A consistent life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was employed to show how the type of alkali (NaOH or Na₂CO₃) used for extracting water glass from rice husks, as well as the type of acid (HCl, H₂SO₄, or HNO₃) used for precipitating water glass to nanosilica, affects the environmental emissions of rice husk-derived nanosilica (RH nanosilica). Six nanosilica production scenarios were explicitly compared to determine the most environmentally friendly route. The LCA results show that under the same circumstances, the majority of the environmental emissions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are significantly better than those of sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), except for the MAETP and ODP indicators. Similarly, except for the MAETP indicator, the environmental emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) are generally superior to those of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃). NaOH and HCl were selected as preferable for the extraction of silica from rice husks and the precipitation of water glass, respectively. In addition, the preferred route underwent further in-depth optimization with the aim of achieving optimal environmental emissions for RH nanosilica. The effects of electricity, diesel, fertilizers, and pesticides on the life cycle emission factors of RH nanosilica were examined. The results demonstrate that replacing traditional coal power with cleaner alternatives, such as wind, hydropower, solar power (both photovoltaic and thermal), and biogas electricity, can result in a substantial decrease in the life cycle emission factors of nanosilica, with reductions varying between 20% and 60%. An effective method to reduce emissions associated with diesel, fertilizers, and pesticides is to adopt effective measures to decrease their consumption. These findings provide valuable theoretical foundations and insights for the industrial application of RH nanosilica. These results have great significance for guiding and promoting the industrialization process of nanosilica derived from rice husks and accelerating its commercialization.

To mitigate environmental emissions in the industrial nanosilica sector and promote its sustainable development, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method is employed to evaluate the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of industrial precipitated nanosilica. This LCA spans from the acquisition and transportation of raw materials to the production of nanosilica. By identifying the critical contributing factors, effective optimization strategies have been proposed to enhance the environmental performance of the nanosilica life cycle. The effects of electricity, alkalis, acids, and steam on the life cycle emission factors of nanosilica were examined. The results indicate that substituting traditional coal power and steam with cleaner alternatives like wind energy, hydroelectric power, and solar power (both photovoltaic and thermal), as well as biogas steam, can lead to a significant reduction in the life cycle emission factors of nanosilica, ranging from 50% to 90%. Notably, the types of acids and alkalis used only significantly reduce certain environmental factors. These findings provide valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for the industrial nanosilica sector, particularly in the areas of energy conservation, emission reduction, and the transition towards a lower-carbon economy.

The advancement of biomass-circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasification technology in China for commercialization and industrial application is still in its initial stages, characterized by extensive theoretical studies; however, there is limited documentation of its actual industrial operational characteristics. This study analyzes the operational challenges encountered in a 5 t/h biomass CFB gasifier at a rice factory in Jiangsu Province, China. It examines critical issues emerging during the gasifier system’s actual operational process, including the obstruction of the feeding system, the measurement of pressure at point blockages in the dense phase zone, loop seal blockages, bed inventory leakage of the blast cap on the air distribution plate, and gasification parameter fluctuations. Practical improvement strategies and implementation plans are proposed to address these operational concerns. The outcomes of this analysis serve as a reference for the design and operation of biomass CFB gasifiers. Furthermore, they provide crucial guidance for more extensive large-scale implementation of biomass CFB gasifiers.

Agrivoltaic technology holds great significance for promoting the collaborative development of new energy industries and modern agriculture. A systematic optimization design and preliminary electrical scheme for a 50 MW agrivoltaic power station in Shaanxi Province, China, were studied in this work. A combination of checkerboard and long-row layouts was adopted, considering the influence of the shading rate on agricultural production and photovoltaic power generation. The checkerboard pattern features the highest system efficiency, the smallest irradiance loss, and a slight lead in power generation, with a moderate shading rate, when compared to the other patterns. The expected energy gain from the bifacial modules’ rear side in this specific setup is 7.6%. These layouts ensure the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power station, while minimizing the shading impact of shading on crop growth, thereby achieving efficient comprehensive utilization of agricultural greenhouses and solar power generation. The primary electrical system was designed, including the main wiring design, main transformer selection, and type selection of major electrical equipment. The research results provide a practical reference for the large-scale application of agrivoltaic power stations, which is beneficial to promoting the high-quality development of modern agriculture.

Addressing the challenges of high cost and complex configuration in conventional circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasification-boiler systems, which stem from their reliance on auxiliary cooling and pressurization units, this paper proposes a novel solution. The approach involves the direct feeding of high-temperature syngas from a biomass CFB gasifier into a gas-fired boiler for combustion. This design not only fundamentally circumvents the problem of tar condensation but also renders the auxiliary systems unnecessary, resulting in a significant reduction in investment and operational expenses. Taking a biomass CFB gasifier coupled with a 20 t/h gas-fired steam boiler system (in Jiangsu Province, China) as a case study, this paper analyzes the main problems encountered during the commissioning period in the gasifier and gas-fired boiler, including slagging in the gas-fired boiler furnace, ash deposition on the tail heating surface of the gas-fired boiler and elevated exhaust gas temperature, air leakage at the lower part of the gasifier’s secondary cyclone separator, and insufficient capacity of the spiral ash cooler. Effective improvement measures are proposed. These findings provide valuable references for coupling biomass CFB gasifiers with industrial boilers and offer practical guidance for scaling up biomass CFB gasification technology.

Based on actual operational data from a methanol production enterprise in China, this study conducts a cradle-to-gate life-cycle carbon footprint assessment of bio-e-methanol. The carbon emission contributions of each process stage are systematically quantified and further extended to China’s seven regional power grids to evaluate their capability to meet China’s Grade A/B/C standards and the EU RED II carbon intensity thresholds under current power mixes. The results show that under the baseline scenario using the Chinese public power grid and coal-derived steam, electricity consumption is the largest contributor (76.6%) of the carbon footprint of bio-e-methanol, followed by steam (22.6%). The combined strategy of “low-carbon electricity + biomass-derived steam” is critical for deep decarbonisation. Regional analysis reveals that the Southwest China grid, with its uniquely high low-carbon electricity share of 71%, can meet the Grade C standard without any adjustment, and the Grade A, B and EU RED II standards with only minor adjustments to its power mix. All other regions require varying degrees of low-carbon electricity penetration increases. Residual power composition is the dominant factor determining compliance requirements for carbon threshold, far outweighing regional differences in current low-carbon electricity shares. This study provides a quantitative basis for methanol producers in different regions of China to optimise their power structures and devise differentiated low-carbon transition pathways.