Cleanliness of Ti-bearing Al-killed ultra-low-carbon steel during different heating processes

During the production of Ti-bearing Al-killed ultra-low-carbon(ULC) steel, two different heating processes were used when the converter tapping temperature or the molten steel temperature in the Ruhrstahl–Heraeus(RH) process was low: heating by Al addition during the RH decarburization process and final deoxidation at the end of the RH decarburization process(process-Ⅰ), and increasing the oxygen content at the end of RH decarburization, heating and final deoxidation by one-time Al addition(process-Ⅱ). Temperature increases of 10°C by different processes were studied; the results showed that the two heating processes could achieve the same heating effect. The T.[O] content in the slab and the refining process was better controlled by process-Ⅰ than by process-Ⅱ. Statistical analysis of inclusions showed that the numbers of inclusions in the slab obtained by process-Ⅰ were substantially less than those in the slab obtained by process-Ⅱ. For process-Ⅰ, the Al_2O_3 inclusions produced by Al added to induce heating were substantially removed at the end of decarburization. The amounts of inclusions were substantially greater for process-Ⅱ than for process-Ⅰ at different refining stages because of the higher dissolved oxygen concentration in process-Ⅱ. Industrial test results showed that process-Ⅰ was more beneficial for improving the cleanliness of molten steel.

Does China's digital economy contribute to low-carbon transition?

The digital economy,as a new emerging economic form,has become an important power for realizing Chinese-style modernization and promoting green development in China.This paper measures the digital economy and low-carbon transition index based on the data of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2020 and analyzes the mechanism and path of the digital economy affecting low-carbon transition using the fixed effect panel data model and the threshold effect model.It is found that,(1)The digital economy and low-carbon transition in China are various in different regions,with characteristics of being unbalanced and insufficient.(2)The digital economy significantly promotes low-carbon transition,with the greatest influence in the Central region,followed by the Eastern region and the Western region.Under different dimensions,the development of informatization and digital transactions promote low-carbon transition,but the development of the internet plays an inhibiting role.(3)The higher the degree of urbanization and environmental regulation,the greater the influence of the digital economy on low-carbon transition.

Effect of ZrC Modified Graphite on Structure and Properties of Low-carbon Al_(2)O_(3)-C Refractories

To address the issues of reduced performance and shortened lifespan during the low-carbonizating process of Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories,nano-crystalline ZrC modified graphite was prepared using Zr powder and flake graphite as raw materials,with NaCl and NaF mixed salt serving as the medium.The flake graphite was gradually replaced by ZrC modified graphite in the preparation of Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories,and its impact on the material’s structure and properties was investigated.The results indicate that,compared to samples with only flake graphite,the introduction of 1 mass%to 5 mass%nano-crystalline ZrC modified graphite can significantly enhance the mechanical performance of low-carbon Al_(2)O_(3)-C refractories.When 5 mass%ZrC modified graphite is added,the mechanical properties of the samples are optimal,with the cold modulus of rupture and elastic modulus reaching 22.5 MPa and 65.0 GPa,respectively.

Performance Evaluation of Low-Carbon and Clean Transformation of China’s Coal Economy

In China,the oversupply of coal occurred in 2009,and from that year onwards,China’s coal economy began a low-carbon and clean transformation.Evaluating transformation performance is the research goal of this paper.The data collection for this paper includes data on deep processing of Chinese coal products from 2009 to 2020,as well as data on asset structure evolution and financial performance of 34 listed companies in the Chinese coal mining.Entropy value method is used to calculate the entropy value of low-carbon transformation,and the regression analysis is used to study the performance of cleaner transformation,the conclusion is as follows:(1)From 2009 to 2020,in China’s total energy consumption,coal consumption accounted for 71.6%in 2009 and 56.8%in 2020,the goals set by the state have been achieved.(2)The national goal of reducing the proportion of coal consumption and reducing carbon emissions has forced the transformation of deep processing of coal products.The transformation of coal enterprises towards low-carbon and clean production has achieved remarkable results.(3)From 2009 to 2020,the non coal industry income of 34 listed companies in China’s coal mining industry increased by 8.21%annually.At the same time,the asset structure was adjusted,and nearly 80%of the asset structure evolution showed an orderly development trend.(4)The regression analysis results show that the entropy value of coal deep processing products and the entropy value of asset structure adjustment are significantly related to transformation performance.The paper proposes to summarize the successful experience of China’s coal energy economic transformation,lay a foundation for achieving the carbon peak and carbon neutral goals in the future,further increase the intensity of coal deep processing,increase the proportion of clean energy in total energy consumption,and strive to control asset operation towards the goal of increasing the proportion of non coal industry income.

