FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136293
Dongliang Hu , Hongfei Zhang , Zinuo Wang , Xibo Wang , Xingyu Gu , Jiupeng Zhang , Jianzhong Pei
{"title":"From asphalt molecular evolution to performance degradation: Understanding aging mechanisms, inhibition strategies, and rejuvenation techniques","authors":"Dongliang Hu , Hongfei Zhang , Zinuo Wang , Xibo Wang , Xingyu Gu , Jiupeng Zhang , Jianzhong Pei","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Asphalt is extensively used in infrastructure construction owing to its thermoplastic properties and excellent adhesive properties. However, as an organic material, asphalt remains inherently prone to aging, which diminishes the durability and service life of asphalt-based materials while elevating life-cycle costs and carbon emissions. To clarify the aging behavior of asphalt material and to systematically guide strategies for aging inhibition and regeneration, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the chemical reaction mechanisms underlying asphalt aging behavior, linking these mechanisms to chemical structure and environmental factors. The effects of aging on the nanoscopic, microscopic, and macroscopic properties of asphalt, along with their potential interconnections, are further discussed. Recent advances and foundational principles for inhibiting asphalt aging and rejuvenating aged asphalt are reviewed in the context of aging mechanisms. Furthermore, key challenges and future research directions are outlined, including aging-induced cracking mechanisms, the development of anti-aging agents, and the targeted design of rejuvenators to enhance durability and sustainability of asphalt.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136293"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136349
Huaping Xiong , Yue Meng , Bo Xie , Zheming Ni , Shengjie Xia
{"title":"Screening and mechanistic study of transition metal and non-metal mono-/co-doped WS2 with anti-site defects as nitrogen reduction electrocatalysts","authors":"Huaping Xiong , Yue Meng , Bo Xie , Zheming Ni , Shengjie Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136349","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), as a green ammonia technology, is of great significance in addressing the challenges of the conventional Haber-Bosch process and meeting the growing demand for ammonia. However, it still faces key challenges such as sluggish reaction kinetics, low nitrogen solubility and competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). To address these issues, in this study, 40 single-atom catalysts based on anti-site-defective WS<sub>2</sub>, including non-metal-doped, transition-metal-doped, and co-doped systems, were innovatively designed and systematically investigated by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The thermodynamic stability, nitrogen activation ability, NRR selectivity and catalytic activity of these candidate catalysts were comprehensively evaluated through a combination of ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, Gibbs free energy calculations, limiting potential difference analyses, and detailed reaction pathway exploration. Te@W<sub>S</sub>-WS<sub>2</sub>, Mo@W<sub>S</sub>-WS<sub>2</sub>, and Re-Te@W<sub>S</sub>-WS<sub>2</sub>, which were screened from the three types of doping systems, exhibited remarkable NRR activity and selectivity with limiting potential (U<sub>L</sub>) as low as −0.27 V, −0.21 V, and −0.26 V, respectively. These catalysts were able to efficiently convert adsorbed N<sub>2</sub> molecules to NH<sub>3</sub> via a distal mechanism, while effectively inhibiting the competitive HER process. Through systematic theoretical exploration, this work not only provides important theoretical guidance for the design and synthesis of high-efficiency NRR electrocatalysts, but also opens new avenues for the optimal design of high-performance WS<sub>2</sub>-based electrocatalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136349"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136089
Olajumoke Alabi-Babalola , Vijayalakshmi Thangaraj , Nasser Alqahtani , Hubertus Warsahartana , Matthew Smith , Edidiong Asuquo , Carmine D’Agostino , Arthur Garforth
{"title":"Thermal desorption and coke deposition studies of spent zeolite catalysts in the hydrocracking of expanded polystyrene waste","authors":"Olajumoke Alabi-Babalola , Vijayalakshmi Thangaraj , Nasser Alqahtani , Hubertus Warsahartana , Matthew Smith , Edidiong Asuquo , Carmine D’Agostino , Arthur Garforth","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136089","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136089","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of sustainable catalysts towards the chemical recycling of waste plastics has become imperative due to the huge amount of plastic waste generated, the associated disposal problems, and the attendant negative effects on human health and the environment. Spent zeolite catalysts used in the hydrocracking of waste polystyrene have been analysed with focus on coke deposition and product distribution via thermogravimetric analysis and thermal desorption studies respectively. The proton forms of the zeolites (HY and HBeta), the platinum-doped forms obtained via 1 % wt. impregnation: 1PtHY and 1PtHBeta, which were further thermally reduced to 1Pt<sup>0</sup>HY and 1Pt<sup>0</sup>HBeta respectively were used for various hydrocracking process reactions. Results showed that the higher catalyst loading in hydrocracking reactions caused a reduction in the amount of coke deposited on the catalyst surface as coke content decreased from 15 to 11 % at a polymer:catalyst of 15:1 and 5:1 respectively. At higher reaction times (60 min), temperatures (330 °C), and pressures (25 bar H<sub>2</sub>), the