Raw Material Transportation Research Articles

Comparative CO2 emissions of concrete and timber slabs with equivalent structural performance

Comparing the environmental impacts of building materials at the building level can be biased because a building design is optimized for a primary structural material. To achieve objective comparisons, this study compares the environmental impact of reinforced concrete (RC), cross-laminated timber (CLT), and timber-concrete composite (TCC) at the component level with equivalent structural performance. A slab was selected as the target structure member because its design does not consider lateral forces. Equivalent structural performance was defined as the minimum quantity of slab materials for comparable span and live load conditions. The functional unit for this study was defined as a 1 m2 slab. The system boundary covered the cradle-to-gate perspective, including raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing. The structural design method and material design values followed the Korean building code and standards. Environmental product declaration data developed in Korea were used to evaluate the carbon footprint. The CLT emitted 75 % less carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gases responsible for anthropogenic climate change, compared with RC regardless of conditions, while the TCC emitted 65 % less CO2, and its environmental impact improved as the span lengthened. The results also indicated that timber slabs are thinner than concrete slabs and can be structurally rational.

Management of the critical infrastructure used for the transport of fossil raw materials – a case study

Purpose: The occurrence of mining damage has a huge impact on the quality and safety of railway infrastructure. Damage to the railway infrastructure due to mining damage may result in the need to temporarily close the railway line, reduce capacity and thus cause disruptions in the supply of goods and services in part of the value chain requiring non-standard actions. Due to the occurrence of mining damage, there is also a need to increase funds for infrastructure maintenance. Design/methodology/approach: Railway infrastructure is a kind of critical infrastructure and its elements are subject to special protection. In order to prevent threats and minimize their effects, risk assessment should be carried out systematically and control mechanisms should be introduced in order to increase the security and quality of services provided. Findings: Analyzing the scope of activities of Jastrzębska Spółka Kolejowa sp. z o.o. numerous potential hazards have been noted. The risk may result from deterioration of the quality of railway infrastructure, railway event, incident, potentially dangerous situation, but also loss of human life. Taking into account the location of railway infrastructure in mining areas, ensuring its required quality is a huge challenge for its manager due to the intensity of mining damage. Originality/value: The article includes, among others, an analysis and risk assessment and presents control mechanisms to increase the security and quality of services provided by JSK sp. z o.o. In the article, this problem was looked at prognostically. Keywords: critical infrastructure, threat, risk, railway accidents, management.

Estimation of parameters for endogenous hotspot emergence during coal cargo transportation by bulk carriers

The article briefly describes the fire and explosion properties of coal raw materials (hard coal of different grades). The relevance of the problem is shown on the example of incidents occurring during transportation of coal raw materials by different modes of transport. The issues of bulk coal transportation are considered in more detail. The paper aims at determining kinetic parameters of low-temperature oxidation processes leading to self-heating and/or spontaneous combustion of coal, and at determining optimal forms of combustion. On the basis of the data obtained, it is suggested to use bulk cargo holds with strictly defined geometric characteristics. The methodological approach of Prof. J.S. Kiselev and the method of synchronous thermal analysis were chosen as the main method of research. The method proposed by J.S. Kiselev is based on the application of a dry-air thermostat. It permits the study of dependence of the occurrence of spontaneous combustion processes in the coal mass on the thermal-physical parameters and the ambient parameters by obtaining the curves of the heating and cooling rates. The method of synchronous thermal analysis applied by the authors made it possible to prove the need for more careful control of fine coal fractions. Thus, the authors have established the dependence of the rate of oxidative thermochemical processes of pyrolysis on the fractional composition of the sample by applying a highly scientific method. As a result of experimental studies, the authors have calculated the main kinetic parameters of autoignition, namely, activation energy and preexponential multiplier. They suggested geometric characteristics of the shape of the coal accumulation and the bulkhead hold that would minimise the probability of spontaneous combustion within coal accumulation.

