CFD simulations of dust dispersion in the 20 L vessel: Effect of nominal dust concentration

Measurements of flammability and explosion parameters for dust/air mixtures require uniform dispersion of the dust cloud inside the test vessel. In a previous work, we showed that, in the standard 20 L sphere, the dust injection system does not allow generation of a uniform cloud, but rather high gradients of dust concentration are established. In this work, we used a previously validated three-dimensional CFD model to simulate the dust dispersion inside the 20 L sphere at different dust nominal concentrations (and fixed dust diameter). Results of numerical simulations have shown that, as the dust nominal concentration is increased, sedimentation prevails and, thus, when ignition is provided, the dust is mainly concentrated at the vessel walls.     

Landfill aeration in the framework of a reclamation project in Northern Italy

In situ aeration by means of the Airflow technology was proposed for landfill conditioning before landfill mining in the framework of a reclamation project in Northern Italy. A 1-year aeration project was carried out on part of the landfill with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of the Airflow technology for landfill aerobization, the evolution of waste biological stability during aeration and the effects on leachate and biogas quality and emissions.The main outcomes of the 1-year aeration project are presented in the paper.The beneficial effect of the aeration on waste biological stability was clear (63% reduction of the respiration index); however, the effectiveness of aeration on the lower part of the landfill is questionable, due to the limited potential for air migration into the leachate saturated layers.During the 1-year in situ aeration project approx. 275 MgC were discharged from the landfill body with the extracted gas, corresponding to 4.6 gC/kgDM. However, due to the presence of anaerobic niches in the aerated landfill, approx. 46% of this amount was extracted as CH₄, which is higher than reported in other aeration projects. The O₂ conversion quota was lower than reported in other similar projects, mainly due to the higher air flow rates applied.The results obtained enabled valuable recommendations to be made for the subsequent application of the Airflow technology to the whole landfill.     

Do lower electricity storage costs reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

In the electricity sector, innovation in large-scale storage is anticipated to reduce costs and improve performance. The effect on greenhouse gas emissions of lower storage costs depends on the interactions between storage and the entire grid. The literature has disagreed on the role of storage in reducing emissions. In this paper we present a stylized model, which suggests that the effect of storage costs on emissions depends on the supply responsiveness of both fossil and renewable generators. Under common conditions in the United States, lower storage costs are more likely to reduce emissions when wind investment responds to equilibrium electricity prices and when solar investment does not. Simulations of a computational model of grid investment and operation confirm these intuitions. Moreover, because of its effect on coal and natural gas–fired supply responsiveness, introducing a carbon dioxide emissions price may increase the likelihood that lower storage costs reduce emissions.     

The effects of relative humidity on the insecticidal properties of a diatomite‐based dust

Abstract

The feasibility of using diatomaceous earth (diatomite) as an insecticidal dust was investigated under conditions of high (80%) and low (10%) relative humidity, using the adult red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Tested were diatomite and two lots of a commercial formulation of the same diatomite, containing 0.2% pyrethrins and 1.0% piperonyl butoxide. For comparison, talcum and a talcum‐based commercial formulation, containing the same concentrations of pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, were included in the tests. The insects were exposed to 0.08 mg/cm² of each material tested, equivalent to the label recommendation of 7 lb/acre for the diatomite‐based commercial insecticide. At 10% RH, higher doses of diatomite were also tested. Mortalities were determined at intervals for up to 84 hours.

Diatomite caused no mortalities at the experimental concentration, regardless of RH. At about four times that rate and 10% RH, it caused less than 5% mortality.

At 80% RH, the diatomite‐based product (P. C. P. Act #14074) was significantly more effective than the talcum‐based one (#13074). At 10% RH, however, the latter acted more quickly than the diatomite‐based formulations, but all produced nearly 100% mortality after 68 hours.

The results are discussed in terms of the physical characteristics of diatomite and in terms of the modes of insecticidal actions of diatomite and pyrethrins. It is concluded that diatomite alone, despite its attractiveness to environmental interests, is not likely to become an effective agent for controlling red flour beetles and other pest insects with similar water‐proofing mechanisms.     

The significance of various factors for GHG emissions of buildings

The objective of the research was to create improved understanding of the significance of diverse factors for the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings. The specific focus of the study was on the assessment of the significance of building materials and embodied carbon. The scope of the study covers multi-storey residential buildings in Finland. This research was based on a literature survey and supported by a parametric case study. The parametric study assessed the building-material-related GHG emissions relative to total GHG emissions and the possible range of variation. The research assesses the minimum and maximum GHG emissions for production of buildings with similar spaces, to reveal the likely range of variation for the emissions. The calculations for the ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ scenarios assume a similar purpose of use, occupancy and spaces in the building, while the production methods, materials, site conditions and location are varied. The research also assesses the relative importance of various building components and other calculation parameters in terms of GHGs. Total material-related GHG emissions were compared with the GHG emissions caused by the operation of the building, at three distinct levels of energy performance. In addition, the material- and operation-related GHG emissions were compared with the location-related GHG emissions arising from people's mobility.     

