Individual Heating Systems Research Articles

Design and Performance Assessment of District Heating Systems in Latvian Region

The energy consumed by buildings for air conditioning accounts for a large percentage of global energy consumption. To promote efficiency and sustainability, the scientific community is making great efforts to develop renewable technologies. A well-known but unfortunately underestimated solution is the development of centralized heating and cooling systems that consistently reduce energy consumption.The work proposes a comparison between three heating configurations covering the demand of a settlement in the Latvian region: 1) centralized district heating (DH) system; 2) 5th generation district heating & cooling (5GDHC) system and 3) individual home heating (HH) systems. Thermal and electrical loads are evaluated by transient simulations of a residential area with 80 buildings for the Riga climate and compared with the same settlement in a Mediterranean region (Milan, IT). The energy plants are based on different technologies: combined heat and power (CHP) plants, gas-fired boilers, and domestic heat pumps.The analysis includes the option of power exchange with the national grid. A transient numerical model has been developed for each solution. Every component is modelled according to performance maps provided by the manufacturers, allowing an accurate simulation in both design and off-design operating conditions. The study includes energy, economic and environmental aspects.The result of the simulation highlights the large difference between the two locations, not only in terms of annual load, but also in terms of load distribution. On an annual basis, the Latvian residential complex requires almost twice as much energy as the Italian one. The thermal losses in the district systems are 4.21% in Milan solution and 5.65% in Riga. The district heating system coupled with heat pump represents the best layout in terms of primary energy consumption in both locations, with energy savings of 50% compared to other solutions. The use of 5GDHC is a good compromise that could increase the use of renewable energy. The adoption of cogeneration plant is a good choice in case of centralized district system that allows the installation of high efficiency genset. On the contrary, for small application as residential, the installation of cogeneration system results expensive and the conversion efficiency does not justify the installation.

Suitable Software for the Study of Combustion Processes in Boilers

Diversification of energy resources is a current objective that several countries want to achieve, including in northern Europe. Demand for wood fuels is increasing in Latvia, reflected in consumer expenditure. Using low-quality biomass (LQB) to produce fuel pellets for stabilisation and diversification is possible. LQB pellets can theoretically and practically be used in low-capacity solid fuel boilers to provide different types of individual heating systems with an alternative energy source. Before starting mass production of LQB fuel pellets, it is necessary to clarify the properties of the raw materials. Any fuel study shall be divided into two phases: determination of the parameters of the fuel or raw material (calorific values, moisture content, and ash content) and analysis of the combustion process. The combustion process can be studied in two ways: experimentally and by mathematical modelling. Knowing the parameters that would need to be clarified during the study of the LQB fuel pellets combustion process (thermodynamics, gaseous emissions, PM emissions, bottom ash, and slag), the authors have set the goal of clarifying the software applied to mathematical modelling of these parameters. A bibliometric analysis method was chosen to identify the software. The bibliometric analysis was carried out in the Scopus database. As a result, two software were identified: ANSYS Fluent software is suitable for modelling thermodynamic processes and gaseous emission streams. At the same time, XDEM software is ideal for modelling particle streams and ash/slag generation. This software will be used in future studies.

Oral histories of domestic heating transitions in England and Sweden: lessons on how heating transitions play out across place and time

Over the last seventy years, most European countries have undergone one or more transitions in home heating provision. Moving first away from burning solid fuels and towards communal or individual central heating systems and now towards low carbon electric heating systems. Heating transitions are awash with personal, social and cultural complexity but tend to be simplified into grand narratives that tell simple stories of technological triumph. Through analysis of 21 oral histories gathered across England and Sweden, we look beyond the techno-economic dimensions of heating transitions to understand how they play out in diverse ways in everyday life over time, producing different experiences and outcomes (socially, culturally, financially) across places and social groups. We reveal similarities and divergences between the outcomes associated with different heating transition routes pursued in each country, underlining the long-lasting consequences of heating change. The research reported in this article received full ethics approval from the University Research Ethics Committees at Sheffield Hallam University and Lund University. Informed, written consent was obtained from all research participants.

