Embodied energy and emergy evaluation of a typical biodiesel production chain in China

Biodiesel from non-grain feedstock has been considered as one of the proper substitutes for fossil fuels associated with a series of activities emerging in China in order to meet the resource shortage and develop the energy crops. This paper presents an ecological accounting framework based on embodied energy, emergy, and CO₂ emission for the whole production chain of biodiesel made from Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) oil. The energy and materials invested in and CO₂ emission from the whole process, including cropping, transportation, extraction, and production, are accounted and calculated. Also, E_mCO₂, the ratio of real CO₂ released to the emergy-based sustainability indicator per joule biodiesel, is proposed in this paper to present a new goal function for low-carbon system optimization. Finally, the results are compared with those of the bioethanol (wheat) production in Henan Province, China, and bioethanol (corn) production in Italy in view of the indices of embodied energy, emergy and CO₂ emissions and E_mCO₂.     

Effect of silica additive on the thermal stability of catalysts for NOx abatement

The aim of the plesent investigation was to study the effect of SiO₂ addition on the thermal deactivation of V₂O₅/WO₃/TiO₂ catalysts used for NOx pollution abatement. The results suggest that the degradation of the catalytic properties is strongly correlated to the structural ageing which is, in turn, mainly related to the anatase–rutile phase transformation and to the WO₃ phase segregation. The addition of SiO₂ strongly influences the temperature at which these phenomena occur. In fact, it was found that the introduction of this oxide stabilizes the material, retarding the collapse of surface area, and increases the temperature of the anatase to rutile phase transition.     

Hydrophobic calcium carbonate: an option for the value-added conversion of wastes resulting from biodiesel production

High production cost is the key issue of biodiesel industry nowadays. To low down the cost, using low-quality lipids feedstock is the most effective way. Two-step process is vastly applied to deal with those low-quality lipids to produce biodiesel. However, environmentally unfriendly wastes are formed during the process. Here we use calcium oxide residue and wastewater from biodiesel production to produce nanostructured calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) by carbonation at ambient temperature. The results show that CaCO₃ is hydrophobic and has broccoli-like morphology. It is made up of many uniform nano-rods, and each rod is composed of smaller particles with diameters about 50 nm. The idea of wastes utilization could make the biodiesel production process environmentally friendly, and the income of the produced CaCO₃ could further low down the cost of biodiesel production.     

Allelopathic inhibition on red tide microalgae Skeletonema costatum by five macroalgal extracts

This study aims to identify effective antialgal allelochemicals from marine macroalgae that inhibit the growth of red tide microalgae. Practically, new algicidal agents were developed to control red tide. The growth inhibitory effects of 5 marine macroalgae Porphyra tenera, Laminaria japonica, Ulva pertusa, Enteromorpha clathrata, and Undaria pinnatifida on Skeletonema costatum were evaluated by adding crude seawater extracts of macroalgal dry tissue into the culture medium containing S. costatum. The half-effective concentrations at 120 h (EC_{50, 120 h}) of the seawater extracts were 0.6, 0.9, 1.0, 1.0, and 4.7 g/L for the five macroalgae above, respectively. E. clathrata, L. japonica and U. pertusa showed strong allelopathic effect on the growth of S. costatum. There have been no previous reports with regard to the allelopathic effects of the former two macroalgae so far. The possible allelochemicals of 21 compounds of the E. clathrata were detected using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Unsaturated fatty acids, acrylic acid (C₃H₄O₂), and linolenic acid (C₁₈H₃₀O₂) were the most likely allelochemicals in E. clathrata.     

TiO2 photocatalyzed degradation of diazinon in an aqueous medium

The photocatalytic degradation of diazinon was studied over TiO₂ catalysts. The kinetics obtained demonstrated that powder titania (t_1/2 = 9.7 min) was more efficient compared to pure titania thin film catalysts (t_1/2 = 29.4 min). Mineralization of organic carbon to CO₂ after 360 min of irradiation was found to be 75% while heteroatoms (P, S, N) were mineralized into phosphate, sulfate and nitrate ions, respectively. A microtox test was performed to evaluate the toxicity of solutions treated by catalysts. Illumination of diazinon in the presence of TiO₂ gave rise to several intermediates that have been identified by means of solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while a simple degradation pathway is proposed.     

