Lime kilns as an element of the post-industrial cultural landscape of the Silesian Upland, Poland

In the Silesian Upland in southern Poland there are many objects related to previous economic activities, mainly from the mining of minerals occurring in a geological basis. In Mikołów Mokre there is the largest group of closed lime kilns in Poland. They constitute a material trace of the quicklime production industry for the construction industry, which operated in this area for almost 200 years. These closed and decaying post-industrial objects are closely related to the presence of limestone and dolomite in the substrate rocks that were obtained from nearby quarries. The aim of the article was to present the current state of these lime kilns and to assess the possibility of using them for tourism purposes. Currently, only two lime kilns are components of the educational trail of the Silesian Botanical Garden established in 2003. Using the example of the Mikołów lime kilns, the opportunities and possibilities for changing the industrial function of these objects to a tourist function are outlined.

Human Footprints in the Karst Landscape: The Influence of Lime Production on the Landscape of the Northern Dalmatian Islands (Croatia)

Throughout history, the production of lime on the Croatian islands, which are mostly made of limestone and dolomite, has been an important economic activity. In the northern Dalmatian islands, which are centrally positioned on the northeastern Adriatic coast, lime was produced for local needs, but also for the purposes of construction in the nearby cities of Zadar and Šibenik. On the basis of research into various written and cartographic archival sources relating to spatial data, in addition to the results of field research, various traces of lime production have been found in the landscape of the northern Dalmatian islands. Indications of this activity in the insular karst are visible in anthropogenic forms of insular relief (lime kilns, small quarries, stone deposits) and in degraded forms of Mediterranean vegetation. This activity has also left its mark on the linguistic landscape in the form of toponyms, indicating that lime kilns were an important part of the cultural landscape.

Oxfordian brachiopods from the ammonitico rosso-type Fonyászó Limestone formation at Zengővárkony, Mecsek Mountains, Hungary and their palaeoecological, palaeobiogeographical and palaeopathological significance

Recent discovery of a previously unknown outcrop in the vicinity of the Zengővárkony lime-kilns (Mecsek Mountains, Hungary) provided a few identifiable upper Oxfordian brachiopods that exhibit a truly Mediterranean (Tethyan) character. Dating of the outcrop is based on a rich ammonite fauna: Benetticeras benettii; Trimarginites ex gr. trimarginatus; Orthosphinctes (Orthosphinctes) ex gr. tiziani clearly indicate the Late Oxfordian. The brachiopod fauna indicates a deep-water marine environment and well-oxygenated sea floor. Nucleata bouei and Pygope catulloi are recorded for the first time from the Mecsek Mountains. A pathologic specimen of Pygope catulloi is also recognized. Its ventral valve was injured in an early developmental stage that caused deformation of the left side, which was overgrown by the healthy right side and created an asymmetric adult shell shape. Cause of the injury is unclear but it provides further evidence for subsequent healing of brachiopods after being injured. This is the first description and illustration of Oxfordian brachiopods from the Mecsek Mountains, Hungary. The occurrence of Tethyan originating pygopid brachiopods in the Oxfordian strengthens earlier observations that from the Bathonian/Callovian Tethyan influence became overwhelming in the Mecsek Mountains fauna. Pygope catulloi strengthens records from Algeria that pygopid brachiopods may have occurred very early on the periphery of the Western Tethys.

Latest Oxfordian – earliest Kimmeridgian ammonite dominated fauna and microfacies from the ammonitico rosso-type Fonyászó Limestone Formation at Zengővárkony (Mecsek Mountains, Hungary)

Field work has resulted in the recognition of a previously unknown outcrop in the vicinity of the Zengővárkony lime-kilns (Mecsek Mountains, South Hungary) which has provided a remarkably rich, but poorly preserved, uppermost Oxfordian – earliest Kimmeridgian fauna dominated by ammonites probably representing the Hypselum–Bimammatum zones. This is the first description and illustration of Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian ammonites from the Mecsek Mountains. The cephalopod fauna comprises Phylloceras div. sp., Holcophylloceras div. sp., Sowerbyceras sp., Lytoceras sp., Lissoceratoides erato, Trimarginites cf. trimarginatus, Glochiceras (Coryceras) cf. microdomum, Subdiscosphinctes sp., ?Wegelea sp., Passendorferiinae gen. et sp. ind., ?Orthosphinctes sp., Euaspidoceras cf. radisense, Aspidoceras sp., A. cf. binodum, Physodoceras sp. ex gr. altenense-wolfi, Lamellaptychus sp., Laevaptychus sp. ex gr. hoplisus-obliquus. The fauna has a Mediterranean character (55% of Phylloceratidae and Lytoceratidae) and is similar to the Tethyan assemblages of the Venetian Alps (Italy), and Palma de Mallorca. The spirochaete tube worm Spiraserpula spirolinites is also the first record from the Mecsek Mountains. The Saccocoma wackestone-packstone microfacies is recorded with benthic foraminifera (Lenticulina sp. and Spirillina sp.) indicating well oxygenated and nutrient-rich bottom conditions.

