Exploring innovation in the automotive industry: new technologies for cleaner cars

The concept of innovation has been used in a wide range of contexts and the theoretical development has proven to be extremely valuable to provide important insights into intra-market competition, strategy and regulatory policy. The automotive industry offers a fertile terrain for progress of the uncompleted theory building process of innovation, especially with the introduction of alternative fuels and alternative powertrain technologies.This paper investigates the concept of innovation in the context of the modern automotive industry, by focusing on the notion of regulatory innovation of alternative fuels and alternative powertrain technologies. For the purpose of analysing this issue, special attention is given to the concepts of radical and incremental innovation, which are applied to existing alternative fuels and alternative powertrain technologies, including hybrids, biofuels and hydrogen power. The article explores these three categories looking at representative case studies: the Brazilian ethanol experience with biofuels, the development of the Toyota hybrid vehicle and the technological development of hydrogen fuel cells. These categories have been selected because they represent the most important advances in cleaner production for the automotive industry.     

Product service systems in the automobile industry: contribution to system innovation?

This article investigates the actual and potential contribution that product service systems (PSSs) can make in moving beyond incremental technological improvements towards a focus on behavioural changes and system innovation in the automobile industry. It begins by discussing the means by which existing and planned PSS initiatives can be evaluated in terms of their contribution towards innovation at the system level in the automotive industry. Building on and expanding earlier work, it is suggested that they should be assessed against an expanded set of five key evaluative criteria including: evidence of ‘higher-order’ learning amongst stakeholders; changes in infrastructure and institutional practice; changes in vehicle design, manufacture and end-of-life management; changes in vehicle ownership structure; and changes in modes of producer–user interactions. Following this discussion, the article provides a structured overview of some current and planned PSS initiatives at the empirical level in the automotive industry. The identified initiatives are then assessed against the key evaluative criteria in an effort to reveal their actual or potential contribution to meeting the sustainability challenges of the automotive industry. Based on this exercise, it is argued that since most current initiatives do not unify these key elements of a PSS in a single coherent system they do not constitute ‘complete’ versions of PSS, and therefore, fail to deliver the full range of envisaged benefits in contributing towards system innovation. The article concludes by outlining some key areas for future research into potential strategies to address such challenges.     

Climate change and transdisciplinary science: Problematizing the integration imperative

In this article we critically examine the ‘integration imperative’ in transdisciplinary environmental science and build on social constructivist and political theories to suggest alternative approaches of knowledge co-production in transdisciplinary settings. Our argument builds upon a body of literature in social studies of science to cull insights about knowledge co-production, social learning, and the ecology of team science, particularly as it relates to climate change adaptation. Couched in this transdisciplinary literature, we demonstrate, is the assumption that integration necessarily can and should be a regulative ideal. We critique this assumption by examining the ‘messy’ politics of achieving consensus among radically different, and sometimes irreconcilable, ways of knowing. We argue that the integration imperative conceals the friction, antagonism, and power inherent in knowledge co-production, which in turn can exclude innovative and experimental ways of understanding and adapting to climate change. By way of conclusion, the final section explores three alternative models of knowledge co-production – triangulation, the multiple evidence-based approach, and scenario building – and illustrates their application in the context of transdisciplinary research in climate change adaptation in the arctic, focusing on alternative means of cross-boundary engagement with indigenous ways of knowing.     

汽车产品回收利用技术及商业循环模式的实现

探讨了汽车产品回收利用技术实现的方案。实现汽车的全生命周期,需要经过汽车整车拆解、汽车零部件分类以及汽车零部件再制造或资源化回收这三大步骤,并对这三项内容加以具体阐述。结合现行报废汽车产业政策,提出了一种实现汽车产品回收的商业循环模式。说明了汽车产品回收再制造信息管理系统的重要性,并介绍了其六项功能。     

