| 1. |
- Wallsten, Björn
(författare)
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The Urk World : Hibernating Infrastructures and the Quest for Urban Mining
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This PhD thesis concerns urban mining, an umbrella term for different recycling strategies aimed to recover materials from the built environment. More specifically, it focuses on hibernating urban infrastructures, that is: cables and pipes that have been left behind in their subsurface location after they were disconnected. I term this subsurface urban realm of system rejects the “Urk World”. “Urk” is short for “urkopplad”, the Swedish word for “disconnected”, an abbreviation often found on old infrastructure maps denoting discarded system parts. Since urks contain high concentrations of copper, my normative stance is that the Urk World should be “mined” as a contribution towards diminishing the persistently wasteful handling of mineral resources in society.The thesis has three focus areas. The first of these discusses how the Urk World has emerged, that is: how the creation of urks is sustained in sociotechnical processes related to infrastructure’s provision. The second concerns the potential of urk mining, how much copper the Urk World contains, where these quantities are located and by which implications they could be recovered. The third focus area is devoted to the politics of urks, and is concerned with the political embeddedness of infrastructure and where politics might intervene for the sake of increased urk recovery.Five papers complete the thesis. The first paper investigates how much copper, aluminium and steel there is in the Urk World of the Swedish city of Norrköping, and how these quantities are spatially dispersed in the urban environment. The second paper is based on interviews with system owners and repair crews, and investigates how urks come into existence in relation to three different infrastructural processes: maintenance, larger installation projects and shutdown. The third paper describes how environmental systems analysis can be beneficially coupled with theories and methods from the social sciences to create knowledge useful to aid the development of urk recycling schemes. The fourth article makes use of the inherent ambiguities of urks to investigate a spectrum of locations where politics aimed for increased urk recovery can intervene as well as what is at stake there. The fifth and final paper investigates urks in Linköping’s power grid in spatial and weight terms, and analyses the implications of urk recovery from several different viewpoints.In overall terms, the major contribution of the thesis is how it improves the knowledge of societal stocks of materials, thereby giving an increased recognition of the built environment as a resource base. In overall scientific terms, it sets an example of how a coherent interdisciplinary research design can provide knowledge useful for the implementation of urk recycling schemes as well as for political decision–making for increased urk recovery.
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| 2. |
- Aid, Graham, 1980-
(författare)
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Operationalizing Industrial Ecology in the Waste Sector : Roles and tactics for circular value innovation
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The take-make-waste approach to resource management in human production and consumption systems is contributing to a variety of environmental and social problems worldwide. Additionally, as the world’s population and affluence increase, so do the negative impacts of poor resource management. Lifting the waste management (WM) sector into a new phase of development, which takes its lead from the ideals of Industrial Ecology and circular economy, is seen by many scholars and practitioners as one potential to assist in alleviating these impacts. While there are many studies on how more efficient inter-organizational resource management is (or could be) constructed, there are relatively few business development studies which have explored novel approaches (from roles to tactics) that WM organizations might operationalize toward more efficient resource management.The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the development of knowledge and understanding of how the waste management sector can operationalize more effective and efficient resource management. In approaching this aim, two research questions guided the exploration of: 1) novel roles for WM and 2) support tactics for such roles. Grounded in the broader context of Industrial Ecology (IE) and Business Development, five studies were performed. Two studies, focused on the novel roles of inter-organizational resource management and high value secondary resource extraction, were performed through literature review and interviews, and market driver analysis respectively. In exploring support tactics, two design and proof of concept studies were carried out to investigate data analysis tools for inter-organizational resource management, and one long-term action research engagement project was coordinated to study hands-on inter-organizational collaboration tactics.The studies highlighted that the Swedish WM sector holds some key capacities for operationalizing (and in some cases, is already developing) the novel resource management roles identified: industrial symbiosis facilitator, eco-industrial park manager, holistic facility management, and high value resource extractor. However, depending on the portfolio of services to be performed in such roles, several capacities may need to be developed or strengthened. Main opportunities seen for these roles were – staying ahead of market developments, and aligning activities with organizational goals. The main general risk related to these roles was insufficient returns on investment. Looking forward, the main enablers identified were policy leadership for more balanced market mechanisms, increasing use of external knowledge, developing long term partnerships, lobbying, stockpiling resources, and carefully crafting new business models.The tools developed for strategically applying external information toward the identification of opportunities within new roles showed tactical potential. However, their implementation in broader development processes has yet to be fully validated. The hands-on exploration of change oriented collaboration, highlighted collective system framing and goal setting and face-to-face interaction as key activities for inter-organizational approaches within roles such as industrial symbiosis facilitator.Throughout the studies, several novel roles were investigated. Each of these roles will need to be individually evaluated by directing bodies of WM organizations, and evaluated from the organization’s vision and strategy. If certain roles are chosen to be explored in more detail, they will need to be developed within full business models - addressing issues such as income structure, internal processes and capacities to be developed, and key customers. Through applying IE and business development concepts and findings, WM organizations have possibilities to translate ambitious visions into novel offerings.
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| 3. |
- Dahlgren, Sofia, 1992-
(författare)
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Decision-making and decision support connected to biogas use in Sweden
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Human activities cause many sustainability challenges in the world, which need to be dealt with. One way to decrease the negative impacts related to those challenges is by replacing currently dominating technologies with better, alternative technologies. However, such shifts are not easy to achieve – for example, each new user has to make a decision to start using the technology.The aim of this thesis is to contribute to a greater understanding of what the decisions to use alternative technologies are based on and how the decisions can be supported. In order to achieve this aim, the thesis focuses on the decisions of private companies’ and public organizations in Sweden of whether or not to use biogas in Sweden. The thesis is based upon six appended papers, which are used for addressing three research questions: How do biogas compare to other potential alternatives? Why do decision-makers in Sweden find it interesting to use biogas, and what makes them hesitant? And, how can decision support be used in decision-making to deal with complexities connected to biogas decisions?It is concluded that biogas has environmental and social advantages compared to several other renewable alternatives, but that it can be more expensive. The technical maturity of biogas use depends partly upon the usage area – biomethane buses is a mature area while heavy trucks is less mature. Biogas is perceived by decision-makers as a good environmental option and a better long-term solution than several other renewable alternatives since there are investments done and since the policymakers seem positive towards biogas. Public organizations tend to look at the broader positive aspects of biogas, such as energy security and nutrient recovery, while private companies tend to be more focused on biogas as an environmental action that can benefit the image of the company. However, decision-makers can be hesitant towards biogas due to economic or policy aspects or a lack of technical maturity. The decision-makers can also experience a lack of knowledge that makes them uncertain about biogas. Decision support can help the decision-makers in different ways, with different tools being more suitable for different parts of the complexities connected to biogas decisions. Multi-criteria assessments can help the decision-maker focus on several impacts at once and making the decision process transparent for trade-offs, while socio-technical scenarios can help the decision-maker understand how the wanted changes can be realized.