Plant acclimation to elevated CO2—From simple regularities to biogeographic chaos

Upon exposure to altered levels of CO₂, plants express a variety of acclimations to CO₂ directly, over and above acclimations to indirect changes in temperature and water regimes. These acclimations commonly include increased photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation and increased water-use efficiency with reduced N content and reduced stomatal conductance. The robust generic acclimations are explicable by combining simple models of carboxylation, stomatal control, energy balance, and functional balance. Species- or genotype-specific acclimations are overlaid on these generic acclimations. Several such specific acclimations that are often seen are readily incorporated in an extended model. These specific acclimations generate a great spread of values in key performance measures of photosynthesis, water- and N-use efficiencies, and rates of water and N use, even among C₃ species that are the focus of this work. These performance measures contribute strongly to relative fitness and thus to evolving biogeographic distributions. The spread in fitness values is so large as to impend “chaotic” shifts in biogeography (and, ultimately, evolution) that are not understandable with models specific to species or functional groups; rather, a systematic study of key physiological and developmental parameters is merited. Also merited is a coherent extension of the model used here, or similar models, to include other phenomena, including mycorrhizal associations, transience in resource availability, etc. The composition of useful approximate fitness functions from physiological and allocational responses is a major challenge, with some leads originating from the model. In the search to extract patterns of responses, arguments based on the responses being close to optimal or adaptive will be misleading, in view of the absence of selection pressure to perform adaptively at high CO₂ for over 20 million years. I offer suggestions for more useful research designs.     

Challenge of biodiesel production from sewage sludge catalyzed by KOH,KOH/activated carbon,and KOH/CaO

The considerable compounds content, abundance, and low costs involved has led to the proposal to use sewage sludge as raw material for biodiesel production. The transesterification reaction is catalyzed using an acid catalyst instead of base catalysts because of the high free fatty acid concentration. However, the use of a base catalyst, particularly a solid base catalyst, has certain advantages, including faster reaction speed and easier separation. In this study, we utilize in situ transesterification by base catalyst (KOH, KOH/activated carbon (AC) and KOH/CaO) with sewage sludge as raw material. Many conditions have been tested to increase biodiesel yield through single-factor tests, including mass fraction and catalyst dosage. Preliminary experiments have optimized reaction time and temperature. However, the three catalysts did not work better than H₂SO₄, which had a maximum yield of 4.6% (dry sewage sludge base) considering the purity by KOH, KOH/CaO, and KOH/AC. The features of the catalyst were analyzed using XRD, BETand SEM. As to BETof KOH/AC and the good spiculate formation of KOH crystal appears to be essential to its function. As for KOH/CaO, the formation of K₂O and absorption points is likely essential.

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Gas-phase degradation of CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>, CHCl<Subscript>3</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript> over metallic Fe

We studied the hydrolysis of gas-phase carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), chloroform (CHCl₃), and dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) over a metallic Fe surface for its application in combination with air stripping and soil vapour extraction. The effects of chlorocarbon concentration, type and preparation of the iron-containing material, humidity, and temperature on process performance are reported. The hydrolysis of chlorinated methane derivatives is catalysed by metallic iron resulting in a noticeable decrease of the reaction temperature. The reaction kinetics were found to be consistent with the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.     

Green fuel production: processes applied to microalgae

The continuous increase in world energy demand will lead to an energy crisis due to the limited availability of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the use of this energetic resource is responsible for the accumulation of greenhouse gases in atmosphere that is associated with several negative effects on environment. Therefore, it is worth to search for different energy supplies that are renewable and environmentally friendly—carbon neutral fuel. Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can achieve high oil contents. This oil is suitable for producing biodiesel; thus, microalgae are considered a promising sustainable energetic resource that can reduce the dependence on fossil fuel. Biodiesel production from microalgae includes several steps, such as cell cultivation and harvesting, oil extraction and biodiesel synthesis. Although several attempts have been made to improve biodiesel yields from microalgae, further studies are required to improve biodiesel production rates and to reduce the associated costs. This review shows the recent developments on biodiesel production from microalgae, emphasizing two process concepts: (1) indirect route, in which, after a facultative cell wall disruption method, microalgal oil is recovered in an appropriate solvent and then converted into biodiesel through transesterification and (2) direct route, in which biodiesel is produced directly from the harvested biomass. High biodiesel yields are obtained when both routes are preceded by a cell wall disruption method. In the indirect route, it is possible to apply three different types of solvents to recover microalgal oil. Although there are several concerns about the application of organic solvents, the most promising and cost-effective alternative for lipid recovery is n-hexane. Comparing direct and indirect routes, this study demonstrates that although further studies are required to optimize biodiesel production from microalgae, the available information proposes that the direct route is the most efficient.     

