Reducing energy consumption while providing a high-quality environment for building occupants has become an important target worthy of consideration in the pre-design stage. A reasonable design can achieve both better performance and energy conservation. Parametric design tools show potential to integrate performance simulation and control elements into the early design stage. The large number of design scheme iterations, however, increases the computational load and simulation time, hampering the search for optimized solutions. This paper proposes an integration of parametric design and optimization methods with performance simulation, machine learning, and algorithmic generation. Architectural schemes were modeled parametrically, and numerous iterations were generated systematically and imported into neural networks. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) were used to predict environmental performance based on the simulation results. Then, multi-object optimization can be achieved th... [more]

Recently, we identified two types (A and B) of energy processes that naturally occur on Earth. Type-A energetic process such as the classical heat engines follows well the thermodynamic second law; Type-B energy process follows the first law of thermodynamics, but does not have to be constrained by the second law, owning to its special asymmetric function. The identification of type-B process inspired a novel invention on isothermal electricity production through an asymmetric function-gated power generation system. This article highlights the fundamental embodiments, scientific principles, and physics equations for the asymmetric function-gated isothermal electricity generator that comprises an exceptionally low electron-work-function surface as an isothermal electron emitter and a space gap that permits the isothermally emitted electrons to travel ballistically to a collector. The physics equations for the density of isothermal electricity current, voltage and power all clearly show... [more]

A qualitative evaluation was performed by comprehensively considering the lighting environment of each staircase of 20 railway stations in Tokyo, the width of the stairs, the type of ceiling, wall lighting fixtures, and the color. As a result of the quantitative evaluation of 20 stairs, it was found that a difference of up to 400 lx occurred in the measurement results of the entrance, exit, and middle landing, even for the same stairs. As a result of qualitative evaluation, it was found that the quantitative evaluation result and the simple proportional relationship were not established. It was found that simply physically brightening a space cannot make a comfortable and safe space, and in some cases, glare is likely to occur. As a result of the analysis of variance and correlation analysis, it was found that the characteristics of the space, especially the material of the wall and the location of the lighting equipment, had a large effect on the impression of the space. As a result o... [more]

Among the different alternatives for the production of biofuels, food waste could be a favorable bioenergy source. Using food waste as a feedstock has the potential to meet the expectations of the second generation of biofuels, in terms of environmental savings and revenue-generation, and which, along with other valuable co-products, can contribute to biorefinery profits. This study aimed to investigate the early stages of life-cycle assessment (LCA) for restaurant food waste processed into bioethanol, biomethane, and oil, split over different scenarios. Based on a life cycle inventory analysis, the environmental impacts were assessed using an IMPACT 2002+ methodology. The characterized impacts were then normalized against the average impacts, and the normalized results were weighted and aggregated to provide single score LCA results. The overall findings showed that electricity consumption and condensates included VFAs, as well as enzymes, yeast, and n-hexane, were the main contributo... [more]

The organic-rich shale of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation is an important hydrocarbon source rock in Northeast China. In this study, taking the lacustrine shale in the Qingshankou Formation as an example, geochemical analysis, including total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, maceral compositions, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and biomarker analyses, were carried out on twenty-four shale samples to evaluate the geochemistry and environmental features of this shales. The Qingshankou lacustrine shales contains mainly Type I/II1 organic matter and is oil prone, with a good to excellent source rock. Vitrinite reflectance and Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters show that the Qingshankou lacustrine shales is mainly in the mature stage and within the oil window. Biomarker composition of the shales provide evidence that the Qingshankou lacustrine shales was formed in a reductive sedimentary environment with relatively high salinity water. The organic matter came from a mixture of pla... [more]

This article aims to calculate, analyse and compare the optimal powertrain sizing solutions for a long-haul plug-in series hybrid coach running on diesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) using a co-design optimisation approach for: (1) lowering lifetime carbon footprint; (2) minimising the total cost of ownership (TCO); (3) finding the right sizing compromise between environmental impact and economic feasibility for the two fuel cases. The current vehicle use case derived from the EU H2020 LONGRUN project features electrical auxiliary loads and a 100 km zero urban emission range requiring a considerable battery size, which makes its low carbon footprint and cost-effective sizing a crucial challenge. Changing the objective between environmental impact and overall cost minimisation or switching the energy source from diesel to renewable HVO could also significantly affect the optimal powertrain dimensions. The approach uses particle swarm optimisation in the outer sizing loop while e... [more]