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| 4. |
- Dahlgren, Sofia, 1992-
(författare)
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The role of biogas in a more sustainable energy system in Sweden
- 2019
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are numerous problems in the world that need to be dealt with in order to achieve sustainable development. The energy system has significant negative impacts on many of these problems, and there is a need for a transition towards more sustainable energy. Sweden has already started this transition and is using large amounts of renewable energy. However, within the transport sector and the manufacturing sector in particular, large amounts of fossil fuels are still used. Biogas is one alternative that can help solve several sustainability problems and that could be part of a future more sustainable energy system. However, it is not certain what biogas is most suitable to be used for.The aim of this thesis is to investigate how biogas should be used in a future more sustainable energy system, by answering three research questions: 1) In what ways can biogas be used in a more sustainable energy system? 2) How can we assess whether biogas is suitable in a specific context? and 3) What determines whether it is easy or difficult for a user to start using biogas? These questions are explored in a Swedish context using four appended articles, which are based on two collaborative projects using a combination of workshops, literature reviews and interviews.Biogas can be used for heat, electricity or fuel in the manufacturing or transport sector. In Sweden, heat and electricity are mainly of interest for smaller production scales, while production on larger scales will likely be dominated by upgrading mostly to CBG but also to LBG. CBG can be used for less energy-intensive purposes, such as cars or buses, while the growing interest in LBG in Sweden may open up new market segments for biogas which are more energy-intensive, such as heavy trucks or shipping, or in geographical locations that are further away from the site of production.Several sustainability assessment methods exist that can be used to evaluate whether biogas is suitable in a specific context, such as multi-criteria assessments or scenario analyses. These methods can include a number of different aspects that are relevant to biogas use, such as GHG emissions, safety issues, and the vitality of the surrounding region. In order to introduce biogas, six main factors were identified that can make this easier or more difficult: technical maturity, tank volume, distance between the producer and the user, scale of energy use, policies and costs, and strategies of individual organizations.Overall, the rise in LBG production creates new opportunities for biogas use in both geographical and usage areas that did not previously use biogas. There is no simple answer to what biogas should be used for in the future – rather, this depends on the circumstances. It is also possible that the usage areas that are most suitable now for biogas might not be the most suitable areas in the future, depending on developments within, for example, the electricity system and hydrogen. However, CBG and LBG are likely to dominate biogas production in Sweden until then.
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| 5. |
- Flyborg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Results of objective brushing data recorded from a powered toothbrush used by elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment related to values for oral health
- 2024
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Ingår i: Clinical Oral Investigations. - : Springer Nature. - 1432-6981 .- 1436-3771. ; 28:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The study aimed to investigate how the objective use of a powered toothbrush in frequency and duration affects plaque index, bleeding on probing, and periodontal pocket depth ≥ 4 mm in elderly individuals with MCI. A second aim was to compare the objective results with the participants’ self-estimated brush use.Materials and methods: Objective brush usage data was extracted from the participants’ powered toothbrushes and related to the oral health variables plaque index, bleeding on probing, and periodontal pocket depth ≥ 4 mm. Furthermore, the objective usage data was compared with the participants’ self-reported brush usage reported in a questionnaire at baseline and 6- and 12-month examination.Results: Out of a screened sample of 213 individuals, 170 fulfilled the 12-month visit. The principal findings are that despite the objective values registered for frequency and duration being lower than the recommended and less than the instructed, using powered toothbrushes after instruction and information led to improved values for PI, BOP, and PPD ≥ 4 mm in the group of elderly with MIC.Conclusions: Despite lower brush frequency and duration than the generally recommended, using a powered toothbrush improved oral health. The objective brush data recorded from the powered toothbrush correlates poorly with the self-estimated brush use.Clinical relevance: Using objective brush data can become one of the factors in the collaboration to preserve and improve oral health in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05941611, retrospectively registered 11/07/2023.
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| 6. |
- Fältström, Emma, 1987-
(författare)
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Towards the Control of Microplastic Pollution in Urban Waters
- 2020
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Water pollution has long been considered a challenge in urban areas, and new types of pollution are continuously introduced to society. Urban wastewater and stormwater act as transport pathways of pollution from urban areas to receiving waterways. Microplastics are a new type of pollution that is being highlighted as problematic, and the presence of microplastics is widespread in the environment. The knowledge about behaviour, sources and transport pathways is still limited. Still, there have been suggestions for ways to control microplastic pollution. Moreover, many other pollutants have been introduced, and to a various extent controlled, in the urban water system before, which means that there are strategies for pollution control in place.The problem of microplastic pollution is receiving attention from both research and policy. Therefore, there is a need to simultaneously explore ways to handle the pollution and learn more about the flows of microplastics. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of flows of microplastics in urban waters and investigate strategies and measures that can control the flows. This aim has been addressed through three different studies presented in the three appended papers. The empirical material was gathered between 2017 and 2020 using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The flows of microplastics were investigated using a quantitative approach with inspiration from substance flow analysis. Strategies and measures to control pollution were investigated by means of analyses of documents, literature review and interviews.In terms of flows, the results show that laundry seems to be a large contributor to the wastewater system, while the contribution from cigarette filters was smaller than anticipated. Littering, in general, as well as paint, are potentially important sources of microplastics where the understanding is very limited. In terms of strategies and measures to control the flows, there are both preventive and treatment options for microplastics. As microplastics are a diverse pollutant group, several different solutions are needed. Some aspects that influence control efforts are related to the properties and behaviour of the specific pollutant and can therefore be more or less suitable for different pollutants. Other aspects are more general, such as what compartments are seen as valuable and prioritised in terms of protection. Further, treatment moves the pollution from the water to another medium, and this movement also needs to be considered.Challenges in terms of changing, limited or even lack of legislation, as well as unclear responsibility, and problems with collaboration among urban actors also impact the possibilities to control pollution. The case of microplastics also raises questions about when and how pollution should be controlled and by whom. Further, emerging practices in the urban water system, such as source separation, pipe-separation, and water reuse, will have implications for how pollution will be handled in the future.
