| 1. |
- Adler, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Lignin-first biorefining of Nordic poplar to produce cellulose fibers could displace cotton production on agricultural lands
- 2022
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Ingår i: Joule. - : Elsevier BV. - 2542-4351. ; 6:8, s. 1845-1858
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here, we show that lignin-first biorefining of poplar can enable the production of dissolving cellulose pulp that can produce regenerated cellulose, which could substitute cotton. These results in turn indicate that agricultural land dedicated to cotton could be reclaimed for food production by extending poplar plantations to produce textile fibers. Based on climate-adapted poplar clones capable of growth on marginal lands in the Nordic region, we estimate an environmentally sustainable annual biomass production of ∼11 tonnes/ha. At scale, lignin-first biorefining of this poplar could annually generate 2.4 tonnes/ha of dissolving pulp for textiles and 1.1 m3 biofuels. Life cycle assessment indicates that, relative to cotton production, this approach could substantially reduce water consumption and identifies certain areas for further improvement. Overall, this work highlights a new value chain to reduce the environmental footprint of textiles, chemicals, and biofuels while enabling land reclamation and water savings from cotton back to food production.
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| 2. |
- Mohammadi, Ali, 1983-, et al.
(författare)
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Quantifying the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of utilising straw biochar and enriched biochar
- 2016
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Ingår i: EUROPEAN GEOSCIENCES UNION GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2016. - : Elsevier. ; , s. 254-261
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated the carbon footprint of two different biochar production systems for application to paddy fields. The impacts of using rice straw-derived biochar in raw form (System A) were compared with those arising from using rice straw biochar enriched with lime, clay, ash and manure (System B). The GHG abatement of the management of one Mg of rice straw in Systems A and B was estimated at 0.27 and 0.61 Mg CO2-eq, respectively, in spring season, and 0.30 and 1.22 Mg CO2-eq in summer. The difference is mainly due to greater reduction of soil CH4 emissions by enriched biochar.
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| 3. |
- Muangmeesri, Suthawan, 1997-, et al.
(författare)
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Recycling of Polyesters by Organocatalyzed Methanolysis Depolymerization : Environmental Sustainability Evaluated by Life Cycle Assessment
- 2024
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Ingår i: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2168-0485. ; 12:10, s. 4114-4120
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common plastics and can be cascaded mechanically during its life cycle. However, recycling affects the mechanical properties of the material, and the virgin material is constantly in demand. If a worn material could be depolymerized to its chemical building blocks, then a virgin polymer could be generated from old fibers. In this work, we have developed a benign organo-catalytic depolymerization of PET to yield dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG) without the need for purification of generated monomers. By recirculating the solvent and organo-catalyst, a solvent/substrate ratio of 3:1 was achieved. The depolymerization was successfully applied to other polyesters, polycarbonates, and polycotton. The cotton isolated from the polycotton depolymerization was successfully processed into viscose fibers with a tenacity in the range of nonwaste cotton-derived viscose filaments. The global warming potential (GWP) of PET depolymerization was evaluated by using life cycle assessment (LCA). The GWP of 1 kg PET recycling is 2.206 kg CO2 equivalent, but the process produces DMT, EG, and heat, thereby avoiding the emissions equivalent to 4.075 kg CO2 equivalent from the DMT, EG, and steam-energy production through conventional pathways. Thus, the net result potentially avoids the emission of 1.88 kg of CO2 equivalent. The impact of this process is lower than that of waste PET incineration and conventional PET recycling technologies.
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| 4. |
- Almusaed, Amjad, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing the Impact of Recycled Building Materials on Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency : A Comprehensive Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- 2024
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Ingår i: Buildings. - : MDPI. - 2075-5309. ; 14:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study, we critically examine the potential of recycled construction materials, focusing on how these materials can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage in the construction sector. By adopting an integrated approach that combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) within the circular economy framework, we thoroughly examine the lifecycle environmental performance of these materials. Our findings reveal a promising future where incorporating recycled materials in construction can significantly lower GHG emissions and conserve energy. This underscores their crucial role in advancing sustainable construction practices. Moreover, our study emphasizes the need for robust regulatory frameworks and technological innovations to enhance the adoption of environmentally responsible practices. We encourage policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the academic community to collaborate and promote the adoption of a circular economy strategy in the building sector. Our research contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable construction, offering evidence-based insights that can inform future policies and initiatives to improve environmental stewardship in the construction industry. This study aligns with the European Union’s objectives of achieving climate-neutral cities by 2030 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals outlined for completion by 2030. Overall, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable construction, providing a fact-driven basis for future policy and initiatives to enhance environmental stewardship in the industry.
