Search results for "Environmental engineering"
showing 10 items of 2674 documents
Some links between conditional and coregionalized multivariate Gaussian Markov random fields
2020
Abstract Multivariate disease mapping models are attracting considerable attention. Many modeling proposals have been made in this area, which could be grouped into three large sets: coregionalization, multivariate conditional and univariate conditional models. In this work we establish some links between these three groups of proposals. Specifically, we explore the equivalence between the two conditional approaches and show that an important class of coregionalization models can be seen as a large subclass of the conditional approaches. Additionally, we propose an extension to the current set of coregionalization models with some new unexplored proposals. This extension is able to reproduc…
Spatio-temporal statistical methods in environmental and biometrical problems
2017
This is the editorial letter for the Special Issue dedicated to the VIII International Workshop on Spatio-temporal Modelling (METMAVIII) which took place in Valencia (Spain) from 1 to 3 June 2016, and to the second Galician-Portuguese meeting of Biometry, with applications to Health Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BIOAPP2016) held in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), 30–2 July 2016. This special issue summarises and discusses selected peer-reviewed contributions related to spatial and spatio-temporal statistical methodologies comprising both new methodological approaches and a wide range of applications related to environmental and biometrical problems. Point processes, lattice …
Spectroscopic and conformational properties of size-fractions separated from a lignite humic acid
2007
Abstract A lignite humic acid (HA) was fractionated by preparative high performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) in seven different size-fractions. The size-fractions were characterized by cross polarization (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) 13 C NMR spectroscopy and a further analytical HPSEC elution under UV and fluorescence detection. The alkyl hydrophobic components mainly distributed in the largest molecular-size-fraction, whereas the amount of oxidized carbons increased with decreasing size of fractions. Cross polarization time ( T CH ) and proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame ( T 1 ρ (H)) were measured from variable contact time (VCT) experiments. The bulk…
Optimization and Multicriteria Evaluation of District Heat Production and Storage
2019
Climate change mitigation policy requires reducing dependence on fossil fuels and transition to low carbon energy production in district heating (DH). We study here inclusion of two kinds of renewable energy to a CHP based DH system in Finland: solar heat and ground source heat. In addition, we apply heat storages to balance the gap between production and fluctuating demand. The optimal operation of the extended systems is determined by a simulation and optimization model to minimize the operating costs. We evaluate the different possible extensions in terms of multiple economic, technical and environmental criteria using Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis (SMAA). The results s…
Territorial development models: A new strategic vision to analyze the relationship between the environment, public goods and geographical indications
2021
Abstract Geographical indications (GIs) are increasingly seen as a tool to support sustainable local development. This study focuses on how geographical indications can contribute to a territorial public system, and how this can be threatened by several market failures. Starting from the economic literature on public goods, this document highlights how geographical indications, and their legal protection, can guarantee a sustainable development model. This article aims to illustrate and develop new economic arguments that support a more comprehensive political approach to the contribution that Geographical indications make to sustainable development. The research is focused in Sicily on the…
In Itinere STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT of an integrated provincial waste system
2009
In the paper, the practical problem of analysing in an integrated way the performance of provincial waste systems is approached, in the framework of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). In particular, the in itinere phase of SEA is analysed herein. After separating out a proper group of ambits, to which the waste system is supposed to determine relevant impacts, pertinent sets of single indicators are proposed. Through the adoption of such indicators the time trend of the system is investigated, and the suitability of each indicator is critically revised. The structure of the evaluation scheme, which is essentially based on the use of ambit issues and analytical indicators, calls …
Fire risk assessment and cable selection for enduser substations
2017
This paper examines the issues related to fire risk assessment in end-users substations. Fires in substations may be caused by electrical faults, overvoltages, lack of maintenance, etc. It is crucial that fires be confined within the substation, and not propagate into the adjacent environment, where their effects may put at risk personnel, as well as other properties. To reduce this risk of propagation, the choice of cables and the related wiring methods are crucial; in addition, the characteristics of cable chases that route cables from the substation to adjacent rooms is very important. IEEE and IEC fire protection standards for end-user substations are herein discussed, with emphasis on …
Influence of total solids concentration on membrane permeability in a submerged hollow-fibre anaerobic membrane bioreactor.
2012
The main aim of this work was to study the influence of the mixed liquor total solids (MLTS) concentration on membrane permeability (K 20) in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) pilot plant, which is equipped with industrial hollow-fibre membranes and treats urban wastewater. This pilot plant was operated at 33°C and 70 days of SRT. Two different transmembrane fluxes (13.3 and 10 LMH) were tested with a gas sparging intensity of 0.23 Nm 3 m -2 h -1 (measured as Specific Gas Demand referred to membrane area). A linear dependence of K 20 on MLTS concentration was observed within a range of MLTS concentration from 13 to 32 g L -1 and J 20 of 10 LMH. K 20 was maintained at sustai…
Process analysis of a biomass-based quad-generation plant for combined power, heat, cooling, and synthetic natural gas production
2015
Abstract A new concept for upgrading distributed co-generation plants to quad-generation plants, which combine the production of power, heating, cooling and synthetic natural gas (SNG), is designed and analyzed. Five cases with SNG production ranging from 0% to 100% of total energy outputs are designed to simulate different modes of operation. The quad-generation system is simulated using ASPEN PLUS and described by simulating different portions of the system. This paper also describes the new process, which is of particular interest for improving the total first law efficiency. With this system, it is possible to increase the efficiency of natural resource utilization, minimize the environ…
Land surface processes: description, theoretical approaches, and physical laws underlying their measurements
1991
For more than a decade, evidence has accumulated from climate model experiments that the exchanges of momentum, heat, and moisture at the surface are phenomena that strongly influence the dynamics and thermodynamics of the atmosphere.