Combining techno-economic modeling and spatial analysis for heat planning in rural regions: A case study of the Holbæk municipality in Denmark

This study examines the opportunities and challenges related to heat decarbonization in rural municipalities by applying a spatial analysis in combination with techno-economic modeling using TIMES. While the transition to low-carbon heating technologies is progressing in urban areas, this shift is happening more slowly in rural areas, reflecting a difference in decarbonization rate between urban and rural contexts. This study takes the Holbæk Municipality in Denmark as a case to investigate the potential for rural heating systems considering local fuels, excess heat, and investments in different energy infrastructures. The technology options investigated include both individual heating technologies, such as domestic boilers and heat pumps, and district heating. The modeling results demonstrate that use of excess heat from the municipal wastewater treatment plant and the neighboring industrial site for district heating competes with individual heating systems that have heat pumps and biogas-fueled boilers, where the mix depends on the conditions assumed for each technology and the heat demand density. The extent of district heating expansion differs between districts in the municipality, ranging from 14% to 100% depending on the heat demand density and proximity to the current district heating network. The different possibilities for the transition of the heating sector revealed in this work indicate that a successful transition will require both a clear policy for the heating sector and an explicit decarbonization strategy for the industries that can provide excess heat for district heating.

Comparison of thermal comfort between different heating systems and adaptation to different indoor climates in winter.

Individual heating systems, such as the air-source heat pump (ASHP) air-conditioner or floor heating (FH), are usually used by people living in the hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) zone of China to heat indoor climates in the winter. However, little research has been conducted in the HSCW zone on the thermal comfort difference between indoor climates heated by ASHP air-conditioners and those heated by floor heating, as well as how occupants adapt to different indoor climates. We conducted a comparative field experiment in ASHP-heated and FH-heated apartments in Nanjing to investigate how different types of heating systems influence the thermal sensation of occupants, and we conducted a comparative field experiment in ASHP-heated office buildings and naturally ventilated teaching buildings in Shanghai to investigate how occupants adapt to different indoor thermal environments. Indoor environmental parameters and body surface temperatures were measured using instruments, and occupants' thermal sensation, activity level, and clothing were evaluated using the questionnaire. The results show that floor heating improves thermal comfort by raising foot temperature compared to the ASHP air-conditioner, and that occupants become acclimatized to different indoor climates by adjusting neutral operative temperature. According to the findings, there is no need to overheat the indoor environment in the HSCW zone because occupants can adapt to their experienced thermal environment and it is critical to maintain warm foot temperature in the cool/cold indoor environment.

Viable-feasibility of innovated combined condenser over traditional individual condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube water heating system: a comparative-conclusive approach

Purpose This study aims to provide an alternative adoption to overcome the energy crisis and environmental effluence by comparative theoretical and trial testing analysis of an innovative combined condenser unit over traditional individual condenser unit water heating systems. Design/methodology/approach The presented innovative new unit of the combined condenser heat pipe works efficiently through its improved idea and unique design, providing uniform heating to improve the heat transfer and, finally, the temperature of water increases without enhancing the cost. In this design, all these five evaporator units were connected with a single combined condenser unit in such a manner that after the condensation of heat transfer fluid vapour, it goes equally into the evaporator pipe. Findings The maximum temperature of hot water obtained from the combined condenser heating system was 60.6, 55.5 and 50.3°C at a water flow rate of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s, respectively. The first and second law thermodynamic efficiency of the combined condenser heating system were 55.4%, 60.5% and 89.0% and 2.6%, 3.7% and 4.1% at 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s of water flow rates, respectively. The combined condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube heating system promoting progressive performance is considered efficient and environment-friendly compared to the traditional condenser unit water heating system. Originality/value Innovative combined condenser heat pipe evacuated tube collector assembly was designed and developed for the study. A comparative theoretical and experimental energy-exergy performance analysis was performed of innovated collective condenser and traditional individual condenser heat pipe water heating system at various mass flow rate.

Heating transition in the hot summer and cold winter zone of China: District heating or individual heating?

Heating transition in the hot summer and cold winter zone is crucial for China's energy transition towards carbon neutrality. However, future heating solutions for this region remain debated, particularly whether to use district heating. This study proposes an analytical framework for this region to compare district heating with individual heating from a novel energy system perspective. Taking Shanghai as an illustrative case, this study simulates and compares five heating solutions based on energy systems for 2019, 2030 and 2060, considering future trends of energy transition. The results reveal that switching to a clean district heating system from the current individual heating system has the potential to save energy by up to 1.4 % and reduce emissions by up to 3.9 %. Moreover, this strategy could result in a cost reduction of 0.2 % and a biomass saving of 5 % in a carbon-neutral energy system of 2060. Sensitivity analyses confirm the desirability of the clean district heating system for achieving carbon-neutrality in terms of energy and cost savings. Therefore, district heating should not be outside the heating strategy for the hot summer and cold winter zone, and the proposed analytical framework is suggested to be applied in heat planning for this region.

