Fuel efficiency enhancement of modified diesel engine operated in dual fuel mode using renewable and sustainable fuels

ABSTRACT

Renewable and sustainable fuels for diesel engine applications provide energy protection, overseas exchange saving and address atmospheric and socio-economic concerns. This study presents the investigational work carried out on a single cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine operated in dual fuel (DF) mode using renewable and sustainable fuels. In the first phase, a Y-shaped mixing chamber or venture was developed with varied angle facility for gas entry at 30°, 45° and 60°, respectively, to enable homogeneous air and gas mixing. Further effect of different gas and air mixture entry on the DF engine performance was studied. In the next phase of the work, hydrogen flow rate influence on the combustion and emission characteristics of a compression ignition (CI) engine operated in DF mode using diesel, neem oil methyl ester (NeOME) and producer gas has been investigated. During experimentation, hydrogen was mixed in different proportions varied from 3 to 12 l/min (lpm) in step of 3 lpm along with air-producer gas and the mixtures were directly inducted into engine cylinder during suction stroke. Experimental investigation showed that 45° Y-shaped mixing chamber resulted in improved performance with acceptable emission levels. Further, it is observed that investigation showed that at maximum operating conditions and hydrogen flow rate of 9 lpm, Diesel–producer gas and NeOME–producer gas combination showed increased thermal efficiency by 13.2% and 3.8%, respectively, compared to the DF operation without hydrogen addition. Further, it is noticed that hydrogen-enriched producer gas lowers the power derating by 5–10% and increases nitric oxide (NO_x) emissions. However, increased hydrogen addition beyond the 12 lpm leads to sever knocking.

Abbreviations: NeOME: Neem oil methyl ester; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CI: compression ignition; ITE: indicated thermal efficiency; PG: producer gas; CA: crank angle; K: Kelvin; BP: brake power; IP: indicated power; H₂: hydrogen; HC: unburnt hydrocarbon; CO: carbon dioxide; CO₂: carbon dioxide; NO_x: nitric oxide; HRR: heat release rate; %: percentage; PPM: parts per million; CMFIS: conventional mechanical fuel injection system.     

Equity Concerns over Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

As a complicated concept with ethical implications, equity or fairness in the field of climate change mitigation concerns the relations not only between individual human beings but also between human beings and the nature. In this paper, after the review of equity between individuals, market and non-market attributes of emissions rights are distinguished and discussed. Based on the argument of equal per capita emissions rights, three types of emissions rights and the concept of minimum emissions rights as social security are proposed.     

The Clean Development Mechanism and Sustainable Development in China's Electricity Sector

Abstract

The Clean Development Mechanism, a flexibility mechanism contained in the Kyoto Protocol, offers China an important tool to attract investment in clean energy technology and processes into its electricity sector. The Chinese electricity sector places centrally in the country's economy and environment, being a significant contributor to the acid rain and air pollution problems that plague many of China's cities and regions, and therefore a focus of many related energy and environmental policies. China's electricity sector has also been the subject of a number of economic analyses that have showed that it contains the highest potential for clean energy investment through the Clean Development Mechanism of any economic sector in China. This mechanism, through the active participation from investors in more industrialized countries, can help alleviate the environmental problems attributable to electricity generation in China through advancing such technology as wind electricity generation, clean coal technology, high efficient natural gas electricity generation, or utilization of coal mine methane. In this context, the Clean Development Mechanism also compliments a range of environmental and energy policies which are strategizing to encourage the sustainable development of China's economy.     

Empirically Analysis of the CO2 Emissions Embodied in Exports of China

Abstract

In this paper, using the input-output model, the author first calculated the CO₂ emissions embodied in exports of China in 2002 and 2007. Then, the author empirically analyzed problems existing in the composition of exported products and analyzed its possible reasons. The research results of this paper are as follows: Since China’s entry into WTO, the CO₂ emissions embodied in exports of China have been increasing rapidly; the value of exported products of high-carbon emissions industries accounts for a relatively higher proportion to China’s total exports value because China’s carbon intensive products have a certain competitive advantage. Additionally, this paper has put forward relevant suggestions based on these results.     

资源型城市转型绩效特征及其碳减排效应

基于中国资源型城市2003—2018年面板数据综合测度城市转型绩效,采用空间马尔科夫链、空间计量模型和空间双重差分模型,探究资源型城市转型绩效特征及其对碳排放的影响。结果表明：（1）资源型城市转型绩效逐渐提升,与此对应的是区域差异呈波动上升趋势,且四种类型资源型城市之间区域差异主要来源于地区内差异,成熟型城市贡献最大;资源型城市转型绩效存在明显的空间分异性,发展格局由以跨越区为核心的“多点式”零星分布向先行区为核心的“组团式”聚集形态演变。（2）资源型城市转型绩效在不同时期存在状态转移的可能性,具有滞后区、起步区、跨越区和先行区4个趋同俱乐部特征,空间马尔科夫链表明转移趋势存在明显空间关联性,状态转移通常出现在相邻等级之间,较少有“跳跃式”转移现象,具有长期性和持续性特征。（3）资源型城市转型具有显著碳减排效应,而且这种效应存在不同资源类型、不同发展阶段和不同空间区位的异质性特征,经济产业转型、社会生活转型和生态环境转型是发挥碳减排效应的重要因素;进一步的政策冲击分析表明,产业转型升级示范区和高新技术产业开发区的设立对城市碳减排具有积极的政策效应。     

