Abstract

Leachate is a major problem in landfills due to the type and amount of pollutants. In Croatia, the usual way of handling leachate is recirculation back to the landfill body. However, this method poses a danger of their leakage into the environment, especially during periods of increased precipitation. Leachate is heavily polluted with organic matter, and its spillage into the environment can cause environmental incident. This paper presents a model for efficient treatment of landfill water contaminated with organic matter, based on the operating parameters of the actual water treatment system. The aim of this scientific research is to develop a model for landfill water treatment and to design a methodology suitable for significant patterns of organic matter pollution behaviour. The developed conceptual model is a computer-based model that uses randomly selected values from the theoretical probability distribution of the applied variables. The mathematical model is based on a system of differential equations solved by the Runge-Kutta method. To validate the model, a nonparametric test was applied, given that the distributions are asymmetric non-Gaussian distributions. The methodology proposed in this paper is based on simulation modelling as a useful method in environmental protection. The developed and validated model has proven that landfill water can be effectively and economically purified. Simulation modelling and environmental informatics can effectively contribute to solving environmental problems on the computer without unnecessary risk to the environment.

Abstract

The impact caused by contamination, urbanism, and population growth in the water bodies in the north of Colombia has had a direct affectation on ecosystem sustainability. Two samplings were taken from Juan Angola Channel in the 2021 rainy season and the 2022 dry season in four sampling stations. This study evaluated the water quality of the Juan Angola channel using physicochemical parameters and birds as bioindicators. Bird biocounting was carried out to determine alpha, beta, and gamma diversity and the measurement of physicochemical parameters for the sampling stations. The research results showed notable changes in the alpha, beta, and gamma indices, where the diversity in the different channel sectors depends on instantaneous conditions, and indexes. The physicochemical parameters showed better results in the second sampling. However, in both samplings, there was ecosystem overexposure caused by anthropic factors, airport activities, environmental conditions degradation, and sewage pouring.

Abstract

In the era of social media and the dominance of video-based social media sites such as TikTok, short educational movies could serve as a powerful tool for the apprehension of environmental problems and the promotion of effective protection practices. According to System Theory, educational video can be observed as a complex system of various patterns of visual and acoustic codes that can be quantified and presented in the form of Ishikawa diagrams. Through the analysis of an award-winning educational short movie on environmental protection, this paper presents the development of models for educational movie production by combining theoretical concepts of message composition from communication theory with technical enhancements based on cinemetrics, psychophysiology and statistical methods derived from the simulation modeling. Analysis of the two technical characteristics of the movie: shot length and distribution of Red-Green-Blue color spectrum confirms explicated theoretical assumptions. Statistical analysis shows that technical transition points (represented by color equilibrium and inverse Gaussian distribution of shot length) correspond to the movie narration, color enhancements (peaks) are consistent with the elements of storytelling, and color patterns in the movie follow psychophysiological assumptions of the meaning of color, amplifying anticipated viewers response through unique distribution for each of the analyzed colors. Considering the acceleration of content production and the rising lack of focus of modern media consumers, the findings presented in this paper offer a useful tool for the development and production of educational and environmental video materials, its systematization, optimization, capacity to clarify complex environmental subjects and engage the various public.

Abstract

Abstract

The rapid depletion of fossil fuels in the last decade has negatively impacted the quality of the environment. This research exposes the simulation of two biorefinery scenarios to obtain high-value chemical products: Ethanol (scenario 1) and methanol, propylene, and ethylene (scenario 2) were analysed as alternatives for the possible implementation of an eco-industrial park. Heat integration analysis, safety profiles, and environmental assessment were applied to analyse the scenarios. Using energy integration methodologies, the potential of energy consumption reduction was estimated higher in Scenario 2. After the safety analysis, Scenario 1 results were inherently more secure than those of Scenario 2. Therefore, this biorefinery needed to include the recovery of effluents from unwanted streams to enhance the production of high-value chemicals. Finally, the results showed that it is possible to successfully connect the biorefinery scenarios through an eco-industrial park to improve the competitiveness of intermediate sectors

