Abstract

The pollution generated by cemeteries and their overload are increasingly worrisome issues in current society, and yet there are few studies seeking to discuss and generate solutions in this field to provide better lives to the population. Thus, this research has aimed to develop a new concept of a cremation service called “Mobile Crematorium”, aiming at innovation and an alternative for reducing impacts caused by cemeteries. Hence, a new model of service development was used, jointly with bibliographic research, semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs and questionnaires answered by the population to collect essential information. Thus, requirements, needs and specifications of the clients and the service were developed, jointly with an analysis, simulation and selection of alternative solutions generated that allowed the creation of the new concept. Finally, the service process was modelled on the “Service Blueprint”, allowing visualization and identification of possible process failures and improvements thereon.

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to examine the possibility of application of the spreadsheet calculator and Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties database to a thermodynamic process. The heating process of a real soil-to-water heat pump, including heat transfer in the borehole heat exchanger has been analysed. How the changes of condensing temperature, at constant evaporating temperature, influence the following: heating capacity, compressor effective power, heat supplied to evaporator, compression discharge temperature and coefficient of performance, are investigated. Also, the energy characteristics of a heat pump using different refrigerants for the same heating capacity and the same temperature regime are compared. The following refrigerants are considered: two zeotropic mixtures, R407C and R409A, a mixture with some zeotropic characteristics, R410A, and an azeotropic mixture, R507A.

Abstract

In recent times, the methanol was employed in numerous innovative applications and is a key compound widely used as a building block or intermediate for producing synthetic hydrocarbons, solvents, energy storage medium and fuel. It is a source of clean, sustainable energy that can be produced from traditional and renewable sources: natural gas, coal, biomass, landfill gas and power plant or industrial emissions. An innovative methanol production process from coal gasification is proposed in this work. A suitable comparison between the traditional coal to methanol process and the novel one is provided and deeply discussed. The most important features, with respect to the traditional ones, are the lower carbon dioxide emissions (about 0.3%) and the higher methanol production (about 0.5%) without any addition of primary sources. Moreover, it is demonstrated that a coal feed/fuel with a high sulfur content allows higher reductions of carbon dioxide emissions. The key idea is to convert hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) by means of a regenerative thermal reactor. This is the Acid Gas to Syngas technology, a completely new and effective route of processing acid gases. The main concept is to feed an optimal ratio of hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide and to preheat the inlet acid gas before the combustion. The reactor is simulated using a detailed kinetic scheme.

Abstract

Research into photovoltaic thermal systems is important in solar technologies as photovoltaic thermal systems are designed to produce both electrical and thermal energy, this can lead to improved performance of the overall system. The performance of photovoltaic thermal systems is based on several factors that include photovoltaic thermal materials, design, ambient temperature, inlet and outlet fluid temperature and photovoltaic cell temperature. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of photovoltaic thermal outlet water temperatures and solar cell temperature on both electrical and thermal efficiency for different range of inlet water temperature. To achieve this, a mathematical model of a photovoltaic thermal system was developed to calculate the anticipated system performance. The factors that affect the efficiency of photovoltaic thermal collectors were discussed and the outlet fluid temperature from the photovoltaic thermal is investigated in order to reach the highest overall efficiency for the solar cooling system. An average thermal and electrical efficiency of 65% and 13.7%, respectively, was achieved and the photovoltaic thermal mathematical model was validated with experimental data from literature.

Abstract

Wind power varies over time and variations occur on all time scales, mainly under the influence of meteorological fluctuations. Understanding these variations and their predictability is of key importance for integration and optimal utilisation of wind in the power system. There are two major attributes of variable renewable generation that notably impact the participation on power exchanges: variability and uncertainty. Due to variability and uncertainty, wind plants cannot participate in the electricity market, especially on the power exchanges. This paper will present a techno-economic analysis of work of wind plants together with a combined cycle gas turbine power plant as support for offering continuous power to the electricity market. This work presents a model of electricity production from wind farms and a combined cycle gas turbine power plant developed in the programming tool called PLEXOS. Real hourly input data and all characteristics of combined cycle gas turbine power plant were used in the model.
A detailed analysis of techno-economic characteristics of ramp rates and different types of starts and stops of the plant was made. The main motivation for this analysis is to investigate both technical and economical possibilities for an investor to participate in the power exchanges by offering continuous guaranteed power from wind plants by backing them up with a combined cycle gas turbine power plant.

