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- Brandao, Miguel, et al.
(författare)
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RED, PEF, and EPD: Conflicting rules for determining the carbon footprint of biofuels give unclear signals to fuel producers and customers
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Climate. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2624-9553. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biofuel producers and other commodity suppliers are increasingly affected by conflicting rules for life cycle assessment (LCA). They may get multiple requests for LCAs to be used in various contexts, which require the application of different methodological approaches that vary in scope, system boundaries, data demand, and more. This results in increased cost and competence requirements for producers, as well as confusion among other actors including their customers. Differences in methodologies might also lead to various outcomes, conclusions and conflicting guidance regarding which fuels to prioritize or develop. We have analyzed the actual differences when applying three different frameworks: the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the EU framework for Product Environmental Footprints (PEF), and the framework of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which have different modeling requirements. We analyzed the methods from a conceptual point of view and also applied the methods to estimate the carbon footprint on a wide range of biofuel production pathways: (i) ethanol from corn, (ii) fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from rapeseed oil, (iii) biogas from food waste, (iv) hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) from rapeseed oil, and (v) HVO from used cooking oil. Results obtained for a specific fuel could differ substantially depending on the framework applied and the assumptions and interpretations made when applying the different frameworks. Particularly, the results are very sensitive to the modeling of waste management when biofuel is produced from waste. Our results indicate a much higher climate impact for, e.g., biogas and HVO produced from used cooking oil when assessed with the PEF framework compared to the other frameworks. This is because PEF assigns at least part of the production of primary materials and energy to the use of recycled material and recovered energy. Developing Category Rules for biofuels for PEF and EPD ought to help clarifying remaining ambiguities.
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| 4. |
- Poulikidou, Sofia, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Impacts on fuel producers and customers of conflicting rules for life cycle assessment
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The use of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool for estimating the environmental performance of a product or service in a holistic and systematic manner is increasing. Fuel producers may need to apply different methodological frameworks to be used in different contexts; internally for product development activities as well as externally for communication with customers or authorities. Different LCA frameworks may vary in scope, system boundaries (i.e. life cycle stages to be considered) or modelling requirements (such as data demands but also more detailed methodological features). They may also vary in terms of information they can provide in relation to the environmental performance of the product. Those variations could lead to conflicting outcomes and conclusions and may also increase complexity for the LCA practitioner leading to high competence and resource requirements. Within the research project: Impacts on fuel producers and customers of conflicting rules for LCA , the requirements of different LCA frameworks and their implications to fuel producers are investigated. Focus has been given on three specific frameworks that are identified as relevant or potentially relevant for fuel producers, namely: the recast of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (referred to here as RED II), the EU framework for Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), and the framework of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The aim of the project is to increase understanding on the different LCA frameworks available and identify whether the multitude of such frameworks gives conflicting recommendations for environmental improvements and fuel choices. The three LCA frameworks listed above were applied in case studies. To illustrate the potential differences that the different frameworks may lead to, a variation of production pathways and feedstocks were selected including first generation as well as advanced biofuels. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that applying all three frameworks is not a straightforward task. The methods contain fundamental differences and are at different levels of development, maturity, and adoption. In certain situations, they can lead to diverging conclusions as a result of different quantitative outcomes for a specific production pathway, thus influencing decision making processes in different directions. Understanding those differences and underlying assumptions is important for understanding the variations in outcome. The result for a specific fuel could differ substantially depending on the framework applied and the assumptions and interpretations made when applying this framework. Certain methodological parameters were identified to have a greater impact on the results than others: • The three frameworks diverge in the methods applied for modelling waste management, which can be very important for the results when the biofuel is produced from waste. • The frameworks diverge in what approaches are allowed for modelling processes with multiple products. This can be very important for the results when the fuel is co-produced with other products. • The frameworks also diverge in how the electricity supply is modelled. This is not very important for the results in most of our case studies, because the production of these biofuels does not require a lot of electricity. The study confirms that applying a framework like EPD or PEF in addition to RED II would require significant supplementary efforts. Not only because of different rules which were often contradicting or difficult to interpret but also because of additional data and reporting requirements. The need for expertise and resources is increasing for fuel producers to be able to provide EPD and PEF compliant assessments. To enhance the development and harmonization of LCA approaches this project stresses the need for product specific rules (in the form of Product Environmental Category Rules (PEFCR) and Product Category Rules (PCR)) for renewable fuels. Future versions of all three studied frameworks should be clearer on how specific methodological choices are to be applied (e.g., when it comes to allocation and multifunctional processes) as well as when it comes to model electricity supply. RED for example shall be clearer on how to define the electricity region while EPD guidelines on how to define the electricity market. Although it is not realistic to aim for a single unified LCA framework, the biofuel PCR and PEFCR can be developed with RED in mind. Some aspects of the PEF methodology can perhaps also be integrated into RED III that is currently under development. This would enhance the broader adoption of the frameworks among fuel producers. Finally, the involvement and engagement of the industry, and fuel producers themselves is very important. Industry initiatives are essential for the development of biofuel PCR and PEFCR while the general development of the three frameworks can also be influenced. In this study, we also investigated the relationship between the LCA frameworks and schemes for chain of custody certification (CoCC), in particular schemes for mass balance certifications (MBC) to investigate to what extent these schemes complement or overlap with LCA. The purpose of MBC schemes and LCA are different, in the sense that the first aim at verifying the sources and sustainability of total amounts of raw materials used by tracking them throughout the value chain, while the second at quantifying specific environmental impact. The system boundaries are similar, since both cover the entire value chain, but may be applied differently depending on the detailed frameworks applied and choices made in applying the MBC schemes. By identifying and clearly illustrating the variations among the studied frameworks the study enhances application, development, and harmonization of LCA, in a broader perspective, informs LCA practitioners but also decision makers and provides insights on how the identified challenges can be addressed.
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| 5. |
- Remmelgas, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of microcrystalline cellulose spheres and prediction of hopper flow based on a μ(I)-rheology model
- 2020
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Ingår i: European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0928-0987 .- 1879-0720. ; 142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this study was to characterize the rheology of a pharmaceutical material in the context of the µ(I)-rheology model and to use this model to predict powder flow in a manufacturing operation that is relevant to pharmaceutical manufacturing. The rheology of microcrystalline cellulose spheres was therefore characterized in terms of the μ(I)-rheology model using a modified Malvern Kinexus rheometer. As an example of an important problem in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the flow of these particles from a hopper was studied experimentally and numerically using a continuum Navier-Stokes solver based on the Volume-Of-Fluid (VOF) interface-capturing numerical method. The work shows that the rheology of this typical pharmaceutical material can be measured using a modified annular shear rheometer and that the results can be interpreted in terms of the μ(I)-rheology model. It is demonstrated that both the simulation results and the experimental data show a constant hopper discharge rate. It is noted that the model can suffer from ill-posedness and it is shown how an increasingly fine grid resolution can result in predictions that are not entirely physically realistic. This shortcoming of the numerical framework implies that caution is required when making a one-to-one comparison with experimental data.
