Integrated Production System Research Articles

Integration of solar chimney with desalination for sustainable water production: A thermodynamic assessment

This study analyzes the feasibility of implementing an integrated system for electricity and freshwater production, focusing on solar chimney technology as its main pillar. A preliminary study based on literature is carried out to analyze electrical generation and the heat transfer to the storage system of the solar chimney. In addition, a seawater thermal desalination is incorporated with the idea to increase the overall efficiency of the solar chimney. Furthermore, in order to address electricity and freshwater demand without interruption, a hydro-storage system with a water turbine is integrated. As a result, implementing an integrated system with a solar chimney as its main source of energy, the overall energy efficiency is obtained to be 8.4%, which is substantially higher than a single solar chimney.

Evaluation of fruit mineral contents of two apple cultivars grown in organic and integrated production systems

Evaluation of fruit mineral contents of two apple cultivars grown in organic and integrated production systems

Monitoring of psyllids (Psylloidea: Phalacridae) in integrated systems with eucalyptus

Diversified systems allow the balance of the ecosystem, reducing the action of harmful insects to monoculture by retention time and immigration of the natural enemies. The objective of this research was to monitor the population of psilids, hemiptera, Psylloidea: Aphalaridae, deeucaliptos in integrated production systems. The evaluations were carried out in an experiment on productive systems integrating the components of eucalyptus crop, pasture and forest in a transition region between Cerrado and Amazonia in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The study was conducted from June 2013 to September 2014, with assessments conducted during periods of drought and rain. The eggs, nymphs and adults of Spondyliaspidinae were quantified in each production system, using as methods of collection, adhesive traps and collection of the eucalyptus branches. The species Glycaspisbrimblecombei and Blastopsyllaoccidentalis were found. The largest infestations of eggs, nymphs and adults were in the dry period. The treatments did not differ for the variable eggs of B. occidentalis, but presented a significant difference for nymphs and adults. The effect of the treatments was not significant for eggs, nymphs and adults of G. brimblecombei. The time did not show a significant difference for the eggs of G. brimblecombei, but significant for their nymphs and adults. It concludes that the psyllids were not harmful to eucalyptus in the studied silvicultural phase and that the diverse landscape contributes to the reduction

Integrated production systems revealing antagonistic fungi biodiversity in the tropical region

The antagonism and diversity of fungi have been studied in several environments, including agricultural soils. Nevertheless, information regarding fungi that are able to control Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii in integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest systems soils is unknown. Ten treatments were assessed, including monoculture, integration of Crop-Livestok-Forest, fallow and native forest. During the rainy and dry season was carried out fungi colony forming units (CFU), antagonistic potential and molecular identification. The results showed that CFU were higher in the rainy season and integrated systems of production. Fungal isolates as Penicillium, Talaromyces, Eupenicillium, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Acremonium, Curvularia, Purpureocillium, Bionectria, Paecilomyces, Plectospharella, Clonostachy, Mucor, Fennellia and Metarhizium were able to control Rhizoctonia sp., Fusarium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii. This is the first report to describe culturable fungi species from the Amazon biome that are able to control pathogens. Furthermore, we suggest that integrated production systems can be a strategy for increasing fungal biomass and the rainy and dry season can modulate the density of soil fungi also, mainly in a tropical region.

Agronomic characteristics of soybean under the production and decomposition of sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass biomass in different integrated production systems

With the adoption of integrated production systems, relative gains in soybean yield have been achieved due to the permanence of vegetal residues on the soil surface. These residues favour the soil microbiota responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling, which makes integrated agrosystems sustainable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of soybeans under the production and decomposition of sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass biomass in different integrated production systems. The experiment was conducted off season in a dystroferric Red Latosol soil in a randomized block experimental design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the following forage systems: monocropped sunflowers; monocropped Paiaguas palisadegrass; row sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass; inter-row sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass; and oversown sunflowers x Paiaguas palisadegrass. The results showed that the monocropped sunflower and Paiaguas palisadegrass presented the highest biomass production throughout the soybean development cycle, with the slowest decomposition, representing a strategy to increase soil cover efficiency mainly in the period prior to summer planting. The soybean cultivated in the biomass of the monocropped Paiaguas palisadegrass and the Paiaguas palisadegrass intercropped in rows and in inter-rows presented better yields and was positively influenced by the production parameters compared with soybean cultivated otherwise. Therefore, sunflower intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass during the off season in the Central-West Region of Brazil was shown to be a promising and sustainable cultivation technique for the production of biomass for no-tillage systems.