Slovenia is a Central European country with a long history of hydropower. This paper gives a brief introduction to the current status of hydropower utilization and informs about some selected successful examples of hydropower plant operation. One such example is fish passage and flood risk reduction on the lower reaches of the Sava River at the Brežice hydroelectric power plant, taking into account a complex of morphological, hydrological, hydraulic, and anthropogenic factors. Future development is considered against the background of the National Energy and Climate Plan, which does not envisage any significant expansion in the capacity or function of the hydropower sector. The envisaged capacity increase is from the current 4430 GWh to around 4580 GWh by 2030. It is shown that the current energy storage capacity of Slovenia’s only pumped storage plant will be sufficient to offset the introduction of new non-dispatchable renewable energy sources by 2030. By around 2028, the country wil... [more]

Due to the increasing relevance and importance of sustainable development pursuit, it can be assumed that organizations are striving to develop in a green direction. This is not only related to raising awareness of modern society but also to legal regulation and strategic documents for achieving the goals of sustainable development at the international level, especially affecting certain fields of activity such as energy or manufacturing. It is noticed that there is still a lack of definition in the scientific literature of what kind of organization is considered green. Therefore, it is appropriate to create a green organization benchmark against which organizations can assess their current level of greenness and identify areas for improvement. This research aimed to choose the most suitable approach for developing a green organization benchmark by examining the methods for evaluating an organization’s performance in terms of greenness according to defined attributes. Applying the meth... [more]

Bioadsorbent, obtained as a result of the processing of bio-waste, has recently gained popularity as a material that adsorbs greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide. Bio-waste, mainly residues from food industry operations, is a waste to be landfilled or composted and can be a potential substrate for bioadsorbent production. Bioadsorbents used for carbon capture must, above all, have low production costs and high adsorption efficiency. This review covers popular bioadsorbents that have been tested for their ability to adsorb carbon dioxide. The paper compares bioadsorbent production methods, physicochemical properties, adsorption isotherms, surfaces, and their porosity. There is a lack of data in the literature on the topic of carbon dioxide adsorption on large-scale plants in the target environment. Therefore, further research needs to fill in the gaps to identify the promised potential of these bioadsorbents.

The aim of our study is to delineate the characteristics of fluid flow comprising single-wall and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) along the surface of a Riga plate fixed in a porous environment. We carried out in-depth comparative analysis to depict the behavior of SWCNTs and MWCNTs when water and kerosene oil are used as base fluids. Homogeneous−heterogeneous reactions generated a significant impact on flow dynamics; furthermore, we also discuss the impact of viscous dissipation. We assembled numerical solutions for non-dimensionalized ordinary differential equations with the help of the shooting technique; moreover, by employing the same procedure, we report the conduct of dominating parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. The results show highly desirable skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number values, which we exhibit in terms of tabular data.

The presented study describes proprietary calculation methods that simulate the process of storing nitrogen dioxide elevation in a catalytic LNT reactor. The first section’s points of reference are the achievements of the article’s authors and the possibility of modeling NO2 adsorption processes in LNT reactors. The rest of the article presents model calculations (proposed by the authors) of the course of the NO2 storage process in LNT reactors. It considers one in its transition period, affecting the improvement and duration of the adsorption process. The conclusion presents selected results of simulation calculations obtained with the help of the equations’ authors and an evaluation of the results. A review of theoretical considerations is consistent with the experimental data, suggesting that the proposed computational solution may be used in future analytical validity assessments of LNT reactor tools under operating conditions.

With the proliferation of e-commerce, the field of last-mile logistics has grown increasingly, highlighting the need to manage the environmental consequences of this phenomenon, especially to achieve decarbonization targets for cities and to improve citizens’ quality of life. Within this framework, the authors carried out a last-mile logistics life cycle assessment, to analyse and compare different logistics vehicle options performing the same service in an urban context: an electric four-wheel cargo bike, an electric van, a plug-in hybrid van, and a diesel van. The assessment shows that the e-cargo bike performs better for all the impact categories considered. The second-best option is the e-van, while the diesel van shows the worst environmental results. Focusing on decarbonization, the replacement of a diesel van with an electric one or with an e-cargo bike allows a reduction of 173 g CO2 eq/km and 250 g CO2 eq/km, respectively. Similar results are obtained for Photochemical Ozone F... [more]