Study on particulate and metallic elements variation at daytime and nighttime period in urban atmosphere

Daily PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10 and TSP have been collected by Universal and PS‐1 sampler simultaneously at a site within Taichung between February and March 1999. The filters were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the elemental analysis of Ca, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr. In general, the concentration of these metallic elements are higher in fine particles than in coarse particles. On average, PM₁₀ accounted for 67% of the TSP at daytime, while at nighttime PM₁₀ accounted for only 44% of the TSP. For PM_2.5, PM₂._5–10 and TSP concentrations, there were no significant differences between day and night period. The averaged concentrations of metallic elements in PM_2.5 at daytime were all higher than that at nighttime. Ca, Fe and Zn have large and variable PM_2.5 concentrations at both daytime and nighttime. For the daytime Zn and Pb account for the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. For the nighttime, Zn and Cr make the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. The concentrations of Mn were higher on fine particulates. The trace metals Cu and Cr in Taichung are probably due to particulates emitted by Taichung Fire Power Plants transported into the sampling area by the prevailing northwesterly wind.     

Efficient adsorption of carbon dioxide and methane on activated carbon prepared from glycerol with potassium acetate

In the context of global warming and the energy crisis, emissions to the atmosphere of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) should be reduced, and biomethane from landfill biogas should be recycled. For this, there is a need for affordable technologies to capture carbon dioxide, such as adsorption of biogas on activated carbon produced from industrial wastes. Here we converted glycerol, a largely available by-product from biodiesel production, into activated carbon with the first use of potassium acetate as an activating agent. We studied adsorption of CO₂ and CH₄ on activated carbon. The results show that activated carbon adsorb CO₂ up to 20% activated carbon weight at 250 kPa, and 9% at atmospheric pressure. This is explained by high specific surface areas up to 1115 m²g⁻¹. Moreover, selectivity values up to 10.6 are observed for the separation of CO₂/CH₄. We also found that the equivalent CO₂ emissions from activated carbon synthesis are easily neutralized by their use, even in a small biogas production unit.

     

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) requirement for the oxidation of crude oil in contaminated soils by a modified Fenton's reagent

The oxidation of soil organic matter (SOM) and total petroleum hydrocarbon were investigated in two soils at eight different hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations to determine the optimal H₂O₂ dosage for the efficient remediation of soils contaminated by crude oil with minimal SOM removal. In our study, H₂O₂ concentrations up to 1100 mM increased the SOM destruction up to 10%–15% in the two soils while no improvement of the crude oil removal efficiencies was observed. The results indicate that the destruction of SOM significantly limits the oxidation of crude oil because SOM might consume H₂O₂ more effectively than crude oil at H₂O₂ concentrations above 1100 mM. In addition, H₂O₂ concentrations higher than 1100 mM were not expected for both soils because of the extremely rapid H₂O₂ decomposition, and low H₂O₂ utilization, of both soils.     

Interactive effects of nitrogen and dissolved inorganic carbon on photosynthesis,growth, and ammonium uptake of the macroalgae Cladophora vagabunda and Gracilaria tikvahiae

