Progress and challenges of helical-shaped geothermal heat exchangers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Among various types of renewable energy, geothermal energy is recognized as an effective method for supplying thermal energy. Ground heat exchangers,...     

A comprehensive review on experimental,numerical and optimization analysis of EAHE and GSHP systems

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Geothermal energy is one type of renewable source of energy that can be used as shallow geothermal system for the use of cooling and heating of...     

Different sources of rural household energy consumption and influencing factors in Dazu,China

Rural household energy consumption is an important component of national energy consumption. This paper explores the rural household energy consumption status and influencing factors on different sources of rural household energy consumption in western China. Using data from a survey of 240 households conducted in 2017, this study finds that rural households’ energy consumption structure in the study area is a combination of traditional biomass energy and commercial energy sources. Fuelwood is the most commonly used fuel in the study area, while modern energy sources only occupy a low proportion. Rural household energy consumption is influenced by various factors. Individual perceptions of climate change, social trust and networks, and households’ socio-economic and demographic factors (gender, age, education, income per capita, household size, household location, and number of household appliances) are identified as having significant effects on rural households’ consumption of biomass and commercial energies. The research results provide implications for policy makers to formulate related rural energy policies to improve the rural energy consumption structure and future energy policy design in China and other developing countries.

     

Potential of conservation agriculture modules for energy conservation and sustainability of rice-based production systems of Indo-Gangetic Plain region

Rice-based cropping systems are the most energy-intensive production systems in South Asia. Sustainability of the rice-based cropping systems is nowadays questioned with declining natural resource base, soil degradation, environmental pollution, and declining factor productivity. As a consequence, the search for energy and resource conservation agro-techniques is increasing for sustainable and cleaner production. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices have been recommended for resource conservation, soil health restoration and sustaining crop productivity. The present study aimed to assess the different CA modules in rice-based cropping systems for energy conservation, energy productivity, and to define energy-economic relations. A field experiment consisted of four different tillage-based crop establishment practices (puddled-transplanted rice followed by (fb) conventional-till maize/wheat (CTTPR-CT), non-puddled transplanted rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (NPTPR-ZT), zero-till transplanted rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (ZTTPR-ZT), zero-till direct-seeded rice fb zero-till maize/wheat (ZTDSR-ZT)), with two residue management treatments (residue removal, residue retention) in rice–wheat and rice–maize rotations were evaluated for energy budgeting and energy-economic relations. Conservation-tillage treatments (NPTPR-ZT, ZTTPR-ZT, and ZTDSR-ZT) reduced the energy requirements over conventional tillage treatments, with the greater reduction in ZTTPR-ZT and ZTDSR-ZT treatments. Savings of energy in conservation-tillage treatments were attributed to reduced energy use in land preparation (69–100%) and irrigation (23–27%), which consumed a large amount of fuel energy. Conservation-tillage treatments increased grain and straw/stover yields of crops, eventually increased the output energy (6–16%), net energy (14–26%), energy ratio (25–33%), and energy productivity (23–34%) as compared with CTTPR-CT. For these energy parameters, the treatment order was ZTDSR-ZT ≥ ZTTPR-ZT > NPTPR-ZT > CTTPR-CT (p < 0.05). Crop residue retention reduced net energy, energy ratio, and energy productivity when compared with residue removal. Our results of energy-economic relations favored the “conservative hypothesis,” which envisages that energy and monetary investments are not essentially the determinants of crop productivity. Thus, zero tillage-based crop establishments (ZTTPR-ZT, ZTDSR-ZT) in rice-based production systems could be the sustainable alternative to conventional tillage-based agriculture (CTTPR-CT) as they conserved non-renewable energy sources, reduced water requirement, and increased crop productivity.

     

Energy efficiency evaluation,changing trends and determinants of energy productivity growth across South Asian countries: SBM-DEA and Malmquist approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Energy efficiency is widely regarded as the most efficient means of supplying additional energy to meet the rising demand. However, extensive energy...     

Biocatalyst physiology and interplay: a protagonist of MFC operation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microbial fuel cells (MFC) have been foreseen as a sustainable renewable energy resource to meet future energy demand. In the past, several studies...     

苏州污水处理厂污泥干化工艺方案的比选

污泥处理及其处置所面临的重要问题之一，就是如何对城市污水处理厂产生的污泥进行有效减容，尽量降低对外部能源的需求。文中在掌握国内外污泥干化主要工艺技术的基础上，针对某城市污水处理厂的污泥干化工程，拟对采用燃煤烟气干燥、污泥消化一干化一体化、太阳能热泵干燥等三种不同污泥干化工艺进行物料、能量工艺核算。并在此基础上，计算初期投资与15年的运行费用总和。通过对燃料价格、环保和安全等影响因素的研究，分析比较了五种供热系统，以太阳能热泵供热系统为最优，值得大力推广和应用。     

Design,fabrication and performance assessment of a solar cooker with optimum composition of heat storage materials

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Solar energy as an inexhaustible source of energy has been the primary interest of many researchers for the last four to five decades due to its wide...     