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of shadow and natural dust on the performance of solar PV modules installed on the Jordan University of Science and Technology Campus (Irbid-Jordan). According to the results, shading and obscuring cells in PV modules have the greatest effect on module performance. Natural dust has a proportionate influence on performance depending on how long it accumulates, with a 13% decline in output power occurring after three months of accumulation. By absorbing or dispersing photons, dust reduces the quantity of light that reaches solar cells. The intensity of solar radiation is measured beneath a clean and dirty glass sheet based on this concept. Dust-induced reductions in radiation intensity have been shown to be qualitatively equal to reductions in solar module output power. As a result, without monitoring the electric output parameters, this simple and low-cost technique may be utilized to investigate the influence of accumulating dust on solar PV systems.

Abstract

The Italian Natural Gas (NG) distribution network includes thousands of NG metering and pressure reduction stations, called City Gate Stations (CGS), for injecting gas into low-pressure networks. These plants are mainly based on the isenthalpic throttling of the gas flow to reduce its pressure, which leads to a significant reduction of its temperature by the Joule-Thompson effect. Gas preheating systems that avoid excessive cooling are installed upstream of pressure reduction valves and usually exploit conventional gas boilers. The energy consumption and carbon footprint could be reduced by integrating heat pumps coupled with renewable energy sources for NG preheating to support gas boilers. For this work, an ad-hoc thermodynamic model for estimating the thermal energy demand for pre-heating is developed, exploiting experimental data from a real CGS, and simplified models of heat pumps and renewable systems. This work aims to assess the actual technical and economic feasibility of energy savings through these technologies. Results show the validated model to be sufficiently accurate to estimate the need for gas preheating for these applications. For the considered case study, up to 38%, 32%, or 26% of the total thermal energy can be recovered with a PBT of less than 20 years, 15, and about 13 years, respectively.

Abstract

The development of sustainable energy technologies must be a priority given the rising global energy demand and global warming gases emission. In this work, the energy evaluation of a small-capacity direct-current refrigerator with internal heat exchange using R600a, R290, R717, and R134a as a base case, for autonomous solar refrigeration, is discussed. A thermodynamic model was developed to assess a 200 W refrigerator performance at evaporation temperatures of -32/-10°C, condensation temperatures of 35/46 °C, and different internal heat exchanger effectiveness values while considering the environmental conditions in the city of Barranquilla whose metropolitan and urban area presents a great potential for solar refrigeration. Results showed that the R290 system coefficient of performance was up to 2.6% higher than that of the R134a. The R600a system coefficient of performance was up to 2.7% higher than that of the R134a, but only under the most favourable conditions. The R717 system surpassed the compressor discharge temperature limits so it was found unsuitable for the present application. Moreover, the internal heat exchanger was found beneficial to reduce the exergy destruction in the compressor and expansion valve but increased that in the condenser for R134a, R600a, and R290. The internal heat exchanger recommended effectiveness should be around 0.4 for R600a or 0.3 for R290 at an evaporation temperature of -32 °C. For an evaporation temperature of -10 °C, the IHX effectiveness can be up to 0.5 for both R600a and R290. Finally, the maximum power consumption of the solar R290 refrigeration system was estimated around 4.08 kWh and 2.28 kWh at evaporation temperatures of -32 °C and -10 °C, respectively, which could be covered by a solar panel area of 3.76 m² y 2.10 m², respectively, while similar values were obtained for the solar R600a refrigeration system.

