Abstract

This paper presents the use of track condition data from the virtual remote wireless sensor network within a simulation model of a battery-hybrid diesel-electric locomotive-driven freight train for a realistic mountain railway route simulation scenario. Simulation model includes the point-mass model of freight train longitudinal motion dynamics subject to wheel-to-track adhesion and head wind variations, the model of hybrid diesel-electric locomotive energy efficiency, and the model of real-time information provide to the virtual train driver about railway track conditions based on a narrow-band wireless remote sensor network. Simulation results are used to assess the possible benefits remote wireless sensor data for freight train energy-optimal control and to increase the transportation safety, including prediction of possible delays due to changed weather conditions en route.

Abstract

Non treated Copper-loaded effluents disposed in water-bodies can cause severe damage in biota, so its removal before discharge is required. The aim of this work was to study the interaction of free and immobilised Pseudomonas veronii 2E with Copper, together with the design of biotreatment systems. Free cell sorption kinetics showed a 24 h-maximal retention of 0.330 mmol/g biomass, from 1 mM copper at 32 °C. Sorption isotherms revealed a specific maximal retention capacity 0.523 mmol/g. Optimal sorption achieved with biomass immobilised on vegetable sponge was 71.4% at 24 h. A reactor with recirculation and 3 continuous reactors in series were designed, obtaining final sorption of 78.3 and 56.0% at 9 and 1 days respectively. Copper desorption using hydrochloric acid was evaluated in both reactors. This work presents alternatives of applicable biotreatments of copper-loaded effluents, characterized by a combination of metal removal and recovery with low cost.

Abstract

In Buenos Aires periurban area, horticultural practices are one of the most important activities. Pesticides and fertilisers are used without any control to cover the farmers’ needs, obtaining high crop yields at short terms and modifying soil ecosystem in the long term. The aim of this work was to isolate indigenous strains from periurban horticultural units with pesticide degrading capacity and to evaluate their plant growth-promoting properties in order to design biofertilisers to be applied in the restoration of these exploited soils. After the screening, eight strains were isolated and identified. They showed not only the capacity to produce indole-3- acetic acid, to fix nitrogen, to secrete siderophores and to solubilise calcium phosphate but also tolerated the mixture of pesticides usually used for horticultural practices. By their behaviour in mixed cultures and plant growth-promoting properties, these autochthonous isolates represent a promising alternative as biofertilisers according to soil type and activity.

Abstract

The recovery of ammonium from sludge liquor using the ion exchanger loop stripping process was studied at a pilot scale plant at a municipal waste water treatment plant. The ion exchanger loop stripping process combines ion exchange and air stripping in a hybrid process and works with fixed bed columns containing natural zeolite (mainly clinoptilolite), which is alternately loaded and regenerated. The sodium hydroxide regeneration solution is simultaneously air stripped. Ammonium is recovered in a subsequent acid scrubber as concentrated ammonium sulfate solution, which is a suitable reducing agent for industrial off-gas treatment [nitrogen oxide (NO_x) removal]. Pilot scale experiments demonstrated the technical feasibility of the process. The zeolite ion exchange capacity was stable over 62 loading and regeneration cycles. Ammonium removal rates of 69‑94% were achieved in consecutive loading and regeneration cycles, when sludge liquor with a treatment capacity of 500 L h⁻¹ and typical input concentrations from 500‑1,500 mg NH₄⁺ L⁻¹ was treated.

Abstract

This study extensively investigated the hydrogen production and heat transfer distribution in atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor. Ammonia gas was fed into a plasma plate reactor at flow rates of 0.1─1 L/min with different electrode gap distances of 1 mm and 4.5 mm. The heat transfer distribution was determined for the metallic and dielectric electrodes. The maximum conversion rates of the reactor with electrode gap distances of 4.5 mm, 1 mm were 83% and 19.2%, respectively. At a reactor electrode gap distance of 4.5, the maximum energy efficiencies mm were 0.193%, 0.178%, and 0.105% at ammonia input flow rates of 1, 0.5, and 0.1 L/min, respectively. The results at an electrode gap distance of 1 mm were 0.042%, 0.038%, and 0.022% at ammonia input flow rates of 1, 0.5 and 0.1 L/min, respectively.

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 49 manuscripts were published in Volume VIII, 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

After the 24th international conference Interklima 2017, this is the second consecutive special issue of the JSDEWES bringing together the selected papers presented at the 25th conference Interklima 2019, held in Zagreb on April 11-12, 2019. The organizers were the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Croatia, SDEWES Centre, Zagreb, Croatia and Faculty of Energy Technology, University of Maribor, Slovenia.

Held since 1969, Interklima is the oldest conference of its kind in this part of Europe. Over years it has grown into an international venue for meetings of scientists and experts in the field of heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, and, generally, energy conversion in buildings and industry.