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| 5. |
- Govindarajan, Venkatesh, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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An international look at the water-energy nexus
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of American Water Works Association. - : American Water Works Association. - 0003-150X. ; 104:5, s. 93-96
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 6. |
- Granström, Karin
(författare)
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Emissions of volatile organic compounds from wood
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The central aim of this thesis is to support the efforts to counteract certain environmental problems caused by emissions of volatile organic compounds. The purpose of this work was (1) to develop a method to establish the amount of emitted substances from dryers, (2) to determine the effect of drying medium temperature and end moisture content of the processed material on emissions of monoterpenes and other hydrocarbons, (3) to examine the emissions of monoterpenes during production of pellets, and (4) to examine the natural emissions from forests with an eye to implications for modelling. The measurement method (1) resolves the difficulties caused by diffuse emissions, and also solves the problems associated with high moisture content of the drying medium. The basic idea is to use water vapour to determine the exhaust flow, while a dry ice trap is used both to preconcentrate emitted volatile organic compounds and to determine the moisture content of the drying medium. The method as used in this paper has an uncertainty of 13% using a 95% confidence interval. Emissions from a spouted bed (2) in continuous operation drying Norway spruce sawdust at temperatures of 140°C, 170°C or 200°C was analysed with FID and GC-MS. When the sawdust end moisture content was reduced below 10%wb, emissions of terpenes and volatile organic compounds per oven dry weight increased rapidly. Increased temperature of the drying medium increased the amounts of emitted monoterpenes when sawdust moisture content was below the fibre saturation point. Examination of sawdust and wood pellets from different pellets producers (3) revealed that most of the terpene emissions happened during the drying step, with rotary dryers causing higher emissions than steam dryers. Almost all of the volatile terpenes remaining in wood after drying were released during pelleting. When sawdust with higher moisture content was used in the pellets press, the terpene emissions were increased. Terpenes emitted naturally from vegetation can have an adverse environmental impact. Factors affecting terpene emissions from tree species in Sweden were reviewed (4). Models for prediction of terpene fluxes should include not only temperature but also light intensity, seasonal variation, and a base level of herbivory and insect predation. Prediction of high concentrations of ambient terpenes demand sufficient resolution to capture emission peaks e.g. those caused by bud break.
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| 7. |
- Granström, Karin
(författare)
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Utvärdering av miljöanpassat reningsverk i Hammarö kommun ur ett kretsloppsperspektiv : minskning av transportarbete och näringsläckage
- 2007
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Rapport (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Hammarö kommuns reningsverk vid Sätter har biologisk rening av kväve och fosfor. Det byggdes för att få bort ineffektiva enskilda avlopp och istället skapa ett ekologiskt hållbart kretslopp för lokalt återbruk av avlopp och organiskt hushållsavfall. Ledningsnätet är ännu inte fullt utbyggt. Här analyseras vinsterna med de olika faserna i en kommande utbyggnad av ledningsnätet. Att hushållsavfallets organiska del transporteras i avloppsledningarna har hittills inte påverkat soprutter eller hämtningsfrekvens, så transportarbetet för sopor är oförändrat. Genomslaget för avfallskvarnar är när denna studie görs 35%, vilket inte är tillräckligt för att märkbart påverka sopmängderna. En större acceptans för avfallskvarnar behövs. Om nuvarande genomslag i befintlig bebyggelse kvarstår, men avfallskvarn blir obligatoriskt i nybyggda områden, så minskar mängden näringsämnen i de sopor som går till förbränning med 54%. Transportarbetet för slam från östra Hammarö var före byggandet av Sätterverket 12600 km/år. Det minskar till 5500 km/år efter utbyggnaden av ledningsnät till Rud och Torp, till 3000 km/år när ledningsnät dragits till östraste Hammarö, för att helt upphöra när Tynäs kopplas på. I södra Hammarö behålls enskilda avlopp, men transportavståndet för producerat slam blir kortare. Transporterna minskar därför från 4500 km/år till 4200 km/år, vilket motsvarar 170 liter drivmedel. Ett fullt utbyggt ledningsnät på östra Hammarö reducerar transporterna med 60%, vilket motsvarar en drivmedelsförbrukning på 6900 liter/år. När anslutningen av Rud och Torp är genomförd minskar läckaget av kväve med 1080 kg och av fosfor med 190 kg. Inkoppling av östraste Hammarö minskar näringsämnesläckaget med 480 kg kväve och 85 kg fosfor. När Tynäs ansluts minskas läckaget med ytterligare 542 kg kväve och 95 kg fosfor.
