Design Of Sustainable Systems Research Articles

Recycling of Municipal Sewage Sludge in Sustainable Logistics Systems

The article is devoted to the problem of designing recycling in sustainable logistics systems in the field of processing wastewater treatment waste - municipal sewage sludge (MSS). The essence of the developed and proposed wastewater treatment project is based on its integration into the city's public utilities system, which will be a single basis for a closed-type logistics system. This approach to the design of sustainable logistics systems ensures the formation of a closed material flow in terms of "supply of raw materials - production - product distribution". This allows solving two problems: ensuring the creation of a closed logistics system and developing a new type of fertilizer. The solutions proposed in this project in the implementation of the MSS processing project are complex and allow implementing all areas of the sustainable development strategy. The design technology makes it possible to completely close the logistics cycle for the supply and processing of MSS into finished products in the form of organic fertilizers.

It’s about time: How to study intertemporal choice in systems design

Decision making pervades software and systems engineering. Intertemporal decisions involve trade-offs among outcomes at different points in time. They play a central role in systems design, as recognised since the inception of the software engineering (SE) field. They are also crucial for the sustainability of design decisions. However, temporal decision making is not adequately understood in SE. The field of Judgement and Decision Making (JDM) offers important empirical findings and research methods that could be utilised. This article establishes a baseline for studying how software professionals handle intertemporal choices. It examines how temporal distance affects choices in an example scenario, explores in what areas of software development such decisions can be found, and examines how systems design decisions can be characterised and studied as intertemporal. We developed a method to study intertemporal choice in SE, based on an initial set of psychological theory grounded in JDM. We instantiated the method in a study to elicit responses to an intertemporal choice task followed by a Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) interview. We found that study participants overall tended to discount future outcomes, but individual participants varied wildly in how they valued present vs. future outcomes. They indicated several locations in which intertemporal choices occur in everyday software development. Based on these findings, and by reconciling our initial theory with existing JDM theory and results, we further developed and refined our theory and study method into a framework for studying intertemporal decision making in SE. To obtain a basis for more sustainable software systems design decisions, SE research should adopt a more comprehensive, detailed, and empirically consistent way of understanding and studying intertemporal choices. We provide suggestions for how future research could achieve practical methods that address essential characteristics of real-life systems design decisions.

Design of ultra-strong but ductile iron-based alloys with low supersaturations

High-performance but low-cost structural materials with nanoscale precipitations are vitally important for engineering applications in advanced industry systems. Thus far, the classical nucleation mechanism assumes a critical nucleus of a homogeneous composition up to a sharp boundary with a large energy barrier of nucleation. A fine dispersion of nanoscale precipitates often requires strong solute supersaturations with expensive alloying additions or otherwise deteriorated strength-ductility, weldability, and fabricability. The simultaneous satisfaction of all these mutually exclusive requirements is the longstanding issue for the design of advanced materials for structural applications. In this alloy design, we have adopted a revolutionary approach of ultra-strong iron-based alloys that have resolved all these key issues through non-classical nanoscale precipitations and multi-elemental partitioning. Such an alloy design strategy offers a unique approach to control nanoscale precipitates with low solute supersaturations. Fine precipitations so designed lead to the strong enhancement of both the precipitate-dislocation interactions and work-hardening capacity, resulting with a sharp increase of the yield strength (YS) to as high as 1500 MPa and tensile ductility up to 15%. Furthermore, our design assures outstanding fabricability together with superior post-weld properties through dense nanoscale reprecipitations (∼1024m−3) in a well economical manner for production. The non-classical actions unfold brand new pathways for precipitation of various intermediate structures and chemistries with low energy barriers, especially useful for the design of sustainable and economical modern alloy systems.

