Development of a driving cycle for Hong Kong

The paper presents the results of the development of a standard driving cycle in the urban areas of Hong Kong. On-road speed–time data were collected by an instrumented diesel vehicle along two fixed routes located in two urban districts in Hong Kong. The collected data were analyzed and compared with mandatory driving cycles used elsewhere. It was found that none of these mandatory cycles could satisfactorily describe the driving characteristics in Hong Kong. A unique driving cycle was therefore developed for Hong Kong. The cycle was built up by extracting parts of the on-road speed data such that the summary statistics of the sample are close to that derived from the data population of the test runs.     

Performance analysis of a solar-powered organic rankine cycle engine

This paper presents the performance analysis of a power plant with the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The power plant is supplied by thermal energy utilized from a solar energy collector. R245fa was the working fluid in the thermodynamic cycle. The organic cycle with heat regeneration was built and tested experimentally. The ORC with a heat regenerator obtained the maximum thermodynamic efficiency of approximately 9%.     

Assessment of the sustainability of technology by means of a thermodynamically based life cycle analysis

Life cycle analysis is one of the tools in the assessment of the sustainability of technological options. It takes into account all effects on the ecosystem and the population which may endanger the possibilities of current and future generations. However, the main bottleneck in current LCA methodologies is the balancing of different effects, being all quantified on different scales. In this work, a methodology is proposed, which allows one to quantify different effects of the production, consumption and disposal of goods, and services on a single scale. The basis of the methodology is the second law of thermodynamics. All production, consumption and disposal processes affecting the ecosystem and the population, are quantified in terms of loss of exergy. The exergy content of a material is the maximum amount of energy which can be transformed into work at given environmental conditions. Next to the elaboration of the methodology, the new approach is illustrated by examples of the production of synthetic organic polymers, inorganic building insulation materials and different waste gas treatment options.     

Quantification of net carbon flux from plastic greenhouse vegetable cultivation: a full carbon cycle analysis

Plastic greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) has played a vital role in increasing incomes of farmers and expanded dramatically in last several decades. However, carbon budget after conversion from conventional vegetable cultivation (CVC) to PGVC has been poorly quantified. A full carbon cycle analysis was used to estimate the net carbon flux from PGVC systems based on the combination of data from both field observations and literatures. Carbon fixation was evaluated at two pre-selected locations in China. Results suggest that: (1) the carbon sink of PGVC is 1.21 and 1.23 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for temperate and subtropical area, respectively; (2) the conversion from CVC to PGVC could substantially enhance carbon sink potential by 8.6 times in the temperate area and by 1.3 times in the subtropical area; (3) the expansion of PGVC usage could enhance the potential carbon sink of arable land in China overall.     

The analysis of pollutant profiles by means of compositional analysis. An application to PCDD/F data

Compositional analysis consists of a group of techniques used to manipulate closed (=compositional) data, i.e. multivariate data summing to a fixed quantity (proportions, percentages). It is based on the analysis of the relations among variables and the use of logarithmic transformations. It has been claimed that this group of techniques should be used to analyse profiles of pollutant sources because profiles themselves are proportions. We show in this paper that, for the exploratory analysis of these data, a good strategy is to combine the analysis done with and without transformation because they give different and complementary insights on the structure of the data. We discuss in particular the study of processes such as the mixing of pollutants produced by different sources and the exponential decay of concentrations with distance to the source found in many studies. The clr transformation is also appropriate for the study of the variables having small proportions, which remain concealed by the abundant variables when analysed without transformation. We present simulations to illustrate these ideas and we also apply these techniques to two data sets of PCDD/F content in moss tissues.     

An Air Pollution Incident Due to a Stationary Front

In January 1971, the New York City area experienced a period of high pollution in which concentrations exceeded the present criteria for Stage I of the New York City Alert-Warning System. The incident was unusual because the high concentrations were associated with a weak frontal system which moved back and forth over the area and not with a stagnating anticyclone. Concentrations of pollutants were found to be closely related to the movement of the frontal system as well as to changes in wind speed and stability. Climatological criteria for identifying-periods of potential high air pollution and the criteria for mixing heights, transport wind speed and ventilation factors necessary for the issuance of an official advisory from the National Meteorological Center were not met during this incident. Therefore, some re-evaluation and redefinition of these criteria are recommended.     

