| 1. |
- Kängsepp, Pille, et al.
(author)
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Hydraulic performance of a full-scale peat and ash biofilter in treatment of industrial landfill leachate
- 2009
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In: Waste Management & Research. - : SAGE Publications. - 0734-242X .- 1096-3669. ; 27:5, s. 512-519
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hydraulic performance of a full-scale on-site vertical-flow biofilter, consisting of a mixture of peat and carbon-containing ash, and a 500 m3 equalization pond prior to the filter-system. The treatment plant was constructed to clean up leachate from an industrial mono-landfill that contained shredder residues of end-of-life vehicles and white goods. With the limited storage capacity of the equalization pond, peak loading rates exceeded up to five to six times the designed daily hydraulic load limit of the biofilter system. Such relatively short overloading events did not negatively affect the purification efficiency. To provide the designed annual irrigation rate on the biofilter of 97 m3 day— 1 (or 133 mm day—1), with large seasonal variations in precipitation, a relatively large pond would be needed. Calculations showed that a storage volume of about 23 000 m3 would be sufficient for annual leachate volumes up to about 35 000 m3. A combination of sprinkler and drip irrigation with straw insulation of the latter made it possible to run the plant continuously even when the ambient air temperature was below zero for more than a month at a time. The grain size distribution of the biofilter medium was noticeably changed after 4 years of usage due to the loading of suspended solids from the leachate and decomposition of the peat, causing reduced hydraulic conductivity.
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| 2. |
- Egeskog, Andrea, 1981, et al.
(author)
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Co-generation of biofuels for transportation and heat for district heating systems – an assessment of the national possibilities in the EU
- 2009
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In: Energy Policy. - Amsterdam : Elsevier BV. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 37:12, s. 5260-5272
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biomass gasification with subsequent synthesis to liquid or gaseous biofuels generates heat possible to use in district heating (DH) systems. The purpose here is to estimate the heat sink capacity of DH systems in the individual EU nations and assess the possibilities for biomass-gasification-based co-generation of synthetic biofuels for transportation and heat (CBH) for DH systems in the EU countries. The possibilities are assessed (i) assuming different levels of competiveness relative to other heat supply options of CBH corresponding to the EU target for renewable energy for transportation for 2020 and (ii) assuming that the potential expansion of the DH systems by 2020 is met with CBH. In general, the size of the DH heat sinks represented by the existing national aggregated DH systems can accommodate CBH at a scale that is significant compared to the 2020 renewable transportation target. The possibilities for CBH also depend on its cost-competitiveness compared to, e.g., fossil-fuel-based CHP. The possible expansion of the DH systems by 2020 represents an important opportunity for CBH and is also influenced by the potential increase in the use of other heat supply options, such as, industrial waste heat, waste incineration, and CHP.
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| 3. |
- Hang, Jian, et al.
(author)
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Effect of urban morphology on wind condition in idealized city models
- 2009
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In: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 43:4, s. 869-878
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Wind conditions in urban environments are important for a number Of reasons. They can serve to out of the urban environment and to moderate urban microclimatic conditions if transport air Pollutants satisfactory, yet can compromise pedestrian comfort and safety if not. We aim to study experimentally and numerically the effects of urban morphology (e.g., overall city form (skyline), street orientation, and street configuration) on wind conditions in cities. This report considers our initial investigations of two idealized city forms that are coincidentally similar to ancient Roman cities that were organized On One OF two primary streets - a main north-south street, the cardus maximus, and a secondary east-west street, the decumanus maximus - and contained within a well-defined perimeter. We first consider round and square city models with one main street set parallel to the approaching wind and a secondary street producing an intersection at city centre. Not Surprisingly, wind conditions in the two city models are dissimilar due to their shape differences. We then consider a long rectangular city model with a fully developed steady flow region along the main street. If the main street of the round city model is narrow, the parallel approaching wind cannot blow through the entire street and a penetrating inflow exists at the leeward opening. For the Found city model with two crossing streets, a slightly non-parallel wind to the main Street generates a stronger wind level in the entire street volume, Crown.
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| 4. |
- Mahapatra, Krushna, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Perceptional and socio-economic factors in adoption of low energy houses
- 2009
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In: International Scientific Conference on Energy systems with IT, March 11-12, in connection with 'Energitiget 2009', Stockholm, Sweden.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Diffusion of low energy houses reduces greenhouse emission from residential sector. However, adoption of such houses depends on the perception of the potential buyers. In this paper we have analyzed Swedish homeowners’ perception of low energy houses. Data was collected in 2008 from a mail-in questionnaire survey of about 3000 owners of detached houses. Results showed that about 39% of respondents, especially young, educated or whose household income was high, would consider buying a low energy house. Majority of the respondents agreed that a low energy house in comparison to a conventional house has lower operating energy cost, but higher investment cost. Majority thought that low energy houses do not have lower resale value, lower aesthetic appearance, or greater operational difficulty.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Mcconville, Jennifer
(author)
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Adaptation of existing participatory planning tools for the peri-urban and rural context in Africa
- 2009
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper describes a planning approach for sustainable sanitation, and is one of the outcomes of the EU-financed project NETSSAF. The proposed planning approach is geared towards improvement of decision-making in the planning process and in creating demand for sanitation through use of demonstration units and multi-criteria decision support approaches. It was felt that these issues were not emphasized sufficiently in existing planning tools. The paper describes the eight planning steps as well as the technical and non-technical requirements for the implementation of sustainable sanitation.
