Oil Refinery, Chemical & Petrochemical plant. Copyright: zorazhuang

Biomass gasification with supercritical water is a sustainable method of hydrogen production. Recent research on this topic is reviewed, demonstrating that this process produces not only hydrogen gas but also a mixture of hydrocarbons, which bind a part of it in the H–C bonds. An innovative process for upgrading the gaseous product while focusing on the most suitable catalysts is proposed.

The selective hydrogenation of biomass-derived levulinic acid (LA) to γ-valerolactone (GVL) is an important reaction in biomass upgradation for the production of valuable fuels and chemicals. Here a meta-analysis approach for identifying associations between the physico-chemical properties of a catalyst and its reaction performance is propossed.

A catalyst is particularly important in biodiesel production, which typically involves the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats with alcohol. By introducing a catalyst, even enzymatic, homogeneous, or heterogeneous, the reaction rate is significantly increased. This is important for large-scale biodiesel production, where high throughput and efficiency are desired.

Control strategies adopted in formulation and anaerobic digestion of chicken manure (CM) to promote biogas production are reviewed and discussed. Pretreatment using physical, chemical, biological, and thermal techniques successfully improves hydrolysis of CM as well as biogas and methane production. The proposed control strategies enable efficient use of CM resulting in higher biogas production.

Overuse and improper disposal of plastics have become a major global concern.. Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are the best replacement for plastic since microorganisms produce these spontaneously from urban garbage using cheap carbon sources. The current state of bioplastics and the potential of urban waste from different industries as cost-effective feedstocks for PHA synthesis are reviewed.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), an organic contaminant forms simultaneously during the pyrolysis process of biochar. The high level of PAHs affects the quality of biochar as a soil additive. The approach to minimize the PAHs content was proposed by controlling pyrolysis conditions and selecting feedstock used for safe biochar application.

The incorporation of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in mixed-matrix membranes presents an opportunity for more efficient carbon dioxide capture. The current status for potential applications of HNTs-based membranes for gas separation is reviewed. Further research is needed to bridge the knowledge gaps and optimize the future application of HNTs-based membranes for gas separation.

Water being the most vital constituent of life is being contaminated by disposal of pollutants and toxic substances into the water bodies. Elimination of these toxicants is complex but extremely indispensable. Numerous methods have been applied for this purpose amongst which adsorption is the most effective, fast, simple, and inexpensive technique. An overview of the various contaminants of concern, parameters affecting adsorption, types of adsorbents are discussed.

The recent trends in manganese oxide research as well as the structure of numerous crystalline phases of manganese oxide nanoparticles are summarized. In addition the temperature and different synthesis conditions dependent phase transformations and applications of manganese oxide nanoparticles in catalysis are discussed.

Looking for technologies that can modify the bacterial cellulose (BC) in situ or ex situ is a challenge. Ionic liquid (IL) anions and cations have high mobility; they can penetrate deeper into aggregated BC chains, resulting in a more open mass fractal form. Moreover, IL assists in esterification, alkylation, oxidation, acetylation, and other chemical modifications which enhance the degradation of bacterial cellulose.

This review highlights the advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic solar technologies, which can meet energy needs but also pose sustainability issues. It mentions a comprehensive review that covers various aspects of solar photovoltaic technologies, including potential risks, end-of-life management, and recycling. The review also examines technological advancement, financial aspects, and environmental threats and provides solutions for this rapidly developing technology.

Droplet motion in an insoluble fluid is widely used in many industrial processes such as liquid-liquid extraction, oil drilling, impeller mixer, and biopharmaceuticals. The motion behavior of droplets includes shape, deformation, coalescence, breakage, velocity, etc. Here, the shape and velocity have essential effects on heat transfer, mass transfer, and reaction rate of the liquid-liquid two-phase system. Therefore, a profound understanding of droplet motion behavior is of great significance for optimizing industrial processes involving droplet motion.

Fouling is a usual phenomenon observed in equipments used for household to industrial applications involving solid-liquid-gas contact. The excess deposits developed due to fouling cause an adverse impact on the environment. The various types of industrial fouling in general and specific fouling scenarios, their mechanisms, and the difficulties that arise thereby are overviewed and discussed.