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| 7. |
- Hegazy, Eman, 1978-
(författare)
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Sustainable Management of Wire-based Infrastructure : On the Multifaceted Challenges of Infrastructure Management in the Swedish Context
- 2024
-
Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cities, as key players in global sustainable development, are linked to challenges and opportunities driven by urbanization's resource consumption and environmental impacts. This context highlights the critical role of urban infrastructure in fostering sustainability, particularly the role of wire-based infrastructure systems (WBIS). The management, maintenance, and renewal of WBIS are vital to ensuring their long-term efficiency, yet they present challenges across technical, environmental, and societal dimensions. The positioning of these systems beneath urban streets introduces complexities, from accelerated wear to costly excavations, with a wide range of environmental consequences. Beyond the physical implications, the financial, policy, and management practices governing WBIS also contribute to their sustainable development challenges. This study, centered on Linköping's water network in Sweden as a case study, aims to unravel these multifaceted dynamics and answer key research questions regarding the management, challenges, influencing factors, and strategies for improving the maintenance and renewal of urban WBIS. Based on a mixed method approach, the case study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, workshops, and data analysis. The results highlighted Linköping's UWI challenges, encompassing aging infrastructure, limited renewal rates, and financial constraints. To navigate these challenges, the discussion advocated for a shift towards proactive renewal strategies. The conclusions emphasized the need for an increased funding, strategic planning, proactive coordination among diverse stakeholders, and a balanced approach in budgetary allocations, particularly in considering maintenance and renewal alongside other activities, as crucial for ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the WBIS.
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| 8. |
- Aeddula, Omsri, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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A Solution with Bluetooth Low Energy Technology to Support Oral Healthcare Decisions for improving Oral Hygiene
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. - New York, NY, USA : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). - 9781450389846 ; , s. 134-139
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The advent of powered toothbrushes and associated mobile health applications provides an opportunity to collect and monitor the data, however collecting reliable and standardized data from large populations has been associated with efforts from the participants and researchers. Finding a way to collect data autonomously and without the need for cooperation imparts the potential to build large knowledge banks. A solution with Bluetooth low energy technology is designed to pair a powered toothbrush with a single-core processor to collect raw data in a real-time scenario, eliminating the manual transfer of powered toothbrush data with mobile health applications. Associating powered toothbrush with a single-core processor is believed to provide reliable and comprehensible data of toothbrush use and propensities can be a guide to improve individual exhortation and general plans on oral hygiene quantifies that can prompt improved oral wellbeing. The method makes a case for an expanded chance to plan assistant capacities to protect or improve factors that influence oral wellbeing in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The proposed framework assists with determining various parameters, which makes it adaptable and conceivable to execute in various oral care contexts
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| 9. |
- Bergman, Filip, 1992-
(författare)
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Sustainability performance of multi-utility tunnels : Sustainability assessments for furthering knowledge and understanding
- 2022
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The multi-utility tunnel has received increased attention as an alternative method for the installation of subsurface infrastructure for the distribution of electricity, water, sewage and district heating. In previous research, the multi-utility tunnel (MUT) has been described as a more sustainable technology compared to the conventionally used technique where the cables and pipes are placed with open-cut excavation (OCE), especially when the entire life cycle is taken into account. This thesis aims to contribute to an improved understanding of MUT's sustainability performance in relation to conventional installation using open-cut excavation. This is done by using literature study, interview study and quantitative sustainability assessments to gain an understanding of the current state of knowledge. Furthermore, this thesis also focuses on how knowledge can be deepened with the help of quantitative sustainability assessments and the challenges of conducting this type of assessment. This thesis shows that the state of knowledge regarding MUT's sustainability performance is low and scattered, with a lack of a holistic approach. Direct economic performance has gained the most attention, followed by indirect and social impact, and the environmental impact has so far barely been assessed. The sustainability performance depends to a large extent on the conditions of the specific case, and these should be considered when assessing the technology. Quantitative assessments have the potential to help deepen the knowledge of the sustainability implications of using MUT. The characteristics of MUT have some similarities with other types of physical infrastructure. Similarities are that the systems are long-lived, have project conditions that affect sustainability performance, and impact a broad spectrum of actors. One difference to typical infrastructure systems is that the owner and management structure of MUT is, by design, more complex as several types of utility systems are in use. The characteristics of MUT give some practical considerations that need to be addressed: data availability, including practitioners; detailed data; transparency; and flexibility. This thesis highlights the complexity of assessing MUT´s sustainability performance and advocates that future studies should have a learning-oriented approach so that the knowledge level can collectively and gradually improve over time rather than focusing on decision-oriented studies.
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| 10. |
- Bylund, Jonas R
(författare)
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Planning, Projects, Practice : A Human Geography of the Stockholm Local Investment Programme in Hammarby Sjöstad
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Programmes and policies to support ecological sustainable development and the practice of implementation is a question of innovation rather than known and taken for granted procedure. This thesis argues a priori models concerning stability in the social sciences, and human geography especially, are less able to help us understand this practice and planning in such unstable situations. Problematic in common understandings of planning and policy implementation concerning sustainability are the dualisms between physical-social spaces and between rationality-contingency. The first dualism makes it hard to grasp the interaction between humans and nonhumans. The second dualism concerns the problem of how to capture change without resorting to reductionism and explanaining the evolving projects as either technically, economically, or culturally rational. The scope of the thesis is to test resources from actor-network theory as a means of resolving these dualisms. The case is the Stockholm Local Investment Programme and the new district of Hammarby Sjöstad. The programme’s objective was to support the implemention of new technologies and systems, energy efficiency and reduced resource-use as well as eco-cycling measures. The case-study follows how the work with the programme unfolded and how administrators’ efforts to reach satisfactory results was approached. In doing this, the actors had to be far more creative than models of implementation and traditional technology diffusion seem to suggest. The recommendation is to take the instrumentalisation framing the plasticity of a project in planning seriously – as innovativeness is not a special but the general case. Hence, to broaden our tools and understanding of planning a human geography of planning projects is pertinent.
