High Emission Levels Research Articles

FROM ENERGY INTENSITY TO SUSTAINABILITY: AN ANALYSIS OF TRENDS IN THE ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY

The article analyses trends in the aluminium industry from the point of view of sustainable development and energy efficiency. The significant impact of industrial enterprises on the environment is discussed, particularly, the high level of greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption in aluminium smelting. Possibilities of reducing the negative impact due to the use of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, as well as the implementation of energy-efficient practices, have been identified. A taxonomic analysis was used to assess the sustainable development of aluminium enterprises due to its advantage in identifying problems and directions for production improvement. The proposed method of analysis is based on the system of factors that influence the development of the industry and correspond to the concept of sustainable development. Based on the available data of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the analysis was carried out using the following factors: economic (volume of production, energy intensity of primary aluminium smelting, total energy consumption of production, labour productivity, impact of energy intensity on emissions), environmental (emissions of greenhouse gases and energy consumption of aluminium smelting using different energy sources), social (million hours reported worked, lost time accident rate, restricted work/medical treatment accident rate). Approbation of the proposed methodology on the example of international statistical data makes it possible to determine the biggest gaps in ensuring the sustainable development of aluminium industry production, including the use of various energy sources. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that none of the factors used in monitoring the activities of aluminium producers reach the reference values. In the block of economic factors, the taxonomic indicator varies between 0.18 and 0.38 (the worst efficiency is observed in terms of total production volumes). Environmental factors have taxonomic values in the range of 0.07–0.36 (the largest reserves exist in ensuring the efficiency of energy consumption using hydropower, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the process of primary aluminium production). Among the social factors, the biggest problems are labour safety and lost working hours; as a result, the taxonomic indicator for this block is in the range of 0.04 - 0.33. The obtained results indicate the need for constant improvements in the production of aluminium, which is one of the main producers of greenhouse gases due to the high energy intensity of production. The proposed approach for conducting an analysis can be improved depending on the available statistical data and the goals of the analysis. In any case, it is valuable for obtaining information on the most critical areas in supporting the sustainable development of the industry.

Environmental chamber analysis of objective volatile organic compounds emissions and subjective olfactory perception from main automotive interior components

This study examined the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their associated odors from five key automotive interior components: door panels, weatherstrips, seats, headliners, and carpets. Objective VOC emissions and subjective odor evaluations were conducted in an environmental chamber with controlled temperature, humidity, and ventilation rates. VOC analysis revealed that alkanes and aromatic compounds were the predominant emissions, together accounting for 43 %–61 % of the total number of emission types. Other notable emissions included aldehydes and ketones. The overlap in the emitted compounds was substantial, with 13 % of the compounds being universally emitted, 42 % emitted by two or more components, and 45 % unique to individual components. Subjective odor evaluations identified distinct odor fingerprints for each component, with weatherstrips having the highest odor intensity and headliners having the lowest. Perceived pleasantness (PP) ratings were generally negative, indicating the unappealing nature of the odors. Odor activity value (OAV) analysis showed a weak linear relationship with odor intensity, particularly because of the negative correlation in weatherstrips, suggesting significant masking or enhancement effects among odor molecules. Aldehydes and acids were the major contributors to OAV, whereas alkanes, which are often overlooked, were also significant because of their high emission levels.

Effect of Separating Air into Primary and Secondary in an Integrated Burner Housing on Biomass Combustion

Pellet burners, although they are commonly used devices, require high-quality fuels and yet are characterized by relatively high levels of CO and NO emissions and their variability. This article presents a combustion study of an original biomass burner that separates air into primary for biomass gasification and secondary for oxidizing the gasification products, with ducts placed in the housing of the burner. This study introduces a new burner design that separates air into primary and secondary streams within an integrated burner housing, aiming to optimize biomass combustion efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. Two burner designs were proposed, with a high secondary air nozzle (HCrown) and a low secondary air nozzle (LCrown). These two burners were compared with a typical retort burner (Ret). The LCrown burner reduced particulate matter emissions by 36% and CO emissions by 74% with respect to a typical retort burner. This study showed that the distance of the secondary air nozzles from the gasifying part has a significant impact on the operation of the burner and the possibility of reducing emissions of CO and NO. These results highlight the potential of the innovation to significantly improve combustion quality while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.

