Chemical leasing: cooperative business models for sustainable chemicals management. Summary of research projects commissioned by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management

- Sustainable chemistry - Section editors: Klaus Günter Steinhäuser, Steffi Richter, Petra Greiner, Jutta Penning, Michael AngrickBackground, Aim and Scope Chemicals play a vital role in the day-to-day life of industrialised societies. Their use is not restricted to the chemical enterprises per se, but is a crucial part of production processes in a lot of industrial sectors. Traditional instruments of environmental policy (such as bans, restrictions) can only deal with the most hazardous substances. The Johannesburg Implementation Plan of 2002 calls for more sustainable patterns of production and consumption, and sets the year of 2020 as a goal to use chemicals in a way that human health and the environment are not endangered. Political instruments should not only gather more knowledge about the properties of chemicals, but should also stimulate the environmentally sound use of chemicals. Existing business models should therefore be reviewed in relation to this strategic approach to encourage marketing options with respect to the environmental focus.Main Features Business models were examined for their effects on the consumption of chemicals and amount of waste emissions in relation to their economic potential. Different possibilities for cooperation of supplier, user and disposal companies were elaborated and examined with a view to the specific situation in Austria.Results and Discussion A range of cooperative models – summarised under the term ‘chemical leasing’ - was identified, which can contribute to a more efficient use of resources. 12 main possible application areas (cleaning, lubrication, paint stripping and others) have been identified in Austria. If chemical leasing models were applied in these areas, the amounts of chemicals currently used could be reduced by one third (53,000 tonnes per year). Cost reductions of up to 15 % can be expected.Conclusion The application of chemical leasing models can contribute considerably to achieving more sustainable and resource-efficient patterns of production. The Austrian Ministry for Environment has therefore decided to subsidise the further practical implementation of these new service-oriented business models. Pilot projects in 4 enterprises, which are supervised by consulting companies, are currently being carried out. Recommendation and Outlook The experiences of the pilot projects will serve as valuable building blocks for the wider use of chemical leasing models. Furthermore, the UNIDO Cleaner Production Centres have expressed their clear interest and will examine the possibility to use chemical leasing as a part of their Cleaner Production Programmes.     

The Application of Chemical Leasing Business Models in Mexico

- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2006.02.294 Background, Aim and Scope. To better address the requirements of the changing multilateral order, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Cleaner Production Programme, in 2004, developed the new Sustainable Industrial Resource Management (SIRM) approach. This approach is in accordance with the principles decided at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Unlike the traditional approaches to environmental management, the SIRM concept captures the idea of achieving sustainable industrial development through the implementation of circular material and energy flows in the entire production chain and reduction of the amount of material and energy used with greater efficiency solutions. The SIRM approach seeks to develop new models to encourage a shift from selling products to supplying services, modifying, in this manner, the supplier/user relationship and resulting in a win-win situation for the economy and the environment. Chemical Leasing represents such a new service-oriented business model and is currently being promoted by UNIDO′s Cleaner Production Programme. Main Features. One of the potential approaches to address the problems related to ineffective use and over-consumption of chemicals is the development and implementation of Chemical Leasing business models. These provide concrete solutions to the effective management of chemicals and on the ways negative releases to the environment can be reduced. The Chemical Leasing approach is a strategy that addresses the obligations of the changing international chemicals policy by focusing on a more service-oriented strategy. Mexico is one of the countries that were selected for the implementation of UNIDO's demonstration project to promote Chemical Leasing models in the country. The target sector of this project is the chemical industry, which is expected to shift their traditional business concept towards a more service and value-added approach. This is being achieved through the development of company specific business models that implement the above-indicated Chemical Leasing concept with the support from the Mexican National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC). Results and Conclusions. The implementation of Chemical Leasing in Mexico has proven to be an efficient instrument in enhancing sustainable chemical management and significantly reducing emissions in Mexico. Several companies from the chemical industrial sector implement or agreed to implement chemical leasing business models. Based on the positive findings of the project, several Mexican companies started to negotiate contents of possible Chemical Leasing contracts with suitable business partners. The project further aimed at disseminating information on Chemical Leasing. It successfully attracted globally operating companies in the chemicals sector to explore possibilities to implement Chemical Leasing business models in Mexico. At the international level, the results of the UNIDO project were presented on 20TH September 2005 during a side event of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Preparation Conference in Vienna. Recommendations and Outlook. To facilitate the promotion and application of Chemical Leasing project at international level, UNIDO is currently developing a number of tools to standardize Chemical Leasing projects. These include, among others, Chemical leasing contract models; Chemical Leasing data base to find partners for chemical leasing; and guidelines to implement Chemical Leasing projects and work programmes.     