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| 11. |
- Flyborg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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The long-term effect on oral health and quality of life using a powered toothbrush in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. An intervention trial
- 2024
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Ingår i: Special Care in Dentistry. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0275-1879 .- 1754-4505.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The number of older individuals with mild cognitive impairment and neurocognitive diseases is increasing, which may rapidly deteriorate oral health and Quality of life. Therefore, removing dental biofilm is essential for maintaining good oral health. The present study aimed to investigate whether introducing a powered toothbrush reduces the presence of dental plaque, bleeding on probing, and periodontal pockets ≥4 mm, leading to maintained or improved oral health and improved Quality of life in a group of older individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen individuals aged 55 or older living without official home care with a Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 20 and 28 and a history of memory problems in the previous 6 months were recruited and screened for the study. The individuals received a powered toothbrush and thorough instructions on how to use it. Clinical oral examinations, Quality of life examinations, and MMSE tests were conducted at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. The intervention group was compared to control groups at baseline and 24-month examination. It was divided into an MMSE high group with a score of more than 26 and an MMSE low group with a score of 26 and lower or decreasing two steps or more for 12 months. Results: PI, BOP, and PPD≥4 mm improved continuously in both MMSE groups during the 24 months of the study. The values for QoL-AD deteriorated over time, while the oral health-related Quality of life did not show any statistically significant changes. Conclusions: Introducing a powered toothbrush improved PI, BOP, and PPD≥4 mm over 24 months, even among individuals with low or declining MMSE scores. Improved oral health is associated with a preserved OHR-QoL. © 2024 The Author(s). Special Care in Dentistry published by Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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| 12. |
- Fältström, Emma, 1987-
(författare)
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Mitigating Microplastics Pollution in Urban Water Systems : Flow, actors, and control measures
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Water pollution has long been considered a challenge in urban areas. Urban wastewater and stormwater act as transport pathways for pollutants from urban areas to receiving waters. Microplastics are a pollution problem of growing concern. As part of the zero-pollution action plan for 2050, the European Commission has set the target to reduce emissions of microplastics to the environment by 30% from 2016 to 2030. The majority of the microplastics originate from sources on land, and urban areas are viewed as particular hotspots. More knowledge is needed on the sources and pathways of microplastics within the urban area, such as to and from urban water systems. To be able to reduce microplastics pollution, there is also a need to understand where control measures can be introduced and make an impact in terms of reduced loads to the environment. For control measures to be implemented, there is also a need to understand the incentives and challenges that the actors, who have a responsibility related to the flows, encounter when working with pollution control. The aim of this thesis was to contribute to enhanced understanding of flows of microplastics in urban water systems and how the flows can be controlled, in order to facilitate mitigation actions for these flows. This aim was addressed by identifying and quantifying sources with emissions to urban wastewater and stormwater and pathways from the urban water system, with inspiration from the method substance flow analysis. The estimated sources were also compared to measurements in raw wastewater and stormwater from four different catchments to identify matches and differences. Further, control measures were introduced to the quantified sources and pathways. Municipal officials, who can implement the control measures, were also interviewed about their incentives and challenges when controlling microplastics and other pollutants in the urban water system. The emissions of microplastics to stormwater were estimated to be much higher than those to wastewater. Tyre wear particles and cigarette butts were estimated to be the largest sources. While stormwater measurements confirmed tyre wear particles, cigarette butts, and paint particles, which was another large source according to the source estimates, could not be confirmed. Instead, the samples contained other types of microplastics. These mismatches indicate that large flows of microplastics may come from sources that have yet to be identified and quantified. The largest source to wastewater was estimated to be synthetic fibres (mainly polyester) released during laundry washing. Polyester also had the largest share in the wastewater measurements. Untreated stormwater was the largest pathway to receiving waters, followed by treated stormwater. Treated wastewater and overflows had comparatively small emissions. The measures introduced to wastewater had the potential to reduce the load of microplastics in the wastewater by half. However, as wastewater treatment retain most of the microplastics, and because the largest emissions came from stormwater, this reduction made a small difference in terms of total loads to receiving waters. Reduced urban traffic, changed driving behaviour, and more stormwater treatment, were also required to reduce emissions of microplastics from the urban water system to receiving waters by 30% in accordance with the EU target. Three types of incentives for pollution control among the municipal officials were identified. One incentive was that pollution control positively affected other aspects that were seen as important, such as that it had economic benefits or increased water- and sludge quality. Another incentive was a perceived responsibility for water quality, for the environment, or to be role models. A third incentive was a “pressure” to act from the local environmental control authorities or through local politics. The challenges for pollution control were primarily related to insufficient resources in terms of time, finances, and knowledge. Changing, limited, or lack of legislation was also identified as a challenge. Other identified challenges, such as unclear responsibilities and unclear expectations of the work, can be alleviated with a strategy or plan, but a plan did not ease all challenges. Support, in terms of financial means and guidance, is also needed so that actions set out in the plans can be implemented. So far, the control measures for microplastics related to urban water systems have primarily been preventive and focused on restricting use of microplastics in certain applications. There are no restrictions on emissions yet. If such restrictions come, where they are placed will impact the type of measures that will be introduced. This, in turn, will have consequences at the system level: for example, if it will lead to emissions in another part of the system, and which actors will be responsible for managing the pollution.
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| 13. |
- Nordangård, Jacob, 1968-
(författare)
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ORDO AB CHAO : Den politiska historien om biodrivmedel i den Europeiska Unionen – Aktörer, nätverk och strategier
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Biodrivmedel blev efter millennieskiftet en alltmer prioriterad energikälla för EU och ansågs kunna stävja både klimathot och energissäkerhetsproblem samtidigt som drivmedelsproduktionen skulle gynna sysselsättningen i jordbruket. EUkommissionen formulerade 2007 ett mål om att ersätta 10 % av transportenergin till biodrivmedel. Snabbt uppkom dock en strid mellan en grupp av aktörer (miljörörelse och livsmedelsindustri) som såg biodrivmedelssatsningen som ett hot mot både miljön och livsmedelssäkerheten medan en annan grupp bestående av företrädesvis biodrivmedelsintressenter såg det som viktigt att behålla och utveckla EU:s mål för att rädda både klimat och miljö. Motsättningarna som uppkommit väcker frågor kring vilka logiker som legat bakom detta.Avhandlingens syfte är att analysera EU:s biodrivmedelspolicy, vilka aktörer och nätverk som har format denna process, vilka problem och lösningar som dessa aktörer och nätverk argumenterat för i processen, samt hur de har agerat för att mobilisera stöd för sina ståndpunkter. Detta har kopplats till teorier om nätverksstyrning, förekomsten av utlösande händelser i policyprocessen, resursberoende i nätverksmodellen samt på vilket sätt managementteori utövat inflytande. Metoden har varit att utifrån dokumentstudier rekonstruera det historiska förloppet och de aktörer som medverkat i processen.Avhandlingens visar att en förhållandevis liten grupp aktörer har haft ett stort inflytande över policyprocessen från det att problemen som biodrivmedel var satta att lösa definierades i slutet av 80-talet till det att hållbarhetsstandarder utvecklades och implementerades. Dessa aktörer har funnits i policynätverkens kärna och har som ett av sina centrala mål velat utarbeta globala regelverk för råvaruhandeln. De miljöorganisationer som medverkat i processen har genom resursberoenden till stor del varit underordnade denna grupp. Processerna har innehållit ett stort inslag av strategisk planläggning men även utlösande händelser som klimat- och livsmedelskriser har varit viktiga för att motivera politiska beslut.