Abstract

Recent developments in Liquid Metal Magnetohydrodynamic systems show that the self-evaporating magnetohydrodynamic system is a promising power generator that converts heat directly into electricity dispensing with a mixer and separator found in conventional systems. The vaporized fraction generated by heating the working liquid metal, drives the remaining liquid by a vapor ejector action. Aiming at higher power density, and higher conversion effectiveness for Liquid Metal Magnetohydrodynamic, we investigate the utilization of a circumferential annular ejector instead of the commonly used central axial ejector. For that purpose, we use Computational Fluid Dynamics to carry out a parametric study that includes the variations in annular ejector geometry, input heating power, and the mass fraction of the ejector flow. In addition, spatial distributions of the velocity, pressure, temperature, and liquid and vapor fractions are presented and analyzed. For an optimized study case, the circumferential annular ejector increased the output power by 8.7 % more than the central axial ejector.

Abstract

A large part of the energy demand in industry can be attributed to the provision of heat. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the energy demand must be reduced and renewable energies must be integrated. Since the capacity of renewable heat sources is often limited, the electrification of processes is a promising solution. Due to the increasing share of fluctuating renewable energies in the electricity mix, it is advantageous if consumption can be flexibly controlled. Thus, in-house energy management in industry faces many challenges. On the one hand, general consumption must be reduced through the efficient use of energy; on the other hand, load shifting and flexible use of energy may reduce both, emissions and costs. Often, however, both alternatives interfere with each other, and an either-or decision is the result. A practical efficiency and electrification measure is the use of heat pumps. This can reduce the final energy demand for heat generation, but the constant mode of operation due to the coupling of heat sources and heat sinks leaves little room for grid-serving operation. Other electrification options, such as an electric boiler, offer greater flexibility in combination with thermal storage, but have lower efficiency.

To quantify the energy requirements as a basis for comparison, the heat pump as an energy efficiency option and an electrode boiler in combination with a thermal storage tank as a flexibility option are simulated along a typical demand profile in the animal feed industry. To ensure maximum heat recovery, the heat pump is optimised using pinch analysis and designed for the respective process. For the flexibility option, an operational optimisation is carried out using Linear Programming. In addition, a hybrid variant is considered using Mixed Integer Linear Programming. While no electrification measure is currently more economical than the gas reference case, the electric boiler option is significantly more expensive than a Very-High-Temperature Heat Pump. The hybrid can reduce the size of the heat pump and get a further benefit from flexible prices, which gives it cost advantages.

Abstract

Economic and urban developments have contributed more plastic waste and are also dominated by organic waste. The organic content and high caloric content of the waste characteristics in Indonesia support the selection of an appropriate waste to energy technology. At this time the concept of waste to energy is being developed in a number of developed countries as a method for managing waste and strategy to improve waste management and reduce environmental impacts. This study aims to determine the level of public acceptance towards waste to energy technology enabling waste to energy to be adequately managed by increasing public awareness. A random sampling was carried out on residents in Jakarta using a hybrid method. The results showed the percentage of total variance of the three factors, namely socio-economic, environmental impact and development was 72.11%. Socio-economic refers to the ability of the community to see opportunities, environmental impact refers to community awareness, and development refers to the technical aspects of waste to energy development. Of the three factors, socio-economic factor became the most determining factor to the waste to energy public preference and acceptance. The education level and potential income from the project can be determined as the most determining factors for developing and implementing waste to energy in Jakarta. The binary probit regression analysis model approach is used for the willingness to accept waste to energy by grouping models from communities with different classes formed from cluster analysis, namely overall respondents (model I), low participation (model II), pro-sustainable environment (model III), and pro economy and society (model IV). In addition, the most significant feature for each model was the increase in public knowledge about waste to energy technology to be applied in the future. This is also a lesson for other regions and countries that will apply waste to energy technology to consider non-technical aspects to increase public acceptance, particularly in terms of the strategic issue claiming the harm of the waste to energy.

