Sustainability Commons^™

Integrating Water And Nitrogen Management For Sustainable Agriculture: Optimizing Resource Use Efficiency And Maximizing Crop Productivity, Jiaming Duan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Advisors: Derek Heeren and Daran Rudnick Maize, accounting for over 95% of national grain production in the United States, is highly sensitive to water and nitrogen (N) inputs. Conventional agricultural practices often lead to excessive application, causing groundwater contamination through nitrate leaching. Therefore, there is a demand for integrating water and nitrogen management with innovative scheduling methods for sustainable agricultural development.

This dissertation first reviewed two decades of U.S.-based research, highlighting the optimal management of water and N to enhance yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Findings indicate that maintaining optimal levels of N and water …

Lca Operational Carbon Reduction Based On Energy Strategies Analysis In A Mass Timber Building, Moein Hemmati, Tahar Messadi, Hongmei Gu, Mahboobeh Hemmati

Architecture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Buildings play a significant role in the rise of energy consumption and carbon emissions. Building operations are responsible for 28% of the world’s carbon emissions. It is crucial, therefore, to evaluate the environmental impact of various buildings’ operational phase in order to implement sustainable strategies for the mitigation of their energy usage and associated carbon footprint. While numerous studies have been conducted to determine the carbon footprint of conventional building operation phases, there are still a lack of actual data on the operational carbon (OC) emissions of mass timber buildings. There is also a lack of research pertaining to the …

Sustainability Measures Of The Apparel Industry: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Apparel Corporations’ Sustainability Efforts, Lance Cheramie, Mahendran Balasubramanian

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Climate change is a paramount challenge of our era, with profound implications for various sectors, including the apparel industry, known for its extensive environmental footprint throughout the entire clothing lifecycle. This study assesses the industry’s carbon emission trends using six years of data (2017–2022) focusing on Scope 1 and Scope 2. Employing a one-way repeated measures ANOVA, this study evaluates the impact of sustainability strategies on emissions. The results indicate a notable decrease in Scope 2 and overall carbon emissions, while Scope 1 emissions remain relatively unchanged despite a downward trend. These findings underscore the success of current sustainability measures …

Developing Educational Tools For Sustainable Stormwater Management, Lauren Houskeeper

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Rapid population growth and development in Western states are exerting strain on the region’s limited water resources. Urbanization exacerbates this issue by increasing impervious surfaces, limiting infiltration of precipitation during storm events and snowmelt, which results in changes to hydrologic conditions with higher runoff volumes and higher peak flows. Stormwater transports pollutants as it flows across impervious surfaces, discharging high volumes of runoff and elevated loads of urban contaminants into receiving waters. The amount of pollution entering waterways continually increases as urban areas expand. Utah is currently experiencing a rapid transition from undeveloped to developed landscapes, necessitating the implementation of …

Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) And Computer Software To Assess Effects Of Cover Crops On Cash Crop Volumetric Mass And Plant Height, Carlos Andres Garcia Patlan

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability in agriculture starts with the health of soil-- from its productivity and fertility, to its ability to retain water during droughts and allow for drainage during rain. One approach of improving soil health is the use of cover crops, a practice associated with improved nutrient availability in soils, the promotion of soil biodiversity and organic matter to improve density and structure, effective weed management, and ultimately improved yields of subsequent cash crops. Assessing the cumulative impacts of cover crops is difficult, with various metrics and indicators. Crop dry weight may be a way to predict the effects cover crops …

Enhancing Fuel Injection System Reliability Through Weibull Family Functions Analysis, Ali Nouri Qarahasanlou, Abbas Barabadi, Meisam Saleki, Ali Rahimazar, Parisa Rezakhania, Masoume Gholamia

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The efficient operation of heavy machinery is crucial to the success of mining and civil construction operations. To guarantee this performance, equipment performance is assessed using the Reliability Index, which analyzes failures to study the ability of a system to carry out its intended functions under predetermined conditions. On the other hand, the failure rate and operational environmental condition (such as management decisions, maintenance performance, etc., that are defined as “risk factors”) over the life cycle of industrial systems pose a significant challenge to reliability analysis. This paper proposes an approach to address these challenges by extending Weibull family functions …

Chemical Recycling Of Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams: Evaluating Bio-Based Glycols In Comparison To Petroleum-Based Glycols, Anirudh Thorbole Mr.

