Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: With the world facing the twin pressures of a warming climate and an ever-increasing amount of waste, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to rethink the way we generate energy and use materials. Despite growing awareness, our energy systems are still largely dependent on fossil fuels and characterized by a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model. This leaves us vulnerable to supply disruptions, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of critical raw materials. Hydrogen is emerging as a potential carbon-free energy vector that can overcome both challenges if it is produced sustainably from renewable sources. This study reviews hydrogen production from a circular economy perspective, considering industrial, agricultural, and municipal solid waste as a resource rather than a burden. The focus is on the reuse of waste as a catalyst or catalyst support for hydrogen production. Firstly, the role of hydrogen as a new energy carrier is explored along with possible routes of waste valorization in the process of hydrogen production. This is followed by an analysis of where and how catalysts from waste can be utilized within various hydrogen production processes, namely those based on using fossil fuels as a source, biomass as a source, and electrocatalytic applications.
Keywords: hydrogen production, waste-derived catalysts, renewable energy, biomass conversion
Published in DKUM: 25.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
Full text (1,66 MB)

Abstract: This paper introduces a novel approach to optimization of the anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) process by developing enriched versions of first-order kinetic, modified Gompertz, and single-stage combined kinetic models. The key innovation of these enriched models lies in the introduction of new kinetic parameters that depend on both temperature and substrate composition, resulting in a set of new model parameters. These parameters are calibrated simultaneously across various process conditions, unlike existing models where kinetic constants are calibrated for only one operating regime. The enriched models are successfully calibrated and validated with experimental data from a batch AcoD of chicken manure with sawdust and fungal-pretreated Miscanthus; the relative index of agreement is higher than 0.99 for the produced biogas under all considered process conditions. By using the calibrated models to optimize the substrate composition and the AcoD process temperature profile, the results indicate that biogas production can increase by up to 50 %. Moreover, the proposed optimization allows for a favorable cost-benefit ratio; the estimated net energy gain can increase by up to 40 %. The proposed enriched models enable accurate prediction of biogas production at various process conditions and optimization of the AcoD process, representing a significant advancement over existing empirical models.
Keywords: biogas production, Pleurothus ostreatus, kinetic model parameters calibration, process optimization, gradient-based optimization, energy trade-offs
Published in DKUM: 29.05.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
Link to file

Abstract: This paper investigates the economic feasibility of utilising energy flexibility in aluminium production as a viable solution to leverage electricity surpluses arising from the increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) system installations. Future trends suggest that the generation capacity of PV systems will soon surpass consumption, leading to significant electricity surpluses, particularly during the summer. This surplus electricity, which is anticipated to be available at low prices, offers a unique opportunity to evaluate different investment and utilisation scenarios for aluminium production while simultaneously decreasing its environmental impact. The results demonstrate that, despite their high initial investment cost, large-scale PV power plants can potentially deliver maximum economic gains over a ten-year period. Conversely, the direct utilisation of surpluses without substantial investment can yield savings of up to EUR 17 million within the same time frame for Slovenia’s case with an aluminium smelter, which has a maximum power usage of 60 MW. The findings of this study have significant implications in terms of shaping future energy strategies and policies, emphasizing the value of integrating renewable energy sources and industrial processes for enhanced economic and environmental outcomes.
Keywords: energy flexibility, aluminium smelting, renewable energy, virtual battery, solar production
Published in DKUM: 17.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 23
Full text (1,91 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Keywords: energetics, renewable energy sources, production, alternative energy sources, environmental protection
Published in DKUM: 27.10.2023; Views: 512; Downloads: 18
Full text (7,48 MB)
This document has many files! More...
This document is also a collection of 1 document!

Abstract: In the global market, the casting industry recorded a growth trend for ductile iron last year. Ductile iron is used due to its excellent mechanical properties, machinability and castability. The microstructure of nodular cast iron consists of a metal matrix and graphite extruded in the form of beads and nodules. In recent years, the production of ductile iron castings has increased significantly for parts for heavy transport vehicles and containers for permanent disposal of nuclear waste, and it is expected that this trend of expansion will continue for at least the next twenty years. When poured in sand moulds, the quality of products can not be reached. There can be defects on the raw surface and/or on the machining surface, as well as hidden defects inside the material. For casting products, defects can be detected on raw and machining surfaces and inside material defects by carrying out a visual inspection. The results of the inspection depend on the inspection method used. In general, basic methods of cutting or milling inspection are used in the casting industry, which means that products are classified in terms of whether or not they meet the drawing specification(s). The authors of this paper focused on the hidden defects inside ductile iron material, which can be detected by carrying out a cutting or milling inspection or through an X-ray inspection. Huge amounts of energy and energy sources are used in the production of nodular cast iron, which creates a negative environmental footprint. Therefore, by being preventively rational and through appropriate control procedures it is possible to significantly reduce the carbon footprint.
Keywords: carbon footprint, ductile iron, X-ray inspection, cutting inspection, hidden mistakes, defects, porosity, inclusion, green energy, reduced production of energy, decrease in production emissions
Published in DKUM: 26.10.2023; Views: 373; Downloads: 8
Full text (5,27 MB)
This document has many files! More...