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| 7. |
- Nair, Gireesh, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Adoption of energy efficiency measures in swedish detatched houses
- 2009
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In: International Scientific Conference on Energy systems with IT, March 11-12, in connection with 'Energitiget 2009', Stockholm, Sweden.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper focuses on Swedish homeowners’ need for and perceptions about adopting building envelop energy efficiency measures such as improved windows and attic and wall insulation. The results of a questionnaire surveying 3000 randomly selected homeowners during the summer of 2008 revealed that about 70-90% of the respondents had no intention of implementing such a measure over the next 10 years. The main reasons for non-adoption were that homeowners were satisfied with the physical condition, thermal performance, and aesthetics of their existing installations. A greater proportion of respondents perceived that improving attic insulation has more advantages than other measures, but windows were more likely to be installed than attic insulation was to be improved. Respondents gave high priority to economic factors in deciding on an energy efficiency measure, while environmental aspects were given lower priority. Hence, economic incentives could be useful in promoting the adoption of building envelope energy efficiency measures. Interpersonal sources, construction companies/installers, and energy advisers were important sources of information for homeowners as they planned to install energy efficiency measures.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Ahlborg, Helene, 1980, et al.
(author)
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A background on social context and renewable energy sources in Mozambique and Tanzania - An initial report from the STEEP-RES project
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This initial research report, appearing before the formal commencement of the STEEP-RESproject, focuses on the background and context of the project which is intended to make asocio-technical-ecological assessment of prerequisites to and effects of introducing renewableenergy sources (RES) into rural communities of the coastal Tanzania and Mozambique. Thereforea short review of the scientific literature is made dealing with societal prerequisites andrepercussions of electrification. Technical aspects related to the availability of natural resourcesand technologies for renewable energy resources utilisation are also briefly coveredalong with some very brief remarks on possible environmental repercussions.The review of the social context covers > 45 papers dealing with different experiencesof electrification in developing countries relating to renewable energy applicable for povertyalleviation in rural settings. The primary energy sources in rural East Africa are biofuels andelectricity plays a limited role. Electrification influences the composition of the energy mix,but during early development it has very limited impact on the use of wood for cocking andheating purposes. The institutional and financial frameworks are currently major barriers tosmall-scale RES-projects, although local technical and financial capacities are slowly increasing.Social and cultural settings create important drivers and barriers to introduction and diffusionof new technologies. Further, poverty and gender inequality are considered key issues forelectrification projects and create important barriers to success. Participatory and needorientedapproaches are considered necessary by most researchers for successful RES-projects.The more technical review is based on ~50 papers covers the existing renewable energysources (RES) - biofuels, solar, hydro, geothermal, wind, wave and tide. The technologicalstate and resource abundance of each source is discussed briefly in a regional context,along with environmental considerations on each technology.As large scale hydropower is being used in the region since long, it is noticeable thatsmall- and micro-scale hydropower is now advancing and will contribute to electrification inmany smaller river-bound areas. Bioenergy, in terms of firewood is widely used for cookingpurposes, although not environmentally sustainable and not with potential for electricity generation.Biofuels from plantations is rapidly increasing in Africa as well as the global trend.Also here, environmental considerations are of great importance for sustainability. Other RESof potential in the region, and with perhaps less environmental constrains, may be solar photovoltaicand tidal energy. Of less importance, according to regionally sparse resource abuniidance, seem to be wind and wave energy. The potential of geothermal energy is geographicallyrestricted to a few good locations.An inventory of actors within the field of East-African RES based on internet resourcesreveals a “top-heavy” information situation with many and well-designed information sourcesand active networks on global and African regional level while less web-information is availablefrom local levels in Tanzania and Mozambique, where only few companies working inthe field has been identified. More direct investigations are needed starting from the actorsidentified in this initial inventory.
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| 10. |
- Ajdari, Sima, 1985, et al.
(author)
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Risk Evaluation of Household Hazardous Waste-A case study
- 2009
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In: Proceedings of International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene SHO 2009, 5-6 February, Guimarães, Portugal. - 9789729950452 ; , s. pp. 23-27
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACTCertain chemicals in household products, when not used up to the completion at homes, may have the potential to spread hazards. These chemicals consist of heavy metals, pesticides and various types of solvent which may be persistent and can cause severe damage to public and environment. These types of waste shall be collected separately from other waste and are in general destroyed in some kind of specific destruction plant. Everyone who creates hazardous waste is responsible for a proper collection. When it comes to household hazardous waste (HHW) this could be a problem since it assumes that everyone in the society has enough knowledge of how to make a proper collection. Some types of hazardous waste are well-known and easy to recognize, e.g. solvents and batteries, but many people do not have any idea about some of the harmful products which they use and waste. Due to the fact that the hazardous waste is spread out in all households and that everyone is responsible for their own collection, leakages into the environment are possible in today's system. Therefore, a fact finding study is needed to be conducted to see: what would be the main causes of the release of household hazardous wastes (HHW) into the environment during the collection and to evaluate the risks of such an event. This study is carried out based on two studies conducted at Chalmers University of Technology and focused on a case related to collection procedure of HHW in Gothenburg city, Sweden. The aim of the study is to develop a framework to find the most hazardous scenarios, the main causes of release of HHW into the environment. The goal is to propose a guide line to improve the collection procedure with lowest or acceptable risk.Initially, by using “what if” analysis the most important possible scenarios have been discovered. The results have been used in constructing a “fish bone” diagram to analyze the collection methods in Gothenburg city in order to discover the most important causes of the release of hazardous waste into the environment. Based on the fact that nearly 20% of the HHWs are not collected at all (reference), the most hazardous scenario is when “there is no attempt to collect the household hazardous waste”. Subsequently a few scenarios of release to nature have been chosen to be investigated by setting up a model for semi quantitative risk analysis. Risk ranking has been performed with the aim of determining areas associated with high and very high risks. Finally, potential improvements have been discussed.
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