Petroleum Gas Research Articles

Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Volatile Organic Compounds in an Industrial Area at the Zhejiang–Shanghai Boundary, China

As “fuel” for atmospheric photochemical reactions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in the secondary generation of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5, an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm). To determine the characteristics of VOCs in a high-level ozone period, comprehensive monitoring of O3 and its precursors (VOCs and NOx) was continuously conducted in an industrial area in Shanghai from 18 August to 30 September 2021. During the observation period, the average concentration of VOCs was 47.33 ppb, and alkanes (19.64 ppb) accounted for the highest proportion of TVOCs, followed by oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) (13.61 ppb), alkenes (6.92 ppb), aromatics (4.65 ppb), halogenated hydrocarbons (1.60 ppb), and alkynes (0.91 ppb). Alkenes were the predominant components that contributed to the ozone formation potential (OFP), while aromatics such as xylene, toluene, and ethylbenzene contributed the most to the secondary organic aerosol production potential (SOAFP). During the study period, O3, NOx, and VOCs showed significant diurnal variations. Industrial processes were the main source of VOCs, and the second largest source of VOCs was vehicle exhaust. While the largest contribution to OFP was from vehicle exhaust, the second largest contribution was from liquid petroleum gas (LPG). High potential source contribution function (PSCF) values were observed in western and southeastern areas near the sampling sites. The results of a health risk evaluation showed that the Hazard Index was less than 1 and there was no non-carcinogenic risk, but 1,3-butadiene, benzene, chloroform, 1,2-dibromoethane, and carbon tetrachloride pose a potential carcinogenic risk to the population.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of the Burner Cap Geometry on the Performance of a Domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas Stove

Abstract Cooking is an important domestic activity that needs energy. Traditionally, solid fuels such as firewood and charcoal have been used. However, the combustion of solid fuels inside households causes internal pollution and harms the health of users and other occupants. Nowadays, gaseous fuels like natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are the most used for domestic cooking. Considering the limitation of fossil fuel resources, energy conservation issues, environmental problems, and the increase in demand for gaseous fuels, it is necessary to explore ways to improve the thermal efficiency and emission characteristics of existing cooking systems. Although the use of gaseous fuels reduces domestic air pollution, the earliest domestic gas burners have low heat performance with an efficiency value of approximately 40%. Continuous research and development in stove design and analysis has led to a significant improvement in the thermal performance of commercial gas burners, with efficiencies exceeding 60%. This study’s main objective is to improve an LPG domestic stove through the modification of the cap burner geometry. The effects of various inclination angles (between the top and the lateral cap faces) ranging from 0 deg to 90 deg have been experimentally investigated. Results demonstrated that the thermal efficiency of the burner increases with increasing inclination angle. The highest efficiency was obtained at an angle of 75 deg, and beyond this value, the efficiency dropped. Unfortunately, at this angle value, CO emissions were the highest.

Online observation of light non-methane hydrocarbons (C2–C5) over the central Himalayas: Influence of the Indo-Gangetic Plain region

Studies pertaining to non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) are very limited in South Asia, particularly at high-mountain sites. Therefore, online in-situ observations of light NMHCs (C2–C5) were conducted in the Central Himalayas (Nainital, 1958 m) from January 2017 to December 2020. Additionally, air samples were collected from an Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) site (Haldwani, 554 m), located about 18 km and the nearest source regions for the mountain site. The diurnal variations show daytime higher values at the mountain site, which is typical for a pristine site. Correlation analysis and percentage contributions confirm the major roles of biomass burning at the mountain site and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) emission, automobile and domestic combustion at the IGP site. Nevertheless, the anthropogenic influences also reaches the Himalayan site, mainly in spring, which is confirmed by the concentrated weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis. Such influences are limited to the IGP site in winter, primarily due to the shallower boundary layer. The estimated photochemical age varies from 9 days in winter to 16 days in summer-monsoon. It is shown that the hydroxyl radical reactivity, ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) are 4–6 times higher at the IGP site compared to the Himalayan site. Propylene, ethylene and n-butane are major contributor in these at both sites. Ethane is found to be most abundant (40%) at the Himalayan site, while propane (27%) at the IGP site. An assessment of percentage contribution of different NMHCs in emission inventories for the Himalayan region is suggested.