A Mechanism for Digital Finance to Drive Green and Low-Carbon Development

Given the global focus on green and low-carbon development and the increasing prominence of digital finance,it is particularly important to explore how to leverage digital finance to achieve these environmental goals.This study,through mechanism analysis,deeply examines how China’s digital finance promotes green and low-carbon development and elucidates the positive interaction between digital finance and the green industry.The study found that digital finance,through more flexible and efficient financial functions,alters the cost structure of carbon emissions,and reduces the risks and costs of green investments,thereby creating a cooperative green mechanism benefiting all parties,and guiding social groups toward a green and low-carbon transformation.Additionally,the rapid development of digital finance has strengthened the implementation of environmental protection policies,effectively promoted the expansion of the environmental protection industry,and established the green ethos as a mainstream concept in financial development.This study aims to provide reference perspectives and suggestions,assist policymakers in promoting the green and lowcarbon development of digital finance,and offer insights into the integrated development of digital finance and the green environmental protection industry.

Effect of slag composition on the cleanliness of 28MnCr5 gear steel in the refining processes

The equilibrium reaction between CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO slag and 28MnCr5 molten steel was calculated to obtain the suitable slag composition which is effective for decreasing the oxygen content in molten steel. The dissolved oxygen content [O] in molten steel un- der different top slag conditions was calculated using a thermodynamic model and was measured using an electromotive force method in slag-steel equilibrium experiments at 1873 K. The relations among [O], the total oxygen content （T.O）, and the composition of the slag were investigated. The experimental results show that both [O] and T.O decrease with decreasing SiO2 content of the slag and exhibit different trends with the changes in the CaO/Al2O3 mass ratio of the slag. Increasing the CaO/Al2O3 mass ratio results in a decrease in [O] and an in- crease in T.O. To ensure that T.O ≤ 20 ppm and [O] ≤ 10 ppm, the SiO2 content should be controlled to 〈5wt%, and the CaO/AI203 mass ratio should be in the range from 1.2 to 1.6.

Relationship between Oxygen Chemical Potential and Steel Cleanliness

To investigate inclusion formation in each step during steel making process, several samples were taken in different steps of the production of steel at Mobarakeh Steel Co of Esfahan to measure the oxygen chemical potential of the molten steel in each stage. The chemical compositions of the inclusions in samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope. The chemical composition of the slag was analyzed. With the use of thermodnamic calculations and chemical analysis of the melt, at the working temperature, the relationship between dissolved oxygen and other elements were determined. Finally, it was found that there is a close relationship between inclusions formed in each step with the oxygen partial pressure.

Best practices for making high integrity lightweight metal castings-molten metal composition and cleanliness control

To make high integrity lightweight metal castings,best practices are required in various stages of casting and heat treatment processes,including liquid metal composition and quality control,casting and gating/riser system design,and process optimization.This paper presents best practices for liquid metal processing and quality assurance of molten metal in both melting and mold filling.Best practices for other aspects of lightweight metal casting will be published separately.

Method for evaluation of the cleanliness grade of coal resources in the Huainan Coalfield,Anhui,China:a case study

Based on analysis of a large data set and supplementary sampling and analysis for hazardous trace elements in coal samples from the Huainan Coalfield,a generalized contrast-weighted scale index method was used to establish a model to evaluate the grade of coal cleanliness and its regional distribution in the main coal seam(No.13-1)The results showed that:(1)The contents of Cr,Mn and Ni in the coal seam are relatively high and the average values are greater than 20μg/g.The contents of Se and Hg are at a high level while most other trace elements are at normal levels.(2)The cleanliness grade of the coal seam is mainly grade III-IV,which corresponds to a relatively good-medium coal cleanliness grade.However,some parts of the seam are at grade V(relatively poor coal cleanliness).(3)Coal of relatively good cleanliness grade(grade III)is distributed mainly in the regions corresponding to the Zhuji-Dingji-Gubei coal mines and in the eastern periphery of the Panji coal mine.Coal of medium cleanliness(grade IV)is distributed mainly in the regions of the Panji-Xiejiaji and Kouzidong coalmines.Relatively poor grade coal(grade V)is distributed in the southwest regions of the coalfield and the contents of Cr,As and Hg in coal collected from the relatively poor coal cleanliness regions often exceed the regulatory standards for the maximum concentration limits.