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| 14. |
- Bagheri, Marzieh
(författare)
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Sewage Sludge Treatment Scenarios: Techno-Economic Analyses of Energy and Phosphorus Recovery Focusing on Implementation Challenges
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Managing sewage sludge, an inevitable by-product of wastewater treatment processes rich in both contaminants and valuable resources, presents a dual challenge: ensuring pollution prevention by immobilizing or destroying contaminants, and facilitating resource recovery. Balancing these objectives is critical given the growing volumes of sewage sludge and the imperative to both protect the environment and recover valuable resources. The unknown risks of land application of sludge, the currently most common disposal method, make thermal conversion a promising alternative, as it enables energy recovery, the breakdown of potentially harmful organic compounds, and the formation of volume-reduced, sanitized products. Despite the technical feasibility, the commercial development of advanced recovery technologies has been slow. This thesis aims to expand knowledge on different sewage sludge treatment and disposal scenarios under varying conditions; thereby shedding light on implementation challenges, local opportunities, and the financial dynamics critical for phosphorus and energy recovery from the perspectives of wastewater treatment plants, investors, and policymakers. The aim is primarily addressed by performing techno-economic analysis of sewage sludge treatment scenarios, covering the entire sludge treatment process from sludge treatment to end products and disposal (Paper II-V). The techno-economic analysis is supplemented by a review of academic research on sewage sludge management from 1971 to 2019 (Paper I). Results from the analysis of sewage sludge management research (Paper I) show a narrow-focused perspective that often misses the broader, interconnected aspects of sewage sludge management, leading to research that, while detailed, fails to capture the complexity of the field. The investment viability of a new mono-/co-combustion plant for sewage sludge (Paper II) is highly conditional on heat, electricity, and fertilizer prices, and external financial support is often a crucial requirement. Cocombustion of sludge (in low ratios) with K-rich agricultural biomass requirement in and energy demand of a thermal dryer, and by yielding ash that contains phosphorus in a plant-available form. Utilizing existing heat facility (Paper III) and co-combustion to mitigate investment costs and energy demand in sludge management showed the potential to offer a cost-effective alternative to land application. However, the viability of co-combustion hinges on both a high heat market price (Paper II) and the proximity of affordable biomass resources (Paper III). Without these conditions, co-combustion may increase the financial burden of sludge management on wastewater treatment plants and policymakers. Retrofitting a wastewater treatment plant by integrating hydrothermal carbonization in sludge treatment (Paper IV), demonstrated good economic feasibility, primarily due to the avoided disposal costs, while also recovering phosphorus. However, integrating hydrothermal carbonization in a system designed for a thermal dryer may cause a significant reduction in electricity production.Given the high moisture content of sludge and the low market prices for fertilizer, the potential revenue from energy and phosphorus recovery is inadequate to solely drive investment in advanced sewage sludge treatment technologies (Papers II-V). This issue is exacerbated by the fact that most wastewater treatment plants are small in scale. Collaborative sludge management across neighboring wastewater treatment plants (Paper V) increases phosphorus recovery capacity and leverages economies of scale, fostering investment in advanced technology. This strategy presents a significant opportunity to lower the treatment costs and offers a competitive alternative to land application, while encompassing energy and phosphorus recovery into the sludge treatment.In conclusion, resource recovery and pollution prevention in sludge management is a complex task that necessitates simultaneous consideration of technical aspects, product quality, site-specific conditions, and profitability to ensure a comprehensive and viable approach. Leveraging local infrastructure and resources in sewage sludge management is crucial, highlighting the ecessity for strategies to be tailored to the local opportunities and limitations. Such an approach outperforms mono-combustion by eliminating the investment ensures that solutions are not only environmentally sustainable but also economically viable and socially acceptable.
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| 15. |
- Esguerra, John Laurence, 1991-, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization, recyclability, and significance of plastic packaging in mixed municipal solid waste for achieving recycling targets in a Swedish city
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 468
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- About 60% of plastic packaging in Sweden ends up in mixed municipal solid waste (MSW), which is incinerated with energy recovery. This status quo presents a missed opportunity to meet ambitious recycling targets. This study aims to provide a detailed characterization of plastic packaging in mixed MSW to assess its potential for recycling and its significance in improving the overall recycling rate. A case study involving a Swedish city was conducted wherein a sample of 5500 kg of mixed MSW from 920 households was characterized. From the 31% recycling rate, improvement of up to 59% can be achieved by diverting this misplaced plastic packaging into the existing recycling system. An additional 9% increase remains challenging to achieve due to the occurrence of non-recyclable attributes like black and multilayer packaging. The highlighted key enabler is the combination of correct household waste separation behavior and the establishment of mechanical sorting facilities to recover plastic waste from mixed MSW. These recycling potentials and associated challenges are discussed in the context of Sweden's ongoing efforts across the plastic packaging value chain. Furthermore, the importance of extended waste characterization is emphasized as a tool for identifying recycling potentials and monitoring the effectiveness of measures in enhancing circularity and resource-efficiency.
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| 16. |
- Flyborg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement of body temperature in the oral cavity with a temperature sensor integrated with a powered toothbrush
- 2023
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Ingår i: SN Applied Sciences. - : Springer Nature Switzerland AG. - 2523-3963 .- 2523-3971. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a method for collecting core body temperature data via a temperature sensor integrated into a powered toothbrush. The purpose is to facilitate the collection of temperature data without any extended effort from the user. Twelve participants use a powered toothbrush with a temperature sensor mounted on the brush head twice daily for two months. The obtained values are compared with those from a conventional fever thermometer approved for intraoral use. The results show that the temperature sensor–integrated powered toothbrush can measure the core body temperature and provide values comparable to those provided by a traditional oral thermometer. The use of the device can facilitate disease monitoring, fertility control, and security solutions for the elderly. © 2022, The Author(s).
