Environmental Impact Of Products Research Articles

Countries influence the trade-off between crop yields and nitrogen pollution.

National institutions and policies could provide powerful levers to steer the global food system towards higher agricultural production and lower environmental impact. However, causal evidence of countries' influence is scarce. Using global geospatial datasets and a regression discontinuity design, we provide causal quantifications of the way crop yield gaps, nitrogen pollution and nitrogen pollution per crop yield are influenced by country-level factors, such as institutions and policies. We find that countries influence nitrogen pollution much more than crop yields and there is only a small trade-off between reducing nitrogen pollution and increasing yields. Overall, countries that cause 35% less nitrogen pollution than their neighbours only show a 1% larger yield gap (the difference between attainable and attained yields). Explanations of which countries cause the most pollution relative to their crop yields include economic development, population size, institutional quality and foreign financial flows to land resources, as well as countries' overall agricultural intensity and share in the economy. Our findings suggest that many national governments have an impressive capacity to reduce global nitrogen pollution without having to sacrifice much agricultural production.

Thermal properties of pineapple leaf fiber for product development

This study is part of a research project on pineapple fiber characterization for developing composite materials and their application to product design. It was conceived by the Bionics and Design Student Research Group, and one of its research areas is the classification and application of properties of the so-called agricultural waste to develop applications for industrial products. Pineapple waste, composed of the leaves of this plant, is called rastrojo (stubble) in Spanish, and it was selected due to its high production volume and environmental impact, which is progressive in plantations. An important aspect in this study is the current lack of information about the thermal properties of pineapple fiber, which is contradictory as several types of natural fibers are used as thermal insulators. This fact was a motivation to conduct this research and identify those properties. For this study, a pineapple plant was characterized. Subsequently, different tests and experiments were conducted, and the most appropriate methods were adopted. Thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were identified as the best methods for calculating degradation values, specific heat and thermal life.

Valorisation of vine shoots for the development of cellulose-based biocomposite films with improved performance and bioactivity

This work reports on the valorization of Tempranillo vine shoots for the development of bio-based packaging materials. Cellulose (F3) and nanocellulose (NANO F3) were produced by the conventional method, while less purified cellulosic fractions (F2A) and nanocrystals (NANO F2A) were extracted by simplified protocols (omitting Soxhlet and alkaline treatments) to reduce production costs and environmental impact and evaluate the potential added functionalities of these less purified materials. Although most of the hemicelluloses in F2A were digested upon acid hydrolysis, a small fraction remained in NANO F2A. On the other hand, the presence of a minor xylan fraction in F3 limited the access of sulphuric acid towards the cellulose microfibrils, hindering hydrolysis and producing heterogeneous fibrillar structures in NANO F3. The obtained materials were used to produce cellulosic films, as well as blends with agar, and their performance properties were evaluated. Overall, NANO F2A films showed the best compromise between performance and sustainability and presented additional antioxidant capacity. The properties of the films could be adjusted by the incorporation of agar, improving their ductility and water permeability.

Comparative 4E and advanced exergy analyses and multi-objective optimization of refrigeration cycles with a heat recovery system

This paper compares the refrigeration cycle (RC) and the heat recovery refrigeration cycle (HRRC) with ejector from the 4E (energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental) and advanced exergy point of view. In HRRC, heat recovery is used as a heat source for an organic Rankine cycle. Two working fluids R744 (CO2) and R744A (N2O) have been selected. The performance of the two cycles has been compared with both working fluids. The results of the energy and exergy analysis show that using HRRC with both refrigerants increases the coefficient of performance (COP) and exergy efficiency. COP and exergy efficiency for HRRC-R744 have been obtained 2.82 and 30.7%, respectively. Due to the better thermodynamic performance of HRRC, other analyses have been performed on this cycle. Exergoeconomic analysis results show that using R744A leads to an increase in the total product cost. Total product cost with R744 and R744A have been calculated by 1.56 $/h and 1.96$/h. Moreover, exergoenvironmental analysis showed that using R744A refrigerant increases the product environmental impact by 32%. Due to the high amount of endogenous exergy destruction rate in the compressor and ejector compared to other equipment, they have more priority for improvement. Multi-objective optimization has been performed with exergy efficiency and total product cost objective functions as well as COP and product environmental impact for both refrigerants, which results indicate that HRRC-R744 performs better economically and environmentally. In optimal condition, the value of exergy efficiency, total product cost, COP, and the product environmental impact have been accounted for by 28.51%, 1.44 $/h, 2.76, and 149.01 mpts/h, respectively.

