|
“Characterisation of individual aerosol particles for atmospheric and cultural heritage studies”. Van Grieken R, Gysels K, Hoornaert S, Joos P, Osán J, Szalóki I, Worobiec A page 215 (2000).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
|
|
|
“Characterisation of hydrous ferric oxides derived from iron-rich groundwaters and their contribution to the suspended sediment of streams”. Baken S, Sjostedt C, Gustafsson JP, Seuntjens P, Desmet N, De Schutter J, Smolders E, Applied geochemistry 39, 59 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APGEOCHEM.2013.09.013
Abstract: When Fe(II) bearing groundwaters surface in streams, particulate authigenic Fe-rich material is produced by oxidation. Such freshly precipitated Fe minerals may be transported as suspended sediment and have a profound impact on the fate of trace metals and nutrients in rivers. The objective of this study was to monitor changes in mineralogy and composition of authigenic material from its source to streams of increasing order. Groundwaters, surface waters, and suspended sediment in streams of different order were sampled in the Kleine Nete catchment (Belgium), a lowland with Fe-rich groundwaters (3.5-53.8 mg Fe/L; pH 6.3-6.9). Fresh authigenic material (>0.45 mu m) was produced by oxidising filtered (<0.45 mu m) groundwater and surface water. This material contained, on average, 44% Fe, and smaller concentrations of C, P, and Ca. Iron EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) spectroscopy showed that the Fe was present as poorly crystalline hydrous ferric oxides with a structure similar to that of ferrihydrite. The Fe concentration in the suspended sediment samples decreased to 36-40% (stream order 2), and further to 18-26% (stream order 4 and 5). Conversely, the concentrations of organic C, Ca, Si, and trace metals increased with increasing stream order, suggesting mixing of authigenic material with suspended sediment from a different source. The Fe speciation in the suspended sediment was similar to that in fresh authigenic material, but more Fe-Fe interactions were observed, i.e. it was increasingly hydrolysed, suggesting ageing reactions. The suspended sediment in the streams of order 4 and 5 is estimated to contain between 31% and 59% of authigenic material, but more data are needed to refine this estimate. The authigenic material is an important sink for P in these streams which may alleviate the eutrophication risk in this catchment. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.APGEOCHEM.2013.09.013
|
|
|
“Characterisation of concentrates of heavy mineral sands by micro-Raman spectrometry and CC-SEM/EDX with HCA”. Worobiec A, Stefaniak EA, Potgieter-Vermaak S, Sawlowicz Z, Spolnik Z, Van Grieken R, Applied geochemistry 22, 2078 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APGEOCHEM.2007.05.003
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.APGEOCHEM.2007.05.003
|
|
|
“Characterisation of Amazon Basin aerosols at the individual particle level by X-ray microanalytical techniques”. Worobiec A, Szalóki I, Osán J, Maenhaut W, Stefaniak EA, Van Grieken R, Atmospheric environment : an international journal 41, 9217 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2007.07.056
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2007.07.056
|
|
|
“Characterisation of air pollutants in museum showcases”. Kontozova V, Deutsch F, Godoi R, Godoi AF, Joos P, Van Grieken R, (2002)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
|
|
|
“Characterisation of aerosol particles in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area”. de Miranda RM, de Fátima Andrade M, Worobiec A, Van Grieken R, Atmospheric environment : an international journal 36, 345 (2002). http://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00363-6
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00363-6
|
|
|
“Change in silica sources in Roman and post Roman glass”. Aerts A, Janssens K, Velde B, Dijkman W, Spectrochimica acta: part B : atomic spectroscopy 58, 659 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0584-8547(02)00287-2
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.241
DOI: 10.1016/S0584-8547(02)00287-2
|
|
|
“CFD-modelling of activated carbon fibers for indoor air purification”. Roegiers J, Denys S, Chemical engineering journal 365, 80 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2019.02.007
Abstract: Activated carbon fibers for indoor air purification were investigated by means of pressure drop and adsorption capacity. The Darcy-Forchheimer law combined with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling was deployed to simulate the pressure drop over an activated carbon fiber (ACF) filter with varying filter thickness. The CFD model was later combined with adsorption modelling to simulate breakthrough profiles of acetaldehyde adsorption on the ACF-filter. The adsorption model incorporates mass transfer resistance and adsorption equilibrium. It assumes local equilibrium between gas phase and solid phase. The latter was investigated for three different adsorption isotherms: linear, Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption. Successful agreement between model simulations and experimental data was obtained, using the Freundlich adsorption model. The numerical model could provide valuable insights and allows to continuously improve the design of filtration devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2019.02.007
|
|
|
Van Hoecke L (2024) CFD-Assisted design of fluidized reactors for H2 release from LOHC. XXXIII, 181 p