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The paradigm shift towards bio-based polyurethane foams (bio-PUF) has significantly increased post-consumer waste. To address this issue, this research represents a novel approach to enhance sustainable development in the recycling industry by replacing traditional petroleum-based glycols with sustainable bio-based alternatives. This study explores the glycolysis of bio-PUF using bio-based SG-522 glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) for comparison. The findings from this research as outlined, reveal no significant differences in depolymerization time between the two glycols, achieving proper depolymerization and high recovery yields of over 95% after solvent purification. Comprehensive FT-IR and NMR analyses confirmed the successful degradation of bio-PUF and …

Future Library: Hopepunk Heroism, Joanna Pascoe

Heroism Science

Future Library (Paterson, 2014-2114) is viewed through the lens of the heroic imagination and heroism in community. The heroic vision includes an artist, writers, a forest, public architecture, and the city of Oslo. As the project grows, so does its community, across the world, encouraging transformative thinking for all. Future Library is an art installation created by Katie Paterson, described thus: “A forest in Norway is growing. In 100 years it will become an anthology of books. Every year a writer is contributing a text that will be held in trust, unpublished, until the year 2114. The texts will be …

Pyrolysis Characteristics And Pore-Fracture Evolutionary Patterns Of Tar-Rich Coals, Geng Jishi, Wang Shuangming, Sun Qiang, Hou Enke, Yang Yuru, Hu Xin, Xue Shengze

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Extracting coal-based oil and gas from tar-rich coal through in situ pyrolysis plays a significant role in counteracting the shortage of China's oil and gas resources and enhancing the utilization efficiency of coal resources, representing a new trend for the efficient exploitation of tar-rich coals. During the in situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals, the internal heat transfer, as well as the migration and production of pyrolysis products, is directly influenced by the oil and gas production characteristics and the characteristics of pores and fractures. Hence, it is particularly critical to identify the pyrolysis characteristics and pore-fracture evolutionary patterns of …

In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coal: Effects On Geological Environments And Geological Guarantee Technology, Xu Shiang, Zhang Pingsong, Cheng Gang, Wu Haibo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar-rich coal, a type of unique unconventional oil and gas resource that integrates coal, oil, and gas, can be transformed into tar, combustible gases, and semi-coke solid fuels with high added value through in-situ pyrolysis. Therefore, the in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coal has the potential to meet the challenges in achieving the green exploitation and clean, low-carbon utilization of coals in the traditional coal industry. Furthermore, in terms of how to reduce coal pollution emissions and enhance energy efficiency, this technology offers a new solution for attaining the goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. It also …

Molecular Modeling Of Tar-Rich Coals From Northern Shaanxi And Their Molecular Dynamic Characteristics In The Process Of Pyrolysis For Tar Extraction, Guo Wei, Yang Panxi, Yu Zunyi, Yang Fu, Wang Jing, Ma Li, Li Hongqiang, Yang Bolun, Wu Zhiqiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The pyrolysis process and mechanism of tar-rich coals remain unclear due to their complex structures. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the structure-activity relationship between their structure and the distributions of their pyrolytic products and determine the mechanism behind their pyrolysis for tar extraction. Methods Focusing on typical tar-rich coals from northern Shaanxi Province, this study calculated and constructed the molecular model of the coals using characterization methods such as carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), determining the molecular formula at C₄₄₄H₃₈₀O_{74 …}

Advances In Research On Hydrogenation Saturation Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Coal Tar, He Xinfu, Gao Fan, Wu Hongju, Zhang Xiaoqin, Ma Tao, Shi Zhiwei, Zhou Anning, Zhang Yating

Coal Geology & Exploration

Significance Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a predominant component in coal tar, can be used to produce jet fuels with high energy density and thermal stability through hydrogenation saturation. Based on the characteristics of the PAH hydrogenation process, this study proposed that primary challenges in PAH hydrogenation saturation include the resonance energy of PAHs themselves, the spatial site resistance of hydrogenation intermediates, and the competitive adsorption of feedstocks and intermediates on active sites in the catalysts. Progress Based on the review of research progress in catalysts for PAH hydrogenation saturation in recent years, this study analyzed the substantial factor influencing the …