Historical exposure to metals in contaminated areas and its impact on cardio- and cerebrovascular health

Environmental pollution is of global concern. In Southeast Sweden, historical glass production has contaminated communities with toxic metals. Long-term residency in these communities and high consumption of local foods may constitute a risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) or stroke.The current study investigates if residency in these contaminated sites and long-term consumption of local foods is associated with self-reported CVD and stroke. In addition, the body burden of the toxic metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as well as inflammatory protein markers, were studied for association with CVD and stroke.From an existing questionnaire cohort and biomonitoring sub cohort (n = 2290/882) of people living in the contaminated areas, self-reported CVD cases (n = 366/166) and stroke cases (n = 78/25) were identified. Individuals were grouped based on their residency within a 2 km radius of glassworks with historical high, moderate, or low air-borne lead emissions. Body burden of arsenic, cadmium, and lead was analyzed using ICP-MS. Inflammatory markers were investigated using electrochemiluminescence.Long-term residency near glassworks with historically high levels of lead emissions, and high consumption of local foods, were associated with CVD. The risk was increasing for each year of residency in high emission areas. Increased body burden of arsenic in blood, and lead in urine, were associated with stroke. Five and two inflammatory markers, respectively, were elevated in CVD and stroke cases after adjusting for confounders.An increased risk for CVD was found in areas with historically high emissions of lead but possibly also other toxic metals. Interestingly, there was an indication of a dose-response relationship with increasing risk for CVD per year of residency time. Inhalation and consumption of local food may constitute major pathways for this association. The study shows that long-term exposure to toxic metals in these contaminated areas is associated with CVD and that there is a need to limit exposure in the general population.

Scenario analysis of livestock-related PM2.5 pollution based on a new heteroskedastic spatiotemporal model

The air in the Lombardy Plain, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe due to limited atmosphere circulation and high emission levels. There is broad scientific consensus that ammonia (NH3) emissions have a primary impact on air quality, and in Lombardy, the agricultural sector and livestock activities are widely recognised as being responsible for approximately 97% of regional ammonia emissions due to the high density of livestock.In this paper, we quantify the relationship between ammonia emissions and PM2.5 concentrations in the Lombardy Plain and evaluate PM2.5 changes due to the reduction of ammonia emissions through a ‘what-if’ scenario analysis. The information in the data is exploited using a spatiotemporal statistical model capable of handling spatial and temporal correlation as well as missing data. To do this, we propose a new heteroskedastic extension of the well-established Hidden Dynamic Geostatistical Model. Maximum likelihood parameter estimates are obtained by the expectation–maximisation algorithm and implemented in a new version of the D-STEM software.Considering the years between 2016 and 2020, the scenario analysis is carried out on high-resolution PM2.5 maps of the Lombardy Plain. As a result, it is shown that a 26% reduction in NH3 emissions in the wintertime could reduce the PM2.5 average by 1.44 μg/m3 while a 50% reduction could reduce the PM2.5 average by 2.76 μg/m3 which corresponds to a reduction close to 3.6% and 7% respectively. Finally, results are detailed by province and land type.