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is rarely considered limiting for macroalgae, but some research suggests that under conditions of N sufficiency, photosynthetic capacity is enhanced with DIC enrichment. During spring (April–May) and summer (July–August) 1993, we investigated the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and DIC on photosynthetic capacity, growth, and nutrient uptake rates of the macroalgae, Cladophora vagabunda (L.) van den Hoek and Gracilaria tikvahiae (McLachlan), dominant species in a temperate eutrophic estuary (Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA). Water-column CO₂ concentrations showed significant diurnal fluctuations, ranging from a morning CO₂ peak (21 M) to an afternoon low (13 M) during summer, probably associated with metabolic activities in a thick algal mat. Results from instantaneous photosynthesis measurements and microcosm experiments indicate that DIC limits photosynthetic capacity and growth rates of C. vagabunda during summer, perhaps related to tissue N sufficiency and low water-column CO₂ concentrations. For example, this species showed enhanced growth (F=8.69, P<0.02) under DIC but not N enrichment. G. tikvahiae showed marginal DIC enhancement of maximum photosynthetic rate, while growth was significantly stimulated by addition of N. Reduced thallus N of this species during the summer further identifies N as the primary factor limiting growth. In addition, G. tikvahiae has the ability to use DIC in its several forms, while C. vagabunda primarily uses dissolved CO₂. DIC enrichment resulted in a depression of NH₄ ⁺ uptake rates for both species, particularly during summer at saturating (60 M) ammonium levels, suggesting competition between NH₄ ⁺ uptake and DIC acquisition under conditions of N sufficiency. Dominance of C. vagabunda and G. tikvahiae in areas undergoing eutrophication has been attributed to their successful procurement and storage of N as well as to high growth rates. The present study revealed that under conditions of N sufficiency during summer, DIC may control rates of production of these opportunistic macroalgae.     

五氧化二钒类Fenton降解邻苯二甲酸二乙酯的机制研究

发展了基于五氧化二钒(V_2O_5)和过氧化氢(H_2O_2)的新型类Fenton体系,探索了此体系产生羟基(·OH)的机制及降解邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)的效率;并考察了V_2O_5投加量、H_2O_2浓度,以及草酸对DEP降解的影响。结果表明,当V_2O_5投加量为0.1 g·L-1,H_2O_2浓度为2.0 mmol·L-1,反应24 h后,对DEP(25 mg·L-1)的降解率可达61.1%,增加或降低V_2O_5投加量和H_2O_2浓度均不利于DEP的降解。利用电子顺磁共振技术(Electron Paramagnetic Resonance,EPR)耦合5,5-二甲基-1-吡咯啉氮氧化物(DMPO)为捕获剂对反应体系中的主导自由基进行鉴定,发现·OH是体系降解DEP的主要活性物种,利用苯甲酸作为探针分子实现了·OH的间接定量,并初步推测了V_2O_5活化H_2O_2的过程。     

Changes in amphipod densities among macroalgal habitats in day versus night collections along the Western Antarctic Peninsula

Amphipods along the western Antarctic Peninsula appear to gain refuge from predators by associating with chemically defended macroalgae rather than palatable macroalgae. However, nothing is known about amphipod activity at night. If foraging on non-chemically defended macroalgae regularly occurs, then nocturnal foraging seems beneficial since visual predators are disadvantaged. To test this hypothesis, we collected three common macroalgal species and affiliated mesograzers, approximately 3 h before and after sunset. All associated mesofauna were counted and densities recorded. Amphipod densities were significantly decreased during the night on the chemically defended Desmarestia menziesii, while significantly increased on the palatable Iridaea cordata. Additionally, the amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica was found in significantly higher densities at night on Palmaria decipiens, a species shown to be readily eaten by G. antarctica and omnivorous fish. We believe that chemically defended macroalgae act as a refuge for mesograzers during the day, while more widespread foraging occurs at night.     

Environmental aspects of biofuels in road transportation

Energy is a vital and growing need for human activities such as transport, agriculture and industry. The transport and agriculture sectors are major consumers of fossil fuel. However, availability of fossil fuels is limited. The use of fossil fuels is of increasing environmental concerns because it produces toxic airborne particulates and greenhouse gases such as CO₂. The increasing industrialization and motorization of the world led to a steep rise for the demand of petroleum-based fuels. Hence, it is necessary to seek alternative fuels, which can be produced from resources available locally within the country such as alcohol, biodiesel and vegetable oils. Biodiesel is defined as the mono alkyl esters of vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is the best candidate for diesel fuels in the diesel engines. The advantage of biodiesel over gasoline and petroleum/diesel is its eco-friendly nature. This article reviews the production, characterization and current status of biofuels mainly biodiesel along with the environmental impacts of particulate matter, greenhouse gas emissions originated from biodiesel.     