Sustainable tax system design for use of mass real estate appraisal in land management

Sustainable land management aims at land use by protecting nature. Real estate value is one of the important parts of land management, especially at the decision stages. The value associated with a major part of domestic real estate is tax value. The purpose of this study is to develop a tax system that is easy to understand and use as well as compatible with innovations. The sustainability of mass real estate appraisal is provided with legal, physical, locational, neighborhood and economic criteria according to ordinary and extraordinary conditions. The plots reserved for housing in urban areas were selected as the real property type with updates regarding appraised value for taxation. Valuation stages were discussed separately from general to detail, and coefficients were used under the current tax law. Sustainable mass plot appraisal system was designed by providing sustainable cycle economic and extraordinary criteria. The application was carried out in Konya/Lalebahçe Neighborhood and the sustainability of the system was observed. A multiple regression model was created from the samples of 2015 and the real estate value estimation was made with the data of the criteria affecting the value. With the model obtained from the economic criteria of 2005–2015, the economic valuation rate of real estate was found for the years 2016–2021. The results were compared with 10 market sample data for the years 2020–2021. The values estimated by the economic valuation rate of the real estate in 2020 approached the market values with an average of ± 7 % standard deviation and in 2021 with a ± 14 % standard deviation. A sustainable mass appraisal system for taxation was successfully tested and its sustainability was observed.

Composite Hydrogels Based on Poly(Ethylene Glycol) and Cellulose Macromonomers as Fortified Materials for Environmental Cleanup and Clean Water Safeguarding.

Pollution with organic dyes is one of the most typical environmental problems related to industrial wastewater. The removal of these dyes opens up new prospects for environmental remediation, but the design of sustainable and inexpensive systems for water purification is a fundamental challenge. This paper reports the synthesis of novel fortified hydrogels that can bind and remove organic dyes from aqueous solutions. These hydrophilic conetworks consist of chemically modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-m) and multifunctional cellulose macromonomers ("cellu-mers"). Williamson etherification with 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (4-VBC) is used to modify PEGs of different molecular masses (1, 5, 6, and 10 kDa) and cellobiose, Sigmacell, or Technocell™ T-90 cellulose (products derived from natural renewable resources) with polymerizable/crosslinkable moieties. The networks are formed with good (75%) to excellent (96%) yields. They show good swelling and have good mechanical properties according to rheological tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that cellulose fibers are visibly embedded into the inner hydrogel structure. The ability to bind and remove organic dyes, such as bromophenol blue (BPB), methylene blue (MB), and crystal violet (CV), from aqueous solutions hints at the potential of the new cellulosic hydrogels for environmental cleanup and clean water safeguarding.

A multi-objective solution approach for the design of a sustainable and robust system of wastewater treatment plants: The case of Chile

Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. Combined with a more erratic and uncertain supply, this will aggravate the situation of currently water-stressed regions and generate water stress in areas with abundant water resources. It presents a major challenge for climate adaptation and raises the need for new sources of water resources. The research question, then, is whether there are sustainable supply chain configurations for wastewater reuse capable of operating with frequent changes in water demand and wastewater availability. Then, a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MoMILP) model to provide an explicit description of the robustness concept is formulated. To illustrate the proposal’s usefulness, the current situation in the center-north zone of Chile, where the availability and demand of water resources continue to fluctuate by natural and economic factors, is considered. The results provide five robust and sustainable supply chain configurations for wastewater reuse alternatives. They guarantee to meet the minimum demand for the resource with the amount available in any scenario. These results could be the basis for governmental policies related to tenders for wastewater reuse plant development, considering water is a common pool resource. Finally, some theoretical and practical contributions, extensions, managerial implications, and future work are discussed to develop a robust and generalized approach for the generation of public plans and policies in the design of robust and sustainable wastewater treatment plant systems.

Catalyst-Free Photochemical Activation of Peroxymonosulfate in Xanthene-Rich Systems for Fenton-Like Synergistic Decontamination: Efficacy of Proton Transfer Process.

Catalyst-free visible light assisted Fenton-like catalysis offers opportunities to achieve the sustainable water decontamination, but the synergistic decontamination mechanisms are still unclear, especially the effect of proton transfer process (PTP). The conversion of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in photosensitive dye-enriched system was detailed. The photo-electron transfer between excited dye and PMS triggered the efficient activation of PMS and enhanced the production of reactive species. Photochemistry behavior analysis and DFT calculations revealed that PTP was the crucial factor to determine the decontamination performance, leading to the transformation of dye molecules. The excitation process inducing activation of whole system was composed of low energy excitations, and the electrons and holes were almost contributed by LUMO and HOMO. This work provided new ideas for the design of catalyst-free sustainable system for efficient decontamination.