Abstract

In order to determine how the average Indian’s emissions may be reduced, one needs to understand the consumption basket and the implications of various categories of household consumption (such as cereals or durables) on emissions. With this in mind, this paper looks at consumption choices in India and calculates per capita carbon dioxide emissions of the different categories of consumption during 1987-1988 to 2007-2008. It is seen that both the increase in per person consumption and a change in the product basket have led to an increase in emissions per person. Further, the urban or higher class Indian emits more, not only because he consumes more of everything (compared, respectively, to the rural or lower class Indian), but also because of differences in the composition of consumption. Four products/product groups – fuel for cooking, fuel for lighting, durables and housing – are further explored to identify several problem products.

Abstract

There is a need to re-evaluate the residues generated in industrial processes for the production of new raw material, reducing the volume of waste. In this regard, the biosorption is a low-cost alternative method for treating effluents compared to conventional methods. The main objectives of this research were: the evaluation of the biosorbent capacity of six waste materials for the extraction of chromium(VI) and lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions and, the determination of the adsorption and kinetic parameters for the more efficient system. The materials evaluated were: peanut shell (Arachis hypagaea), sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum), avocado peel (Persea americana), pecan nutshell (Carya illinoinensis), wheat bran (Triticum aestivum) and banana peel (Mussa paradisiaca). The highest percentage of lead removal was obtained with wheat bran (89%). For chromium, the percentage was generally much lower compared with lead for all tested biosorbents, the banana peel being the most efficient with a 10% removal. The models that better describe the adsorption processes were: Langmuir and Freundlich. The pseudo-second order kinetic model allowed obtaining the parameters for both systems. The equilibrium time, in both systems, was reached after 60 minutes. The study of Fourier Transformed Infrared spectra and the results of desorption experiments allowed to hypothesize on the mechanisms involved in the adsorption of these metals.

Abstract

A dredging process is essential for the development of harbours and ports, allowing the functional daily operation of the port. The management of dredged material represents a worldwide challenge, especially considering unwanted deposition of material. Because of their chemical, petrographic, mineralogical and homogeneity composition, marine sediments could represent an appropriate raw material for the brick industry, particularly for the production of clay blocks, roofing and ceramic tiles. In this study dredged material from Port of Koper was tested for such use, thus various analyses were carried out in order to determine if the dredged material is environmentally friendly and suitable for use in the brick industry. These included: chemical analysis, mineralogical analysis, particle size analysis, chloride content analysis and tests of firing in a gradient furnace. Furthermore, tests of mechanical properties, as well as tests of the frost-resistance of the samples were carried out. On the basis of the primary analyses and samples prepared in a laboratory, it was confirmed that marine sediments from the Port of Koper, without any additives are only conditionally suitable as a source material for producing brick products, because without additives they exhibit too much shrinkage on drying and firing, as well as high water absorption, this can be improved by the incorporation of suitable additives, for example, virgin clay or other suitable waste material. The approach described herewith can also be followed to assess sediments from other ports and rivers regarding its potential use in clay brick sector.

Abstract

The United Nations has defined the food-energy-water nexus as a key issue in the green economy process towards sustainable development. The integrated assessment model is used here to frame and study the heterogeneity of the food-energy-water nexus and to manage the food-energy-water nexus in Germany in a social learning and decision-making process. For the integrated assessment of the German food-energy-water nexus sector, a four-phase approach based on the de Ridder method is used to analyse the food-energy-water nexus against the background of the completely revised German sustainability strategy of 2017. In the first step, the integrated assessment problem analysis, the interconnections of the food-energy-water nexus between the natural resources and the socio-economic system are formulated. The new political values and options needed for the management of the food-energy-water nexus sector are revealed in the second research step and it is stressed that justice is the defining ethical norm of the revised German sustainability strategy of 2017, which is the sustainability framework for the German food-energy-water nexus. Thus, inter- and intragenerational justice is also a central issue of the food-energy-water nexus and is integrated with the social discount rate in the food-energy-water measuring concept (Fisher nexus quantity index) presented in the third step. In the final research step of the integrated assessment approach, it is found that the new food-energy-water nexus policy process also needs a ‘culture of reflected numbers’, as Voßkuhle calls it, to ensure a social discourse as a permanent learning process for both the German government and society. 

Abstract

A combined method using statistical and numerical models has been developed by the authors for selecting a pump running as turbine to be applied in micro-hydro plants. The data of the hydrological site chosen for the installation (head and capacity) allow the calculation of two conversion factors which identify the pump to use successfully as turbine in that place. Then, a one-dimensional model, starting from data available on the pumps manufacturers catalogues, reconstructs a virtual geometry of the pump running as turbine, and calculates the performances curves, head vs. capacity, efficiency vs. capacity, useful for identifying the operating point. Two study cases are presented to apply the proposed methodology, concerning the feasibility of the installation of a pump running as turbine in the purifier water plants of Casali and Sersale, located at 1,000 m above sea level (Calabria, South Italy).The assessment of the annual energy yield gives a confirmation of the effectiveness and convenience of using pumps running as turbines.