Environmental risk assessment of intensive beekeeping integrated with aquaponic system

The paper main objectives are to identify an analysis model for development of integrated aquaponics with intensive beekeeping. The socio-economic environmental impact assessment provides the opportunity to analyze the determinants of public attitude towards the use of multifunctional aquapson. In relation to the other agricultural production branches, beekeeping integrated into aquaponic systems is an environmentally friendly technology that does not use additional energy supply within the integrated production system and also recycles waste water from aquaculture through mechanical, biological filters and plant roots.

Evaluation of potassium diformate and potassium chloride in the diet of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus in a recirculating aquaculture system

This study focused on developing feed for aquaponics that would be beneficial to plant and fish production. Aquaponics is an integrated production system combining aquaculture and hydroponics. However, it is difficult to maintain synchrony between fish and plants because they have different nutritional requirements. Therefore, there is a need to develop feed uniquely for aquaponics systems, to meet the demands of both fish and plants. The results presented are the first phase of a two-phase study. The first phase was a standard feeding trial in a recirculating aquaculture system using the African catfish. Potassium, an essential mineral for fish and plant production, was added to fish feed from different mineral sources to evaluate it as a dietary feed additive. Potassium diformate (KDF) at 3, 6, and 9 gkg−1 and potassium chloride (KCl) at 1.7, 3.4, and 5.1 gkg−1 were used. The trial used three replicates per treatment of 10 fish with an average weight of ±112 g per 100 l tank for 96 days. Samples were taken after 96 days and one fish per tank was sampled to measure proximate composition, non-specific immunity parameters, tissue mineral analysis, and haematology. To measure production parameters, fish were weighed at the start of the trial and every four weeks subsequently. In separate trials, the effects of the feed additives on water quality and apparent digestibility coefficient of potassium were evaluated. Proximate body composition of the fish was significantly affected by the feed additives, except for the ash content (p > .0.5). Moisture content significantly differed between the control diet (79% ±1.16) and diets containing KCl 1.7 and KCl 5.1(76% ±1.44; 76% ±0.37). Haematology parameters showed significant differences. Haematocrit (HCT) levels differed significantly from 36.76% ± 1.84 for KDF 9 to 32.11% ± 2.30 for KCl 1.7, KDF 9 had the highest Haemoglobin (Hb) levels, while there were no differences in red and white blood cell counts. The water quality parameters tested were also significantly affected by the different dietary treatments. Wastewater from KDF dietary treatments showed improved potassium concentration compared to the control. The study showed that the inclusion of potassium from KDF as a dietary source in fish feed can improve the haematological profile of the African catfish compared to the control, based on this, it has the potential for use in integrated aquaponics systems.

Produtividade de milho e retorno econômico em sistema integrado de produção com doses de nitrogênio

O milho é altamente exigente e responsivo à adubação com nitrogênio (N), estando inserido em vários sistemas produtivos, com destaque recente para os sistemas integrados de produção. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de doses de N sob o milho, bem como o aspecto econômico em sistema integrado. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas quatro doses de N em cobertura (0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1). O milho foi cultivado sob palhada do consórcio de aveia e azevém. Verificou-se que diâmetro do colmo, altura de inserção da espiga, e características da espiga, com exceção do número de fileiras por espiga aumentaram linearmente em função das doses de N, por sua vez, a altura da planta respondeu de forma quadrática até a dose de 81 kg ha-1 de N. A produtividade aumentou de forma expressiva em função do N, indicando efeito residual da adubação no inverno e elevada eficiência de uso do N no sistema produtivo. A maior produtividade e lucratividade foram obtidas na dose de 120 kg ha-1 N.