amount of coke decreases indicating thermal stability of the porous catalysts under harsh reaction conditions. The presence of platinum significantly reduced the amount of coke formed from 35 % (HY) to 16 % (1PtHY), and from 41 % (HBeta) to 15 % (1PtHBeta) implying that the metal provided high resistance to coking. Repeated catalysts reuse showed the deposition of aromatics on the catalysts surface and a slight increase in the average particle size of the Pt nanoparticle from 3.1 nm for a single run to 4.0 nm for repeated runs using 1Pt<sup>0</sup>HBeta. Thermal desorption analysis revealed the presence of mostly mono-aromatics, indicating that the more condensed polyaromatics desorbed from the zeolite pores undergo cracking reactions leading to the formation of lower molecular weight hydrocarbon molecules, thus giving insights on the nature of hydrocarbon species on used catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136089"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136344
Vladimir Katnov , Mohammed A. Khelkhal , Sofya Trubitsina , Igor Kiselev , Liliya Galiakhmetova , Enje Usmanova , Nafis Nazimov , Alexey Vakhin
{"title":"In-situ upgrading of heavy oil via aquathermolysis using metallic sodium nanosuspension: Thermal treatment optimization and mechanistic investigation","authors":"Vladimir Katnov , Mohammed A. Khelkhal , Sofya Trubitsina , Igor Kiselev , Liliya Galiakhmetova , Enje Usmanova , Nafis Nazimov , Alexey Vakhin","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136344","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136344","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a novel approach to heavy oil upgrading through aquathermolysis enhanced by metallic sodium nanosuspension as an in-situ hydrogen donor and catalytic agent. Specifically, the influence of process temperature on the compositional and characteristic changes of high-viscosity oil is demonstrated, which is essential for optimizing oil production processes. Experiments were conducted using heavy oil samples from the Ashalcha field under conditions simulating steam-thermal treatment of the produced fluid at various temperatures (150–300 °C) and initial pressure of 10 bar. Various analytical methods were employed for comprehensive investigation of the ongoing processes: gas chromatography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, SARA analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, FT-IR spectrometry, and dynamic viscosity measurements. Results show that treatment at 250 °C provides optimal oil conversion with significant viscosity reduction of up to 26 % and sulfur compound content reduction of up to 17.8 %, while it should be noted that oil treatment at 300 °C achieved 59 % viscosity reduction but was accompanied by increased gas formation and reduced product quality. SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, Asphaltenes) analysis revealed positive changes in the oil’s group composition after treatment. Gas chromatography of the produced gases confirmed hydrogen formation resulting from metallic sodium reaction with water; additionally, sodium nanoparticles and the formed alkali promoted complete neutralization of acidic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, which addresses the main corrosion problem in steam-thermal recovery operations. Based on the obtained data, a mechanism for the ongoing processes was proposed. The practical significance of the method lies in its potential implementation under field conditions in steam-assisted gravity drainage and cyclic steam stimulation, providing enhanced oil recovery efficiency and reducing environmental and operational problems associated with high-sulfur heavy oil production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136344"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136322
Peng Huang , Huiping Sun , Qian Meng , Yan Tan , Ting Liu , Zizhen Ma , Caihua Shi , Huawei Zhang
{"title":"Nitrogen-embedded conductive carbon black from coal liquefaction residue: self-activating hierarchical porosity via synergistic doping and templating","authors":"Peng Huang , Huiping Sun , Qian Meng , Yan Tan , Ting Liu , Zizhen Ma , Caihua Shi , Huawei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The high-value utilization of coal liquefaction residue (CLR) represents a crucial challenge for the green transformation of coal chemical industries. This study develops a dicyandiamide-assisted ball milling strategy to convert CLR into high-performance nitrogen-doped conductive carbon black through one-step carbonization. By utilizing the stepwise pyrolysis characteristics of dicyandiamide and the template effect of magnesium citrate, we simultaneously achieved in-situ nitrogen doping, hierarchical pore construction, and graphitic microcrystal growth during carbonization. Systematic studies were carried out to examine how nitrogen sources and doping concentrations influence the morphological features, specific surface area, crystalline ordering, and charge transfer capabilities of carbon materials. The research demonstrates that the self-activation effect induced by dicyandiamide pyrolysis synergizes with the morphology-confining effect of MgO templates to create a “nanosheet-mesopore” composite structure. Nitrogen atoms primarily existing as quaternary nitrogen is more than 46.09% optimize the electron conduction pathways in the carbon matrix. The optimized material has a significant specific surface area of 582.30 m<sup>2</sup>/g with 78% microporosity, along with short-range ordered graphitic domains that facilitate efficient electron transfer. Electrochemical testing shows an exceptional charge transport properties, with a remarkably low interfacial resistance of 2.09 Ω, along with a specific capacitance of 205.3 