Salinity stress and hydrogen peroxide regulation of antioxidant defense system in Ulva fasciata

The regulation of antioxidant defense system in macroalgae exposed to salinity stress was examined in Ulva fasciata Delile. As compared to the 30‰ control, a long-term (4 days) exposure to hyposaline (5, 15‰) and hypersaline (60, 90, 120, 150‰) conditions inhibited growth rate and TTC reduction ability. A decrease in maximum quantum efficiency (F _v/F _m ratio) and the maintenance of superoxide dismutase activity under salinity stress indicate the potential generation of reactive oxygen species in chloroplasts. An exposure to 15, 60, and 90‰ decreased seawater H₂O₂ contents but increased thallus H₂O₂ contents that are positively correlated with TBARS and peroxide contents. Alleviation of oxidative damage and H₂O₂ accumulation at 15 and 90‰ by a H₂O₂ scavenger, dimethylthiourea, suggests that oxidative damage occurring under moderate hyposaline and hypersaline conditions is ascribed to accumulated H₂O₂. Increased glutathione reductase activity and glutathione content and decreased ascorbate content are responsible for accumulated H₂O₂ at 15, 60, and 90‰, while ascorbate peroxidase activity increased only at salinity ≥ 90‰. Catalase and peroxidase activities also increased at 60 and 90‰ for H₂O₂ removal, but only catalase showed activity increase at 15‰. For the regeneration of ascorbate, the activities of both dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase were increased at 5 and 15‰ while only monodehydroascorbate reductase activity increased at 60 and 90‰. It is hypothesized that the availability of antioxidants and the activities of antioxidant enzymes are increased in U. fasciata to cope with the oxidative stress occurring in hyposaline and hypersaline conditions.     

细颗粒物(PM_(2.5))主要组分模拟溶液对发光细菌的光抑制分析

为明确NH_4~+、 NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)及金属等组分在水溶性提取液对发光细菌的光抑制过程中所起的作用,参照PM_(2.5)样品提取液浓度,模拟配制与3级以上PM_(2.5)样品提取液中主要组分:硫酸盐、硝酸盐、氨盐相同浓度的溶液,同时选取与PM_(2.5)可溶性提取液发光抑制率相关性较强的铅、锌,配制不同浓度级别模拟溶液,测试各单一组分对发光细菌的发光抑制率及其混合溶液对发光细菌的联合影响效应。基于毒性单位法(TU)、相加指数法(AI)和混合毒性指数法(MTI)评价了混合体系联合影响的作用类型。结果表明,与3~6级PM_(2.5)可溶性提取液中硫酸氨、硫酸氢氨、硝酸氨、硫酸锌和硝酸铅浓度相同的模拟溶液对发光细菌的发光没有抑制作用。不同的评价方法对PM_(2.5)主要组分混合体系联合效应评价结果具有较好的一致性,硫酸氨、硝酸氨、硫酸氢氨混合溶液中,对发光细菌的光抑制均为硫酸氢氨的独立作用,硫酸锌与硝酸铅的混合体系,锌和铅对发光细菌的联合影响效应表现为协同,硫酸氨、硝酸氨、硫酸氢氨与硫酸锌、硝酸铅的多元混合体系呈现协同作用。     

The dynamic causal links between CO2 emissions from transport,real GDP,energy use and international tourism

This study examines the dynamic causality relationship between international tourism and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from transport, real gross domestic product and energy use. The vector error correction model and Granger causality test approach have been used to investigate these relationships for the top ten international tourism destinations spanning the period 1995–2013. Results reveal a unidirectional causality running from CO₂ emissions to economic growth without feedback; a bidirectional causality between economic growth and energy use; a bidirectional causality between international tourism and economic growth; and a bidirectional causality between international tourism and energy use. They also suggest that energy use and international tourism both contribute to the decrease of emissions level coming from transport sector, while economic growth leads to the increase of CO₂ emissions. This study can be used in policy recommendations by encouraging countries to use clean energy and to stimulate tourism sector for combating global warming.