Assessment of embodied energy of masonry building materials in Hassan, India

The construction sector is putting a lot of effort in reducing its energy, carbon, material, and water footprints, as well as taking steps toward a more sustainable built future. The building materials such as cement, aggregates, masonry units like bricks and blocks constitute to dominant percentile utilization in the construction of building. The activities involved in the production of construction materials will consume large amounts of energy. Hence time has arrived for an effective, environmental friendly, sustainable building material with judicious use of energy. It is therefore important to identify and modify the existing process of manufacture of building construction materials and compute the energy associated with manufacturing process. Production of these materials is a major cause for global warming due to release of carbon-di-oxide (CO2) and other gases. Hence there is a need to think, act and adopt low energy consuming, locally available building materials, reducing the transportation energy (TE) to provide alternatives which is both cost effective and environment friendly. The whole energy expenditure involved in the material manufacturing, including all upstream activities such as raw material extraction and transportation, is referred to as embodied energy (EE). This paper examines the energy efficiency of a few masonry building materials used in large quantities in the Indian construction sector. The key stages of production, consumption of excessive energy and the importance locally available raw materials are studied. The study focuses on the various stages of production and measuring the associated embodied energy of masonry building materials of Hassan. These EE figures were calculated by personal visits and survey data to industrial production plants. EE of burnt brick masonry is found to be 2.8 times the EE in comparison with AAC block masonry wall.

ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ АВТОМАТИЗИРОВАННОГО УЧЕТА НЕФТЕПРОДУКТОВ НА ОСНОВЕ МНОГОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОГО ПРОГРАММИРУЕМОГО КОНТРОЛЛЕРА ТОПЛИВНОГО СКЛАДА

The article is devoted to the actual problem of controlling the circulation of petroleum products in the warehouses of the service subsystem of an enterprise that supplies fuel to industrial vehicles. The processes of transportation of raw materials, materials, finished products, as well as the transportation of employees to remote work sites are important for the smooth functioning of the main production, and their cost reaches 25-30% of the cost of production. The purpose of the article is to study the problems of organizing automated accounting of petroleum products based on a multifunctional programmable controller of a fuel depot in service industries. The basis of the research methods was the dialectical and systematic approach, methods of formalization, modeling, methods of cause-and-effect relationships. To assess the pace of development of advanced production technologies, a statistical analysis of data dynamics was used, which makes it possible to determine priorities in the development of technologies, to identify the relationship between developments in a related direction. To visualize the technological processes in the fuel depot, which require the organization of automated control of petroleum products, the method of graphic descriptions of control processes was used, reflecting the route technology for performing managerial functions. The study of the organization of service industries of Russian enterprises showed the predominance of the use of manual control or the use of foreign information products for the purposes of accounting for petroleum products. Trends in the development of advanced production technologies have been identified that characterize the importance of creating equipment for automated transportation of materials, automated loading and unloading operations in the service subsystems of transportation and storage. The processes and operations at the transport fuel warehouse serving the transport subsystem of the main production are systematized. A schematic block diagram of technological processes at a fuel depot has been developed, requiring the organization of automated control and accounting of petroleum products. The functions of the control device are performed by the multifunctional controller of the fuel depot, for the operation of which it is necessary to provide connection of additional technological equipment. The duration of the technological cycle of operations at the fuel depot before and after process automation has been studied. For nine key operations, the time and cost of performing work are presented, the time and economic effect from the introduction of a multifunctional programmable controller is calculated, which is, respectively, 7.61% and 19.48 thousand rubles as a whole for the full technological cycle. The research materials have theoretical and practical significance, they can be used in the development of scientific investment projects for the creation and implementation of automated fuel storage systems based on a multifunctional programmable controller in the practice of organizing servicing production processes.

