http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/4327 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:31:15 GMT 2026-04-19T14:31:15Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/26862 Title: Probing into the interactions among operating variables in blue hydrogen production: A new approach via design of experiments (DoE) Authors: Babamohammadi, S; Davies, WG; Masoudi Soltani, S Abstract: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Anthropogenic CO2 emission is a key driver in global warming and climate change. Worldwide, H2 production accounts for 2.5% of this CO2 emission. A shift to clean methods of hydrogen production is required to reduce CO2 emissions, and to mitigate the effects of climate change. Developing optimised process models of H2 production processes is required in order to investigate the effects of operational variables of the process and their impacts on key performance indicators (KPIs). Within this study, a detailed rate-based model was implemented to simulate the reformer in Sorption Enhanced Steam Methane Reforming (SE-SMR), as well as Sorption-Enhanced Auto-Thermal Reforming (SE-ATR) processes. The results indicate that the SE-ATR/ATR corresponds to a significantly improved performance over the SMR with the optimal operating conditions for achieving the desired KPIs, including hydrogen purity (86%), hydrogen yield (36%), methane conversion (99%), and carbon capture rate (50%) at a temperature of 720 °C, a pressure of 20 bara, and an S/C ratio of 6. Whereas with SMR, the temperature, pressure, and S/C ratio should be adjusted to 975 °C, 20 bara, and 6, respectively, to achieve a hydrogen purity of 84%, a hydrogen yield of 42%, a methane conversion of 96%, and a carbon capture rate of 48%. The study provides insights into the optimal operating conditions to achieve maximum efficiency in the reformer, and demonstrates the effectiveness of incorporating DoE within process modelling as a tool for optimisation. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/26862 2023-07-14T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25621 Title: Latest advances and challenges in carbon capture using bio-based sorbents: A state-of-the-art review Authors: Ketabchi, MR; Babamohammadi, S; Davies, WG; Gorbounov, M; Masoudi Soltani, S Abstract: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Effective decarbonisation is key to ensuring the temperature rise does not exceed the 2 °C set by the Paris accords. Adsorption is identified as a key technology for post-combustion carbon capture. This rise in prominence of such processes is owed to the fact that application of solid sorbents does not lead to the generation of secondary waste streams. In fact, sorbents can be produced from waste material (e.g. bio-based sorbents). Bio-based sorbents have become an increasingly attractive option; food waste, agricultural and municipal sources can be employed as precursors. These sorbents can be physically and chemically activated and then further modified to produce sorbents that can capture CO2 effectively. The employment of these types of sorbents, however, often entails geological and operational challenges. Understanding how these sorbents can be deployed at scale and the geological challenges associated with bio-based sorbents are key research areas that must be further investigated. Process modelling and machine learning can provide insights into these challenges especially within optimization of adsorption processes and sorbent development. This paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of the synthesis of bio-based sorbents and their application within post-combustion carbon capture processes as well as the recent trends of utilizing machine learning for the development of these sorbents, and the design of the corresponding adsorption processes alike. Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25621 2022-11-28T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25411 Title: Development of a System Model to Predict Flows and Performance of Regional Waste Management Planning: A Case Study of England Authors: Ng, KS; Aidong, Y Abstract: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Significant loss of valuable resources and increasing burdens on landfills are often associated with a lack of proper planning in waste management and resource recovery strategy. A sustainable waste management model is thus urgently needed to improve resource efficiency and divert more waste from landfills. This paper proposes a comprehensive system model using stock-and-flow diagram to examine the current waste management performance and project the future waste generation, treatment and disposal scenarios, using England as a case study. The model comprises three integrated modules to represent household waste generation and collection; waste treatment and disposal; and energy recovery. A detailed mass and energy balance has been established and waste management performance has been evaluated using six upstream and downstream indicators. The base case scenario that assumes constant waste composition shows that waste to landfills can be reduced to less than 10% of the total amount, by 2035. However, it entails greater diversion of waste to energy-from-waste facilities, which is not sustainable and would incur higher capital investment and gate fees. Alternative case scenarios that promote recycling instead of energy recovery result in lower capital investment and gate fees. Complete elimination of the food and organic fraction from the residual waste stream will help meet the 65% recycling target by 2035. In light of the need for achieving a more circular economy in England, enhancing material recovery through reuse and recycling, reducing reliance on energy-from-waste and deploying more advanced waste valorisation technologies should be considered in future policy and planning for waste management. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request. Appendix A. Supplementary data: The following is the Supplementary data to this article: Multimedia component 1, available at: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0301479722021582-mmc1.docx (Word document, 144KB). Fri, 28 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25411 2022-10-28T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25209 Title: Circular economy: A sustainable management strategy for rare earth elements consumption in Australia Authors: Palle Paul Mejame, M; King, D; Banhalmi-zakar, Z; He, Y Abstract: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Rare earth elements (REEs) are a major constituent of many advanced materials in the information and telecommunication industries, as well as the renewable and energy efficiency sectors. REEs are enablers of speed, performance, durability, and low carbon emissions in these industries. They are required in everyday applications because of their unique chemical and physical properties. Given the rise in environmental concerns and consequent demand for REEs and the limited locations where REEs can be sourced, there is a very high risk of supply disruption. Despite the threat of REE supply risk and its environmental and economic significance, an in-depth examination of the environmental impact and benefits of sustainable consumption of these metals in Australia, as in many other parts of the world, holistically and systematically is lacking, particularly regarding improvement in resource efficiency strategies. Most previous work on REEs has focused either on the politico-economic conflicts over supply and distribution, or the environmental and social impacts of its production and has not holistically examined this problem, as a system. This paper provides a review of REEs' sustainable consumption in Australia. The study highlights Circular Economy (CE) as a scientifically plausible picture of sustainable management strategy to help address the adverse impacts of resource (REEs) shortages while achieving maximum environmental benefits. It provides answers to how sustainable are the current strategies of REEs consumption and how this can be enhanced from a CE perspective. A comprehensive CE framework was developed, followed by an illustrative example of CE as a tool for sustainability management and a practical implementation strategy to close the material loop and improve resource efficiency. Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25209 2022-04-25T00:00:00Z