畜禽养殖业清洁生产的必要性及实施对策研究--以浙江省为例

集约化畜禽养殖业的发展在提高人民生活水平的同时也给环境带来了巨大的压力。清洁生产是基于污染预防的一种环境保护的战略措施,它体现了废弃物的减量化、资源化、无害化原则。实施畜禽养殖业清洁生产是保证畜禽养殖业健康可持续发展的根本途径。分析了畜禽养殖业实施清洁生产的必要性．并根据当前畜禽养殖业清洁生产进展中存在的问题,提出了相应的对策。     

The distribution of chlorpyrifos following a crack and crevice type application in the US EPA Indoor Air Quality Research House

A study was conducted in the US EPA Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Research House to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of chlorpyrifos following a professional crack and crevice application in the kitchen. Following the application, measurements were made in the kitchen, den and master bedroom over 21 days. Airborne concentrations were collected using both polyurethane foam (PUF) and the OSHA versatile sampler composed of XAD and PUF media located in tandem. Measured airborne concentrations were similar for the two samplers and were higher in the three rooms following the application. The highest measured concentrations were reached during the initial 24-h following application; concentrations subsequently declined over the 21-day study period to levels slightly above background. Spatial and temporal distributions onto surfaces were measured using 10-cm² rayon deposition coupons located on the floor. Sections were cut from existing carpet to determine the total extractable residues. Chlorpyrifos was measured from all matrixes in the kitchen, den and bedroom and the data shows the transport of airborne residues from the point of application to remote locations in the house. The findings are compared and discussed relative to another study conducted in which total release aerosols containing chlorpyrifos were activated in the IAQ research house and the resulting distributions evaluated. For both studies dose estimates were constructed for the exposure pathways using the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Estimation Model for pesticides.The United States Environmental Protection Agency has been mandated to examine children's exposure to environmental pollutants such as pesticides. This research specifically reduces uncertainties associated with estimating children's potential exposures to residentially applied pesticides and provides inputs to further evaluate and validate residential exposure models which might be used to reduce exposures and perform risk assessments.     

不同类型水产养殖对水环境影响的差异及清洁生产探讨

概述了水产养殖的发展现状，系统地介绍了不同类型水产养殖所产生的污染物在种类和数量上存在的差异，并对清洁生产在水产养殖中的应用进行了广泛的探讨。     

Integrated evaluation of aerogenic pollution by air-transported heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Mn and Cu) in the analysis of the main deposit media

The composition of the ambient air is constantly changing; therefore, the monitoring of ambient air quality to detect the changes caused by aerogenic pollutants makes the essential part of general environmental monitoring. To achieve more effective improvement of the ambient air quality, the Directive 2008/50/EC on ‘Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe’ was adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council. It informed the public and enterprises about a negative effect of pollution on humans, animals and plants, as well as about the need for monitoring aerogenic pollutants not only at the continuous monitoring stations but also by using indicator methods, i.e. by analysing natural deposit media. The problem of determining the relationship between the accumulation level of pollutants by a deposit medium and the level of air pollution and its risks is constantly growing in importance. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the response of the main four deposit media, i.e. snow cover, soil, pine bark and epigeic mosses, to the long-term pollution by aerogenic pollutants which can be observed in the area of oil refinery influence. Based on the quantitative expressions of the amounts of the accumulated pollutants in the deposit media, the territory of the oil refinery investigated in this paper has been referred to the areas of mild or moderate pollution.     

论清洁生产向工业生态学的转变

清洁生产为建立清洁的生产工艺和产品提供了理论基础和实践经验。但由于主要致力于具体的工业过程控制,不考虑工业系统间的相互连接,对于减缓整体的环境影响的作用不十分显著。以工业代谢、生命周期评价和生态工业园建设为研究方法,于９０年代兴起的工业生态学（生态循环）既清洁生产的扩展,也是产业界实现可持续发展的理论基础,也是新一轮产业革命的发展的具体行动计划。     

The Oxidation of Hydrocarbons on Simple Oxide Catalysts

A simple practical scheme for prediction and control of short duration air pollution maxima from a single source is demonstrated for a particular source-site geometry. The method makes use of a number of traditional semi-empirical atmospheric turbulence and diffusion relations in a different application. The concepts stressed in the current example are: (1) the incorporation of interactions of high frequency turbulence and low frequency meandering of the wind into a concentration forecast and (2) the use of source-site geometry to simplify the practical problem as much as possible.     