Модульні вантажні одиниці та модульні вантажоперевізні комплекси для інтермодального перевезення рідких вантажів

The purpose of the article is to analyze the problems of liquid cargo transportation between Ukraine and the EU countries, due to the non-interoperability of their railway transport systems. The analysis of existing solutions in the intermodal way of transporting liquid cargo was carried out. Their shortcomings are pointed out and their solution proposed by introducing a modular tank container MVO 480.00.110-02 for intermodal transportation of fuels and lubricants (F&L), liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), oil and other liquid cargoes by rail transport of 1435/1520 mm gauges. In the conditions of the ongoing war, there was an acute problem of ensuring the transportation of F&L from EU countries to Ukraine. It was complicated by the different width of the railway track. This required the replacement of tank car bogies at the joints of the 1435/1520 mm railway tracks. In addition, private tank cars had dimensions that are allowed for transportation only on railways with a gauge of 1520 mm. They exceeded the dimensions allowed for transportation on tracks of 1435 mm. This did not allow them to be used for transporting liquid cargo from EU countries. Usually, ISO 1496-3 tank containers with a length of 20 feet are used for intermodal transportation of liquid cargoes by sea, rail and road transport. In connection with the universal purpose and the need for stacking during sea transportation, their dimensions are made much smaller than the dimensions allowed for transportation by rail. Tank containers in the form of removable bodies – Swap Body tank containers are used for intermodal transportation of liquid cargo only by road and rail transport. The article points out the shortcomings of existing cargo units. To eliminate them, our company developed and patented tank containers – modular loading units (MLU) 480.00.110-02.
 For intermodal transportation of liquid cargo by rail transport of gauge 1435/1520 mm. MLU 480.00.110-02 are made in the form of modular connector complexes, which are assembled from container and cargo modules. The unified platform container model 480.00.010 of the ISO 668 standard, series 1, size and type code 29Р0 is used as a container module. Cargo modules can be mounted on the container module – removable tanks of various specializations for the transportation of various liquid cargoes. This execution of modular loading units made it possible to expand their specialization and increase the volume of tanks by 40 ÷ 45% in comparison with existing cargo units, with the possibility of transportation in the dimensions of the load of tracks of 1435/1520 mm. A comparison of the cost of transportation of liquid cargoes by tank cars, tank trucks and tank containers is given. MLU 480.00.110-02. The technical conditions of NTU 480.00.110-02 on transportation by fitting platforms of tracks of 1435/1520 mm were developed and agreed with the railway administrations of Ukraine and EU countries. An example of the implementation of a modular cargo transport complex for the transportation of liquid cargo on 1435 mm tracks is given. It can be retrofitted in operation by shippers by replacing the removable tank with a removable tank of the desired specialization, or by replacing the 1435 mm track fitting platform with a 1520 mm track fitting platform. Modular cargo transport complexes are an intermodal alternative to specialized tank cars, which is extremely necessary to ensure the transportation of liquid cargo between Ukraine and the EU countries.

МЕТОДИКА БАЛЛЬНО-ФАКТОРНОЙ ОЦЕНКИ ЧАСТОТЫ ИНИЦИИРУЮЩИХ ПОЖАРООПАСНЫЕ СИТУАЦИИ СОБЫТИЙ ДЛЯ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ ЕМКОСТЕЙ АВТОМОБИЛЬНОЙ ГАЗОЗАПРАВОЧНОЙ СТАНЦИИ

The purpose of the article is to develop a system for scoring the contributions of various technical and organizational measures to the magnitude of the risk of an accident based on existing approaches to the fire risk assessment at hazardous production facilities. To achieve the goal of the study and the formation of a score in cooperation with the organization operating the storage tanks of substances under pressure, a number of influencing factors were obtained. The following methods were applied in the work: analysis of hierarchies, comparison, analogy, study of documents and results of activities. The result of the work is the developed scoring system with groups of factors influencing the probability of an emergency and the resulting weight coefficients of the groups and the factors themselves. A method for point-factor estimation of the frequency of events initiating fire hazardous situations for underground liquefied petroleum gas tanks operated at gas filling stations is proposed. The results obtained can be used in assessing the fire risk for facilities where accidents can occur associated with the formation of an explosive and fire hazardous situation.

