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Issue 1, Volume 6,
January 2010
Title of the Paper: Urban Air Dispersion
Model of a Mid-Sized City. Validation Methodology
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Authors: Ligia T. Silva,
Jose F. G. Mendes, Rui A. R. Ramos
Abstract: Viana do Castelo is a mid-sized city located on the northwest
Portuguese seaside, which undertook the challenge of developing an
environmental program leading to the integration in the Healthy Cities
European Network. Within this program includes prediction of pollutant
concentration for NO2, CO, PM10, O3 and C6H6. This paper presents the
methodology developed to validate the modelled results. Predicted
concentrations were compared against measured concentrations of a chosen
pollutant: Carbon Monoxide, CO. The methodology adopted was based in BOOT
statistical approach. Five comparison statistics were calculated for three
test points in order to find out the quality of the modelled results.
Additionally, a hourly profile of predicted versus measured concentrations was
developed.
Keywords: Air pollution
modelling, Validation
Title of the Paper: Industrial
Contribution to the Air Quality of One Mid-Sized Portuguese City
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Authors: Ligia T. Silva,
Jose F. G. Mendes
Abstract: Urban air pollution became one of the main factors of degradation of
the quality of life in cities. This problem tends to worsen due to the
unbalanced development of urban spaces and the incompatibilities of uses. In
urban environment the typical anthropogenic sources are mainly the road
traffic and, when existing, the industrial activity. The present work was
performed to attain the following objectives: to quantify the atmospheric
emissions from the major industrial sources located in the city and its
vicinity and to evaluate the influence of these industrial sources to the air
quality of the city. A range of numerical models were used to produce the
concentration maps: the ADMS-Urban model for the pollutants dispersion; the
Hills model to calculate air flow and turbulence over complex terrain and the
European Pollutant Emission Register to estimate the emission factors.
Keywords: Urban air
pollution, Air pollution modelling, Kraft pulp and paper mill
Title of the Paper: Interception,
Throughfall and Stemflow of Maquis Vegetation in Greece
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Authors: George
Baloutsos, Athanassios Bourletsikas, Evangelos Baltas
Abstract: Gross rainfall, throughfall, stemflow and interception losses were
determined and studied for seven years (1996 – 2002) in an evergreen
schlyrophylous species (maquis) stand of eastern Mediterranean region and
specifically of southern – western Greece. The data were collected on a weekly
basis and are presented and analysed on annual time scale. The seven years
mean annual values of throughfall, stemflow and interception losses were
61.2%, 6.8% and 32% of the corresponding gross rainfall (1134 mm),
respectively. The annual values were compared and discussed with those of
studies carried out in the western Mediterranean region and partially in
southern California.
Keywords: Schlyrophylous
species, annual scale analysis, hydrological measurements
Title of the Paper: Evaluation of
Space-Time Dynamics in Extreme Precipitation Frequency using Geostatistical
Cosimulation with Elevation
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Authors: Ana Cristina
Costa, Amilcar Soares, Maria Joao Pereira, Rita Durao
Abstract: This study evaluates local dynamics in extreme precipitation
frequency from 1940 to 1999 in the South of Portugal. The analysis is based on
a climate index defined by the annual count of days with precipitation above
the 30 mm threshold (R30mm). The space-time scenarios of this index, and their
uncertainty evaluation, were produced through direct sequential cosimulation (coDSS)
with elevation. The methodology incorporates space-time models that follow the
premises that elevation and precipitation extremes may interact differently
both in time and space. The results indicate that the relationship between
elevation and the R30mm index has decreased through time over the study
region, especially in the southeast area. Furthermore, the spatial patterns of
the extreme precipitation index have become more homogenous during the last
decades of the twentieth century. The more frequent heavy rainfall events
occur in the mountainous areas of the South, which are desertification prone
areas at risk of water erosion and floods. As expected, the space-time
scenarios have greater spatial variability at regions less densely sampled.
However, the uncertainty in mountainous regions is noticeably small given that
elevation was used as secondary exhaustive information. The coDSS proved to be
a valuable tool to deepen the knowledge on the local dynamics of the extreme
precipitation frequency.
Keywords: Climate
dynamics, direct sequential cosimulation, geostatistics, precipitation
indices, space-time patterns, stochastic simulation, uncertainty, local
trends.
Title of the Paper: Domestic Hot Water
Consumption in Educational Premises, Apartment and Office Buildings
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Authors: Teet-Andrus
Koiv, Hendrik Voll, Allan Haniv
Abstract: Investigations of domestic hot water (DHW) consumption and the
consumption profiles have been carried out in many countries.
Over-dimensioning of systems and equipment has been observed in the US. The
last 15–20 years have seen drastic changes in people’s DHW consumption in
Estonia. Great changes have also taken place in top consumption. In Estonia it
is customary to determine DHW design flow rates for schools and children’s
institutions, residential and office buildings proceeding from the sum of the
standard flow rates. The design flow rate calculated by standard EVS 835:2003
for residential and office buildings, ordinary schools and children’s
institutions are considerably bigger than the actually measured ones. For
determining the design flow rates for the determination of the water heating
devices for schools, children’s institutions, office and residential buildings
calculation formulas are recommended. By the recommended formulas the design
flow rates for ordinary schools are approximately 1…1.2 times smaller than
those calculated by the EVS standard, 1.1…2.1 times smaller for children’s
institutions and 2 times smaller for office and residential buildings.
Recommended calculation formulas reduce over-dimensioning both the DHW
instantaneous heat exchangers and the flow rates of the district heating
network.
Keywords: DHW consumption,
determining the design flow rates, schools, kindergartens, office and
residential buildings.
Title of the Paper: Preservation and
Transformation of Historic Urban Cores in Iran, the Case of Kerman
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Authors: Azadeh Arjomand
Kermani, Eric Luiten
Abstract: Historical urban centers in Iran are significant because of their
population density and location, but also because of the major functions of
the central buildings that are very often historical monuments and valuable
urban ensembles. Historical urban quarters are special places not only because
of the cultural heritage they house, but also because of their urban pattern.
The tourist preferred to visit a comfortable city, but of course did so
because of its old monuments. Heritage is highly valued, because it allows the
traveler to experience historic density differently in each city. It belongs,
is at home in the shaping of the identity of the city - for its inhabitants as
well as visitors. The study of urban history reveals that a variety of factors
has influenced the development of ancient cities, with one of the most
important factors being the economy. In fact, the very survival of a city was
highly dependent on its economic power. As the most significant pedestrian
network and backbone of a city, the bazaar plays an important role in the
development and livability of traditional Iranian cities. This paper analyzes
two examples of where modern construction and the old urban bazaar intersect,
and discusses how the old urban texture is being lost.
Keywords: Bazaar,
Traditional cities, Modernization, Street, Iran, Cultural heritage, Kerman,
Transformation, Neighborhood centers, Preservation
Title of the Paper: The Challenge of
Climate Change in the Classroom
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Authors: Richard Snow,
Mary Snow
Abstract: A comprehensive approach to climate change education is necessary to
address numerous environmental issues. Such an all-encompassing ecological
pedagogy is multifaceted providing an overview of the science behind major
global environmental issues within the context of the physical environment of
Earth including global climate change, resource extraction, water and air
quality, urbanization, geohazards, and pollution. The main goal of the
curricula is to engage students in rigorous analyses of data that can be
compared with global trends. This research discusses the development of an
upper-level college course on Climate Change created as part of an
interdisciplinary Honors Seminar Series. The course makes use of multimedia
instructional techniques to examine the physical, economic, and political
dynamics of climate change. The curriculum includes an appraisal of assorted
global warming websites as well as computer-based simulations and analysis of
relevant climate data using current technologies such as Geographic
Information Systems (GIS). Among the most powerful tools of a GIS are its
modeling capabilities, which allow simulation of various climate change
classroom scenarios such as storm surge and sea level rise. Relevant aspects
include changes in coastal land use, wetlands, and shoreline configuration.
Students also examine the role of music as a means of raising awareness of
issues such as global warming. The topic of climate change is extremely
complex and the challenge for educators is to enlighten students through ways
and means that that are truthful, understandable, and comprehensive.
Keywords: Climate change,
Global warming, Environmental education, College curricula, GIS
Issue 2, Volume 6,
February 2010
Title of the Paper: Environmental Impact
of Landslides in Sub-Carpathian Area between the Valleys of the Rivers
Dambovita and Prahova (Romania)
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Authors: Ovidiu-Marcel
Murarescu, Gica Pehoiu
Abstract: Characteristic shifts for the Subcarpathians is that they are
distinguished by their combination and development within the source area. The
slopes, mostly cleared, are used for pasture and crops apple growing. The
response induced by its negative influences on the process of preparation and
triggering landslides (deforestation, overgrazing, cutting of slopes exploata
in quarries or underground). The peculiarities of geological, hydrogeological
and geomorphological are identified as unfavorable for years to rainfall. The
excessive amounts of water given by the heavy rains and long duration of
previous years and the rapid melting of snow due to high temperatures,
determined the change in the balance on slopes which are of localities,
socioeconomic institutions, channels of communication, and apple growing
agricultural crops, forest areas. Landslides, next generation natural factors,
are determined by processes antropogenes (fund holdings irrational forest
exploitation works construction materials situated on the banks of the waters
that lay on the long downhill portion of the trough few meters), intense
process of shoreline erosion, associated with geomorphological conditions
favoring the occurrence of landslides.