Seasonal Variation of (Benzo[a]Pyrene) in Ambient Air of Urban to Peri-urban Areas of Panvel Municipal Corporation, Raigad with Reference to Particulate Matter

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment have been linked to severe health effects. This study aims to assess the atmospheric pollutant and analyze the variation in PAHs, focussed on benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P]. Among all PAHs, B(a)P is regarded as a marker for human carcinogenicity. This study reflects the B(a)P concentration and its correlation with the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas of Panvel Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra, India. Samples were collected during the pre & post-monsoon season for two consecutive years (Yr. 2020 and Yr. 2021). B(a)P level was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. It was observed that PM2.5 and PM10 show a strong positive correlation (r=0.8-0.9) with B(a)P. It is observed that B(a)P concentrations were high in pre-monsoon w.r.t. post-monsoon, and this concentration increased spatially as we moved from rural to urban areas. Pre-monsoon B(a)P concentration varies somewhat by 5% between rural to urban areas as compared to post-monsoon. High levels of vehicular emissions and industry were associated with the distribution of B(a)P in urban areas, whereas a combination of local emissions and metropolitan area diffusion was responsible for the presence of B(a)P in peri-urban and rural areas. Also, this study captures the variation of B(a)P levels during the period of COVID-19. In future studies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can augment the determination of PAHs in soil by improving the accuracy and speed of analysis using predictive modeling based on different input parameters to determine outliers in soil PAH data, building sensor networks for real-time monitoring of PAH levels, leverage robotics for automated sample preparations, and rapid testing of samples to identify hotspots.

Exploring the impact of renewable energy, green taxes and trade openness on carbon neutrality: New insights from BRICS countries

The world faces two significant challenges: promoting sustainable economic growth and reaching carbon neutrality. In BRICS countries, these challenges are shaped by renewable energy, green taxes, and trade openness. These countries were selected for their strategic location and the abundance of relevant data collected over the period of 1990–2021, providing a distinctive window into the energy and economic dynamics of the area. The link between renewable energy consumption, green taxes, trade openness, and natural resources and their effects on carbon emissions in BRICS countries is examined in this study using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square Method (FMOLS) estimator and the Drisc Kraay estimator for the robustness test. The findings indicate that using renewable energy and green taxes primarily contribute to reducing emissions, particularly at higher emissions levels. The study reveals that various factors, namely financial globalization, trade openness, efficient resource management, and population growth, substantially impact carbon neutrality. Population growth positively impacts carbon neutrality, while using renewable energy sources mitigates it. Furthermore, the empirical findings show a statistically significant positive association between financial globalization, efficient resource management, and carbon neutrality in BRICS nations. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an integrated ecological governance strategy to control and direct financial resources towards sustainable development and green energy.

Carcinogenic industrial air pollution and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the National Institutes of Health AARP Diet and Health Study

BackgroundChemicals emitted from industrial facilities include known or suspected mammary carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, but epidemiologic studies are limited. We evaluated associations between air emissions of multiple carcinogenic chemicals and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a large prospective U.S. cohort. MethodsWe used the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory to estimate historical airborne emissions (1987–1995) of 19 known and probable carcinogens for participants enrolled (1995–1996) in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Among 170,402 women, 15,124 breast cancers were diagnosed through 2018. We constructed inverse distance- and wind-weighted average emissions metrics within 1, 2, 5, and 10 km of the enrollment address for each chemical. We estimated multivariable adjusted HRs and 95 % CIs for categories (quartiles, tertiles, medians) of each chemical in association with breast cancer overall and separately by type (invasive, ductal carcinoma in situ) and estrogen receptor (ER) status. ResultsWe observed an association between benzene emissions and breast cancer risk that was strongest at 1 km (HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 2.06, 95 %CI: 1.34–3.17; p-trend = 0.001). The magnitude of the association weakened with increasing distance (2 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 1.17, 95 %CI=0.92–1.49; p-trend = 0.19; 5 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 1.05, 95 %CI=0.94–1.16; p-trend = 0.37; 10 km HRQ4 vs. non-exposed = 0.95, 95 %CI=0.89–1.02; p-trend = 0.19) and appeared to be most relevant for invasive rather than intraductal disease. Overall risk was also elevated for vinyl chloride at 5 km (HR≥median vs. non-exposed = 1.20, 95 %CI=1.01–1.43; p-trend = 0.04), but not 2 km or 10 km. We observed suggestive associations for asbestos, trichloroethylene, and styrene in different subgroup analyses, but risk patterns were not clear across distances. Associations with other chemicals were generally null, with limited evidence of heterogeneity by disease type or ER status. ConclusionsAn increased risk of breast cancer associated with relatively high levels of industrial benzene emissions warrants additional study, particularly among participants with diverse sociodemographic characteristics that live in areas with higher density of industrial facilities.

