Biomass-derived porous carbon materials are a new type of popular environmentally friendly materials that have attracted researchers worldwide attention due to their well-developed and easy control pore structure, high specific surface area, higher graphitization degree, etc. Although there have been many critical reviewers and summaries on biomass-derived porous carbon materials, improvements, revisions, and additions are still needed. This paper critically reviews the current knowledge and summarizes the recent advances in biomass-derived activated carbon and carbon aerogels that considers porous carbon materials. In addition, the application of biomass-derived porous carbon materials as electrode materials for supercapacitors and anode materials for lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries are reviewed. Moreover, biomass-derived carbon aerogels are shortly discussed as absorbent materials for spilled oils and organic solvent recovery. Finally, the conclusions and prospects of biomass-derived porous carbon materials are discussed. © 2022 The Authors

Climate change and intensive economic activity in the river basins lead to a restructuring of the water regime. Therefore, this study aims to study the current intra-annual flow distribution in the plain rivers of the Yesil river basin, and to determine the estimated intra-annual distribution for different time periods. The results showed that the decrease in spring runoff is most noticeable in the upper stream of the Yesil river, in the lower stream of the river the spring runoff for the period with the disturbed regime is much higher than the spring runoff for the natural period, there is an increase in seasonal runoff. These findings indicate that as a result of an increase in the coefficient of natural flow regulation, the winter runoff of the Yesil river in the middle stream has increased by two or three times. © 2024, Zibeline International Publishing Sdn. Bhd.. All rights reserved.

Increasing the efficiency of renewable energy use is an important priority as more and more people are now showing interest in sustainable and clean energy sources. An integrated approach aimed at enhancing the efficiency of utilizing renewable energy sources for small-scale decentralized consumers is particularly pertinent. This article aims to explore and establish the principles of an integrated approach suitable for enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy utilization among small-scale, decentralized consumers. Among the methods used, it should be noted the analytical method, the classification method, the functional method, the statistical method, the synthesis method. Kazakhstan is actively promoting the development of renewable energy. The presence of institutional frameworks, including development initiatives, legal provisions, and supportive measures for the renewable energy sector, has contributed to the expansion of installed capacity in renewable energy stations. The installed capacity of wind farms is particularly high, and it is estimated that they produce much more energy than solar farms. This is due to the spatial distribution of these renewable energy sources. The amount of available solar and wind energy varies significantly in different regions of Kazakhstan (from 5 to 90%). Wind farms have the potential to meet a significant portion or even all the electricity demand in each region. Solar energy is less probable and may only serve as a supplementary energy source; however, the Kyzylorda, North Kazakhstan, and Zhambyl regions exhibit the most substantial potential for energy supply derived from renewable energy sources (RES). The outcomes of the economic evaluation demonstrate that electricity generated from wind and solar sources is cost-effective. The practical significance of this research lies in offering valuable scientific insights and recommendations that aid in developing and implementing an integrated approach to enhance the efficiency of renewable energy utilization among small-scale decentralized consumers. This contributes to sustainable development goals and reduces reliance on conventional energy sources. © 2024, Kaprint. All rights reserved.

The study estimates the water and water management balance of the Tobyl River basin in the Kostanay region, Kazakhstan in the context of non-stationary climate and river flow conditions. The research aims to determine the current deficit and surplus of water resources to develop recommendations on regional water supply needs, especially for urban territories and agricultural sectors. Hydrometeorological data from regional monitoring stations were analyzed using probabilistic statistical methods. The Mann-Kendall test is applied to assess long-term trends in river flow. A comprehensive water balance model is developed for the reservoirs of the Tobyl River. The study shows statistically significant upward trends in water consumption at the Tobyl-Kostanay and Tobyl-Grishenka stations from 1972 to 2021. The developed water management balance indicates that in average and high-water years, the Tobyl River reservoirs accumulate water, and low-water years (95% non-exceedance probability) are marked by water shortage. Evaporation accounts for a significant share of water losses in the reservoir system, especially in low-water years. The findings underscore the urgent need for advanced water-saving methods and adaptive water resource management strategies to mitigate the consequences of water shortage, especially in low-water years. To ensure a stable water supply in the region, it is recommended to strengthen the coordination of transboundary water resources use and employ technological solutions.

Selection of materials for fusion reactors and, in particular, for blanket systems is one of the most important tasks that determine the development of fusion energy. Lithium ceramics Li2TiO3 is considered as prospective candidate for solid breeders of future fusion reactors' blankets. The paper presents the results of high-temperature tests of Li2TiO3 + 5 mol% TiO2 ceramics, performed under conditions of blowing with argon containing impurities of water vapor of different isotopic compositions (H2O, HDO, D2O) in the range of temperature from 100 °C to 1400 °C. The vapor–gas mixture for the experiment was prepared in a special mixing tank. The interaction of Li2TiO3 + 5 mol% TiO2 ceramics with chemically active gases and water vapors was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mass spectrometry (MS) methods. As a result of experiment, the dependences of the sample mass change during heating under single purge gas composition was obtained. Mass spectra that characterize the changes in the qualitative composition of the gas mixture in the reaction chamber with the investigated sample were recorded and subsequently analyzed. An isotope effect is observed during the experiment: the release of D2 gas begins significantly earlier than the release of HD gas. The observed effect appears only in the high-temperature region (above 1050 °C), which characterizes the investigated material as almost completely chemically neutral towards water vapor.