An Approach to Setting a Sulfur Standard for Coal

Over 313,000 people are working at jobs produced in part as a result of clean air regulations, according to a study just completed by the Industrial Gas Cleaning Institute. The study mitigates arguments that clean air regulations have caused the loss of jobs. According to IGCI President Robert G. Huntington, the Clean Air Act has actually created a substantial number of jobs in the pollution control equipment, engineering, and construction industries as well.     

Assessment of a regulatory model's performance relative to large spatial heterogeneity in observed ozone in Houston, Texas

In Houston, some of the highest measured 8-hr ozone (O3) peaks are characterized by sudden increases in observed concentrations of at least 40 ppb in 1 hr or 60 ppb in 2 hr. Measurements show that these large hourly changes appear at only a few monitors and span a narrow geographic area, suggesting a spatially heterogeneous field of O3 concentrations. This study assessed whether a regulatory air quality model (AQM) can simulate this observed behavior. The AQM did not reproduce the magnitude or location of some of the highest observed hourly O3 changes, and it also failed to capture the limited spatial extent. On days with measured large hourly changes in O3 concentrations, the AQM predicted high O3 over large regions of Houston, resulting in overpredictions at several monitors. This analysis shows that the model can make high O3, but on these days the predicted spatial field suggests that the model had a different cause. Some observed large hourly changes in O3 concentrations have been linked to random releases of industrial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the AQM emission inventory, there are several emission events when an industrial point source increases VOC emissions in excess of 10,000 mol/hr. One instance increased predicted downwind O3 concentrations up to 25 ppb. These results show that the modeling system is responsive to a large VOC release, but the timing and location of the release, and meteorological conditions, are critical requirements. Attainment of the O3 standard requires the use of observational data and AQM predictions. If the large observed hourly changes are indicative of a separate cause of high O3, then the model may not include that cause, which might result in regulators enacting control strategies that could be ineffective.     

Assessment of a regulatory model's performance relative to large spatial heterogeneity in observed ozone in Houston,Texas

In Houston, some of the highest measured 8-hr ozone (O₃) peaks are characterized by sudden increases in observed concentrations of at least 40 ppb in 1 hr, or 60 ppb in 2 hr. Measurements show that these large hourly changes appear at only a few monitors and span a narrow geographic area, suggesting a spatially heterogeneous field of O₃ concentrations. This study assessed whether a regulatory air quality model (AQM) can simulate this observed behavior. The AQM did not reproduce the magnitude or location of some of the highest observed hourly O₃ changes, and it also failed to capture the limited spatial extent. On days with measured large hourly changes in O₃ concentrations, the AQM predicted high O₃ over large regions of Houston, resulting in overpredictions at several monitors. This analysis shows that the model can make high O₃, but on these days the predicted spatial field suggests that the model had a different cause. Some observed large hourly changes in O₃ concentrations have been linked to random releases of industrial volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the AQM emission inventory, there are several emission events when an industrial point source increases VOC emissions in excess of 10,000 mol/hr. One instance increased predicted downwind O₃ concentrations up to 25 ppb. These results show that the modeling system is responsive to a large VOC release, but the timing and location of the release, and meteorological conditions, are critical requirements. Attainment of the O₃ standard requires the use of observational data and AQM predictions. If the large observed hourly changes are indicative of a separate cause of high O₃, then the model may not include that cause, which might result in regulators enacting control strategies that could be ineffective.

Implications To show the attainment of the O₃ standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the use of observations and model predictions under the assumption that simulations are capable of reproducing observed phenomena. The regulatory model is unable to reproduce observed behavior measured in the observational database. If the large observed hourly changes were indicative of a separate cause of high O₃, then the model would not include that cause. Inaccurate model predictions may prompt air quality regulators to enact control strategies that are effective in the modeling system, but prove ineffective in the real world.     