Separating the Wheat from the Chaff: Nutritional Value of Plant Proteins and Their Potential Contribution to Human Health

The quality and nutritional value of dietary proteins are determined by the quantity, digestibility and bioavailability of essential amino acids (EAA), which play a critical role in human growth, longevity and metabolic health. Plant-source protein is often deficient in one or more EAAs (e.g., branched-chain amino acids, lysine, methionine and/or tryptophan) and, in its natural form, is less digestible than animal-source protein. Nevertheless, dietary intake of plant-source protein has been promoted because of its potential health benefits, lower cost of production and lower environmental impact compared to animal-source protein. Implementation of dietary strategies that improve both human and planetary health are of critical importance and subject to growing interest from researchers and consumers. Therefore, in this review we analyse current plant protein intake patterns and discuss possible countermeasures that can enhance plant protein nutrition, examples include: (1) combining different plant proteins with complementary EAA profiles; (2) identification and commercial cultivation of new and novel high-quality plant proteins; (3) industrial and domestic processing methods; and (4) genome-editing techniques.

Energy Management Methodology for Sustainable Water Development and Servicing, Considering the POET Based Concept

This paper aims at analysing the energy management activities for commercial bulk water development and servicing in South Africa. The energy efficiency, in terms of performance, operation, equipment and technology (POET), is reviewed. The sustainability of a general energy management program is discussed within this POET framework. As an application of this discussion to the commercial bulk water development scenario, the POET efficiency of an energy system is a measure of energy efficiency, which is determined by external but deterministic system indicators, such as production period, energy sources, environmental impact and technical indicators, amongst others. The case study concludes that the POET, based framework does not only cover all major energy management activities, but further identifies energy efficiency improvement opportunities.

4E analyses and multi-objective optimization of cascade refrigeration cycles with heat recovery system

In this paper, thermodynamic simulation and analyses of cascade refrigeration and heat recovery cascade refrigeration cycles are investigated. Due to the high heat dissipation in the gas cooler in the cascade refrigeration cycle, the heat recovery cascade refrigeration cycle uses this heat to launch a Rankine cycle. R744 refrigerant for the high-temperature circuit and R744A refrigerant for the low-temperature circuit are used. Energy, exergy analyses for these cycles have been performed. Due to the better performance of the heat recovery cascade refrigeration system, advanced exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental, analyses have been performed for this cycle with Engineering Approach. In this regard, computer code was developed to compute these analyses. Multi-objective optimization of the cycle by the genetic algorithm has been performed with the objective functions of exergy efficiency and total product cost as well as the coefficient of performance and product environmental impact. Exergoeconomic analysis demonstrates that the product cost rate for the cycle is 3.4 $.h-1. Based on exergoenvironmental analysis, the compressor1 has the highest environmental impact. The optimization results reveal that using the heat recovery cascade refrigeration cycle leads to an increasing 7.6% coefficient of performance and 12.5% exergy efficiency.

Assessing Wheat Response to N Fertilization in a Wheat–Maize–Soybean Long-Term Rotation through NUE Measurements

Nitrogen fertilization is indispensable in increasing wheat crop productivity but, in order to achieve maximum profitable production and minimum negative environmental impact, improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) should be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in a long-term wheat–maize–soybean rotation system with the final purpose of increasing the overall performance of the wheat cropping system. Research was undertaken at the Agricultural Research Development Station Turda (ARDS Turda), located in Western Transylvania Plain, Romania. The experimental field was carried out at a fixed place during seven wheat vegetation seasons. The plant material consisted of a wheat variety created by the ARDS Turda (Andrada), one variety of maize (Turda 332) and one variety of soybean (Felix). The experiment covered two planting patterns: wheat after maize and wheat after soybean and five levels of nitrogen fertilization (control-unfertilized, fertilization with 0—control plot, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha−1 y−1). The following indices were assessed: NUE (nitrogen use efficiency), N uptake and PFP (partial factor productivity). The results of the present study suggest that reduced N-fertilization doses could improve N uptake and utilization for both planting patterns.

