Vetoing the future: political constraints and renewable energy

Despite the increased importance of and attention to renewable energy, its share in the overall energy mix has varied significantly across countries and over time. There are many determinants of clean energy transitions; this study focuses on political constraints. Here it is argued that political systems that have fewer political constraints have fewer access points through which powerful status quo veto players can slow the progress of clean energy reforms. To test the theory, a hierarchical model is applied on a dataset of 125 countries over four decades. The results provide significant support for the theory. Furthermore, the effects for political constraints hold even when we distinguish between hydro and non-hydro renewable sources and control for regime type. This study builds on research that recognizes the importance of politics in understanding the challenges and opportunities of clean energy reform.     

Pesticide residue removal in classic domestic processing of tomato and its effects on product quality

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of several household practices (washing with water or acidic, alkaline, and oxidizing solutions, and peeling) in minimizing pesticide residue contamination of tomatoes, as well as the impact on the quality of the treated fruit. Tests were performed using two systemic fungicides (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole) and one contact fungicide (chlorothalonil). Solid-liquid extraction with low temperature partition (SLE/LTP) and liquid-liquid extraction with low temperature partition (LLE/LTP) were used to prepare the samples for pesticides determination by gas chromatography. Washing the tomatoes with water removed approximately 44% of chlorothalonil, 26% of difenoconazole, and 17% of azoxystrobin. Sodium bicarbonate (5%) and acetic acid (5%) solutions were more efficient, removing between 32 and 83% of the residues, while peeling removed from 68 to 88% of the pesticides. The washing solutions altered some fruit quality parameters, including acidity and chroma, and also caused weight loss. Acetic acid (0.15 and 5%) and hypochlorite (1%) solutions had the greatest effect on these parameters.     

Comprehensive estimate of the theoretical maximum daily intake of pesticide residues for chronic dietary risk assessment in Argentina

A chronic dietary risk assessment for pesticide residues was conducted for four age groups of the Argentinian population following the procedure recommended by the WHO. The National Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (NTMDI) for 308 pesticides was calculated for the first time, using the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) from several Argentinean regulations and food consumption data from a comprehensive National Nutrition and Health Survey. The risk was estimated by comparing the TMDI with the Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI) identified by various sources. Furthermore, for each of the compounds with a TMDI >65% of the ADI, a probabilistic analysis was conducted to quantify the probability of exceeding the ADI. In this study 27, 22, 10, and 6 active ingredients (a.i.) were estimated to exceed the 100% of the ADI for the different population groups: 6–23 month-old children, 2–5 year-old children, pregnant women, and 10–49 year-old women, respectively. Some of these ADI-exceeding compounds (carbofuran, diazinon, dichlorvos, dimethoate, oxydemeton-methyl and methyl bromide) were found in all four of these groups. Milk, apples, potatoes, and tomatoes were the foods that contributed most to the intake of these pesticides. The study is of primary importance for the improvement of risk assessment, regulations, and monitoring activities.     

Renewable inequity? Women's employment in clean energy in industrialized,emerging and developing economies

Women are globally underrepresented in the energy industry. This paper reviews existing academic and practitioner literature on women's employment in renewable energy in industrialized nations, emerging economies and developing countries. It highlights similarities and differences in occupational patterns in women's employment in renewables in different parts of the world, and makes recommendations for optimizing women's participation. Findings reveal the need for broader socially‐progressive policies and shifts in societal attitudes about gender roles, in order for women to benefit optimally from employment in renewables. In some industrialized countries, restructuring paid employment in innovative ways while unlinking social protection from employment status has been suggested as a way to balance gender equity with economic security and environmental protection. However, without more transformative social changes in gender relations, such strategies may simply reinforce rather than subvert existing gender inequities both in paid employment and in unpaid domestic labor. Grounded interventions to promote gender equality in renewable energy employment – especially within the context of increasing access to energy services for underserved communities – are more prevalent and better‐established in some non‐OECD (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development) countries. OECD countries might be well‐advised to try to implement certain programs and policies that are already in place in some emerging economies.     

小型好氧堆肥设备处理有机垃圾

针对我国生活垃圾的特点,提出了厨余等有机生活垃圾单独收集,在产生源头进行好氧堆肥处理。研制了好氧堆肥设备,由加热装置、通风装置、冷凝水收集和回灌装置,以及与该生物堆肥设备配套的生物过滤除臭装置、自控系统和数据采集软件几部分构成。自控系统由氧气、温度、湿度三路传感器以及2个控制器构成,并与加热装置、通风装置连接,能满足物料加热、供氧和散热的要求。本研究通过为期30 d的试运行实验表明,物料快速升温并稳定保持在高温阶段(50～60℃),物料中的氧气浓度保持在14%～16%范围内。在堆肥实验结束时,物料的含水率降至36.4%,有机质含量降至49%,另外,通过好氧速率指标也可判定物料达到腐熟。     

电能表电磁兼容辐射干扰问题探讨

本文首先概述了我国的电能表市场,进而引出电磁兼容(EMC)的问题;通过针对两个典型电磁兼容辐射骚扰问题提出了详细的分析和解决方案。     

节能环保型燃烧器技术特点分析及应用

由于原广泛使用的北美燃烧器存在技术落后、安全保护措施欠缺、操作复杂、安全隐患多、节能和环保不达标等问题,为适应当前注汽锅炉安全可靠、高效经济和低污染排放的运行要求,国内稠油热采注汽锅炉逐步应用新型节能燃烧器。通过总结各类新型节能燃烧器在燃烧效率、控制理念、动态监测、节能环保、燃料保护等方面的技术性能,分析其具有燃烧效率高、节能环保、安全可靠、自动控制水平高等特点,并验证实际运行效果,展望工业燃烧器技术发展趋势,为指导燃烧器选型和技术管理提供依据和参考。     

基于SCP模型的节能环保市场分析研究

从需求角度出发,区分了节能环保产业中三种不同类型的市场,然后以SCP模型为分析框架,对三种不同类型的市场结构、企业行为和绩效进行了分析和比较,归纳了节能环保产业中不同类型的市场所存在的问题和解决思路。     

CFD分析在烟气脱硫中的实际运用与研究

为降低某公司烧结机干法脱硫装置烟道阻力,减少引风机出力,实现节能优化,运用计算流体力学软件,对引风机出口烟道内流场进行三维数值模拟,并根据分析结果进行烟道的优化改造。改造后,吸收塔入口负压由-200Pa提升至-560Pa,风机电流由328A降为301.4A,节能降耗显著。