Advanced Exergy, Exergoeconomic, and Exergoenvironmental Analyses of Integrated Solar-Assisted Gasification Cycle for Producing Power and Steam from Heavy Refinery Fuels

Integrated solar-assisted gasification cycles (ISGC) have emerged as a more flexible and environmentally friendly solution for producing power, steam, and other high-valued by-products from low-cost opportunity fuels. In this light, this paper investigates a new ISGC system for converting heavy refineries fuels into power and steam utilities while enhancing energy efficiency and economic and environmental performance indicators. In this approach, a solar energy field and a two-pressure heat recovery steam generator were integrated into the ISGC system to improve overall economic and environmental plant viability. The ISGC system was modelled in MATLAB software, and the results were validated using Thermoflex software. Conventional and advanced energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental (4E) analyses were implemented to assess the main performance parameters and identify potential system improvements. The ISGC system produced 319.92 MW of power by feeding on 15.5 kg/s of heavy refinery fuel, with a thermal efficiency of 50% and exergy efficiency of 54%. The results also revealed an investment cost of $466 million, evaluated at a system cost rate of 446 $/min and an environmental impact rate of 72,796 pts/min. The conventional and advanced 4E analyses unveiled the process economic and environmental feasibilities, particularly for oil-rich countries with high availability of solar resources.

ENERGY AND ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ROASTING OF BULK LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS IN ELECTRIC FURNACES

The article studies the energy and ecological aspects of the process of roasting of vermiculite and other lightweight materials in electric modular-firing furnaces which are alternatives to fired furnaces using hydrocarbon fuel. A double industrial electric furnace with a series-parallel interface of modules having auxiliary equipment is described. It forms a technological system for processing vermiculite concentrates and conglomerates. Energy and environmental performance indicators (efficiency, heat losses, and specific energy intensity) are assessed for these types of furnaces. The methods for collecting and accumulating useful resources – finely dispersed materials formed when vermiculite swells in new electric furnaces – are described.

ECOLOGY OF ARCHITECTURAL (NATURAL-ANTHROPOGENIC) ENVIRONMENT UNDER ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFORMATIONS

Formulation of the problem. Ecology is understood as a science that studies the environment and its relationship with human activity, as well as a means of reducing anthropogenic pressure. Architecture ecology, as a branch of architectural science, needs to expand the methods of studying the regime of environmental factors, as well as trends in their regional change. The purpose of the article is to study the directions of improving methods for determining the characteristics of an architectural space, which can provide a basis for determining environmental performance indicators. When designing local zones of recreational gullies, parks, forests, one should take into account the environment of the transforming and transgressive influence of micro-, meso-, and macrobiogeocenosis systems. Results. Based on the study of experience, it is proposed to systematize the environment from the point of view of ecology. In particular, the following types of architectural and ecological space are distinguished: according to the composition of the material basis − natural, quasi-natural, artificial, combined; by the state of ecological balance − ordered, unstable, violated; after interaction with others − open, half-open, closed, isolated, hermetic; in accordance with the structure − central, peripheral, borderline, linking; from the point of view of energy-informational impact on a person − Biopositive (beneficial), neutral, extreme and pathogenic. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The research carried out by the author has somewhat changed the approach to systematizing the environment from the point of view of ecology. The types of architectural and ecological space are theoretically substantiated. Practical significance dedicated to the concepts of architectural space and issues of its topology, morphology and semiotics, as well as in works on the study of the composition of architectural space, highlight certain aspects of architectural ecology.

Environmental performance indicators for assessing sustainability of projects in the Ghanaian construction industry

PurposeRecent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the slowest progress being witnessed mainly on goals that are focused on the environment. This study examines environmental performance indicators for assessing the sustainability of building projects.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of ten environmental sustainability indicators. One hundred and sixty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these indicators from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively, and via inferential analysis. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with six interviewees who are fellows of their respective professional bodies, a senior academic (professor in construction project delivery) and a government official. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.FindingsThe findings from the study suggest that all the indicators were important in assessing building projects' environmental sustainability across the entire life cycle. Key among the identified indicators is the effects of the project on “water quality, air quality, energy use and conservation, and environmental compliance and management”. The interviewees further agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of building projects in Ghana.Originality/valueCompared to existing studies, this study adopts the exploratory sequential design to identify and examine the critical indicators in assessing the environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of building projects in a typical developing country setting, i.e. Ghana. It reveals areas of prime concern in the drive to place the local construction industry on a trajectory towards achieving environmental sustainability.