acatech

About: acatech is a education organization based out in Munich, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Business model & Digital transformation. The organization has 22 authors who have published 53 publications receiving 2097 citations. The organization is also known as: Acatech.

Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: a comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis

Abstract: The carbonization of biomass residuals to char has strong potential to become an environmentally sound conversion process for the production of a wide variety of products. In addition to its traditional use for the production of charcoal and other energy vectors, pyrolysis can produce products for environmental, catalytic, electronic and agricultural applications. As an alternative to dry pyrolysis, the wet pyrolysis process, also known as hydrothermal carbonization, opens up the field of potential feedstocks for char production to a range of nontraditional renewable and plentiful wet agricultural residues and municipal wastes. Its chemistry offers huge potential to influence product characteristics on demand, and produce designer carbon materials. Future uses of these hydrochars may range from innovative materials to soil amelioration, nutrient conservation via intelligent waste stream management and the increase of carbon stock in degraded soils.

Change Through Digitization—Value Creation in the Age of Industry 4.0

Abstract: Digitization—the continuing convergence of the real and the virtual worlds will be the main driver of innovation and change in all sectors of our economy. The exponentially growing amount of data and the convergence of different affordable technologies that came along with the definite establishment of Information and Communication Technology are transforming all areas of the economy. In Germany, the Internet of Things, Data and Services plays a vital role in mastering the energy transformation, in developing a sustainable mobility and logistics sector, in providing enhanced health care and in securing a competitive position for the leading manufacturing industry. This article discusses the impact, challenges and opportunities of digitization and concludes with examples of recommended policy action. The two key instruments for enhanced value creation in the Age of Industrie 4.0 are platform-based cooperation and a dual innovation strategy.

Chancen von Industrie 4.0 nutzen

Abstract: Mit einem Anteil von 22,4 Prozent am Bruttoinlandsprodukt (BIP) ist das produzierende Gewerbe das Ruckgrat der deutschen Wirtschaft. (vergl. Bundesministerium fur Wirtschaft und Technologie, 2013). Im Vergleich: der Anteil des produzierenden Gewerbes am BIP in den USA liegt bei 11,9 Prozent, in Frankreich und Grosbritannien bei 10 Prozent (vergl. Heymann, Vetter, 2013). Jahrlich produziert die deutsche Wirtschaft einen enormen Handelsuberschuss. Diese Wettbewerbsfahigkeit der deutschen Industrie war entscheidend, um die Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrisen in der jungsten Vergangenheit erfolgreich zu bewaltigen. Konkurrenzfahiger Industriestandort und fuhrender Fabrikausruster zu sein, muss jedoch immer wieder aufs Neue erarbeitet werden.

Influence of aquifer and streambed heterogeneity on the distribution of groundwater discharge

Abstract: . The spatial distribution of groundwater fluxes through a streambed can be highly variable, most often resulting from a heterogeneous distribution of aquifer and streambed permeabilities along the flow pathways. Using a groundwater flow and heat transport model, we defined four scenarios of aquifer and streambed permeability distributions to simulate and assess the impact of subsurface heterogeneity on the distribution of groundwater fluxes through the streambed: (a) a homogeneous low-K streambed within a heterogeneous aquifer; (b) a heterogeneous streambed within a homogeneous aquifer; (c) a well connected heterogeneous low-K streambed within a heterogeneous aquifer; and (d) a poorly connected heterogeneous low-K streambed within a heterogeneous aquifer. The simulation results were compared with a base case scenario, in which the streambed had the same properties as the aquifer, and with observed data. The results indicated that the aquifer has a stronger influence on the distribution of groundwater fluxes through the streambed than the streambed itself. However, a homogeneous low-K streambed, a case often implemented in regional-scale groundwater flow models, resulted in a strong homogenization of fluxes, which may have important implications for the estimation of peak mass flows. The flux distributions simulated with heterogeneous low-K streambeds were similar to the flux distributions of the base case scenario, despite the lower permeability. The representation of heterogeneous distributions of aquifer and streambed properties in the model has been proven to be beneficial for the accuracy of flow simulations.