The Rapid reduction of energy resources and the escalated effects of global warming have created a strong motivation to find some new techniques in the field of paving construction. Adopting new technologies, such as warm-mix asphalt (WMA) or the recycling process of asphalt can be very helpful for the economy and have a significant impact on the environmental footprint. Thus, this research aimed to study the mechanical and durable characteristics of modified WMA mixtures using (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) Sasobit REDUX®, (0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) Aspha-Min®, and (0.07%, 0.1%, and 0.125) ZycoTherm® additives corresponding to three percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) (20%, 40%, and 60%). Three mixing temperatures have been conducted in this study to generate WMA mixtures at (135 °C, 125 °C, and 115 °C) corresponding to three compacting temperatures (125 °C, 115 °C, and 105 °C). The mechanical properties of the developed WMA mixtures have been evaluated using the Superpave volumetric... [more]

Decreasing the negative impact of buildings on the environment is a major challenge [...]

We present a concise mini overview on the approaches to the disposal of nuclear waste currently used or deployed. The disposal of nuclear waste is the end point of nuclear waste management (NWM) activities and is the emplacement of waste in an appropriate facility without the intention to retrieve it. The IAEA has developed an internationally accepted classification scheme based on the end points of NWM, which is used as guidance. Retention times needed for safe isolation of waste radionuclides are estimated based on the radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Disposal facilities usually rely on a multi-barrier defence system to isolate the waste from the biosphere, which comprises the natural geological barrier and the engineered barrier system. Disposal facilities could be of a trench type, vaults, tunnels, shafts, boreholes, or mined repositories. A graded approach relates the depth of the disposal facilities’ location with the level of hazard. Disposal practices demonstrate the reliability... [more]

This review focuses on the consequences of the early and rapid deployment of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS) technologies, which is currently recognized as a critical problem in fulfilling climate change mitigation objectives and as a viable alternative for countries throughout the world. Currently, the geological storage of CO2 is the most effective and, in many cases, the only viable short- to medium-term alternative for considerably moving towards CO2 sequestration in geological sinks and, thus, lowering net carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Furthermore, this review explores the global and environmental measurements of CO2 emissions, as well as the emphasis behind more efficient energy usage. The components of the CCS system are briefly examined, with an emphasis on the technologies that have been developed by previous scholars to support carbon capture, as well as the kinds of carbon geological formations that are suitable sinks for CO2. Additionally, the importa... [more]

The paper presents a modified algorithm for determining the accuracy parameter of the system for differential corrections and monitoring (SDCM) navigation solution in air navigation. For this purpose, a solution to determine the resultant accuracy parameter was proposed by using two on-board global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers. The mathematical algorithm takes into account the calculation of a single point positioning accuracy for a given GNSS receiver and a weighting factor combining the position error values. The weighting factor was determined as a function of the number of tracked GNSS satellites used in the SDCM single point positioning solution. The resultant accuracy parameter was expressed in ellipsoidal coordinates BLh (B—latitude, L—longitude, h—ellipsoidal height). The study used GNSS kinematic data recorded by two on-board receivers: Trimble Alloy and Septentrio AsterRx2i, located in a Diamond DA 20-C1 aircraft. The test flight was performed near the city of... [more]

Man has been using the energy of flowing water since antiquity. Water milling flourished in Europe in the Middle Ages, reaching its maximum development in the 19th century. Since the beginning of the 20th century, water energy has been used to produce electricity. Acquiring the energy of water involves modifying the natural environment. Milling is considered to be the activity that started the emergence of fluvial anthropospheres in Europe. For centuries, the construction of watermills and millraces has caused the densification of the river network, raised the level of groundwater, and forced the deposition of sediments. From the point of view of sociohydrology, milling has been an expression of the economic and technological development of societies. The milling industry and, therefore, the natural environment have also been affected by political factors and beliefs. At the beginning of the 20th century, water drives were replaced with steam and later electric drives in mills. These c... [more]

The quality of the housing environment (HE) is an important issue that has a direct impact on the life of inhabitants. Aiming for quality in residential architecture begins with a well-designed HE, with the designing process being a value that is difficult to evaluate. Nowadays, a well-designed HE takes into account the energy efficiency of a building. An appropriate degree of thermal comfort, which is required by inhabitants, needs to be considered at the design stage. Designers can use building certification programs and multi-criteria analysis to motivate investors to construct buildings in accordance with energy efficiency requirements. These systems respond to the needs of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, sustainable heating, and ventilation. Defining ways and methods to evaluate quality in architectural projects will allow the value of the HE to be improved. For this purpose, a multi-criteria analysis of five systems that can be used to evaluate HE quality and energy efficienc... [more]