Influence of group B streptococcus and vaginal cleanliness on the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women

BACKGROUND The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in the health of pregnant women and their newborns.Group B Streptococcus(GBS)and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect the vaginal microecosystem and are closely associated with vaginal diseases.AIM To explore the effects of GBS status and vaginal cleanliness on vaginal microecosystems.METHODS We collected 160 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and divided them into the following four groups based on GBS status and vaginal cleanliness:GBS-positive+vaginal cleanliness I–II degree,GBS-negative+vaginal cleanliness I–II degree,GBS-positive+vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree,and GBS-negative+vaginal cleanliness III–IV degree.Samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.RESULTS Alpha diversity analysis showed that the Shannon index did not significantly differ between the four groups.We identified significant variation in taxa abundance between the GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups and between the vaginal cleanliness I–II degree and III–IV degree groups.Principal coordinate analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis further confirmed the microbial diversity of the four groups.Moreover,the linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that Lactobacillus jensenii and Actinobacteria were strongly associated with GBS-positive status,and Lactobacillus iners,Lactobacillaceae,Lactobacillus,Lactobacillales,Bacilli and Firmicutes were closely correlated with GBS-negative status.CONCLUSION GBS status and vaginal cleanliness significantly affect vaginal microbiome differences in pregnant women.Our findings provide instructional information for clinical antibiotic treatment in pregnant women with different GBS statuses and vaginal cleanliness degrees.

Methods of evaluating cleanliness of ventilation ducts

A testing system for evaluating cleanliness of ventilation ducts was constructed. Comparisons of four evaluation methods for quantifying the amount of dust on the inner surface of ventilation ducts are presented. The experimental results show that the wiping by solvent method is more efficient than that by the wiping method,especially used on low cleanliness duct surface. The gravimetric tape method is an efficient method of collecting dust samples on the duct surface with low amounts of dust,particularly used to check the cleanliness level after the cleaning work. The optical method can be set up rapidly and is useful for fieldwork measurements.

Effect of Tundish Lining on Steel Cleanliness

To clarify the effect of the tundish lining on the steel cleanliness,the MgO based and Al2 O3 based gunning materials（ GM） were used as the lining of the alumina crucibles,respectively,in which about 200 g of ultra-low carbon steel was charged at 1 823 K for 2 h in pure argon atmosphere. The chemical analysis was carried out to investigate the change of chemical composition of steel in contact with GM after high temperatures holding experiments. The steel cleanliness in terms of inclusion number density,inclusion size and inclusion size distribution was evaluated by SEM and EDS. It was found that the MgO GM provided more oxygen and showed a stronger oxidizing capacity due to its higher content of reducible oxides（ 10. 5 mass% SiO2＋ 2 mass%Fe2 O3）. The use of Al2 O3 GM resulted in an improved steel cleanliness and consequently Al2 O3 GM could be a promising refractory material in the tundish lining.

Plasma-electrified up-carbonization for low-carbon clean energy

Low-value,renewable,carbon-rich resources,with different biomass feedstocks and their derivatives as typical examples,represent virtually inexhaustive carbon sources and carbon-related energy on Earth.Upon conversion to higher-value forms(referred to as“up-carbonization”here),these abundant feedstocks provide viable opportunities for energy-rich fuels and sustainable platform chemicals production.However,many of the current methods for such up-carbonization still lack sufficient energy,cost,and material efficiency,which affect their economics and carbon-emissions footprint.With external electricity precisely delivered,discharge plasmas enable many stubborn reactions to occur under mild conditions,by creating locally intensified and highly reactive environments.This technology emerges as a novel,versatile technology platform for integrated or stand-alone conversion of carbon-rich resources.The plasma-based processes are compatible for integration with increasingly abundant and cost-effective renewable electricity,making the whole conversion carbon-neutral and further paving the plasma-electrified upcarbonization to be performance-,environment-,and economics-viable.Despite the chief interest in this emerging area,no review article brings together the state-of-the-art results from diverse disciplines and underlies basic mechanisms and chemistry underpinned.As such,this review aims to fill this gap and provide basic guidelines for future research and transformation,by providing an overview of the application of plasma techniques for carbon-rich resource conversion,with particular focus on the perspective of discharge plasmas,the fundamentals of why plasmas are particularly suited for upcarbonization,and featured examples of plasma-enabled resource valorization.With parallels drawn and specificity highlighted,we also discuss the technique shortcomings,current challenges,and research needs for future work.