In 2019, the Engineering and Seismometric Service Stations of Kazakh Scientific Research and Design Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture JSC registered 3 Local Earthquakes with foci in Almaty city and adjacent areas of Almaty region. In September 2019, there were two earthquakes with foci near Almaty city. Earthquake accelerogram recorded in the substructure and upstairs of an 11-storey building with a steel frame, as well as on the 10th and 16th floors in a 17-storey building with a stiffening core were obtained on September 02, 2019, September 07, 2019. The buildings are located near tectonic faults. Spectral curves describing the frequency content of the seismic impact are constructed. It is established that the frequency behavior of the footing, composed of soils of the 2nd category in terms of seismic properties, are high-frequency with prevailing periods of 0.06–0.13 s. Resonance phenomena for flexible buildings were not observed in the local earthquakes indicated. Instrumental records are included in the database of accelerograms of Kazakh Scientific Research and Design Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture JSC. The results of the work can be used in the calculation and design of buildings and structures in Almaty city. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

With the growing deficit of water resources, utilizing non-traditional water sources for irrigation has become crucial for stable crop and livestock production. In the Yenbekshikazakh district, favorable natural and climatic conditions have facilitated the development of cascades of seasonal regulation ponds. The construction and reconstruction of these ponds, integrated into water recycling systems, have significantly enhanced irrigated agriculture. This initiative has resolved water supply issues for the villages of Baiterek, Alga, and Koishibek, restoring 1,420 hectares of previously abandoned arable land and boosting agricultural productivity. The cascades have increased water availability by 25–30%, reducing reliance on traditional irrigation sources during dry periods, with a total storage capacity of 850,000 m³. Consequently, average crop yields have risen by 15– 18%, with wheat increasing from 2.5 t/ha to 3.1 t/ha, barley from 2.2 t/ha to 2.8 t/ha, and corn from 3.8 t/ha to 4.5 t/ha. Additionally, water availability has expanded fodder crop cultivation by 20–25%, enhancing livestock nutrition and decreasing dependence on imported feed. These measures support sustainable agricultural development and long-term food security in the region.

The authors regret, that when analyzing the primary spectra of the mass spectrometer, namely the dependences of the change in pressure of gases with mass number M4, a significant inaccuracy was made - the different probability of ionization of helium and the HT molecule was not taken into account, which led to an incorrect assessment of the equilibrium release of tritium from the ceramics. To maintain the exact meaning, it was necessary to make a change to the article of the following nature: the graphs in Fig. 10 (which shows the results of simulation tritium release at the initial stage of the experiments) were renormalized in accordance with the updated data on tritium release (the shape of the graphs did not change, but the range of fluxes tritium release is now indicated correctly). Corrected Fig. 10 is shown below. Also, in the “Acknowledgments” section the program number should be read as No. BR21881930. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

This study investigates the distribution of 137Cs, 90Sr, 241Am, and 239+240Pu in soil micro-aggregate fractions of various sizes in a waterstream area emerging through a tunnel cavity at the Degelen site of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, where an underground nuclear test was conducted. The objective was to identify radionuclides distribution patterns in soil micro-aggregate fractions and key mechanisms of radioactive soil contamination resulting from prolonged contact with contaminated water. Results show that radionuclides distribution among soil micro-aggregate fractions is uneven and depends on fraction size and composition. Mineral components (40–1000 μm sand particles) are significantly depleted in radionuclides, while organic matter (partially decomposed plant residues, humus) demonstrates high accumulation, especially of 239+240Pu. A general trend was observed indicating that radionuclides concentration, especially 137Cs, increases with decreasing particle size. However, this pattern is less expressed for 90Sr, 241Am, and 239+240Pu due to their significant enrichment in organic matter. Thus, sorption processes in the “soil-water” system, increasing radionuclide accumulation as particle size decreases, and the formation of organic substances with uniformly high radionuclide content, which tends to level out typical sorption trends, are identified as the main mechanisms shaping radionuclide distribution in soil micro-aggregate fractions. Additionally, the presence of highly radioactive individual particles (“hot” particles) may locally enhance enrichment of particular fractions.

Biogas, derived from human waste or industrial byproducts, is considered one of the most environmentally acceptable fuels. However, such fuels often exhibit relatively low efficiency, making it essential to develop technologies that facilitate their effective combustion. This article investigates the combustion of biogas with the addition of hydrogen at varying degrees of flow swirling. For this purpose, a burner was used in which methane, hydrogen and CO2 were mixed in a mixer. The studies revealed that increasing the proportion of hydrogen in biogas leads to an average 15% rise in the NOx concentration. Additionally, an increase in the degree of swirling has a positive effect on NOx generation. On the other hand, a higher proportion of hydrogen reduces the concentration of CO in the exhaust gases. The presence of ballast gases, such as CO2, generally results in relatively low NOx levels when combined with a high swirling number. The analysis of combustion products for CO2 indicates a 14% increase in CO2 proportion. The highest concentrations of CO2 were observed in biogas with the highest CO2 ballast content. In terms of reducing NOx and CO, SW = 1.3 is the most successful. On the other hand, this angle leads to an increase in the CO2 concentration. © 2025 by the authors.