The impact of digital carbon communication on market response to carbon disclosure: The moderating effects of external supervision

This study investigates the influence of digital carbon communication quality (DCC) on market response to carbon disclosure within the reality of government environmental regulation and media attention, employing a DCC index constructed by an Autoencoder model. Using Chinese data from 2015 to 2022, we find that DCC mitigates negative market response to carbon disclosure by alleviating information asymmetry and enhancing corporate environmental performance, especially when government environmental regulation or media attention is insufficient. Moreover, DCC exhibits a stronger impact on the carbon disclosure market responses in firms with low institutional shareholdings, non-state-owned firms, and firms with high emission levels.

Novel integrated system for power, hydrogen, and ammonia production using direct oxy-combustion sCO2 power cycle with automatic CO2 capture, water electrolyzer, and Haber-Bosch process

Renewable energy-based multigeneration systems for power, hydrogen, and ammonia production suffer from intermittency issues and high production costs. On the other hand, conventional fossil-fuel-based systems yield high levels of CO2 emissions. Thus, to eliminate the intermittency issue with low production costs and near zero CO2 emissions, a novel integrated, efficient, compact, and interactive system for power, hydrogen (H2), and ammonia (NH3) production is developed and investigated in this study. A direct oxy-combustion supercritical carbon dioxide (DOC-sCO2) power plant is integrated with a water electrolyzer (WE) and Haber-Bosch process (HBP) system for the cogeneration of power, H2, and NH3, respectively. The power consumption of the air separation unit (ASU) of the DOC-sCO2 cycle is significantly reduced by the utilization of the oxygen produced from the WE system. Moreover, the cost of ammonia production is minimized by the internal utilization of the nitrogen gas produced by the ASU. Furthermore, the feedwater of the WE system is supplied internally from the DOC-sCO2 power block. In addition, the CO2 emissions of the system are captured to realize near-zero emissions to the ambiance. Based on these features, thorough energy, exergy, economic, and environmental (4E) analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. The obtained results showed an impressive levelized cost of electricity of 3.72¢/kWh, levelized cost of hydrogen of 1.162$/kgH2, and ammonia of 0.197$/kgNH3 at an overall energy and exergy efficiencies of 44.09 %, and 63.6 %, respectively. The system has no emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and reduces the CO2 emissions of the H2 production by 49.6 % and of the NH3 production by 48.8 % compared to the conventional gasification, SMR, and HBP systems, respectively. This research work also provides insights into wet versus dry cooling, part load operation, and the advantages over renewable-based systems in terms of stability, reliability, and economic feasibility.

A technique for modeling conductive interferences of an AC/DC flyback converter

Formulation of the problem. Compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards is an important requirement for most pulsed AC/DC converters. However, during preliminary tests, a high level of conductive interference emission into the supply network is often detected. The elimination of this problem requires several iterations of additional work and subsequent product inspections in the EMC laboratory, which leads to a delay in the design time and an increase in the time of use of expensive measuring equipment. Modeling of conductive interference at the stages of circuit design makes it possible to solve the problem in a shorter time without the need for a large number of laboratory measurements. Purpose. Development of a technique for modeling conductive interference in the LTspice circuit modeling program using the example of an AC/DC flyback converter. The technique will allow for an engineering assessment of the conductive interferences level, optimize the converter filters, which reduces the design time spent on achieving the required EMC standards. Results. The proposed technique was used to build a model of a 120-watt flyback converter and simulate the conductive interference generated by it in the frequency range 9 kHz-30 MHz. The absolute error of the model data relative to the spectrograms of the converter ranged from +6.5 dBuV to -4.3 dBuV in the frequency range of 9 kHz-7 MHz. At higher frequencies, the error increased. Practical significance. The developed technique makes it possible to perform a preliminary assessment of the level of conductive interference with subsequent optimization of the converter circuit, which reduces the subsequent quantity of product modifications. The same technique can be used by developers at remote work.