Pilot Experiment For Underground In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coal In The Northern Shaanxi Province, Duan Zhonghui, Yang Fu, Wang Zhendong, Ma Li, Duan Xiaoqing, Cao Husheng, Chen Liang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The breakthrough of the pilot experiment for underground in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coal in the northern Shaanxi has added new vitality to the research on in-situ conversion of fossil energy such as tar-rich coal and oil shale, and the results have attracted wide attention both inside and outside the industry. The research on underground in-situ pyrolysis of tar rich coal is still in its infancy, lacking systematic research on field engineering data.Methods Based on the pilot experiment, the main geological conditions and engineering difficulties have been clarified, and the progress of underground in-situ pyrolysis has been summarized. The …

Geological Factors Controlling The Occurrence Of Carboniferous-Permian Tar-Rich Coals In The Ningdong Coalfield, Huang Pengcheng, Guo Weiyong, Ji Xiaoyan, Cai Feifei, Zhang Zhifeng, Huang Kang, Cheng Yunqiang, Liu Zheng, Wang Bei, Chen Rong, Shi Qingmin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Ningdong Coalfield of the Ordos Basin boasts abundant tar-rich coal resources, of which tar-rich coals in the Carboniferous-Permian coal seams exhibit unique occurrence characteristics due to differences in thermal evolution and sedimentary environments. Methods This study analyzed the occurrence characteristics and critical material composition of tar-rich coals in the Hongdunzi and Siguquan mining areas. Based on this, it explored the controlling effects of the degree of coalification and sedimentary environment on the tar yield. Results and Conclusions The results indicate that the Carboniferous-Permian coal seams in the Ningdong Coalfield exhibit average tar yields ranging from 7.15% to 11.07%, …

Distributions Of Products From The Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals For Tar Extraction In Northern Shaanxi Province, China, Yu Zunyi, Guo Wei, Yang Panxi, Gao Kun, Yang Fu, Ma Li, Wang Jing, Li Hongqiang, Yang Bolun, Wu Zhiqiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar-rich coals stand as a special type of coal resource that integrates coal, oil, and gas properties. These coals, boasting abundant hydrogen-rich structures such as side chains and bridge bonds with aliphatic structures, are prone to crack and produce tar and gas during pyrolysis. These establish tar-rich coals as ideal raw materials that produce oil and gas through thermal conversion. Presently, the research into tar extraction from tar-rich coals through pyrolysis remains in its initial stage, and exploring the impacts of technological conditions, including heat carrier, heating type, and pyrolysis temperature, on the pyrolysis process holds critical significance for …

Simulation Of The Pyrolysis Process Of Tar-Rich Coals In An H2O Atmosphere Based On The Reactive Force Field Molecular Dynamics, Huang Zibo, Liu Qianru, Liu Hong, Zhou Wenjing, Wei Jinjia

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar-rich coal resources, abundant in China, can be converted into energy products (e.g., chemicals and gas/liquid fuels) through pyrolysis, thus alleviating the country’s dependence on oil and gas imports. A thorough understanding of the product evolution and reaction mechanisms of the pyrolysis of tar-rich coals is crucial to research into the clean and efficient conversion processes of coals. Methods Based on the reactive force field molecular dynamics (ReaxFF MD), this study simulated the pyrolysis process of tar-rich coals (long-flame coals) and explored the impacts of the H₂O atmosphere on the distribution of pyrolytic products, along with the …

Spatiotemporal Distributions Of Typical Contaminants From The In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals, Tian Hua, Zhang Ruolin, Wang Qianji, Wu Xiaoyu, Zhang Lei, Zhang Lingru, Fang Siyuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods Under high temperatures, oil and gas produced from the in situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals will migrate toward and accumulate in the overburden strata after passing through the fracture zones on the coal seam roof, causing potential contamination risks for the underground environment. To understand the release and distribution characteristics of typical contaminants generated from the underground pyrolysis of tar-rich coals, this study investigated the typical tar-rich coals from the Shenfu mining area of the Jurassic coalfield in northern Shaanxi Province. Based on data on the stratigraphic structures and lithology and using the self-developed equipment for similarity …

Downhole Heaters For In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals：A Review And Prospects, Wang Zhendong, Duan Zhonghui, Yang Fu, Ma Li

Coal Geology & Exploration

Significance China boasts abundant tar-rich coal resources, which prove to be potential coal-based oil and gas resources capable of ensuring China's energy security. Extracting hydrogen while preserving carbon through the in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals has developed into a trend in the clean and low-carbon utilization of coal resources. Downhole heaters serve as critical equipment for the efficient in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals. Advances Based on investigations and the systematic collection of relevant information and data, this study offers a brief introduction of the currently used methods for in-situ convection heating, focusing on the present situation of the research and …