Co-organized by two Universities and supported by the relevant international scientific organizations and journals, Interklima 2019 brought many new and actual topics:

• Nearly zero energy buildings;
• Smart building technologies;
• Advances in EU regulation (EPBD, EED, RES, F-Gas, ErP);
• Low GWP refrigerants;
• Cooling from renewable sources;
• Energy from waste biomass;
• Phase change materials in buildings;
• Smart meters/cities.

Interklima 2019 was composed of two sections:

• Energy efficient buildings and renewable energy sources;
• Fran Bosnjakovic Day.

The papers published in this special issue were carefully selected among the presented papers at the section 'Fran Bosnjakovic Day' and thoroughly revised before they were accepted for publication.

Abstract

The German energy transition is not only a challenge for the technical system transformation but will also imply changes in the water system and reallocation of resource usage. This paper analyses which interactions provide valuable information for the energy system and how future water use projection could be conducted with the help of energy system modelling. It was assumed that different national climate policy scenarios for the energy system influence the water projections. The interactions considered for the German case study are: water demand for cooling technologies, irrigation practices of energy crops, as well as literature based assessments of total water demand and renewable water availability. Based on the energy scenario analysis, water use for the energy system will shift over time from cooling water use to irrigation water use for energy crops and the amount of irrigation water use is dependent on the demand of biomass which increases for stricter climate targets. There is a small risk of future water stress that can be eliminated through the use of recycled water for irrigation.

Abstract

Future energy systems must be clean, efficient and profitable. Previous cases have shown that incorporating local production into district heating networks is often unprofitable due to high temperature levels. This article suggests a new way of determining areas in existing networks suitable for low temperature district heating, which makes investments by real estate owners into local production profitable. A simulation of district heating network is used together with an investment optimization model to analyse the spatial potential of local production. The results show that some local production was profitable at current temperature levels, but it could be increased significantly if supply temperatures are decreased. This was shown to decrease losses and emissions of the system. Spatial optimization models are needed to increase knowledge on the effects of local production and lower network temperatures in district heating networks. Furthermore, new pricing models for customers have to be developed.

Abstract

Abstract

This study assessed the temporal and spatial drought regimes in Kasungu Agricultural Development Division from 1977 to 2017. The previous studies in Malawi only used the Percentile Index such that other indices including the timescale standardized precipitation index were not considered for drought analysis. This study bridged this gap by using 3-month and 6-month Standardized Precipitation Indices in Drought Monitoring and Prediction software. This study found that the rainfall patterns are highly variable with decreasing trends as determined by high coefficient of variation values (> 0.5). These variations have subjected the region to frequent mild and moderate meteorological droughts. Based on driest years, the respective maximum drought severities were 5,358 in 1994, 3,638 in 1999, 3,492 in 2005 and 3,112 in 2015. Results suggest that drought severity is highly correlated to the rainfall variations in the corresponding districts. This study recommends usage of timescale indices to aid drought monitoring.

Abstract

Low availability of sustainable biomass prevents transition of district heating in Europe away from fossil fuels. The need for sustainable fuels stems from current energy generation structure, which mainly relies on centralised combined heat and power operated as baseload units. Our study shows that districts with generation of renewable power, heat and synthetic natural gas can reach complete energy system decarbonisation even without biomass, only using wind and solar power as primary energy. It requires rethinking of interactions between electricity, gas and heating networks and a polygeneration solution with power-to-heat and power-to-gas technologies to fully utilise local solar and wind power and cover peak demands. Power-to-heat as baseload units supported with power-to-gas for seasonal and back-up energy storage are proposed as novel district heating approach. The operation of such polygeneration is tested successfully using a model of a Finnish district. Carbon dioxide circulation is analysed together with capacity requirements to synthetic natural gas and needed wind power installation. Resulting complete decarbonisation requires coordination and flexible operation of power-to-heat and power-to-gas capacity together with gas-fired combined heat and power plants and heat-only boilers, which ensures that renewable power production, heating and power needs, security of supply and grid limitations are met.

Abstract

Actual trends of increased utilization of renewable sources in residential sector impose new requirements for domestic energy system operation. Recent research results have shown that a high level of energy autonomy could be achieved by the utilization of such systems in a residential building located within the European continental climate zone. That is particularly interesting in the light of the fact that in near future access to the hourly electricity market will be enabled to all households thus acting as prosumers. In this paper, the energy system comprising of a photovoltaic thermal collector, heat storage, heat pump and auxiliary energy sources, sized to cover the most of electricity, heating and cooling demand of a selected low-energy family house (180 m² heated and cooled area, 75 m² useful roof area, located in northwest Croatia) was considered. By analysis of yearly operational profiles, required exchange of energy on electricity market was estimated. Detailed mathematical model of the system was used for hourly simulation in order to evaluate impact of operational strategies on both renewable energy sources utilization and profitability. Two different control strategies were compared in typical days defined by profiles of energy demands, solar irradiance and electricity price. The simulation results showed how the change in operation strategy can reduce operational cost.