Economic Process Evaluation and Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment of Bio-Aromatics Production.

The bio-based production of aromatics is experiencing a renaissance with systems and synthetic biology approaches promising to deliver bio-catalysts that will reach yields, rates, and titers comparable to already existing bulk bio-processes for the production of amino acids for instance. However, aromatic building blocks derived from petrochemical routes have a huge economic advantage, they are cheap, and very cheap in fact. In this article, we are trying to shed light on an important aspect of biocatalyst development that is frequently overlooked when working on strain development: economic and environmental impact of the production process. We estimate the production cost and environmental impact of a microbial fermentation process depending on culture pH, carbon source and process scale. As a model molecule we use para-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA), but the results are readily transferrable to other shikimate derived aromatics with similar carbon yields and production rates.

Recent Developments on Life Cycle Assessment of Building Materials

In recent years, the building materials industry in China has made great progress in the R&D of energy conservation, emission reduction and cleaner production technologies, in order to implement sustainable development policy. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the mainstream method to analyze the environmental impact of product during its life cycle, which plays an important role on ecological design of building materials and development of green manufacture technology in recent year. This paper reviewed the LCA studies of building materials. Firstly, the development of China's building materials industry and technical framework of LCA standardized by ISO14040/14044 were introduced. Moreover, the typical LCA case studies of cement, glass, ceramics, wall materials, insulation materials and other building materials were reviewed. At last, some prospects for future research and development in this field were put forward.

A Deep-Learning Approach for Automatic Counting of Soybean Insect Pests

The occurrence of insect pest attacks in soybean fields has worried farmers around the world. Early and automatic diagnosis of insect pests number could assess the infestation level of each plantation area to optimize the applications of pesticides in the crop and, consequently, reduce production costs and environmental impact. Recent research on insect count has adopted deep neural networks. However, researches have employed models trained to count only one species of insect, using images captured in a controlled environment, quite different from a real scenario. In order to obtain high accuracy, we evaluated three models of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with three different training strategies: 100% fine-tuning with the weights obtained from ImageNet, a complete network with the weights initialized randomly and transfer learning with the weights obtained from ImageNet. Data augmentation and dropout were used during network training to reduce overfitting and increase generalization of the model. Our approach consists in segmenting an image from the plantation with the simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) method and classifying each superpixel segment into a pest insect class using the CNN-trained classification model. The pest insect count is obtained by adding the insects of each superpixel class identified by our computer vision system. The results indicate that the deep-learning models can be used successfully to support specialists and farmers in the insect pest management in soybean fields.

Electrolyte design for LiF-rich solid–electrolyte interfaces to enable high-performance microsized alloy anodes for batteries

Lithium batteries with Si, Al or Bi microsized (>10 µm) particle anodes promise a high capacity, ease of production, low cost and low environmental impact, yet they suffer from fast degradation and a low Coulombic efficiency. Here we demonstrate that a rationally designed electrolyte (2.0 M LiPF6 in 1:1 v/v mixture of tetrahydrofuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran) enables 100 cycles of full cells that contain microsized Si, Al and Bi anodes with commercial LiFePO4 and LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathodes. Alloy anodes with areal capacities of more than 2.5 mAh cm−2 achieved >300 cycles with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of >90% and average Coulombic efficiency of >99.9%. These improvements are facilitated by the formation of a high-modulus LiF–organic bilayer interphase, in which LiF possesses a high interfacial energy with the alloy anode to accommodate plastic deformation of the lithiated alloy during cycling. This work provides a simple yet practical solution to current battery technology without any binder modification or special fabrication methods. Chunsheng Wang and colleagues develop an electrolyte strategy to enable the use of commercially available microsized alloys, such as Si–Li, as high-performance battery anodes. They ascribe its success to the formation of robust LiF-rich layers as the solid–electrolyte interface.