A low-carbon economic dispatch model for electricity market with wind power based on improved ant-lion optimisation algorithm

Introducing carbon trading into electricity market can convert carbon dioxide into schedulable resources with economic value.However,the randomness of wind power generation puts forward higher requirements for electricity market transactions.Therefore,the carbon trading market is introduced into the wind power market,and a new form of low-carbon economic dispatch model is developed.First,the economic dispatch goal of wind power is be considered.It is projected to save money and reduce the cost of power generation for the system.The model includes risk operating costs to account for the impact of wind power output variability on the system,as well as wind farm negative efficiency operating costs to account for the loss caused by wind abandonment.The model also employs carbon trading market metrics to achieve the goal of lowering system carbon emissions,and analyze the impact of different carbon trading prices on the system.A low-carbon economic dispatch model for the wind power market is implemented based on the following two goals.Finally,the solution is optimised using the Ant-lion optimisation method,which combines Levi's flight mechanism and golden sine.The proposed model and algorithm's rationality is proven through the use of cases.

The Low-Carbon Transition of Energy Systems:A Bibliometric Review from an Engineering Management Perspective

As a major solution to climate change,the low-carbon transition of energy systems has received growing attention in the past decade.This paper presents a bibliometric review of the literature on the low-carbon transition of energy systems from an engineering management perspective.First,the definition and boundaries of the energy system transition are clarified,covering transformation of the energy structure,decarbonization of fossil fuel utilization,and improvement in energy efficiency.Second,a systematic search of the related literature and a bibliometric analysis are conducted to reveal the research trends.It is found that the number of related publications has been growing exponentially during the past decade,with researchers from China,the United Kingdom,the United States,Germany,and the Netherlands comprising the majority of authors.Related studies with interdisciplinary characteristics appear in journals focusing on energy engineering,environmental science,and social science related to energy issues.Four major research themes are identified by clustering the existing literature:(1)low-carbon transition pathways with different spatiotemporal scales and transition constraints;(2)low-carbon technology diffusion with a focus on renewable energy technologies,pollution control technologies,and other technologies facilitating the energy transition;(3)infrastructure network planning for energy systems covering various sectors and regions;and(4)transition-driving mechanisms from the political,economic,social,and natural perspectives.These four topics play distinct but mutually supportive roles in facilitating the low-carbon transition of energy systems,and require more in-depth research on designing resilient low-carbon transition pathways with coordinated goals,promoting low-carbon technologies with cost-effective and reliable infrastructure network deployment,and balancing multi-level risks in various systems.Finally,business models,nongovernment actors,energy justice,deep decarbonization,and zero-energy buildings are recognized as emerging hot topics.

An Intelligent Control Method for the Low-Carbon Operation of Energy-Intensive Equipment

Based on an analysis of the operational control behavior of operation experts on energy-intensive equipment,this paper proposes an intelligent control method for low-carbon operation by combining mechanism analysis with deep learning,linking control and optimization with prediction,and integrating decision-making with control.This method,which consists of setpoint control,self-optimized tuning,and tracking control,ensures that the energy consumption per tonne is as low as possible,while remaining within the target range.An intelligent control system for low-carbon operation is developed by adopting the end-edge-cloud collaboration technology of the Industrial Internet.The system is successfully applied to a fused magnesium furnace and achieves remarkable results in reducing carbon emissions.

Dynamic decision and its complex dynamics analysis of low-carbon supply chain considering risk-aversion under carbon tax policy