Integrating “One Health” Concepts in the Design of Sustainable Systems for Environmental Use

Ensuring for the national defense requires the use of substances such as energetics, propellants, pyrotechnics, and other materials in environmental applications. Systems that use these materials do so in testing and training environments and must be used in an environmentally sustained manner to ensure success during actual kinetic defensive operations. Environmental and occupational health assessments require a weighted evaluation of toxicity, bioaccumulation, persistence, and environmental fate and transport considerations for each substance in the formulation to include potential combustion products. Data that support these criteria need to be collected in a phased and matrixed approach and considered iteratively as technology advances. Further, these criteria are often considered as disparate and separate; hence, comparing favorable aspects of one may or may not offset detrimental data from another. Here, we describe an approach to the phased collection of environmental, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) information for new systems and substances and provide recommendations for evaluating such data streams in making decisions for use and for evaluating alternatives.

Complexity, Crash and Collapse of Chaos: Clues for Designing Sustainable Systems, with Focus on Grassland-Based Systems

Terms such as system crash, collapse of chaos and complexity can help one understand change, also in biological, socio-economic and technical systems. These terms need, however, explanation for fruitful dialogue on design of sustainable systems. We start this paper on Grass Based (GB) systems, therefore, dwelling on these terms and notions as review for the insiders and to help interested ‘outsiders’. We also stress the need to use additional and/or new paradigms for understanding of the nature of nature. However, we show that many such ‘new’ paradigms were known for long time around the globe among philosophers and common men, giving reason to include quotes and examples from other cultures and eras. In the past few centuries, those paradigms have become hidden, perhaps, under impressive but short-term successes of more linear paradigms. Therefore, we list hang-ups on paradigms of those past few centuries. We then outline what is meant by ‘GB systems’, which exist in multiple forms/‘scapes’. Coping with such variation is perhaps the most central aspect of complexity. To help cope with this variation, the different (GB) systems can be arranged on spatial, temporal, and other scales in such a way that the arrangements form logical sequences (evolutions) of stable states and transitions of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). Together with other ways to handle complexity, we give examples of such arrangements to illustrate how one can (re-)imagine, (re-)cognize and manage initial chaotic behaviors and eventual ‘collapse’ of chaos into design and/or emergence of new systems. Then, we list known system behaviors, such as predator–prey cycles, adaptive cycles, lock-in, specialization and even tendency to higher (or lower) entropy. All this is needed to understand changes in management of evolving GB into multi-scapes. Integration of disciplines and paradigms indicates that a win-win is likely to be exception rather than rule. With the rules given in this paper, one can reset teaching, research, rural development, and policy agendas in GB-systems and other areas of life.

A Decision Framework for Designing Sustainable Wastewater-Based Resource Recovery Schemes

The availability of sufficient water supply is a challenge many municipalities have faced in recent decades and a challenge that is expected to intensify with time. While several choices remain for selecting alternatives to freshwater sources, water reclamation offers an opportunity for sustainable resource recovery. Nonetheless, tradeoffs exist in the selection of the most sustainable technology for recovering resources from wastewater when long-term impacts are taken into consideration. This article investigates the factors influencing the environmental and economic impacts of resource recovery technologies through the analysis of life cycle environmental and economic impact case studies. Key characteristics were extracted from life cycle assessment and life cycle cost case studies to evaluate the factors influencing the sustainability of the resource recovery systems. The specific design parameters include the type of resources to be recovered, technology utilized, scale of implementation, location, and end users. The design of sustainable resource recovery systems was found to be largely driven by scale, location (e.g., as it pertains to the energy mix and water quality restrictions), and the scope of the system considered. From this analysis, a decision framework for resource recovery-oriented wastewater management was developed and then applied to an existing case study to demonstrate its usability.

