Plants In Hungary Research Articles

The Economic and Geographical Aspects of the Status of Small-Scale Photovoltaic Systems in Hungary—A Case Study

The use of solar energy is an obvious choice; the energy of the sun is not only indispensable for most processes in nature but it is also a clean, abundant, sustainable, and—most importantly—universally available resource. Although the further spread of photovoltaic systems, which make use of this source of energy, is expected in the future all around the world, no comprehensive investigation has been conducted into the current situation of the small-scale photovoltaic power plants in Hungary, where this type of photovoltaic system is the most popular. By means of a case study, whose novelty lies in its focus on small-scale power plants and their complex examination, including economic and geographic indicators, this paper analyzes their status in Hungary. The study endeavors to establish the reasons for the popularity of this type of power plant and to identify some typical geographical locations with well-illustrated photovoltaic density. Residential, as well as business prosumers, were examined with the aim of learning more about the density of the small-scale photovoltaic systems and their geographical locations. Another goal was to calculate the average size of small-scale photovoltaic power plants and to gain more understanding of their economic aspects. The outcomes of this research include maps displaying the density of the small-scale photovoltaic power plants in Hungary and the results of the economic calculations for such investments.

Morphological characteristics as a key attribute for a successful determination of selected Cotoneaster species

Article Details: Received: 2019-12-17 | Accepted: 2019-01-24 | Available online: 2020-03-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.01.15-23 In this paper, morphological features, such as the number of pyrenes in pome and the number of pomes in infructescence, were used for determination of closely related tetraploid Cotoneaster species. Samples were collected from various localities in the Western Carpathians. The collection of samples, designed for counting of pyrenes in pome, included 2353 pomes of >130 individuals. Number of pyrenes in pome ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in pyrenes per pome mean values between C. integerrimus (3.01), C. melanocarpus agg. (2.46; including C. matrensis) and C. tomentosus (3.93). The collection of samples, designed for counting of pomes in infructescence, included 1019 infructescences of 141 individuals. Number of pomes in infructescence ranged from 1 to 5. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant difference in pomes per infructescence mean values between C. integerrimus (1.14) and C. melanocarpus agg. (1.54; including C. matrensis), and between C. integerrimus and C. tomentosus (1.50). Keywords: pyrenes, pomes, infructescence, Cotoneaster, Western Carpathians

Veszélyes üzemek folyamatbiztonságának kockázatalapú irányítása és annak lehetőségei 1.

A szerző kétrészes publikációjában az Amerikai Vegyészmérnök Intézet Vegyi Folyamatok Biztonsági Központja által kidolgozott különböző technológiai folyamatok kockázatalapú biztonsági irányításának lehetőségeit kívánja bemutatni. A magyar katasztrófavédelmi törvény meghatározó elemei az iparbiztonsági szempontból veszélyes üzemek biztonsági irányítási rendszereivel szemben támasztott előírások. A szerző által ismertetett eljárás elemei több, Magyarországon működő veszélyes anyagokkal foglalkozó vállalat által használtak, azonban jogszabályi szinten nem jelenik meg hazánkban ilyen összetett követelményrendszer. Az első cikkben a kockázatalapú folyamatbiztonság elvének általános bemutatása után a technológiai rendszerekre vonatkozó információk meglétének, valamint a változások nyomon követésének fontosságáról, az eszközök minőségének és megbízhatóságának biztosításával kapcsolatos kérdéseiről olvashatunk.

Financial subsidies and the location decision of solar power plants in Hungary: An empirical investigation

Financial subsidies and the location decision of solar power plants in Hungary: An empirical investigation

On the reliability of CALPUFF and AUSTAL 2000 modeling systems regarding smoke and vapor plume mergence

Observations at power plants have shown that smoke plumes from stacks frequently merge with vapor plumes from cooling towers. Wind speed and direction play a key role in merging vapor and smoke plume. Mergence of stack and cooling tower plume leads to formation of undesirable substances such as sulfuric acid aerosols, acid mist, and acid fly ash. The present study shows that smoke and vapor plume mergence is a common phenomenon in Matra power plant in Hungary; however more studies must be conducted in the future to reveal the type and number of plume mergence in the mentioned plant. The present work also indicates that the CALPUFF and AUSTAL 2000 modeling systems cannot provide enough information with regard to vapor and smoke plume mergence.