Uticaj individualnih ložišta na biomasu na zagađenost vazduha u urbanim sredinama

The usage of biomass as a regionally available renewable energy source is one of the key steps towards decarbonisation and the achievement of sustainable development. Biomass used in a sustainable way is considered as a carbon-neutral fuel. Due to its properties, it is considered an energy source that can help achieve carbon neutrality. Although, compared with fossil fuels biomass results i lower pollutant emissions during a controlled complete combustion process, problems arising from inadequate use of biomass are becoming more common. In many developing countries, biomass, especially wood, is often used in a traditional and inefficient way for cooking and space heating in stoves with minimal control possibilities over the combustion process. Such an inefficient way of using biomass can cause serious environmental problems. The incomplete combustion of woody biomass can result in the emission of harmful matters, including particulate matter (a mixture of smoke, soot and acid) and carbon monoxide (CO). These substances are dangerous to human health and have negative effects on air quality. In addition, burning biomass at high temperatures can generate nitrogen oxides (NOx), further exacerbating the environmental impact. According to the 2022 census, just 20% of dwellings are connected to district heating systems, while 77% have individual heating systems (31% of individual systems are dwellings with central heating installations) in Serbia. Of the total of occupied dwellings in urban areas that are not connected to the district heating system, 47.60% use wood, 2.07% coal, 17.40% natural gas, and 29.00% electricity for space heating. In the paper, 15 urban areas in Serbia with III category of air quality have been analysed. The district heating systems of th analysed cities are based on natural gas usage (11 cities), while coal is the predominant fuel in three cities and heating oil in one city. Individual heating systems often account for more than 70% of the total share in most of the analysed cities, and they are mostly fuelled by solid biomass. Daily excesses of PM particle emissions, which are several times above the limit, are over 95% during the heating season

Bibliometric Analysis of the Modelling of LowQuality Biomass Pellets Combustion

Abstract Diversification of energy resources is a current objective that several countries want to achieve, including in northern Europe. Demand for wood fuels is increasing in Latvia, which is reflected in consumer expenditure. Using low-quality biomass (LQB) to produce fuel pellets for market stabilisation and diversification is possible. LQB pellets can theoretically and practically be used in low-capacity solid fuel boilers to provide different types of individual heating systems with an alternative energy source. Before starting mass production of LQB fuel pellets, it is necessary to clarify the properties of the raw materials. Any fuel study shall be divided into two phases: determination of the parameters of the fuel or raw material (calorific values, moisture content, and ash content) and analysis of the combustion process. The combustion process can be studied in two ways: experimentally and by mathematical modelling. Knowing the parameters that would need to be clarified during the study of the LQB fuel pellets combustion process (thermodynamics, gaseous emissions, particulate matter emissions, bottom ash, and slag), the authors have set the goal of clarifying the software applied to mathematical modelling of these parameters. A bibliometric analysis method was chosen to identify the software. The bibliometric analysis was carried out in the Scopus database. As a result, two software were identified: ANSYS Fluent software is suitable for modelling thermodynamic processes and gaseous emission streams. At the same time, XDEM software is the most suitable for modelling particle streams and ash/slag generation. This software will be used in future studies.

The impact of heating systems scenarios on air pollution at selected residential zone: a case study using AERMOD dispersion model

The present case study considers fuel base substitution in operation of actual district heating system and in other scenario replacing of district heating system by individual heating system in each apartment building and non-residential building in selected residential zone Zvolen-Sekier, Slovakia. The impact of each heating system was assessed with focus on ambient air quality based on air dispersion modelling of NO2 and CO pollutans using the AERMOD dispersion model. To identify the exposure level on residents, the magnitude and duration of exposure to the hazard were considered according to human health risk assessment method. Results showed that the individual heating systems released significantly higher NO2 and CO concentrations directly in the residential zone compared to district heating system. The obtained results were highly variable for individual scenarios and averaged periods of pollutants concentration. Investigated heating systems scenarios showed low (< 1.0) hazard quotient value, however, individual heating systems would lead to adverse health effects, especially in infants and children population.