Brachiaria and Panicum maximum in an integrated crop–livestock system and a second-crop maize system in succession with soybean

AbstractOwing to its contribution to the maintenance of carbon stocks, soil nitrogen and nutrient cycling for subsequent crops, the integrated systems become increasingly important for agricultural conservation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production of and total nutrient in Brachiaria spp. and Panicum maximum forage grasses used as mulch and soybean yields in an integrated crop–livestock system and second-crop maize succession system. The treatments consisted of the following cropping systems: Xaraes palisadegrass intercropped with soybean, Congo grass intercropped with soybean, Mombaça guinea grass intercropped with soybean, Tamani guinea grass intercropped with soybean and a soybean/maize succession system. The forage grasses were established during the soybean R6–R7 stage. Compared with Congo grass, Xaraes palisadegrass, Mombaça guinea grass and Tamani guinea grass produced more biomass and equivalent amounts of fertilizer returned to the soil and resulted in greater nutrient cycling, indicating the benefits of these grasses for use as mulch in integrated production systems. Maize had a greater C/N ratio, but the forage grasses also exhibited high potential by protecting the soil until the end of the soybean development cycle. The use of an integrated crop–livestock system combined with a forage cropping system provided greater soil nutrient cycling than the maize cropping system did, which resulted in increased soybean yields, thus contributing to the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Technical, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of a Collective Integrated Treatment System for Energy Recovery and Nutrient Removal from Livestock Manure

The aim of this 5-year study was to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental performances of a collective-based integrated treatment system for bioenergy production and nutrients removal to improve the utilization efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of land applied livestock manure. The study involved 12 livestock production units located in an intensive livestock area designated as nitrate vulnerable zone with large N surplus. The treatment system consisted of an anaerobic digestion unit, a solid–liquid separation system, and a biological N removal process. Atmospheric emissions and nutrient losses in water and soil were examined for the environmental assessment, while estimated crop removal and nutrient utilization efficiencies were used for the agronomic assessment. The integrated treatment system achieved 49% removal efficiency for total solids (TS), 40% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and 41% for total phosphorous (TP). A surplus of 58kWh/t of treated manure was achieved considering the electricity produced by the biogas plant and consumed by the treatment plant and during transportation of raw and treated manure. A profit of 1.61 €/t manure treated and an average reduction of global warming potential by 70% was also achieved. The acidification potential was reduced by almost 50%. The agronomic use of treated manure eliminated the TKN surplus and reduced the TP surplus by 94%. This collective integrated treatment system can be an environmentally and economically sustainable solution for farms to reduce N surplus in intensive livestock production areas.

Assessment of the Efficiency of Nitrogen Slow-Release Fertilizers in Integrated Production of Carrot Depending on Fertilization Strategy

Optimization of plant nutrition is a very important part of primary production quality systems. Crop fertilization is the most important agrotechnical measure because it determines the amount and quality of the yield. Moreover, excess fertilization intensifies the eutrophication processes and the greenhouse effect. The study aimed to assess the suitability of slow-release fertilizers in cultivation of carrot subspecies Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus in the integrated production system. The objective was realized on the basis of a strict field experiment set up on a clay loam soil with low nutrient content. The dose of fertilizer was the experimental factor. The fertilizers were applied during the formation of the ridges. Traditional fertilizers (ammonium phosphate, potassium salt, ammonium nitrate, and a multi-component fertilizer Polifoska 6), as well as a multi-component fertilizer with slow release of nutrients, NPK Mg (18-12-24-4), were used. In individual variants of the experiment, different fertilization strategies were applied: integrated production fertilization, traditional fertilization, and fertilization based on the use of slow-release fertilizers. The control treatment comprised of unfertilized plants. The efficiency of nitrogen fertilization was evaluated based on agronomic efficiency, partial factor productivity, physiological efficiency, and removal efficiency. Fertilization strategy significantly impacted the quantity of obtained yield. In the control sample, prior to mineral fertilization, the crop yield was 33.53 Mg·ha−1. The largest yield was 82.30 Mg·ha−1.The largest yields were obtained from plants fertilized with a combination of slow-release fertilizers, with nitrogen introduced in the form of ammonium phosphate, and through conventional fertilization. The highest productivity and environmental efficiency were obtained in treatments with fertilization according to the principles of integrated production and with slow-release fertilizers. In terms of environmental efficiency, the best results were obtained through nitrogen fertilization using 400 kg of slow-release fertilizers. The use of slow-release fertilizers in carrot cultivation can significantly improve the efficiency of fertilization, both in terms of production and environmental protection.