Abstract: Hydrogen (H2) is expected to become a key molecule in the transition towards a society running on renewable energy. It can be used to store excess renewable energy at peak production moments and release this energy at a later stage when renewable energy production is less. However, storing H2 is challenging due to the low density of this gas. As a solution, Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers or LOHC molecules have been proposed in the passed to increase volumetric energy density of H2. LOHC are a class of molecules that have storage sites available, to which the H2 gas can be chemically bounded. The LOHC molecule under investigation was dibenzyltoluene (DBT), which is an oil like liquid, that is easy to transport and poses little fire or explosion risks. To release the H2 from the DBT carrier, via a so-called dehydrogenation reaction, efficient mass and heat transfer is required during the process, since a large volume increase is expected from H2 release and the reaction is endothermic, i.e., a self – cooling process that takes place at temperatures around 300 C. The heat has to be supplied specifically to the active sites of catalyst particles that are present inside the reactor and which enable the dehydrogenation to proceed. For heat transfer limited processes fluidized bed reactors are often used, which is a type of reactor where the particle phase is being agitated by the fluid flow. The research proposed in this work, was to explore via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations the possibilities and challenges of using fluidized bed reactors for the dehydrogenation of LOHC. The model selection required for CFD simulations of a three-phase system was investigated in this work, with a main emphasis on the drag model selection. The CFD modelling study was focused on the use of swirling fluidized bed reactors, since it was hypothesised that the swirling effect could also aid in increased removal of the gas phase from the reaction medium to increase the efficiency of the process. Ultimately, it was shown that the main challenges in the design of fluidized bed reactors will be to create uniform particle distribution inside the reactor. A new design for a dehydrogenation reactor is proposed based on the insights gained in this thesis.
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology
DOI: 10.63028/10067/2056450151162165141
|
|
|
“CFD- and radiation field modeling of a gas phase photocatalytic multi-tube reactor”. Roegiers J, van Walsem J, Denys S, Chemical engineering journal 338, 287 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2018.01.047
Abstract: This paper focusses on the development of a Multiphysics model as a tool for assessing the performance of a multi-tube photoreactor. The model predicts the transient behavior of acetaldehyde concentration, as a model compound for the organic fraction of the indoor air pollutants, under varying sets of conditions. A 3D-model couples radiation field modeling with reaction kinetics and fluid dynamics in order to simulate the transport of the pollutant as it progresses through the reactor. A model-based approach is proposed to determine the layer thickness and refractive index of different P25-powder modified solgel coatings, using an optimization procedure to estimate these parameters based on UV-irradiance measurements. The radiation field model was able to accurately predict the irradiance on the catalytic surface within the reactor. Consequently, the radiation field model was used to define an irradiance dependent reaction rate constant in a coupled Multiphysics model. An optimization routine was deployed to estimate the adsorption, desorption- and photocatalytic reaction rate constants on the TiO2-surface, using experimentally determined, transient outlet concentrations of acetaldehyde. Additionally, a validation test was performed in an air-tight climate chamber at much higher flow rates, higher irradiance and realistic indoor pollutant concentrations to emphasize the reliability and accuracy of the parameters for adsorption, desorption and photocatalytic reaction. The developed model makes it possible to optimize the reactor design and scale-up for commercial applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2018.01.047
|
|
|
Sleegers N (2021) Cephalosporin antibiotics : electrochemical fingerprints and redox pathways investigated by mass spectral analysis. 208 p
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
|
|
|
“Centralised, decentralised or hybrid sanitation systems? Economic evaluation under urban development uncertainty and phased expansion”. Roefs I, Meulman B, Vreeburg JHG, Spiller M, Water research 109, 274 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.11.051
Abstract: Sanitation systems are built to be robust, that is, they are dimensioned to cope with population growth and other variability that occurs throughout their lifetime. It was recently shown that building sanitation systems in phases is more cost effective than one robust design. This phasing can take place by building small autonomous decentralised units that operate closer to the actual demand. Research has shown that variability and uncertainty in urban development does affect the cost effectiveness of this approach. Previous studies do not, however, consider the entire sanitation system from collection to treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the economic performance of three sanitation systems with different scales and systems characteristics under a variety of urban development pathways. Three systems are studied: (I) a centralised conventional activated sludge treatment, (II) a community on site source separation grey water and black water treatment and (III) a hybrid with grey water treatment at neighbourhood scale and black water treatment off site. A modelling approach is taken that combines a simulation of greenfield urban growth, a model of the wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure design properties and a model that translates design parameters into discounted asset lifetime costs. Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the economic performance under uncertain development trends. Results show that the conventional system outperforms both of the other systems when total discounted lifetime costs are assessed, because it benefits from economies of scale. However, when population growth is lower than expected, the source-separated system is more cost effective, because of reduced idle capacity. The hybrid system is not competitive under any circumstance due to the costly double piping and treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.11.051
|
|
|
“Cation ordering in Tl- and Hg-based superconducting materials”. Van Tendeloo G, De Meulenaere P, Hervieu M, Letouze F, Martin C, (1996)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
|
|
|
“Catalytic Nox reduction with simultaneous dioxin and furan oxidation”. Goemans M, Clarysse P, Joannès J, de Clercq P, Lenaerts S, Matthys K, Boels K, Chemosphere 54, 1357 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00255-8
Abstract: The engineering, construction, performance and running costs of a catalytic flue gas cleaning component in the low dust area of a municipal waste incinerator is discussed. For this purpose, the case study of a Flemish incineration plant is presented, covering the history, the design procedure of the catalyst, relevant process data and the financial aspects. A reliable PCDD/F-destruction by means of oxidation by the catalyst to typical values of 0.001 ng TEQ/Nm3 has been demonstrated. At the same time, NOx− and CO-emissions are reduced by 90% and 20% to about 50 mg/Nm3 and below 10 mg/Nm3, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
Impact Factor: 4.208
DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00255-8
|
|
|
“Catalytic Nox reduction with simultaneous dioxin and furan oxidation”. Goemans M, Clarysse P, Joannès J, de Clercq P, Lenaerts S, Matthys K, Boels K, Chemosphere 50, 489 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00554-4
Abstract: The engineering, construction, performance and running costs of a catalytic flue gas cleaning component in the low dust area of a municipal waste incinerator is discussed. For this purpose, the case study of a Flemish incineration plant is presented, covering the history, the design procedure of the catalyst, relevant process data and the financial aspects. A reliable PCDD/F-destruction by means of oxidation by the catalyst to typical values of 0.001 ng TEQ/N m3 has been demonstrated. At the same time, NOx- and CO-emissions are reduced by 90% and 20% to about 50 mg/N m3 and below 10 mg/N m3, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
Impact Factor: 4.208
DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00554-4
|
|
|
Só,ti V (2019) Catalytic detoxification of lignocellulose hydrolyzate. XXVII, 243 p
Abstract: The present PhD research investigated the possibility of catalytic detoxification of poplar wood based and steam exploded lignocellulosic hydrolyzate with different types of laccase enzymes, with special focus on ethanol and lactic acid products at industrially relevant parameters: high final product concentration, high initial substrate loading and integrated processes. The simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process was taken as a base case and five types of laccases were thoroughly investigated on their utilization potential. Phenolic removal from the liquid xylose rich fraction (XRF) was higher with fungal laccases (65-90 %) compared to approximately 30 % removal with bacterial laccase. Moreover, the optimal pH of fungal laccases was close to pH 4.5, the optimum for cellulase, while the bacterial laccase worked at basic pH. Integrating laccase treatment and hydrolysis together showed that fungal laccases have negative impact on final sugar concentration, while bacterial laccase had a strong positive effect. Although bacterial laccase removed less phenol and although its optimal conditions are difficult to integrate with hydrolysis, its enhancing effect on cellulase activity makes it a better candidate for application. The presence of the solid fraction (SF) alters the phenolic concentration evolution significantly, thus screening experiments with the liquid fraction alone do not provide sufficient information for the combined process. Magnetic Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (m-CLEAs) immobilization was assessed for bacterial laccase. m-CLEAs decreased phenolic concentration faster at every pH compared to free bacterial laccase; however, the removal was caused by adsorption rather than by enzyme activity. Although the size of m-CLEAs particles are in the µm range, around 90 % of the initial catalyst mass was recycled from a dense (15 % substrate loading) mixture via magnetic separation. The high recycling rate is promising; m-CLEAs immobilization method can have industrial utilization potential. Minimum sugar revenue (MSR) estimations show that currently hardwood based MSR is 70 % more expensive than corn grain based MSR. About 7-10 fold cellulase activity increase will be needed until MSR will be competitive with corn grain MSR. However, m-CLEAs cellulase can already be competitive if the corn prices are in the higher regime of last year’s prices.