State policy of activisation of economic development during war and post-war periods

Formulation of the problem. In the conditions of a full-scale war, economic development transforms into the manual mode of governmental regulation. The state policy of post-war economic development should take into account the priority of the development of those branches of the national economy, which will allow to organize the obtaining of the maximum added value for the least expenditure of resources. Analysis of recent research and publications. Problems of economic development are the subject of research of many scientists and practitioners. The scientific literature highlights the peculiarities and problems of economic development during the war, the study of the continuing migration crisis, the ways of development of economic processes in the post-war times. Research of the problems of the development of economic processes in the war and post-war period is a new, urgent and timely goal. Separation of previously unsettled parts of the general problem. The generalization of the problems of the functioning of the national economic system in the conditions of the ongoing war and the justification of the priorities of state policy in the post-war period are covered in the scientific literature mainly by specific areas of activity. Presenting main material. With the start of full-scale invasion, Ukraine lost not only territory, but also production and infrastructure facilities, population, resources, and opportunities for further development. Domestic business suffered significant losses with the start of the war. State policy during this period created conditions for evacuating people, relocating enterprises and assets from the territories of hostilities to safer regions. During the war, all domestic SMEs faced new problems. The ranking of obstacles to doing business is led by the rise in prices for raw materials, difficulties with the transportation of raw materials or goods through the territory of Ukraine, and a lack of working capital. A large part of businesses lost their customers. In addition, export opportunities have been limited, and long-term logistics relationships (chains) have been destroyed. The priorities of state policy in wartime are the activities of business structures focused on supporting the army, defense activities, food security, and infrastructure restoration. However, business activity in other areas is also an important source of ensuring employment of the population and filling budgets of various levels, approaching victory. With the beginning of the war, the population of Ukraine felt a threat to their lives and health, restrictions on free movement, satisfaction of basic needs, etc. Some residents have lost housing, workplaces, sources of income, opportunities to receive services, and psychological balance. Due to the active hostilities in the East and South of Ukraine, due to the loss of housing, security of stay or means of livelihood, we observe active internal and external migration flows. The new post-war economic policy should provide for overcoming the migration crisis. In order to restore and develop economic processes, it is necessary to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in various domains. Conclusions. Economic development is a component of the state’s national security and the driving force behind victory in modern warfare. Domestic business suffered significant losses. During the war, all domestic enterprises faced new problems, the solution of which requires the formation of a state business protection policy. The migration crisis caused by active hostilities had a negative impact on the consumption and production of goods and services. The new post-war economic policy should provide safe conditions for forced migrants to return to their places of permanent residence. The priorities of economic development are the safety of citizens, the provision of primary needs for food, shelter, clothing, etc., the availability of jobs and the appropriate level of work clothing. The IT sphere, agricultural production, processing and light industry, the sphere of services and consulting, financial and insurance activities, etc. should become the priority sectors of post-war development. Important directions of the post-war state policy are the formation of strategies for the recovery and development of economic processes at various levels; creation of favorable conditions for successful business activity; restoration of infrastructure facilities; stabilization of migration processes; implementation of macroeconomic policy etc.

Faded colors of Western Anatolia, exploring non-Muslim immigration and industrial development in Western Anatolia from the 19th to the 20th century in the example of Ezine's socio-economic transformation

Ezine is in western Turkey, within the borders of Canakkale province, between the legendary Troy and the ancient city of Alexandria-Troas. This paper investigates the socio-economic transformation of Ezine City in response to the Industrial Revolution's impact, positioning it as a crucial supplier of raw materials to Europe's industrialized states during the 19th century. The emergence of new sectors, including raw material production, supply, and transportation, facilitated unprecedented economic growth and development in Ezine. Leveraging the legal provisions of the 1856 Paris Treaty, Ottoman Armenians, Greeks, and Jews migrated to Ezine, strategically settling in the city to capitalize on its thriving economy. By analyzing historical data, primary sources, and legal frameworks, this study explores the profound influence of non-Muslim immigration on Ezine's economic landscape. Furthermore, it examines the dynamics of cultural exchanges, societal integration, and the legacy of this diverse influx on Ezine's socio-cultural fabric. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this research offers valuable insights into the intertwined relationship between industrial development, non-Muslim immigration, and the formation of Ezine's socio-economic identity.

