Turning waste into wealth: high-acid-value waste oil upgraded to high-performance natural ester insulating oil in one efficient process
HEP Data Cooperation Journals
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Traditional natural ester insulating oils are mostly produced from edible vegetable oils, leading to high costs and competition with food supplies. China produces a huge amount of kitchen waste cooking oil annually. However, due to its high acid value and serious degradation, it is difficult to directly prepare high-performance insulating oil, and related research has long been lacking.
In this study, a multi-stage coupled refining process consisting of phosphoric acid degumming, alkali refining deacidification, activated carbon adsorption decolorization/deodorization and winterization was constructed. The high-acid-value waste cooking oil with an initial acid value of 21.04 mg KOH/g was deeply purified to 0.024 mg KOH/g; the dielectric dissipation factor at 90℃ decreased from 1.335 to 0.0197, and the power frequency breakdown voltage increased from 27.9 kV to 72 kV. All physical, chemical and electrical properties meet the requirements of DL/T 1811—2018 for natural ester insulating oil. By adding BHT antioxidant, the initial oxidation temperature of the oil was increased from 143.12℃ to 180.34℃, significantly enhancing the long-term stability.
This achievement realizes the resource conversion of waste cooking oil into high-performance insulating oil, balancing environmental protection, safety and the “dual carbon” goals, and provides a new eco-friendly insulation material solution for the construction of green power grids. The work entitled “Study on the Preparation of Natural Ester Insulating Oil from High-Acid-Value Waste Cooking Oil Based on Multi-Stage Coupled Refining Process” was published on Journal of Engineering Studies (published on Mar. 16, 2026).
Journal
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING STUDIES
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Study on the Preparation of Natural Ester Insulating Oil from High Acid Value Waste Cooking Oil Based on Multi Stage Coupled Refining Process
Turning road rights into green power corridors: multi-scenario and multi-credibility interval estimation of provincial expressway PV potential
HEP Data Cooperation Journals
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view moreCredit: HIGHER EDUCATON PRESS
Highway transport accounts for about 80% of carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Integrating PV power generation into expressways is critical for zero-carbon transport and energy self-consistency. However, existing studies mostly focus on single scenarios or point estimations, lacking provincial-scale, multi-scenario, uncertainty-considered interval methods for planning.
This study innovatively constructs a multi-scenario and multi-credibility interval model, including service areas, toll stations, maintenance bases, and slopes, with 50%–90% confidence intervals to reflect generation volatility. Application to Hunan expressways shows: PV power cannot meet energy demand in the short term; basic self-sufficiency is achievable in the medium term; and self-sufficiency plus surplus grid connection is realized in the long term. Slopes present the greatest potential, far exceeding service areas, toll stations, and maintenance bases.
This method provides a standardized tool for provincial expressway PV assessment worldwide, supporting the construction of zero-carbon green power corridors and national “dual carbon” goals. The work entitled “Research on the Interval Calculation of Photovoltaic Power Generation Potential of Provincial Expressways under Multi-Scenario and Multi-Credibility Conditions” was published in Journal of Engineering Studies (available online on Mar. 24, 2026).
Journal
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING STUDIES
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Research on the Interval Calculation of Photovoltaic Power Generation Potential of Provincial Expressways under Multi-Scenario and Multi-Credibility Conditions
Carbon unlocking of transportation infrastructure: assessment and regional disparities across 30 provinces in China
HEP Data Cooperation Journals
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view moreCredit: HIGHER EDUCATON PRESS
Transportation infrastructure has long been trapped in a high-carbon “carbon lock-in” state, forming a major bottleneck for low-carbon transformation. Driven by the “dual carbon” goals, scientific measurement and judgment of carbon unlocking levels are critical for targeted policy-making. However, existing studies mostly focus on macro sectors, and dedicated quantitative assessment for transportation infrastructure remains limited.
This study establishes an evaluation system with 15 indicators across three dimensions: economy, technology, and institution. Using the entropy weight method for objective weighting, we conduct a systematic assessment at national, regional, and provincial levels. Results show that the carbon unlocking level continuously rises in eastern, central, and western regions, but the inter-regional gap widens over time, presenting a clear pattern: Eastern > Central > Western. Provincial disparities are remarkable: 6 provinces are classified as high-level, 15 as medium-level, and 9 as low-level. Green patents, R&D investment, and low-carbon regulation are identified as key driving factors.
The research suggests that regions should enhance carbon unlocking through coordinated efforts in economic upgrading, technological innovation, and institutional improvement, strengthen regional collaboration, and accelerate the low-carbon transition of transportation infrastructure to support national “dual carbon” goals. The work entitled “Study on the Judgment of Carbon Unlocking Level of Transportation Infrastructure” was published in Journal of Engineering Studies (available online on Mar. 25, 2026).
Journal
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING STUDIES
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Study on the Judgment of Carbon Unlocking Level of Transportation Infrastructure
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