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE)
|
|
|
“Case specific prediction intervals for tri-PLS1 : the full local linearisation”. Serneels S, Faber K, Verdonck T, van Espen PJ, Chemometrics and intelligent laboratory systems 108, 93 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOLAB.2011.05.002
Abstract: A new method to estimate case specific prediction uncertainty for univariate trilinear partial least squares (tri-PLS1) regression is introduced. This method is, from a theoretical point of view, the most exact finite sample approximation to true prediction uncertainty that has been reported up till now. Using the new method, different error sources can be propagated, which is an advantage that cannot be offered by data driven approaches such as the bootstrap. In a concise example, it is illustrated how the method can be applied. In the Appendix, efficient algorithms are presented to compute the estimates required.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOLAB.2011.05.002
|
|
|
“Carrier transport in a two-dimensional topological insulator nanoribbon in the presence of vacancy defects”. Tiwari S, Van de Put ML, Sorée B, Vandenberghe WG, International Conference on Simulation of Semiconductor Processes and Devices : [proceedings]
T2 –, International Conference on Simulation of Semiconductor Processes and, Devices (SISPAD), SEP 24-26, 2018, Austin, TX , 92 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1109/SISPAD.2018.8551720
Abstract: We model transport through two-dimensional topological insulator (TI) nanoribbons. To model the quantum transport, we employ the non-equilibrium Green's function approach. With the presented approach, we study the effect of lattice imperfections on the carrier transport. We observe that the topologically protected edge states of TIs are robust against a high percentage (2%) of vacancy defects. We also investigate tunneling of the edge states in two decoupled TI nanoribbons.
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
DOI: 10.1109/SISPAD.2018.8551720
|
|
|
“Carbon segregation and cementite precipitation at grain boundaries in quenched and tempered lath martensite”. Morsdorf L, Kashiwar A, Kübel C, Tasan CC, Materials science and engineering: part A: structural materials: properties, microstructure and processing 862, 144369 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MSEA.2022.144369
Abstract: Tempering is widely applied to make carbon atoms beneficially rearrange in high strength steel microstructures after quenching; though the nano-scale interaction of carbon atoms with crystallographic defects is hard to experimentally observe. To improve, we investigate the redistribution of carbon atoms along martensite grain boundaries in a quenched and tempered low carbon steel. We observe the tempering-induced microstructural evolution by in-situ heating in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and by compositional analysis through atom probe tomography (APT). Probe volumes for APT originate from a single martensite packet but in different tempering conditions, which is achieved via a sequential lift-out with in-between tempering treatments. The complementary use of TEM and APT provides crystallographic as well as chemical information on carbon segregation and subsequent carbide precipitation at martensite grain boundaries. The results show that the amount of carbon segregation to martensite grain boundaries is influenced by the boundary type, e.g. low-angle lath or high-angle block boundaries. Also, the growth behavior of cementite precipitates from grain boundary nucleation sites into neighboring martensite grains differs at low- and high-angle grain boundaries. This is due to the crystallographic constraints arising from the semi-coherent orientation relationship between cementite and adjacent martensite. We also show that slower quenching stabilizes thin retained austenite films between martensite grains because of enhanced carbon segregation during cooling. Finally, we demonstrate the effect of carbon redistribution along martensite grain boundaries on the mechanical properties. Here, we compare micro-scale Vickers hardness results from boundary-containing probe volumes to nanoindentation results from pure bulk martensite (boundary-free) probe volumes.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 6.4
DOI: 10.1016/J.MSEA.2022.144369
|
|
|
de Aquino BRCHT (2018) Carbon nanotubes and graphene based devices : from nanosensors to confined water. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
|
|
|
de Aquino BRCHT (2018) Carbon nanotubes and graphene based devices : from nanosensors to confined water. 161 p
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
|
|
|
“Carbon flux and carbon stock in a bamboo stand and their relevance for mitigating climate change”. Düking R, Gielis J, Liese W, Bamboo Science &, Culture 24, 1 (2011)
Abstract: In this report we describe the basics of biological carbon fixation in bamboo forests. Confusing carbon stock with carbon flux has led to false expectations on the significance of bamboo forests as carbon sinks. Furthermore, misunderstandings about the growth of bamboo culms can lead to highly exaggerated expectations on the productivity of bamboo.