An equilibrium analysis of some chlorinated hydrocarbons in stoichiometric to fuel-rich post-flame combustion environments

The equilibrium composition of product gases from the combustion of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) has been studied for varying ratios of C, H, Cl, and O under stoichiometric to fuel-rich conditions. An interactive, PC-compatible FORTRAN program, STANJAN, was utilized in conjunction with thermochemical data sources to calculate equilibrium compositions of gas mixtures as a function of temperature. The predicted results, when judiciously interpreted, assist in the understanding of the potential for formation of residual organic substance emissions (ROSEs) in post-flame environments of an incinerator. Arguments are presented for the potential formation of chlorinated species, which are stable at ambient temperature, if locally fuel-rich mixtures penetrate into the lower temperature zones of an incinerator. ROSEs that have been observed in field tests of incinerators burning chlorinated compounds are predicted to form under the fuel-rich condition. Furthermore, when the equivalence ratio is greater than unity by even a slight amount, the degree of chlorination of product gases increases markedly when the Cl/H ratio also exceeds unity. In that case, time, temperature, turbulence and an overall fuel-lean stoichiometry may not be sufficient to guarantee elimination of measurable levels of chlorinated products. Possible implications of the equilibrium calculations are discussed. Further systematic studies with additional CHCs, nitrogen-, sulfur-, and heavy metal-bearing compounds are recommended as well as continued efforts to carry out kinetic studies.     

Exploring soil erosion trajectories and their divergent responses to driving factors: a model-based contrasting study in highly eroded mountain areas

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Soil erosion threatens environmental sustainability worldwide. Exploring the trajectories of soil erosion and associated drivers is of great...     

Applying waste management scenarios in the Peloponnese region in Greece: a critical analysis in the frame of life cycle assessment

The aim of this paper is to apply life cycle assessment in the waste management sector, in order to compare the environmental performance of different waste management methods. The methods that are studied are: landfilling, aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment, incineration and recycling, focusing on mass and energy balances and the environmental performance of each applied scenario. The Peloponnese Region in Greece was selected as a case for the application of this methodology and more specifically its largest municipalities, where a significant amount of waste is presented. The conducted LCA study proves the necessity of the adoption of an integrated waste management system and indicates its principal objectives by measuring environmental impacts. Thermal scenario contributes significant to the mitigation on the Greenhouse Gases. On the other hand, separation at source and recycling practices provides significant benefits to the abiotic depletion impact.     

多元逐步回归对苯胺类化合物结构与毒性模型研究

采用Chemoffice6．0中MOPAC-AMl量子化学法计算了24种苯胺类化合物的6种量子化学结构参数．其中取17个化合物作为样本集对-lgEC50进行多元逐步回归分析．得到最佳方程．经自由度校正的回归系数R=0．985。应用所建立的QSAR模型验证了苯胺类化合物的EC50值．并通过“Jackknife”中的逐一抽取法进行模型检验,得出该模型具有很好的稳定性．平均残差仅为0．05个对数单位．小于文献值。经过7个预测样本对该模型进行验证．结果表明．该模型具有很好的预测能力。同时分析了苯胺类化合物的毒性机理。     

An uncertainty analysis of mean flow velocity measurements used to quantify emissions from stationary sources

Point velocity measurements conducted by traversing a Pitot tube across the cross section of a flow conduit continue to be the standard practice for evaluating the accuracy of continuous flow-monitoring devices. Such velocity traverses were conducted in the exhaust duct of a reduced-scale analog of a stationary source, and mean flow velocity was computed using several common integration techniques. Sources of random and systematic measurement uncertainty were identified and applied in the uncertainty analysis. When applicable, the minimum requirements of the standard test methods were used to estimate measurement uncertainty due to random sources. Estimates of the systematic measurement uncertainty due to discretized measurements of the asymmetric flow field were determined by simulating point velocity traverse measurements in a flow distribution generated using computational fluid dynamics. For the evaluated flow system, estimates of relative expanded uncertainty for the mean flow velocity ranged from ±1.4% to ±9.3% and depended on the number of measurement locations and the method of integration.

Implications:Accurate flow measurements in smokestacks are critical for quantifying the levels of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuel-burning power plants, the largest emitters of carbon dioxide. A systematic uncertainty analysis is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of these measurements. This study demonstrates such an analysis and its application to identify specific measurement components and procedures needing focused attention to improve the accuracy of mean flow velocity measurements in smokestacks.     