Choosing an optimized refrigeration system based on sustainability and operational scenarios applied to four supermarket architectures in three European countries

The growing global demand for refrigeration requires the design of more sustainable systems. However, despite environmentally promising technologies in refrigeration, there are still barriers to their widespread adoption. In this paper, a generic approach able to describe the multiple performances (energy, environmental, economic, social) of refrigeration systems is proposed to assess their potential of adoption. To propose a realistic study framework, four architectures of supermarket refrigeration systems are modelled and simulated using ground data with different climatic conditions and electricity mixes (France, Sweden, Spain). The overall results of these operational scenarios show that the electricity mix is the most influential parameter on cost and environmental impact. In addition, architecture using CO2 refrigerant shows interesting performances regardless of location and despite degraded regimes during heat peaks. However, the maintenance score can be a limiting factor for installing more energy efficient systems. Two other scenarios are studied: with photovoltaic panels; with financial support. Photovoltaic panels help improving cost and environmental performances, but also strongly depend on maintenance performances. Financial support helps facilities using low-global-warming-potential refrigerant to be more competitive than those using high-global-warming-potential refrigerant.

Design of sustainable multi-source power systems using lithium batteries

This paper introduces a novel configuration by integrating the lithium battery technology (Lithium Iron Phosphate) in the Multi-Source Power Systems in order to optimize the global cost of a hybrid installation, and to protect the environment. In addition, the developments and evaluations of the performance of the battery bank used in the Multi-Source Power System are highlighted. Thus, a lifetime comparison between Lithium Iron Phosphate and lead-acid batteries over twenty-five years has been performed. Moreover, the aging rate of the battery banks has been calculated based on a dynamic simulation model developed in Matlab-Simulink with a real meteorological database and a consumption profile of one year. By using the sensitivity analysis the optimal configuration of the hybrid power system is defined. In order to evaluate the variation of the battery aging rate, mathematical models describing the cycle number in function of Depth-of-Discharge are considered. The obtained simulation results based on the mathematical models show that the aging rate of the lead-acid batteries is at least ten times more than Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. In fact, one pack of lithium battery can support a consumption load profile over twenty-five years without any replacement. However, the use of lead-acid battery requires up to 7 replacements with high maintenance costs.

MXene-decorated magnetic phase-change microcapsules for solar-driven continuous seawater desalination with easy salt accumulation elimination

Solar-driven interfacial evaporators provide a powerful means for rapid wastewater purification and seawater desalination. However, there is still an immense challenge in interfacial evaporators with efficient energy utilization and long-term evaporation stability due to intermittent solar illumination and salt accumulation. To address these issues, we developed a novel type of interfacial evaporator based on the microencapsulated n-tetracosane and n-eicosane as twin phase-change material (PCM) cores with a SiO2/Fe3O4 composite shell along with a surface-coated polypyrrole layer and surface-decorated MXene nanosheets. The resultant microcapsules act as both a solar absorber and a latent-heat storage material for sustainable evaporation of seawater. Benefiting from a rational combination of PCMs and solar absorbers, the evaporator based on the microcapsules achieved a high light absorption efficiency of 95.4 % together with evaporation rates of 2.04 and 4.11 kg·m−2·h−1 under 1.0-sun and 2.0-sun illumination, respectively. Owing to the photothermal energy released by the PCM cores, the developed evaporator exhibits a consecutive and stable evaporation behavior even without solar illumination. Compared to conventional evaporators without a PCM, there is an increase by 0.45 kg·m−2 in the yield of the distilled water obtained from the developed evaporator under 2.0-sun illumination and then in the dark environment. Based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the silica-matrix shell, the separability of the microcapsules from the accumulated salt crystals was improved through simple washing and magnetic separation. Through an innovative integration of magnetic phase-change microcapsules and solar absorbers, this study will provide a new idea and promising approach for the sustainable evaporation system design based on solar energy utilization for applications of seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.