Abstract

This special issue of Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems contains selected papers contributed to the ICEWES 2018 held in November 13-15, 2018 in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) organized the Conference in cooperation with the Arab German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA).

The conference was an attempt to address issues in research and developments in the various fields of sustainable energy, water and environment systems. ICEWES 2018 was a fruitful scientific gathering that provided an international forum for researchers.

Abstract

The overall goal of this work was to investigate the potential of poultry manure for thermal conversion into biochar and the impact of temperature on selected biochar properties. Biochar is a solid carbonized material that demonstrates a number of interesting properties such as high microporosity and surface area, presence of surface functional groups and micro and macroelements. Therefore, it can be applied as a sorbent to remove organic and inorganic substances from liquid and gaseous phases, as an amendment in composting and anaerobic fermentation, a component of fertilizers and soil improver or as a filler in production of biocomposites. The scope of this work included: collection and analysis of poultry manure samples from an organic poultry farm (a), laboratory pyrolysis of poultry manure in selected temperatures (400-700 °C) (b), the analysis of biochar properties (chemical composition, surface area, functional groups, etc.) produced at different temperatures (c) and discussion of potential applications for the produced poultry derived biochars (d). The efficiency of conversion of poultry manure to biochar was about 62% for 400 °C and about 55% for 700 °C. The obtained results demonstrated that biochars produced from poultry manure showed a complex chemical composition. The following elements were present: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron. Surface area of the obtained biochars was very low (about
5 m²g⁻¹). Gradual aromatization of the investigated biochar and the formation of wide range of oxygen functionalities were observed. In view to the obtained results poultry manure derived biochars due to chemical composition could be potentially applied as a component of fertilizers, soil improvers and composts. However, other applications such as removal of various contaminants, e.g., from wastewater or exhaust air would require additional modification through thermal and/or chemical treatment.

Abstract

The investment decision support tool was developed, which can be applied to check the technical feasibility and economic viability of an Organic Rankine Cycle system, and to select the appropriate working fluid, based only on basic information on the waste heat source, i.e. source temperature and mass (heat) flow rate. Two profitability criteria, Net Present Value and Payback Period, were introduced for economic evaluation, while an Organic Rankine Cycle design correlations-based model was developed, and applied for prediction of technical parameters and components’ design estimation. Validation performed with the previously published data confirmed model accuracy in spite of its simplicity. The model gave quick answers, and was incorporated successfully into a decision algorithm, which was supported by a set of system component design and cost functions, and could serve as an effective tool for preliminary feasibility evaluation of any proposed Organic Rankine Cycle based waste heat recovery system. An example of model application over the broad range of waste heat source temperatures is presented and the results discussed in order to show its basic capabilities.

Abstract

Abstract

This paper argues that, although Japan’s and Germany’s energy transition paths differ in detail, a trend towards decentralisation is clearly evident in both countries. Based on comprehensive screening, own stocktaking and the results of a stakeholder dialogue, this paper highlights the motivation for different local actors to enter the energy market in both countries. Although there are challenges to success in a market dominated by large energy companies, this paper argues that the benefits to local communities outweigh the efforts. Overall, it is shown that democratisation and the decentralisation of the energy system are suitable to facilitate a successful transformation process in both countries.

Abstract

The stagnation of car demand had been observed in many countries. A similar phenomenon had emerged in Taiwan. From the perspective of socio-demographic characteristics, this study employs quantile regression for count data to investigate generational differences in household car ownership in Taiwan. The results show that the socio-demographic characteristics affected household car ownership. Due to the seniority effects, households in the later life-cycle stages and households with a higher proportion of elderly members would reduce car demand. But, households with the middle-aged heads owned more cars due to their better economic ability. The income effects are greater for higher income households. Household car ownership varied across generations, which was related to the income effects, the life course, and household structure. Hence, the demographic changes and generational differences in travel preferences should be considered in urban transportation planning. Seamless transportation and senior-friendly facilities would be important for transportation demand management.

Abstract

This research is framed in the development of an agri-food hub in the city of Milan, including retrofitting an historical farmhouse. In particular, it focuses on the renovation of two historical buildings within the farmhouse. It aims to present a method to support the energy retrofit design of protected buildings, assuming the possibility of achieving high energy efficiency and integration of local renewable sources, while respecting the constraints related to the building’s historical value. Two envelope scenarios, with internal and external insulation, were developed, simulated with Integrated Environmental Solutions: Virtual Environment tool and evaluated. As main results, for the demand side there are no significant differences in terms of energy loads on yearly basis in the two retrofit scenarios, on the supply side, several aspects were considered, including the local renewable potential. Concluding, the application of the described method to the mentioned case study can support in tackling the challenges of protected buildings energy retrofit.