Root and shoot interactions in a tropical integrated crop–livestock–forest system

Integrated crop–livestock–forest systems (ICLFS) have potential advantages compared to monoculture, but most studies quantifying plant biomass in integrated production systems, have quantified only the aboveground component rather than the total biomass. The objective of this study was to investigate the ecological interactions of Eucalyptus trees intercropped with palisade grass in a tropical region. The study was conducted in an 8-year-old ICLFS in which Eucalyptus trees were introduced into a palisade grass pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. Webster ‘Marandu’]. Samples were collected at four locations from the Eucalyptus trees: 0.0 (planting line), 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 m (middle of the plots). A monoculture palisade grass pasture was included for comparison. The addition of Eucalyptus in the pasture reduced the forage yield, root length density, root density and root diameter of palisade grass close to the Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus roots were more abundant near the trees, and decreased with distance from the tree at soil depths up to 1.0 m. The total amount of roots decreased by 36 % with the addition of the forest component compared with the monoculture pasture, i.e., 11.6 Mg ha−1 in the ICLFS compared with 18.4 Mg ha−1 in the pasture. In the ICLFS, the proportion of palisade grass roots in the soil profile increased with distance from the tree line. However, the high degree of competition in root development in the ICLFS resulted in 20% lower root length and fine roots densities compared with monoculture pasture in the upper 0–0.20 m soil layer.

English

Nitrogen budget under integrated production system in fish farming is one of the acceptable practices in maintaining ecological balance and circulation. This result reveals the patterns of pond water and nutrient flows which were strongly influenced by the main fish farming activities resulting to large amount of nitrogen inputs. The main nutrient input sources of nitrogen into the system were found to be pig manure, feed and maggot while outputs were in water, soil, harvested fish and rice; and also in unaccounted forms as a result to discharge. Nutrient composition of rice paddy in integrated production system records 17% N, 19% P and 64% K. The NPK value recorded in integration production system throughout the period of the experiment showed significant difference (p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between nitrogen in rice and rice growth r=0.8373 and 0.7709. The Increase in nutrient is correlated with the increase in the rating of rice growth. The increase in nutrient of unaccounted forms which accumulate in the sediments absorbed by the plant from the soil plays an important role in balance of an aquaculture system. Thus, in order to ensure sustainable productivity there is need to enhance the management of all the nutrient input channels while minimizing the nutrient output through crop intensification. Key words: Nutrient budget, nutrient input, nutrient output, pond effluent, soil, amendment.

Ecosystem Service Benefits and Trade-Offs—Selecting Tree Species in Denmark for Bioenergy Production

Research highlights: The study enabled us to quantitatively assess ecosystem benefits and trade-offs, to characterize species as generalists or specialists, and findings suggest that producing biomass for energy is more likely to serve multiple objectives if it is implemented in an integrated production system. Background and Objectives: Biomass is one of the main and largest sources of renewable energy. In Denmark, the production of biomass for energy is mainly based on timber harvest residues from pre-commercial thinning of forest stands. However, there is an increasing demand for bioenergy that require biomass to be grown specifically for energy purposes even though the sustainability and climate change mitigation potential of bioenergy plantations have recently been questioned in terms of food production, land use, land use change and terrestrial carbon cycles. The overall objective of the research is to better understand the opportunities and trade-offs between different woody and non-woody energy crops. Material and Methods: This study assessed the ecosystem services of seven woody species and one perennial along a management intensity continuum with a main focus on bioenergy production. Results: Results of the analysis showed that there are complex interrelations between ecosystem services and significant differences between species in providing those services. Conclusions: Species with a highest energy benefit among assessed species were poplar and grand fir, while beech and oak proved the best in providing biodiversity benefits.