Integrated energy planning approach for accelerating energy transition of households

The success of energy transition planning depends on several influential and variable factors that need to be considered and tracked in modeling to support policymakers. Expert-based energy models are mainly developed following the assumptions of experts and, in most cases, a limited number of stakeholders. This top-down modeling approach will provide satisfactory results in centrally managed energy sectors (electricity generation and distribution, district heating, etc.), where further decisions could be projected relatively precisely. However, the same approach will not provide such certain outcomes in energy sectors where numerous heterogeneous individuals make decisions about the energy future. Households are a typical example of such a sector. The future structure of energy consumption in this sector, selection of energy source, or application of specific technology, especially in households with individual heating systems, introduce significant uncertainty in expert-based energy modeling and the creation of policy. Besides prices, the decisions of households are influenced by their attitudes, social environment, and incentive measures, etc. The influence of these factors on the adoption of sustainable heating by households can be examined using a bottom-up modeling approach, like the agent-based simulation model. The output of the agent-based simulation model provides useful data that can be further incorporated as one of the main assumptions in scenario development in an expert-based energy model. This paper offers an integration of these two approaches (bottom-up and top-down) for the early assessment of supporting measures and mechanisms for accelerating the energy transition in the household sector. The integrated approach is applied and tested for exploring pathways and effects of policy measures on the transition of individual heating in the household sector in Serbia.

Risk assessment in district heating: Evaluating the economic risks of inter-regional heat transfer networks with regards to uncertainties of energy prices and waste heat availability using Monte Carlo simulations

Most district heating (DH) networks are largely based on fossil or biogenic fuels. As these fuels are phased out or their use will be prioritized for other sectors respectively, significant amounts of alternative heat sources (heat pumps, waste heat, solar and geothermal energy) will be required. However, there are various uncertainties regarding the development of key factors such as energy prices and the availability of alternative heat sources. In addition, individual heat supply systems are competing with DH networks. This paper quantifies the economic risks of DH networks with respect to uncertainties in energy prices (electricity and biomass) and waste heat availability and compares them with individual heating systems. Therefore, a hypothetical inter-regional heat transfer network (“HTN”) in Austria is investigated as a case study and a Monte Carlo approach based on seasonal energy balances is used. The results show that in individual heating systems, uncertainties in energy prices have a strong influence on the economic risks. In contrast, HTNs can optimize the use of industrial waste heat at stable prices and integrate large scale heat pumps operating at low electricity prices as well as combined heat and power plants operating at high electricity prices, leading to a reduced dependency on the uncertainties of energy prices and thus a lower economic risk.

Comparison of Central and Individual Heating Systems Used for Heating Housings

Today, energy production based on fossil energy sources has become seriously questioned by societies due to both cost and environmental pollution. Fossil energy sources are mainly used for heating houses, which constitute a significant part of energy consumption. In this study, central heating systems, which are the most widely used methods to meet the heat energy needs of buildings, and individual heating systems are examined and compared. In the study, the heat loss and energy need of a 5-story building consisting of 10 flats in Kars Center with a total heated area of 1080 m2 were calculated using the TS 825 calculation method, accordingly, calculation of heater devices for both systems, determination of heating system elements, annual fuel consumption amount and cost calculation has been made. Natural gas was used as fuel in both systems to be compared for heating the building. According to the values obtained as a result of the study, it was seen that individual heating systems have higher costs than central heating systems in terms of both initial investment and heating cost. It has been determined that central heating systems are more advantageous in terms of initial investment cost, fuel consumption, and total cost. While the total cost was 441096 TL for the central heating system, it was 508825 TL for the individual heating system.

Does district heating affect residential property prices? Case study of an urban area in South Korea

This article investigates whether the residential heating method affects property prices in an urban area of South Korea. Sales data for 1760 apartments in Seocho District, Seoul, the country's capital, are employed. The property price equation is estimated, including the heating method as one attribute. The gap between the price of properties with a district heating system (DHS) and those with other heating methods, such as an individual heating system or central heating system, accounted for about 21.7% of apartment prices. Specifically, apartments with a DHS were more expensive than apartments with other heating methods.