DBP,DOP清洁生产工艺及实施效果

针对增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二丁酯,邻苯二甲二辛酯的生产及废水治理现状,对生产过程的清洁生产审计及是提出清洁生产方案,并进行了实施,实施效果显著,污染物总量减少了８５％产品生产所需原材料有所下降,不仅具有环保效益,同时也有一定的经济效益。     

水葫芦与厨余垃圾混合好氧堆肥中氮素变化及对腐熟度的影响

通过采用间歇式好氧动态堆肥工艺,对厨余垃圾与添加水葫芦的厨余垃圾进行堆肥实验,探讨堆肥进程中全氮、氨基酸态氮、蛋白质的变化及对腐熟度的影响。结果表明,全氮含量在堆肥后期有所提高,分别由1.76%和2.23%提高到3.64%和2.67%;氨基酸态氮含量与微生物活性显著负相关;添加水葫芦使堆体温度提高,促进了蛋白质的快速降解;堆肥中N素是影响种子发芽的主要因素;添加水葫芦能够促进堆肥的腐熟。     

Practical Applications of Stacks to Minimize Pollution Problems

“Rules of thumb” for stack design have been developed for use on problems where extensive studies cannot be justified or where quantitative design data are unavailable. The application of these rules to a practical stack design problem is discussed. The IBM 704 computer has been used for rapid yet rigorous stack design studies. The computer procedures for design are discussed and its application to a practical problem is described in detail.     

City breathability and its link to pollutant concentration distribution within urban-like geometries

This paper is devoted to the study of pollutant concentration distribution within urban-like geometries. By applying efficiency concepts originally developed for indoor environments, the term ventilation is used as a measure of city “breathability”. It can be applied to analyse pollutant removal within a city in operational contexts. This implies the evaluation of the bulk flow balance over the city and of the mean age of air. The influence of building packing density on flow and pollutant removal is, therefore, evaluated using those quantities. Idealized cities of regular cubical buildings were created with packing density ranging from 6.25% to 69% to represent configurations from urban sprawl to compact cities. The relative simplicity of these arrangements allowed us to apply the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) flow and dispersion simulations using the standard k–? turbulence model. Results show that city breathability within the urban canopy layer is strongly dependent from the building packing density. At the lower packing densities, the city responds to the wind as an agglomeration of obstacles, at larger densities (from about 44%) the city itself responds as a single obstacle. With the exception of the lowest packing density, airflow enters the array through lateral sides and leaves throughout the street top and flow out downstream. The air entering through lateral sides increases with increasing packing density.At the street top of the windward side of compact building configurations, a large upward flow is observed. This vertical transport reduces over short distance to turn into a downward flow further downstream of the building array. These findings suggest a practical way of identifying city breathability. Even though the application of these results to real scenarios require further analyses the paper illustrates a practical framework to be adopted in the assessment of the optimum neighbourhood building layout to minimize pollution levels.     

项目决策阶段清洁生产分析方法的研究

企业在建设项目决策时就应该按照清洁生产的原则，从源头控制污染。提出了在项目决策中，应从产品选择、工艺路线选择、主要设备选型和节能降耗4个方面进行清洁生产的分析方法，通过此分析方法的应用，可以避免项目决策中的环境失误和降低企业的环境风险。     

Nitrogen fertility and abiotic stresses management in cotton crop: a review

This review outlines nitrogen (N) responses in crop production and potential management decisions to ameliorate abiotic stresses for better crop production. N is a primary constituent of the nucleotides and proteins that are essential for life. Production and application of N fertilizers consume huge amounts of energy, and excess is detrimental to the environment. Therefore, increasing plant N use efficiency (NUE) is important for the development of sustainable agriculture. NUE has a key role in crop yield and can be enhanced by controlling loss of fertilizers by application of humic acid and natural polymers (hydrogels), having high water-holding capacity which can improve plant performance under field conditions. Abiotic stresses such as waterlogging, drought, heat, and salinity are the major limitations for successful crop production. Therefore, integrated management approaches such as addition of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), the film antitranspirant (di-1-p-menthene and pinolene) nutrients, hydrogels, and phytohormones may provide novel approaches to improve plant tolerance against abiotic stress-induced damage. Moreover, for plant breeders and molecular biologists, it is a challenge to develop cotton cultivars that can tolerate plant abiotic stresses while having high potential NUE for the future.     

The use of palmes diffusion tubes for measuring NO2 in homes

The results of exposure chamber and field validation tests of NO₂ diffusion tubes are reported. In an exposure chamber about 50 test runs at various relative humidities were performed. The field validation consisted of comparisons between tubes and a chemiluminescence monitor in nine homes during several days in kitchen, living room, bedroom and outdoors. The results indicate a dependency on relative humidity, while the often quoted accuracy of 10% for the diffusion tubes might be too optimistic for the use of the tubes in homes.     