The Role of Catalytic Converter in Vehicles

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel, and petrol are utilized in large numbers as energy sources for various vehicles in Afghanistan. Vehicles running on LPG are increasingly the primary source of ambient volatile organic compounds. Long-term observations revealed that the catalytic converter was quite effective in reducing the levels of nitric oxide (NO), NOx, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to LPG in the air. Catalytic materials are used in car silencers to stop dangerous compounds from burning fuels in engines that cause air pollution, which poses a threat to human health. The role of car silencers is very important to the cleanliness of the environment because these silencers can protect the environment from harmful gases or change more harmful gases into less harmful gases. Those silencers that do not have a catalytic converter in them cause air pollution. Afghanistan's influence is spreading globally, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. To reduce these, transport equipment silencers are needed. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and partially burned hydrocarbon components can be converted into less harmful substances. Catalysts aim to reduce toxic gases, such as volatile organic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides that are created when fossil fuels are not burned completely.

Natural grape juice assisted synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles: Evaluation of microstructural, vibrational and colloidal stability analysis for Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) sensor applications

The current study used simple and cost-effective methods to generate Fe3O4, ZnO, NiO, and Co3O4 nanoparticles. Grape juice was chosen as a sustainable fuel along with metal nitrates. Green synthesised metal oxide nanoparticles' microstructure and colloidal stability were characterised using several methods. Metal oxide nanoparticle lattices and crystallite sizes were examined using X-ray diffraction. It shows that many metal oxide nanoparticles have 20–30 nm crystallite diameters. TEM captured metal oxide nanoparticle form and size. Additionally, these nanoparticles' particle size was determined and compared positively to XRD. Metal oxide nanoparticles have spherical, cubical, and plate-like exteriors. Absorption bands from O-H, N-O, C-H, N-O, and M-O bond stretching, bending, and lengthening were visible in the FTIR spectrum. Zeta potential tests demonstrate nanoparticle colloidal stability. Each of four metal oxide nanoparticles has a positive Zeta potential. Fe3O4 nanoparticles are more stable than other metal oxide nanoparticles (−58.7 mV). Metal oxide nanoparticles sensed many test gases well. Fe3O4 and ZnO nanoparticles have good LPG and ethanol detecting capabilities. The response-recovery time demonstrates that the produced metal oxide nanoparticles are appropriate materials for the ethanol gas sensor.

Influence of samarium on the structural, magnetic, and gas sensing performance of cadmium zinc ferrites

Cadmium zinc ferrites Cd0.5Zn0.5SmxFe2−xO4 nanoparticles were synthesized with different concentrations x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08, via the wet chemical co-precipitation method. The effects of the Sm3+ doping on the structural, morphological, compositional, and magnetic properties have been investigated. The structural analysis is performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement. The results indicate great crystallinity in the FCC Fd3m spinel structure of Cd0.5Zn0.5SmxFe2−xO4 nanoparticles. The crystallite size was estimated using Debye–Scherrer, Williamson–Hall, Size-strain plot (SSP), and Halder-Wagner (H-W) methods. It revealed a decreasing trend with the increase of Sm-doping concentrations until the solubility limit at around x = 0.04. The spherical morphology of the samples was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with minor agglomeration as a benefit of using the capping agent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Raman spectroscopy validates the incorporation of trivalent Sm3+ in the octahedral sites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the elemental compositions as well as the purity of the samples and the incorporation of the dopants. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was used to study the magnetic properties, and which indicates the superparamagnetic behavior of the prepared samples. The prepared samples were tested as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sensors by studying their sensitivity, optimum working temperature, response time, and recovery time. The doping of samarium ions reveals a great increase in LPG sensing sensitivity and optimum temperature with decreasing response and recovery times.