Abstract

The growing global demand for energy, particularly petroleum-based fuels, has stimulated a long-term quest for an optimal source of sustainable energy. This barrier is removed by lignocellulosic biomass, which is an economical, easily accessible, and renewable fuel source that fits sustainability standards. However, large-scale use of most of the techniques results in significant handling costs and decontamination of the inhibitors released. Taken together, these limits increase the efficacy of present solutions and create a need for the development of a novel, environmentally sustainable, productive, and cost-effective technology for lignocellulose biomass conversion. In this context, the use of nanotechnology in the treatment of lignocellulose biomass to bioenergy exchange has gained significant attention and has been extensively researched in recent years. This review discussed how nanotechnology can be used to turn biomass into energy. It gives new ideas and tools for developing new industries, which will help the economy, grow in the long run. This careful examination will also shed light on some of the minor details surrounding the different ways of biomass conversion previously explored by other experts.

Abstract

An in-depth review was presented on improving the quality of wastewater through organic matter indicators. The aim was to formulate a new sequential treatment method from toxic to stable levels to increase the efficiency of detoxification and stabilization of organic matter. Literature collection was compiled from the Mendeley Reference Manager tool with the search phrase: biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, detoxification, biodegradation, stabilization. Several screening criteria were applied to obtain the selected documentation for this study. Results revealed that there was an increase in the detoxification of untreated wastewater, which can be shown by increasing the ratio of biochemical oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand. This could be treated subsequently to reduce the ratio into stable organic matter that can be safely disposed of into the environment. Toxicity and respiration tests were used to assess the feasibility of the treatment system, and for monitoring processes during operation and maintenance of treatments.

Abstract

A considerable portion of the energy consumed in the steel industry is rejected as waste heat from the electric arc furnace. Capturing this energy impacts the efficiency of production significantly by reducing operating costs and increasing the plant’s productivity. It also presents great opportunities to increase the industry’s competitiveness and sustainable operation through a reduction in emissions. This work presents an assessment of steel manufacturing and demonstrates the potential of thermal energy storage systems in recovering heat from the high-temperature exhaust fumes of the electric arc furnace. Our investigation entails mapping the material and energy requirements of one of two-phase of the current steel production method, i.e. natural gas reforming for syngas production, direct reduction of the iron ore, and secondary refining to obtain the steel in the electric arc furnace. Analysis of an obtained electric arc furnace off-gas temperature and flow rate profiles are then used as a basis for the development of a waste heat recovery model. Simulation results from the waste heat recovery module reveal that in a period of 4 days, an output power of 2108 kW per tap-to-tap cycle can be achieved from a continuous charge electric arc furnace. This can be harnessed and used either internally or externally in the steel manufacturing process. This is inevitably coupled with a reduction in CO₂ emissions, which works to actively address climate change.

Abstract

Electric Vehicles offer one of the most efficient solutions towards the direction of providing sustainable transportation systems. However, a broader market uptake of Electric Vehicle--based mobility is still missing. The lack of sufficient infrastructure (Electric Vehicle charging stations) in combination with the lack of information about their availability appears as a major limitation, leading to low user acceptance. Additional, technology based, assistance services provided to Electric Vehicle users is a key solution to unlock the full potential of their utilization. This paper presents a multi-factor dynamic optimization model using multi-criteria analysis to select the best alternatives for Electric Vehicle charging within a smart grid with the goal of supporting a larger uptake of Electric Vehicle -based mobility. The application provides assistance to the Electric Vehicle drivers through functionalities of energy price, cost and travel time of the electric vehicle to the charging station, the specifications of vehicles and stations, the status of the charging stations as well as the user's preferences. The proposed model is developed by incorporating PROMETHEE II and Analytic Hierarchy Process methodologies to provide the best charging solutions after considering all possible options for each Electric Vehicle user. The multi-criteria analysis algorithm is not only limited to comparing alternative charging options at a specific time but also looks at several starting times of charging. A simulated case study is implemented to examine the functionality of the proposed model. From the results, it is evident that by applying the findings of this work entrepreneurial community and industry can develop new services that will improve user satisfaction, electromobility, urban mobility, and sustainability of cities. At the same time, academia, leveraging the methodology and factors that influence the choice of charging station, can conduct further research on digital innovations that will contribute to the consolidation of e-mobility ensuring the sustainability of cities, while accelerating digital transformation in the transport sector.