Keywords: A3 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
|
|
|
Kurttepeli M (2015) Carbon based materials and hybrid nanostructures investigated by advanced transmission electron microscopy. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
|
|
|
“Caracterização dos sistemas iônicos e particulado no reservatório”. Godoi RHM, Bittencourt AVL, Hirata PY, Jafelicci Junior M, dos Reis Neto JM, de Souza Sarkis JE, Zara LF, Van Grieken R page 170 (2011).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
|
|
|
“Caractérisation historique et chimique des peintures en grisaille et du verre de vitrail dans l'oeuvre de J.-B. Capronnier (1814 –, 1891) et J.-B. Bethune (1821 –, 1894)”. Caen J, Schalm O, Janssens K, (2000)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
|
|
|
“Capturing the real-time hydrolytic degradation of a library of biomedical polymers by combining traditional assessment and electrochemical sensors”. Fuoco T, Cuartero M, Parrilla M, García-Guzmán JJ, Crespo GA, Finne-Wistrand A, Biomacromolecules 22, 949 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.BIOMAC.0C01621
Abstract: We have developed an innovative methodology to overcome the lack of techniques for real-time assessment of degradable biomedical polymers at physiological conditions. The methodology was established by combining polymer characterization techniques with electrochemical sensors. The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of a series of aliphatic polyesters was evaluated by following the molar mass decrease and the mass loss at different incubation times while tracing pH and l-lactate released into the incubation media with customized miniaturized electrochemical sensors. The combination of different analytical approaches provided new insights into the mechanistic and kinetics aspects of the degradation of these biomedical materials. Although molar mass had to reach threshold values for soluble oligomers to be formed and specimens’ resorption to occur, the pH variation and l-lactate concentration were direct evidence of the resorption of the polymers and indicative of the extent of chain scission. Linear models were found for pH and released l-lactate as a function of mass loss for the l-lactide-based copolymers. The methodology should enable the sequential screening of degradable polymers at physiological conditions and has potential to be used for preclinical material’s evaluation aiming at reducing animal tests.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 5.246
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.BIOMAC.0C01621
|
|
|
“Capture-ferment-upgrade : a three-step approach for the valorization of sewage organics as commodities”. Alloul A, Ganigue R, Spiller M, Meerburg F, Cagnetta C, Rabaey K, Vlaeminck SE, Environmental science and technology 52, 6729 (2018). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.EST.7B05712
Abstract: This critical review outlines a roadmap for the conversion of chemical oxygen demand (COD) contained in sewage to commodities based on three-steps: capture COD as sludge, ferment it to volatile fatty acids (VFA), and upgrade VFA to products. The article analyzes the state-of-the-art of this three step approach and discusses the bottlenecks and challenges. The potential of this approach is illustrated for the European Union's 28 member states (EU-28) through Monte Carlo simulations. High-rate contact stabilization captures the highest amount of COD (66-86 g COD person equivalent(-1) day(-1) in 60% of the iterations). Combined with thermal hydrolysis, this would lead to a VFA-yield of 23-44 g COD person equivalent(-1) day(-1). Upgrading VFA generated by the EU-28 would allow, in 60% of the simulations, for a yearly production of 0.2-2.0 megatonnes of esters, 0.7-1.4 megatonnes of polyhydroxyalkanoates or 0.6-2.2 megatonnes of microbial protein substituting, respectively, 20-273%, 70-140% or 21-72% of their global counterparts (i.e., petrochemical-based esters, bioplastics or fishmeal). From these flows, we conclude that sewage has a strong potential as biorefinery feedstock, although research is needed to enhance capture, fermentation and upgrading efficiencies. These developments need to be supported by economic/environmental analyses and policies that incentivize a more sustainable management of our resources.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.7B05712
|
|
|
“Canola adoption enhancement in Western Iran”. Zarafshani K, Ghasemi S, Houshyar E, Ghanbari R, Van Passel S, Azadi H, Journal Of Agricultural Science And Technology 19, 47 (2017)