Exploring the inner workings of design-support experiments: Lessons from 11 multi-actor experimental networks for intercrop design

New forms of field experimentation are currently emerging to support transitions towards sustainable agriculture, including “multi-actor experimental networks” (MAENs). Both in public policy and in academic research, such networks are increasingly presented as a promising approach for fostering sustainable farming system design. Many studies have inventoried, categorized and compared experimental processes to discuss them in relation to contemporary issues. However, to our knowledge, these studies have not considered how MAENs can be implemented, nor their various contributions to sustainable farming systems design. The present work therefore explores the mechanisms whereby MAENs, depending on the way they are managed, support participatory design processes. Drawing on concepts from the design sciences, we studied 11 MAENs established across Europe to support intercrop (IC) design for field crops. Data on the characteristics of these 11 MAENs and their contributions to IC design were collected through individual and group interviews with the network pilots, and the study of individual MAEN documents. The analysis provides three types of results. First, we identify nine generative functions, that is, various processes through which experiments contribute to IC design, including: (i) finding one best option or highlighting contrasts between different ICs; (ii) highlighting the conditions that must be met for an IC to achieve certain effects; (iii) discovering new ICs or properties of ICs; and (iv) supporting the emergence/continuation of collective action for IC design. Second, we highlight different ways to manage MAENs, in other words ways to manage several experiments (in space and time) with a view to supporting participatory IC design. We show that this involves (i) coordinating several objects under design within a network of experiments, (ii) managing the coexistence of experiments guided by different logics in the same geographical area, and (iii) developing interactions between the experiments at a given point in time and over time to support IC design. Third, based on the previous results, we show consistency between the various contributions of MAENs to IC design and the different ways in which the pilots managed them, and we highlight three strategies for managing MAENs to support IC design: MAENs supporting (i) R&D-led design; (ii) farmer-led design; and (iii) distributed design. All these results provide mechanisms, points of reference, MAEN types and characteristics to inspire and foster the reflexivity of R&D actors interested in developing such participatory networks in the future.

Life Cycle Assessment of Advanced Building Components towards NZEBs

The building sector accounts for 40% of the total energy consumed in Europe at annual basis, together with the relevant Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In order to mitigate these impacts, the concept and establishment of the Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) is under continuous and intensive research. In fact, as the energy used for buildings’ operation becomes more efficient, impacts resulting from the buildings’ embodied energy become of more importance. Therefore, the selection of building materials and components is of high significance, as these affect the energy performance and potential environmental impacts of the building envelopes. The objective of this study is to perform a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on advanced multifunctional building components, aiming to achieve lower embodied emissions in NZEBs. The advanced components analyzed are composite panels for facade elements of building envelopes, providing thermal efficiency. The design of sustainable building envelope systems is expected to upgrade the overall environmental performance of buildings, including the NZEBs. The findings of this study constitute unambiguous evidence on the need for further research on this topic, as substantial lack of data concerning embodied impacts is presented in literature, adding to the growing discussion on NZEBs at a whole life cycle perspective across Europe. This research has shown that the electricity required from the manufacturing phase of the examined building components is the main contributor to climate change impact and the other environmental categories assessed. Sensitivity analysis that has been performed indicated that the climate change impact is highly depended on the electricity grid energy mix across Europe. Taking into account the current green energy transition by the increase of the renewable energy sources in electricity production, as well as the future upgrade of the manufacturing processes, it is expected that this climate change impact will be mitigated. Finally, the comparison between the CLC thermal insulator and other foam concretes in literature showed that the materials of the building components examined do not present any diversions in terms of environmental impact.

Revisiting the System Energy Footprint and Power Efficiency on the Way to Sustainable 6G Systems

It is expected that the 6G architecture will bring much better network economics and energy efficiency through a heterogeneous architecture that natively blurs the boundary between dedicated network infrastructure and devices. In this context, we foresee that 6G devices will not only be communication endpoints, but they will also be able to act as active network nodes in a data path. As the impetus of climate change calls for a sustainable 6G system design approach toward carbon neutrality, it is time to revisit the power management strategies across devices and networks in cellular systems in a fundamental and holistic manner.

Case based approach to the application of standards and Interoperability in practice

Abstract Digital infrastructure and connectivity is layered and requires a number of defined viewpoints in order for safe data flow and use to occur. To address context specific challenges to support communication in health and social care, health informatics standards supporting interoperability are key. In this skills building seminar we will introduce participants to a standards based roadmap for interoperability. We will provide examples of projects and resources detailing the process of engagement to optimise system design for sustainability through a use case based approach.