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| 8. |
- Granström, Karin
(författare)
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Utvärdering av miljöanpassat reningsverk i Hammarö kommun ur ett kretsloppsperspektiv : förstudie för etablering av nollpunkt
- 2005
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Rapport (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Hammarö kommun bygger ett nytt reningsverk för avloppsvatten och organiskt hushållsavfall. Reningsverket består av en förbehandling, ett aktivt slamsteg samt en efterföljande våtmark. Slammet hygieniseras i en våtkompost och avvattnas i en vassbädd. Avrinningen ska vara fosforrik och användas för kombinerad gödsling och bevattning. Avvattnat slam ska användas som jordförbättringsmedel. Syftet med reningsverket är att få till ett lokalt kretslopp av organiskt hushållsavfall, och minskade avfallstransporter. Hammarö kommun ligger i Värmland vid Klarälvens mynning i Vänern. Utanför centralorten finns spridd permanent bebyggelse och omfattande fritidsbebyggelse utan anslutning till kommunalt vatten och avlopp. Marken karakteriseras av berg i dagen, tunn jordmån, och lera eller tät morän. Infiltration som reningsmetod har därmed dåliga förutsättningar. Med nuvarande enskilda avloppslösningar föreligger stora risker för läckage av näringsämnen till Vänern. Dåligt renat avloppsvatten utgör också en risk för vattenkvaliteten i enskilda brunnar. Syftet med rapporten är att före byggandet av Hammarös nya reningsverk klargöra storleken på flöden av näringsämnen och mängden transporter av hushållsavfall i området. Detta för att etablera den nollpunkt som behövs för att senare kunna bedöma vilka förbättringar som uppnåtts med det nya reningskonceptet. Från hushåll på östra Hammarö går 930 kg kväve och 120 kg fosfor till det nuvarande reningsverket på Vidön, medan 2100 kg kväve och 370 kg fosfor läcker ut till omgivningen. Transportarbetet på Hammarö för sopor, latrin, slam och tankinnehåll är ca 21000 km per år. Detta fördelar sig på sopor 3900 km/år, latrin 480 km/år, slam 5700 km/år och tankinnehåll 11000 km/år.
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| 9. |
- Haas, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Remote sensing of bidecadal urbanization and its impact on ecosystem service in the yangtze river delta
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Dragon 2 Final Results & Dragon 3 Kick-Off Symposium. - : ESA Communications. - 9789290922681 ; , s. 1-8
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The degree of urbanization and resulting effects on Ecosystem Services is investigated in the Yangtze River Delta in China within a 20 year time frame from 1990 to 2010. A Random forest classifier is used to classify the Landsat mosaic from 1990 and the HJ-1A/B mosaic dating from 2010. Urban Land Index (UI) and Urban Expansion Index (UX) are used to represent the intensity and rapidity of urbanization. Post-Classification Change Detection is then performed and Ecosystem Service value losses for the land-cover classes water, wetland, forest and cropland that transitioned to urban areas are calculated according to a valuation scheme adapted to the Chinese market. The results showed that Yangtze River Delta experienced significant urbanization during 1990 to 2010. Urban areas increased alongside a major decrease in cropland resulting in a substantial loss of 4.2 billion CNY in Ecosystem Services.
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| 10. |
- Henriksson, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Bioresources for Sustainable Pellet Production in Zambia : Twelve Biomasses Pelletized at Different Moisture Content
- 2019
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Ingår i: BioResources. - North Carolina : North Carolina State University. - 1930-2126. ; 14:2, s. 2550-2575
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of charcoal and firewood for cooking is common in Zambia,and its utilization is suchthat the deforestation rate is high, energy utilization is low, and unfavorable cooking methods lead to high death rates due to indoor air pollution mainly from particulate matter and carbon monoxide.Byusing an alternative cooking method, such as pellet stoves, it is possible to offer a sustainable solution, provided that sustainable pelletproduction can be achieved. In this study, 12different available biomaterials were pelletizedina single pellet unitto investigate their availability as raw materials for pellet production in Zambia. The study showedthat sicklebush and pigeon pea generatedthe same pelleting properties correlated withcompression and frictionand that both materials showedlow moisture uptake. The study also identifiedtwo groups of materials that broadenedthe raw material base and helpedto achieve sustainable pellet production.Group 1consisted of materials with equal pelletingabilities (miombo, peanut shell, pigeon pea,and sicklebush) andGroup 2 consistedof materialsthat showed low impact of varying moisture content(eucalyptus, miombo, peanut shell, pigeon pea, and sicklebush). The hardest pellet was made from Tephrosia, which wasfollowed by Gliricidia.
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