加速能源转型与产业结构调整的环境健康协同效益评估：以京津冀鲁地区为例

京津冀鲁地区是我国温室气体减排与大气污染治理的重心,随着末端控制措施减排空间的缩紧,通过能源转型和产业结构优化等源头治理方式实现减污降碳协同增效的需求日益迫切.基于开发的REACH综合评估模型,通过情景模拟分析,评估了京津冀鲁地区进一步加强末端控制的减排潜力,以及加速能源转型与产业结构调整的环境和健康协同效益.结果表明,未来在京津冀鲁地区快速推行最佳可行的末端控制技术,2035年能够带来约3.3μg·m^-3的PM_2.5浓度削减,但仅依靠此措施不足以实现区域PM_2.5浓度控制目标;加速能源转型和产业结构调整是京津冀鲁地区实现空气质量达标的必要条件,2035年,能源经济系统的加快转型对大气PM_2.5污染改善的贡献可达6.3μg·m^-3;相比于当前的政策力度,4省市虽然需要额外付出相当于地区GDP 0.9%～2.5%的社会经济成本以实现PM_2.5浓度控制目标,但加速转型带来的环境健康协同效益能够部分或全部覆盖该成本.     

中部地区碳排放时空演变及其影响因素分析

为实现碳达峰、碳中和目标,研究我国中部地区的碳排放时空演变及其影响因素有着重要的意义.使用2012—2019年NPP-VIIRS夜光遥感数据计算中部地区的碳排放量,结合地理探测器对碳排放时空变化及其影响因子进行分析.分析结果显示：①山西省碳排放量居中部地区首位,河南省次之,安徽省碳排放量位居第三,后为湖北省和湖南省,江西省碳排放最低;②2012—2019年在中部地区碳排放量聚集程度逐年减弱,高高聚集面积从210742.9 km²减少到153999.3 km²,低低聚集面积由148249.2 km²减少到103804.0 km²;③通过地理探测器分析的结果得到：对中部地区各省份碳排放影响因子解释力较大的为经济要素：地区生产总值和第二生产总值;中部地区各省份碳排放因子解释力较高的双因子交互多为经济要素.研究显示,中部地区各个省份碳排放分布及影响因素存在一定的差异,在制定碳达峰、碳中和行动方案时应考虑到不同地区碳排放的差异,本研究为中部地区制定节能减排政策提供数据支撑.     

中国省际农业碳排放测算及低碳化水平评价——基于衍生指标与TOPSIS法的运用

农业碳排放量测算及低碳化水平评价,是实现农业绿色发展和制定碳减排计划的重要依据。通过测算2006—2016年中国30个省份的农业碳排放量,并以测算结果为基础,从农业用地、禽畜养殖和农业能源三个方面构造农业碳排放衍生指标,采用基于动态自然权重的TOPSIS法对各省农业低碳化水平进行评价。结果表明：中国农业碳排放总量呈先降后升的“V型”变化,由2006年的91096万t下降至2008年的83521万t,此后稳步增加至2016年的92192万t。农业非能源碳排放量占农业碳排放总量的84%以上,土壤管理是农业非能源碳排放的第一来源。省际农业碳排放衍生指标异质性较强,农业低碳化水平整体不高。研究结果可为农业和环境部门开展低碳农业评价工作提供借鉴。     

中国交通碳排放及影响因素时空异质性

选取30个省级行政单位作为空间单元,采用探索性空间数据分析（ESDA）方法对交通碳排放时空分布格局进行研究,同时考虑空间单元的差异性,构建地理加权回归（GWR）模型分析交通碳排放影响因素的时空异质性.研究发现：2000~2015年交通碳排放量呈现显著的空间聚类特征,聚类趋势逐年加强.双变量空间自相关指数为0.165~0.274,显著性水平介于0.016~0.045,表明交通碳排放同机动车保有量、GDP、货运周转量及客运周转量之间存在显著的空间正相关关系.GWR模型的R²在0.783~0.865之间,而OLS模型的R²在0.675~0.844之间,且GWR模型的AICc值均低于OLS模型的,说明GWR模型的拟合结果明显优于OLS模型,可以更好地解释交通碳排放的影响机制.GWR的回归结果表明碳排放的影响因素存在明显的时空异质性特征,其中GDP是主要的推动因素,部分地区回归系数高达0.91,2000年影响程度由东向西递减,而2005、2010和2015年由北向南递减.客运周转量起到关键的抑制作用,影响程度由东北向西南递减.因此建议应当充分考虑碳排放影响因素的时空异质性特征,制定差异化的碳减排政策.     

A2/O+MBR工艺运行效果与碳排放特征研究

对北京市通州区H再生水厂采用的A²/O+MBR工艺运行效果与不同环节碳排放特征进行研究.结果表明：2018年该再生水厂对BOD₅,COD_cr,NH₄⁺-N,TN和TP的平均去除率分别为97.3%,94.1%,98.6%,77.0%,96.2%;全厂碳排放总量和吨水碳排放量呈春夏季节逐渐降低,秋冬季节缓慢升高的特征,全厂综合吨水碳排放量约为2.26kgCO₂e/t.碳排放总量中能耗碳排放量占主要地位,CH₄,N₂O和物耗碳排放量占比较小;统计分析显示CH₄,能耗和物耗吨水碳排放量与BOD₅,TN进水浓度及BOD₅去除率显著相关;N₂O吨水碳排放量与TN与BOD₅进水浓度显著相关;直接,间接吨水碳排放量与水量无显著相关性.