Keywords: Landslides, Sub-carpathians,
Dambovita river, Ialomita river, Prahova river, natural factors, anthropogenic
factors, slope, stability factor
Title of the Paper: Bird Nest
Construction - Lessons for Building with Earth
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Authors: B. Silva, J.
Correia, F. Nunes, P. Tavares, H. Varum, J. Pinto
Abstract: The climate changes issue is probable the top priority concern of
the governments of the most countries of the world. Rigid and drastic measures
have to be taken by all nations in order to reduce the noxious gases emission
to the atmosphere. This ambitious goal can be achieved by ruling the energy
production, by having a much more sustainable industry and adopting a much
more sustainable way of living by all of us. The building industry has also to
adapt to these circumstances to make its contribution to achieve the above
goal. Focusing on traditional building techniques which require simple
technology and use natural and local building materials and, eventually, to
adapt them for the present required quality standards may be a step to solve
this problem. Half of the world`s population, 3 billion people approximately,
on six continents, live or work in buildings constructed by earth based
building materials. The fact that earth is natural, abundant and local result
in an unexpressive amount of energy spending and noxious gases emission when
it is used as a building material and, consequently, makes it undoubtedly much
more ecological and economic when compared to the others building materials
such as reinforced concrete or steel. In this context, the main objective of
this research work is to give a contribution on the earth based building
material properties and, in particular, for the development of adequate
rehabilitation and strengthening techniques, based upon a biomimetic study
focused on the andorinha-dos-beirais nest. A structural numerical model of a
nest using a finite element computer analysis program was done in order to
understand the structural behavior of this kind of natural structures. In
order to identify a possible occurrence of a certain agglutination phenomenon
during the building process of the nest by the birds, an experimental
identification/characterization study of nest’s material using samples taken
in Vila Real area was carried out. The identification of the elementary
chemical and the mineralogical compositions of the material were done by the
scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and by
the X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The
identification/characterization of the organic composition was done using the
colorimetric method, being the protein components detected by the biuret
method and the polysaccharides/sugars components by the total sugar method.
The identification of the type of polysaccharides/sugars and their amount was
done by the anion-exchange chromatography method. In order to verify if the
addition of polysaccharides/sugars into the nest’s material results in an
improvement of the mechanical properties, in particular, of its compressive
strength, mechanical tests were carried out on cubic specimens, The results
show that there is a strong possibility of the bird andorinha-dosbeirais adds
a certain amount of glucose into the clay material during the building process
of the nest, which may increase the quality of this raw material. This result
may be easily extrapolated for the building industry by mixing up a certain
percentage of glucose obtained by an abundant plant or fruit with the earth
resulting in this way in a better performance earth based building material.
Keywords: Raw materials,
Earth construction, Biomimetics, Nest bird, Characterization, Finite element
analysis
Title of the Paper: Characterization of
Traditional Tabique Constructions in Douro North Valley Region
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Authors: J. Pinto, H.
Varum, D. Cruz, D. Sousa, P. Morais, P. Tavares, J. Lousada, P. Silva, J.
Vieira
Abstract: Generally, the traditional building techniques uses natural and
local building materials such as stone, woodand earth and, are associated to
building procedures that requires small amount of energy consumption and
release an expressive noxious gases to atmosphere. The development of green
building techniques that help the building industry contributing to a much
more sustainable world may be inspired on these traditional building
techniques as models. Each sector of societies including ourselves should pay
a bill for environmental damaging. Each construction should have as associated
environmental damaging cost and the selection process of a construction design
solution should also be done in a sustainable bases in which the environmental
parameters should be clearly identified and quantified. The tabique is one of
the main Portuguese traditional building techniques, which is based on raw
materials as earth and wood. In general, a tabique wall is formed by a simple
timber structure covered by an earth based material. Earth has an important
role in this system because it protects the internal timber structure as well
as is a finishing. The Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro is the northeast region of
Portugal and it is very rich in terms of tabique heritage construction.
Meanwhile, the existing tabique constructions show a generalized advanced
stage of deterioration. This aspect associated to the fact that there is still
a lack of scientific studies done in this field motivated this research work,
which its main objectives are to identify the building process of tabique
elements and to identify/characterize the applied materials. It is intended to
stimulate and to give guidance for future rehabilitation works in this field.
Taking into account that this region has a large area, it was necessary to
divide this work in six stages related to the six council associations, which
are Alto Tamega; Terra Quente Transmontana; Terra Fria do Nordeste
Transmontano; Vale do Douro Norte; Vale do Douro Sul and Douro Superior. This
work is focused on the council association of Vale do Douro Norte (Douro North
Valley), and uses twelve constructions as study cases. This research work also
intends to contribute for a better sustainable world by stimulating the
applications of natural building materials and the reutilization of
traditional building techniques which are environmental friendly.
Keywords: Tabique, timber
structures, raw materials, urban rehabilitation, materials characterization,
traditional construction techniques, sustainability
Title of the Paper: Climate Change
Impact on Urban Ecosystems and Sustainable Development of Cities in Romania
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Authors: Gabriela
Teodorescu
Abstract: The urban development, the urban green spaces and the public
transportation system must be linked directly in the current context of
climate change. We have to take into the consideration that urban ecosystems
are dynamic ecosystems that have similar interactions and behaviors as natural
ecosystems. Urbanization causes several forms of disturbance, such as
alteration, fragmentation and isolation of indigenous habitats, changes of
temperature, moisture and edaphic conditions and pollution. As environmental
conditions have changed in the last decades, many species have become extinct
and new ones have formed. The result of these changes is biological diversity
or, biodiversity The urban real state development determines the reduction of
parks and green areas and, with this, the rising of pollution. In Romania
there is a national plan to improve the quality of the environment by
protecting and creating green spaces in urban areas. We consider that a large
number of measures could be used for sustainable development of the cities and
conserve the urban ecosystems.
Keywords: Climate change,
urbanization, biodiversity, cities, sustainability
Title of the Paper: The Use of Bacteria
Attached to Lewatit M600 for Denitrification of the Cetina Surface Water
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Authors: Lucija Foglar,
Ana-Marija Babic, Mario Siljeg
Abstract: The selected mixed bacterial culture was attached to the nitrate
selective ion exchange resin - Lewatit M600 (NSI) and used for investigation
of nitrate removal from the surface Cetina water (SCW). The investigated
system enables bonding of nitrate ions and simultaneously, the degradation of
bonded nitrate. The nitrate adsorption on NSI was studied and described with
the Freundlich isotherm. With the use of bacterial cells attached on NSI, the
nitrate (50 - 200 mg NO3-N/L) was completely removed from the SCW, at a
methanol to nitrate-N mass (C/N) ratio of 4.5:1, during 4-7 hours at pH = 7.2
and 25 °C under static anoxic conditions. The influence of initially present
methanol on the denitrification process was investigated and the required C/N
ratio of 2.5:1 was determined, although the denitrification process was faster
in the presence of increased C/N ratios. The applicability of the bacteria
attached to the NSI for fast and efficient nitrate removal from the surface
Cetina water at different temperatures was further investigated. The
denitrification rates were calculated according to the zero -order reaction
model. The activation energy, EA and Arrenius factor, Ar for denitrification
were 11.40 kJ/mol and 1790.05 mg NO3-N/Lh, respectively.
Keywords: Bacteria,
Immobilization, Ion exchanger, Nitrate, Nitrite, Denitrification
Title of the Paper: Utilization of
Minimum Temperature Prediction
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Authors: Vladimir Repal,
Karel Dejmal
Abstract: Techniques for forecasting the minimum temperature are mostly
empirically based, using collections of statistics over a long period of time
for a range of weather situations. The very popular method is McKenzie’s
method, which uses the maximum temperature and the dew-point at the time of
maximum temperature, together with a set of correction factors for cloud and
wind. Main aim is to adjust the corrections to aerodromes currently used by
Czech air force. Adjustment of McKenzie technique to the territory of Czech
Republic could be very useful tool in particular forecast, especially in
forecast of dangerous weather phenomena that are linked with minimal
temperature prediction, e.g. forecasting of road surface conditions etc. “The
Road meteorology” is a branch of an applied meteorology, which deals with the
meteorological elements and phenomena in the light of their influence over
running of communication, namely the major roads and motorways on a given
territory inclusive of bridges and tunnels constructions. Road meteorology
tries to solve the theoretic problems pair with the meteorological support of
the road maintenance.
Keywords: Minimum
temperature, forecasting technique, meteorological data, correction factor,
verification, ice formation on roads
Title of the Paper: Effects of Simulated
Tropospheric Ozone on Nutrients Levels and Photosynthetic Pigments
Concentrations of Three Mangrove Species
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Authors: Ceron-Breton,
J. G, Ceron-Breton, R. M, Guerra-Santos, J. J, Aguilar-Ucan, C, Montalvo-Romero,
Vargas-Caliz, C, Cordova-Quiroz, V., Jimenez-Corzo, R.
Abstract: Three months old seedlings of three mangrove species (Rhizophora
mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, and Conocarpus erectus) were fumigated during 6
weeks at three different concentrations of ozone (50, 110 and 250 ppb) using
charcoal filtered air within an open-top chamber from june to july in 2009.
Visible damages were identified, effects on phtosynthetic pigment levels
(chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and total charotenoids),
soluble proteins content and nutrients concentrations (Ca2+, Mn2+, Mg2+ and
K+) were determined. All mangrove species studied showed sensitiveness to
ozone exposure levels, being Red mangrove the most sensitive specie to
tropospheric ozone.