喷漆房循环水处理系统维护与管理

介绍了汽车涂装过程喷漆房典型的循环水处理系统,比较各种不同的油漆凝聚产品特性,总结了油漆凝聚产品的使用特点,也对循环水系统的维护,循环水的监测与管理过程中的细节等进行了阐述。在维护和管理过程中,首先需要选择合适的油漆凝聚产品,其次需要根据具体的情况正确地使用油漆凝聚产品,特别是要注意根据漆渣和循环水状态进行相应调整,及时完成喷漆房和循环系统的维护和清理工作。这样才能保证水的循环使用,实现喷房系统的正常运行。     

Correction to: Globally regional life cycle analysis of automotive lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt batteries

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - The article Globally regional life cycle analysis of automotive lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt batteries written by Jarod C. Kelly,...     

The roles of cleaner production in the sustainable development of modern societies: an introduction to this special issue

This issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production is based upon papers presented at the 1st International Workshop Advances in Cleaner Production (CP) held in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2007. The conference had the short-term purpose of deepening the Brazilian discussion on “The Roles of Cleaner Production in the Sustainable Development of Modern Societies”, and it had the long-term objective of providing an on-going interdisciplinary forum for knowledge development and exchange on Cleaner Production (CP) and Sustainable Development. This issue is devoted to papers covering a broad range of perspectives of CP practices and strategies. A special focus is placed upon methodological tools designed to support effective decision-making pertaining to quantitative benefits from CP.The ten papers provide insights from research designed to holistically integrate CP to help society make effective progress to sustainability. Papers cover the importance of informal knowledge, as complementary to formal knowledge, in performing effective ‘Environmental Impact Assessments.’ One paper explores the roles of radical and incremental innovation in the context of alternative automotive technologies. Benefits of Ecodesign are explored in two papers; one concerning its integration with remanufacturing to extend the life of used products and one focusing the adoption of ‘Emergy Environmental Accounting,’ as a complementary decision-making tool. The development of the Brazilian LCI database for ‘hydroelectric power generation’ and its contribution to support regionally relevant LCA studies is highlighted in one paper. The complete production chains of biodiesel and bioethanol are evaluated by using global methodologies, which help in the development of more objective and effective solutions. A “compensatory area”, calculated in terms of emergy, is proposed in order to work in a sustainable way for bamboo production. Finally, a paper about a novel approach for recycling used PET is also included.     

Life cycle analysis and choice of natural gas-based automotive alternative fuels in Chongqing Municipality,China

Road transport produces significant amounts of emissions by using crude oil as the primary energy source. A reduction of emissions can be achieved by implementing alternative fuel chains. The objective of this study is to carry out an economic, environmental and energy (EEE) life cycle study on natural gas-based automotive fuels with conventional gasoline in an abundant region of China. A set of indices of four fuels/vehicle systems on the basis of life cycle are assessed in terms of impact of EEE, in which natural gas produces compressed natural gas (CNG), methanol, dimethylether (DME) and Fischer Tropsch diesel (FTD). The study included fuel production, vehicle production, vehicle operation, infrastructure and vehicle end of life as a system for each fuel/vehicle system. A generic gasoline fueled car is used as a baseline. Data have been reviewed and modified based on the best knowledge available to Chongqing local sources. Results indicated that when we could not change electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into commercial vehicles on a large scale, direct use of CNG in a dedicated or bi-fuel vehicle is an economical choice for the region which is most energy efficient and more environmental friendly. The study can be used to support decisions on how natural gas resources can best be utilized as a fuel/energy resource for automobiles, and what issues need to be resolved in Chongqing. The models and approaches for this study can be applied to other regions of China as long as all the assumptions are well defined and modified to find a substitute automotive energy source and establish an energy policy in a specific region.     

The role of academia in regional sustainability initiatives: Wales

This paper demonstrates the relative non-engagement of universities in regional sustainability initiatives through a case study of Cardiff University in Wales. It is argued that the turbulent and often complicated political and administrative context along with divergent goals and performance targets means that synergies are less readily achieved. A case study of automotive industry alternative technology new cluster development is given to illustrate the arguments. In so doing, the paper presents the view that we need to move beyond mere optimism in order to address fundamental underlying issues.     