Data management plan and REDCap mobile data capture for a multi-country Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial.

Household air pollution (HAP) is a leading environmental risk factor accounting for about 1.6 million premature deaths mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, no multicounty randomized controlled trials have assessed the effect of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove intervention on HAP and maternal and child health outcomes. The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) was the first to assess this by implementing a common protocol in four LMICs. This manuscript describes the implementation of the HAPIN data management protocol via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) used to collect over 50 million data points in more than 4000 variables from 80 case report forms (CRFs). We recruited 800 pregnant women in each study country (Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda) who used biomass fuels in their households. Households were randomly assigned to receive LPG stoves and 18 months of free LPG supply (intervention) or to continue using biomass fuels (control). Households were followed for 18 months and assessed for primary health outcomes: low birth weight, severe pneumonia, and stunting. The HAPIN Data Management Core (DMC) implemented identical REDCap projects for each study site using shared variable names and timelines in local languages. Field staff collected data offline using tablets on the REDCap Mobile Application. Utilizing the REDCap application allowed the HAPIN DMC to collect and store data securely, access data (near real-time), create reports, perform quality control, update questionnaires, and provide timely feedback to local data management teams. Additional REDCap functionalities (e.g. scheduling, data validation, and barcode scanning) supported the study. While the HAPIN trial experienced some challenges, REDCap effectively met HAPIN study goals, including quality data collection and timely reporting and analysis on this important global health trial, and supported more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications to date.

Ultrasonic testing and Monitoring of Hydrogen blistering and Hydrogen-induced Cracking of LPG Storage Tanks

Due to the presence of various corrosive chemicals in LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, or propane) storage tanks, it is very likely to cause different degrees of corrosion in the tank and derive various defects. This article analyzes the main characteristics and types of defects found in storage tanks and provides an overview of ultrasonic testing and monitoring of defects such as hydrogen blistering and hydrogen-induced cracking.

The Bioenergetic Potential from Coffee Processing Residues: Towards an Industrial Symbiosis

Coffee processing generates a large amount of organic waste, which has the potential for energy use through biogas production. Although Brazil dominates world coffee production, treating its residue with biogas technology is not a practice, especially due to this product’s seasonality, which hampers continuous digester operation. The implementation of biogas production from coffee residues in a concept of industrial symbiosis could overcome this. This work evaluates the biogas energy potential from the main liquid residues of coffee processing (i.e., mucilage and wash water) and their integration with glycerin and cattle manure. Around 2773 m3 biogas day−1 would be produced (75% CH4), used as biomethane (734 thousand m3 year−1), or thermal energy (23,000,000 MJ year−1), or electricity (2718 MWh year−1), which could supply, respectively, all the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel demands of the farm, all the thermal energy demands of the grain drying process, as well as electricity for 30 residences. Considering the short coffee season, the results have a broader context for the application of biogas production on coffee processing farms, envisaging that the Agroindustrial Eco-Park concept has the potential to integrate various agroindustrial sectors for energy production, residue exchange, and water recirculation.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ КОМПОЗИТНЫХ БАЛЛОНОВ В КОММУНАЛЬНО-БЫТОВОМ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИИ ПОТРЕБИТЕЛЕЙ ГАЗОМ

The introduction of new advanced materials into gas supply practice leads to the creation of new products with improved qualities. For domestic use, along with traditional metal cylinders for liquefied petroleum gas, composite cylinders have recently been offered. Possessing a number of undeniable advantages, composite cylinders annually increase their share of presence in the field of bottled gas supply. However, the transition from traditional metal cylinders for the consumer should not be accompanied by a banal change of vessels, but requires a comprehensive, competent approach with justification for decisions made on the formation of a gas supply system for the consumer based on cylinders made of composite materials. Using the basic principles characterizing changes in the states of gas mixtures included in liquefied hydrocarbon gas, the characteristics of heat exchange, the vessels under study, the principles of operation of gas-using equipment for the consumer, parameters are determined that form the basis for the competent use of composite cylinders for the consumer using liquefied gases of various brands. As a result of the research, the mass of gas for filling cylinders was determined, taking into account the seasonality of operation and brands recommended for domestic consumption, the process of heat exchange between the cylinder and the environment was studied, taking into account its operating mode and the uneven generation of the vapor phase in the daily cycle of operation to ensure food preparation and hot water supply to consumers, the optimal periods of continuous operation of an individual cylinder installation with different capacities of a sin-gle composite cylinder and the number of cylinder replacements in the annual operating cycle were determined.

