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Development of heavy gas oil (HGO) desulphurisation (DS) through altering the composition of employed catalysts is crucial to enhance the quality of clean fuels production. Therefore, this research work reports an effective low-cost desulphurization performance for HGO fraction using unsupported nickel particles, of mixed compositions, having morphologies as nanotube and nanoflower-like as novel catalysts. The introduced structures were synthesised by electroless deposition technique using two reducing agents. The various characteristics of these catalysts were confirmed by XRD, TEM, BET and TGA analysis. The results of gas oil desulfurization revealed that the use of different reducing agents during the preparation stage could have an effect on the level of sulfur removal. Particularly, the produced catalyst by using methylamine, as a reducing agent, could have stronger affinity towards DS process compared to that of the obtained catalyst by hydrazine. Specifically, the catalyst of the superior DS activity could exhibit 97.5% sulfur removal from a heavy gas oil feedstock contains 10,000 ppm as sulfur content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion poses a significant challenge, causing severe damage to steel infrastructures across various industries, particularly those involved in delivering fossil fuel sources. The present study introduces an innovative approach to the development of corrosion inhibitors through the synthesis of a zinc nanoparticle (Zn NP) and polystyrene (PS) composite (ZnNPs@PS composite). The synthesized composite was characterized, revealing a surface area (SBET) of 33.62 m2 g−1 and an average pore diameter (Dp) of 9 nm. The analysis was conducted using several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The successful immobilization of Zn NPs, with an average size range of 4–50 nm, within the PS matrix was confirmed. The composite's corrosion inhibition efficiency (CIE) was evaluated using the weight loss method. Treated steel samples, after immersion in formation water, diesel fuel, and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 10 days at 25 °C, demonstrated CIE percentages of 94.27%, 88.18%, and 85.05%, respectively. This novel composite thus shows promising potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for steel in various corrosive environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-derived polystyrene microparticles loaded with cobalt hydroxide were prepared and tested as adsorbents for water treatment. The structure of the obtained adsorbent was analyzed by FT-IR, SEM-EDX and XRD techniques. Two dyes, namely, Reactive Red 195 and Methylene Blue were used to evaluate the adsorption behavior of the adsorbent toward anionic and cationic dyes, respectively. The effects of solution pH, contact time, temperature and adsorbent dose on the adsorption process were investigated. The adsorption data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetic models. The thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process (changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy) were estimated. The maximum adsorption capacities estimated using the Langmuir model were 37.20 and 32.06 mg g−1 for Reactive Red 195 and Methylene Blue, respectively. The pseudo-first-order equation provided the best description for the adsorption kinetics. The evaluated thermodynamic parameters for adsorption indicated that the process was endothermic, random, and spontaneous. These results suggest that the cobalt hydroxide-loaded polystyrene waste could serve as an effective adsorbent for the removal of dyes from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative, renewable and carbon-neutral fuels are an urgent requirement. Pyrolysis has received the most attention in the conversion of biomass into fuel. The main disadvantages of chemical and physical properties of pyrolysis crude bio-oil include its high oxygen content and acidity. Catalytic fast pyrolysis can overcome this problem. Rice straw is an abundant biomass residual that can be of environmental negative impact and is not of proper use. Therefore, this research work introduces the use of this residual in the production of fuel sources by one-step catalytic pyrolysis with the reusability of the employed catalyst. A waste extraction catalyst modified with acidic and nickel sites has been prepared and was utilised for the proposed target in this study. The removal of silica, lignin and minerals by treatment of the rice straw with KOH and then HNO3 in a green terminated process improved the catalytic biomass conversion from 83% to 96% at a catalyst dose of 5%, at 250°C. The pre-treatment of the rice straw enables the reusability of the catalyst in direct catalytic pyrolysis where the employed catalyst exhibits good stability in four consecutive runs. The used KOH and HNO3 were neutralised by mixing to produce KNO3 as a valuable fertiliser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main components of the worldwide transition to sustainable energy is solar cells, usually referred to as photovoltaics. By converting sunlight into power, they lessen their reliance on fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases. Because solar cells are decentralized, distributed energy systems may be developed, which increases the efficiency of the cells. Chalcogenide perovskites have drawn interest due to their potential in solar energy conversion since they provide distinctive optoelectronic characteristics and stability. But high temperatures and lengthy reaction periods make it difficult to synthesise and process them. Therefore, we present the inaugural numerical simulation using SCAPS-1D for emerging inorganic BaZrS3/CuO heterojunction solar cells. This study delves into the behaviour of diverse parameters in photovoltaic devices, encompassing efficiency (η) values, short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and open-circuit voltage (Voc). Additionally, we thoroughly examine the impact of window and absorber layer thickness, carrier concentration, and bandgap on the fundamental characteristics of solar cells. Our findings showcase the attainment of the highest efficiency (η) values, reaching 27.3% for our modelled devices, accompanied by Jsc values of 40.5 mA/cm2, Voc value of 0.79 V, and FF value of 85.2. The efficiency (η) values are chiefly influenced by the combined effects of Voc, Jsc, and FF values. This optimal efficiency was achieved with CuO thickness, band gap, and carrier concentration set at 5 µm, 1.05 eV, and above 1019 cm−3, respectively. In comparison, the optimal parameters for BaZrS3 include a thickness of 1 µm, a carrier concentration below 1020 cm−3, and a band gap less than 1.6 eV. Therefore, in the near future, the present simulation will simultaneously provide up an entirely novel field for the less defective perovskite solar cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]