Stepwise superposition approximation approach for analytical solutions with non-zero initial concentration using existing solutions of zero initial concentration in contaminate transport

Analytical solutions for contaminant transport are widely used for both theoretical and practical purposes. However, many existing solutions are obtained subject to an initial condition of zero concentration, which is often unrealistic in many practical cases. This article proposed a stepwise superposition approximation approach to solve the non-zero initial concentration problem for first-type and third-type boundary conditions by using the existing zero initial concentration solution. Theoretical examples showed that the approach was highly efficient if a proper superposition scheme with relative concentration increments was constructed. The key parameter that controlled the convergence speed was the time increment (Δt) multiplied by the rate constant ( ). The approach served also as an alternative way to make a convenient concentration calculation even if the non-zero initial concentration solution of a problem was known.     

Ecodesign of automotive components making use of natural jute fiber composites

Nowadays, the world faces unprecedented challenges in social, environmental and economical dimensions, in which the industrial design has showed an important contribution with solutions that provide positive answers regarding these problems. In particular, due to its relevance, the automotive industry confronts a moment of crises, and based on the ecodesign of products it has been transforming the challenges in opportunities. In this context, the use of natural fiber composites, produced in developing countries, have presented several social, environmental and economical advantages to design “green” automotive components. Thus, this work through LCA method demonstrates the possibility to use natural fibers through a case study design which investigates the environmental improvements related to the replacement of glass fibers for natural jute fibers, to produce a structural frontal bonnet of an off-road vehicle (Buggy). Results pointed out the advantages of applying jute fiber composites in Buggy enclosures.     

Do integration difficulties influence management system integration levels?

The objective of this article is to empirically analyse whether there is a relationship between the difficulties found in the integration process and the level of system integration achieved.A sample of 362 organisations registered, at least, to both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004, is examined. Structural equation modelling is applied to their responses to a mailed survey. Two different groups are studied depending on the number of management systems implemented: two systems for the first group and three for the second.The results demonstrate that organisations with three implemented management systems face difficulties in the integration process that affect the level of integration, while this relationship is not significant for those organisations with two management systems.This paper is one of the first studies focussing on integration difficulties and their effect on the level of integration achieved.     

Alternative future environmental regulatory approaches for petroleum refineries

Recently, many industrial, regulatory, and community leaders have expressed concern that the current environmental regulatory structure disregards multimedia environmental impacts, provides few incentives to develop and use new technologies, and fails to consider site-specific conditions. For the US petroleum refining industry, faced with the need to produce higher-quality fuels from poorer-quality feedstocks, such criticisms are expected to increase. This article offers two alternative environmental regulatory approaches for existing petroleum refineries to use in the future. These alternative approaches are multimedia in scope, provide for new technology development and use, and allow flexibility in the means for meeting environmental goals. They have been reviewed and critiqued by various stakeholders, including industry representatives, regulators, and local and national community and environmental organizations. The integration of stakeholder comments and findings of ongoing national and international regulatory reinvention efforts in the development of these approaches positions them for potential use by other industries in addition to petroleum refineries.     

New CHP partnerships offering balancing of fluctuating renewable electricity productions

Combined heat and power (CHP) as well as intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) are key elements in future cleaner electricity production systems. This article presents solutions which will integrate fluctuating renewable electricity supplies, such as wind power, into electricity systems using small and medium-sized combined heat and power plants (CHP). Such solutions call for a new organisational setup of partnerships and software tools. The software tools will allow the new partnerships to offer services which are currently only offered by big power plants to electricity markets. The article presents recent results of the development and implementation of such partnerships and focuses on the methodologies and computer tools necessary in order to allow the partnerships to optimise their behaviour on the market. The use of such tools and methodologies makes groups of small CHP plants able to replace large power stations and, at the same time, allows for the integration of a higher share of RES in the electricity supply, resulting in a decrease in both fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.     