Use of floating seals to exclude oxygen penetration in non-aerated selectors.

It is widely assumed that non-aerated selectors are very efficient in nutrient removal, and especially anaerobic basins may largely contribute to good sludge settleability as well. However, based on results measured in full-scale, this paper draws attention to the fact that with decreasing availability of readily biodegradable carbon source (rbCOD) being experienced worldwide, oxygen penetration into non-aerated basins through the uncovered surface may no longer be considered negligible. When the oxygen mass transfer is significant compared to the available influent rbCOD, non-aerated selectors should be regarded as basins with low dissolved oxygen (low DO) concentrations that may underperform with respect to nutrient removal and favor the growth of filaments, especially during low-loaded conditions. In order to fully exclude oxygen penetration, floating seals have been developed and applied at the North-Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Hungary. Comparative full-scale studies showed prevention of significant amounts of influent rbCOD loss (up to 60 mg/L) through the application of this new technology. This amount of saved, non-oxidised but fermented carbon source could be accordingly used for enhancing biological P-removal. Due to the elimination of microaerophilic conditions, the undesirable growth of filamentous bacteria could also be avoided, leading to significantly better activated sludge settling.

The Contribution of Biorefineries to Rural Development: The Case of Employment in Hungary

Most recent research concerning biofuels focuses on their potential for mitigating climate change, while their rural development dimension is given less prominence. Ongoing policy debates, including EU and US biofuel policies, pay little attention to this feature of the industry. This paper explores the impact of biorefineries on rural development, and employment in particular. It shows that biorefineries can have a considerable economic impact on the regions in which they are located. Embedded in the local social and economic fabric, the paper demonstrates their influence on regional and national labour markets. The case of a bioethanol plant in Hungary and its effect on the rural labour market in two counties of the country is studied by way of an input-output model. The research has found that the operation of a biorefinery stimulates the creation and maintenance of jobs in both farming and service industries. Results suggest that biorefineries are an important driver of rural development and that this aspect of the industry should be given greater weight in formulating biofuel policies.

Can biofuel policies reduce uncertainty and increase agricultural yields through stimulating investments?

AbstractAs history shows, the yield gap (the difference between actual and achievable yields) will not necessarily close automatically. Investments in agricultural technologies may be key. Price volatility is fundamental to investment. Price volatility has increased in agriculture in the past decade, leading to higher risks for potential investments. Some of these increased risks may be offset by the certainty offered by credible policies. The US experience indicates that ethanol policy may contribute to yield increases. Analysis suggests that corn use by ethanol plants in the USA may explain a significant part of the observed yield increase. A theoretical framework, centered on downside price‐stabilization effects, is offered here, supported by some US, EU, and Hungarian empirical evidence. The research presented explores whether new ethanol plants resulting from effective biofuel policies could serve as a market mechanism to stimulate investments in farming technologies, triggering increased productivity. A survey of local stakeholders of an ethanol plant in Hungary, the only large‐scale biofuel investment triggered in Europe by the EU's flagship bioenergy policy (the Renewable Energy Directive) suggests that relevant investments may have been stimulated. Over half of the respondent farmers said that the presence of the ethanol plant had stimulated investments in productivity. It is proposed that ethanol or biofuel policies may be effective in closing the yield gap, in effect resulting in additional biomass production and advancing the bioeconomy. With effective cross‐sectoral policies, more biomass for food, feed, bio‐based materials and / or bioenergy purposes can be produced. © 2019 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of the Energy Supply Options of a Manufacturing Plant by the Application of the P-Graph Framework

Industrial applications nowadays are facing the complexity of the problem of finding an optimal energy supply composition. Heating and electricity needs vary throughout a year and need to be addressed. There is usually power available from the market, but a company has other investment options to consider, such as solar power, or utilization of local biomass. Fixed and proportional investment and operational costs must be compared to long-term cost-efficiency. The P-Graph framework is an effective tool in the design and synthesis of process networks, and is capable of showing optimal decisions. In the present work, a new P-Graph model was implemented to address the synthesis of the energy supply options of a manufacturing plant in Hungary. Compared to the original approach, a multi-periodic scheme was applied for heating and electricity demands. Also, the pelletizer and biogas plant investments are modeled in the P-Graph with a new technique that better reflects equipment capacities and flexible input ratios. The best solutions in this case study in terms of total costs are listed. It can be concluded that a long-term investment horizon is needed for the incorporation of sustainable energy sources into the system to be cost-efficient.