Keywords: Mangrove.,
Foliar damage., Open Top Chambers., Tropospheric ozone., Coastal vegetation.,
Campeche, Mexico., Macronutrients
Title of the Paper: Interpolation
Methods of Weather Phenomena
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Authors: Karel Dejmal,
Vlastimil Kratochvil
Abstract: The military operations and activities are affected by weather
conditions. Relevant information from area of interest is necessary. Because
of irregularly distributed information the interpolation must be used. Two
methods of interpolation were developed and they are introduced in this
article. The methods have considered not only horizontal dependence but also
vertical dependence of values. Their fruitfulness for interpolation of SYNOP
observations in Central Europe was tested by cross-validation and backward
interpolation. The usage of the methods for interpolation of climate data is
also discussed.
Keywords: Interpolation,
kriging, inverse distance weighting, verification, SYNOP report, least-square
method
Issue 3, Volume 6,
March 2010
Title of the Paper: Monitoring of
Selected Sources of Heat-Trapping Gases
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Authors: Jaromira
Chylkova, Jaroslava Machalikova, Ilona Obrsalova, Tomas Brunclik, Robert Bata
Abstract: Some greenhouse emissions – methane and CO2 – were tracked in four
locations in the Czech Republic and one of these is the deactivated coal mine
in the region of Ostrava Karvina, the landfill in Nasavrky , the composting
plant in the surroundings of Pardubice in Drazkovice and area of Doubravice
village near Pardubice. A mobile analyser unit ECOPROBE 5 was used for the
measurements. It was realized that in case some technical measures were
implemented for the methane recovery and subsequent processing, there is
neither danger of contamination in the surroundings, nor risk of explosion.
Composting plant is a long-term source of CO2. Its emission concentration at
the surface level reaches tenths of volume percentage. Methane is produced in
minimal concentration. Another significant source of CO2 includes the local
furnaces, transport and farms.
Keywords: Methane, Carbon
dioxide, Landfill gas, Firedamp
Title of the Paper: Comparison of
Sustainable Environment Indicators Aggregation Possibilities by Means of
Chosen Petri Nets Species
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Authors: Robert Bata,
Ilona Obrsalova, Ticiano Costa-Jordao
Abstract: There are dozens of sets of indicators that try to solve the problem
of sustainable environmental development at local, regional, national and
global levels. Currently, there are two approaches under development:
policy-based and capital approach. This article is focused in the evaluation
of sustainable environment on regional level, where the number of indicators
had to be, for purposes of strategic decisionmaking, limited only to the most
important ones. It is possible to solve the problem by Petri nets. The result
shows an example of aggregation for a group of indicators that provides useful
information, which support decision-making for regional development
management.
Keywords: Modells
comparison, sustainable development, indicators, prediction, aggregation,
Petri nets, regional development
Title of the Paper: The Development and
Use Supporting of Renewable Energy Sources in Terms of Czech Companies
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Authors: Renata Myskova
Abstract: Renewable energy sources are used only partially in the Czech
Republic; the Czech energy mix still consists mostly of primary sources of
energy. Better use and expansion of renewable energy is linked to their
financial demand, at the time of purchase and at the time of their use. The
aim of this article is to specify the activities in the field of renewable
resources which are economically interesting for entrepreneurial subjects, to
describe the situation in the field of renewable energy in the Czech Republic,
and analyze the possibility of financial support for their development and the
reasons why these funds are utilized.
Keywords: Renewable energy
resources, sustainable development, project financing for the support of
renewable energy resources
Title of the Paper: Genotoxic Risks for
Population in Vicinity of Traffic Communication Caused by PAHs Emissions
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Authors: Frantisek Bozek,
Vladimir Adamec, Josef Navratil, Josef Kellner, Alena Bumbova, Jiri Dvorak
Abstract: The paper deals with the assessment of risk to the population being
exposed to the air contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The
attention is paid to the population living in the vicinity of roads in a town
agglomeration with heavy traffic. The concentrations of 17 types of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons have been detected in the air of selected areas with
high frequencies of traffic. Gas chromatography with mass detector was used
for the determination. The measured concentrations of individual pollutants
with probable human carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects were used
for the assessment of a summary genotoxic risk. The risk assessment was
carried out in compliance with the national methodology, respecting the
standard operational procedure of U.S. EPA. It was discovered on the basis of
developed appropriate exposure scenarios and the determined concentrations of
contaminants that the summary genotoxic risk is getting near the unacceptable
level especially in case of children to the age of six, people with the
weakened immune system, asthmatics, and those with heart conditions. The
outcomes acquired by the risk assessment within the contribution of individual
pollutants correspond with the outcomes acquired with the help of toxicity
equivalent.
Keywords: Air,
contamination, excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), exposure scenarios,
genotoxic risk, health, lifetime average daily dose (LADD), particulate
matters (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), traffic.
Title of the Paper: Study of Charged
Particles Transport Across Model and Real Phospholipid Bilayers
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Authors: Tomas Navratil,
Ivana Sestakova, Jana Jaklova Dytrtova, Michal Jakl, Vladimir Marecek
Abstract: Air, waters and soils has being in increased levels contaminated
with various metals, inorganic or organic compounds (partly products of human
activity). To secure the normal processes in the living (plant or animal)
cells, it is necessary to realize transport of various inorganic and organic
compounds (nutrients, etc.), across the cell membrane into or out of the cells
or various sub-cellular structures. Not only the useful and usual metabolic
compounds are transported into the cells, across the membranes; however, the
above mentioned undesired ions, compounds and particles, which are connected
with pollution of human environment, are participated in the transporting
processes. They are based on many principles, which we intend to study using
electrochemical methods (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry,
conductometry, patch-clamp techniques etc.). In this contribution, there are
described the results of experiments realized on model of supported membranes
and some ways of preparation of protoplasts, which would be suitable for patch
clamp studies of the charged particles transport. The anodic stripping
voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry and related methods were successfully applied
for determination and characterization of heavy metal complexes with
low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in soil solutions sampled from
rhizosphere and bulk soil. All these experiments help us to explain the
transporting processes of heavy metals across the real membranes of
protoplasts.
Keywords: Environment,
Heavy metals, Charged particles, Phospholipid bilayers, Cell membrane,
Electrochemistry, Voltammetry, Protoplasts, Ion channels, Ionophores
Title of the Paper: A System for
Monitoring Environmental Quality of Urban Road Network and for Supporting
Decision Makers
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Authors: A. Tsouchlaraki,
G. Achilleos, Z. Nasioula, A. Nikolidakis
Abstract: This paper presents the attempt to design and create a database
system for monitoring the environmental quality of urban road network and for
supporting the decision making process of local authorities. The factors that
determine and affect the environmental quality of urban roads are researched
and indices are designed to quantify these factors. These factors are
categorized into 20 sub-categories and grouped into 8 main categories such as
urban planning and architectural factors, traffic patterns, recorded roadside
land uses, recorded road equipment, or even financial ones. On the whole, 124
indices are designed, and examined on a pre-selected part of the town of
Chania, which is found to be characteristic for the urban complex. A
geodatabase is created, which is based on the data that was collected for
every index, and this geodatabase is directly connected with a Geographical
Information System (GIS). Within this GIS the potential for processing,
analyzing and presenting quantitative data, is examined. The aim of this
geodatabase is to constitute a useful tool for the local authorities for a
continual monitoring of the environmental quality of urban roads and in their
decision making on issues concerning the management of the urban environment.
Keywords: Urban roads,
environmental quality, database, GIS, urban planning, decision making
Title of the Paper: Geotourism
Attractions in the Bare Nature of Yazd Province
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Authors: Kamal Omidvar,
Younes Khosravi
Abstract: Climatic conditions governing over Yazd province have caused a
situation in which the most areas covered by bare and barren lands. Relief in
this province is rooted in the ancient geology history of Iran and the world.
From the most ancient structures of the geology in the world (Precambrian) to
the newest ones (Holocene) are seen at a distance which is less than 100 km in
this province. We can rarely see very various ecotourism attractions such as
deserts, salt playas, sand dunes, Qantas, glacial circuses, spring, karstic
caves and kalouts in the other areas of the world in a small distance away
from each other. Therefore this province can have special status in ecotourism
industry because of its attractions and developing this industry will result
in socio-economic advancement and an increase in the employment rate in Yazd
province.This research attempts to consider ecotourism attractions briefly in
Yazd province and introduce available potential abilities in this field.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Sand
Dune, Playa, Qanat; Desert, Glacial Circus, Kalout, Yazd Province
Issue 4, Volume 6,
April 2010
Title of the Paper: Indoor Climate and
Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings in Estonian Climatic Conditions
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Authors: Teet-Andrus
Koiv, Hendrik Voll, Alo Mikola, Kalle Kuusk, Mikk Maivel
Abstract: Investigation shows that in apartment buildings with passive stack
ventilation the indoor air quality (IAQ) changes greatly. In the investigated
apartment building the relative humidity level in bedrooms of different
apartments varied greatly, from 20 to 72% in the autumn period. In the winter
period the RH maximum reduces to 55%. High relative humidity is accompanied by
problems of mould and a very low relative humidity level causes an unpleasant
feeling when people get up in the morning. Greatly varying was also the
morning CO2 level in bedrooms of different apartments, from 1000 ppm to 4200
ppm, the latter being quite critical. Higher levels of CO2 concentrations were
first of all in bedrooms with renovated windows and with doors closed. By
simulation the smallest is the energy consumption in the case of
supply-exhaust ventilation. The results of the simulation of indoor climate
are close to the results of the data recorded. The indoor climate of
residential buildings is greatly affected by the arrangement of air change
which in its turn is influenced by the external climate of the country.
