C. Monné

Bio: C. Monné is an academic researcher from University of Zaragoza. The author has contributed to research in topics: Solar air conditioning & Combustion. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 25 publications receiving 551 citations.

Resource Recovery from Wastewater by Biological Technologies: Opportunities, Challenges, and Prospects

Abstract: Limits in resource availability are driving a change in current societal production systems, changing the focus from residues treatment, such as wastewater treatment, toward resource recovery. Biotechnological processes offer an economic and versatile way to concentrate and transform resources from waste/wastewater into valuable products, which is a prerequisite for the technological development of a cradle-to-cradle bio-based economy. This review identifies emerging technologies that enable resource recovery across the wastewater treatment cycle. As such, bioenergy in the form of biohydrogen (by photo and dark fermentation processes) and biogas (during anaerobic digestion processes) have been classic targets, whereby, direct transformation of lipidic biomass into biodiesel also gained attention. This concept is similar to previous biofuel concepts, but more sustainable, as third generation biofuels and other resources can be produced from waste biomass. The production of high value biopolymers (e.g., for bioplastics manufacturing) from organic acids, hydrogen, and methane is another option for carbon recovery. The recovery of carbon and nutrients can be achieved by organic fertilizer production, or single cell protein generation (depending on the source) which may be utilized as feed, feed additives, next generation fertilizers, or even as probiotics. Additionlly, chemical oxidation-reduction and bioelectrochemical systems can recover inorganics or synthesize organic products beyond the natural microbial metabolism. Anticipating the next generation of wastewater treatment plants driven by biological recovery technologies, this review is focused on the generation and re-synthesis of energetic resources and key resources to be recycled as raw materials in a cradle-to-cradle economy concept.

An overview of hydrogen as a vehicle fuel

Abstract: As hydrogen fuel cell vehicles move from manifestation to commercialization, the users expect safe, convenient and customer-friendly fuelling. Hydrogen quality affects fuel cell stack performance and lifetime, as well as other factors such as valve operation. In this paper, previous researcher's development on hydrogen as a possible major fuel of the future has been studied thoroughly. Hydrogen is one of the energy carriers which can replace fossil fuel and can be used as fuel in an internal combustion engines and as a fuel cell in vehicles. To use hydrogen as a fuel of internal combustion engine, engine design should be considered for avoiding abnormal combustion. As a result it can improve engine efficiency, power output and reduce NOx emissions. The emission of fuel cell is low as compared to conventional vehicles but as penalty, fuel cell vehicles need additional space and weight to install the battery and storage tank, thus increases it production cost. The production of hydrogen can be ‘carbon-free’ only if it is generated by employing genuinely carbon-free renewable energy sources. The acceptability of hydrogen technology depends on the knowledge and awareness of the hydrogen benefits towards environment and human life. Recent study shows that people still do not have the sufficient information of hydrogen.

A review for research and new design options of solar absorption cooling systems

Abstract: Solar cooling technology is environmentally friendly and contributes to a significant decrease of the CO 2 emissions which cause the green house effect. Currently, most of the solar cooling systems commonly used are the hot water driven lithium bromide absorption chillers. According to the operating temperature range of driving thermal source, single-effect LiBr/H 2 O absorption chillers have the advantage of being powered by ordinary flat-plate or evacuated tubular solar collectors available in the market. In this paper, besides the review of the existing theoretical and experimental investigations of solar single-effect absorption cooling systems, some new design options with regard to solar collectors, auxiliary energy systems and cooling modes were introduced. And then, other main types of solar absorption cooling systems based on double-effect, half-effect and two-stage absorption chillers were summarized. For buildings with high amounts of cooling load and limited installation area, solar-powered double-effect absorption cooling systems may be considered on condition that the direct irradiation is high enough. Half-effect absorption chillers and two-stage absorption chillers seem to be more suitable for air-cooled solar absorption cooling systems in hot and dry regions which are short of water. It is highly recommended to study the standardised design guidelines according to different areas for the purpose of widespread applications of solar cooling systems.