Sustainable Industrial Sotol Production in Mexico—A Life Cycle Assessment

Sotol is a distilled spirit made in the north of Mexico produced from the wild plant Dasylirion wheeleri. Although sotol was awarded the Designation of Origin (DO) in 2002 and has an economic influence on the DO region, its environmental profile has not been determined. For that reason, this paper reports a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the industrial sotol production process in the Mexican state of Chihuahua to determine any significant environmental impacts caused by sotol production from raw material acquisition to the packaging stage. The LCA was modeled using SimaPro 8.5.2 software (PRé Sustainability, Amersfoort, The Netherlands) and the environmental impacts were calculated using the CML-IA baseline v3.03/EU25 impact assessment technique. The findings reveal that sotol beverage manufacturing considerably affects three of the eleven impact categories selected and that the harvesting and bottling stages have the greatest negative environmental impact of all the sotol production stages. According to empirical data, one bottle (750 mL) of sotol results in a higher carbon dioxide value than any other spirit evaluated in earlier LCA studies, with white, rested, and aged sotol generating 5.07, 5.12, and 5.13 kg CO2 eq, respectively. Other drinks, such as mescal, classic gin, and whisky generate only 1.7, 0.91, and 2.25 kg CO2 eq, respectively. In conclusion, sotol distillery companies should start to decrease road transport of raw materials used in the packaging stage and begin to cultivate sotol instead of extracting it from the wild as strategies to achieve cleaner production.

Global warming impact and energy analysis of tofu product: A case study in ABC factory Merauke

Tofu is one of the staple foods that are in demand by the wider community due to its high nutritional content, especially protein, and has quite a lot of processed variants. Therefore, the production of tofu must be developed to obtain the best quality, and adequate quantity of production and at the same time, become a product with an environmentally friendly production process. There are still many conventional tofu factories found in Merauke. However, its production process is still a little concerned about environmental aspects. This study aims to identify inputs, outputs, and environmental impacts of the tofu product life cycle, determine potential sources of impact (hotspots) and recommend improvement scenarios. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is used to estimate and analyze the potential environmental impacts that occur due to the production of 1 kilogram of tofu products at ABC Factory in Merauke. The environmental impact produced by this tofu product is the potential for global warming, so the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that occur will be analyzed. In addition, energy efficiency will be calculated, and conclusions and interpretations will be drawn from the previously analyzed inventory results. The limitation of the system used in this study starts from the soybean cultivation process, transportation of raw materials, and the process of making tofu at ABC Factory. From the results obtained that tofu with local soybean generates GHG emissions is 0.337 kg CO2-eq per kg of tofu, while tofu with imported soybean is 0.801 kg CO2-eq per kg of product. Energy efficiency is indicated by the Net Energy Value (NEV) and the Net Energy Ratio (NER) of the tofu products. The Tofu with local soybean has NEV is 3.529 MJ, while tofu with imported soybean is 0.961 MJ. The value of NER>1 for both tofu products. From the results of inventory analysis, several alternatives can be recommended to reduce the environmental impact that occurs.