Keywords: IAQ, Energy
conservation, Carbon dioxide, RH, Air change determination
Title of the Paper: Green Innovation
Trends and Systems Thinking
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Authors: Davorin Kralj
Abstract: Systems thinking and multi view approaches, which are a must for a
successful establishment of a sustainable business and modern green trends,
are of great importance. The idea that business has a responsibility other
than producing goods and services is not new. In 1919, Henry L.Gantt stated
his belief that the community would attempt to take over business if the
business system neglected its social responsibilities. Everybody speaks of
technological development only, although it is causing increasing unemployment
around the world and other problems such as motivation and environmental
degradation, including a dangerous climate change. Congenial and stimulating
atmosphere, promoting relaxed free and unimpeded activities, work satisfaction
and satisfaction with co-operation with others, are all elements
distinguishing excellent performance. When implementing changes, employees
should be motivated adequately. Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Assessment(LCA)
are essential, worldwide, to front-running businesses and public authorities.
In their drive towards sustainable consumption and production, the life cycle
perspective helps decision makers in business and government to take into
account all the resources consumed and environmental impacts associated with
the supply, use, and end-of-life of goods and services (products).
Keywords: Environment,
green trends, management, sustainable business, systems thinking
Title of the Paper: Facility Management
Indicators for High-Rise Residential Property in Malaysia
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Authors: A. I. Che-Ani,
N. M. Tawil, A. Sairi, N. A. G. Abdullah, M. M. Tahir, M. Surat
Abstract: Living in a residential high-rise is now becoming a lifestyle trend
among the urban professional community in Malaysia. As opposed to a landed
property, in a residential high-rise, residents must set up a Management
Corporation (MC) to regulate and manage all the amenities provided by the
developer, as stipulated in the Strata Title Act of 1985. To a certain extent,
the idea seems to work successfully for about a few years after the housing
schemes are granted with the final title. However, as time goes by and
management becomes more ineffective, a gap grows between the residents and the
council members of the MC, which is made up of a select group of residents.
This research focuses on the indicators for sustainable facility management.
We used residents’ satisfaction levels as the primary measurement criteria
used to identify and measure the gap between the residents and the Management
Corporation, and we analyzed our data using ANOVA and MANOVA. Further analysis
is conducted using the Bonferonni test to determine differences among groups
of respondents. The findings of this research revealed that there were
significant differences in terms of satisfaction between the Management
Corporation and the residents, as the Management Corporation reported a higher
level of satisfaction compared to the residents in every criterion.
Keywords: Building
management, Facility management, Management corporation, Residential
high-rise, Property management, Sustainable indicators, Resident satisfaction,
Strata title
Title of the Paper: Aspects Regarding
the Use of Renewable Energy in EU Countries
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Authors: Marius-Constantin
Popescu, Nikos Mastorakis
Abstract: This paper examines aspects of renewable energy use in European
Union generally, and in Romania in particular, starting on existing energy
resources are divided into two categories: energy resources and energy
reserves. Energy reserves are known energy sources, which can be exploited in
terms of economic profitability, using existing technologies. Energy resources
are known energy sources, but that can be exploited in terms of economic
profitability, but that could be recovered in the future if appropriate
technologies are used, or if they become profitable because increase of the
energy prices. At the end of the work it develops a Labview interface that
allows viewing parameters of a solar panel, their evolution in time and saving
the values into an Excel file.
Keywords: Air conditioned
houses, Solar energy, Solar panels, Data acquisition, Labview interface
Title of the Paper: Efficiency and
Economy Solutions Regarding the Industrial Buildings Heating
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Authors: Negoitescu
Arina, Tokar Adriana
Abstract: One of the Romanian energy policy priorities is to increase energy
efficiency. Energy efficiency is crucial when a heating system is selected.
Compared with other systems, heating by radiation can save up to 40% energy,
while maintaining a pleasant indoor climate. For these heating systems are
presented solutions in terms of efficiency and economy. There was analyzed the
operation of heating radiant tubes with three types of fuels (methane, LPG,
gasoline) in terms of cost and consumption in order to achieve the same
comfort conditions. For the installation operating with methane, there were
accomplished emission measurements with Testo 350 S gas analyzer. As a future
solution it is proposed the use of bio fuels in heating system combustors
(pellets from biomass), given that Romania exports in EU 95% of its annual
production.
Keywords: Radiant tube,
heating, efficiency, economy, fuel, pollutant emission, pellet, gas analyzer
Title of the Paper: Bi2MTaO7 (M = Al,
Fe, Ga, In) Photocatalyst for Organic Compounds Degradation under UV and
Visible Light
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Authors: Leticia M.
Torres-Martinez, Isaias Juarez-Ramirez, Juan S. Ramos-Garza, Francisco
Vazquez-Acosta, Soo Wohn Lee
Abstract: Pyrochlore-type structure compounds, Bi2MTaO7 (M = Al, Fe, Ga, In),
were synthesized by both the sol-gel and solid state method. In order to
evaluate their photocatalytic activity, these compounds were tested on the
degradation reaction of alizarin red S, methyl orange and phenol in aqueous
solution. The characterization of the compounds included: XRD, SEM/EDS, SBET
area, Eg value, DTA/TGA and FTIR. Pyrochlore-type structure compounds were
obtained at lower temperatures (600-800°C) when they were prepared by the
sol-gel method. The morphology of these compounds revealed the presence of
nanoparticles. These materials also presented better SBET values (from 58 to
11 m2.g-1) than those obtained by the solid state method (<5 m2.g-1). All the
materials showed Eg values within the visible light region (2.2-1.3 eV).
Iron-containing pyrochlore prepared by the sol-gel method had the best
performance as photocatalyst under visible light conditions for alizarin red S
degradation, and under UV-light for phenol degradation. The photocatalytic
results suggested this tendency: Fe > In > Al > Ga for alizarin red s, and Fe
> Ga > Al > In, for phenol degradation. In addition, the photocatalytic tests
on alizarin red s and methyl orange under UV light showed the following
tendency: In > Fe > Al > Ga. Best half time life (t1/2) was obtained for
alizarin red S degradation, ~30 min., using Bi2InTaO7 as photocatalyst, which
was prepared by both the sol-gel method (at 600°C) and the solid state method
(at 950°C). It seems that crystal structure has more influence than specific
surface area for the organic compounds degradation carried out in this work.
Keywords: Pyrochlore-type
structure; Sol-gel; Photocatalytic performance; Degradation reaction; Alizarin
red S
Title of the Paper: Combined Economic
and Emission Dispatch Using Particle Swarm Optimization
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Authors: P. Pao-La-Or,
A. Oonsivilai, T. Kulworawanichpong
Abstract: This paper presents a demonstration of solving combined economic and
emission dispatch problems by using one of swarm intelligences, called
particle swarm optimization. The objective of the combined problem can be
expressed by taking both the total production cost and total emission into
account with required constraints. Among potential intelligent search methods,
particle swarm optimization is well-known and widely-used in solving economic
load dispatch. In this paper, the particle swarm optimization is exploited to
demonstrate its use. A three-unit thermal power plant is situated for test.
Sets of suitable dispatch with respect to economic or emission objectives can
be efficiently found.
Keywords: Economic
dispatch, emission dispatch, fuel cost function, total emission function,
particle swarm optimization
Issue 5, Volume 6,
May 2010
Title of the Paper: Categories of
Residential Spaces by their Accessibility to Urban Parks – Indicator of
Sustainability in Human Settlements
Case Study: Bucharest
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Authors: Cristian Ioja,
Maria Patroescu, Mihai Nita, Laurentiu Rozylowicz, Gabriel Vanau, Annemarie
Ioja, Diana Onose
Abstract: Urban parks size, spatial distribution and endowments represent
essential indicators used for measuring the sustainability of urban
environments and the quality of life in residential spaces. The paper assesses
the deficit of urban parks in Bucharest by delimitating categories of
residential spaces according to their accessibility to the city parks. We have
set categories of residential spaces with poor access to urban parks and
considered them to be priority intervention areas for urban rehabilitation in
this aspect. Deficient access to Bucharest urban parks was correlated with
development of new residential areas, as these tend to further increase the
high density of built space and consequent traffic congestion. Identifying
critical areas that lack good access to urban parks allows city public
authorities to draw adequate measures to improve or to avoid worsening of the
situation in a city with numerous environmental issues and an unpredictable
future evolution.
