Environmental Protection Engineering (Greece)

Abstract BACKGROUND Efficient removal of atrazine (ATZ) from water is crucial but remains challenging. This study aimed to develop a novel iron‐modified biochar from corn cob for ATZ adsorption. RESULT Iron‐modified corn cob biochar was fabricated via a facile one‐step pyrolysis method under nitrogen atmosphere, and systematically characterized using various techniques. The optimal sample (BCA700) exhibited a specific surface area of 411.6 m 2 g −1 , high crystallinity, rich functional groups and strong magnetism. Adsorption experiments showed that 10 mg of BCA700 could remove >94% of ATZ (100 mL, 5 mg L −1 ) at room temperature within 1 h, with a saturated adsorption capacity of 47.10 mg g −1 . The adsorption process was well fitted to the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model, and thermodynamic parameters (Δ G < 0, Δ H = 73.32 kJ mol −1 ) confirmed it was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The adsorption mechanism was attributed to π – π conjugation and electrostatic attraction. BCA700 showed high adaptability to initial pH (3–11), reaction temperature (15–35 °C) and organic pollutant type, and retained >80% ATZ removal rate after three adsorption–desorption cycles. CONCLUSION This work provides a novel approach for corn cob resource utilization and an efficient adsorbent for pesticide‐contaminated wastewater treatment. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

The increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in active distribution networks introduces significant voltage volatility. Traditional model-based control strategies often struggle to maintain voltage stability due to accurate parameter unavailability and time-varying topology. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a robust Measurement-Feedback Online Gradient Descent (MF-OGD) algorithm for real-time voltage regulation. Unlike conventional methods that rely on explicit network models, the proposed MF-OGD approach leverages real-time voltage measurements to correct gradient estimation errors, thereby implicitly compensating for both parametric mismatches and structural linearization inaccuracies. We provide rigorous theoretical guarantees for closed-loop stability and asymptotic tracking error under bounded disturbances. Furthermore, the framework is extended to a joint active–reactive power control scheme to ensure feasibility under severe operating conditions. Comprehensive simulations on the IEEE 33-bus and IEEE 69-bus standard test feeders validate the scalability and effectiveness of the proposed method. Numerical results demonstrate that the MF-OGD controller successfully maintains nodal voltages within the safety range, limiting the maximum voltage deviation to 0.022 p.u. even under 50% model parameter uncertainty. Additionally, the algorithm achieves a low tracking Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of approximately 0.014 p.u. in the 69-bus system. Notably, the accumulated regret per node increases only marginally (from 0.032 to 0.038) as the network scale doubles, confirming the algorithm’s superior scalability and robustness compared to conventional open-loop baselines.

Thallium (Tl) poses a significant pollution risk due to its high volatility during clinker calcination. Thermodynamic calculations and multi-stage monitoring have revealed that, despite sulfur suppression, over 90% of Tl volatilised as thallium chloride at 900°C due to chlorine. Volatilised Tl migrated with gas, condensing in cooler zones, enriching Tl in mill-outlet raw meal. The recycling of Tl-enriched dust from the suspension preheater boiler and bag filter further intensified the Tl enrichment in the kiln-feed raw meal. As this enriched material reached the two-stage cyclone, it re-adsorbed and condensed Tl from the gas and reintroduced Tl back into the high-temperature zone again, forming an internal ‘volatilisation-condensation’ cycle. After calcination, only 0–27.85% of input Tl resided in the clinker, while the bypass system released merely 1.31–6.66%. Crucially, the bag filter efficiently intercepted volatile Tl, preventing detectable Tl emissions from kiln gas. Therefore, despite high volatility, the internal cycle, effective dust capture and dust recycling led to closed-loop circulation and enrichment of most Tl within the system, preventing environmental release. In addition, co-processing Tl-containing solid waste amplified the imbalance between Tl input and output, leading to greater internal circulation and enrichment within the kiln system, without significantly altering clinker Tl content or emissions.

ABSTRACT The Republic of Yemen faces a critical gap in climate studies. This is partially attributed to a sparse observational network, inconsistent data records, institutional challenges, and protracted conflicts. All this exacerbates the country's vulnerability to climate change and hinders the development of a National Climate Change Plan or Strategy. To address these challenges, this study relies on state‐of‐the‐art climate datasets, namely the ERA5 reanalysis and climate model simulations from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX)‐Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CORE) ensemble, composed of two regional climate models (RCMs) driven by three Global Climate Models (GCMs), and analyses precipitation‐ and temperature‐based indicators over 1980–2100. Our results show significant changes in precipitation‐ and temperature‐related indicators historically and in the future. For the historical period (1980–2005), statistically significant trends are mostly found for temperature indices such as the number of summer days (SU) and the number of tropical nights (TR), which have increased, respectively, at a rate of 2–4 and 1.5–2.5 events per year. Future projections point to an increase in the number of dry days (DD), the maximum number of consecutive dry days (CDD), the number of high precipitation events (R20), SU, TR and heatwaves by 2070–2099, especially under a strong Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 8.5). In particular, an increase of 5–20 DD per year is expected in the Highlands, whereas dry spells might be 10–30 days longer in the Internal Plateau and eastern Yemen. High precipitation events might be also more frequent in western Highlands, with an increase of 1.5–2.5 days per year. These findings are not only valuable for the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority (CAMA), but are also intended to assist policymakers, development agencies, and academia in formulating climate‐informed actions for Yemen, a country with limited historical and future high‐resolution climate data available until this work.

Abstract Elastomeric materials play crucial roles in complex electromechanical systems. However, their inadequate tribological performance under demanding operating conditions often leads to premature failure. This study introduces a multiscale synergistic design concept that introduces fullerene (FLN) and graphene (G) as hybrid fillers within an elastomer matrix, aimed at developing a high-performance elastomeric composite. The FLN/G composite elastomer test blocks were prepared by compounding and thermal vulcanization. Their microstructures, chemical compositions, and tribological properties were systematically characterized over a temperature range of 35 °C to 55 °C. The characterization results revealed that FLN exhibits a nanospherical structure, while G possesses a wrinkled two-dimensional sheet structure. Both materials feature surfaces rich in oxygen-containing functional groups, which significantly enhance their interfacial compatibility with the matrix. Tribological tests demonstrated that, compared to unmodified elastomers and single-filler systems, the FLN/G composite exhibited the lowest friction coefficient and wear volume at both temperatures, indicative of a pronounced synergistic effect. Microscopic morphology analysis of the worn surfaces revealed that the performance enhancement originates from a synergistic “rolling-shielding” lubrication mechanism, facilitated by the “micro-bearing” rolling effect of FLN alongside the sheet shielding and load-bearing effects of G. This study provides a novel design strategy and theoretical foundation for the development of a new generation of high-performance, long-life elastomeric sealing materials.