Methodology for rationing the fuel consumption of the PAZ-320412 bus

The article analyzes suburban bus transportation with specific routes in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). For the experimental study, the route No. 101, «Yakutsk – Tabaga» with a total length of 31 km was chosen. The schedule of buses of Municipal Unitary Enterprise «Yakut Passenger Transport Company (YAPAK)» on the suburban route is shown. The basic technical data of the bus PAZ-320412 was studied. In accordance with international regulations for the buses, the determination of fuel consumption and specific emissions of normalized toxic components is carried out using a riding cycle on running drums. For the calculation of fuel consumption, the technique of modeling of indicators of work of the engine which provide change of traction and speed characteristics of the car according to the set driving cycle was used. Finally, the results of the calculated fuel consumption for the NEDC driving cycle are compared with experimental data. As a comparison of the calculated and theoretical fuel consumption data with practical data, the Cummins engine type Cummins ISF 3.8 is considered. This internal combustion engine is installed on a PAZ-320412 bus. Experimental data on the fuel consumption of this bus per 100 km. showed 48 nm3, and theoretical calculations of bus fuel consumption per 100 km. by the proposed method showed 42 nm3. Therefore, to assess the traction and speed properties of the bus, the proposed combined method can be used which allows one to obtain calculation of fuel consumption which is closer to the experimental data on a driving cycle. Using the source data of the vehicle, effective engine performance indicators are evaluated. A calculation method is proposed for modeling a test, and experimental driving cycle of automobile transport with a total mass of more than five tons is suggested.

Assessing Commuting Energy and Emissions Savings through Remote Working and Carpooling: Lessons from an Italian Region

Effective solutions are needed to decrease the greenhouse gases emissions of the transport sector, not only in terms of supply-side measures, but also including demand-side solutions. This paper focuses on the passenger demand related to daily commuting, either for work or study purposes. A bottom-up analysis is presented, which draws from detailed data for Lombardy, the most populous region in Northern Italy, to build an estimate of the annual energy consumption and emissions related to commuting. The potential of different measures to decrease emissions is evaluated, including the renovation of the vehicle stock, higher levels of remote working, and the deployment of carpooling schemes. The results show that the largest part of the current emissions from commuting is caused by car use, both due to its higher modal share and to the higher specific emissions, which are in turn also contributed by the low occupancy rates. The renewal of the current vehicle stock can lead to significant emission savings, thanks to both improved efficiency and higher shares of electrification. Remote working could also play a significant part, especially when it is applied to workers that face the longest commuting distances. Conversely, carpooling seems to be providing lower benefits, not so much because of lower effectiveness but more so because of constraints and barriers to its implementation.

Benchmarking systems for greenhouse gases specific emissions in steel industry

The incipient low-carbon transformation of the world economy requires elaboration of market mechanisms, based on determination and comparison of carbon intensity of products (benchmarking), separate facilities, enterprises, countries, regions and the world as a whole. Description of foreign benchmarking systems for specific energy consumption and specific greenhouse gases (GHG) in steel industry given. Results of benchmarking of energy efficiency of steel production in the countries of G20 presented, which was accomplished by International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2021. Russian experience of selective benchmarking by ecological parameters (in information and technical reference books on best available technologies) considered as well as experience of Russian metallurgical companies on evaluation specific emissions of GHG. Comparison of IEA data and those of Russian companies showed that result of benchmarking substantially depends on chosen calculation system and reliability of the initial information, as well as highlighted necessity of harmonization of benchmarking systems and provision of possibility to obtain results in various benchmarking systems based on the same initial information. Actuality and necessity substantiated to create a Russian benchmarking system for specific emissions of GHG first of all to keep ability of exporting Russian products of steel industry into EC, where from 2023 a system of boundary carbon control will come into force, as well as to keep and expand market niches at other markets, including the internal Russian one. The list of products of steel industry and limits of technological processes of their production in the Russian benchmarking system being created, must provide a possibility of comparison with foreign systems and comparison with benchmarking for products which can be covered by CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) system. Basic items of CBAM concept being discussed by European parliament presented. It was noted that in view of plans to introduce CBAM, the provision of correspondence of Russian system to the system of trade by EC quotas or to other scheme, due to which the CBAM mechanism will be launched becomes a matter of particular actuality. The list of products of steel industry, covered by benchmarking within European system of trade by quotas for GHG emissions, limits of a product production system and significance of benchmarkers presented. It was noted that for Russian exporters of steel industry products, the benchmarking for specific GHG emissions should become a routine procedure. It was proposed to elaborate a calculator “Benchmarking of carbon intensity of products of steel industry of Russia”, which could provide comparison of the results obtained with benchmarkers of other international systems.