Keywords: Accessibility,
housing, residential areas, urban parks, urban sustainability, Bucharest,
Romania
Title of the Paper: Carob Residues as a
Substrate and a Soil Organic Amendment
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Authors: Ana Cabecinha,
Carlos Guerrero, Jose Beltrao, Joao Brito
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the agricultural use of
carob (Ceratonia siliqua, L.) seed residues as a substrate and/or a soil
organic amendment. The tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L., cv. Realeza) was
the studied crop. Plants were grown in pot filled with carob seed residues
mixed with a sandy topsoil at the following rates (t/ha): 0; 10; 20; 30; 40;
50; 60; and 100 % of carob seeds. During the experiment, plant height, number
of leaves, inflorescences, ripe fruits and the transversal and longitudinal
diameters were measured weekly. Sandy soil, carob residues and soil and their
mixtures were chemically analysed, in order to determine the following
parameters: organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity, N, P, K, Ca,
Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb contents. Cu, Cd, Ni and Pb
concentrations were determined in the carob residues only just before mixing
with the sandy soil. Carob seed residues alone (used as an organic substrate)
treatment promoted the highest root density, plant development, as number of
leaves and fruits, and the highest crop yield. Plants of the 100% carob seed
residues treatment also showed the highest density of roots. The obtained
results suggest that carob seed residues may be used successfully as an
organic amendment and/or as a horticultural substrate, mainly to root crops.
Keywords: Crop yield,
Lycopersicum esculentum L. cv. Realeza, organic substrate, soil-substrate
mixtures, tomato nutrient content
Title of the Paper: Energy Resources and
their Effects on Environment
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Authors: Ismail Bozkurt
Abstract: The World Energy Committee states that there exists no risk free
energy resource and for this reason, while choosing the energy resources, cost
factors must be considered with environmental effects. Today, prevention of
environment pollution and conservation of environment have a dimension
exceeding national borders. The risks that result from using of fossil fuels
increasingly (petroleum, coal, gas) must be decreased (air pollution, thinning
of ozone layer, acid rains etc). To decrease such risks, besides to increasing
of energy productivity, energy resources that emit less sera gas in the
atmosphere (like Carbon-dioxide (CO2)) must be preferred. Otherwise,
destruction of ecological balance and disasters in future will be inevitable.
The negative effects of renewable energy resources on environment are lesser
than the conventional energy resources. Costs of renewable energy resources
are lesser than the fossil origin fuels. They never consume as they are
renewable and in contrary to the conventional fuels, they do not exhibit a
significant threat for environment and human health. In this study, effects of
energy resources on environment are considered in detail. Especially, effects
of renewable energy resources on environment and criteria that must be
observed in energy production to prevent environment pollution are examined.
Keywords: Energy, fossil
fuels, nuclear power plants, renewable energy, environment, global warming
Title of the Paper: Effects of Simulated
Tropospheric Ozone on Soluble Proteins and Photosynthetic Pigments Levels of
Four Woody Species Typical from The Mexican Humid Tropic
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Authors: J. G.
Ceron-Breton, R. M. Ceron-Breton, J. J. Guerra-Santos, A. V. Cordovaquiroz, C.
Vargas-Caliz, L. G. Aguilar-Bencomo, K. Rodriguez-Heredia, E. Bedolla-Zavala,
J. Perez-Alonso
Abstract: Three months old seedlings of four woody tropical species
[Haematoxylum Campechianum L (Wood blood tree), Tabebuia Rosea (Pink flower
tree), Cedrela odorata (Red Cedar) and Swietenia Macrophylla (Mahogany) were
fumigated during 6 weeks at three different concentrations of ozone (50, 110
and 250 ppb) using charcoal filtered air within an open-top chamber from june
to july in 2009. Visible damages were identified, effects on phtosynthetic
pigment levels (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and total
charotenoids) and soluble proteins content were determined. All studied
species ( Wood blood tree, Pink flower tree, Red Cedar and Mahogany) showed
sensitiveness to ozone exposure levels, showing decreases in photosynthetic
pigments levels and soluble proteins contents. Mahogany and Wood blood tree
were the most sensitive species to tropospheric ozone showing greater visible
damages.
Keywords: Woody tropical
species., Foliar damage., Open Top Chambers., Tropospheric ozone., Coastal
vegetation., Mexican Humid Tropic
Title of the Paper: An Application of 2D
Oil Spill Model to Mersin Coast
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Authors: Asu Inan, Lale
Balas
Abstract: Oil tanker accidents in seas cause serious problems to marine
environment, especially when these accidents occur close to coastlines. To
minimize the impact of tanker accidents on marine environment some measures
might be taken if oil slick movement could be predicted in advance. Oil spill
trajectory and fate models have been developed since the early 1960’s to
simulate oil movement on the water surface in order to take immediate action
and some necessary measures after such accidents. Mediterranean Sea being
among the world’s busiest waterways is many times subject to oil spill
accidents. In this connection a study has been carried out by giving special
attention to Mersin coastlines. In this study, a 2-D Oil Spill Model has been
developed and applied to Mersin Coastlines. The model is based on the 2-D oil
spreading equation and considers horizontal dispersion, advection, diffusion,
evaporation and shoreline deposition. Since evaporation process is the main
cause of rapid volume reduction during the fate of oil spill, a special
emphasize has been given to its modeling.
Keywords: Numerical
modeling, oil spill, oil slick movement, pollution, advection, diffusion
Title of the Paper: Particularities of
Stoze and Lokavec Landslides - Special Laboratory Tests for Landslides
Modeling
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Authors: Stanislav
Lenart, Karmen Fifer Bizjak
Abstract: Rainfall, earthquakes and human activities are the most relevant
factors, which cause triggering of large landslides in mountain regions. Two
severe landslides occurred in November 2000 in Slovenia. They attracted the
attention of the entire country and also opened some new technical questions.
Both landslides were initiated by a period of heavy rainfall. The Stoze
landslide occurred between 15 and 17 November, 2000 close to Mt. Mangart in
the Julian Alps of western Slovenia. It destroyed about 25 ha of forest as
well as a considerable section of the road leading over the Predel Pass. The
landslide turned to a debris flow and reached the village of Log pod Mangartom
more than 4 km downstream, where it took seven lives. Approximately 1 million
m3 of material was displaced. The Slano blato landslide appeared between 18
and 19 November, 2000 near Ajdovscina. Its area was estimated to 20 ha, mostly
forest and meadow. Sliding masses were composed from clayey gravel and
weathered flysch cover. It was classified as an earth flow. The landslide has
not reached the village downstream yet, but it threats it. The paper describes
both landslides and their particularities. Special laboratory equipment, large
scale shearbox, has been constructed to test the landslide material. From the
test results it was observed the landslides were of different type and
behavior. Results from both landslide materials were quite different,
especially in the shear properties.
Keywords: Landslides,
debris flow, shear-box, shear strength
Title of the Paper: A Lagrangian
Identification of the Main Moisture Sources and Sinks Affecting the
Mediterranean Area
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Authors: R. Nieto, L.
Gimeno, A. Drumond, E. Hernandez
Abstract: In this work the Lagrangian diagnosis method used by Stohl and James
[1, 2] was applied to identify the main moisture sources and sinks affecting
the Mediterranean area, as well as the contribution of this basin in the
atmospheric moisture of adjacent and remote regions. The transport of
particles is calculated with the Lagrangian particle dispersion model
FLEXPART, which uses data from the ECMWF operational analysis. In this
framework a large number of air particles were moved freely using 3D wind
data. The flow is described by the position of the particles and the time. To
identify the contribution to the moisture budget over a target region the
specific humidity (q) was retrieved also from the ECMWF analysis. The
increases and decreases in moisture along the trajectory can be calculated
through changes in q with time (being recorded every 6 hours). Adding these
changes for all the air particles residing in the atmospheric column over an
area, we can obtain a measure of the surface freshwater flux E-P (the
evaporation minus the precipitation rate). We traced (E-P) forwards
trajectories over 3 areas over the Mediterranean Sea and backwards
trajectories over 8 regions surrounding the basin during 2000–2004, all these
areas selected based on the climatological atmospheric moisture flux
divergence. The method supports a very high precise tool to determine how the
Mediterranean Sea can affect the surrounding areas and also remote regions as
the Sahel, as well as to reveal the importance of remote moisture sources as
the Tropical-Subtropical North Atlantic to the studied region.
Keywords: Moisture sources
and sinks, Lagrangian approaches, precipitation, Mediterranean basin,
FLEXPART, moisture flux divergence
Title of the Paper: Kinetic Modelling of
Surface Water Biodenitrification
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Authors: Lucija Foglar,
Nenad Bolf, Marija Lukic
Abstract: The nitrate removal from surface water of the Cetina river (SW) with
the use of natural powdered Croatian clinoptilolite as a carrier of bacterial
cells was studied in the batch bioreactor. The removal of 50-250 mg NO3-N/L
from the SW with the bacteria attached to the natural powdered clinoptilolite
(Bio-NPC) was monitored. The influence of initial nitrate as well as the
temperature impact on the batch biodenitrification process was investigated
and modelled. According to parameters obtained in Monod model, the
biodenitrification process revealed as zero order reaction. The nitrate
removal from the SW (C0 = 100 mg NO3-N/L) was monitored in the temperature
range of 15-35 oC and the denitrification rates increased with the increase of
temperature. According to the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy and
Arrenius factor were 48.25 kJ/mol and 1.056?1010 mg NO3-N/Lh, respectively.
Furthermore, optimal amount of methanol was determined. The model of
biological denitrification was developed in accordance with the experimental
data and literature. Finally by the use of an alternated differential method
(ID algorithm) biological denitrification was determined as the zero order
reaction.