Impact of renewable and non-renewable generation on economic growth in Greece

The consumption of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels has raised concerns about climate change. The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement aimed to address climate change by promoting sustainable clean energy technologies. The UN conference in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023 concluded with an agreement marking the end of the fossil fuel era. All these developments aim to address climate change through the use of clean energy technologies while maintaining economic growth. The connection of climate change with the developing model has gained significant importance on countries’ adjusted plans for climate change. The fossil fuels have a negative impact on economic growth of Greece, implying a continuous dependence from non renewable energy sources and a burden of economic expansion. The reliable estimation of the consequences of climate change on growth, both spatial and temporal, constitutes a decisive parameter for the adjusted plan not only in short term level but also in a long term horizon. Focusing on the improvement of energy efficiency, on the maximization use of renewable energy sources in Greece, on the emphasis given to technologies and fuels storage as well as alternative technologies of energetic and industrial sector, the achievement of energetic and climate transition designed on Greece will be feasible on a long term strategy. The results showed that the growth of renewable energy sources to produce electric energy is necessary for the sustainable growth of Greece. Specifically, the results of ARDL model showed that the renewable energy sources have a positive impact on economic growth in Greece in the long run, and the non-renewable energy sources have a significant effect on economic growth in the short run. These results imply that the aim for investments on renewable energy sources from policy makers should be direct mainly on regions with high levels of carbon dioxide emissions due to lignite combustion.

Sustainable development through green transition in EU countries: New evidence from panel quantile regression

Sustainable development addresses global challenges by promoting practices that balance economic, social, and environmental considerations. Key factors include the shifting to green energy and the integrating of green technology in the sustainable development process. This study investigates the heterogenous effects of green technology development, green energy, R&D expenditures, FDI, economic growth, and urbanization on CO2 emissions in 25 European Union (EU) countries using panel quantile regression over the period 2000–2021. The results, based on panel quantile regression, indicate that green energy decreases CO2 emissions from the 10th to the 90th quantiles, while green technology development increases CO2 emissions at the lower quantiles (10th to 60th) and then turns negative. The robustness of the fixed effect model also confirms the findings of the study. Additionally, panel causality tests indicate no causal link between green technology development and CO2 emissions, but there is bidirectional causality between green energy and CO2 emissions. Therefore, the findings highlight that policymakers should thoroughly evaluate measures and strategies to encourage the development of green technologies and green energy sources to reduce high levels of CO2 emissions. One strategy is to provide financial aid and support technological advances to produce green energy at reduced costs.

Managerial Economic Strategies In Improving Micro Business

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are gases released into the atmosphere from various human activities on earth which cause a greenhouse effect in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), methane gas (CH4), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). Carbon gas as the main pollutant is produced from burning oil, coal and other organic fuels. To reduce this negative impact, each country then ratified the Paris Agreement and committed to keeping the temperature increase to less than 2 degrees Celsius. In this regard, each country targets reducing GHG emissions, especially carbon, within a certain period of time. The Indonesian government has set a target to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors by 2030 by 29 percent with its own efforts or up to 41 percent with funding assistance from abroad. In the 41% reduction target, the government hopes to collaborate with developed countries that have high levels of carbon emissions, through a "carbon trading" mechanism. This research explains the implementation of policies to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions using the Edwards III approach. The indicators are Communication, Disposition, Resources and Bureaucratic Structure. The research method used is qualitative, descriptive analysis type. Data collection through literature study. Data was obtained from e-books, journals and articles