Modeling the non-linear relationship between financial development and energy consumption: statistical experience from OECD countries

The linkage between financial development and energy consumption is widely investigated in the literature. However, the non-linear relationship between financial development and energy demand is still under debate. Therefore, this study aims to examine the non-linear relationship between financial development, economic growth, and energy consumption in OECD countries. The study uses the Driscoll–Kraay standard errors panel regression model for spanning from 1980 to 2016. The empirical findings indicate that an inverted U-shape relationship exists between financial development and energy consumption as well as between economic growth and energy consumption. Moreover, the feedback hypothesis is found between financial development and energy use. Additionally, income and energy use granger cause each other. The innovative findings contribute to extant literature, which is of special interest to the country’s policymakers regarding energy efficiency.

     

中国总量控制实践与发展态势

文中所说“总量控制”，全称是污染物排放总量控制制度。当污染物超出环境容量，总量控制一般以削减现有总量的方式出现，也就是通常所说的“减排”。结构减排在减排中占据主导的核心地位。实践表明，“节能必减排，减排促节能”。节能减排相结合是推动经济发展方式转变、调整经济结构、提高自主创新能力、实现环境与发展“双赢”的一种有效途径，也是科学发展的必然要求。节能减排与应对气候变化密不可分，是应对气候变化的主要支撑面。控制温室气体（以CO2为代表）排放强度，是对污染物排放总量控制制度的深化与发展。     

湖北省能源消费CO2与大气污染物协同减排研究

以2015年为基准年,基于拓展的STIRPAT模型预测2025年湖北省能源消费CO2和主要大气污染物排放量.通过设置基准(记为BAU)情景、低碳(记为LC)情景和强化低碳(记为ELC)情景3种控制情景,测算CO2和主要大气污染物的减排量,并运用污染物减排量交叉弹性法评价了CO2减排对主要大气污染物的协同效应.结果表明,...     

Body metal concentrations and glycogen reserves in earthworms (Dendrobaena octaedra) from contaminated and uncontaminated forest soil

Stress originating from toxicants such as heavy metals can induce compensatory changes in the energy metabolism of organisms due to increased energy expenses associated with detoxification and excretion processes. These energy expenses may be reflected in the available energy reserves such as glycogen. In a field study the earthworm, Dendrobaena octaedra, was collected from polluted areas, and from unpolluted reference areas. If present in the environment, cadmium, lead and copper accumulated to high concentrations in D. octaedra. In contrast, other toxic metals such as aluminium, nickel and zinc appeared to be regulated and kept at low internal concentrations compared to soil concentrations. Lead, cadmium and copper accumulation did not correlate with glycogen reserves of individual worms. In contrast, aluminium, nickel and zinc were negatively correlated with glycogen reserves. These results suggest that coping with different metals in earthworms is associated with differential energy demands depending on the associated detoxification strategy.     

Energy crops on landfills: functional,environmental, and costs analysis of different landfill configurations

The cultivation of energy crops on landfills represents an important challenge for the near future, as the possibility to use devalued sites for energy production is very attractive. In this study, four scenarios have been assessed and compared with respect to a reference case defined for northern Italy. The scenarios were defined taking into consideration current energy crops issues. In particular, the first three scenarios were based on energy maximisation, phytotreatment ability, and environmental impact, respectively. The fourth scenario was a combination of these characteristics emphasised by the previous scenarios. A multi-criteria analysis, based on economic, energetic, and environmental aspects, was performed. From the analysis, the best scenario resulted to be the fourth, with its ability to pursue several objectives simultaneously and obtain the best score relatively to both environmental and energetic criteria. On the contrary, the economic criterion emerges as weak, as all the considered scenarios showed some limits from this point of view. Important indications for future designs can be derived. The decrease of leachate production due to the presence of energy crops on the top cover, which enhances evapotranspiration, represents a favourable but critical aspect in the definition of the results.     

对氨基苯磺酸降解菌的分离及其特性研究

从温州地区受污染的河水中分离到一株能降解对氨基苯磺酸的菌株WZR-3，该菌株能以对氨基苯磺酸为惟一碳源、能源生长。经对其形态特征、生理生化以及16S rDNA序列分析，该菌株初步鉴定为人苍白杆菌(Ochrobactrum anthropi)。该菌株利用对氨基苯磺酸生长时最适生长温度和pH值分别为30℃和7。该菌在10 g/L对氨基苯磺酸时仍能生长，最适生长浓度为300 mg/L对氨基苯磺酸。降解底物广谱性测试表明，该菌株还能降解多种芳香类化合物。     

以粉煤灰和电石渣为催化剂的聚丙烯裂解模型研究

对粉煤灰和电石渣为催化剂的聚丙烯裂解进行模型研究.通过模型计算了裂解反应的表观活化能、频率因子、反应级数等.模型计算表明随着反应温度的升高反应速率增加,达到相同转化率所需反应时间减少.当剂塑比从0增加到30%时,聚丙烯裂解的活化能呈现降低的趋势,特别当剂塑比为30%时,其活化能降低约50%.说明粉煤灰和电石渣对聚丙烯裂解具有一定的催化效果.     