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| 17. |
- Flyborg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Use of a powered toothbrush to improve oral health in individuals with mild cognitive impairment
- 2023
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Ingår i: Gerodontology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0734-0664 .- 1741-2358. ; 40:1, s. 74-82
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to investigate whether the use of a powered toothbrush could maintain oral health by reducing the dental plaque (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) ≥4 mm in a group of individuals with MCI and also if changes in oral health affect various aspects of quality of life.BackgroundPeople with cognitive impairment tend to have poor oral hygiene and poorer Quality of life. In the present study, the participants were asked to use a powered toothbrush for at least 2 min morning and evening and no restrictions were given against the use of other oral care products. The participant survey conducted at each examination demonstrated that 61.2% of participants at baseline claimed to have experience of using a powered toothbrush, 95.4% at 6 months and 95% after 12 months. At the same time, the use of manual toothbrushes dropped from 73.3% to 44.7% from baseline to the 12-month check-up. This shows that several participants continue to use the manual toothbrush in parallel with the powered toothbrush, but that there is a shift towards increased use of the powered toothbrush. Removal of dental biofilm is essential for maintaining good oral health. We investigated whether using a powered toothbrush reduces the presence of dental plaque, bleeding on probing and periodontal pockets ≥4 mm in a group of older individuals with mild cognitive impairment.Materials and methodsTwo hundred and thirteen individuals with the mean age of 75.3 years living without official home care and with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 20 and 28 and a history of memory problems in the previous six months were recruited from the Swedish site of a multicenter project, Support Monitoring And Reminder Technology for Mild Dementia (SMART4MD) and screened for the study. The individuals received a powered toothbrush and thorough instructions on how to use it. Clinical oral examinations and MMSE tests were conducted at baseline, 6 and 12 months.ResultsOne hundred seventy participants, 36.5% women and 63.5% men, completed a 12-month follow-up. The use of a powered toothbrush resulted, for the entire group, in a significant decrease in plaque index from 41% at baseline to 31.5% after 12 months (P < .000). Within the same time frame, the values for bleeding on probing changed from 15.1% to 9.9% (P < .000) and the percentage of probing pocket depths ≥4 mm from 11.5% to 8.2% (P < .004). The observed improvements in the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 correlate with the clinical improvements of oral health.ConclusionThe use of a powered toothbrush was associated with a reduction of PI, BOP and PPD over 12 months even among individuals with low or declining MMSE score. An adequately used powered toothbrush maintain factors that affect oral health and oral health-related Quality of Life in people with mild cognitive impairment.
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| 18. |
- Fältström, Emma, 1987-, et al.
(författare)
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Kommunperspektiv på uppströmsarbete i Sverige i dag och i framtiden
- 2018
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Uppströmsarbete inom vattensektorn är viktigt för att minska miljöföroreningar i samhället och förhindra att föroreningar hamnar i kretsloppet av vatten och näringsämnen. Rapporten är ett första försök att beskriva uppströmsarbetet i svenska VA-organisationer och hur det kan komma att se ut i framtiden. För att utveckla uppströmsarbetet behöver kommunerna mer vägledning och plattformar för erfarenhetsutbyte.I kommunerna pågår det uppströmsarbete för olika sorters vatten: spillvatten, dagvatten och råvatten till dricksvattenproduktion. Projektet har undersökt hur kommunerna arbetar med alla tre vattentyperna. De tre hänger också ihop eftersom dagvatten och vatten från reningsverk kan rinna ut i recipienter som även fungerar som råvattentäkter. Vanligast är uppströmsarbete för spillvatten, dels för att skydda reningsprocessen och recipienten, dels för att höja slammets kvalitet. Uppströmsarbete startade redan på 1960-talet med kontroll av industriavlopp, men begreppet lanserades först på 1990-talet. I Svenskt Vattens Revaq-certifiering av slam är uppströmsarbete en viktig del. Uppströmsarbete för dagvatten är svårare att genomföra än för spill- och råvatten eftersom det saknas gränsvärden och riktlinjer.Projektet identifierade först genom en litteraturgenomgång de verktyg som kan användas i uppströmsarbete. En enkätundersökning genomfördes sedan med 44 VA-organisationer, och tolv av dem valdes ut för intervjuer. Totalt medverkade 87 kommuner. Organisationerna fick berätta om sina behov och bidra med goda exempel. Majoriteten av dem som svarade på enkäten har någon form av uppströmsarbete. Arbetet fungerar för det mesta bra och anses vara viktigt. De flesta av organisationerna har mindre än en heltidstjänst för uppströmsarbete. Flera upplever att man skulle kunna göra mer, men att det kan vara svårt att avsätta tid och pengar när det inte är klarlagt vad arbetet innebär eller går att visa mätbart positiva effekter. Samarbetet med tillsynsmyndigheterna är viktigt, men ser olika ut i olika kommuner. Här behövs det mer kunskap när det gäller hur ett samarbete kan och bör se ut.Enkäten och intervjuerna visar att det finns behov av vägledning, framför allt när det gäller dagvatten och hantering av fett i avloppssystemet, men även för uppströmsarbetet i stort. Det behövs också möjligheter till erfarenhetsutbyte, till exempel ett nationellt nätverk och en konferens eller ett seminarium med fokus på uppströmsarbete.Huvudförfattare till rapporten är Emma Fältström, doktorand på Linköpings universitet och Sweden Water Research.
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| 19. |
- Gustafsson, Marcus, 1987-, et al.
(författare)
-
Biogaslösningar i Norrköping : potential för produktion och marknad
- 2018
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Norrköpings kommun har i sin Energiplan för 2030 satt som mål att energieffektivisera med minst 30 % jämfört med 2005, samt att 100 % av de energislag och bränslen som används inom kommunens geografiska område (ej inräknat sjöfart och flyg) ska vara förnybara. Lokalt producerad biogas skulle kunna bidra till arbetet mot dessa mål och möjligheten att producera biogas har undersökts i tidigare förstudier på enskilda anläggningar i kommunen. Medan grannkommunen Linköping under många år har haft en kontinuerlig egen biogasproduktion i stor skala har Norrköping endast haft en mindre produktion av biogas, trots ett liknande invånarantal och flera stora industrier vars avfallsströmmar utgör potentiella biogassubstrat.I denna rapport redovisas resultaten från ett projekt med målsättning att kartlägga och kvantifiera potentialerna för produktion och användning av biogas i Norrköpings kommun, att utröna vad som krävs för att dessa ska kunna realiseras, samt vilken betydelse detta skulle ha för Norrköping. Projektet genomfördes i form av en workshopserie med deltagare från BRC:s partners samt Region Östergötland, Östgötautmaningen, Biogas Öst, Norrköping Vatten och Avfall, Holmen Paper och Kolmårdens djurpark. Frågeställningarna angreps med en så kallad ”bottom-up”-metodik, med utgångspunkt i de lokala förutsättningarna, och uppskattningar av den potentiella produktionen och användningen av biogas gjordes med fokus på olika substratströmmar respektive olika marknader.Resultaten visar på en stor outnyttjad potential för biogasproduktion i Norrköping, framförallt inom jordbrukssektorn samt lokala pappers- och massabruk. Samtidigt finns det en stor potentiell lokal marknad för biogas. Den beräknade produktionspotentialen kan, om den uppfylls, täcka i storleksordningen 10 – 15 % av energibehovet för vägtransporter och sjöfart samt det industriella energigasbehovet i Norrköping.Ett av de stora hindren för att utveckla produktionen av biogas i Norrköping är att substraten, förutom vid enskilda industrier, är spridda på ett stort antal anläggningar och aktörer. Många potentiella producenter saknar dessutom nödvändig kunskap om produktion och försäljning av biogas. Detta ställer krav på samverkan mellan olika aktörer, till exempel ägare av substrat och biogasproducenter. Samarbete mellan olika substratägare för storskalig samrötning och centraliserad uppgradering till fordonsgas skulle kunna ge ekonomiska fördelar jämfört med småskaliga anläggningar.Norrköpings kommun kan själva spela en viktig roll i utvecklingen mot ökad produktion och användning av biogas genom strategisk infrastrukturplanering, upphandling och förmedling av kunskap om biogas till potentiella producenter och användare. Ett sätt för kommunen att effektivare kunna bedriva arbete inom området kan vara att tillsätta en särskild biogas- eller biobränslesamordnare.
