Comparison of improving energy use and mitigating pollutant emissions from industrial and non-industrial activities: Evidence from a variable-specific productivity analysis framework

Author(s):  
Sicen Liu ◽  
Gang Peng ◽  
Chuanwang Sun ◽  
Tomas Balezentis ◽  
Anda Guo
Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2036
Author(s):  
Miren Blanco ◽  
Cristina Monteserín ◽  
Nerea Uranga ◽  
Estíbaliz Gómez ◽  
Estíbaliz Aranzabe ◽  
...  

The transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to climate emissions and experiences the highest growth in energy use. This study explores the use of TiO2 nanoparticles for obtaining photocatalytic nanocomposites with improved infrared reflectance properties. The nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing 0–20 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticles in an unsaturated polyester resin. The effect of TiO2 on the curing kinetics was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, showing a significant delay of the curing reactions. The thermal reflectance of the modified resins was characterized by UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, measuring total solar reflectance (TSR). The TiO2 greatly increased the TSR of the resin, due to the reflectance properties of the nanoparticles and the change in color of the modified resin. These nanocomposites reflect a significant part of near-infrared radiation, which can contribute to a reduction of the use of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Moreover, the photocatalytic effect of the TiO2 modified nanocomposites was studied by monitoring the degradation of an organic model contaminant in an aqueous medium under UV light, and the reusability of the nanocomposites was studied with 5 cycles. The developed nanocomposites are proposed as a solution for reducing global warming and pollutant emissions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Regina de Casas Castro Marins

Purpose – Energy use in urban areas has turned a subject of local and worldwide interest over the last few years, especially emphasized by the correlated greenhouse gases emissions. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the overall energy efficiency potential and emissions resulting from integrated solutions in urban energy planning, in the scale of districts and neighbourhoods in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based on the description and the application of a method to analyse energy performance of urban areas and support their planning. It is a quantitative bottom-up method and involves urban morphology, urban mobility, buildings and energy supply systems. Procedures are applied to the case study of Agua Branca urban development area, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Findings – In the case of Agua Branca area, energy efficiency measures in buildings have shown to be very important mostly for the buildings economies themselves. For the area as a whole, strategies in promoting public transport are more effective in terms of energy efficiency and also to decrease pollutant emissions. Originality/value – Literature review has shown there is a lack of approaches and procedures able to support urban energy planning at a community scale. The bottom-up method presented in this paper integrates a plenty of disaggregated and multisectoral parameters at the same stage in urban planning and shows that is possible to identify the most promising actions by building overall performance indexes.


Energy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 167 ◽  
pp. 1251-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moncef Krarti ◽  
Kankana Dubey ◽  
Nicholas Howarth

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Marta Bożym ◽  
Arkadiusz Gendek ◽  
Grzegorz Siemiątkowski ◽  
Monika Aniszewska ◽  
Jan Malaťák

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the chemical composition and content of heavy metal contamination in forest logging residues, in order to assess the possibility for their further utilisation. The samples were divided into 9 groups, which included coniferous tree cones, wood, and other multi-species logging residues. The elementary composition, ash content, and calorific value were determined as energy use indicators for the samples. Additionally, the content of heavy and alkali metals, which may affect combustion processes and pollutant emissions, was tested. The high content of heavy metals may also disqualify these residues for other uses. The research shows that the test residues are suitable for energy use due to their high calorific value and low content of heavy metals. However, an increased ash content in some samples and the presence of alkali metals, causing high-temperature corrosion of boilers, may disqualify them as a potential fuel in the combustion process. The forest residues may be used in other thermal processes such as pyrolysis or gasification. A low content of heavy metals and a high content of organic matter permit the use of these residues for the production of adsorbents or composite materials.


Author(s):  
Mirko Filipponi ◽  
Federico Rossi ◽  
Andrea Presciutti ◽  
Stefania De Ciantis ◽  
Beatrice Castellani ◽  
...  

Industries, which are mainly responsible for high energy consumptions, need to invest in research projects in order to develop new managing systems for rational energy use and to tackle the devastating effects of climate change caused by human behavior. The study reported in this paper concerns the forging industry, where the production processes generally start with the heating of the steel in furnaces and continue with other processes, such as heat treatments and mechanical machining. One of the most critical operations, in terms of energy loss, is the opening of the furnace doors for the insertion and extraction operations. During this time, the temperature of the furnaces decreases by hundreds of degrees in a few minutes. Because the dispersed heat needs to be supplied again through the combustion of fuel, increasing the consumption of energy and the pollutant emissions, the evaluation of the amount of the lost energy is crucial for the development of operating or mechanical systems able to contain this dispersion. To perform this study, CFD simulation software was used. Results show that at the door opening, because of temperature and pressure differences between the furnace and the ambient, turbulences are generated. Results also show that the amount of energy lost for an opening of 10 minutes for radiation, convection and conduction is equal to 5606 MJ where convection is the main contributor with 5020 MJ. The model created, after being validated, has been applied to perform other simulations in order to improve the energy performance of the furnace. Results show that a reduction of the opening time of the door allows energy savings and limits pollutant emissions.


Author(s):  
Harish Chandra Maganti ◽  
Yatish Manju ◽  
Naga Sai Dilip Kumar Akula

The main aim of this project is to study the Dynamic Behavior mainly focused on Environmental, Safety and Health benefits of different High-Speed Trains which are ETR500, ETR1000, ICE 3, Talgo 350, and TGVThalys with respect to their performance in the HighSpeed line of Madrid – Barcelona which has a speed limit of 300 km/hr. The main input parameters which are taken into consideration are Mass, Line Speed, Distance, Tractive Effort, Time, Speed, Energy Consumption, etc., Ratios of Mass/Passengers, Energy Consumption/Wheel, Etc. From this comparison, we get to know the performances of different type of high-speed trains in Madrid – Barcelona high-speed line and we can suggest the best one considering all Railway System factors considering all these factors. Railway Systems provide substantial benefits for the Energy-Consuming to the Environment. By using electrical Energy sources and more efficient mobility, Railway Transport can lower energy use and reduce CO2 and Pollutant Emissions.


Author(s):  
Constantin Pana ◽  
Maria Alexandra Ivan ◽  
Alexandru Cernat ◽  
Niculae Negurescu ◽  
Cristian Nuțu ◽  
...  

This chapter presents aspects of hydrogen use in comfort systems and thermal machines in order to improve performance and to reduce pollution emissions. Hydrogen energy is clean, and its use leads to a reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. It represents an alternative to traditional fuels, oil, coal, and gas. The use of hydrogen preserves traditional fuel resources. In the field of comfort, the energy obtained from hydrogen is applicable in the heating and air conditioning of spaces, in the production of electricity necessary to create light comfort. The use of hydrogen in boilers leads to the reduction of pollutant emissions. Hydrogen fuelling systems were designed for different experimental thermal machines, designed by authors from spark-ignition engine and compression ignition engine. The characteristic combustion parameters, like maximum pressure, the maximum rate of pressure rise, efficiency, and pollutant emissions for hydrogen fuelling are presented and analyzed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Chang ◽  
Runze Huang ◽  
Robert J. Ries ◽  
Eric Masanet

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