An analysis of continuous black carbon concentrations in proximity to an airport and major roadways

Black carbon (BC), a constituent of particulate matter, is emitted from multiple combustion sources, complicating determination of contributions from individual sources or source categories from monitoring data. In close proximity to an airport, this may include aircraft emissions, other emissions on the airport grounds, and nearby major roadways, and it would be valuable to determine the factors most strongly related to measured BC concentrations. In this study, continuous BC concentrations were measured at five monitoring sites in proximity to a small regional airport in Warwick, Rhode Island from July 2005 to August 2006. Regression was used to model the relative contributions of aircraft and related sources, using real-time flight activity (departures and arrivals) and meteorological data, including mixing height, wind speed and direction. The latter two were included as a nonparametric smooth spatial term using thin-plate splines applied to wind velocity vectors and fit in a linear mixed model framework. Standard errors were computed using a moving-block bootstrap to account for temporal autocorrelation. Results suggest significant positive associations between hourly departures and arrivals at the airport and BC concentrations within the community, with departures having a more substantial impact. Generalized Additive Models for wind speed and direction were consistent with significant contributions from the airport, major highway, and multiple local roads. Additionally, inverse mixing height, temperature, precipitation, and at one location relative humidity, were associated with BC concentrations. Median contribution estimates indicate that aircraft departures and arrivals (and other sources coincident in space and time) contribute to approximately 24–28% of the BC concentrations at the monitoring sites in the community. Our analysis demonstrated that a regression-based approach with detailed meteorological and source characterization can provide insights about source contributions, which could be used to devise control strategies or to provide monitor-based comparisons with source-specific atmospheric dispersion models.     

An analysis between financial development,institutions, and the environment: a global view

Financial development is important for the growth of a country which indirectly affects the environment adversely through industrialization. However, in the presence of strong institutions, this adverse effect can be reduced. The main concern of the present study is to estimate the relation between CO₂ and financial development (FD) in the presence of economic institutions as an interactive term. A sample of 101 countries has been selected for econometric analysis for the period from 1995 to 2017. The cross-section dependence test statistics for dependency, CIPS and CADF for panel unit root test, Westerlund test to ascertain the long-run affiliations, and FMOLS to extract the long-run coefficients have been applied. Dumitrescu and Hurlin test is also employed to know about the causal nature of the panel series. The findings show that financial development has a positive relationship with CO₂. However, after inclusion of economic intuitions, the adverse impact of financial development on the environment is reduced. The study also confirms the presence of environmental Kuznets curve in the context of income and financial development. The findings imply that financial development can help to improve environment quality if it is accompanied with strong institutional framework such as assurance of property rights, government integrity, and liberalization in financial sector.

     

An analysis of candidates for addition to the Clean Air Act list of hazardous air pollutants

There are 188 air toxics listed as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in the Clean Air Act (CAA), based on their potential to adversely impact public health. This paper presents several analyses performed to screen potential candidates for addition to the HAPs list. We analyzed 1086 HAPs and potential HAPs, including chemicals regulated by the state of California or with emissions reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). HAPs and potential HAPs were ranked by their emissions to air, and by toxicity-weighted (tox-wtd) emissions for cancer and noncancer, using emissions information from the TRI and toxicity information from state and federal agencies. Separate consideration was given for persistent, bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs), reproductive or developmental toxins, and chemicals under evaluation for regulation as toxic air contaminants in California. Forty-four pollutants were identified as candidate HAPs based on three ranking analyses and whether they were a PBT or a reproductive or developmental toxin. Of these, nine qualified in two or three different rankings (ammonia [NH3], copper [Cu], Cu compounds, nitric acid [HNO3], N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, sulfuric acid [H2SO4], vanadium [V] compounds, zinc [Zn], and Zn compounds). This analysis suggests further evaluation of several pollutants for possible addition to the CAA list of HAPs.     

An algebraic/graphical tool to compare ecosystems with respect to their pollution V: cluster analysis and Hasse diagrams

In case of large data matrices comparative evaluations of objects/regions with the technique of Hasse diagrams may be troublesome due to a messy system of lines in the graphical representation. Here fuzzy clustering leads to useful simplifications because regions with slightly different pollution pattern are grouped together. However, fuzzy clustering implies to introduce a threshold value for the membership of an object to a cluster and to select the best number of clusters. Therefore many arbitrarities evolve. Within the systematic study presented here we found that some objects are very stable against variations of the threshold value and the number of cluster whereas other objects behaves different. According to their behaviour we investigated a classification of the objects. Formal Concept Analysis shows that in some cases specific pollution pattern imply the membership to one of these classes. For example objects which are characterized by high Pb-, Zn-concentration and moderate S-concentration imply a high stability against variants of the clustering process. Further implications are described in the paper.