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| 20. |
- Gustafsson, Marcus, 1987-, et al.
(författare)
-
Local potential production, use and conditions for implementation of biogas solutions in Norrköping, Sweden
- 2019
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biogas is expected to make an important contribution to the vision of fossil-free transports in Sweden. However, estimates of the national production potential have taken a top-down perspective, without detailing where the potential exists and how to realise it. This study is made with a bottom-up perspective, investigating the potential for production and use of biogas within different sectors and individual industries in the municipality of Norrköping. Moreover, critical factors and driving actors for realising these potentials are raised and analysed. The study was conducted with a participatory approach involving 22 representatives from the municipality, biogas producers, interest organisations and companies dealing with potential biogas substrates. The results indicate a potential biogas production of 500 GWh/year by 2030, out of which 60% would come from the agricultural sector and 30% from local pulp and paper industries. A more modest estimate indicate that the production would cover 10 – 15% of the local energy demand for road transport and shipping as well as industrial energy gas. Substrates are distributed over a large geographical area and between several actors, requiring cooperation between substrate owners to reach an economically feasible scale. In addition, collaboration with biogas companies could provide the substrate owners with necessary specialist knowledge. In order to realise the biogas potential, Norrköping municipality has a central role to play as coordinator and knowledge hub, as well as by directing procurements towards biogas and plan for biogas fuelling stations.
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| 21. |
- Hegazy, Eman, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing Renewal Needs of Urban Water Infrastructure Systems: Case Study of Linköping in Sweden
- 2023
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Ingår i: irc 2023 XVII. - : World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. ; , s. 6-19
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Urban Water Infrastructure systems (UWI) are central to functioning cities. For securing a continuous and efficient supply of the systems services, continuous investment, maintenance, and renewal are needed. Neglecting maintenance and renewal can lead to recurrent breakdown problems as systems age, which makes it more and more difficult to secure efficient long-term supply. Globally, many cities struggle with aging water infrastructure, often due to competing funding priorities. Investment in maintenance and renewal is not prioritized. The problem primarily stems from the challenge of reaping the benefits of investments promptly. The long-term benefits gained from investing in the renewal of water infrastructure may be achievable in the long run, resulting in the oversight of such investments. This leads to a build-up of "renewal debt" for future generations to inherit. Addressing this issue is difficult due to various contributing factors and the complex nature of the systems. The study aims to contribute to an increased understanding of the long-term management challenges UWI, the development of improved maintenance and renewal strategies through the examination of water infrastructure management, and the assessment of the adequacy of the maintenance and renewal in a case study, the city of Linköping, Sweden. Employing a mixed methods approach, this study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, workshops, and data analysis. The findings of the study provided insights into the current status of the water and sewerage networks in Linköping, highlighting the risks to ensuring reliable and sustainable water supply and discussing strategies for improving maintenance and renewal.
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| 22. |
- Hegazy, Eman, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Systems Lens: Towards Sustainable Management of Maintenance and Renewal of Wire-Based Infrastructure: The Case of Water Network in the City of Linköping, Sweden
- 2023
-
Ingår i: irc 2023 XVII. - : World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. ; , s. 85-99
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The city's wire-based infrastructure systems (WBIS) are responsible for the delivery of electricity,telecommunications, sanitation, drainage, and district heating and are a necessity for sustainable modern urban life.Maintaining the functionality of these structures involves high costs and, brings disturbance to the local community and effectson the environment. One key reason for this is that the cables and pipes are placed under streets, making system parts easilyworn and their service lifetime reduced, and all maintenance and renewal rely on recurrent needs for excavation. In Sweden, asignificant part of wire-based infrastructure is already outdated and will need to be replaced in the coming decades. Thereplacement of these systems will entail massive costs as well as important traffic disruption and environmental disturbance.However, this challenge may also open a unique opportunity to introduce new, more sustainable technologies and managementpractices. The transformation of WBIS management for long-term sustainability and meeting maintenance and renewal needsdoes not have a comprehensive approach. However, a systemic approach may inform WBIS management. This approachconsiders both technical and non-technical aspects, as well as time-related factors. Nevertheless, there is limited systemicknowledge of how different factors influence current management practices. The aim of this study is to address this knowledgegap and contribute to the understanding of what factors influence the current practice of WBIS management. A case studyapproach is used to identify current management practices, the underlying factors that influence them, and their implicationsfor sustainability outcomes. The case study is based on both quantitative data on the local system and data from interviews andworkshops with local practitioners and other stakeholders. Linköping was selected as a case since it provided goodaccessibility to the water administration and relevant data for analyzing water infrastructure management strategies. It is asufficiently important city in Sweden to be able to identify challenges, which, to some extent, are common to all Swedish cities.By uncovering current practices and what is influencing Linköping, knowledge gaps and uncertainties related to sustainabilityconsequences were highlighted. The findings show that goals, priorities, and policies controlling management are shorttermed, and decisions on maintenance and renewal are often restricted to finding solutions to the most urgent issues.Sustainability transformation in the infrastructure area will not be possible through individual efforts without coordinatedtechnical, organizational, business, and regulatory changes.
