Shower cooler reduces pollutants release in production of competitive cement substitute at low cost
29 Sep 2020-Energy Sources Part A-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects (Informa UK Limited)-pp 1-10
TL;DR: The amount of fermentation residues from biogas plants is rising rapidly worldwide as mentioned in this paper. Nevertheless, farmers are losing their interest in its incorporation into soil since the level of nutrients as we...
Abstract: The amount of fermentation residues from biogas plants is rising rapidly worldwide. Nevertheless, farmers are losing their interest in its incorporation into soil since the level of nutrients as we...
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the interrelationships between the performance on sustainability indicators and economic growth in European Union and found that the shift towards renewable energy may not seem economically viable in the short-run, but after a point of time, renewable energy consumption is bound to positively impact the economic growth.
Abstract: The literature on energy-growth nexus has consistently stated that economic development, which leads to environmental degradation in its early stages, is the only way to ensure environmental sustainability. The paper examines the interrelationships between the performance on sustainability indicators and economic growth in European Union. The data for sustainability indicators such as human development index, financial development index, urban population, renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, ecological footprints, carbon emissions, and economic growth indicator that is gross domestic product are analyzed for 27 EU countries. The study employs Arellano-Bond dynamic panel data estimation, system dynamic panel data estimation, and Augmented Mean Group model. The results show a two-way positive relationship between economic growth and non-renewable energy and a two-way negative relationship between economic growth and renewable energy. Besides, ecological footprint, non-renewable energy consumption, and carbon emissions are shown to positively impact economic growth. In contrast, renewable energy consumption is shown to negatively impact economic growth. The results reveal explain the reasoning for unimpressive performance of Europe on the front of climate action, and average performance on clean energy, notwithstanding reasonable economic growth. The novelty of the study lies in finding out that the shift towards renewable energy may not seem economically viable in the short-run, but after a point of time, renewable energy consumption is bound to positively impact the economic growth in line with the Environmental Kuznets Curve.
79 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the United Nations estimates the rate of deforestation over 10 million hectares per year, with additional infested wood available due to drought, bark beetle calamity and other damage vectors.
69 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of Spirulina biodiesel blends had a positive impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including reductions of 16.3%, 3.6, 6.8, and 12.35% of CO, NOx, and smoke, respectively.
Abstract: There is wide consensus that Spirulina can serve as a tool for wastewater management and simultaneously provide feedstock for biorefining. However, the economic aspects associated with its use remain a significant challenge. Spirulina cultivated in wastewater decreased the concentrations of both ammonia and nitrate and also served as a biodiesel source. The oil obtained in the feedstock was subjected to transesterification and turned into biodiesel. The biodiesel was subsequently analyzed in a test motor (water-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder compression ignition with injection). The tests were conducted at a constant 1500 rpm, and the output power was 3.7 kW. Mixtures of diesel and biodiesel were also enriched with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The amount of CNTs added to the diesel was 30 mg L−1. The algae and de-oiled biomass were characterized using XRD analysis, and an ultrasonicator was used to mix the CNTs with diesel and spirulina blends. A series of tests were conducted at different load conditions (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) for all fuel blends. Test results were compared with a neat diesel engine with a CR of 17.5:1. Among the fuel blends, the B25 reported improved brake thermal efficiency and reduced emissions. The outcomes are a reduction in thermal efficiency of 0.98% and exhaust gas temperature of 1.7%. The addition of Spirulina biodiesel blends had a positive impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including reductions of 16.3%, 3.6%, 6.8%, and 12.35% of CO, NOx, and smoke, respectively. The specific fuel consumption and CO2 emissions were reduced by 5.2% and 2.8%, respectively, for B25 fuel blends compared to plain diesel and B50. Concerning cost competitiveness, vigorous research on microalgae for the production of biodiesel can cut production costs in the future.
63 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a plethora of case studies have been published mapping the environmental impacts in specific locations in terms of changes in wastewater composition, noise, solar radiation and more, and the most urgent question is whether artificially inducing such a pandemic could be justified, given the loss of human life and economic losses.
47 citations
TL;DR: The most common drinking water clarification technology worldwide is based on precipitation using the floccules of iron(III) oxide-hydroxide FeO(OH) and the coagulation sludge obtained is usually mixed with biowaste and composted as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The most common drinking water clarification technology worldwide is based on precipitation using the floccules of iron(III) oxide-hydroxide FeO(OH). The coagulation sludge obtained is usually mixed with biowaste and composted. Inexperienced farmers are interested in these composts, in the expectation that the smallest fractions of the precipitated organic matter together with the colloidal particles of clay captured during the clarification process might increase the level of soil organic matter as well as cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of soil and increase crop yields. Nevertheless, those who have used these composts observed that plants on treated soil show signs of phosphorus (P) insufficiency, despite having been fertilized appropriately. It has been published recently that the traces of iron (Fe) from the FeO(OH) turn the soil P into Fe phosphates (FeP), which makes P not readily available to agricultural plants. A 6-year field-scale experiment was carried out and was accompanied by robust analyses on soils and yields. It was confirmed that the traces of Fe from the coagulation sludge worsen the availability of soil P to plants. However, for the first time, evidence has been obtained concerning the fact that the Fe also damages the efficiency of P fertilizers applied afterward. A questionnaire was conducted among drinking water treatment plant operators and regulators to identify a reason why similar practices have not been banned yet. The results showed a growing awareness of the issue among experts, but politicians seem to prefer putting off unpopular measures. We recommend abandoning the application of these composts onto arable land and the revitalization of the affected fields using biochar activated by calcium and aluminum phosphates (CaP and AlP) so that the problem is not delayed to such an extent that its solution would become a problem for future generations.