Potential water recovery during lithium mining from high salinity brines

Lithium extraction from continental brines involves the evaporation of large amounts of water in open air ponds, in order to concentrate the brine. The evaporitic technology implies the evaporation of large water volumes, raising environmental concerns. If we envision the use of desalination processes for the concentration of lithium-rich brines, then fresh water production/recovery becomes a process well integrated with lithium extraction. Here we apply the Pitzer thermodynamic model with effective molality to estimate activity coefficients for 8 different native brines, and for the resulting concentrated solutions produced by a hypothetical advanced desalinization technique. In all cases, rational activity coefficients deviate considerably from unity. We calculate next the least work of separation for a hypothetical desalination process for the 8 different brines. Because of the large total salinity, the calculation shows that the least work of separation ranges from 18 until 42 kJ kg−1 at nil recovery ratio, and escalating from those numbers as more water is recovered. We can also predict the boiling point elevation, the vapour pressure lowering, and the osmotic pressure. Our calculations show that results are not strictly proportional to the total dissolved solids. Results are strongly dependent with the specific chemical composition of each brine, with the amount of divalent ions (Mg-Ca-SO42−) in particular strongly influencing calculations. Fresh water and lithium minerals production could be part of a single integrated production system.

Pinch and sensitivity analyses of hydrogen liquefaction process in a hybridized system of biomass gasification plant, and cryogenic air separation cycle

A novel integrated system for liquid hydrogen production using biomass gasification is presented in this study, so that an integrated structure of the cryogenic air separation unit, acid gas removal unit, hydrogen liquefaction cycle and power plant using biomass gasification has been developed. This integrated structure produces 8.097 MW power, 0.1660 kg/s liquid hydrogen and 5.81 kg/s compressed carbon dioxide. In this regard, pure hydrogen with the rate of 0.5540 kg/s is produced by gasification of 4.480 kg/s rice husk (as fuel) where about 30% of which 0.1660 kg/s entered liquefaction cycle as feed and then is introduced as final product of the system. Rest of pure hydrogen produced in gasification process (0.3880 kg/s) is burned to generate required power for hydrogen liquefaction cycle and other parts of system including air separation cycle. Combined heat and power efficiency of integrated gasification combined cycle and coefficient of performance of hydrogen liquefaction cycle are 62.10% and 4.360, respectively. By applying pinch method on each multi stream heat exchanger of hydrogen liquefaction system, the related heat exchanger networks are extracted. Sensitivity analysis is performed over the integrated system main parameters and the results show that by increasing the rate of liquefied hydrogen to total produced hydrogen to 54.00%, the combined heat and power efficiency will rise up to 83.40%.

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on yield efficiency and quality of tubers potato varieties cultivated in an integrated production system

The aim of the research conducted in the years 2016 – 2018 was to perform the effect of nitrogen on the total yield and quality evaluation of edible and starch potato varieties harvested after tuber maturity, as well as to establish fertilization efficiency indices. The quality of tubers was expressed: yield structure, share of deformations, content of starch and nitrates (V), but the nitrogen utilization efficiency as agronomic efficiency (AE) and fertilizer recovery efficiency (FRE) in tubers. Two experimental factors were researched: nitrogen doses (0, 50,100, 150 kg·ha-1) and varieties (Impresja, Mazur, Otolia, Szyper and Widawa) tested under different weather conditions. The total yield fresh matter between nitrogen doses ranged from 42.8 to 53.7 t·ha-1 and for varieties from 42.1 (var. Szyper) to 54.8 t·ha-1 (var. Impresja). Increasing nitrogen doses caused an increase share in the yield structure big tubers (diameter above 60 mm), nitrates (V) and total nitrogen content and nitrogen uptake with tuber yield, but decrease starch content and nitrogen fertilization efficiency indicators. On the basis of quadratic function parameters, it was shown that the varieties of Impresja, Szyper and Otolia were characterized by greater requirements in relation to the optimal nitrogen dose than the varieties of Mazur and Widawa. More assessed features determined the weather conditions during the growing season than the factors studied: the nitrogen fertilization dose and the variety. In the year with the highest amount of rainfall in relation to the average of many years, the largest decrease was recorded: tuber yield, share of big tubers in the yield structure, nitrogen uptake and agronomic efficiency. Year with the most rainfall was characterized by the highest reduction the yield of tubers, share big tubers in the yield structure, nitrogen uptake and its agronomic efficiency.