Exploring The Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals Under The Catalysis Of Cerium-Modified Magnetic Core-Shell Hzsm-5, Zhou Anning, Zhang Zhi, Chen Yongan, Zhang Huaiqing, Bai Zhuangwei, Shi Zhiwei, He Xinfu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar-rich coals are valuable resources integrating coal, tar, and gas properties. Catalytic pyrolysis serves as a significant approach for achieving green and low-carbon development of tar-rich coals. However, the research and development of efficient and recyclable catalysts for the pyrolysis of tar-rich coals remains highly challenging. Methods With HZSM-5@SiO₂@MgFe₂O₄ (HSMF) as the raw material, this study prepared HZSM-5@SiO₂@MgFe₂O₄ (mHSMF) with a hierarchical porous structure using the hydrothermal method and alkali modification, followed by the preparation of cerium-modified mHSMF (5-CeO₂/mHSMF) using the precipitation method. Employing a fixed-bed reactor, …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Strategic Value And Scientific Exploration Of In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals, Wang Shuangming, Shi Qingmin, Sun Qiang, Cui Shidong, Kou Bingyang, Qiao Junwei, Geng Jishi, Zhang Lei, Tian Hua, Jiang Pengfei, Cai Yue, Liu Lang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Given China's significant demand shortfall of oil and gas, numerous constraints on oil and gas supply, an arduous task of green and low-carbon energy transition of coals, tar-rich coals, a type of coal resource integrating the properties of coal, oil, and gas, have great potential for increasing the oil and gas supply of the country. Advances Despite the successful engineering test conducted in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals remains in its exploratory stage. This technology holds great strategic value in two aspects: (1) It enables reduced demand shortfall of oil and gas in China to enhance …

Numerical Simulations Of The Evolutionary Patterns Of Multi-Physical Fields During The In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals, Yang Fu, Cheng Xiangqiang, Li Mingjie, Wu Zhiqiang, Wei Jinjia, Cao Husheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals, an emerging technology for coal resource utilization characterized by cleanliness, high efficiency, and safety, is still in its initial development stage. This technology is greatly influenced by the evolutionary patterns of multi-physical fields and critical process parameters. Methods A numerical simulation model involving multi-physical fields was established by coupling fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions, and its reliability was verified by comparing the numerical simulation results with the pyrolysis experimental results of cylindrical coal samples. Based on the pilot test conditions, the impacts of permeability, heat-carrier flow rate, and fracture zone height …

Impacts Of The Caking Property Of Tar-Rich Coals On Their Pore Structure Evolution And Seepage During Pyrolysis, Chang Zhibing, Wang Chuchu, Kuang Wenhao, Tang Ying, Wu Xiaodan, Liu Shuqin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals stands as a technique whereby coal seams are heated underground to produce tar and gas products. During the in-situ pyrolysis, the injection of heating media and the production of tar and gas are affected by the pore structure and permeability of coal seams. Since pyrolysis of caking tar-rich coals is accompanied by the formation of colloids, the pore structure and permeability of caking tar-rich coals differ from those of non-caking tar-rich coals. Methods Caking tar-rich coals were pyrolyzed at 300, 400, 500, and 600 ℃. During the pyrolysis, the pore parameters of the …

Identification Of Tar-Rich Coal Based On The True Density And Natural Gamma Ray Response Of Coals, Shi Qingmin, Geng Xuhu, Wang Shuangming, Cai Yue, Han Bo, Wang Shengquan, Zhang Zhehao, He Yufei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar yield, derived from the Gray-King assay, serves as the sole metric for evaluating tar-rich coal. However, insufficient exploration data hinder its effective application in the fine-scale evaluation of extensive tar-rich coal. Methods Based on binary classification, this study proposed the optimal thresholds for tar-rich coal identification using true density (ρ) and natural gamma-ray (GR) log. Moreover, this study elucidated the intrinsic mechanisms behind the significant petrophysical parameter responses of tar-rich coal. Results and Conclusions Key findings are as follows: (1) Coals with various metamorphic grades differ in identification threshold. For instance, long-flame tar-rich coal, the optimal …