ПРІОРИТЕТИ У ВИКОРИСТАННІ ВИКОПНИХ ВИДІВ ПАЛИВА ТА УТРИМАННІ ЖИТЛОВОГО ФОНДУ

The trends of global temperature increase in the world due to excessive burning of fossil hydrocarbons are given. Excessive extraction and burning of fossil fuels (hard coal, petroleum products, natural gas) have led to an increase in their cost and climate change. About 40% of CO2 emissions today come from burning coal, 33% from oil refining products, and 22% from natural gas. An increase in CO2 content in the atmosphere leads to a drop in the Earth's surface temperature. At the global level, the world community has adopted three main international agreements on climate change: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992); Kyoto Protocol (1997); Paris Agreement (2015). More than 190 countries have signed the Paris Agreement. Its main goals are to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to keep the increase in the global average temperature below 2°C by 2100, preferably to 1.5°C.&#x0D; The construction industry is responsible for consumption of up to 40% of all energy. which are used in economies countries of the world In the summarized reports of experts at the 27th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP27), which took place in 2022 year in Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh) it was stated that in 2022 1% more CO2 will be released into the atmosphere than in in 2021. The main volumes of greenhouse gas emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels. Brought comparative analysis of CO2 emissions when burning different types of fuel.&#x0D; The dynamics of the production of fossil fuels - hard coal, oil and natural gas - is studied, which indicates a significant decrease in their production and consumption. Modern approaches to the growth of RES volumes are considered, the dynamics of the growth of SPP capacities are given. On the basis of European experience, the prospects for the installation of balcony mini SPPs are shown.&#x0D; Individual heating systems and decentralization of engineering systems for providing housing help to increase their stability in adverse conditions. The organizational features of the transfer of the housing stock from a centralized heating system to individual electric and gas heating are revealed. Based on the analysis of the European experience of maintaining the housing stock, the main directions for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the existing housing stock are given.

Health Status and Quality of Life in the Population near Zhezkazgan Copper Smelter, Kazakhstan.

The industrial city of Zhezkazgan is one of the most important cities in the industrial sector and the most polluted city in the Republic of Kazakhstan. There is placed Kazakhstan's largest copper smelter. The entire technological process (extraction, crushing, grinding, purification, and smelting of pure ingots) of the production of the copper smelter releases into the environment mainly various kinds of solid particles, sulfur oxides (SOx), and various carcinogenic elements. Emissions from the industrial facilities extend to a significant area around the city, combined with other sources of environmental pollution (motor transport, thermal power plant, individual heating systems, and others). This study assessed the health status of residents of villages near Zhezkazgan by screening, quality of life studies, and official medical statistics. This study assessed the health status and quality of life of residents near Zhezkazgan city. The cohort included residents from Talap village (main group) and Malshybai village (comparison group) from the Ulytau district in the Karaganda region. The sampling for the health check and quality of life survey covered 260 adult residents of Talap village and 146 adult residents of Malshybai village. Univariate analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). In the city district of Zhezkazgan, the overall mortality rate and mortality from diseases of the circulatory system, neoplasms, and respiratory diseases were much higher than in the Karaganda region and the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2015-2020. Residents of the Talap settlement had higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR 1.30; 95% CI: 0.70-2.39; and p < 0.05), arterial hypertension (AH) (OR 1.84; 95% CI: 1.11-3.03; and p < 0.05), decreased hemoglobin (OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.17-3.07; and p < 0.05), and endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity, and thyrotoxicosis) (OR 1.76; 95% CI: 1.12-2.79; and p < 0.05) at registration than residents of the Malshybai settlement. Residents of both settlements expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of drinking water and the presence of the area where launch vehicles fell. Indicators of pollution in the city, statistics of official mortality, and differences in morbidity indicated the negative impact of hazardous emissions from industrial facilities of the copper smelter on public health.