生命周期方法在天然气基汽车燃料评价中的运用

运用生命周期评价方法,对以天然气为原料生产压缩天然气、甲醇、二甲醚、柴油4种汽车代用燃料系统进行生命周期的能源、环境和经济评价,评价结果是：压缩天然气系统生命周期内的能耗相对少,总成本相对低,对生态环境更友好,压缩天然气是富含天然气地区一段时期内汽车代用燃料的优先选择．     

外军装备维修及对我军弹药维修的启示

首先介绍了外军装备维修的现状和发展趋势,之后指出了我军弹药维修存在的问题,最后得出对我军弹药维修保障发展的启示。认为我军弹药维修保障应向军民一体化方向发展,开展全寿命保障,提高保障信息化水平,进行弹药两级维修体制的论证,并倡导绿色维修的新理念。     

浅谈汽车尾气与人体健康

在介绍汽车尾气的组成以及污染现状,同时阐述了汽车尾气对儿童和成年人的危害,并结合国内外的研究状况将汽车尾气对人体的危害作了总结和展望.     

Initiating automotive component reuse in Malaysia

As the production of local vehicles increases, the impact of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) wastes to the environment will also increase. ELVs recovery including reuse, remanufacture, and recycle apparently become a strategy in solving this environmental problem. This study identifies the existing conditions of automotive reuse in Malaysia by conducting some interviews in selected local automotive and automotive component manufacturers. Results from the interviews indicated that reuse of automotive components in newly manufactured vehicles has never been practiced by the selected companies. However, there is interest among respondents in developing automotive components for after-market reuse. Some strategies were proposed in this study to initiate automotive components reuse in the local automotive manufacturers including the establishment of the end-of-life directive, enhance research and development on design for reuse and increase reusability and economic benefits of reuse.     

On vortex loops and filaments: three examples of numerical predictions of flows containing vortices

Vortex motion plays a dominant role in many flow problems. This article aims at demonstrating some of the characteristic features of vortices with the aid of numerical solutions of the governing equations of fluid mechanics, the Navier-Stokes equations. Their discretized forms will first be reviewed briefly. Thereafter three problems of fluid flow involving vortex loops and filaments are discussed. In the first, the time-dependent motion and the mutual interaction of two colliding vortex rings are discussed, predicted in good agreement with experimental observations. The second example shows how vortex rings are generated, move, and interact with each other during the suction stroke in the cylinder of an automotive engine. The numerical results, validated with experimental data, suggest that vortex rings can be used to influence the spreading of the fuel droplets prior to ignition and reduce the fuel consumption. In the third example, it is shown that vortices can also occur in aerodynamic flows over delta wings at angle of attack as well as pipe flows: of particular interest for technical applications of these flows is the situation in which the vortex cores are destroyed, usually referred to as vortex breakdown or bursting. Although reliable breakdown criteria could not be established as yet, the numerical predictions obtained so far are found to agree well with the few experimental data available in the recent literature.     

A Life Cycle Engineering model for technology selection: a case study on plastic injection moulds for low production volumes

The selection of the most appropriated technological solution to produce a certain mould able to competitively produce parts in polymeric materials is a multi-disciplinary activity, which integrates different knowledge fields and professional domains. The selection decision should capture not only the technical performance required for the mould to produce the final part in the expected quantities and intended quality, but also the economic issues and environmental impacts originated all along the mould life cycle. In this paper a Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) model is proposed to support the selection of alternative technological solutions through the integration of these three analysis dimensions underlined by the LCE approach. The model proposed has the novelty of integrating the three dimensions through the use of easy-to-read ternary diagrams allowing the identification of the “best domains” of each technological alternative. With the integrated analysis, the present model fosters the global comparison of alternatives according to different business scenarios and corporate strategies, supporting an informed decision-making process. The model was applied to a case study aiming the production of very small production volumes of polymeric parts. Two candidate technologies were evaluated: one involving a mould made of a spray metal shell backfilled with resin and aluminium powder and another based on the machining of aluminium.