Yuchen Yang^1,2, Lin Ma^1,2,*, Jie Yu^1,2, Zewen Zhao^1,2, Pengfei You^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 1153-1179, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022719

Abstract The use of nanorefrigerants in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) units is believed to affect the cycle environment performance, but backed with very few relevant studies. For this purpose, a life cycle assessment (LCA) has been performed for the ORC system using nanorefrigerant, the material and energy input, characteristic indicators and comprehensive index of environmental impact, total energy consumption and energy payback time (BPBT) of the whole life cycle of ORC system using Al₂O₃/R141b nanorefrigerant were calculated. Total environmental comprehensive indexes reveal that ECER-135 index decrease by 1.5% after adding 0.2% Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to R141b. Based on the contribution analysis and… More >

Taofeeq D. Moshood, Gusman Nawanir, Fatimah Mahmud^*, Fazeeda Mohamad, Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad, Airin AbdulGhani

Energy Engineering, Vol.119, No.4, pp. 1611-1647, 2022, DOI:10.32604/ee.2022.019028

Abstract This study examines the literature on bio-based and biodegradable plastics published between 2000 and 2021 and provides insights and research suggestions for the future. The study gathers data from the Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases, then picks 1042 publications objectively and analyses their metadata. Furthermore, 144 papers from the Web of Science are analysed to present insights and classifications of the literature based on content analyses, including assessment/evaluation of the sustainability of bio-based and biodegradable Plastics, sustainability of biodegradable Plastics, and factors driving the uptake of biodegradable plastics. The study finds that most research on bio-based and biodegradable… More >

Junaid Khan, Rashid Ali, Muzammil Zubair, Syed Mohd Yahya^*

Energy Engineering, Vol.119, No.2, pp. 827-846, 2022, DOI:10.32604/ee.2022.016344

Abstract Cooling the PV surface in a Photovoltaic Thermal system is a pivotal operational aspect to be taken into account to achieve optimized values of performance parameters in a Photovoltaic Thermal System. The experimental design used in this study facilitates the flow of varying concentrations of Zn-water nanofluid in serpentine copper tubing installed at the rear of the PV panel thereby preventing the PV surface temperature from increasing beyond the threshold value at which a decrease in electrical efficiency starts to occur. This fusion of solar thermal with PV devices leads to better electrical and thermal efficiency values resulting in decreased… More >

Neeti Gandhi^1,3, Nicholas Farfaras², Nien-Hwa Linda Wang³, Wan-Ting Chen^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.8, pp. 1463-1483, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.015529

Abstract Increasing production and use of various novel plastics products, a low recycling rate, and lack of effective recycling/disposal methods have resulted in an exponential growth in plastic waste accumulation in landfills and in the environment. To better understand the effects of plastic waste, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) was done to compare the effects of various production and disposal methods. LCA shows the specific effects of the cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle scenarios for landfill, incineration, and mechanical recycling. The analysis clearly indicates that increasing recycling of plastics can significantly save energy and eliminate harmful emissions of various carcinogens and GHGs into the… More >

Norma M. P. Machado¹, Gustavo C. Melo¹, Matheus F. Camargo¹, Giulianna G. Feijó¹, Bruna M. S. Putton², Clarice Steffens², Rogerio L. Cansian², Luiz A. Pessan¹, Francys K. V. Moreira^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.2, pp. 337-349, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.011081

Abstract Food packaging materials compounded with antimicrobial additives can substantially diminish the incidence of foodborne diseases. Here, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) films containing sodium metabisulfite (NaM) were produced by melt extrusion as an attempt to develop a new biodegradable material with antimicrobial properties for packaging. Life cycle assessment (LCA) simulations revealed that the environmental footprints of the PLA film did not change upon NaM addition, and that NaM is more eco-friendly than silver nanoparticles. The PLA/NaM films with NaM content varying from 0.5 to 5.0 wt.% were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and optical and mechanical properties determinations.… More >

Katharina Müller^1,*, Walter Sonderegger², Oliver Kläusler², Michael Klippel¹, Edwin Zea Escamilla^3,4

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.9, pp. 1091-1109, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.09483

Abstract The demand for high-performance, yet eco-friendly materials is increasing on all scales from small applications in the car industry, instrument or furniture manufacturing to greater dimensions like floorings, balcony furnishings and even construction. Wood offers a good choice on all of these scales and can be modified and improved in many different ways. In this study, two common European hardwood species, Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) were densified in radial direction by thermo-mechanical treatment and the densified product was investigated in an extensive characterisation series to determine all relevant mechanical properties. Compression in the three main… More >