Bio-Energy Systems at the Community Level in the South Pacific: Impacts & Monitoring

Read, Sims and Adams (2001) detailed a case study for bio-energy implementation in a notional small Pacific Island and elaborated a theoretical model for assessing and simulating the socio-economic impacts of a particular bio-energy system designed to produce an exportable liquid fuel along with rural electricity supplies. An important conclusion was that there is no silver-bullet ‘one size fits all’ bio-energy system suited to all situations. Moreover, a system appropriate at one place and time may become obsolete with exogenous technological advance and/or as a community advances down its own development pathway. In order to understand how these issues interact in practice, a selected set of implementation projects is reviewed highlighting scale, capacity, community, technology, governmental policy and the concept of critical mass, as factors that are central to the successful development of the bioenergy sector. Through this evaluation, it is shown that: 1.A significant biomass supply resource base often exists locally in the form of agricultural and forestry residues on which modern bioenergy programmes could be initiated. The use of biomass energy flow charts are an important tool for evaluating the potential of local and national resources. 2. Without an integrated multi-disciplinary, multi-sector and whole-systems approach to the implementation of bioenergy schemes, long term success is likely to remain elusive. 3. There is a requirement at the national level for a coordinated approach with strong policy signals that overcome perverse and practical obstacles.     

A hierarchical end-of-life decision model for determining the economic levels of remanufacturing and disassembly under environmental regulations

Remanufacturing, in contrast to material recycling and disposal, can reduce environmental impacts by retaining the geometrical form of the product, thereby regarded as a more eco-efficient approach. In this paper, an end-of-life (EOL) decision model for remanufacturing options is presented to facilitate remanufacturing. The proposed model, in order to maximize the economic value of remanufacturing options while meeting environmental regulations, takes an integrative approach to EOL-option decision-making. Also presented in this paper is a hierarchical approach that represents both the overall hierarchical structure of a product and the interconnections among components. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model.     

河段水质压力目标管理模式的概念与方法

目前我国主流的流域水质目标管理模式中,在河段污染责任认定方面普遍存在难以界定上下游之间各自责任的问题,为此提出了一种基于河段水质压力概念的河流水质管理新模式.以水质压力为基础,配套建立了包括水质压力目标、水质压力纯水当量、水质压力偿罚金等在内的一系列相关概念及其设定与计量方法,完成对各河段的责任认定,并实现以河段处罚金与补偿金为调控手段的流域水质管理运行机制.结果表明,该管理模式有助于增强水质污染处罚与水质生态补偿的区域公平性和针对性,其中的概念和方法可作为现行河流水污染控制方法体系的一种改进性补充,同时能为流域生态补偿标准的确定提供一定借鉴.     

A process systems approach to life cycle inventories for minerals: South African and Australian case studies

In this paper, we present a process synthesis approach to the development of Life Cycle Inventories (LCIs) for production of minerals from primary ore bodies, based on a heuristics-driven flowsheeting methodology. Technologies are specified to a level of detail consistent with information availability and mass balance closure. This approach enables the creation of flowsheets for all minerals processing activities using a “cradle-to-gate” system boundary, from which it is possible to generate LCIs using accepted practices for the mapping of resource flows and emissions onto a profile of environmental burdens. In this work, LCIs are presented only for the foreground system (i.e. the flows from background systems, such as electricity generation, are documented but their environmental burden profile is not included in the LCIs reported). This method allows for the detailing of these inventories on a commodity, sector, or geographic (regional) basis. The approach has been demonstrated for all sub-sectors of the Australian and the South African minerals processing industries. A case study of the gold sub-sector in each region is presented in some detail, in order to highlight the key features of the approach and the usefulness of the LCI profiles generated. The potential for this approach to support comparative technology assessment and sub-sectoral performance is demonstrated for the copper sub-sector. Some indication of the value of the approach to assist in company benchmarking is presented. The performance of all key sectors, namely coal, gold, non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, uranium, platinum group metals and mineral sands, though not detailed here, is available on our on-line data-base.¹. This information is used to develop an aggregated picture of minerals LCIs for the minerals processing activity in Australian and South Africa.     