Measurement, Collaborative Learning and Research for Sustainable Use of Ecosystem Services: Landscape Concepts and Europe as Laboratory

Policies at multiple levels pronounce the need to encompass both social and ecological systems in governance and management of natural capital in terms of resources and ecosystems. One approach to knowledge production and learning about landscapes as social–ecological systems is to compare multiple case studies consisting of large spaces and places. We first review the landscape concepts’ biophysical, anthropogenic, and intangible dimensions. Second, we exemplify how the different landscape concepts can be used to derive measurable variables for different sustainability indicators. Third, we review gradients in the three dimensions of the term landscape on the European continent, and propose to use them for the stratification of multiple case studies of social–ecological systems. We stress the benefits of the landscape concepts to measure sustainability, and how this can improve collaborative learning about development toward sustainability in social–ecological systems. Finally, analyses of multiple landscapes improve the understanding of context for governance and management.     

Influences of adding easily degradable organic waste on the minimization and humification of organic matter during straw composting

To find a better composting process with low greenhouse gas emission and high humus production, the effect of adding kitchen waste on reduction and humification of organic matter during straw composting was studied. Three processes were compared, consisting of different ratios of straw and kitchen waste (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1). At four time points over a 62-d incubation, the reduction and humification of compost was evaluated by measuring the total mass, carbon content, and humic material content of the compost. Treatment 1 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:2) reduced the total mass of compost the most. Treatment 2 (straw/kitchen waste ratio of 1:1) reduced the total carbon content the most, reflecting the highest emission of greenhouse gas. Treatment 3 produced the most humic acid material and released the lowest amount of carbon. Hence, from the point of view of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing stable organic matter such as humus and humic acid during composting, treatment #3 was optimal. The three treatments resulted in significant differences in microbial biomass and enzyme activity during composting. The highest amount of active microbial biomass was associated with the largest reduction in compost mass (treatment 1). Higher proportions of straw (treatments 2 and 3), which contains more lignin, were associated with greater β-glycosidase activity, which may generate more humus that can improve soil quality. Dehydrogenase activity seemed to be the most important microbial factor in organic carbon catabolism or humification.     

Determining the Costs of Air Pollution Control

A general procedure has been described that can be followed for estimating the cost of reducing air pollution emissions within a metropolitan region. The six step procedure examines emission inventories, regional trends, control trends, alternate control schemes, control costs, and optimum cost-effectiveness. The procedure is illustrated for one emission source in the Delaware Valley. By application of “feasible controls,” automobile emissions were shown to be reduced from 4.5 billion pounds per year in the Region during 1968 to 1.5 billion pounds in the year 2000. Annual control costs during the same period will increase from $30 million to over $300 million per year. This represents a cost increase from $15 per registered vehicle in 1968 to about $58 per vehicle per year in 2000. A method was illustrated for determining minimum cost to achieve any desired degree of emission reduction where alternate feasible control schemes are available. This method is especially useful where the allocation of scarce resources is involved. The general procedure is applicable to any number of pollutants and emission sources, and may be useful for calculations in any metropolitan area. The objectives of the present study are to apply this method to other sources within the Delaware Valley and to determine total regional costs for various levels of emission reduction. As one example of a practical application for this type of analysis, the economic impact of regulatory schemes can be evaluated on a cost-effectiveness basis     

接种比对餐厨垃圾干式厌氧发酵启动的影响

针对不同接种比对餐厨垃圾干式厌氧发酵启动的影响,对比分析了VS接种比分别为0.36和0.90两种情况下,餐厨垃圾干式厌氧发酵启动过程中pH、NH4-N、COD、VFA、甲烷含量等指标的变化。实验结果表明,启动初期2组样品pH分别快速降至4.74和5.68,均呈酸化状态,经碱液调整后,接种比为0.36的处理仍无法正常产气,接种比为0.90的处理,pH逐步提高,系统正常运行,经72 d的发酵实验,COD去除率达90.29%,甲烷含量高于60%的沼气产量达255.4 L,分析可见,VS接种比是干式厌氧发酵处理的重要参数;此外,与传统湿式厌氧发酵处理相比,餐厨垃圾干式厌氧发酵在较高的VFA和氨氮浓度下,仍能正常运行,采用干式厌氧发酵技术处理餐厨垃圾是可行的。     

酒精企业清洁生产的系统仿真及政策调控

酒精企业的清洁生产涉及到工艺流程的改进、循环冷却水、糟泥等的资源化利用等各方面,是一个复杂的反馈系统.采用系统动力学模型,运用DYNAMO语言,以某酒精制造企业的清洁生产为例进行仿真模拟,通过调控煤炭价格、水资源费、排污费以及沼气、糟泥等的不同利用方式等参数提出优选方案,分析提高该厂在推进清洁生产的不同方案下的经济效益,为该企业实施清洁生产方案的优化提供决策依据,为政府进行政策制定提供相关建议.