Keywords: Activation
energy, Clinoptilolite, Denitrification, Nitrate, Surface water, Zero order
reaction
Title of the Paper: Estimation of Basin
Parameters and Precipitation Distribution of Solakli Basin, Turkey
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Authors: Sezel
Karayusufoglu, Ebru Eris, H. Gonca Coskun
Abstract: Solakli Basin is located Eastern Black Sea region where high
mountain ranges run parallel to the coast in the north. Such a mountainous
terrain, it is generally hard or impossible to reach to acquire data by
terrestrial measurement. However, today, by using integration of Remote
Sensing and Geographic Information Systems even those kinds of basins can be
modelled. These techniques provide to derive basin, land use and/or soil type
characteristics in an accurate and quick way, particularly for water resources
assessment studies. In addition to basin characteristics, spatial distribution
of precipitation is also important for these types of studies. In this study,
for the classification of Solakli Basin IRS P6 multispectral satellite data
with 5.8 m spatial resolution are used and to derive the Digital Elevation
Model IRS P5 stereo satellite data with 2.5 m spatial resolution is used. The
basin characteristics are mathematically determined. Isohyetal maps to
understand precipitation distribution are generated by means of different
geostatistical methods such as Inverse Distance Weight, Radial Basis Function
and Kriging. Among these methods, Kriging and Radial Basis Function give more
satisfactory results.
Keywords: Basin
characteristics, Remote Sensing, GIS, Classification, Image Processing,
Geostatistical method
Issue 6, Volume 6,
June 2010
Title of the Paper: Development and
Application of a Human Reliability Assessment Model for Mine Dispatchers in a
Romanian Hard Coal Basin
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Authors: Roland-Iosif
Moraru, Gabriel-Bujor Babut, Lucian-Ionel Cioca
Abstract: Employees in hazardous industries, such as mining industry, are
constantly faced with judging amounts of risk and behaving in accordance with
these judged amounts. The importance of human reliability assessment in system
safety is considered in this paper. The factors influencing the reliability of
the operator's activity are particularly analyzed and their quantification is
carried out. The method of experts’ reasoning is applied in order to bring
together the influences of certain reliability factors. The model developed in
the paper is based on expert reasoning method applied in cases where it is not
possible to assess risk factors and their characteristics by objective
measurements or when initial data are insufficient for statistical processing.
The model was applied in a case study conducted for the dispatchers from the
coal mines in a Romanian hard coal basin.
Keywords: Risk, human
reliability assessment, expert reasoning, coal mine dispatcher
Title of the Paper: Integrated Analysis
of Afterburning in a Gas Turbine Cogenerative Power Plant on Gaseous Fuel
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Authors: Barbu Ene,
Ionescu Silviu, Vilag Valeriu, Vilcu Constantin, Popescu Jeni, Ionescu Adina,
Petcu Romulus, Prisecaru Tudor, Pop Elena, Toma Tatiana
Abstract: The afterburning installation allows the increase in the
cogenerative group’s flexibility according to the requirements of the
technologic process and increases the steam quantity delivered by the heat
recovery steam generator. The requirements concerning the development of high
performance equipments with low environment impact and high flexibility have
increased lately. Therefore a complex analysis is needed for obtaining the
necessary data for designing the afterburning installation. The paper presents
the researches carried out at Suplacu de Barcau gas turbine cogenerative power
plant on the afterburning installation as well as the phase of bench
experimentations for an intimate research of the processes and for the
elimination of disturbing factors in the plant. The researches at the
cogenerative plant were carried out in different operating conditions, in
terms of stack emissions, noise, external superficial temperature profile and
electric energy quality.
Keywords: Afterburning,
Gas turbine, Cogeneration, Noise, Infrared, Emissions, Flue gases
Title of the Paper: Evaluation of
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Content of Soil from Areas Heavily
Industrialised
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Authors: Iuliana Manea,
Buruleanu Lavinia, Stefania Iordache, Laur Manea
Abstract: This research is part of a broad study to monitor the content of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the environment and then the chain of
traceability, animal fodder, meat and meat preparations. This study aims to
identify the possible accumulation of these contaminants in the soil in
surrounding areas of the city of Targoviste, which is highly industrialized.
Targoviste City area and the upstream have an iron and steel industry, electro
technical, petrochemical and chemical. These lands are planted with cereals
which are used in animal feed. The effects of the polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons on the human health, inclusively through the trophy chain and on
the environment as a whole are harmful through their concentrations in the
ambient air and through their depositions; it should be taken into account the
accumulation of these substances in soils and the protection of underground
waters. Measurements were made using modern methodology, which allowed
detection of even low PAH in the samples analyzed. For this purpose PAHs were
dosed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of soil samples
collected from areas surrounding the city. Soil samples were collected from
surface a depth of 5 cm. Fourteen PAHs was determined. Several of them are
known to be potential human carcinogens including benzo[a]anthracene,
chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene. PAHs
identified in soil samples were benzo (b + k) fluoranten , phenanthrene and
pyrene . They have recorded values below accepted European norms in force.
Keywords: Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, soil, high-performance liquid chromatography,
environment, traceability
Title of the Paper: A Material Used in
Substructure and Road Works: Physical Characteristics of Pozzolana Fly Ash
from Thermal Power Plant of Iasi, Romania
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Authors: Ancuta Rotaru,
Vasile Boboc
Abstract: Fly ash, a coal combustion product once treated as waste and
disposed in landfills, is used today in substructure and road works. The
research of fly ash properties may solve the problems of treatment and
intelligent use of this residual material. Using laboratory tests specimens,
in this study the physical properties of pozzolanic coal fly ash, a bituminous
coal waste of Iasi thermal power station, Romania, are investigated to analyze
the composition of fly ashes, sometimes in comparison with the composition of
those of Suceava thermal power station, Romania. The use of fly ash as a
partial replacement for Portland cement is generally limited to the bituminous
coal fly ash. Fly ash improves cement performance making it stronger, more
durable, and more resistant to chemical attack. The recycling of fly ash has
become an increasing concern in recent years and soil stabilization involves
also the addition of fly ash to improve the engineering performance of a
certain soil. The paper describes some benefits of fly ash use for our
environment. The use of fly ash is accepted in recent years primarily due to
saving cement, consuming industrial waste and making durable materials,
especially due to the improvement in the quality stabilization of fly ash.
Keywords: Pozzolanic ash,
fly ash from thermal power plant, cement-like material, physical methods, fly
ash environmental issues
Title of the Paper: A Material for
Substructure and Road Works: Mechanical Characteristics of Pozzolana Fly Ash
from Thermal Power Plant of Iasi, Romania
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Authors: Vasile Boboc,
Ancuta Rotaru, Andrei Boboc
Abstract: One of the most interesting scientific and environmental subject
develop in the last time is the study of fly ash produced in growing
quantities by burning coal in thermal power plants. In the paper the
mechanical characteristics of pozzola fly ash, a massive waste of thermal
power station of Iasi, Romania, is investigated. Supplementing the data
referring to the correlation between mechanical strength at various ages of
stabilized material simplify laboratory studies by limiting the categories of
testing. The suitability of using fly ash as a cement-like material is
discussed in this study. This material is typically used for a soft, clayey
layer beneath a road that will experience many repeated loadings. Using the
fly ash from Iasi thermal power plant that requires dry capture insurance is
part of the environmental protection, infrastructure construction and road
field being great potential consumers for such products.
Keywords: Pozzolanic ash,
fly ash from thermal power plant, cement-like material, mechanical methods,
materials stabilized with fly ash
Title of the Paper: Climatic and
Ecological Aspects of Structural Design of Long Lasting Rigid Pavements – LLRP
for Demonstration Projects Located in Different European Regions
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Authors: Radu Andrei,
Vasile Boboc, Elena Puslau
Abstract: This work was part of the EU collaborative research project
EcoLanes, funded under the priority thematic area of Sustainable Surface
Transport in the 6-th Framework Program of the European Community, which aims
to contribute to the development of the concept of Long Lasting Rigid
Pavements- LLRP. The envisaged LLRP structures have been tested on the
accelerating testing facility ALT - LIRA from Technical University ”Gh.
Asachi” of Iasi, at a number of 1.5 mil. passes of the equivalent standard
axel load ESAL of 115 KN, during years 2008-2009. In the same time
demonstration projects were envisaged to be carried out during and after
completion of the project, in order to validate and to implement the research
results in different European climates and economies in the following
countries: Cyprus, Romania, Turkey and United Kingdom. After a succinct
presentation of the ALT test including 6 experimental sectors, these paper,
presents the specific climatic and ecological features of structural design of
Long Lasting Rigid Pavements – LLRP for these demonstration projects, located
in different European climatic regions.
Keywords: Concrete
pavement, rigid-composite pavement, Accelerated Loading Test - ALT, Real Load
Test – RLT, Steel Fibre Reinforce Concrete – SFRC, structural design
Title of the Paper: Flood Risk: A New
Approach for Roads Vulnerability Assessment
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Authors: A. Benedetto,
A. Chiavari
Abstract: A new approach to assess roads vulnerability in flood events is here
presented. The main results of a case study, the road networks in Tiber
floodplain, are also discussed. The new analytical model is based on
Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) that assigns a vulnerability value to each road
element (embankments, viaducts,..) depending on its structural and functional
characteristics. Thanks to the specific framework of the model, also
vulnerability causes can be easily determined enabling decisions makers to
create meaningful future scenarios and to explore different strategies for an
efficient vulnerability, and so risk, mitigation. Showing the effects of
strategic alternatives in the long-term, this model allows a new wider and
sustainable approach in flood risk management. Here the new approach has been
used to assess roads vulnerability and risk, and then, to draw out
vulnerability and risk maps. These maps are fundamental in emergency planning.
