high degradation rate. The accumulation of VFA leads to a decrease in pH that exceeds the optimal pH range of 6.8–7.6 for methanogens, thus inhibiting methanogenesis and affecting biogas production. In the present study, a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and kombucha mixed inoculum and compost was applied as an alternative treatment method to alleviate inhibition. The digestion efficiency was evaluated on pH, total alkalinity (TA), total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), total solid (TS), and volatile solid (VS) throughout the digestion period of 80 days to analyse the stability of the system. The results revealed that SCOBY and kombucha mixed inoculum caused system instability, inducing inhibition at TVFA of 12,874.1 mg/L, while the pH dropped to 5.23. The inhibition in the digestion system with only the SCOBY inoculum occurred at TVFA of 11,908.3 mg/L, and the pH dropped to 5.67. The biogas and methane yield quantified from the mixed inoculum is 8.792E⁻⁴ L/L d, comparatively lower than the ethanol pre-fermentation treatment method. These findings indicate that the addition of compost improved the pH, VS, and TVFA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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14 pages, 3437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Pilot-Fueling and Nozzle-Opening Pressure on Performance and Tailpipe Emissions of WCO Biodiesel in a CRDi Engine

by Lawrence Joseph Fernandes, C. R. Rajashekhar, T. M. Yunus Khan, Syed Javed and Rahmath Ulla Baig

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11146; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811146 - 06 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Pilot-fueling and nozzle-injection pressure are significant injection parameters, and they have significant impacts on modern vehicles for enhancing the engine output, in addition to meeting rigorous tailpipe-exhaust emission standards. In this current work, the influence of the pilot-fueling pressure and nozzle-opening pressure (NOP) on the engine performance and tailpipe outcomes from a compression-ignition (CI) engine at a higher injection pressure and varying load conditions was investigated using a waste cooking oil (WCO) biodiesel (B20). The experiments were executed in a high-pressure CRDi-fitted diesel engine at the start of pilot fueling (SOPF) (timing: 23° bTDC), and at the start of the main fueling (SOMF) (timing: 33° bTDC). The results showed that the combined influence of the pilot-fueling and nozzle-opening pressure induced a remarkable enhancement in the BTE, by 25.13%, and the BSFC decreased by 13.88%, compared with diesel at 10% pilot fueling. Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions were drastically reduced for the higher pilot-fueling quantity by 21.05%, 16.66%, and 33.10%, respectively, compared with the diesel at 10% pilot fueling. With the implementation of the pilot-fueling strategy, there is no effect on the NOx reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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16 pages, 3812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Analysis of Geothermal Resources in Deep-Seated Fault Area in Tonghe County, Northeast China and Implications of Geothermal Exploration

by Guowen Wang and Jian Kuang

Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5431; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095431 - 30 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1608

Abstract

Northeast China is an area with high energy consumption and high carbon emissions, and the utilization of geothermal resources can effectively overcome these problems. However, there are few geothermal manifestations in Northeast China and no systematic method for geothermal exploration at present, which hinders the utilization of geothermal resources. Here, a systematic analysis, including hydrochemistry, petrology, isotopes, controlled source audio magnetotelluric sounding, drilling, and temperature curve of two boreholes was carried out to investigate the genesis of geothermal resources in Tonghe County, Northeast China, along the Yilan-Yitong lithospheric fault (YYF). We found that the geothermal water is alkaline Na-HCO₃ type water, is of local meteoric origin, and is recharged from the hilly area with an elevation of ~280 m around the study area. We established a geothermal water circulation path model: (1) cold water infiltrated along the YYF to a depth of 2–3 km, (2) cold water was heated by mantle heat, and (3) hot water was stored in sandstone/siltstone, forming a sandstone geothermal reservoir with a temperature of ~70 ℃. These results have important guiding significance for the scientific exploration of geothermal resources in Northeast China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Research on Technologies for Renewable Energy and Sustainability)

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