Regional air quality prediction models using the knowledge-based system approach

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Environmental performance evaluation of agro-industrial innovations – part 1: Ambitec-Life Cycle,a methodological approach for considering life cycle thinking

As sustainability considerations increasingly dominate the technology development debate worldwide, practical approaches to assess environmental performance of innovations have been warranted. The present study (Part 1) introduces Ambitec-Life Cycle, a method derived from Ambitec-Agro for considering life cycle thinking in the environmental performance evaluation (EPE) of agro-industrial innovations. An agro-industrial innovation case study related to residue recycling is presented, revealing steps in the product life cycle where opportunities are best for technological improvements. In Part 2 (this issue) of this study, a methodological approach for considering the environmental vulnerability of watersheds and to integrate this analysis in EPE methods is presented. This approach is applied to Ambitec-Life Cycle and to the same residue case study, allowing the identification of performance indicators with greater potential to cause impacts at the studied watersheds.     

Improving sustainability through effective reuse of product returns: minimizing waste in a batch blending process environment

A case study of a successful reuse program in a batch blending production environment is presented. This program involves not only addressing the company's own potential waste, but also working with distributors and customers to take back and reuse product, thus eliminating the customers' burden of disposal. Implications of the program for downstream supply chain partners are identified and a structured approach for implementation is presented. Modification for use in similar production environments is possible, enhancing sustainability, while providing environmental as well as economic benefits.     

Cryogenic Machining of Tantalum

A new approach for the machining of tantalum is presented. The new approach is a combination of traditional turning and cryogenically enhanced machining (CEM). In the tests, CEM was used to reduce the temperature at the cutting tool/workpiece interface, and thus reduce the temperature-dependent tool wear to prolong cutting tool life. The new method resulted in a reduction of surface roughness of the tantalum workpiece by 200% and a decrease of cutting forces by approximately 60% in experiments. Moreover, cutting tool life was extended up to 300% over that in the conventional machining.     

煤矿区煤尘污染预测研究

煤矿区煤尘污染的预测 ,目前主要采用类比和风洞试验两种方法。第一种方法简便、费用低、省时 ,但结果可靠性差 ,不符合高精度大项目的要求 ;第二种方法精度可靠 ,能满足高精度的要求 ,但是费用高 ,时间长 ,对精度要求不高的中小型项目来说也没有这个必要。为此 ,利用煤田地质勘探资料—煤层筛分结果来预测煤尘对矿区环境的污染。     

基于CBR的注塑模结构智能设计系统研究

通过对基于事例推理 (CBR)技术及注塑模设计过程的分析 ,得出将CBR思想应用到注塑模结构设计中的可行性和必要性 ,提出了一个基于事例的注塑模结构智能设计系统的总体结构 ,并分析了关键技术的实现方法     

Every product casts a shadow: but can we see it,and can we act on it?

This article presents a conceptual exploration of the use of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) in environmental product policy. Environmental LCA is a scientific technique for evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a product, process or activity along its physical life cycle, i.e. from raw materials extraction to the disposal of released materials to nature. The utilization of LCA in environmental policy is evaluated here with the use of concepts from the research tradition of social studies of science and technology (SST). Three different ways of using LCA are identified: a definitive approach, a conceptual approach and a facilitative approach. Examples of each approach are presented and discussed. The strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches are analyzed, leading to the tentative conclusion that LCA works better as a conceptual or facilitative instrument than as a tool for gaining definitive support for specific policies. Finally, LCA is discussed as an illustration of the problems inherent in the current cause-oriented, integrative trend in environmental policy.     