Biodiversity, Infectious Diseases, and the Dilution Effect

Biologists point out that biodiversity loss contributes to promote the transmission of diseases. In epidemiology, this phenomenon is known as dilution effect. Our paper aims to introduce this effect in an economic model where the spread of an infectious disease is considered. More precisely, we embed a SIS model into a Ramsey model (1928) where a pollution externality coming from production affects the evolution of biodiversity. Biodiversity is assimilated to a renewable resource and affects the infectivity of the disease (dilution effect). A green tax is levied on production at the firm level to finance depollution according to a balanced budget rule. In the long run, a disease-free and an endemic regime are possible. We focus only on the second case and we find that the magnitude of the dilution effect determines the number of steady states. When the dilution effect remains low, there are two cases depending on the environmental impact of production: (1) a low impact implies two steady states with high and low biodiversity respectively; (2) a large impact rules out any steady state. Conversely, when the dilution effect becomes high, a (unique) steady state always exists: a strong dilution effect works as a buffer and prevents the human pressure from being lethal for biodiversity in the long run. Moreover, under a low dilution effect, a higher green tax rate always impairs biodiversity at the low steady state, while this green paradox is over under a high dilution effect. In the short run, we show that a limit cycle can arise around the high biodiversity steady state when the dilution effect is low. Surprisingly, the limit cycle is preserved under a high dilution effect. In other words, even if a strong dilution effect preserves the biodiversity in the long run and prevents the economy from the green paradox, it does not shelter the economy from the occurrence of biodiversity fluctuations.

Sustainability-based performance evaluation of hybrid nanofluid assisted machining

China’s industrial sector accounts for more than half of the country’s total energy demand. During 2010–2012, nearly 73% of the total hike in the global carbon emission has occurred in China alone. According to the regulations of the International Organization for Standardization, the material processing industry is required to cut down the energy consumption demand and carbon emission. It is worthwhile to consider the elimination of cutting fluids from the machining domain for reducing production cost and environmental impact. This study presents component-stage based holistic models of energy, cost, and carbon emission. The models are validated through the experimental data obtained from turning of Haynes 25 alloy conducted under nanofluid (alumina-graphene) assisted minimum quantity lubrication. The data for energy consumption, cost, and CO2 emission are obtained from the experimental work and literature. The results show that the feed rate possesses the most significant effect on energy consumption. The shares of the work material’s choice in total energy consumption, carbon emission, and total cost are found to be 93.7%, 66.8%, and 56.2%. The nanoparticles share a small portion of the total cost per unit product. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) obtained in this study reveals a strong possibility of the industrial application of nanofluids in machining. This study also preaches “think green, plan green, and go green.”

Wheat straw as an alternative pulp fiber

The desire to market sustainable packaging materials has led to an interest in the use of various fiber types as a raw material. It has been suggested that the use of annual crops for partial replacement of wood fiber would result in more sustainable products. Several life cycle analyses (LCA) have been performed to evaluate these claims. These LCAs provided conflicting and contradictory results because of the local conditions and the spe-cific pulping processes investigated. Selected LCAs are reviewed and the underlying reasons for these conflicting results are analyzed. Of all the agriculturally sourced annual fibers available, other than wood, only straw pulp is currently available in commercial quantities. A careful review of the available data suggests that neither an annual crop nor wood are more sustainable in general. Countries that allow burning of straw after harvest present a unique situation. Each situation needs specific and direct comparisons that are not generally available. The use of straw fiber in place of wood fiber does not appear to present any advantages to either the environmental impact of production or to the final product quality. The impact of substitution of straw fiber for hardwood pulp in bleached board applications and for high yield pine in linerboard applications has been examined in handsheet studies. In general, the partial substitution of straw pulp for wood pulp does not improve the handsheet physical properties. These studies suggest that straw pulp should be used in low fiber strength requirement applications, such as tissue and molded fiber products. Commercial progress of straw pulping by Kimberly-Clark and Essity in low fiber strength requirement applications is a sign that the nonwood fiber opportunity has growth potential.