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, significantly surpassing conventionally prepared CLR-derived carbon materials (49.1 F/g). This process eliminates traditional activation and graphitization steps, substantially reducing energy consumption while providing an economically viable and sustainable solution for high-value utilization of coal-based solid wastes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136322"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Eight years later: How PV degradation affects green hydrogen generation under tropical conditions?","authors":"Abdelhak Lekbir , Abdullahi Mohamed Samatar , Putri Nor Liyana Mohamad Radzi , Saad Mekhilef , Kok Soon Tey","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136380","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136380","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid depletion of fossil fuels and growing environmental concerns are driving a shift toward renewable energy (RE) systems. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, central to this transition, faces performance degradation over time, especially in tropical climates. This study evaluates how PV aging affects green hydrogen production by analyzing long-term field data from a 2 kWp polycrystalline PV system installed at Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, operational since 2015. Key metrics from 2016 (initial year) and 2024 (eighth year) were compared. Degradation was assessed by comparing actual PV output with theoretical estimates based on solar irradiance and module specifications. Hydrogen yield was calculated using the energy input to a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and electrochemical equations, assuming an 80 % efficiency. Solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion was evaluated by relating hydrogen energy content to incident solar energy. Results show PV efficiency declined from 11.6 % to 8.91 %, and daily hydrogen output dropped from 5348.4 L to 4973.5 L. STH efficiency fell from 9.44 % to 7.12 %, with mitigated CO<sub>2</sub> emissions reduced by 6.7 %. Despite higher solar radiation in 2024, aging PV modules reduced energy availability for electrolysis. These findings highlight the importance of long-term PV monitoring, system maintenance, and auxiliary energy support to sustain hydrogen production under real-world tropical conditions. The study offers practical insights for optimizing hybrid RE systems amid climatic variability and technological aging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136380"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136383
Yu-Yang Cao , Yi Xiong , Xiao-Li Zhang , Xin-Xin Guan , Xiu-Cheng Zheng
{"title":"Chitosan-derived carbon aerogel stabilized Ru nanoparticles: Facile fabrication and application in catalyzing NH3BH3 hydrolytic dehydrogenation","authors":"Yu-Yang Cao , Yi Xiong , Xiao-Li Zhang , Xin-Xin Guan , Xiu-Cheng Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136383","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136383","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing a convenient and environmental-friendly catalyst preparation method is of great significance, while the catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH<sub>3</sub>BH<sub>3</sub>, AB) is an effective <em>in-situ</em> hydrogen production strategy but faces many challenges including the absence of practicable catalysts. In this study, Ru nanoparticles are tightly encapsulated into the framework of chitosan (CS)-derived carbon aerogel (CCA) through a facile ice-crystal template method combined with one-step direct calcination without using any additional chemical activators. The exciting coordination between Ru<sup>3+</sup> and the N/O-based functional groups of CS in aqueous solution, the hierarchical porous structure of CCA and the self-doped N/O favor the tight and high dispersion of Ru NPs, facilitate mass transfer, as well as improve the hydrophilicity of the resulting catalysts. Therefore, the resulting catalysts exhibit excellent activity and durability in the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of AB. Activated by the optimal [email protected], the turnover frequency (TOF) and hydrogen generation rate (HGR) in the absence of any strong base are separately 136.6 min<sup>−1</sup> and 30.3 × 10<sup>3</sup> mL min<sup>−1</sup> g<sub>Ru</sub><sup>−1</sup>, and the apparent activation energy is 42.1 kJ mol<sup>−1</sup>. Interestingly, the introduction of NaOH (2.0 M) can further significantly accelerate hydrogen release (TOF = 562.9 min<sup>−1</sup>, HGR = 124.7 × 10<sup>3</sup> mL min<sup>−1</sup> g<sub>Ru</sub><sup>−1</sup>). Additionally, the kinetic isotope effect of 2.82 recommends that an O–H bond dissociation in water acts a dominant role in AB hydrolysis over [email protected]. This work develops a facile and environmentally friendly method for preparing supported metal-based nanocatalysts that can be effectively used in many reactions including AB hydrolysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136383"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136330
Yan Zhu, Liangyu Tao, Wenting Li, Hongchun Zhao, Zheshu Ma