Abstract

The jet fan ventilation system is one of various ventilation systems available for the purpose of carbon monoxide extraction in underground car parks. Such a system is dependent not only on the rules applied during the design, but also the architecture of the underground car park. This paper describes a numerical model used to analyse air stagnation areas, airflow and streamline patterns and the influence of partition walls on the jet fan ventilation system. Additional focus is on the validity of the choice of the jet fan ventilation system for the underground car parks with partition walls. Results show that jet fan ventilation system is not suitable for all underground car park architecture layouts.

Abstract

Tools that can benchmark cities, including cities in South East Europe, are necessary to enable the comparison and diffusion of more sustainable practices for urban systems.
The “Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Index” provides a composite indicator for benchmarking city performance based on 7 dimensions and 35 main indicators. In this research work, the Index is applied to a new sample of 18 cities in South East Europe for which data is collected, normalized, and aggregated. Klagenfurt (3.08), Velenje (3.06) and Pécs (3.01) are found to be the top three cities in the sample while an average city receives an index score of 2.85.
The results are further compared to reference averages and evaluated based on the mean simulated values of 10,000 Monte Carlo experiments. The results are interpreted in quartiles for pioneering, transitioning, solution-seeking, and challenged cities.
The results are then applied within a benchmarking tool of the Index that supports policy learning to trigger collaboration between cities and further used to match cities according to a search algorithm based on index performance. In addition, the results are compared to urban hierarchy as well as development contexts and mapped onto the spatial dimension as an initial step for enabling a “Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Future City Network”. The paper concludes with a set of four proposed steps to enable decision-makers and urban planners in using the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Index in support of more sustainable urban systems.

Abstract

Electrified domestic hot water systems, being deferrable loads, are an important demand side management tool and thus have the potential to enhance photovoltaic self-consumption. This study addresses the energy and economic performance of photovoltaic self-consumption by using a typical Portuguese dwelling. Five system configurations were simulated: a gas boiler (with/without battery) and an electric boiler (without demand management and with genetic and heuristic optimization). A sensitivity analysis on photovoltaic capacity shows the optimum photovoltaic sizing to be in the range 1.0 to 2.5 kW_p. The gas boiler scenario and the heuristic scenario present the best levelized cost of energy, respectively, for the lower and higher photovoltaic capacities. The use of a battery shows the highest levelized cost of energy and the heuristic scenario shows the highest solar fraction (56.9%). Results also highlight the great potential on increasing photovoltaic size when coupled with electrified domestic hot water systems, to accommodate higher solar fractions and achieve lower costs, through energy management.

Abstract

Waste biomass as a mean for global carbon dioxide emissions mitigation remains under-utilized. This is mainly due to the low calorific value of virgin feedstock, characterized generally with high moisture content. Aqueous processing, namely hydrothermal liquefaction in subcritical water conditions, has been demonstrated experimentally to thermally densify solid lignocellulose into liquid fuels without the pre-requisite and energy consuming drying step. This study presents a techno-economic evaluation of an integrated hydrothermal liquefaction system with downstream combined heat and power production from forest residues. The utilization of the liquefaction by-products and waste heat from the elevated processing conditions, coupled with the chemical upgrading of the feedstock enables the poly-generation of biocrude, electricity and district heat. The plant thermal efficiency increases by 3.5 to 4.6% compared to the conventional direct combustion case. The economic assessment showed that the minimum selling price of biocrude, based on present co-products market prices, hinders commercialization and ranges between 138 EUR to 178 EUR per MWh. A sensitivity analysis and detailed discussion on the techno-economic assessment results are presented for the different process integration and market case scenarios.

Abstract

Riverbank filtration leads to purification of water. For India it can be a simple, economical and effective alternative. A few unanswered questions were: Can it work in Indian mountainous regions? Will it be of any advantage in the case of some of the polluted Indian surface waters? With the goal to evaluate use of riverbank filtration as a sustainable technology under widely varying conditions prevalent in India, the effectiveness of riverbank filtration has been examined over the last 10 years. In the case of cleaner surface waters, the wells deliver water free of turbidity and coliform even during monsoon irrespective of well configuration. In the case of polluted source waters, it results in an overall advantage in terms of improved raw water quality, reduced degree and cost of subsequent treatment and decreased levels of disinfection by-products. The study shows riverbank filtration to be an effective and sustainable option for plains as well as the mountainous region.