Integrated porous self-sustaining combustion of inert pellets and reactive wood lamellae with additives: Dynamic co-production method for heat and hydrogen

Efficient hydrogen production from renewable wood is an important way to solve environmental pollution and optimize energy structure. However, the poor heat efficiency and high emission level of direct combustion limited wood industrial applications. In order to enhance the heat efficiency and hydrogen production of waste wood, a device combining inert porous pellets and reactive wood lamellae was proposed. The effects of additives and porous structure parameters on wood combustion characteristics were investigated under different operating conditions. The results demonstrated that the addition of adhesive improved the combustion temperature and hydrogen production time, and the hydrogen production time increased by 3.6 times after adding two layers of resin. With the increasing of water content, the hydrogen yield increased first and then decreased. Moreover, alkali metals in solution promoted syngas production, which had the lower heating value of up to 3.4 MJ/Nm3. Furthermore, the preheating temperature and inlet air velocity significantly increased the combustion temperature and rate, and achieved efficient combustion at the preheating temperature of 623 K and the air velocity of 4 cm/s. The results provided theoretical guidance for the efficient wood utilization and green hydrogen production.

Carbon Emissions and Intensity of Land Use: A Rural Setting Analysis in Ningde City, China

Carbon emissions and land use intensity serve as crucial indicators of land management. This paper proposes a methodological framework to elucidate the sustainability of carbon emissions in rural areas via a coordination model, scrutinizes the correlation with land use intensity, and investigates the significance of influential factors. The study focuses on village-level units within Ningde City, and finds the pronounced spatial heterogeneity characterizing the distribution of carbon emissions across different villages: (1) Villages exhibiting high levels of carbon emissions are predominantly concentrated in the southeast region, whereas those with low carbon emission levels are primarily clustered in the northwest region. The majority of the villages serve as net carbon emission sources. (2) Spatial disparities exist in the impact of land use intensity on economic benefits from carbon sources, ecological benefits from carbon sinks, and carbon emission sustainability. (3) Significant variations exist in the influence of factors affecting land use intensity, economic benefits of carbon sources, ecological benefits of carbon sinks, and the sustainability of carbon emissions in rural areas. These findings could guide governments in implementing distinct land use control policies and provide a framework for assessing carbon emission sustainability within land management strategies.

Disaggregation of Dairy in Composite Foods in the United Kingdom

Dairy, especially cheese, is associated with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate estimates of dairy consumption are therefore important for monitoring dietary transition targets. Previous studies found that disaggregating the meat out of composite foods significantly impacts estimates of meat consumption. Our objective was to determine whether disaggregating the dairy out of composite foods impacts estimates of dairy consumption in Scotland. Approximately 32% of foods in the UK Nutrient Databank contain some dairy. In the 2021 Scottish Health Survey, mean daily intakes of dairy with and without disaggregation of composite foods were 238.6 and 218.4 g, respectively. This translates into an 8% underestimation of dairy consumption when not accounting for dairy in composite foods. In particular, milk was underestimated by 7% and cheese and butter by 50%, whereas yogurt was overestimated by 15% and cream by 79%. Failing to disaggregate dairy from composite foods may underestimate dairy consumption.