Analysis of technological approaches and development experience of Kryvbass tailings

Purpose. Complication of the conditions of conducting open-pit mining operations and complex external factors will certainly lead to the deterioration of technical and economic indicators of deposit development in the future. The complex development of deposits is one of the promising options for correcting this situation, and the purposeful formation and development of man-made deposits is the main way of expanding the mineral and raw material base of Kryvbas. The purpose of this work is to generalize the experience of developing Kryvbas tailings and theoretical approaches to the formation of schemes for complex mechanization of their processing for the further creation of a scientific basis for the expansion of the raw material base of the Kryvorizka mining complex. Methodology. The work uses the methods of analysis and synthesis of literary sources of information when assessing the state of complex development of deposits in the Kryvyi Rih region, retrospective analysis of project decisions regarding PRJSC "Central GZK", engineering analysis - when assessing the schemes of complex mechanization of tailings storage facility. Results. The analysis of scientific sources was carried out and the state of complex development of deposits of Kryvbas was assessed. Accumulated volumes of magnetite quartzite dressing waste have been determined. The experience of the development of man-made deposits of the alluvial type was analyzed, during the design analysis the most appropriate schemes of complex mechanization and the parameters of the tailings storage development system were identified. Scientific novelty. The conducted retrospective and engineering analysis of design solutions made it possible to identify the most effective schemes for complex mechanization of tailings disposal. As the most expedient in the conditions of PRSC "Central GZK" was chosen a scheme using a dredger with subsequent transportation of man-made raw materials to the pulp farm. Practical significance. The results of the performed research can be used by design organizations and mining enterprises when designing the formation and development of tailings storage facilities.

Life cycle assessment to produce LC³ cements with kaolinitic waste from the Amazon region, Brazil

The present study was developed with the aim of determining the environmental impact of the production process (cradle-to-gate) of Limestone Calcined Clay Cements (LC³) produced with kaolinitic residues from the Brazilian Amazon, through a life cycle assessment (LCA). For this purpose, 6 LC³ mixtures were prepared from combinations of clinker, gypsum, and metakaolin: limestone filler in the ratios 2:1, 1.5:1 and 1:1, replacing 45% and 60% Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The LC³ cements were compared with two cements already produced industrially. CO2 emissions associated with the transportation of raw materials to produce LC³ cements increased significantly, especially for the cements where 60% clinker was substituted, with CO2 emissions up to 2–3 times higher than for the reference cements. Despite that, LC³ cements showed a reduction in energy demand of up to 28% and total CO2 emissions of up to 38% compared to commercial cements. In this way, the conducted study demonstrates the high environmental potential of LC³ cements with kaolinitic residues from the Amazon region for reducing pollutant emissions in the manufacture of cement.

Development and characterization of a sustainable process for the implementation of lightweight ceramics

Addition of hollow particles and foamed core-shell structures was evaluated to reduce density of ceramic bodies used in the production of sanitary ware, in particular Vitreous-China. Different contents of foamed ceramic beads, glass bubbles or foamed glass beads were tested, ranging from 1.5 to 10 % wt. These strategies were designed to be readily applicable to a pre-existing industrial plant, leading to a final product that retains mechanical and aesthetical properties of traditional ceramic.Mechanical properties, shrinkage, water absorption, surface finishing, and weight reduction were evaluated on dried and fired simplified samples.A moderate reduction in mechanical properties was found, numerically dependent to the overall volume of voids introduced in ceramic bulk. In particular, ceramic with a content of 3% of glass bubbles featured a flexural strength at break of 35 MPa, out of standard requirement. The highest efficiency in weight reduction was achieved with the introduction of 1.5% of cave glass bubbles resulting in a reduction of 10% in weight of fired samples, a flexural strength at break of (41 ± 4) MPa, a total linear shrinkage of (10.1 ± 0.2) %, (0.5 ± 0.1) %, water absorption of 0.5 % wt, in accordance with regulatory standard requirements.Weight reduction improved sustainability in terms of environmental impact. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study was conducted on optimized ceramic body (glass bubbles at 1.5 %wt, and glass bubbles at 3% with comparative purposes), evaluating the production process from transportation of raw materials to distribution of goods overseas. LCA analysis was determined using impact categories of ReCiPe Midpoint (H), ReCiPe EndPoint (H/H), and cumulative energy demand (CED). The analysis showed an overall improvement of all the impact categories, with a reduction of CED of 10%, and a reduction of ReCiPe Endpoint of 15% for optimized sample.