Abstract: Canola production is an important alternative for agricultural policy-makers in Iran to reduce dependency on the imported vegetable oils. Nevertheless, the canola planted area is only increasing at a slow pace, indicating a low willingness-to-accept of farmers. The general aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the canola adoption in the Kermanshah Province in Western Iran. Employing stratified random sampling method, 106 farmers from each adopter and non-adopter group were selected. Helping to reach a suitable extensional program, two main categories of variables were defined; i.e. farmers personal characteristics and extension parameters. The analysis of farmers personal characteristics variables revealed that the adopters had larger farms and were younger. The results also show that 80% of the adopters were highly to very highly willing to cultivate canola. Furthermore, a logistic regression model estimated the influence of extensional parameters variables on the canola adoption. According to the regression model, the most effective factors are contact with extension agents and participating in extension classes. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the focus of extension services should be to reduce the distance to agricultural service centers in combination with more contact with extension agents and classes.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 0.813
|
|
|
“Can we find an optimal fatty acid composition of biodiesel in order to improve oxidation stability?”.Maes RR, Potters G, Fransen E, Geuens J, Van Schaeren R, Lenaerts S, Sustainability 15, 10310 (2023). http://doi.org/10.3390/SU151310310
Abstract: Air quality currently poses a major risk for human health. Currently, diesel is widely used as fuel and is a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), both hazardous to human health. A good alternative for mineral diesel is biodiesel, not only for the improvement of hazardous components in the exhaust gases but also because it can be produced in view of a circular economy. Biodiesel consists of a mix of different fatty acid methyl esters, which can react with oxygen. As a consequence, the oxidation stability of biodiesel has to be studied, because the oxidation of biodiesel could affect the performance of the engine due to the wear of injectors and fuel pumps. The oxidation stability could also affect the quality of the exhaust gases due to increases in NOx and PM. The basic question we try to answer in this communication is: 'Can we find an optimal fatty acid composition in order to have a maximal oxidation stability?' In this article, we try to find the optimal fatty acid composition according to the five most common fatty acid methyl esters present in biodiesel in order to reach a maximal oxidation stability. The measurements and statistical analysis show, however, that there is no useful regression model because there are statistically significant two- and three-way interactions among the different fatty acids.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Medical Genetics (MEDGEN)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.3390/SU151310310
|
|
|
“Can permanent grassland soils with elevated organic carbon buffer negative effects of more persistent precipitation regimes on forage grass performance?”.Reynaert S, D’Hose T, de Boeck HJ, Laorden D, Dult L, Verbruggen E, Nijs I, The science of the total environment 918, 170623 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2024.170623
Abstract: Agricultural practices enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) show potential to buffer negative effects of climate change on forage grass performance. We tested this by subjecting five forage grass varieties differing in fodder quality and drought/flooding resistance to increased persistence in summer precipitation regimes (PR) across sandy and sandy-loam soils from either permanent (high SOC) or temporary grasslands (low SOC) in adjacent parcels. Over the course of two consecutive summers, monoculture mesocosms were subjected to rainy/dry weather alternation either every 3 days or every 30 days, whilst keeping total precipitation equal. Increased PR persistence induced species-specific drought damage and productivity declines. Soils from permanent grasslands with elevated SOC buffered plant quality, but buffering effects of SOC on drought damage, nutrient availability and yield differed between texture classes. In the more persistent PR, Festuca arundinacea FERMINA was the most productive species but had the lowest quality under both ample water supply and mild soil drought, whilst under the most intense soil droughts, Festulolium FESTILO maintained the highest yields. The hybrid Lolium × boucheanum kunth MELCOMBI had intermediate productivity and both Lolium perenne varieties showed the lowest yields under soil drought, but the highest forage quality (especially the tetraploid variety MELFORCE). Performance varied with plant maturity stage and across seasons/years and was driven by altered water and nutrient availability and related nitrogen nutrition among species during drought and upon rewetting. Moreover, whilst permanent grassland soils showed the most consistent positive effects on plant performance, their available water capacity also declined under increased PR persistence. We conclude that permanent grassland soils with historically elevated SOC likely buffer negative effects of increasing summer weather persistence on forage grass performance, but may also be more sensitive to degradation under climate change.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) – Ecology in a time of change
Impact Factor: 9.8
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2024.170623
|
|