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Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.
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Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "D: Energy Storage and Application".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 26684

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nikolaos Koukouzas

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Guest Editor
Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH),15125 Athens, Greece
Interests: energy storage and policy; hydrogen; carbon capture and stotage; geo-engineering; hydro-pump energy storage; nanomaterials; land reclamation; ultramafic rocks petrology; industrial minerals; critical raw materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pavlos Tyrologou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Research & Technology Hellas/Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CERTH/CPERI), 52 Egialias Str., 15125 Maroussi, Athens, Greece
Interests: geological engineering; environmental impact assessment; contaminated land; renewable energy; water resources; climate change; vulnerability; sustainability; fragility; CO2 sequestration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Petros Koutsovitis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Fellow, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CERTH/CPERI), 52 Egialias str., 15125 Maroussi-Athens, Greece
Interests: petrology; mineralogy; geochemestry; CCUS; reneable energy; energy storage system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute your article to an upcoming Special Issue entitled “Solid Fuels Technology and Applications”, which will be published in Energies. This Special Issue is open to researchers and authors that would like to submit their research and review articles that explore the application of solid fuels technologies. The aim of this Issue is to contribute to knowledge of ongoing research on solid fuels technological applications.

Dr. Nikolaos Koukouzas
Dr. Pavlos Tyrologou
Dr. Petros Koutsovitis
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. Energies 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 2600 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

  • solid fuels
  • energy technologies
  • renewable solutions
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1596 KiB  
Communication
Synergy of Thermochemical Treatment of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles with Bioethanol Production for Increased Sustainability and Profitability
by Samuel O’Brien, Jacek A. Koziel, Chumki Banik and Andrzej Białowiec
Energies 2020, 13(17), 4528; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13174528 - 1 Sep 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3298
Abstract
The bioethanol industry continues improving sustainability, specifically focused on plant energy and GHG emission management. Dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of ethanol fermentation and is used for animal feed. DDGS is a relatively low-value bulk product that decays, causes [...] Read more.
The bioethanol industry continues improving sustainability, specifically focused on plant energy and GHG emission management. Dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of ethanol fermentation and is used for animal feed. DDGS is a relatively low-value bulk product that decays, causes odor, and is challenging to manage. The aim of this research was to find an alternative, value-added-type concept for DDGS utilization. Specifically, we aimed to explore the techno-economic feasibility of torrefaction, i.e., a thermochemical treatment of DDGS requiring low energy input, less sophisticated equipment, and resulting in fuel-quality biochar. Therefore, we developed a research model that addresses both bioethanol production sustainability and profitability due to synergy with the torrefaction of DDGS and using produced biochar as marketable fuel for the plant. Our experiments showed that DDGS-based biochar (CSF—carbonized solid fuel) lower calorific value may reach up to 27 MJ∙kg−1 d.m. (dry matter) Specific research questions addressed were: What monetary profits and operational cost reductions could be expected from valorizing DDGS as a source of marketable biorenewable energy, which may be used for bioethanol production plant’s demand? What environmental and financial benefits could be expected from valorizing DDGS to biochar and its reuse for natural gas substitution? Modeling indicated that the valorized CSF could be produced and used as a source of energy for the bioethanol production plant. The use of heat generated from CSF incineration supplies the entire heat demand of the torrefaction unit and the heat demand of bioethanol production (15–30% of the mass of CSF and depending on the lower heating value (LHV) of the CSF produced). The excess of 70–85% of the CSF produced has the potential to be marketed for energetic, agricultural, and other applications. Preliminary results show the relationship between the reduction of the environmental footprint (~24% reduction in CO2 emissions) with the introduction of comprehensive on-site valorization of DDGS. The application of DDGS torrefaction and CSF recycling may be a source of the new, more valuable revenues and bring new perspectives to the bioethanol industry to be more sustainable and profitable, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and other shocks to market conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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17 pages, 4626 KiB  
Article
NOx Emissions and Nitrogen Fate at High Temperatures in Staged Combustion
by Song Wu, Defu Che, Zhiguo Wang and Xiaohui Su
Energies 2020, 13(14), 3557; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143557 - 10 Jul 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3179
Abstract
Staged combustion is an effective technology to control NOx emissions for coal-fired boilers. In this paper, the characteristics of NOx emissions under a high temperature and strong reducing atmosphere conditions in staged air and O2/CO2 combustion were investigated [...] Read more.