Sustainable household consumption and quality of life: the acceptability of sustainable consumption patterns and consumer policy strategies

A multidisciplinary computer-based field study among 393 Dutch households examined how people judge the 'social' sustainability (quality-of-life effects) of 'environmentally' sustainable household consumption patterns (less energy-use demanding) and associated policy options. The study revealed that about two-thirds of the households had to reduce their direct and indirect energy use within the next five years in order to move towards environmentally sustainable consumption patterns. The least sustainable consumption patterns were found among high-income groups and young couples. Overall, respondents did not believe that their quality of life will be affected as long as the necessary reduction of energy use stays below 30 gigajoules (24% of their total household energy use). Moreover, respondents were willing to accept almost all energy-saving policy measures. However, respondents did appear to be more willing to pay for sustaining their comfort, freedom and pleasure while reducing the environmental impact of their consumption than they were to give up some of their quality of life.     

Life Cycle Analyses and Resource Assessments

Prof. Ulgiati stresses that we should always use an ecosystem view when transforming energy from one form to another. Sustainable growth and development of both environmental and human-dominated systems require optimum use of available resources for maximum power output. We have to adapt to the laws of nature because nature has to take care of all the waste products we produce. The presentation addresses a much needed shift away from linear production and consumption pattern, toward reorganization of economies and lifestyle that takes complexity—of resources, of the environment and of the economy—into proper account. The best way to reach maximum yield from the different kinds of biomass is to use biorefineries. Biorefinery is defined as the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of marketable products like heat, power, fuels, chemicals, food, feed, and materials. However, biomass from agricultural land must be used for the production of food and not fuel. Prof. Voss focuses on the sustainability of energy supply chains and energy systems. Life cycle analyses (LCA) provides the conceptual framework for a comprehensive comparative evaluation of energy supply options with regard to their resource requirements as well as the health and environmental impact. Full scope LCA considers not only the emissions from plant operation, construction, and decommissioning but also the environmental burdens and resource requirements associated with the entire lifetime of all relevant upstream and downstream processes within the energy chain. This article describes the results of LCA analyses for state-of-the-art heating and electricity systems as well as of advanced future systems. Total costs are used as a measure for the overall resource consumption.     

High-rate biodegradation of 3- and 4-nitroaniline

A municipal wastewater biosludge was acclimated to the degradation of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA). The acclimation was achieved by using this compound as the sole source of nitrogen during the degradation of succinate as the sole source of carbon and energy. The acclimated bacteria were able to eliminate and mineralize 4-NA as the sole source of carbon and energy. However, in batch tests, the degradation process was somewhat instable and only occurred at comparatively low rates. A continuously operated miniaturized fixed-bed bioreactor was used in order to increase the degradation rates. It was inoculated with the acclimated bacteria and fed with 4-NA as the sole substrate. The system enabled high bioconversion efficiency, due to the development of a high biomass concentration of up to 5.45 g SS L-1. At input concentrations of 4-NA up to 4.5 mM and a hydraulic retention time of 3.5 hours a high degradation rate of 1.1 mmol 4-NA L-1 h-1 and 90 ... 95% DOC removal were achieved. Partial nitrification, also occurred. After gradual adaptation, the bacteria also degraded 3-NA and 4-NA simultaneously in this system. Additional batch tests showed, that 3-NA can serve as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy.     

Potential of hexadecane-utilizing soil-microorganisms for growth on hexadecanol, hexadecanal and hexadecanoic acid as sole sources of carbon and energy

Bacteria and fungi in pristine and oily desert soil samples were counted on inorganic medium aliquots containing 0.5% hexadecane, hexadecanol, hexadecanal or hexadecanoic acid, as sole sources of carbon and energy. It was found that the carbon and energy source most commonly utilized by soil bacteria was the alkane n-hexadecane, and by soil fungi hexadecanoic acid. Representative microorganisms were isolated and identified. The most predominant bacteria in all soil samples belonged to the genera Micrococcus and Pseudomonas; less dominant bacteria belonged to the group of nocardioforms. The most frequent fungal genera were Aspergillus and Penicillium, while Microsporium and Ulocladium were minor fungi. Irrespective of the substrate on which the microbial strains had initially been isolated, the majority of the isolated microorganisms could grow, albeit to a varying degree, on an inorganic medium containing any of the remaining three substrates as sole carbon and energy sources. Bacterial strains preferred the alkane as a carbon and energy source over any of its oxidation products, while fungal strains preferred to grow mainly on the fatty acids. Quantitative analysis by gas liquid chromatography revealed that the predominant bacterial and fungal isolates had a potential for the attenuation of the alkane and its immediate oxidation products in the medium. In view of the continuous release of hydrocarbon oxidation products by oil-utilizing microorganisms in oily environments, it is interesting that the indigenous microflora contribute to the uptake and utilization of all such intermediate compounds, thus, having a potential for efficient self-cleaning and bioremediation of oily soils.     

Do drivers of renewable energy consumption matter for BRICS economies? Nexus among technological innovation,environmental degradation,economic growth,and income inequality

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In light of increasing concerns about climate change and energy security, renewable energy has been seen as the most promising solution to fulfil...