Search results for "Renewable Energy"
showing 10 items of 2318 documents
Effect of biomass features on oxygen transfer in conventional activated sludge and membrane bioreactor systems
2019
Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the oxygen transfer efficiency in a conventional activated sludge and a membrane bioreactor system. The oxygen transfer was evaluated by means of the oxygen transfer coefficient and α-factor calculation, under different total suspended solids concentration, extracellular polymeric substances, sludge apparent viscosity and size of the flocs. The oxygen transfer coefficient and α-factor showed an exponential decreasing trend with total suspended solid, with a stronger oxygen transfer coefficient dependence in the conventional activated sludge compared to the membrane bioreactor. It was noted that the oxygen transfer coefficient in the conve…
Values of broad band turbidity coefficients in a mediterranean coastal site
1999
Abstract The Angstrom turbidity coefficient, the Linke turbidity factor, and the Unsworth–Monteith coefficient have been determined and analysed based on measurements of normal direct irradiance and global horizontal irradiance taken in Valencia, Spain, between January 1990 and December 1996. The data, which were acquired automatically and continuously, have been filtered to select only those values corresponding to clear sky conditions. To determine the Angstrom turbidity coefficient the method proposed by Louche et al. has been used whilst the expression for δCDA proposed by Kasten was used to obtain the Linke turbidity coefficient. The Angstrom turbidity coefficient showed a minimum in w…
Dissolution and hydrolysis of fibre sludge using hydroxyalkylimidazolium hydrogensulphate ionic liquids
2014
Abstract The dissolution and hydrolysis of wet fibre sludge in ionic liquids (ILs) with different reaction conditions are performed in this study. Novel types of hydroxyalkylimidazolium hydrogensulphate ILs, [glymim]HSO 4 , [hemim]HSO 4 and [hpmim]HSO 4 , are especially designed and aimed to combine the dissolution and hydrolysis of wet fibre sludge in a one-step pretreatment. The results were obtained based on the analysis of total reducing sugars (TRS) with the DNS method. The dissolution and hydrolysis of fresh wild horse chestnut fruit ( Aesculus hippocastanum ) with the same ILs were also carried out as a comparison reference. Since fibre sludge is cellulose based and horse chestnut fr…
New Challenges for Sustainable Organizations in Light of Agenda 2030 for Sustainability
2021
Sustainability is one of humanity’s most daunting issues at present. Increasing popula- tion, escalation of anthropogenic activities, industrialization, modern agricultural practices that pollute water, air, and soil around the world, and ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions mean that sustainability is now in doubt [1]. In response to these critical concerns, the world has come up with several initiatives including Agenda 2030. Agenda 2030 is a commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development worldwide, ensuring that no one is left behind by 2030. Its adoption was a landmark achievement, providing a shared vision towards sustainable development for all. Its 17 Sustain…
Beyond Biodegradability of Poly(lactic acid): Physical and Chemical Stability in Humid Environments
2017
International audience; Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most traded biodegradable and biobased material. It is largely used as ecofriendly substitute of conventional plastics. Nevertheless, one of the main limiting factors is its water sensitivity. PLA reacts with water and is hydrolyzed during time, which determines its performance. Limited information related to the hydrolysis mechanism driven by water in vapor state is available in scientific literature. Literature is mainly focused on the effects of water in liquid state. This lack of information is of significant importance, since PLA interacts with water in both phases. This work was aimed to give a full depiction of the chemical and p…
Le filiere del sistema agricolo per l'energia e l'efficienza energetica
2011
Increasing the use of renewable energies and Energy Efficiency offer significant opportunities for Italy to reduce fossil energy, greenhouse gas emissions and secure its energy supply. This report presents a brief analysis of the most important supply chains of the Agriculture system. Greatest attention is paid to the significant role that agriculture and its supply chains are likely to play in terms of bioenergy production and energy saving. Special attention is devoted to new agricultural activities like those associated with the reduction of vegetable food waste, the agrotourism, the urban agriculture, the plastic coverings and the greenhouses, the plant protection and the fertilizers. D…
Energy-saving potential of ground source multiple chillers in simple and hybrid configurations for Mediterranean climates
2022
Air conditioning accounts for a large share of energy usage in residential and tertiary sectors. Renewable energy technologies offer promising solutions to reduce the environmental impacts of meeting buildings’ energy loads. The possibility of using the soil as a thermal reservoir for heating and cooling systems has gained growing attention in the last decade due to its high potential for energy saving. In this paper, the benefits achievable using ground source chillers for air conditioning in an office building located in Southern Italy are discussed. A multiple chillers system coupled with a borehole heat exchanger is investigated and compared to conventional air-cooled and water-cooled s…
Modeling of copper fixed-bed biosorption from wastewater by Posidonia oceanica
2009
Biosorption of copper from aqueous solutions by Posidonia oceanica was investigated in batch and fixed-bed experiments. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal equilibrium at pH 5.0 and 6.0; experimental data were fitted to Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 56.92 and 85.78 mg g(-1), respectively. Five column experiments were carried out at different feed concentrations. Breakthrough times and continuous sorption isotherm were obtained from breakthrough curves. Differences among batch and continuous isotherms were observed; the maximum uptake capacity in dynamic conditions was found in 56.70 mg g(-1) for final pH between 5.0 and 5.5. The biosorbent was regener…
An improved cathode for alkaline fuel cells
2010
Abstract The use of nickel foam as an electrode substrate in alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) has been investigated for bipolar cells incorporating an electrically conducting gas diffusion layer (GDL). Improved performance, compared to a previous design, was obtained by adding an extra active layer (AL) composed of manganese (IV) oxide (MnO2) deposited onto carbon black. This new cathode design performed significantly better (130 mA cm−2 at 0.8 V and 25 °C) than the previous design (35 mA cm−2 under the same condition), especially at higher potential. It has been shown that the GDL is a key component of the gas diffusion electrode for both performance and durability, especially with liquid electr…
Alkaline fuel cell technology - A review
2021
Abstract The realm of alkaline-based fuel cells has with the arrival of anionic exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) taken a great step to replace traditional liquid electrolyte alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). The following review summarises progress, bottleneck issues and highlights the most recent research trends within the field. The activity of alkaline catalyst materials has greatly advanced, however achieving long-term stability remains a challenge. Great AEMFC performances are reported, though these are generally obtained through the employment of platinum group metals (PGMs), thus emphasising the importance of R&D related to non-PGM materials. Thorough design strategies must be utilise…