Staged combustion is an effective technology to control NOx emissions for coal-fired boilers. In this paper, the characteristics of NOx emissions under a high temperature and strong reducing atmosphere conditions in staged air and O2/CO2 combustion were investigated by CHEMKIN. A methane flame doped with ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in a tandem-type tube furnace was simulated to detect the effects of combustion temperature and stoichiometric ratio on NOx emissions. Mechanism analysis was performed to identify the elementary steps for NOx formation and reduction at high temperatures. The results indicate that in both air and O2/CO2 staged combustion, the conversion ratios of fuel-N to NOx at the main combustion zone exit increase as the stoichiometric ratio rises, and they are slightly affected by the combustion temperature. The conversion ratios at the burnout zone exit decrease with the increasing stoichiometric ratio at low temperatures, and they are much higher than those at the main combustion zone exit. A lot of nitrogen compounds remain in the exhaust of the main combustion zone and are oxidized to NOx after the injection of a secondary gas. Staged combustion can lower NOx emissions remarkably, especially under a high temperature (≥1600 °C) and strong reducing atmosphere (SR ≤ 0.8) conditions. Increasing the combustion temperature under strong reducing atmosphere conditions can raise the H atom concentration and change the radical pool composition and size, which facilitate the reduction of NO to N2. Ultimately, the increased OH/H ratio in staged O2/CO2 combustion offsets part of the reducibility, resulting in the final NOx emissions being higher than those in air combustion under the same conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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23 pages, 4024 KiB  
Article
Potential Sites for Underground Energy and CO2 Storage in Greece: A Geological and Petrological Approach
by Apostolos Arvanitis, Petros Koutsovitis, Nikolaos Koukouzas, Pavlos Tyrologou, Dimitris Karapanos, Christos Karkalis and Panagiotis Pomonis
Energies 2020, 13(11), 2707; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13112707 - 28 May 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6953
Abstract
Underground geological energy and CO2 storage contribute to mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change effects. The present study aims to present specific underground energy and CO2 storage sites in Greece. Thermal capacity calculations from twenty-two studied aquifers (4 × [...] Read more.
Underground geological energy and CO2 storage contribute to mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change effects. The present study aims to present specific underground energy and CO2 storage sites in Greece. Thermal capacity calculations from twenty-two studied aquifers (4 × 10−4–25 × 10−3 MJ) indicate that those of Mesohellenic Trough (Northwest Greece), Western Thessaloniki basin and Botsara flysch (Northwestern Greece) exhibit the best performance. Heat capacity was investigated in fourteen aquifers (throughout North and South Greece) and three abandoned mines of Central Greece. Results indicate that aquifers present higher average total heat energy values (up to ~6.05 × 106 MWh(th)), whereas abandoned mines present significantly higher average area heat energy contents (up to ~5.44 × 106 MWh(th)). Estimations indicate that the Sappes, Serres and Komotini aquifers could cover the space heating energy consumption of East Macedonia-Thrace region. Underground gas storage was investigated in eight aquifers, four gas fields and three evaporite sites. Results indicate that Prinos and South Kavala gas fields (North Greece) could cover the electricity needs of households in East Macedonia and Thrace regions. Hydrogen storage capacity of Corfu and Kefalonia islands is 53,200 MWh(e). These values could cover the electricity needs of 6770 households in the Ionian islands. Petrographical and mineralogical studies of sandstone samples from the Mesohellenic Trough and Volos basalts (Central Greece) indicate that they could serve as potential sites for CO2 storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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19 pages, 4281 KiB  
Article
Removal of Cu (II) from Industrial Wastewater Using Mechanically Activated Serpentinite
by Petros Petrounias, Aikaterini Rogkala, Panagiota P. Giannakopoulou, Paraskevi Lampropoulou, Petros Koutsovitis, Nikolaos Koukouzas, Nikolaos Laskaris, Panagiotis Pomonis and Konstantin Hatzipanagiotou
Energies 2020, 13(9), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092228 - 3 May 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2523
Abstract
We investigate with this study the effectiveness of mechanically activated serpentinite in capturing Cu (II) from the multi-constituent acidic wastewater of the pit lakes of the Agios Philippos mine (Greece), proposing specific areas with serpentinites suitable for such environmental applications. For this purpose [...] Read more.
We investigate with this study the effectiveness of mechanically activated serpentinite in capturing Cu (II) from the multi-constituent acidic wastewater of the pit lakes of the Agios Philippos mine (Greece), proposing specific areas with serpentinites suitable for such environmental applications. For this purpose ultramafic rock samples that are characterized by variable degrees of serpentinization from ophiolitic outcrops exposed in the regions of Veria-Naousa and Edessa have been examined regarding their capacity to remove the toxic load of Cu (II) from wastewater after having been mechanically activated through a Los Angeles (LA) machine (500, 1000 and 1500 revolutions). The more serpentinized and mechanically activated samples, as they have been characterized after a combination of various mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical analyses as well as after different stresses of abrasion and attrition, seem to be more effective in Cu removal than the less serpentinized ones. Selective removal of Cu (II) in the wroewolfeite phase was obtained by using the mechanically activated highly serpentinized ultramafic rocks. Furthermore, areas with highly serpentinized ultramafic rocks defined after petrographic mapping, using GIS method, which can potentially be used as filters for the effective Cu (II) removal from industrial wastewater are suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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20 pages, 4007 KiB  
Article
Resource Assessment and Numerical Modeling of CBM Extraction in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland
by Jarosław Chećko, Tomasz Urych, Małgorzata Magdziarczyk and Adam Smoliński
Energies 2020, 13(9), 2153; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092153 - 1 May 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2795
Abstract
The paper presents the assessment of the resources of methane considered as the main mineral in the most prospective selected areas of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland in the region of undeveloped deposits. The methane resources were estimated by means of a [...] Read more.