Polyurethane foams synthesis with cassava waste for biodiesel removal from water bodies

Two types of polyurethane foams were synthesized: polyurethane foam (PU) and composite polyurethane containing cassava waste (PUC), in order to remedy bodies of water contaminated with biodiesel. Thermal and chemical properties of cassava waste were evaluated by thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transformed infrared. The foams were evaluated as biodiesel sorbents as a function of time and biodiesel ratio. The PUC showed high removal of biodiesel, reaching 96.8% of biodiesel sorption in 5 min and PU reached the maximum of 89.8%. PUC was synthesized with cassava waste, renewable raw material, reducing foam production cost and environmental impact.

Utilização da avaliação do ciclo de vida no contexto da economia circular: uma revisão de literatura

A Economia Circular (EC) é atualmente um conceito popular promovido por empresas, países e pela União Europeia, e representa uma racionalidade de maior eficiência no uso dos recursos, oposta à racionalidade linear de extrair-produzir-consumir-descartar. A literatura relata diversas iniciativas relacionadas à EC e à necessidade de quantificar o real benefício destas iniciativas. A Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) é uma ferramenta que permite quantificar o impacto ambiental de produtos e serviços, podendo contribuir para a comprovação dos benefícios da EC. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a utilização da ACV no contexto da EC. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura nas bases de dados SCOPUS e Web of Science, utilizando o termo “life cycle” AND “circular economy”. Foram considerados todos os artigos publicados até 2017. Observou-se uma prevalência de estudos realizados no continente europeu, especialmente na Espanha, e de estudos relacionados ao gerenciamento de resíduos. A pesquisa exploratória ressaltou a importância da ACV para a promoção da EC, uma vez que permite quantificar os benefícios ambientais de suas estratégias – no âmbito do suprimento e produção, consumo sustentável e gestão de resíduos -, fortalecendo as proposições da EC. Além disso, observou-se a EC utilizada como base na definição de cenários alternativos que foram analisados com a ACV.

User centered development of a Digital Twin concept with focus on sustainability in the clothing industry

Abstract The optimization of a product's socio-economic and environmental impact is gaining more relevance for customers and regulating institutions. Still, there is a gap between sustainable attitude and behavior. In this context, new technologies are explored to stimulate sustainable consumers' behavior. This paper aims at analyzing the concept of a Digital Twin and its sustainability impact. The authors present a user centered development of a Digital Clothing Twin with the aim to foster sustainability in the Mid-of-life and End-of-Life-phase. The sustainability impact of the Digital Twin concept as a potential solution as well as part of the problem is discussed.

Is Durability Sustainable?

Interestingly, the French word for sustainability is durabilité. And, of course, durability is at the heart of sustainability—isn't it? If a product is durable, it will last for a long time and this means that it won't be discarded quickly, which keeps it out of the land-fill longer. If it doesn't need to be replaced often, the product's total environmental impact is reduced across its lifecycle. On the other hand, if something is designed to last for a long time, does that mean that it won't break down for a long time after it has been discarded—and if so, how can that be viewed as sustainable? Take plastic bags, for example. In the case of a product that is designed to be thrown away after relatively few uses, biodegradability is better than durability. So maybe it all depends on context.

Integrated Processing of Secondary Raw Materials as the Main Direction of Ecologization of Beet Sugar Production In The Republic of Kazakhstan

Beet sugar production is one of the material-intensive industries, where the volume of raw and auxiliary materials used in production is several times higher than the output of finished products. It is also a source of multi-tonnage secondary resources, i.e. by-products and production waste, the main ones beingAbeet pulp, molasses and filtration sludge. Against the background of the implementation of the Sectoral Program of Beet Sugar Production Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2027, there is a need to create a concept of ecologization of production, which will provide for the development of fundamentally new technologies to ensure minimum waste, combining environmentally friendly methods with cost-effective production of sugar beet and by-products. The bet should be made on low-cost technologies that will minimize production costs and environmental impact. In this article possible variants of sugar beet processing technologies with complex deep processing of waste are offered. The comparison of traditional technology and various variants of progressive technologies of sugar beet processing and production of new products from secondary resources was carried out, which allowed to determine revenue from complex processing of 1 ton of sugar beet.