Composition, characteristics, and treatment technologies of condensable particulate matter present in flue gas emitted by coking plants in China

To study the total particulate matter (TPM) in flue gas emitted by coking plants, a sampling system that could be used to collect filterable particulate matter (FPM) and condensable particulate matter (CPM) was designed and developed based on Method 202 recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2017 and HJ 836-2017 issued by China. Using this system, FPM and CPM in flue gas emitted by four coking furnaces named A, B, C, and D were tested in China. Further, 9 water-soluble ions, 20 elements, and organic matter present in the CPM were simultaneously examined to determine their formation mechanisms. Statistical data suggested that the FPM emission level in the coking flue gas was low and the average mass concentration was less than 10 mg/m3. However, with high CPM and TPM emission levels, the TPM mass concentrations of A, B, C, and D were 130 ± 11.1, 84.4 ± 6.36, 35.1 ± 17.0, and 63.8 ± 13.0 mg/m3, respectively. The main component of TPM was CPM, and the average mass concentration of CPM accounted for 98%, 95%, 68%, and 95% of TPM in furnaces A, B, C, and D, respectively. Water-soluble ions were the important components of CPM, and the total concentration of water-soluble ions accounted for 70%, 87%, 42%, and 66% of CPM in furnaces A, B, C, and D, respectively. Toxic and harmful heavy metals, such as Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb, were detected in CPM. The formation mechanism of CPM was analyzed in combination with flue-gas treatment. It was shown that the treatment process “activated carbon– flue-gas countercurrent-integrated purification technology + ammonia spraying” used in furnaces A and B was less effective in removing CPM, water-soluble ions, metals, and compounds than that of “selective catalytic reduction denitrification + limestone–gypsum wet desulfurization (spraying NaOH solution)” in furnaces C and D. Hence, different flue-gas treatment technologies and operation levels played vital roles in the formation, transformation, and removal of CPM from flue-gas. Organic components in CPM discharged from furnace A were determined via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and the top 15 organic components in CPM were obtained using the area normalization method. N-alkanes accounted for the highest proportion, followed by esters and phenols, and most of them were toxic and harmful to humans and ecosystems. Therefore, advanced CPM treatment technologies should be developed to reduce atmospheric PM2.5 and its precursors to improve ambient air quality in China.

Study on the Heterogeneity and Regulatory Effects of Financial Development and Technological Innovation on Carbon Emission Reduction

Based on provincial panel data from 2008 to 2017 as the research sample in China, this study examines the impact of financial development on carbon emissions. Regression models are employed to estimate the influence of financial development on carbon emissions in different regions. The research reveals that the level of carbon emissions is influenced by differentiation and heterogeneity, with different regions showing varying sensitivities to factors such as financial development, technological innovation, and industrial structure. Financial efficiency has a negative impact on carbon emissions, being positive in regions with low carbon emissions. In areas with higher carbon emissions, the impact of financial efficiency on carbon emissions is greater. Industrial structure has a negative impact on carbon emissions, and in regions with lower carbon emissions, the upgrading of industrial structure has a greater impact on carbon reduction. Technological innovation has a negative impact on carbon emissions in regions with medium to high levels of emissions, while its impact in low-emission areas is positive but not significant. Per capita GDP, energy structure, and urbanization level overall have a positive impact, while foreign investment has a negative impact. The introduction of technological innovation as a moderating variable significantly enhances the significance level of financial efficiency.

Recent advances in electrostatic precipitation of particles from flue gases generated by domestic heating appliances. A brief outlook

Winter season is the time of increased emission of exhaust gases from household heating appliances containing particulate matter (PM) and other noxious contaminants. Many old buildings and single houses, particularly at rural and small town regions, still use stoves, fireplaces or ovens to flat heating. Besides qualified fuels like coal or biomass pellets, all kinds of wastes are also burned in many cases, producing not only mineral particles but also toxic volatile organic compounds or other carcinogenic species. To solve the problem of high level of emission of solid particles and organic-compound molecules different constructions of electrostatic precipitators, which can remove such particles, have been developed in last two decades, which were designed to operate downstream of small domestic boilers. Such electrostatic precipitator must comply with the ECODESIGN emission limits, which set the emission level at 20 mg/m3, for biomass. The mass collection efficiency should be higher than 95 % to obtain this emission level. This brief review presents different constructions of electrostatic precipitators designed to be used for the removal of fly ash particles from domestic heating appliances.