Biogas produced by anaerobic digestion process and biodiesel from date seeds. Alrefai, A.M; Alrefai, R; Benyounis, K.Y; Stokes, J. Energies 2021
Our aim is to address the connected challenges of how to increase food production in a less impactful way on the climate through plasma based solutions.
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About the Research Area
A significant challenge facing the agricultural sector is continuing to grow while counteracting environmental emissions. The crops we grow are dependent on a good nitrogen supply in the soil. Natural fixation of atmospheric nitrogen occurs through bacteria in the soil and lightning. Modern agriculture utilises nitrogen-based fertilisers, and while modern fertiliser industry has many advantages they also have challenging environmental problems of energy demand and a significant greenhouse-gas footprint associated with it. Natural occurring nitrogen fixation through lightning can be mimicked in a more controlled tailored manner using electrically produced man-made plasmas. These plasmas can be sustained in ambient air, and convert atmospheric nitrogen, oxygen and water into nitrates and ammonia. Plasma processes are also investigated for organic waste valorisation.