The Contribution of Biorefineries to Rural Development: The Case of Employment in Hungary

Most recent research concerning biofuels focuses on their potential for mitigating climate change, while their rural development dimension is given less prominence. Ongoing policy debates, including EU and US biofuel policies, pay little attention to this feature of the industry. This paper explores the impact of biorefineries on rural development, and employment in particular. It shows that biorefineries can have a considerable economic impact on the regions in which they are located. Embedded in the local social and economic fabric, the paper demonstrates their influence on regional and national labour markets. The case of a bioethanol plant in Hungary and its effect on the rural labour market in two counties of the country is studied by way of an input-output model. The research has found that the operation of a biorefinery stimulates the creation and maintenance of jobs in both farming and service industries. Results suggest that biorefineries are an important driver of rural development and that this aspect of the industry should be given greater weight in formulating biofuel policies.

SK spends big on battery separators

SK Innovation plans to build a lithium-ion battery separator facility in Poland. The project will cost $377 million and produce 340 million m2 of separator film annually, starting in 2021. Earlier this year the South Korean conglomerate announced that it will spend more than $800 million on an electric-vehicle battery plant in Hungary. SK is one of several firms investing in separators; Asahi Kasei announced a $270 million capacity boost project earlier this year.

First report of aster yellows phytoplasma infection of marigold plants in Hungary

First report of aster yellows phytoplasma infection of marigold plants in Hungary

Cost analysis of pig slaughtering: A Hungarian case study

The scale of Hungarian slaughterhouses is small in international comparison and the cost of slaughter and cutting a pig of average live weight is relatively high at 16.1-19.4 EUR on average. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost of pig slaughter and cutting through the case study of a medium-scale plant in Hungary. Based on data from the enterprise, a calculation was performed in relation to the “output” quantity of pig slaughter and cutting, as well as its value and the cost and cost structure of processing. The capacity of the examined plant and its utilisation were analysed and cost reductions were estimated for various increases of output. In 2015, the direct cost of slaughter and cutting was 18.9 EUR per pig for the medium-scale plant which processed 100 thousand pigs. When the purchase cost of pigs is excluded, labour costs accounted for the highest share (30%) of costs, followed by services (29%) and energy costs (21%). For this reason, the level of wages and employer’s contributions has a rather high significance. Analysis showed that significant increases in Hungarian minimum wage and guaranteed living wage in 2017 resulted in an estimated 7% increase in the cost of slaughter and cutting compared to 2015, despite the decrease of contributions. The capacity utilisation of the plant was a low 28% when compared to a single 8-hour shift considered full capacity. The cost of slaughter and cutting was estimated to be reduced to 14.2-17.0 EUR per pig if the plant operated at full capacity. This may be considered a lower bound estimate of cost because there are numerous restricting factors on optimising capacity utilisation, such as: 1) number of live animals available for purchase and related logistics; 2) cooling capacity availability; 3) labour availability; 4) market position of the enterprise and potential for marketing additional pig meat products. Enterprises of this scale are recommended to consider producing more value-added products and, accordingly, investing in product development.
 JEL Classification: Q13, Q19

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides

Gymnocoronis spilanthoides

Innovative anaerobic submerged media in small waste treatment plants in Hungary

Innovative anaerobic submerged media in small waste treatment plants in Hungary

Optimization of Raw Material Composition in an Agricultural Biogas Plant

We analyzed the operation of a typical agricultural biogas plant in Hungary. Our aim was to optimize the composition of substrates for the biogas production and make a correct recommendation for completing feedstock recipes by considering the raw materials and technologies analyzed. The calculations were based on a very detailed database (including the daily operating data of 1673 days). Distribution of the biogas yields in summer and winter periods was normal based on the One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, while the variance of data was homogeneous based on the Levene-test. Factor analysis of the biogas yield was performed with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy probe (0.616) and the Bartlett's Test. According to the objectivity of our LP (linear program) model, we believe that a significant excess biogas yield (18-66%) could be achieved by the use of our model compared to the actual measured data. Although the amount of corn silage, grass silage, and the extract – as variables – was minimal in the recipe, they played a crucial role in the total biogas yield of the recipe because of their significantly higher organic matter contents and specific biogas yields. Our results could provide a reliable foundation for optimizing of the recipe in biogas plants with raw material base similar to the analyzed plants. Citation: Mezes, L., Bai, A., Nagy, D., Cinka, I., and Gabnai, Z. (2017). Optimization of Raw Material Composition in an Agricultural Biogas Plant. Trends in Renewable Energy , 3(1), 61-75. DOI: 10.17737/tre.2017.3.1.0031