Design of Arduino-based LPG Gas Leak Detection Tool using MQ-6 Sensor

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a natural resource that has increased yearly consumption. LPG gas is used almost every time for human life in the household and industry sectors. LPG gas, besides being cheap, is also easier to use. However, the increasing use of LPG gas also increases the risk of fire or gas collection caused by LPG gas leaks. Therefore, a tool is needed to detect LPG gas leaks. So an LPG gas leak detector was made using the MQ-6 sensor, which can detect LPG gas leaks, and using a blower fan to overcome the collection of gas levels around LPG gas cylinders, using a buzzer as an alarm, using a servo to turn off the electricity so that an explosion does not occur, and use spray foam to spray onto the tube and stove if the blower cannot handle the LPG gas leak. Overall, the design components are controlled by Arduino Uno R3. This testing process takes an average of 9.56 seconds. If it is less than 9.56 seconds, then only one action is enough: the blower fan, active buzzer, and pump 1. If it is more than 9.56 seconds, the second action will be continued: spraying foam and turning off the electricity. On the other hand, there is an opportunity to bring this tool to commercial. Many households need this tool to save their house from fire threats. Finally, this tool can be a development tool for solving an incident from gas and will be a best-selling tool.

Ambient volatile organic compounds concentration variation characteristics and source apportionment in Lanzhou, China during the COVID-19 lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown, PM2.5, ozone and precursor NOx were widely reported, but changes on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were scarcely reported. It is important to understand the impact of drastic changes in anthropogenic emissions on the levels of VOCs. In this study, VOCs were collected with Summa tank for monitoring before (Period I), during (Period II) and after (Period III) the COVID-19 lockdown in Lanzhou, Northwest China. During the lockdown, the average concentration of VOCs was 49.01 ± 20.63 ppbv, the total mixing ratio was 39.3 % and 48.5 % lower than Period I and Period III, at the same time alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, halo hydrocarbons decreased by 45.5 % and 46.4 %, 20.2 % and 15.1 %, 21.0 % and 51.4 %, 42.9 % and 61.6 %, respectively. The ratio of benzene/toluene (B/T) increased from 0.85 (Period I) to 1.40 (Period II) and finally to 1.83 (Period III). The trend of isobutane to n-butane （IB/NB）was 0.28 (Period I)-0.75 (Period II)-0.92 (Period III). The above results indicated that traffic source contribute more to VOCs in the Period I, and natural gas, coal and biomass combustion are the main sources during the Period II and III. The xylene/ethylbenzene (X/E) ratio showed a tendence higher in the middle (1.42) and lower on both sides (0.78 and 0.57, respectively), which indicated that the aging of gas masses during the lockdown is lower than Period I and III. Five factors resolved by the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and vehicle exhaust emission, biomass/coal burning, industrial coatings/solvents, industrial process and gasoline exhaust. The source apportionment calculation consistent with the ratio of B/T and IB/NB showed that the contribution of biomass/coal burning increased from 13.1 % (Period I) to 21.8 % (Period II), while the contribution of LPG and vehicle exhaust emission decreased from 45.8 % to 31.5 %.