Comparative study on the carbon footprints of extruded and pelleted feed and their potential for carbon reduction: A case study of grass carp feed

China is the largest aquaculture producer, and grass carp ranks first in the freshwater fish industry. Fish feed is considered among the most important contributor to the impacts of the aquaculture industry. This study aimed at analyzing the different global warming potentials (i.e., carbon footprint; CF) of extruded and pelleted grass carp feed by implementing the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The cradle-to-gate system boundaries of aquaculture feed includes the raw material production phase, transportation phase, and processing phase, and data were obtained from field investigation, the Ecoinvent 3.7.1 database, and academic references. Furthermore, the CF and emission reduction potential of the entire freshwater fish feed industry in China was estimated, thus providing a basis for decision-makers to achieve carbon neutrality. Our findings indicated that the CF of extruded and pelleted feed was approximately 1334 and 1071 kg CO2 eq/t, respectively. Furthermore, the CFs of grass carp fed with extruded and pelleted feeds was 1876–2134 and 1928–2142 kg CO2 eq/t, respectively. The production of raw materials was the largest contributor to the CF of both feeds. If US soybeans were used, the CF of both grass carp feeds could be reduced by more than 15% compared with Brazilian soybeans. The reduction in the overall CF by using renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells would be similar to that of natural gas. The CF of China's freshwater fish feed is projected to reach 1.95 × 107 t CO2 eq in 2020, of which extruded feed and pelleted feed account for 20.32% and 79.68% of the total output, respectively. In this case, if extruded feed is used instead of pelleted feed and the feed conversion ratio is optimal (1.4–1.8), the proportion of freshwater fish fed with extruded feed should not exceed 21.05% of the total production of freshwater fish in order to reduce feed-associated CF.

Simulation of carbon emission for mining‐separating‐backfilling integrated coal mines based on system dynamics

AbstractClarifying the influencing factors of energy consumption in underground production processes of coal mine is the premise and foundation for the coal mining industry to control the energy consumption and intensity to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This paper aims to investigate and compare the differences in energy consumption and carbon emissions between a mining‐separating‐backfilling integrated coal mine (MSBICM) and a traditional coal mine and explore the effects of the main production links underground on carbon emission intensity in coal mines. Hence, taking an MSBICM in Henan province as an example, this study constructed an energy consumption and carbon emission model of the mine using system dynamics (SD) method. Based on this model, the energy consumption of the main production logistics system and auxiliary production system in MSBICM was simulated and analyzed. In addition, this study made a comparative analysis of the energy consumption of the different production links in the two types of coal mines. The results showed that: (1) the comprehensive mechanized coal mining with solid filling system and ventilation system were the subsystems with the highest and lowest energy consumption in MSBICM respectively. (2) The influence rates of raw coal mining, gangue filling, coal‐gangue separating, and material transportation on carbon emission intensity in coal mine were 1.09%, 1.34%, 1.09%, and 5.13%, respectively. (3) Under the same production and filling targets, energy consumption of underground transportation systems in MSBICM was found to be 336.66 tons of standard coal less than that in traditional coal mine. This study has helped clarify the complex relationships among the factors that influence energy consumption in coal mines and provided a reference for implementing dual control of energy consumption to promote low‐carbon mining of coal resources.

Research on raw material ordering and transportation scheme of production enterprises based on genetic algorithm

With the deepening of China's reform and opening up and the gradual improvement of productivity level,the production enterprises of construction and decoration panels have gradually sprung up. In order to improve the production efficiency of enterprises and reduce the loss of raw materials, this paper establishes an analytical hierarchical model, and a 0-1 goal programming model. Based on the analysis of the problem, it pays attention to the connection between the questions. A rational solution for ordering and transporting raw materials based on the 0-1 goal programming model is also proposed in conjunction with real-life practice. In this paper, the problem is solved by building several mathematical models and the results are entered in Annex A and Annex B. After the model is implemented and tested, significant improvements are found. In addition, the model is improved by a genetic algorithm so that the model is well applicable and generalizable.