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| 23. |
- Krook, Joakim, 1977-
(författare)
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Concentrate or dilute contaminants? : Strategies for Swedish wood waste
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis aims to assess the environmental consequences of management strategies for wood waste in Sweden. There is a special focus on separation strategies and in what way such measures influence environmental aspects such as the presence of heavy metals in the waste. Actors’ incentives and capacity to influence wood waste management are analysed, emphasising the importance of driving forces such as governmental regulation and market interactions.The results show that, in comparison to present dilution practice, separation of contaminants would lead to decreased heavy metal emissions during combustion of wood waste while still recovering a similar energy yield from the waste. Such measures would also increase possibilities for resource-saving reuse of the generated ash. For most metals, however, long-term pollution concerns related to accumulations in landfills and unintentional co-recycling are difficult to address, regardless of separation strategy. An exception is industrial preservative-treated wood waste that according to regulation is to be separately handled as hazardous, for which separation measures also would address such future concerns. This indicates that governments could play an important role in environmental policy by, for instance, stimulating separate handling of certain discarded products.Actors in the energy sector involved in fuel and heat production have quite restricted capacities for separation of contaminants in wood waste. Instead, achieving substantially less contaminated wood waste seems to require actors in the waste and construction sectors to develop source separation measures. The fact that such measures often involve actors lacking professional standards for waste management constitutes a fundamental obstacle to efficient separation. Perhaps even more hampering is that source separation at present leads to increased waste disposal costs for actors in the construction sector. Such economic outcomes of source separation are unfavourable, since these actors consider wood waste as a disposal problem for which the costs should be minimised. Despite these obstacles, however, the results show that some actors have proved capable of achieving relatively efficient separation.At present, only a minor share of industrial preservative–treated wood waste is separately handled as hazardous. For actors in the energy, waste and construction sectors, the incentives for such measures appear low even though introduced regulations potentially could have created such incentives. It appears as if a lack of steering mechanisms such as communication and supervision have neutralised the inherent pressure from regulation in many cases. Quality requirements, on the other hand, can be concluded to be of outmost importance for motivating separation measures. Unfortunately, market forces encourage actors in the energy sector to practice inconsistent enforcement of quality requirements. As a consequence, actors in the waste and construction sectors do not experience any strong pressure for separation of contaminants from their customers. In fact, such an inconsistent enforcement of quality requirements seems to have counteracted legal pressures for separation, due to present customer-oriented business management.
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| 24. |
- Lindfors, Axel, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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Developing biogas systems in Norrköping, Sweden : An industrial symbiosis intervention
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 277
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biogas systems are often multi-functional and involve several actors in different sectors, requiring these actors to collaborate closely in order to implement such systems. In this paper, a study is presented where the theory of institutional capacity building is used to guide interventions with public and private actors to facilitate the development of local biogas systems in Norrköping, Sweden. The interventions were performed in the form of a workshop series, where local actors with potential to influence biogas developments actively took part. The workshop series generated knowledge on Norrköping’s significant potential for both producing and using biogas, which was traced, in part, to its high concentration of bio-based industries and its good position as a hub for transports. The interventions also created a shared understanding that cooperation and coordination to distribute resources and knowledge about biogas, both geographically and across sectors, was critical for realizing this potential. The municipal organization was identified as an important actor for coordinating these efforts. Observations during the workshops and survey responses indicate that the interventions contributed to building institutional capacity and initiation of efforts to develop local biogas solutions. Ideas put forth in this study enable interventions to target the intangible internal capacities of emerging industrial symbiosis networks. In addition, institutional capacity building serves as a useful analytical framework capable of capturing progress within emerging networks in the short-term even when material, water or energy synergies are yet to be realized.Biogas systems are often multi-functional and involve several actors in different sectors, requiring these actors to collaborate closely in order to implement such systems. In this paper, a study is presented where the theory of institutional capacity building is used to guide interventions with public and private actors to facilitate the development of local biogas systems in Norrköping, Sweden. The interventions were performed in the form of a workshop series, where local actors with potential to influence biogas developments actively took part. The workshop series generated knowledge on Norrköping’s significant potential for both producing and using biogas, which was traced, in part, to its high concentration of bio-based industries and its good position as a hub for transports. The interventions also created a shared understanding that cooperation and coordination to distribute resources and knowledge about biogas, both geographically and across sectors, was critical for realizing this potential. The municipal organization was identified as an important actor for coordinating these efforts. Observations during the workshops and survey responses indicate that the interventions contributed to building institutional capacity and initiation of efforts to develop local biogas solutions. Ideas put forth in this study enable interventions to target the intangible internal capacities of emerging industrial symbiosis networks. In addition, institutional capacity building serves as a useful analytical framework capable of capturing progress within emerging networks in the short-term even when material, water or energy synergies are yet to be realized.
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| 25. |
- Månsson, Nina, 1972-
(författare)
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Substance flow analyses of metals and organic compounds in an urban environment : – the Stockholm example
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The intensified use of materials, products and goods in our time involves massive consumption of metals and organic compounds that can be released from society to the environment in the various stages of production, use and waste. Depending on the circumstances this may give rise to environmental risks, as metals in general and certain organic substances may be toxic in the short or long term. So where have those metals and organic substances been utilized? In which products or environments? Substance flow analysis (SFA) is a method to deal with these issues. The results from the analysis are quantifications of flows and stocks in a systematic way and within defined system boundaries.In this thesis four main research areas are identified, which need to be addressed. i) Application of SFA on substances that have not been studied in this respect before, which can give knowledge about flows and stocks related to consumption of goods. ii) Development of SFA to meet the needs in studies of trends for the substance cycles and studies of quantification of potential changes. iii) Assessment of which different agents and actions that induce the changes, such as chemical regulations, environmental objectives and aims. To what extent can these changes be related to substance flows? iv) Finally to assess, how can SFA be useful in environmental decisions? The specified aims focus on the metals antimony (Sb), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) and the group of organic compounds alkylphenol/alkylphenol ethoxylates (AP/APEO), in urban environments, exemplified with case studies of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.This thesis is a result of five studies. Three were based mainly on the methodology of SFA (Paper I-III). It has also been important to develop the chemical analysis of metals in goods where there has been a lack of information (Paper IV). Furthermore, assessment of policy questions and chemical regulations involve qualitative approaches and discussions (Paper I and V).The results show urban flows and stocks of the metals Cd, Hg, Pb and Sb and the group of organic substances AP/APEO. The results confirm that goods are important for the release of the substances studied. For Sb, emissions from brake linings (96%) dominate, but there are small emissions from textiles, potential emissions from flame retarded goods and probably small point sources. For AP/APEO the textile emissions were previously underestimated and the SFA presented here included this and pose textiles and cleaning agents as major emission source to wastewater.To repeat studies and to compare results from different years was a development of the SFA-method, which showed that Cd and Hg are being phased out as the inflow and stocks show diminished amounts, whereas the emissions remain approximately constant when comparing 1995 with 2002/2003. For Pb it is possible to talk about a phase-out of some specific goods, but not in general for inflow and stock.The changes in urban metabolism could be related to environmental decisions, e.g. effects of local initiatives and in some cases voluntary initiatives, but also as result of prevailing chemicals regulation. The utility of SFAs for decision makers may be related to methodological issues, such as the accounting approach. However, the utility was also found to depend on the structure of the monitoring, that is screening in the environment and concentration in wastewaters and sewage sludge precede the source mapping conducted with SFA. Substance Flow Analysis will likely continue to serve as the broad information tool for one substance at a time, which will offer source characterization of diffuse emissions in urban environments.
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