https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25428 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:27:01 GMT 2026-08-22T02:27:01Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33733 Title: Potential of MicroalgalBiomass Production in CoastalDeserts for Carbon Dioxide Removal Authors: Leonard, William; McClure, Dale D; Ng, Kok Siew; Yang, Aidong Abstract: High photosynthetic yields and the ability to grow without fresh water make microalgae interesting mechanisms for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We characterize two CDR systems which grow microalgae in seawater in coastal deserts─microalgal bioenergy with carbon capture and storage and microalgal biomass burial─and evaluate their potential when using carbon sourced from the atmosphere or ocean to meet CDR objectives via a comparison with direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS). By deriving and validating a theoretical model of chemically enhanced carbon dioxide mass transfer, we identify the importance of gas–liquid mass transfer into raceway ponds as limiting microalgal productivities and determining technoeconomic viability. Our analysis shows that, while microalgal CDR cannot compete with DACCS in the areal productivity of removals, net removal costs with marine carbon supply are only slightly higher than DACCS with prospects for parity. Though such outcomes may not yet support the use of microalgal biomass for CDR, the carbon supply apparatuses outlined and the theoretical models accompanying them can inform ongoing research into microalgal cultivation without carbon addition for diverse applications. Description: Data Availability: Data and code supporting the findings of this work are available upon request from the corresponding author.; Supporting Information The Supporting Information is available free of charge at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.6c08729. Supplementary methods comprising CDR configurations (Sections S1-S3), albedo (Section S4; Fig S1), carbon and light limited growth (Section S5), water supply pipelines (Section S6), techno-economic equations (Section S7), nominal analysis parameters (Section S8; Tables S1-S3), sensitivity and uncertainty analysis (Sections S9, S10; Table S4), PV-mBB and PV-DACCS optimisation (Section S11), mass transfer modelling (Sections S12-S14; Table S5), and pH measurements (Section S15; Fig S2); Supplementary results comprising mass transfer (Sections S16, S17, S24; Figs S3, S9), burial site capacity (Section S18), comparison of alternative designs (Sections S19, S20; Fig S4), productivity, costs and comparison with literature (Sections S21-S23), and mass transfer enhancement options (Sections S25-S29); Supplementary discussion concerning biomass harvesting, nutrient supply and land use (Sections S30-S32; Fig S5-S8), mBECCS-sale and long-term mCDR perspectives (Section S33; Fig S10), contextualization of the optimistic scenario and limitations (Sections S34, S35) (PDF: https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/files/67474268). Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33733 2026-08-12T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33664 Title: A comparative techno-economic and life cycle assessment of energy-from-waste technology integrated with carbon capture and storage Authors: Aljoubory, Janna; Iacovidou, Eleni; Ng, Kok Siew Abstract: Rising urbanisation and global population growth are projected to nearly double municipal solid waste (MSW) generation by 2050. Energy-from-waste (EfW) technologies recover energy from mixed waste streams, generating electricity and heat. However, for every tonne of MSW incinerated, 0.7–1.7 tonnes of CO₂ is emitted. Integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) into EfW (EfW + CCS) presents a promising pathway to mitigate these emissions yet remains constrained by high costs and decreased energy efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of EfW + CCS, using a combined techno-economic and life cycle assessments approach. A thermodynamic steady-state model was developed in Aspen Plus to evaluate mass and energy balances for both standalone EfW and EfW + CCS. Results show that an EfW + CCS system with 250 ktpa capacity and 80% capture rate incurs a 35% energy penalty and increases capital (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) both by 30%. Additionally, the system results in a positive net present value, 2.7% return on investment and a levelised cost of electricity of £163/MWh, but extended payback period from 4.5 to 8.3 years compared to standalone EfW. The life cycle assessment results showed a 33% reduction in global warming potential (GWP), though monoethanolamine production and carbon capture infrastructure increased other impacts. This study suggests that the current carbon price of £49.4/t CO₂ is insufficient to incentivise CCS deployment, with a required subsidy estimated at £178/t CO₂ captured. Furthermore, ammonia use for NOₓ removal strongly influenced GWP and OPEX, with 60% NOₓ removal resulting in a reduction of 41% in GWP and increasing OPEX by 19% compared to standalone EfW. Description: Data availability: The data have been provided in the Supplementary Materials: Supplementary data: The following are the Supplementary data to this article: • Multimedia component 1. https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0959652626014617-mmc1.docx (Word document (97 KB)) [a PDF version is also archived below as MMC1.pdf (Acrobat PDF file (371 KB)]..; Rights retention statement: For the purposes of open access, the author has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) Licence to any Accepted Author Manuscript version arising from this submission. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33664 2026-07-10T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33656 Title: Protein digestibility and iron bioaccessibility of plant-based meat analogues Authors: Lubaale, John; McClure, Dale D; Kanyuck, Kelsey M; Sulaiman, Nur L; Zhang, Wanrui; Stojceska, Valentina Abstract: Understanding the nutritional quality of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) is important for consumers, manufacturers, and health professionals. This study examined nine commercial PBMAs, focusing on protein digestibility and iron dialyzability. In vitro protein digestibility ranged from 81 to 96%, comparable to meat (86–90%), and was highest in protein concentrates and isolates (97–99%). Extrusion conditions (150–750 rpm, 100–160 °C) had minimal impact on digestibility but significantly affected texture and sensory properties. Dialysable iron in PBMAs was lower (2–5%) than in fungi-based products (15–32%) and meat (2–40%), though PBMAs had higher total iron content. Iron fortification using ferrous citrate, fumarate, sulphate and ferric pyrophosphate yielded dialysable iron values of 1.9–3.4%. These findings provide valuable insights into the nutritional composition of PBMAs and highlight opportunities to optimize processing for improved iron bioavailability. Description: Data availability: Underlying data has been uploaded to the institutional repository here: https://doi.org/10.17633/rd.brunel.33072203 .; Supplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814626026476?via%3Dihub#s0075 . Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33656 2026-07-19T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33615 Title: Thermo-catalytic conversion of actual Drax biomass combustion residue into porous carbon: A dual valorisation approach Authors: Awodun, Kofoworola; He, Yinghe; Masoudi Soltani, Salman Abstract: The valorisation of combustion residues offers a sustainable route to support sustained development of biomass power plants. This study investigates the synthesis of Ca-enhanced porous carbons from biomass combustion residues sourced from Drax Power Station (UK) and post-consumer chicken eggshells. Unburnt biomass was selectively recovered through systematic drying, size fractionation, and ultrasonic treatment, producing a carbon-rich precursor with reduced inorganic contamination. The recovered biomass was systematically pyrolysed, Ca-enhanced, and activated to yield a structurally stable porous sorbent with a fixed carbon content of 61%. Raman analysis confirmed turbostratic carbon formation with consistent defect characteristics (ID/IG ≈ 0.65), while FTIR spectra showed substantial attenuation of lignocellulosic O―H and C==O functionalities following carbonisation. Surface enhancement was achieved via eggshell-assisted calcium incorporation through dry-mixing and Ca-ion impregnation, with the latter producing superior dispersion and controlled pore development. Subsequent physical activation demonstrated that CO₂ activation outperformed steam activation, generating predominantly microporous carbons with a total accessible surface area of 463 m² g⁻¹, micropore surface area of 384 m² g⁻¹ and an estimated external surface area of 92 m² g⁻¹. The resulting surface area was comparable to those reported for several physically activated biomass-derived carbons while avoiding chemical activating agents. Description: Data availability: All relevant raw data have been made available in Brunel University of London's repository through Brunel Figshare database at https://doi.org/10.17633/rd.brunel.32648235.; For the purposes of open access, the authors have applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) Licence to any Accepted Author Manuscript version arising from this submission.; Supplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037838202600161X#s0170 .; Acknowledgements: SEM-EDS, XRD, and Raman analyses were conducted at the Experimental Techniques Centre (ETC), Brunel University of London, UK, while all other characterisation equipment was housed within the Department of Engineering at Brunel University of London. We would also like to acknowledge Drax power plant, located in Selby, UK, who have been instrumental in this work by supplying actual samples from their biomass combustion boilers. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge our undergraduate interns Dakshan Krishnakumar and Subashini Samraj, who, under authors' direct supervision, helped with the conduction of some basic experiments as part of the summer research internship programme in our lab. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33615 2026-07-31T00:00:00Z