The study also shows how the model could represents a useful decision support
tool enabling decisions makers to determine evacuation possibilities and
potential shelters, as shown in the Monterodondo case here presented. Using
the maps, points of weakness in the area have been pointed out: these are
especially viaducts crossing the river. On the other hand, using the model as
a checking tool, different vulnerability mitigation measures have been planned
and checked for critical elements, as shown in the example of the SP18a ‘Via
Traversa del Grillo’ viaduct.
Keywords: Vulnerability,
Flood, Risk Assessment, Risk Management, Sustainability, Tiber
Title of the Paper: GIS Used for
Determination of the Maximum Discharge in Very Small Basins (Under 2 km2)
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Authors: Matei Domnita,
Augustin Ionut Craciun, Ionel Haidu, Zsolt Magyari-Saska
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to predict the maximum discharge
caused by runoff on hillslopes from very small rural basins. It is known that
runoff generated by torrential rainfall in very small rural basins is
difficult to predict but very important to know because of the damage it
causes in isolated households or even villages. This work uses a methodology
of determining the surface runoff hydrograph when the storm characteristics
are known. The methodology was automated in a Geographic Information System
model that can be used in any study if the user can provide the necessary
parameters. The model, built by implementing some well known hydrologic
methods in GIS, consists of four components that address the following
requirements: the runoff depth in mm, the runoff coefficient, the
travel/concentration time and the discharge. The discharge calculation is
carried out by applying the rational method in each cell of the watershed to
determine the specific discharge for that cell. If data from the
meteorological predictions is used as an input, the model can be used as a
tool included in a warning system as a method to anticipate flash flood.
Keywords: Flash-Flood,
Hydrograph, Very Small Basins, GIS, Hydrology, Rural Areas
Title of the Paper: Correlation between
Measured and Calculated Solar Radiation Data in Compiegne, France
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Authors: E. Antaluca, L.
Merino, B. Beckers
Abstract: Heliodon software has been developed and used as a decision tool of
designing with daylight availability by architects and urban designers. The
present calculation algorithm of solar radiation of Heliodon is based only on
the direct component of the solar radiation corresponding to clear sky days.
In order to provide realistic simulations of the energy balance in the cities,
the influence of the clouds needs to be taken into consideration. This article
is a preliminary work in order to obtain a robust method to correlate the
experimental data with the results obtained with the program Heliodon, for the
city of Compiegne, France.
Keywords: Solar radiation
modeling, daylight design, sky model
Issue 7, Volume 6,
July 2010
Title of the Paper: Waste Animal Fats as
Renewable and Friendly Environmental Energy Resource
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Authors: Popescu
Francisc, Ionel Ioana, Lontis Nicolae Stelian
Abstract: The paper presents in the first part, step by step, the necessary
procedures to be accomplished in order to produce the alternative fuel
bio-diesel, starting from waste animal fats with high free fatty acid
concentration, and applying the transesterification. Based on the experimental
results, one performed further a comparative study concerning the generated
impact on air quality, bio-fuel versus normal diesel, when they would be
utilized as main fuel for the vehicles in real traffic. The CALROADS software
was used. The simulation scenarios were conducted to 2 major crossroads in the
city of Timisoara. The simulation results demonstrate clearly that air quality
is improved when biofuel is used.
Keywords: RES, bio-diesel,
transesterification, alternative fuels, air quality
Title of the Paper: Possibilities of
Greywater Reuse in Non-Potable in Situ Urban Applications, According with its
Quality and Quantity
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Authors: Cristina Matos,
Ana Sampaio, Isabel Bentes
Abstract: Water resources are being, over decades, intensively over explored
and polluted, and it is estimated that in a few years, it is reached highly
values of water stress in Europe. Portugal is already in the ranking of
countries with medium water stress (10-20%). To avoid the deterioration of
this situation it is imperative to consider different approaches of water
management, such as water reuse strategies. Toilet flushing, pavements and car
washing and garden irrigation are uses in which the quantity of greywater
dispended is high and the needs in terms of quality can be lower than the
potable water, and so these can represent potential reuse applications in a
unfamiliar dwelling. Greywater in situ reuse can be a practice to consider
since its quality and quantity is enough to consider the uses referred above.
In this context, a research of the quantity and quality of greywater produced
in a dwelling, allows to reuse only the water with the best characteristics
and so it will require a lower level of treatment. In this paper is presented
the quantitative and qualitative characterization of greywater, as well as the
required quantity for its reuse in some in situ non-potable urban
applications.
Keywords: Greywater,
characterization, in situ, non-potable, reuse
Title of the Paper: Technical Assessment
and Thermodynamic Analysis of a Prime Mover Stirling Engine in a Micro CCHP
Biomass System for an Isolated Residence in South-East Region of Romania
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Authors: Krisztina
Uzuneanu, Dan Scarpete, Nicolae Badea
Abstract: The use of renewable energy sources and the assessment of energy
economy are the subject of many research studies. Stirling engines have better
performances for micro-CHP systems compared with other prime movers as RC,
micro-turbine and fuel cell. The paper presents the problem of energy
performance and efficiency evaluation of the Stirling prime mover using
renewable fuels, in a micro scale combined cooling, heating and power (mCCHP)
trigeneration system, for a domestic residence situated in South – East region
of Romania.
Keywords: Trigeneration
system, Stirling engine, renewable fuels, biomass, wood - pellets
Title of the Paper: Analysis of wind
power potential of a region of Aveiro, Portugal
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Authors: Mario A. R.
Talaia
Abstract: This work intends to characterize the wind and evaluate the wind
power potential of a region in the western coast of Portugal which
geographical coordinates are 40? 38’ of latitude and 8? 40’ of longitude,
being 5m above sea level. An algorithm which allows obtaining data from wind
and making the project of a wind turbine into a horizontal rotation axis in a
perspective of optimization was built and used. The results obtained allow the
knowledge of the characteristics of wind and the wind power potential in the
area of study. The Weibull distribution has indicted that the winds frequently
experiencing slow speeds.
Keywords: Wind
characteristics; logarithmic law, power law, atmospheric stability, Weibull
law, wind power
Title of the Paper: Anthropogenic
Effects in a Costal Lagoon (South Portugal) Related to Tidal and Spatial
Changes in Nutrients
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Authors: Luca Meyers,
Paulo Pedro, Jose Beltrao, Christian Gliesche, Lidia Dionisio
Abstract: The distribution of nitrogen compounds during tidal cycles was
analyzed in Ria Formosa, a costal lagoon (South of Portugal) during the
beginning of the summer season. Results indicate a significant enrichment in
organic nitrogen up to 55 μmol L-1 in the studied areas where the
anthropogenic effect was high. No significant changes were observed within
tidal cycles although that may be related to low water circulation and
renewal. High concentration of nitrate in pore water (up to 275 μmol L-1, high
amount of ammonia (~1,8 μmol L-1 at high tide) and high concentration of total
phosphorus in sediments could be linked to sewage disposal from wastewater
treatment plants associated with lower water circulation and renewal in the
studied area. The samples were analyzed for Kjeldahl N, nitrate, nitrite,
ammonia, phosphate, total phosphorus.
Keywords: Nitrogen,
organic nitrogen, phosphorus, lagoon, coastal, nutrients, tidal, sediments,
eutrophication
Title of the Paper: Natural
Immobilization of Uranium in Streams
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Authors: Nelson
Rodrigues, Joao Pratas, Lys Tavares, Andre Branches
Abstract: The strategies developed by plants to tolerate heavy metals dictate
their survival capability in contaminated places. Sometimes they accumulate
significant amounts of those elements. The accumulation ability makes them
capable of retaining large amounts of metals thus avoiding the dispersion of
these metals and so they become natural cleaners of the environment. This
effect is sometimes referred to as natural attenuation. However this
environmental control is not only due to the vegetation but also to other
non-biotic agents such as chemical exchanges with waters, soils and sediments.
This work intends to identify what are the principal elements in the ecosystem
that are responsible for the immobilisation of uranium coming from the old
mine works of Urgeirica (it was the most important uranium mine of Portugal)
and which are dripping into the stream of Pantanha (near Nelas, Viseu,
Centre-North of Portugal). It has been verified that the species Apium
nodiflorum, Callitriche stagnalis, and Amblystegium sp accumulate large
amounts of uranium, as well as the dead leafs and the finer sediments. The
uranium concentration in the waters decreases from the discharge point and
this concentration drops 30 times in a 3,5 km distance with no human
intervention.
Keywords: Uranium,
contamination, ecosystem, Urgeirica (Portugal), natural remediation,
phytoremediation
Title of the Paper: Risk Management A
Key Factor in Sustainable Regional Urban Planning (Case Study Hunedoara County
Development Plan - Romania)
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Authors: Radoslav Radu,
Branea Ana-Maria, Gaman Marius Stelian, Morar Tudor
Abstract: An uncontrolled development of a region (case study – Hunedoara
County development plan) can lead to crises with later on difficult to manage
effects. Only through a sustainable development which includes proactive risk,
both natural and manmade, management, can be achieved a holistic territorial
planning strategy. This involves acquiring data referring to all types of
risk, natural, social and economical, diagnosing them and forming scenarios
offered to the local administration and the private initiative to slowly
reduce their effects.