Abstract

Ethanol blended fuels have become increasingly prevalent in the on-road transportation sector due to the benefits they provide in energy security, sustainability and reduced environmental impact. However, ethanol usage has led to material compatibility concerns causing corrosion and degradation in materials that are commonly used in engines and fuel storage/delivery systems. The on-road transportation sector continues to study and develop alternatives to minimize potential material challenges. Although, marine vehicles represent a smaller segment of the transportation sector, they represent many vehicles, particularly in the United States. Concerns related to the use of ethanol blended fuels in the marine environment have been expressed by many individuals and groups. Unfortunately, relatively little work has gone into the study of gasoline mixed with approximately 10% ethanol usage and potential material incompatibilities in marine engines. The objective of this article is to provide some factual answers to these concerns. In order to understand the extent of material incompatibilities, a literature survey of published material compatibility data and marine engine manufacturer recommendations was conducted. Next field samples of marine fuels were gathered to estimate the extent of ethanol usage in marine gasoline. Finally, samples of new and in-use marine components were exposed to either gasoline mixed with approximately 10% ethanol or gasoline with 0% ethanol for 1,960 hours to determine whether gasoline mixed with approximately 10% ethanol presented degradation beyond that seen with gasoline (gasoline with 0% ethanol) alone. This work has shown that many marine engine manufacturers have used ethanol compatible materials in current products and that exposure of older marine engine components to gasoline mixed with approximately 10% ethanol by did not reveal any significant degradation. Finally, marine fuel samples gathered in 2013, reveal that most marine gasoline sold in the Unites States does not contain significant levels of ethanol.

Abstract

Sustainable construction is a complex endeavour, involving various stakeholders and resulting in situations that are incompletely described or underspecified. Traditional risk assessment methods require a detailed description of the system and safety, focusing on undesirable outcomes, losses, incidents and accidents. Developing this principle, this research describes a new way to deal with risk assessment in the green construction industry using a resilience engineering method based on the functional resonance
analysis method and analytic hierarchy process methodologies. The functional resonance analysis method defines a systemic framework to model complex systems based on combinations of function variabilities during normal work. Therefore, to quantify the outcomes for risk assessment, this method was used together with the analytic hierarchy process in a case study during the modernisation work on the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The results of this case study demonstrate that the combined utilisation of the functional resonance analysis method and analytic hierarchy process can be utilised to recognise situations where developments could potentially be without control, which enables this to be used as a basis for performing indicators or a monitoring system. Furthermore, this combined technique can be used to assess and quantify the performance variabilities that may lead to occupational or environmental accidents, and provide new recommendations about how work processes should function, minimising production losses, incidents and accidents.

Abstract

The number of installations with ground source heat pumps is steadily increasing. As they involve high investment costs, they require deliberate action and analysis. Research on the influence of design, materials and operating parameters on their coefficient of performance becomes of great importance. In this article the authors propose a new ground source heat pump system with horizontal ground heat exchanger and subsurface irrigation system. In order to examine the possibility of applying the system, the influence of soil moisture content on the heat pump coefficient of performance was investigated in this research. Conducting research on the real object is extremely expensive, so it was decided to conduct simulation studies using the finite element method. The presented results of research confirm that the soil moisture content has the greatest impact on the heat pump system coefficient of performance. The developed ground source heat pump system with subsurface irrigation system allow to reduce the length of ground heat exchanger loop.

Abstract

The present work focuses on the design of a novel tri-generation system based on gasification of municipal solid wastes, a solid oxide fuel cell and an ammonia-water absorption chiller. Tri-generation systems can be implemented in buildings such as hospitals and hotels, where there is a continuous and large demand for electricity, heating and cooling. The system is modelled in Aspen Plus and the influence of different operating parameters on the system performance was studied. The findings suggest that low air equivalent ratios and high gasification temperatures enhance the overall system performance. Syngas cleaning with metal sorbents zinc oxide and sodium bicarbonate for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen chloride concentrations proved to be very effective, reducing the concentration of contaminants to < 1 ppm (part per million) levels. The possibility of covering the demand profiles of a specific building was also investigated: the system could fully meet the electricity and cooling demands, whereas the heat requirements could be satisfied only up to 55%. Moreover, assuming 20 years of operation, the payback period was 4.5 years and the net present value exceeded 5 million euros.

Abstract