This study establishes a low-carbon supply chain game model under the centralized decision situation and the decentralized decision situation considering the manufacturer risk-aversion behavior, and discusses the influence of the manufacturer risk-aversion behavior on the optimal decision, profit, coordination, and complex dynamics of the supply chain. We find that comparing with the risk-neutral decentralized decision, the increase of manufacturer's risk tolerance attitude can narrow the gap between the supply chain profit and the centralized decision, but it will further reduce the carbon emission reduction level. The increase of risk tolerance of the manufacturer and carbon tax will narrow the stable region of the system. Under this situation, the manufacturer should carefully adjust parameters to prevent the system from losing stability,especially the adjustment parameters for carbon emission reduction level. When the system is in a chaotic state, the increase of carbon tax rate makes the system show more complex dynamic characteristics. Under the chaotic state, it is difficult for the manufacturer to make correct price decision and carbon emission reduction strategy for the next period, which damages its profit, but increases the profit of the retailer and the supply chain. Finally, the carbon emission reduction cost-sharing contract is proposed to improve the carbon emission reduction level and the supply chain efficiency, achieving Pareto improvement. The stability region of the system is larger than that in the centralized decision situation, but the increase of the cost sharing coefficient will reduce the stability of the system in the decentralized decision-making situation.

Core Competitiveness Construction of Clothing Brands in Low-Carbon Economy

The climate issue has become an environmental concern for all sectors of the world and the low-carbon economy has thus become a new economic development model to combat climate change.With the development of low-carbon economy era,the textile and clothing industry plays an important role in stabilizing the development of low-carbon economy and society,and China has put forward the development requirements of low-carbon transformation for the textile and clothing industry,and also it has an important strategic value to promote the high-quality development of low-carbon economy and society,and the construction of brands’ core competitiveness is an inevitable choice for clothing brands in the face of the new form of international competition.As a result,the evaluation indicator of clothing brands’ core competitiveness in the low-carbon economy is used to measure the core competitiveness of clothing brands.Based on the corresponding verification results obtained by analytic hierarchy process(AHP) analysis,it can guide the low-carbon development of the clothing industry,thus proposing a more reasonable way to build the core competitiveness of clothing brands.It can promote the low-carbon transformation and upgrading of the clothing industry,effectively increase the market share of clothing brands,and promote the high-quality development of clothing brands.

Risk preferences and the low-carbon agricultural technology adoption:Evidence from rice production in China

Climate change which is mainly caused by carbon emissions is a global problem affecting the economic development and well-being of human society.Low-carbon agriculture is of particular significance in slowing down global warming and reaching the goal of“carbon peak and carbon neutrality”.Therefore,taking straw incorporation as an example,this paper aims to investigate the impact of risk preferences on farmers’low-carbon agricultural technology(LCAT)adoption.Based on a two-phase micro-survey data of 1038 rice farmers in Jiangsu,Jiangxi,and Hunan provinces,this paper uses experimental economics methods to measure farmers’risk aversion and loss aversion to obtain the real risk preferences information of the farmers.We also explore the data to examine the actual LCAT adoption behavior of farmers.The results revealed that both risk aversion and loss aversion significantly inhibit farmers’LCAT adoption:more risk-averse or more loss-averse farmers are less likely to adopt LCAT.It is further found that crop insurance,farm scale and governmental regulations can alleviate the negative impact of risk aversion and loss aversion on farmers’LCAT adoption.Therefore,we propose that local governments need to promote low-carbon agricultural development by propagating the benefits of LCAT,extending crop insurance,promoting appropriate scale operations,and strengthening governmental regulations to promote farmers’LCAT adoption.

Cold plasma-activated Cu-Co catalysts with CN vacancies for enhancing CO_(2)electroreduction to low-carbon alcohol

Electrocatalytic CO_(2)reduction reaction to low-carbon alcohol is a challenging task,especially high selectivity for ethanol,which is mainly limited by the regulation of reaction intermediates and subsequent C–C coupling.A Cu-Co bimetallic catalyst with CN vacancies is successfully developed by H_(2)cold plasma toward a high-efficiency CO_(2)RR into low-carbon alcohol.The Cu-Co PBA-V_(CN)(Prussian blue analogues with CN vacancies)electrocatalyst yields methanol and ethanol as major products with a total low-carbon alcohol FE of 83.8%(methanol:39.2%,ethanol:44.6%)at-0.9 V vs.RHE,excellent durability(100 h)and a small onset potential of-0.21 V.ATR-SEIRAS(attenuated total internal reflection surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy)and DFT(density functional theory)reveal that the steric hindrance of V_(CN)can enhance the CO generation from*COOH,and the C–C coupling can also be increased by CO spillover on uniformly dispersed Cu atoms.This work provides a strategy for the design and preparation of electrocatalysts for CO_(2)RR into low-carbon alcohol products and highlights the impact of catalyst steric hindrance to catalytic performance.