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| 8. |
- Svensson, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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An evaluation of 2D-wavelet filters for estimation of differences in textures of pharmaceutical tablets
- 2006
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Ingår i: Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-7439 .- 1873-3239. ; 84:1-2, s. 3-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In chemical imaging spectra are acquired over a surface with one spectrum for each pixel of the image. The obtained spectra usually carry a mixture of chemical and physical information. One may view the properties that vary over the image, the mean spectral magnitude from separate wavelength intervals, or better, PCA scores may be shown as images.In this way a multitude of images are compressed to a few images that in the PCA case are representative for the main variation in the sample images. These images may be viewed manually and deductions as to e.g. differences in homogeneity can be made. At an increased rate of samples, the observer will have difficulties coping with the repetitive work and different observers will most likely have slightly different interpretations. In order to automate the process of estimation of e.g. homogeneity and particle density, image filters can be used to calculate a small set of texture descriptors for each image. Calculations based on the 2D versions of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) using Daubechies 14 and the dual tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) using near-symmetric 13, 19 tap filters in combination with q-shift 14, 14 tap filters were evaluated for this purpose.The aim with this work is to evaluate texture descriptors based on a combination of 2D-wavelet filters and energy, i.e. l(1)-norm, calculations for each wavelet scale. These descriptors are then used as observations for overview in e.g. PCA. In this way the texture differences can be ranked by ordinary use of PCA or PLS.This method is tested on multivariate near infrared images of pharmaceutical tablets. Score images are selected to represent variations of the aggregate density and sizes in the compressed tablets. Images are shifted and rotated to compare shift and rotational independence of the texture descriptors.
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| 9. |
- Wikström, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Wind tunnel & CFD investigations of ICE3 train
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cruise speeds of trains have steadily increased over the years. These high cruise speeds, in the order of 300 km/h, lead to high values of drag, a significant wake region behind the train and high noise levels (90 - 100dBA). While the high drag directly affects the performance of the train, the wake region and the noise levels can have a hazardous effect on the neighbouring areas through which the rail-line passes and on the ground workers. Therefore addressing these issues is of utmost importance. This is where aerodynamics and flow visualization plays a significant role. CFD simulation provides a powerful tool to achieve these things. However, the validity of CFD models first needs to be established against experimental values. In this project such a CFD model is created. A simplified scale model of an ICE3 train is also manufactured and is used to verify the CFD model. The pressure is obtained at different points using pressure taps on the experimental model during wind tunnel testing. Then, a comparison of the normalized pressure coefficients is made between the experimental and the numerical model to verify the validity of the latter. Once the numerical model is established, it is used to analyze the influence of the ground clearance on the train. It was found that the increase in the ground clearance resulted in higher drag and lift forces experienced by the train.
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| 10. |
- Wikström, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Microbial and human transcriptome in vaginal fluid at midgestation: Association with spontaneous preterm delivery.
- 2022
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Ingår i: Clinical and translational medicine. - : Wiley. - 2001-1326. ; 12:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intrauterine infection and inflammation caused by microbial transfer from the vagina are believed to be important factors causing spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD). Multiple studies have examined the relationship between the cervicovaginal microbiome and spontaneous PTD with divergent results. Most studies have applied a DNA-based assessment, providing information on the microbial composition but not transcriptional activity. A transcriptomic approach was applied to investigate differences in the active vaginal microbiome and human transcriptome at midgestation between women delivering spontaneously preterm versus those delivering at term.Vaginal swabs were collected in women with a singleton pregnancy at 18 + 0 to 20 + 6 gestational weeks. For each case of spontaneous PTD (delivery<37 + 0weeks) two term controls were randomized (39 + 0 to 40 + 6weeks). Vaginal specimens were subject to sequencing of both human and microbial RNA. Microbial reads were taxonomically classified using Kraken2 and RefSeq as a reference. Statistical analyses were performed using DESeq2. GSEA and HUMAnN3 were used for pathway analyses.We found 17 human genes to be differentially expressed (false discovery rate, FDR<0.05) in the preterm group (n =48) compared to the term group (n =96). Gene expression of kallikrein-2 (KLK2), KLK3 and four isoforms of metallothioneins 1 (MT1s) was higher in the preterm group (FDR<0.05). We found 11 individual bacterial species to be differentially expressed (FDR<0.05), most with a low occurrence. No statistically significant differences in bacterial load, diversity or microbial community state types were found between the groups.In our mainly white population, primarily bacterial species of low occurrence were differentially expressed at midgestation in women who delivered preterm versus at term. However, the expression of specific human transcripts including KLK2, KLK3 and several isoforms of MT1s was higher in preterm cases. This is of interest, because these genes may be involved in critical inflammatory pathways associated with spontaneous PTD.
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