The paper presents the assessment of the resources of methane considered as the main mineral in the most prospective selected areas of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland in the region of undeveloped deposits. The methane resources were estimated by means of a volumetric method at three depth levels, 1000, 1250, and 1500 m. A part of the Studzienice deposit comprising three coal seams, 333, 336, and 337, located in a methane zone was chosen for the numerical modeling of simulated methane production. The presented static 3D model has been developed using Petrel Schlumberger software. The total resources of methane in the area amount to approximately 446.5 million of Nm3. Numerical simulations of methane production from the selected coal seams with hydraulic fracturing were conducted by means of Schlumberger ECLIPSE reservoir simulator. Based on the simulations, it was concluded that, in the first six months of the simulations, water is produced from the seams, which is connected with the decrease in the rock mass pressure. The process prompts methane desorption from the coal matrix, which in turn results in a total methane production of 76.2 million of Nm3 within the five-year period of the simulations, which constitutes about 17% of total methane resources (GIP). The paper also presents a detailed analysis of Polish legislation concerning the activities aimed at prospecting, exploring, and extracting the deposits of hydrocarbons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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16 pages, 2129 KiB  
Article
Acid-Catalyzed Wet Torrefaction for Enhancing the Heating Value of Barley Straw
by Antonios Nazos, Panagiotis Grammelis, Elias Sakellis and Dimitrios Sidiras
Energies 2020, 13(7), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071693 - 3 Apr 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2280
Abstract
In the present study, the possibility of improving the higher heating value (HHV) of lignocellulosic biomass, especially barley straw, was examined. The research deals with the treatment of barley straw by acid-catalyzed wet torrefaction (ACWT), also called acid hydrolysis, in a batch reactor [...] Read more.
In the present study, the possibility of improving the higher heating value (HHV) of lignocellulosic biomass, especially barley straw, was examined. The research deals with the treatment of barley straw by acid-catalyzed wet torrefaction (ACWT), also called acid hydrolysis, in a batch reactor (autoclave) Parr 4553 3.75 L. In this case, two different simulation approaches were applied: (i) combined severity factor (CSF) and (ii) response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design of experiments (DoE). Sulfuric acid (SA) concentration, temperature and time were the ACWT parameters examined herein. An oxygen bomb calorimeter was used for the HHV measurement. The findings indicated that the composition changes of the straw due to ACWT had a significant effect on the HHV of the pretreated material. In this study, treatment conditions were 10–35 mM SA, 160–200 °C and an isothermal reaction time 0–40 min (preheating period not included in these values). In conclusion, there was a significant increase in the HHV up to 24.3 MJ/kg for the ACWT barley straw, compared to 17.5 MJ/kg for the untreated straw, at optimal conditions of 200 °C for 25 min (isothermal period) and 35 mM SA. This resulted in a 1.39 enhancement factor (EF) and 68% energy yield (EY). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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21 pages, 8547 KiB  
Article
Petrographic Characteristics of Sandstones as a Basis to Evaluate Their Suitability in Construction and Energy Storage Applications. A Case Study from Klepa Nafpaktias (Central Western Greece)
by Petros Petrounias, Panagiota P. Giannakopoulou, Aikaterini Rogkala, Maria Kalpogiannaki, Petros Koutsovitis, Maria-Elli Damoulianou and Nikolaos Koukouzas
Energies 2020, 13(5), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13051119 - 2 Mar 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4640
Abstract
This study investigates how the petrographic features of Klepa Nafpaktias sandstones affect their behavior in construction applications such as concrete, in environmental applications such as energy storage as well as whether they are suitable for the above uses. For achieving this goal, sandstones [...] Read more.
This study investigates how the petrographic features of Klepa Nafpaktias sandstones affect their behavior in construction applications such as concrete, in environmental applications such as energy storage as well as whether they are suitable for the above uses. For achieving this goal, sandstones (ten samples) were collected in order to study their petrographic characteristics using petrographic microscope and GIS software, as well as their basic physical, mechanical and physicochemical properties were also examined. Concrete specimens (C25/30) were made according to international standards including the investigated aggregate rocks in various grain sizes. Various sandstones were tested and classified in three district groups according to their physicomechanical features as well as to their petrographic and microtopographic characteristics. Concrete strength’s results determined the samples into three groups which are in accordance with their initial classification which was relative to their grain size (coarse to fine-grained). As the grain size decreases their physicomechanical and physicochemical properties get better resulting in higher concrete strength values (25 to 32 MPa). Furthermore, the proposed ratio C/A (crystals/mm2) seems to influence the aggregate properties which constitute critical factors for the final concrete strength, presenting the more fine-grained sandstones as the most suitable for concrete aggregates. Concerning the use of Klepa Nafpaktias sandstones as potential energy reservoirs, the studied sandstones presented as suitable for CO2 storage according to their physicomechanical characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Fuels Technology and Applications.)
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