An integrated system for ammonia production from renewable hydrogen: A case study

This study presents an analysis and assessment study of an integrated system which consists of cryogenic air separation unit, polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer and reactor to produce ammonia for a selected case study application in Istanbul, Turkey. A thermodynamic analysis of the proposed system illustrates that electricity consumption of PEM electrolyzer is 3410 kW while 585.4 kW heat is released from ammonia reactor. The maximum energy and exergy efficiencies of the ammonia production system which are observed at daily average irradiance of 200 W/m2 are found as 26.08% and 30.17%, respectively. The parametric works are utilized to find out the impacts of inlet air conditions and solar radiation intensity on system performance. An increase in the solar radiation intensity results in a decrease of the efficiencies due to higher potential of solar influx. Moreover, the mass flow rate of inlet air has a substantial effect on ammonia production concerning the variation of generated nitrogen. The system has a capacity of 0.22 kg/s ammonia production which is synthesized by 0.04 kg/s H2 from PEM electrolyzer and 0.18 kg/s N2 from a cryogenic air separation unit. The highest exergy destruction rate belongs to PEM electrolyzer as 736.2 kW while the lowest destruction rate is calculated as 3.4 kW for the separation column.

Phosphorus use in soybean in integrated production system under anticipation of phosphate fertilization

Integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), when well-managed, contributes to the maintenance of soil fertility and crop development. Practices aimed at efficiency of phosphorus use can result in economic and environmental benefits. Thus, the anticipation of phosphate fertilization may be a viable strategy for soybean crop. The objective of this study was to determine the yield, accumulation of P and P use efficiency (PUE) on the dry biomass and grains of the soybean crop, submitted to doses and sources of P, applied annually on soil surface, at the time of sowing of the winter crop. The experiment was started in 2009, in Castro-PR, under a Typic Dystrudept. The experimental design was completely randomized complete blocks, in an incomplete factorial scheme (3x3+1) with four replications. The treatments consisted of four doses (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha -1 of total P 2 O 5 ) and three sources (triple superphosphate, rock phosphate – Arad and magnesium thermophosphate) of P. There were no interactions between P sources and doses for the attributes: grain yield (GY), shoot dry matter (SDM), weight of thousand seeds (WTS), P accumulation in soybean (PAS), P concentration in soybean grains (PCSG), PUE and P in residual dry mass (PRDM). Linear increases were observed in GY, SDM, WTS, PCSG and PRDM and quadratic increases in PAS and PUE. The sources of P employed in this study did not change GY, SDM, TSW, PAS, PCSG, PUE and PRDM.

Service-Oriented Manufacturing: Assessing the Role of Intermediate Services in Industrial Transformation in China

This paper investigates the intersectoral linkages created by structural change in China by adopting a subsystem approach to an input-output system. The subsystem is an autonomous vertically integrated production system that overcomes the horizontal traditional sectoral boundaries, while considering integration between manufacturing and services. Based on demand for intermediate services in the Chinese domestic market, the share of services in manufacturing is very low in terms of hours worked. However, this integration is higher in advanced countries. Furthermore, we found that the vertical integration of services in China is highly affected by technological intensity in manufacturing. Hence, the role of services in domestic linkages is quite modest, therefore technological tertiarisation - or the outsourcing of manufacturing - is still far off.