A Log-Based Method For Evaluating The Tar Yield Of Tar-Rich Coal, Tian Han, Li Ning, Wang Shuangming, Wu Hongliang, Feng Zhou, Wang Kewen, Wang Guiwen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective As a kind of coal-based oil and gas resource, tar-rich coal is significant for the supply of oil and gas resources, as well as the clean and efficient utilization of coals. Presently, the identification of tar-rich coals primarily depends on the Gray-King assay. In contrast, there is a lack of studies on the accurate identification and evaluation of tar-rich coal using geophysical methods. Methods This study investigated coals in the Jurassic Xishanyao and Badaowan Formations in Santanghu Basin, Xinjiang. Based on petrophysical experiments, as well as the typical log response characteristics of tar-rich coal, this study developed a new …

A Method For Predicting The Tar Yield Of Tar-Rich Coals Based On The Bp Neural Network Using Multiple Indicators Of Coal Petrography And Coal Quality, Qiao Junwei, Wang Changjian, Zhao Hongchao, Shi Qingmin, Zhang Yu, Fan Qi, Wang Duo, Yuan Dandan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar yield, the most important coal quality parameter for coal utilization through low-temperature pyrolysis, determines the clean utilization of tar-rich coals. However, various constraints result in limited test data on tar yield in the geological exploration stage of coals, substantially restricting the fine-scale assessment and efficient utilization of tar-rich coals. Methods To achieve more scientific and accurate fine-scale tar-rich coal assessments, this study examined 1073 sets of lithotype and coal quality data obtained previously from a Jurassic coalfield in northern Shaanxi. From these data, 141 sets with 20 lithotype and coal quality parameters regarding macerals, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, …

Performance Of Carbon Foams Based On Heavy Tar Produced By Tar-Rich Coal Pyrolysis, Zhang Lei, Liu Chunjiang, Song Ruikang, Wang Qi, Chen Ya, Huang Pengcheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Preparing graphitized foam materials using heavy tar produced by the pyrolysis of tar-rich coals plays a significant role in the high-value utilization of tar-rich coal resources. Methods This study aims to prepare high-performance carbon foam materials by investigating the relationships between various reaction conditions and carbon foam performance. First, using mesophase asphalt prepared with heavy tar as the precursor, carbon foams were developed via the high-temperature self-foaming method. Then, the effects of different reaction temperatures, heating rates, and reaction pressures on the performance of coal tar-based carbon foams were examined. Finally, quadratic multinomial regression equations were established using Box-Behnken …

“Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets”: Pathways And Prospects For Ecological Gdp In The Yellow River Basin, Guangqian Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

This study, following Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization philosophy and the two mountains concept, explores pathways for realizing ecological value and mechanisms for ecological GDP in the Yellow River Basin. The research demonstrates that the two mountains concept breaks through the limitations of traditional development paradigms, providing a foundational guide for ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. The research shows that constructing an ecological asset system and incorporating it into GDP accounting is the key to addressing the challenges of ecological value transformation. This requires adherence to the principles of “requisition-compensation balance” and “market-based transaction”, coupled with …

Theoretical Connotations And Chinese Practices Of Nature-Based Solutions, Bojie Fu, Jun Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The global ecological environment is confronted with severe challenges such as intensified climate change, drastic reduction of biodiversity and land degradation, which seriously affect the sustainable development of human beings. These challenges promote profound reflection on the relationship between human beings and nature. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) has emerged as an innovative concept of global ecological governance thateffectively responds to societal challenges. Its development has gone through embryonic stage, developmental stage and comprehensive application stage. Multidisciplinary principles such as restoration ecology and landscape ecology constitute the theoretical foundation of NbS. China has effectively integrated the concept of NbS with the construction …

Scientific Understanding And Transformation Pathways For “Ice And Snow Are Also As Valuable As Gold And Silver”, Qi Feng, Shijin Wang, Rongfang Zhao, Bao Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

“Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”, and “ice and snow are also as valuable as gold and silver”. Excellent ecology, ecological enrichment, and happy life are concrete manifestations of the Chinese-style modernization featuring harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature. Compared with lucid waters and lush mountains, ice and snow covered land is mostly concentrated in winter and spring, making it rather difficult to transform them into mountains of gold and silver. How to forge a pathway of high-quality development of the ice and snow economy to drive the revitalization of rural industries in winter and spring is …