Abstract

The Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (JSDEWES) is an international journal dedicated to the improvement and dissemination of knowledge on methods, policies and technologies for increasing the sustainability of development by de-coupling growth from natural resources and replacing them with knowledge based economy, taking into account its economic, environmental and social pillars, as well as methods for assessing and measuring sustainability of development, regarding energy, transport, water, environment and food production systems and their many combinations.

In total 48 manuscripts were published in Volume X, all of them reviewed by at least two reviewers. The Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems would like to thank reviewers for their contribution to the quality of the published manuscripts.

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa region countries are rapidly shifting towards adoption of desalination techniques to overcome shortage of freshwater reservoirs. Climatic conditions of the region showed that these areas are arid or semi-arid with higher solar flux which makes them highly suitable for harnessing solar energy. Hence, technology of solar photovoltaic cells coupling with desalination unit is investigated extensively to treat brackish water in Middle East and North Africa region. The large-scale usage of this technology can only be happened by government quick action and subsidies to encourage the installation and commissioning of PV desalination plants or coupling existing ones. This solar desalination technique has been found to be highly environment friendly with no greenhouse gas emission. This review study will provide a road map for the future solar powered desalination plants in Middle East and North Africa region, obstacles in applicability of technique and how to overcome it to ensure a sustainable future water production in Middle East and North Africa region.

Abstract

This paper aims to offer an overview of what the features are in the existing state of research in the field of blockchains in the circular economy. A total of 79 articles published up to 31 May 2022 have been extracted from Scopus and Web of Science. The research design has enabled us to identify what characterises the present state of research on the use of blockchains in the circular economy. It has also allowed us to obtain a new categorisation scheme of the research that has identified five themes and the contributions in each theme, and has allowed us to highlight several research gaps. The review findings indicate that the literature revolved around five research themes, namely, the relationship between blockchains and Industry 4.0, the potentials of blockchains for circular economy practices, the role of blockchains in energy management, the role of blockchains in waste management and the impact of blockchains on sustainability. This review suggests several opportunities for future research and provides some helpful implications for researchers and practitioners. To the authors’ best knowledge, this study represents one of the first attempts to investigate the interplay between blockchain technology and the circular economy.

Abstract

In order to encounter the shortage of fossil fuel, many efforts have been performed by researchers worldwide to find out an alternative technologies of renewable energy conversion. Biomass gasification, one of many promising energy conversion technologies, becomes more attractive in recent years. The present work aims to investigate an effect of air tuyere-grate distance (i.e. 260, 330, 400 mm) and equivalence ratio (i.e. 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25) on thermal behavior of the small-scale downdraft gasifier fed by sawdust. The reactor has internal diameter of 300 mm and height of 725 mm (from grate to the top). The thermal behavior of the gasifier in terms of axial temperature of the reactor, volume fraction of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and higher heating value of the producer gas, and also cold gas efficiency are observed and analyzed. The result indicates that tuyere position above the grate affects the performance of the gasifier. The maximum higher heating value of the producer gas and cold gas efficiency are found at optimum tuyere-grate distance of 330 mm and equivalence ratio of 2.0. The maximum higher heating value of the producer gas and cold gas efficiency are 2.84 MJ/Nm³ and 66.36%, correspondingly. 

Abstract

An exergy-based model hypothesizes that labyrinth-type ground-to-air heat exchangers are responsible for carbon dioxide emissions if the exergy of power demand concerning ancillaries like fans and pumps exceeds the thermal exergy gain. This hypothesis was analyzed for a novel solar greenhouse proposal in northern Holland, primarily using heat pipes. Minimum electrical power demand without any need for fossil fuels were the main findings on a holistic basis. New definitions, namely nearly-zero-exergy greenhouse and nearly-zero carbon greenhouse, were developed with new metrics to quantify the hypothesis. Results show that the exergy approach provides crucial insight for the design of labyrinth-type ground-to-air heat exchangers and sets new constraints about limited environmental benefits.