{"title":"Performance analysis and optimization of an ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cell-micro gas turbine-rankine cycle system as a power station in an emerging industrial area","authors":"Yan Zhu, Liangyu Tao, Wenting Li, Hongchun Zhao, Zheshu Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the ongoing shift of modernized industries from eastern to underdeveloped western China, ensuring a stable power supply in emerging industrial zones has become crucial. This paper proposes a novel ammonia-fueled hybrid power system integrating solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), micro gas turbine (MGT), and rankine cycle (RC) to serve as a power station for western regions. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of SOFC-MGT-RC system, a mathematical model is developed based on energy, exergy, economic, and environmental (4E) analysis. Numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the effects of key operating parameters, including stoichiometry, operating temperature, inlet pressure, and current density. Furthermore, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is employed to optimize the system and determine the ideal operating parameters. Under baseline condition, the SOFC-MGT-RC system achieves an output power of 879.17 kW. Increasing the operating temperature by 40 K enhances the SOFC stack power by 26.58 %, while raising the inlet pressure from 1 atm to 3 atm boosts the output power of the system by 51.42 %. Maintaining stoichiometry within an optimal range is critical for improving the 4E performance. After NSGA-II optimization, the system exhibits a 1.71 % increase in output power, a 0.12 <span><math><mrow><mi>$</mi><mtext>/kWh</mtext></mrow></math></span> reduction in the levelized cost of energy (<em>LCOE</em>), and a 3.68 improvement in the sustainability index (<em>SAI</em>), demonstrating enhanced overall efficiency and viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136330"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144695378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136309
Paulo S.P. da Silva, Markus Engblom, Leena Hupa
{"title":"CFD modelling of black liquor recovery boiler NOx emission formation—Influence of envelope flame and thermal NO","authors":"Paulo S.P. da Silva, Markus Engblom, Leena Hupa","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136309","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136309","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fuel NO is considered the main source of pulp mill black liquor recovery boiler NOx emissions. The extent to which (i) NO chemistry when pyrolysis occurs with envelope flame as well as (ii) thermal-NO contribute to the boiler NOx emissions is currently unknown.</div><div>A CFD model of the recovery boiler was used to study these phenomena in recovery boilers. The CFD model includes fully coupled envelope flame prediction, with different source terms for volatile release with and without envelope flame. A simplified thermal NO expression was used to assess its formation. The recovery boiler modelled is a 600 MW 5300 tds/day boiler.</div><div>Accounting for the envelope flame did not result in significant changes in the temperature and O<sub>2</sub> profiles in the boiler. However, nitrogen chemistry was notably affected, with generally a decrease of 20 % in outlet NO when the envelope flame was considered. This decrease in outlet NO occurred due to the reduction of volatile nitrogen to N<sub>2</sub> in the envelope flame, as well as the re-burning chemistry, which reduced nitrogen species in the bulk gas. Various boiler cases with different levels of excess air as well as cases with different model assumptions concerning the split of fuel nitrogen into volatile and char nitrogen were analysed and the trends in outlet NO were similar whether or not the envelope flame was included. A similar trend was seen with different nitrogen splits.</div><div>When thermal NO was included in the model, an 18 % increase in outlet NO was observed. Thermal NO formation occurred close to the char bed in regions where the char bed carbon was being depleted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136309"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144694284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FuelPub Date : 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136287
Hai Yuan , Hanwalle M.C. Nawarathna , Jianmin Ma , Simon A.M. Hesp
{"title":"Ranking low temperature cracking performance of asphalt binders based on limiting phase angle temperatures and stress relaxation properties","authors":"Hai Yuan , Hanwalle M.C. Nawarathna , Jianmin Ma , Simon A.M. Hesp","doi":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136287","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fuel.2025.136287","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The resistance of asphalt binder to low temperature cracking is critical in ensuring the durability of pavements in cold climates. Although the extended bending beam rheometer (EBBR, AASHTO T 406) test is generally effective, it requires a large quantity of material and is time consuming. This study aims to develop a simplified method for assessing low temperature performance using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). Thirty different binders were tested using both EBBR and DSR test protocols. The results show that several parameters derived from the DSR test, such as the limiting phase angle temperature, the stress relaxation rate (<em>m<sub>r</sub></em>) after slow cooling, and the equivalent grade temperature from the stress relaxation test, exhibit strong correlations with the EBBR limiting low temperature performance grade (LLTPG). Furthermore, the stretched exponential factor (<em>β</em>) and the characteristic relaxation time (<em>τ</em>), obtained from the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) function, have proven to be useful indicators for low temperature performance. These findings suggest that DSR testing can serve as a practical alternative to the EBBR protocol, offering a practical approach to ensuring asphalt pavement resilience in cold regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":325,"journal":{"name":"Fuel","volume":"404 ","pages":"Article 136287"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144697021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}