Assessment of the Emission of Pollutants from Public Transport Based on the Example of Diesel Buses and Trolleybuses in Gdynia and Sopot

The present study attempts to examine the research gap in terms of comparing the environmental impact of trolleybuses and diesel buses in the conditions of a country with an unfavourable energy mix. The analysed example concerns the trolleybus transport system in Gdynia, in northern Poland, which also partially serves the neighbouring city of Sopot. In the last few years, two bus lines have been electrified with trolleybuses in the In-Motion-Charging technology, which enables operation on sections without an overhead network. Using the actual operational data, a comparative analysis of the emissivity of diesel buses and trolleybuses used on the same lines in an identical operating regime was conducted. Moreover, an attempt was made to estimate the damage costs of the emission of air pollutants for the above-mentioned means of transport. Research has shown that trolleybuses significantly help to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, while increasing sulphur dioxide emissions on the served lines. They also generate lower specific emissions of carbon dioxide compared to diesel buses. However, taking into account the differences in the number of seats in these vehicles, the length of routes resulting from a need to provide access to the necessary infrastructure and the total amount of kilometres covered on a given route, they may cause higher emissions per year and per the product life cycle than diesel buses. This is related to the unfavourable structure of energy production in Poland, which is dominated by coal sources. The research results clearly show that the use of trolleybuses in public transport contributes to a reduction of the damage costs of the emission of pollutants that amount to approximately EUR (€) 30,000–60,000 per year for the analysed lines.

Investigation of the Influence of Different Vegetable Oils as a Component of Blended Biofuel on Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine for Agricultural Machinery and Commercial Vehicles

Biofuels derived from renewable plant materials are considered promising alternative fuels to decrease emissions of ICEs. This study aimed to justify the possibility of using vegetable oils of different sources as a 10% additive in blended biofuel for diesel engines of agricultural machinery and commercial vehicles. Seven different vegetable oils were investigated. Experiments have been performed by fueling a diesel engine with blended biofuels of 90% petroleum diesel fuel and 10% vegetable oil. In the maximum power and maximum torque modes, the brake power drop was no more than 1.5%, and the brake-specific fuel consumption increase was less than 4.3%; NOx emissions were reduced by up to 8.3%, exhaust smoke—up to 37.5%, CO—up to 20.0%, and unburned HC—up to 27.9%. In the operating modes of the European 13-mode steady-state test cycle, the integral specific emissions of HC decreased by up to 30.0%, integral specific emissions of CO—up to 15.0%, and integral specific emissions of NOx—up to 16.0%. The results obtained show the feasibility and rationality of using the investigated vegetable oils as a 10% additive in blended biofuel for diesel engines of agricultural machinery and commercial vehicles.

Chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter in the winter season as indicator of environment quality within urban areas

This paper shows the results of environment assessment within some cities of Western Siberia (Omsk, Tomsk, Kemerovo) impacted with different types of industries and fuel energy. This assessment is made on the basis of chemical composition study of particulate matter deposited in the snow cover. It is determined the marker elements (heavy metals, radioactive, rare and rare-earth elements) in the particulate phase of snow, which is reflected the specific emissions from different types of industries (oil-refinery, petrochemical plants, mechanical and instrument engineering factories, brickworks, thermal power plants) in the urban areas.

The Study of the Faba Bean Waste and Potato Peels Recycling for Pellet Production and Usage for Energy Conversion

The article presents the results of a study on the preparation and use of faba bean waste and potato peel pellets for energy purposes. Physical and mechanical characteristics (moisture, density, ash content) of faba bean waste and potato peel pellets were investigated. The largest fraction of flour was formed on a sieve with 1 mm holes: faba bean waste—28.2 ± 2.02 g, potato peels—29.09 ± 0.73 g. For this experiment, samples were taken by mixing faba bean waste (four variants) and potato peel in the ratio of 1:1; 1:2; 1:3; 1:4 by volume (12 samples). It was found in this study that the density of pellets (DM) ranged from 1226.22 ± 13.88 kgm−3 to 1349.79 ± 6.79 kgm−3. The pellet moisture ranged from 6.70 ± 0.04% to 3.64 ± 0.13%. The lower calorific value of dry fuel pellets ranged from 15.27 ± 0.43 MJkg−1 to 16.02 ± 0.50 MJkg−1. The ash content of the pellets ranged from 8.05 ± 0.57% to 14.21 ± 0.05%. The ST temperature of the experimentally measured mixture of faba bean waste and potato peel pellets ranged from 924 to 969 °C; the DT temperature ranged from 944 to 983 °C; the HT temperature ranged from 1073 to 1202 °C, and a change in FT temperature from 1174 to 1234 °C was observed. The temperatures were sufficiently high to melt the ash. Specific emissions of CO2, CO, NOx and CxHy did not exceed the maximum levels allowed. In summary, from the results of the study of the physical properties, combustion, and emissions of waste beans and potato peel pellets (all samples), it is evident that they are used for biofuels. The combustion process of this type of pellet is characterized by efficient combustion and minimal emissions to the atmosphere.