Life cycle assessment of novel biogeochemical cover versus conventional soil cover

The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional performance and environmental impacts of recently proposed biogeochemical cover (BGCC) system at a municipal solid waste landfill and compare with the conventional soil cover (SC) system. The functional performance of the cover systems was assessed through infiltration, methane emissions and slope stability analyses. In addition, life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of the cover systems. The study also assessed the effect of various factors such as biochar manufacturing process, mode of transportation (fossil fuel powered vehicles versus electric powered vehicles), and transportation distance for raw materials supply on the environmental impacts. The results showed that the BGCC can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming in comparison to the SC due to the use of biochar amended soil and basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag. BGCC had 69 times more reduction in global warming impacts than SC which was attributed to the high methane oxidation potential of the biochar amended soil and carbon dioxide sequestration capacity of BOF slag. Moreover, BGCC had lesser environmental impacts than SC, mainly in the categories of eutrophication, carcinogens, non-carcinogens, respiratory effects, and ecotoxicity. Reducing transportation distance for biochar supply led to further reduction of the environmental impacts associated with the BGCC. For example, reducing the biochar procurement distance from 300 km to 100 km reduced the impacts from smog, acidification, eutrophication, and fossil fuel depletion by 14%, 13%, 5% and 14%, respectively. In addition, switching the vehicle from diesel powered to electric powered for transportation of raw materials led to significant reduction in fossil fuel depletion, smog, acidification and ecotoxicity in both BGCC and SC. For example, the fossil fuel depletion reduced by 97% and 39% in BGCC and SC, respectively by switching the fuel source. In addition, BGCC had overall positive impact on the human health and ecosystem whereas SC showed potential damage to human health. Overall, BGCC system proves to be an environmentally sustainable alternative to landfill cover system with significant potential for mitigation of greenhouse gases and odor from MSW landfills.

The management of symbolic raw materials in the Late Upper Paleolithic of South-Western France: a shell ornaments perspective

Personal ornaments manufactured on marine and fossil shell are a significant element of Upper Palaeolithic symbolic material culture, and are often found at considerable distances from Pleistocene coastlines or relevant fossil deposits. Here, we report on a significant collection of shell objects (n=377) from the Upper Magdalenian site of Rochereil (Dordogne, France). Despite the location of the site at more than 200km from the Pleistocene coast, the majority of the shells recovered here are unmodified, suggesting that transport and accumulation of shell raw material was an important component in the production of symbolic technologies some 16 15,000 years ago. A detailed comparative and microscopic reanalysis of this assemblage explores which species were selected, examines technological and taphonomic modification of the material, and compares this collection with the use of similar shell ornaments in the wider Magdalenian world.

Life cycle environmental impacts of consumer packaging products in Japan.

Several Japanese companies and the government are recently promoting a plastic ban and imposing a tax levy to curb litter and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This has led to a rapid rise of nonplastic packaging alternatives. While plastics and litter are pressing concerns, it is paramount to examine environmental risks of other alternatives before wide application and legislative action, to not further the risk of environmental damage. This study aims to quantify and compare plastic products such as polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bags with widely available alternatives in Japan like glass bottles, aluminum bottles, paper bags, and textile bags, to find a product with the least environmental impact. A life cycle assessment is conducted from a cradle-to-grave environmental impact approach that includes raw material extraction, production, transportation, end-of-life treatment, and disposal. Sixteen impact categories including climate change, acidification, aquatic-toxicity, so forth, and weighing is assessed using the MiLCA software. The functional unit is one piece of each packaging product, and impacts of product-filling, storage, recycling, and reuse are excluded for a consistent comparison. HDPE bags performed better than paper and textile bags in 15 of the 16 analyzed impact categories. Similarly, PET bottles outperformed aluminum and glass bottles in 12 out of the 16 impact categories analyzed. Weighted results also highlight the heightened negative environmental impacts of replacing plastic packaging with widely available alternatives.