Evaluation of Fresh Groundwater Lens Volume and Its Possible Use in Nauru Island

A proper management of fresh groundwater lenses in small islands is required in order to avoid or at least limit uncontrolled saltwater intrusion and guarantee the availability of the resource even during drought occurrences. An accurate estimation of the freshwater volume stored in the subsoil is a key step in the water management decision process. This study focused on understanding the hydrogeological system behaviour and on assessing the sustainable use of the groundwater resource in Nauru Atoll Island (Pacific Ocean). A first phase, concerning the hydrogeological characterization of the island, highlighted the occurrence of few drought-resilient freshwater lenses along the seashore. The second part of the study focused on the characterization of a freshwater lens found in the northern coastal area and identified such area as the most suitable for the development of groundwater infrastructures for water withdrawal. The characterization activities allowed quantifying the freshwater lens thickness and volume in order to assess the capability to satisfy the population water demand. A geo-electrical tomography survey was carried out, and a 3D density-dependent numerical model was implemented in SEAWAT. The model results demonstrated that in small islands freshwater can unexpectedly accumulate underground right along the seashore and not in the centre of the island as is commonly believed. Furthermore, the model can constitute a useful tool to manage the groundwater resources and would allow the design of sustainable groundwater exploitation systems, avoiding saltwater intrusion worsening.

Systems Thinking for Sustainability Education in Building and Business Administration and Management Degrees

In 2015, the United Nations set the 2030 Agenda, which established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including different areas—among them, Education—which determine the reality and the future of new generations. The data of SDG24 2021 establish that, by 2030, the reference values will be below those expressed in SDG 4. Education for sustainable development poses a series of competencies to achieve it; the challenge for teachers is to develop strategies, tools and methodologies that enable meaningful learning for the required complexity. Managing and solving sustainability problems requires people with systemic competences who are able to see the whole in the individuality, presenting a breadth of vision for a complex world. It is important that training takes place in universities so that students are equipped with a holistic understanding of systems. The aim of this research is to propose a didactic proposal for students of the double degree in Building and Business Administration and Management to acquire the competences of systems thinking, interdisciplinary work, personal and inter-collaborative relationships and tolerance to ambiguity and uncertainty using project-based learning and systems simulation. To achieve this, a classroom intervention proposal has been designed for the subjects Strategic Management and Sustainable Building in the fourth year of the double degree using the project-based learning and systems thinking. This practical proposal allows participants to develop a holistic view of the problems, enhancing the capacity for systemic and sustainable resolution in the design of more sustainable building systems, as well as promoting training in strategic decision making in environmental management in the medium and long term.

Design of sustainable coffee processing wastewater treatment system using K-means clustering algorithm

Coffee processing wastewater has a COD of 3100-14343 mg per liter and a BOD of 5000-35000 mg per liter that will cause water pollution and may contaminate the water ecosystem if it is dumped directly into the environment. The literature shows that coffee processing wastewater requires special treatment to reduce the negative impact on the environment. This study develops a wastewater treatment system model capable of identifying sources of emissions and pollutants to increase the effectiveness of pollutant reduction. This study aims to analyse the coffee processing wastewater treatment system, define the most significant attribute, and develop a coffee processing wastewater treatment design using a K-means clustering method. A relief-feature selection method was used to analyze the most significant attribute of coffee processing wastewater related to certain specific wastewater treatment needed. This study used an unsupervised machine learning technique to develop clustering based on the most significant attribute of coffee processing wastewater using the K-Means method. The K-means clustering result shows five coffee processing wastewater treatment clusters based on BOD and Acidity. For clusters with BOD < 25.000 mg per liter: biological and chemical wastewater treatment will be applied through coagulation, adsorption, filtration, bio-filtration, and anaerobic microbial processes to separate pollutants. For clusters with BOD >25.000 mg/l: physical wastewater treatment will be applied through electro-coagulation.