Deep adsorptive desulfurization of liquefied petroleum gas over Cu ion-exchanged Y zeolite

Deep desulfurization of fuels is needed to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions during combustion causing smog, global warming, and acid rain. Among petroleum-derived fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stands out as a fuel as it causes less emissions. However, LPG may contain different sulfur compounds depending on its source. Herein, we report a copper-modified Y zeolite (Cu-Y) adsorbent for adsorptive removal of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and thiophene (TP) from real LPG. Cu-Y zeolite was prepared by liquid phase ion-exchange (LPIE) method. Dynamic adsorption tests were conducted to investigate the performance of the adsorbent. Effects of preparation and operational conditions and regeneration on the adsorption performance were investigated. Y zeolite loaded with 7 wt% Cu2+ ion and calcined at 550 °C exhibited the highest adsorption performance. The breakthrough DMDS and TP removal capacities of Cu-Y zeolite was 117 % and 78 % higher than that of the original NaY zeolite, respectively. Cu-Y zeolite was characterized for its chemical composition, crystal structure, acidity, adsorption mechanism, surface area and morphology to reveal performance-structure relations. Regeneration studies revealed that Cu-Y adsorbent maintained its adsorption capacity without a significant loss up to 4 adsorption-regeneration cycles which makes it highly beneficial for practical applications.

Effects of a liquefied petroleum gas stove intervention on stillbirth, congenital anomalies and neonatal mortality: A multi-country household air pollution intervention network trial

Household air pollution (HAP) from cooking with solid fuels used during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial was a randomized controlled trial that assessed the impact of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and fuel intervention on health in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda. Here we investigated the effects of the LPG stove and fuel intervention on stillbirth, congenital anomalies and neonatal mortality and characterized exposure-response relationships between personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) and these outcomes. Pregnant women (18 to <35 years of age; gestation confirmed by ultrasound at 9 to <20 weeks) were randomly assigned to intervention or control arms. We monitored these fetal and neonatal outcomes and personal exposure to PM2.5, BC and CO three times during pregnancy, we conducted intention-to-treat (ITT) and exposure-response (E-R) analyses to determine if the HAPIN intervention and corresponding HAP exposure was associated with the risk of fetal/neonatal outcomes. A total of 3200 women (mean age 25.4 ± 4.4 years, mean gestational age at randomization 15.4 ± 3.1 weeks) were included in this analysis. Relative risks for stillbirth, congenital anomaly and neonatal mortality were 0.99 (0.60, 1.66), 0.92 (95 % CI 0.52, 1.61), and 0.99 (0.54, 1.85), respectively, among women in the intervention arm compared to controls in an ITT analysis. Higher mean personal exposures to PM2.5, CO and BC during pregnancy were associated with a higher, but statistically non-significant, incidence of adverse outcomes. The LPG stove and fuel intervention did not reduce the risk of these outcomes nor did we find evidence supporting an association between personal exposures to HAP and stillbirth, congenital anomalies and neonatal mortality.

Evaluating the Temperature Profile in a Branched Tunnel Fire with Various Ramp Slopes: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACT This study conduct a set of small-scale experiments to examine the combined impact of ramp slopes and bifurcation angles on the longitudinal temperature profile beneath the ceiling of a model of branched tunnel. A Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) fire was used to simulated car fires. The range of heat release rates for the experiments was 2.57 kW to 7.70 kW. The experiments also encompassed three bifurcation angles (5° to 15°) and five ramp slopes (0%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%). A simple model was developed to analyze the steady fire-produced ceiling jet in the branched tunnel. It has been found that the longitudinal temperature decay was not affected by the ramp slopes and bifurcation angles. However, the longitudinal temperature decay varied across different tunnel regions due to the dimensions of the tunnel cross section and the branched structure resulting in smoke divergence flow. In addition, the study established a modified model of longitudinal temperature decay based on the experimental results. The results could be used as a point of reference in developing smoke extraction tactics for branched tunnels.