CeO_2-TiO_2复合纳米纤维光催化降解醛酮类污染物的研究

采用同轴静电纺丝法制备了CeO2-TiO2复合纳米纤维,并用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、程序升温脱附仪和紫外-可见光谱能谱(UVVis)仪表征了CeO2-TiO2纳米纤维的相组成和微观形貌,分析了CeO2-TiO2纳米纤维对醛酮的吸附强度与光电化学特性.同时,研究了CeO2配比量、光源条件和重复使用性对降解甲醛污染物的影响规律.结果表明,CeO2质量配比为50%的CeO2-TiO2催化剂对甲醛降解效率最高;在无光和可见光条件下,CeO2-TiO2催化剂对甲醛的降解效率分别为13.5%和25.3%,在紫外光下CeO2-TiO2催化剂对甲醛的降解效率为92.5%;随着光催化循环次数的增加,可见光下CeO2-TiO2催化剂对甲醛的降解效率逐渐增高,紫外光下CeO2-TiO2催化剂对甲醛的降解效率维持在92.5%左右.利用催化剂样品CT50对柴油机尾气中醛酮类排放污染物进行光催化降解的应用发现,CeO2-TiO2催化剂对醛类污染物的降解效率为85.4%,酮类污染物的降解效率为81.3%,苯甲醛和甲基苯甲醛的降解效率分别为80.4%和80.3%.表明CeO2-TiO2催化剂具有较强的光催化降解醛酮类污染物的能力.     

减推力起飞对NOx排放影响计算方法研究

伴随着航空公司对未来几年氮氧化物(NOx)排放量增长的预测,量化机场NOx排放量日益重要。根据国际民航组织认证的发动机排放数据,在研究推力对NOx排放的影响时,通常模拟4个推力级别:100%(起飞阶段)、85%(爬坡阶段)、30%(进近阶段)、7%(慢车阶段)。美国联邦航空局设计了模型——排放和扩散模拟系统,利用该模型对4个阶段分别进行模拟。结果表明,飞机在最大推力时产生的NOx量最多。分析了起飞阶段减推力下起飞对机场年NOx排放量的影响,通过排放和扩散模拟系统,研究了一系列算法,用于预测推力与NOx排放量的关系。     

Camel culling and carbon emissions in rangelands in central Australia

Culling feral camels will impact on the carbon emissions from them. Culling of feral camels stops their long-term continuous methane emission, but emits carbon from their carcasses in the short term. Through on-site monitoring of the decomposition process of camels that have been shot dead, this paper models the pattern of carbon emissions during the decomposition of these camels in Central Australia, and analyses the contribution of the camel culling programme to carbon emission mitigation on the rangelands. A ‘carbon royalty’ payment mechanism is also suggested to encourage local participation in carbon markets through an involvement in natural resource management.     

中国种植业碳汇盈余动态变化及地区差异分析——基于31个省(市、区)2000—2012年的面板数据

在科学测算31个省(市、区)2000—2012年种植业碳汇盈余量的基础上,利用基尼系数系统考察了其地区差距及动态演变特征。研究结论揭示:1)中国种植业碳汇盈余量呈现较为明显的空间差异性。基于总量变化趋势的不同可将31个地区划分为"持续增长型"、"波动增长型"、"波动下降型"与"持续下降型"等4类地区。16个地区种植业碳汇水平得到提升但增幅差异较大;余下15个地区则处于下降态势。2)基尼系数测算结果表明,中国种植业碳汇盈余的地区差距在样本考察期内虽存在一定的年际起伏,但总体处于逐步扩大趋势。从三大区域来看,东部地区差距变化幅度居中,经历了差距缩小期、波动扩大期和波动平稳期等变化阶段;中部地区差距变化幅度最大,其绝对差距也高于东、西部地区,经历了差距持续扩大期、波动平稳期、波动缩小期与小幅扩大期等变化阶段;西部地区差距变化幅度最小,经历了"扩大"与"缩小"的循环演变。     

咸阳市温室气体排放的动态分析及等级评估

通过采用《2006年IPCC国家温室气体清单指南》和中国《省级温室气体编制指南》推荐的方法,分析了咸阳市温室气体排放的动态变化,并提出基于全球标准的温室气体排放等级评价方法,对咸阳市温室气体进行了排放等级评估.结果表明:1995—2011年,咸阳市温室气体排放量从1253.21×104t上升为5531.06×104t,年均增高9.72%,呈快速上升趋势.工业(年均增高21.34%)为增幅最高的部门,其次依次为能源(9.62%)、废弃物(7.90%)、农业(2.45%).从温室气体构成看,能源占84.73%~91.81%,工业占1.46%~8.55%,农业占3.11%~9.32%,林业碳减排占-0.53%~-2.36%,废弃物处理占1.31%~8.39%.由此可见,咸阳市温室气体排放增长的主要原因是能源消费的增加以及工业生产的大幅增长.万元GDP温室气体排放量波动下降,年均降低4.53%;人均、单位面积温室气体排放量和温室气体排放指数快速升高,年均增幅分别达9.31%、9.72%和9.48%.16年间,咸阳市温室气体排放等级从较低(Ⅰc)持续升高至中上等级(Ⅱc),已高出应对全球气候变暖目标(Ⅰb)4个亚级,温室气体减排工作刻不容缓.