Group of tetradrachmas from the reign of Diocletian discovered at Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria

A set of more than 30 tetradrachmas from the second half of the 3rd century AD was discovered in Alexandria in Egypt, at the Kom el-Dikka site excavated by a Polish mission, in a zone of public buildings constructed in the 4th century AD. A row of lime kilns from the construction site of this complex stood on top of the ruins of an early Roman domestic quarter and, after they ceased to be used, were covered with earth and rubble, the latter partly from the destruction layer of these houses. Excavation of the kilns in 2008 and 2009 produced large quantities of 4th and 5th century pottery as well as pieces of marble revetment that had been fed to the kilns, and isolated late Roman coins. The tetradrachmas from two of the kilns (Fc and Fd), which were hoarded apparently in AD 293–295, seems to have preceded the destruction of the early Roman houses and may have been hidden in one of them.

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF BUILDING MATERIALS OF ANCIENT KYYIVAN MONUMENTS OF THE X-TH - THE XIІ-TH CENTURIES

The development of brickwork technique in ancient Kyyiv dates back to the X- th century. Old Rus` monuments’ masonry was made of large thin bricks called “plynfa” and lime-and-ceramic mortar. The size of the X-th – the XII-th brick sides varies from 27 to 36 cm, its thickness – from 2.5 to 4.5 cm. Different kinds of clay and loess extracted from the territory of Kyyiv and its vicinities were used as a raw material for brick and ceramic addition to mortar. That is why bricks in Kyyivan monuments differ in colour from light yellow to orange and dark red. Some gruss or cut straw were used as addition to fat clay. Limestone was brought to Kyyiv from Chernihiv area and lime mortar was produced in lime kilns situated near building sites. Ceramic addition to mortar called “tsemianka” was of refined clay, and crushed brick waste was used as well. Bricks were burnt under the temperature of 1000 – 1200 degrees C. That’s why bricks were very firm regardless of chink-like pores appeared as a result of hand-moulding of brick. The author took some investigation for the purpose to determine physical and mechanical properties of ancient bricks of Kyyivan monuments. Bricks were picked out of excavations or waste after building repairs. Small cubes were cut out of bricks with the height equal to brick thickness. Those samples were examined concerning their strength by compressing them perpendicularly to the sides the bricks were bedded in mortar. The strength of samples varied from 100 to 200-300 kg per sq.cm, water absorption was 10 % to 20 %. Some bricks taken from the Cathedral of the Assumption of Kyyiv-Pechersk monastery were the most firm. The strength of those samples was about 400-500 kg per sq. cm, their water absorption was the smallest, about 5.6 %. Because of high porosity and water absorption of building materials the surface of ancient masonry was exposed to destruction under the influence of temperature overfalls and precipitation, as it can be seen on the open parts of walls of the Old Rus` monuments. To prevent destruction of masonry, the walls of ancient monuments were covered with fine lime-and-ceramic mortar. Fragments of original plaster can be found on the walls of the XI-th century monuments St.Sophia Cathedral and St.Michael Church of Vydubychy monastery in Kyyiv. High level of well-developed building technique and high quality of building materials caused durability of ancient masonry and constructions in Kyyivan monuments, which preserved until nowadays.

Pulp and Paper Mill Steady State Analysis for Carbon Neutral Integration of a Small Modular Reactor

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are small-scale reactor designs (< 300 MWe), generally planned for deployment as multi-module nuclear power plants. Due to their small size, SMR modules could be manufactured in a factory and deployed to a site via truck or rail for installation and fueling. SMRs are being evaluated for their ability to provide both power and steam, such that they could be a viable replacement for fossil fuels. SMRs have been considered for coupling to manufacturing processes in addition to being connected to the grid, allowing them to follow the net grid demand in a “load following” operational mode during times of high renewable generation. Alternately, SMRs could be used to replace cogeneration and combined-cycle processes at manufacturing plants which utilize natural gas and other fossil fuels. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is studying the use of SMRs for large-scale manufacturing processes that require both electricity and steam. The current study examines the integration of a SMR with two mid-size pulp and paper mills in the southeastern United States. The study consists of three parts: steady-state analysis of the mill, elimination of fossil fuel use in the lime kilns, and economic analysis of the modified plant operations. A steady-state model of each mill is developed in Aspen HYSIS based on real data from the operation of each mill. The steady-state model is then modified to include the SMR while maintaining production steam quality and making as few changes to existing equipment as possible. This model gives an estimate of the minimum requirements for SMR output, as well as the change in generation by existing boilers and turbines. With an overall picture of the new plant operation and determining the number of SMR modules required, further changes are suggested to minimize or completely eliminate fossil fuel use from the plant. Apart from steam generation, the largest consumer of fossil fuels at the plant is typically the lime kilns. Conversion of the lime kilns from fossil fuel combustion to electric heating is the most feasible solution to eliminate fossil fuels. This study finds that electric lime kilns are economical when the plant has a surplus This study presents a feasible example of using an SMR as a substitute for fossil fuel cogeneration. If this approach were expanded across the manufacturing industry, it would have a significant impact on environmental emissions and air quality.

Lime kiln conversion from coke to natural gas operation – an option in direction of sustainable energy

This paper deals with the conversion of coke fired lime kilns to gas and the conclusions drawn from the completed projects. The paper presents (1) the decision process associated with the adoption of the new technology, (2) the necessary steps of the conversion, (3) the experiences and issues which occurred during the first campaign, (4) the impacts on the beet sugar factory (i.e. on the CO2 balance and exhaust gas temperature), (5) the long term impressions and capabilities of several campaigns of operation, (6) the details of available technologies and (7) additional benefits that would justify a conversion from coke to natural gas operation on existing lime kilns. (8) Forecast view to develop systems usable for alternative gaseous fuels (e.g. biogas).