Household air pollution and pneumococcal density related to nasopharyngeal inflammation in mothers and children in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Three billion people in low- and middle-income countries are exposed to household air pollution as they use biomass fuel for cooking. We investigated the associations between solid fuel use and nasopharyngeal (NP) inflammation, as well as the associations between high pneumococcal density and NP inflammation, in mothers and children in rural and urban Ethiopia. Sixty pairs of mothers (median age, 30 years; range, 19-45 years) with a child (median age, 9 months; range, 1-24 months) were included from rural Butajira (n = 30) and urban Addis Ababa (n = 30) in Ethiopia. The cohort was randomly selected from a previous study of 545 mother/child pairs included 2016. Questionnaire-based data were collected which included fuel type used (solid: wood, charcoal, dung or crop waste; cleaner: electricity, liquefied petroleum gas). Nasopharyngeal (NP) samples were collected from all mothers and children and analyzed for the levels of 18 cytokines using a Luminex immunoassay. Pneumococcal DNA densities were measured by a real-time multiplex PCR and a high pneumococcal density was defined as a cyclic threshold (Ct) value ≤ 30. Mothers from rural areas had higher median CXCL8 levels in NP secretions than those from urban areas (8000 versus 1900 pg/mL; p < 0.01), while rural children had slightly higher IL-10 levels than those from the urban area (26 vs 13 pg/mL; p = 0.04). No associations between fuel type and cytokine levels were found. However, a high pneumococcal density was associated with higher levels of cytokines in both mothers (CCL4, CXCL8, IL-1β, IL-6 and VEGF-A) and children (CCL4, CXCL8, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-18). No significant associations were found between solid fuel use and NP inflammation in Ethiopian mothers and children, but the inflammatory activity was higher in individuals living in the rural compared to the urban area. In addition, high cytokine levels were associated with high pneumococcal density in both mothers and children, indicating a significant impact of NP pathogens on inflammatory mediator levels in upper airways.

A System for Individual Environmental Risk Assessment and Management with IoT Based on the Worker’s Health History

This paper presents a monitoring system to measure dust, noise, ultraviolet radiation, illuminance, temperature, and humidity and to check the presence of flammable gases—liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, hydrogen, butane, methane, and carbon monoxide. The system is composed of monitoring devices, a server to process data received from the devices and that runs a web application for employers, and a mobile application for workers to check their exposure data. During employee registration, the health history of the worker concerning common diseases and symptoms related to the monitored agents must be informed. This information is analyzed through a set of predefined rules to generate alerts that the company can consider for planning professional activities to minimize exposure to risk agents. The tests presented in this work are focused on verifying the functionalities of the web interface for employee registration, especially regarding the provision of health information, the updating of this information, and the generation of corresponding alerts. At this stage, fictitious employee information was used. The results showed that the system adequately performs the proposed functionalities, and it was concluded that the solution is viable for testing in a work environment in the future stages of development. The innovative features of this study concern the correlation between workers’ health history and harmful agents to build suggestions and alerts to guide long-term OSH-related decisions.

Iberian Ports as a Funnel for Regulations on the Decarbonization of Maritime Transport

We are currently seeing how new marine fuels are being introduced, such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, batteries, etc., for the propulsion of the world fleet with the aim of complying with the increasing IMO emissions regulations. The frenetic effort made by shipping companies to decarbonize maritime transport must be followed by an unstoppable adaptation of ports from the historical supply of only fuel and diesel to covering the demands of new fuels, ensuring their renewable origin; onshore power supply (OPS); or even the storage of captured CO2. This article compiles the current environmental regulations applied to maritime transport to provide an analysis of the current situation and a link between vessels’ requirements to comply with such regulations and port environmental infrastructure. This work demonstrates that technological development is growing faster onboard vessels than at ports. It is demonstrated that except for the case of LNG, the theoretical shipping fuel world demand of each type of alternative fuel cannot be absorbed by current world production, where we found big gaps between supply and demand of up to 96.9%. This work concludes that to speed up this process, ports will need European aid as well as private investment. It is proposed that for the next steps, the port system needs to provide the required infrastructure to vessels on time, which inevitably means improvements in competitiveness and governance to promote the blue economy and the concept of smart ports, attracting main international shipping lines with a complete decarbonization hub on their routes by taking advantage of the geostrategic role of the Iberian ports. At the same time, the port governance model must be more flexible in the decision-making process, anticipating changes in maritime regulations with the challenge of coordinating public and private interests, serving as a link, once again, between ship and society.