The greenhouse gas emissions of power transformers based on life cycle analysis

The power sector contributes about 40% of global GHG emissions, and power transformers are an important physical component of the power sector. It is responsible for the transformation and distribution of electrical energy. It is necessary to obtain the GHG emissions of transformers. Based on the life cycle analysis, this paper establishes a transformer GHG emission model and determines the boundary of the calculation system as transformer raw material acquisition stage, assembly stage, transportation stage, operation stage, and end of life. Using the data of one 110 kV and one 220 kV transformer to calculate the GHG emissions in the life cycle, the results show that the power loss in operation dominates the GHG emissions in the transformer life cycle, contributing more than 96% of the GHG emissions. For power transformer GHG emissions, it is suggested to increase the utilization rate of transformer components to reduce power losses during operation.

Life cycle environmental sustainability and cumulative energy assessment of biomass pellets biofuel derived from agroforest residues.

This study was carried out to produce low-emitting biomass pellets biofuel from selected forest trees such as (Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana) and agricultural crop residues such as (Zea mays and Triticum aestivum) in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan using indigenously developed technology called pelletizer machine. Characterization, environmental life cycle impact assessment, and cumulative energy demand of biomass pellets biofuel produced from selected agriculture crops and forest tree residues were conducted. The primary data for biomass pellets production was collected by visiting various wood processing factories, sawmills, and agricultural crop fields in the study area. Biomass pellets are a type of biofuel that is often made by compressing sawdust and crushing biomass material into a powdery form. The particles are agglomerated as the raw material is extensively compressed and pelletized. Biomass pellets have lower moisture content, often less than 12%. Physically, the produced pellets were characterized to determine moisture content, pellet dimensions, bulk density, higher heating value, ash content, lower heating value, and element analysis. A functional unit of one kilogram (kg) biomass pellets production was followed in this study.The life cycle impact assessment of one kg biomass pellets biofuel produced from selected agro-forest species revealed environmental impact categories such as acidification (0.006 kg SO2 eq/kg pellets), abiotic depletion (0.018 kg Sb eq/kg pellets), marine aquatic ecotoxicity (417.803 kg 1,4-DB eq/kg pellets), human toxicity (1.107 kg 1,4-DB eq/kg pellets), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity (0.191 kg 1,4-DB eq/kg pellets), eutrophication (0.001 kg PO4 eq/kg pellets), global warming (0.802 kg CO2 eq/kg pellets), and terrestrial ecotoxicity (0.008 kg 1,4-DB eq/kg pellets). Fossil fuel consumption was the hotspot source to all environmental impacts investigated. To measure the cumulative energy demand of biomass pellets made from different agroforestry species leftovers showed that the maximum cumulative energy was from wheat straw pellets (13.737 MJ), followed by corncob pellets (11.754 MJ), deodar sawdust pellets (10.905 MJ) and blue pine sawdust pellets (10.877 MJ). Among the various production activities, collection and transportation of primary raw material, crushing, screening, adding adhesives, pelletizing, cooling, final screening, and packing have the maximum contribution to the water scarcity index, followed by lubricating oil (0.00147m3). In contrast, the minimum contribution to water footprint was from electricity (0.00008m3) and wheat starch (0.00005m3). The highest contribution to the ecological footprint impact categories such as carbon dioxide, nuclear, and land occupation was lubricating oil and less contribution of wheat starch and electricity for manufacturing one kg pellets biofuel. It is concluded that physico-mechanical and combustion properties of the biomass pellets biofuel developed in the present study were following the Italian recommended standards. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the Government of Pakistan should introduce the renewable biomass pellets industry in the country to reduce dependency on fossil fuels for cooking and heating purposes.