Search results for "GREENHOUSE"
showing 10 items of 357 documents
Distribution of biomass and site location of combustion and gasification power plants in western Sicily
2012
The substitution of conventional fossil fuels with biomass for energy production results both in the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and in the replacement of non-renewable energy sources. The use of biomass for energy production responds to the growing pressure of government policies towards the achievement of better environmental sustainability of power generation processes. This is particularly true for the agricultural areas of Sicily, where the realization of new economic dynamics can lead to development of a local economic system. However, at present, generating energy from biomass is rather expensive due to both technological limits related to low conversion efficiencies, and…
Seaweed Extract Improves Lagenaria siceraria Young Shoot Production, Mineral Profile and Functional Quality
2021
Vegetable landraces represent the main source of biodiversity in Sicily. Lagenaria siceraria is appreciated by Southern Mediterranean consumers for its immature fruits and young shoots. Plant-based biostimulants supply, such as seaweed extract (SwE), is a contemporary and green agricultural practice applied to ameliorate the yield and quality of vegetables. However, there are no studies concerning the effects of SwE on L. siceraria. The current study evaluated the effects of SwE foliar application (0 or 3 mL L−1) on five L. siceraria landraces (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) grown in greenhouses. Growth traits, first female flower emission, fruit yield, young shoot yield, fruit firmness, young shoo…
In-situ measurements of hemp-lime insulation materials for energy efficiency improvement
2018
Abstract Reduction of the CO2 emissions in the atmosphere is one of the goals set forth by the European Union, hence various directives have been adopted, such as the European directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency, i.e. ensuring from 2019 the construction of the near-zero energy buildings (nZEB). The construction segment plays a very important part in solving the current global problem of the greenhouse gas emissions and related processes of global warming, because in certain countries (i.e. in Latvia) it represents more than a half of the total energy consumption. Hence the necessity to elaborate means on how to boost the energy efficiency of the buildings meanwhile not rising pressure…
Integral functions of marine vertebrates in the ocean carbon cycle and climate change mitigation
2021
Summary In the last decade, the ocean has absorbed a quarter of the Earth’s greenhouse gas emissions through the carbon (C) cycle, a naturally occurring process. Aspects of the ocean C cycle are now being incorporated into climate change mitigation and adaptation plans. Currently, too little is known about marine vertebrate C functions for their inclusion in policies. Fortunately, marine vertebrate biology, behavior, and ecology through the lens of C and nutrient cycling and flux is an emerging area of research that is rich in existing data. This review uses literature and trusted data sources to describe marine vertebrate C interactions, provides quantification where possible, and highligh…
RESTORATION OF LATVIAN ALFALFA (Medicago sativa) GENETIC RESOURCES PERSPECTIVE FOR BREEDING
2015
We have carried out restoring of some Latvian alfalfa genetic resources from seeds of accessions that did not germinate in soil at all. Two of them were repatriated from the N. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Industry (multiplied more than 40 years ago) and three from the Research Institute of Agriculture (Latvia) (multiplied 15-20 years ago). For germination of old seeds we used early elaborated in vitro culture conditions. Germination rate ranged 2-60%, depending from the genotype and seeds storage conditions. Plantlets with well developed roots and 2-3 leaves were planted in the substrate in small pots and grown in a greenhouse about a month, then replanted in the soil in field co…
Flexibility Services in a Mediterranean Small Island to Minimize Costs and Emissions Related to Electricity Production from Fossil Fuels
2020
In last years, the energy efficiency in non-interconnected islands became an important topic, since the electricity production is often based on diesel generators, thus contributing to the global warming. Italian government recently emitted two decrees to promote the introduction of renewable energy technologies in 21 non-interconnected islands, both for electrical and thermal uses. In this paper, the economic and environmental feasibility of the introduction of renewable energies in the island of Pantelleria was assessed adopting an optimization approach. Furthermore, the flexibility provided from the local desalination plant and the domestic water heaters was evaluated. The final demands …
The emission reduction potentials of First Generation Electric Aircraft (FGEA) in Finland
2020
Abstract Under the looming climate crisis, aviation needs to find new solutions to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. One pathway towards zero emissions is the use of electric aircraft. While current battery technology will not allow for medium and long-haul flights at full capacity, on short-haul routes First Generation Electric Aircraft (FGEA) could play a significant role in the near future. Current FGEA under development could carry 9–19 passengers on distances of 400–1046 km by 2025. This study focuses on the emissions reduction potentials of FGEA in Finland. It compares the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) emissions and real travel times (RTT) from door-to-door of FGEA on 47 routes w…
Processability and Properties of Re-Graded, Photo-Oxidized Post-Consumer Greenhouse Films
2005
The recycling of post‐consumer plastics leads, in general, to secondary materials having properties worse than those of the reclaimed material and certainly worse than those of the same virgin polymer. This is because of the degradation undergone by the objects during their use and because of the thermo‐mechanical degradation undergone during the reprocessing operations. The change of the molecular architecture is responsible for this worsening of properties. The use of stabilizing systems can slow the degradation during the melt processing but cannot give any improvement of the final properties of the material. In order to enhance the properties of the recycled plastics, some rebuilding of…
Re-gradation of Photo-oxidized Post-consumer Greenhouse Films
2005
The degradation undergone by the polymers during their use and because of the thermo-mechanical degradation undergone during the reprocessing operations provokes, among other effects, the decrease of the molecular weight. The change of the molecular architecture is responsable for the deterioration of all the properties. In order to restore the properties of post-consumer recycled plastics, some rebuilding of the molecular structure is necessary. In this work, photo-oxidized films for greenhouses were reprocessed in presence of additives able to react with the polyethylene in order to form branching and cross-linking, improving the properties of these post-consumer plastic.
Characterization and Reprocessing of Greenhouse Films.
2001
Films for greenhouses are an attractive source of post-consumer plastic materials because they are mainly made of polyethylene and can be easily collected in large amounts in small zones. The types of polymers for this application are, however, increasing and the films contain not only additives and stabilisers, but also fertiliser and pesticide residues. Finally, the extent of photooxidative degradation undergone during the use can strongly influence the recycling operations and the final properties of the secondary material. In this work, a complete characterisation of post-consumer films for greenhouses has been carried out and the properties of the recycled material have been correlated…