Szaniszló Priszter, the exceptional literacy and precision editor-in-chief of the series "Te cultivated plants of Hungary"

Szaniszló Priszter, the exceptional literacy and precision editor-in-chief of the series "Te cultivated plants of Hungary"

Contribution to the knowledge of the parasitoid fauna of leaf mining sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) of forest plants in Hungary

Contribution to the knowledge of the parasitoid fauna of leaf mining sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) of forest plants in Hungary

Contribution to the knowledge of the parasitoid fauna of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) mining leaves of forest plants in Hungary

Background and Purpose: Despite the importance of studying the native enemy complex of the introduced and invasive leaf miner sawfly species in their native territories, few studies have been done in recent years concerning the species component and the regulating potential of their parasitoid complexes (in both native and invaded area). Heterarthrus vagans and Fenusa dohrnii are only some of the species which are native in Palearctic area, but alien invasive in North America, causing damage on forest plantations. In this short paper we provide our original data to the knowledge of parasitoid fauna associated with seven leaf mining sawflies native in Hungary. Material and Methods: For a period of four years (2011-2014), several leaf miner species were collected and placed in single mine rearings. From the leafminers, belonging to the Tenthredinidae family, a total of 809 mines made by 9 different species (Heterarthrus wuestneii, Fenusa dohrnii, Heterarthrus vagans, Fenusa pumila, Fenusella nana, Profenusa pygmaea, Metallus pumilus, Parna apicalis, Fenusa ulmi) were collected from 19 locations across Hungary. Results and Conclusion: A total of 188 specimens of 13 parasitoid species belonging to 3 families (Braconidae - 1; Ichneumonidae - 1 and Eulophidae - 11) were reared out from our samples. Parasitoid adults were obtained from 7 of the 9 species of leaf mining sawfly hosts (Fenusa dohrnii, Fenusa pumila, Fenusa ulmi, Heterarthrus vagans, Metallus pumilus, Parna apicalis, Profenusa pygmaea). From Heterarthrus wuestneii and Fenusella nana no parasitoid adults emerged.The parasitoid species presented in this work are typically associated with leaf mining sawflies. Several new host-parasitoid associations have been described.

New experiences with foamed bitumen asphalts in hungarian road building

Abstract The use of low temperature (LT) asphalt products can result in a significant decrease of temperature required for asphalt production. This reduces energy costs and consumption. Moreover, safety during asphalt production and laying improves because the amount of potentially harmful vapours and aerosols decreases. Temperature decrease, in addition to the above, reduces the short-term ageing of bitumen in the asphalt production process, and ultimately has a positive impact on the durability of pavements. COLAS Group in Hungary considers propagating the use of low temperature sorts of asphalt in road construction in Hungary as a high priority innovation task Between 2012 and 2014, COLAS Group equipped its asphalt mixers with units from different manufacturers, capable of producing foamed bitumen, at four COLAS Group mixing plants in Hungary. This was followed by several test production runs and course laying with asphalt mixes containing foamed bitumen. Some of the foam asphalt mixes were produced and laid at low temperatures. The other part of the mixes were produced at conventional temperature and were layed after 2 - 2.5 hours of transport. The test asphalt mixtures were made with 50/70 and 10/40-65 modified bitumen also containing 10-20% RA. We compared the compactability of foamed bitumen mixtures produced with four different foaming kits. We produced Marshall specimens at various compaction temperatures, tested the bulk densities of the specimens, then represented the bulk densities subject to the compaction temperature. We established the following: the Marshall bulk density (better compactability) of foamed bitumen asphalt mixes is higher for all asphalt types compared to the normal bitumen mixtures, higher Marshall bulk density of foamed bitumen asphalt mixes can be achieved both in normal (50/70) and modified bitumen mixtures (25/55-65,10/40-65), better compactability of foamed bitumen asphalt mixes is independent of the type of the foaming kit. It works for all types of foaming kits.