37 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a general summary of the properties of pyrolytic products and their analysis methods is given, as well as a review of the parameters that affect the process and a summary of current state of the art.
Abstract: Pyrolysis is one of the thermochemical technologies for converting biomass into energy and chemical products consisting of liquid bio-oil, solid biochar, and pyrolytic gas. Depending on the heating rate and residence time, biomass pyrolysis can be divided into three main categories slow (conventional), fast and flash pyrolysis mainly aiming at maximising either the bio-oil or biochar yields. Synthesis gas or hydrogen-rich gas can also be the target of biomass pyrolysis. Maximised gas rates can be achieved through the catalytic pyrolysis process, which is now increasingly being developed. Biomass pyrolysis generally follows a three-step mechanism comprising of dehydration, primary and secondary reactions. Dehydrogenation, depolymerisation, and fragmentation are the main competitive reactions during the primary decomposition of biomass. A number of parameters affect the biomass pyrolysis process, yields and properties of products. These include the biomass type, biomass pretreatment (physical, chemical, and biological), reaction atmosphere, temperature, heating rate and vapour residence time. This manuscript gives a general summary of the properties of the pyrolytic products and their analysis methods. Also provided are a review of the parameters that affect biomass pyrolysis and a summary of the state of industrial pyrolysis technologies.
1,379 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the environmental impact of four cement manufacturing processes: (1) the production of traditional Portland cement, (2) blended cement (natural pozzolans), (3) cement where 100% of waste cement kiln dust is recycled into the kiln process, and (4) Portland cement produced when CKD is used to sequester a portion of the process related CO2 emissions.
994 citations
TL;DR: Life cycle assessment was used to estimate the energy and climate change impacts and the economics of biochar systems, which may at present only deliver climate change mitigation benefits and be financially viable as a distributed system using waste biomass.
Abstract: Biomass pyrolysis with biochar returned to soil is a possible strategy for climate change mitigation and reducing fossil fuel consumption. Pyrolysis with biochar applied to soils results in four coproducts: long-term carbon (C) sequestration from stable C in the biochar, renewable energy generation, biochar as a soil amendment, and biomass waste management. Life cycle assessment was used to estimate the energy and climate change impacts and the economics of biochar systems. The feedstocks analyzed represent agricultural residues (corn stover), yard waste, and switchgrass energy crops. The net energy of the system is greatest with switchgrass (4899 MJ t(-1) dry feedstock). The net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for both stover and yard waste are negative, at -864 and -885 kg CO(2) equivalent (CO(2)e) emissions reductions per tonne dry feedstock, respectively. Of these total reductions, 62-66% are realized from C sequestration in the biochar. The switchgrass biochar-pyrolysis system can be a net GHG emitter (+36 kg CO(2)e t(-1) dry feedstock), depending on the accounting method for indirect land-use change impacts. The economic viability of the pyrolysis-biochar system is largely dependent on the costs of feedstock production, pyrolysis, and the value of C offsets. Biomass sources that have a need for waste management such as yard waste have the highest potential for economic profitability (+$69 t(-1) dry feedstock when CO(2)e emission reductions are valued at $80 t(-1) CO(2)e). The transportation distance for feedstock creates a significant hurdle to the economic profitability of biochar-pyrolysis systems. Biochar may at present only deliver climate change mitigation benefits and be financially viable as a distributed system using waste biomass.
846 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that for every 1000kg of cement produced just over 500kg of carbon dioxide arises from the chemical reaction and a further 250400kg from the energy use.
Abstract: Almost all concrete in current use contains Portland Cement. This cement is produced in a process which involves heating the raw materials to 1400C which makes them produce large quantities of carbon dioxide as a product of a chemical reaction. For every 1000kg of cement produced just over 500kg of carbon dioxide arises from the chemical reaction and a further 250400kg from the energy use. These quantities cannot be reduced.
496 citations
Book•
28 Jun 2017
TL;DR: In this article, Amory B Lovins and Paul Hawken introduce the next industrial revolution and the Next Industrial Revolution Hypercars and Neighbourhoods Waste Not The Making of the World Building Blocks Designing Whole Systems Muda, Service and Flow Capital Gains Filaments of Nature Food for Life Aqueous Solutions Climate - Making Sense and Making Money making markets work Human Capitalism Once Upon a Planet
Abstract: New Introduction by Amory B Lovins and Paul Hawken The Next Industrial Revolution Hypercars and Neighbourhoods Waste Not The Making of the World Building Blocks Designing Whole Systems Muda, Service and Flow Capital Gains Filaments of Nature Food for Life Aqueous Solutions Climate - Making Sense and Making Money making markets work Human Capitalism Once Upon a Planet
453 citations