Wastewater treatment plants are considered to be not only as treatment facilities, but also essential elements of the circular economy. Wastewater treatment plants can be essential chains of the circular economy cycle. Despite this, sewage sludge management and utilization are mostly limited to biodegradation and further agricultural uses or incineration. The recovery of valuable products is mainly limited to nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Fewer analyses focus on generating, recovering, and removing various polymers from sewage sludge, such as cellulose or extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). On the other hand, sewage sludge also contains polymeric pollutants, such as microplastics. The recovery and use of biopolymers is significant considering the problems connected with the presence and effects of artificial polymers (microplastics) in the environment. Despite the technical possibilities, not many technical scale installations are operated. Law regulations should make some i... [more]

The effective utilization of shale bedding fractures is of great significance to improve shale gas recovery efficiency. Taking the Wufeng−Longmaxi Formation shale in Sichuan Basin as the research object, the formation process and mechanism of bedding fractures in marine shale are discussed, based on field observation and description, high-resolution electron microscope scanning, fluid inclusion detection, and structural subsidence history analysis. The results show that the formation of bedding fractures is jointly controlled by sedimentary characteristics, hydrocarbon generation, and tectonic movement: the development degree of bedding (fractures) is controlled by the content of shale organic matter and brittle minerals, and bedding fractures formed in the layers with high organic matter; tectonic movement created stress environment and space for bedding fractures and promoted the opening of bedding fractures; the time for calcite vein to capture fluid is consistent with the time of o... [more]

Seasonal solar thermal-energy storage systems used for space heating applications is a promising technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A novel solar heating system with seasonal and cascade thermal-energy storage based on zeolite water is proposed in this study. The system’s efficiency is improved through cascade storage and the release of solar energy. The energy storage density is improved through the deep coupling of daily energy storage and cross-seasonal energy storage. A mathematical model of the system-performance analysis is established. The system performances in the non-heating and heating seasons and throughout the year are analyzed by considering the Chifeng City of China as an application case. The results indicate that the average collection efficiency of the proposed system is 2.88% higher in the non-heating season and 7.4% higher in the heating season than that of the reference system. Furthermore, the utilization efficiency of the proposed system is 37.16%, wh... [more]

Buildings are expected to provide healthy and comfortable indoor environmental conditions for their users. Such conditions have diverse dimensions, including thermal, visual, air quality, auditory, and olfactory aspects. Indoor environmental quality standards, guidelines, and codes typically inform professionals in the building design and operation phase in view of procedural, contractual, and legal boundary conditions. Given this critical role of standards, it seems significant to examine the applicability and scientific validity on a regular basis. In this context, the present paper focuses on the standard-based definition of indoor air quality (IAQ) indicators and their respective values. Hence, the main aim of this effort is to study several common national and international IAQ standards in view of the scope to which they include direct or indirect evidence for the validity and applicability of their mandates and requirements. To this end, selected IAQ standards were assessed via... [more]

The article deals with the impacts of economic, ecological, and social development scenarios in ensuring sustainable energy development. EU countries were the statistical bases of the study; the assessment period was from 2000 to 2019. The information bases of the research were the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the European Commission data. Based on the generalized method of moments, the authors investigated the dependence of energy consumption on economic, environmental, and social development factors. The results confirm the positive relationship between renewable energy consumption and GDP per capita, foreign direct investment, and energy depletion. A negative relationship between the consumption of renewable energy, CO2 emissions, and domestic gas emissions was proved. Based on intelligent data analysis methods (methods involving one-dimensional branching CART and agglomeration), countries were clustered depending on the nature of the en... [more]

To implement a circular economy policy, methods of using waste products as a starting point for other technologies are constantly researched. One of the waste products that should be disposed of after use is waste engine oil (WEO). Despite the permanent introduction of the electrification of cars, the number of combustion vehicles (and, thus, the production of WEO) is constantly increasing. For these reasons, the reuse of WEOs is extremely important; e.g., to use these oils for energy purposes. One of the potential uses of this type of oil is as fuel for fuel cells (for direct electricity production). To lower the production costs of electrodes for fuel cells, catalysts that do not contain precious metals are being constantly sought. This work shows the research of WEO electrooxidation feasibility with Ni-Co and Cu-B catalysts. The results showed the feasibility of the electrooxidation of WEO emulsion on Ni-Co and Cu-B electrodes in an electrolyte (a water solution of sulfuric acid). M... [more]