Energy-Saving Individual Heating Systems Based on Liquid-Vapor Ejector

The problem of increasing the efficiency of individual heating systems is solved by using heat pumps based on a liquid-vapor ejector with the working fluid R718 (water). The research object was the working process of the liquid-vapor ejector, based on the principle of jet thermal compression. It involves the generation of vapor in the nozzle of the motive flow of the liquid-vapor ejector and does not require its supply from an external source. Schemes and descriptions of the traditional system and the proposed scheme were given. Their difference from the traditional ones was indicated according to the schematic solution and working cycle. The article compared the proposed schemes’ thermodynamic calculation with the working flow R718 and traditional heat pump systems with carried-out refrigerants R134a, R410a, and R32. As a result, the values of the thermodynamic parameters of all system components were obtained. The coefficients of performance (COP) for the traditional and proposed cycles were determined. Applying the new scheme made it possible to increase the COP by an average of 40 %. An exergy analysis assessed the expediency of implementing vacuum units based on liquid-vapor ejectors in individual heating systems. This made it possible to compare systems that use several types of energy (e.g., electrical, thermal) and to determine their efficiency with high accuracy. As a result of the exergy analysis, the value of the proposed scheme’s exergy efficiency was obtained.

The impact of energy improvement measures in single-family residential buildings on air pollution in the city of Uzice

The majority of existing architecture in Serbia has poor thermal characteristics, and heating systems are mostly based on polluting energy sources. This problem results in the unsatisfactory ecological image of cities, and it is endangering the health of the population. Therefore, improving energy performance is becoming an increasingly common principle of design, within both new and existing buildings. The starting point of this paper is that the use of more than sixteen thousand individual heating systems within single-family households in Uzice is one of the most influential air pollutants in the city. The poor quality of energy sources and improper combustion processes release toxic substances into the atmosphere, but the cause of increased emissions of pollutants can be identified in the poor characteristics of thermal envelopes. This research explores whether there is a solution that reduces the pollution in single-family houses by changing the thermal envelope and heating system. The first part of the study points out the main characteristics of the Uzice agglomeration, air pollution and energy sources, while the second part describes the selected single-family housing location in the city. The final part of the research examines the impact of various energy improvement measures on the air pollution in the city of Uzice.

Experimental Evaluation of Installation Cleaning in terms of Energy Efficiency in Individual Heating Systems

Isıtma sistemlerinde zamanla kireçlenme başta olmak üzere çeşitli sorunlar ve kirlenme meydana gelmektedir. Bu kirlenme radyatörlerin ısı atmasını engelleyerek sistemin verimsiz çalışmasına ve enerji sarfiyatına neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışmada tesisat temizliğinin sağlayacağı enerji verimliliği üzerine deneysel bir araştırma yapılmıştır. Çalışmada tesisat temizliğinden önce ve sonra yapılan ölçüm ve hesaplamalar ile bu iki durum kıyaslanmıştır. Tesisat temizliğinin radyatörde oluşan sıcaklık dağılımını homojenize ettiği görülmüştür. Yapılan temizlik neticesinde radyatör sıcaklıklarında yaklaşık 5°C’lik artışlar elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca doğal gaz tüketiminde % 21.16’lık azalma sağlanırken radyatörlerde gerçekleşen taşınım ısı transfer mekanizmasında da %17.2’lik iyileşme sağlanmıştır. Ayrıca kullanılan doğalgaz miktarına bağlı olarak çevreye salınan zararlı gaz miktarlarında (NO, NOx, CO, CO2 ve O2) % 3.2 ile % 25 arasında değişen oranlarda azaltımlar elde edilmiştir.

Assessment of phytotoxicity of ash and slag waste from low-capacity boiler houses and individual heating systems on the example of the town Shakhtersk, Sakhalin region

The relevance of the work is due to the study of the issue of disposal and possible use of ash and slag waste in small towns, in particular in the Far East, where the predominant types of heating are low-power boilers or individual heating systems. The simplest and clearest methods for assessing the impact of generated waste on the environment are bioindicative methods, in particular, the assessment of phytotoxicity. The analysis of the phytotoxic effect of ash and slag wastes of various origins and different periods of storage, as well as coal samples in the conditions of urban settlements, was carried town Shakhtersk, Sakhalin region, in relation to herbaceous plants of various systematic groups in the framework of a number of laboratory experiments. The phytotoxic effect of the considered samples was determined by comparing the parameters of the test function of the control and experimental seeds. The dependence of the magnitude of the phytotoxic effect on the shelf life and the type of origin of ash and slag waste is shown. The data obtained are the basis for carrying out additional experiments and studies, as well as determining the chemical composition of the samples under consideration.