UCSI University

Ammonia has gained considerable interest from the combustion community as an alternative fuel. The chemical promises to remove carbon entirely from heating, power and propulsion processes without incurring extensive infrastructure developments. As such, the work on ammonia combustion expands from fundamental analyses to giga-Watt practical applications in power generation. However, experimental research usually lacks further information about radical interactions, blends’ reactivity, emissions abatement, flame stability, and scalability parameters. Therefore, numerical modelling via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) not only offers detailed insights into these combustion challenges using ammonia but also ensures that by applying novel methodologies ammonia resolution is accurate, relevant and affordable for a topic with such a large potential impact. Therefore, this review addresses a large literature survey from across the globe currently assessing ammonia as an energy vector in large power and heating systems. Finally, major challenges and future developments are presented, with conclusions that address the versatility of studies and most interesting areas of research relevant to the use of CFD ammonia modelling.

The hilly red soil region of southern China is a critical area where economic forest expansion overlaps with ecological restoration. We selected a typical Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) plantation site in Meizhou, eastern Guangdong, and used a space-for-time substitution design to compare three adjacent vegetation-management units: secondary shrubland (SL), 4-year-old C. oleifera plantation (CO4), and 9-year-old C. oleifera plantation (CO9). We measured 12 soil physicochemical indicators and Cu, Zn, Pb, and As concentrations in the 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–100 cm soil layers. For each layer, a five-indicator minimum data set (MDS) was constructed using functional screening, principal component analysis, Norm values, and correlation-based redundancy reduction. Cu, Zn, Pb, and As were treated as heavy-metal environmental quality indicators, evaluated against the soil environmental background values of Guangdong Province and the risk screening values of GB 15618–2018, and were not included in the fertility-focused MDS. Within the sampled layers, MDS-SQI was generally higher in the C. oleifera units than in SL, although the direction of the CO4 and CO9 difference varied among layers. CO4 had relatively higher MDS-SQI in all layers from 20 to 100 cm; CO9 was similar to CO4 at 0–20 cm, slightly higher at 20–40 cm, and lower at 60–100 cm. Across the four layers, MDS-SQI was strongly correlated with FULL-SQI (Pearson r = 0.870–0.968, P < 0.001), indicating internal ranking consistency within the present dataset. GeoDetector analysis showed that slope position had the strongest explanatory power for spatial variation in MDS-SQI (q = 0.447–0.580), followed by vegetation-management unit (q = 0.119–0.289), whereas aspect and slope gradient had lower explanatory power. Interactions of slope position with vegetation-management unit, slope gradient, or aspect were predominantly enhancing. Mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and As in all soil layers were below the upper limits of soil environmental background values for Guangdong Province and the risk screening values of GB 15618–2018, indicating that heavy metals were generally at natural background levels. These findings reveal layer-specific patterns of soil quality among three adjacent vegetation-management units on the same slope and their association with joint topographic management stratification. They provide case-study evidence for depth-stratified soil assessment and management in C. oleifera plantations in the hilly red soil region of southern China.

PurposeThis research examines the relationship between green intellectual capital (GRIC), blockchain technology (BCT), green manufacturing (GM) and sustainable performance in large manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional data were gathered from manufacturers, and partial least square structural equation modeling was employed to examine the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe outcomes elucidated that GRIC, which includes green human capital (GRHC), green structural capital (GRSC) and green relational capital (GRRC), has enabled the implementation of GM and BCT. Furthermore, GM and BCT have a positive relationship with all three dimensions of sustainability performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings provide a policy framework for practitioners, decision makers and legislators to enhance GM in firms as its implementation gives a competitive position, enhances profitability, enable to meet customers' demands and improves societal safety and help preserving natural environment.Originality/valueThe current research is novel in that it discusses in depth mechanic on GRIC, BCT and GM. This study enhances the comprehension of the intellectual capital-based view and dynamic capabilities theory by postulating that GRIC has a significant role in the adoption of GM and BCT, which further affects sustainable performance.

Electrical and electronic equipment waste has become a significant issue in solid waste management worldwide. The purchase of second-hand electronic gadgets (SHEG) has been linked to waste prevention efforts, making it an important area of research. This study investigates the factors that influence consumers’ attitudes and intentions towards purchasing SHEG. To achieve this goal, knowledge, attitudes, practice theory, and the theory of consumption values were integrated to develop the research framework. A total of 505 usable responses were collected in China through convenience sampling. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to perform the analysis. The results indicate that knowledge of electronic gadgets, perceived consumer effectiveness, and perceived trust in SHEG quality positively influence attitudes towards SHEG. The intention to consume SHEG is directly affected by knowledge, perceived trust, and attitude, and indirectly by knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, and perceived trust through attitude. Attitude and intention to consume SHEG significantly affected consumption. Perceived trust affects the consumption of SHEG through attitude. Moreover, knowledge, perceived trust, and attitude influence SHEG consumption through the intention to consume it. Additionally, functional quality value moderates the association between SHEG intention and consumption. These findings provide valuable insights into SHEG, which can guide policymakers and practitioners to improve their marketing strategies.

As the world has started to worry about global warming and sustainable business practices, manufacturers are under pressure to become environmentally friendly without sacrificing productivity and profits. This study seeks to analyse the impact of green logistics and green technology on economic performance via green operational performance among International Organization for Standardization ISO 14,001-certified manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Drawing data from a sample of 128 enterprises and applying partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), the results demonstrate that the adoption of green logistics and green technologies greatly improves operational performance, which in turn improves economic performance. However, their direct effects on financial performance are low, and operational performance is an important intermediary. The results indicate the strategic nature of the environmental program, beyond compliance, for performance. This study adds to the knowledge of performance management by providing empirical research from a developing country and practical considerations for managers who seek to balance sustainability and profitability.