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Gasification is one of the most efficient thermo-chemical conversion processes for transforming waste tyres into syngas and high-valued solid carbon products such as activated carbon (AC). This study evaluated the co-production of syngas and AC in three reactor configurations: fluidized bed, fixed bed, and rotary kiln at the systems level. A single-stage steam gasification and char activation process was simulated using Aspen Plus V10 software. The effects of gasification parameters such as equivalence ratio (ER) and steam-to-fuel ratio (SFR) were investigated and compared. The best conditions for the co-production of syngas and AC in the reactors were evaluated and compared. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) computational analysis was used to predict the surface area of the AC. The fluidized bed gasifier has the potential to produce syngas with a low heating value (LHV) of 6.67 MJ/Nm3, cold gas efficiency (CGE) of 82.4%LHV, AC with BET surface area of 698.63 m2/g and a carbon conversion ratio (CCR) of 92.5%, the fixed bed gasifier has a syngas LHV of 6.25 MJ/Nm3, CGE of 85.9%LHV, AC with BET surface area of 432.51 m2/g and CCR of 97.3% and the rotary kiln gasifier has a syngas LHV of 5.96 MJ/Nm3, CGE of 74%LHV, AC with BET surface area of 661.73 m2/g and CCR of 93%.

Bio‐based plasticizers are a significant replacement for petrochemical‐based plasticizers because they are from renewable resources. The plasticizing effect of lanolin‐based oil at a different concentration and as an additive on polylactide's thermal and chemical stability (PLA) was investigated. The thermal stability was assessed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The plasticized PLA samples were also analyzed with a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), X‐ray powder diffraction (powder XRD), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The plasticizer modified the thermal stability of the PLA polymer by increasing the cold crystallization temperature (Tcc), as shown by DSC. At the same time, the DMA data indicated a reduction in the dynamic storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) with increased amounts of plasticizer content. The powder X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that the PLA has no polymorphic crystalline transition with the oil plasticizer. The analysis from the results shows the oil additive's potential as a bio‐based plasticizer for PLA However, further performance improvements are required for large‐scale production. From the results obtained, there are enhancements in the thermal and physical properties of the modified PLA, and it is suitable for composite production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new, efficient and cost-effective technologies for acid gases (CO2 and H2S) removal from natural gas is pertinent for cleaner energy productions. The removal of acid gases from natural gas can be carried out using different techniques (chemical, physical or hybrid). Although the widely employed techniques are generally effective, they have some ascribed drawbacks such as process efficiency and high-energy cost. Emerging techniques are being considered to reduce or eliminate these limitations but their deployment on an industrial scale may require that certain scientific and technological criteria, such as higher selectivity and gas separation kinetics, be met. Unprecedented and lacking in previous appraisals, this review has focused on the emerging and sustainable developments on acid gases removal from natural gas, but not without a critical evaluation of the existing technologies to provide a better background on the subject, ascertain the status-quo and identify gaps for further improvements. Efficiency of these emerging technologies are analysed with focus on ionic liquids and their blends, binding organic liquids, enzyme-based separation technologies and others. This review also features the brief contribution of the authors towards the development of low-cost materials for CO2/natural gas separation. This article is expected to serve as an in-depth requisite background for further research on carbon capture processes with respect to natural gas purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]