上海市固体废弃物的产生源现状分析

从排污行业、单位类别，经济类型和企业规模上对目前上海市危险废物、一般废物和其他废物的现状进行综述，并初步探讨了固体废弃物的资源潜力和管理技术。     

基于温度循环的ALT技术在电子产品中的应用

为了缩短ALT试验时间,从而提高其工程适用性,提出了一种针对电子产品,基于温度循环的加速寿命试验方法。该方法通过分析产品的失效模式确定激发应力,根据相似产品的历史经验数据建立现场使用年数与研制阶段试验时间之间的回归关系,选择加速因子,从而确定试验时间和试验剖面;这种方法可以在比常规ALT更短的时间内考查产品研制阶段可靠性水平,利用x2分布评估产品的可靠性指标平均寿命θ。最后,以电源产品的工程实例验证了其工程实用性。     

基于D-S证据理论的可靠性强化试验的综合评价

针对可靠性强化试验的各个试验项目对产品的可靠性影响的综合评价问题,应用D-S证据理论对其试验效果进行评价。介绍了D-S证据理论的基本概念及D-S证据融合准则,并针对RET给出应用D-S证据理论对其进行评价的方法。该方法首先针对RET对产品可靠性影响的各个可能性结果构造识别框架;其次,将RET中的每个试验项目视为一个证据,建立相应的证据体;最后,使用D-S证据融合规则对各个证据进行融合。结果表明,针对RET采用D-S证据理论进行评价有助于将多个证据有机地融合在一起,有利于提高评价的准确性,降低不确定度。     

Approaches to correct for double counting in tiered hybrid life cycle inventories

This paper presents an approach for inventory compilation and adjustment of double counting in tiered hybrid life cycle inventories (LCIs). The combination of input–output and physical inventory data on coefficient level is a convenient way of constructing a hybrid LCI that has both good detail and completeness. The proposed approach formalizes how to deal with partially overlapping data in inventory compilation. This particular approach requires that the issue of double counting is resolved in a consistent manner. Algorithms for identifying and adjusting for double counting are developed. Identification is performed based on a structural path analysis (SPA). Two algorithms for adjustment are presented. The first method is relatively simple to implement but has limitations to its applicability when performing a detailed assessment. The second method is more complex to implement but provides results that allow for more comprehensive structural inventory analysis. Numerical examples are provided in Appendix.     

国外固定源VOCs排放控制法规与标准研究

对美国、欧盟、日本的固定源VOCs排放控制法规和标准进行了研究,提出了我国VOCs排放控制及其标准制订建议.笔者认为,应从健全VOCs排放标准体系、创新VOCs排放控制思路、提高VOCs排放控制效率、统一VOCs监测考核方法几方面入手,借鉴国外成功的环境管理思路和经验,以及相应法规、标准要求,走出一条适合我国的简便高效的VOCs控制之路.     

上海南北高架道路设置防噪声屏的探讨

在上海市区南北高架与地面道路建设期间，选择了一些典型的高架路段，开发和设置了弧型与直立型两种可翻转式噪声屏，并作了对比噪声测试，进行了声环境的分析，探讨。     

环境质量评价中的灰色贴近度分析

以灰色理论为基础，提出了共斜率灰色贴近度分析法，并将其应用于水环境质量评价之中．经实例分析，得出了较为客观、合理的评价结果     

朗伯表面材料实现地面目标雷达隐身的可行性分析

将描述光学漫散射现象的朗伯体概念和分析方法应用在兵器目标的雷达散射截面积计算上．通过对朗伯表面的散射强度计算和实例模拟分析．提出了利用散射一吸收型材料构造朗伯表面实现地面兵器目标雷达波隐身的一条新途径。     

GIS在环境健康信息学中的应用

环境与健康研究已经由传统的疾病控制转变为对福利、生活质量、人体体能状态与环境关系的全面探讨.环境健康信息学是环境与健康研究的新学科.本文回顾了环境健康信息学的建立与发展,系统总结了其特点和主要应用领域、关键技术,提出了环境与健康研究发展的新方向.