Keywords: Sustainable
planning, urban planning, risk management, mitigation, ecologic, social,
economic
Title of the Paper: Novel RES based
Co-Combustion Technology
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Authors: Gavrila
Trif-Tordai, Ioana Ionel, Francisc Popescu
Abstract: The object of the paper focuses on a new technology of waste biomass
co-firing with fossil coal that is a possibility to use existing national
energy renewable resources and contribute to a clean energy production. The
paper is based on experimental research and was supported by national and EU
programs. The experiments conclude that the technology is cleaner, has as main
advantage the possibility to reduce the exhausted SO2, CO2 and particulate
from flue gases, in comparison to fossil fuel combustion, under comparable
circumstances. Investments are reasonable and the technology has promising
possibility to be included in the future energy cocktail of the EC, as it is
supporting the main development objectives for 2020, concerning RES,
efficiency and environmental protection targets.
Keywords: Waste (residual)
biomass, RES, Sawdust, Corncob, Pit coal, Lignite, Co-firing, Fluidized bed
Issue 8, Volume 6,
August 2010
Title of the Paper: A Study Towards the
Possibility of Ultra Thin CdS/CdTe High Efficiency Solar Cells from Numerical
Analysis
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Authors: M. A. Matin,
Nowshad Amin, Azami Zaharim, Kamaruzzaman Sopian
Abstract: Polycrystalline cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the leading material for
realization of low cost and high efficiency solar cell for terrestrial use. In
this work, a conventional structure of CdTe thin film solar cells [1] was
investigated and conversion efficiency as high as 13.2% was achieved with the
CdTe baseline structure of SnO2/CdS/CdTe. To explore the possibility of ultra
thin and high efficiency CdS/CdTe solar cells, the CdTe absorber layer and CdS
window layer were decreased to the extreme limit and 1 µm thin CdTe layer is
found to show reasonable range of efficiency with stability. Moreover, it was
found that there were scopes to increase cell efficiency by reducing the
cadmium sulfide (CdS) window layer thickness. The CdS window layer was reduced
to 60 nm together with the insertion of zinc oxide (ZnO) or zinc stannate
(Zn2SnO4) as the buffer layer to prevent forward leakage current. All the
simulations have been done using Analysis of Microelectronic and Photonic
Structures (AMPS 1D) simulator. The maximum conversion efficiency of 18.3%
(Voc = 1.00 V, Jsc = 26.15 mA/cm2, FF = 0.769) was achieved with 1 µm-CdTe
absorber layer, 60 nm-CdS window layer and 100 nm of ZnO or Zn2SnO4 buffer
layer. Furthermore, it was found that the cell normalized efficiency linearly
decreased with the increasing operating temperature at the gradient of
-0.4%/°C, which indicated better stability of the CdS/CdTe solar cells.
Keywords: Thin film solar
photovoltaics, high efficiency, CdTe, CdS, zinc oxide, zinc stannate, AMPS 1D
Title of the Paper: Fuzzy-APA: Employing
Fuzzy and Neural Network Techniques in Data Analysis of Industrial Wastewaters
Monitoring
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Authors: Daniel Dunea,
Mihaela Oprea
Abstract: A fuzzy logic based system for wastewater quality monitoring with
the purpose of attenuating the environmental impact of the heavy metals loaded
wastewaters is presented in this work. The design and implementation of a
supervisory system in LabVIEW for data acquisition, system operation and
distributed equipment control is briefly described. Fuzzy logic techniques
were used to integrate nine water quality variables into a single quality
index of the industrial effluent (EQI) by applying specific rules. The fuzzy
rules for diagnosis were developed in MATLAB and were translated and
integrated in a virtual instrument, which acted as a fuzzy rule based system,
using quantitative and qualitative information, to support the decisional
process in case of disturbances of the water quality status due to the
effluent discharge impact. Generated EQI was used to train the artificial
neural network using Quickprop algorithm, which has efficiently dealt with
complex patterns, and had a great ability to build up a neural system for
prediction.
Keywords: Fuzzy logic,
Fuzzy rules, Quickprop algorithm, Wastewater quality monitoring, Environmental
indices
Title of the Paper: Biogas Production
based on Agricultural Residues. From History to Results and Perspectives
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Authors: Ioana Ionel,
Adrian Eugen Cioabla
Abstract: The paper focuses on the practical behavior of different types of
agricultural matter during the anaerobic fermentation process. First a
historical development is highlighted in the idea that from the beginning this
process was meant to serve the energy development from available natural and
diverse resources. One of the main features that influence the fermentation
process is the degradation of the initial material used. The final stage of
the anaerobic fermentation process contains material in different stages of
decomposition, as function of temperature and type of biomass residue. The
potential of Romania is shortly described as well. The second part is
dedicated to experimental demonstrations of the process, in brief. All the
measurements were accomplished on a small – scale, simple, installation
designed special for the research upon the biogas production from agricultural
waste.
Keywords: Agricultural
residues, anaerobic fermentation, small - scale installation, degradation
process
Title of the Paper: Pollution Scenarios
through Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling based on Real Measurements - Impact
on Human Health
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Authors: Mihaiella
Cretu, Victoria Teleaba, Silviu Ionescu, Adina Ionescu
Abstract: Considering the fact that the exposure to ambient air pollution has
been associated with a series of adverse health effects, it is important to
predict the industrial air pollution in the populated areas. An easy and an
inexpensive estimation can be performed through atmospheric dispersion
modelling. This paper present a case study carry out at two pollution sources
located near to an airport. Measurements at source and in the atmosphere were
performed. The dispersion estimation was realized on specialized software
using for input measured data for emission and meteorological data. The paper
presents a short overview regarding adverse effects of different air
pollutants (NOx, CO, SO2, THC, PM and O3) on human health, which have been
well studied worldwide. The work performed in this article aims to quantify
the contribution of various pollution sources (incinerator and thermal power
station), to the local air pollution from an airport area. In order to
evaluate when the functioning of the sources will be considered dangerous for
populations we elaborate the worst scenario regarding the CO, NOx, SO2, which
can be applied by the authorities from both pollution sources. At the end of
the paper conclusions and future plans will be presented.
Keywords: Air pollution,
Dispersion, Emissions, Modelling, Scenario, Human Health
Title of the Paper: Professionals
Awareness in Promotion of Conservation and Management of Urban Forests as
Green Infrastructure of Riga, Latvia
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Authors: Ilze Jankovska,
Inga Straupe, Thomas Panagopoulos
Abstract: Urban forests are unique and highly valued resources. In recent
years, attention has been drawn to the fact that now more than half of the
world's population live in urban areas. Like many parts of Europe, Riga is
urbanizing rapidly creating conflict situations between development of
building areas and natural areas. The consequent loss and degradation of urban
forests could adversely affect ecosystems as well as human well-being and
cause negative externalities e.g. the loss of non-priced benefits. The aim of
this paper is to review the present situation concerning the management and
condition of naturalistic forest landscapes in urban areas and to study the
attitude of professionals towards naturalistic forest landscapes in the urban
area of Riga city, Latvia. The survey includes the opinions of representatives
of different fields from Riga municipality and other institutions related to
ecological, practical, planning and conservation activities, and also private
working landscape architects. The statistical analysis and data’s empirical
distribution showed significant differences in attitudes between professional
groups of managers and planners to the statements about natural renewal,
freedom, contact with nature, sustainable development strategy, management
cost and direct participation from the local community.
Keywords: Landscape
perception, urban forest, public awareness, urban planning, green
infrastructure, Riga, Latvia
Issue 9, Volume 6,
September 2010
Title of the Paper: Sustainability
Indicators of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands in Portuguese Small
Communities
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Authors: Antonio A. L.
S. Duarte, Teresa Canais-Seco, Jose A. Peres, Isabel Bentes, Jorge Pinto
Abstract: The discharge of untreated domestic wastewater in the receiving
waters creates a negative and environmental impact, inversely proportional to
its autodepuration ability. Conventional wastewater treatment plants involve
large capital investments and operating costs, and could be economically
unsustainable for small-medium communities. So, constructed wetlands as
natural low-cost systems can be an appropriate alternative, because they
require low maintenance, give rise to good performances and provide a natural
appearance. This work presents a synthesis of data obtained through an
extensive survey performed in twenty Portuguese constructed wetlands
utilities. Based on this information, some sustainable indicators and removal
pollutant efficiencies were calculated. Besides identifying the main
operational problems observed, it was also possible to detect inadequate
monitoring procedures, aiming, with some proposed corrections, to improve the
performance of these low-cost wastewater treatment utilities. The results
obtained in this work encourage the development of future studies to increase
the performance of these wastewater systems based on a better knowledge of the
influence of hydraulic parameters, like flow, retention time and hydraulic
application rate, in the pollutants removal efficiencies.
Keywords: Wastewater
treatment; natural systems; constructed wetlands; monitoring, sustainability
indicators, performance evaluation
Title of the Paper: Erosion Risk Map of
a Foupana River Watershed in Algarve, Portugal
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Authors: Thomas
Panagopoulos, Vera Ferreira
Abstract: Soil erosion is a major global environmental problem. In south
Portugal typical ecosystems locally named “montados” are subject to extensive
dry periods followed by erosive rains on fragile soils subject to intensive
soil management and improper practices, such as deforestation and agricultural
intensification. To assess soil erosion in these areas are important to
protect water resources and to prevent loss of sustainable crop production.
There has been important research in the last few years, about appropriate
erosion models to predict the soil loss and sediment delivery. The Revised
Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model has been the most widely used for
estimating annual soil loss from agricultural watersheds, because it is simple
and easy to use. These models are becoming progressively more suitable in
combination with geographic information systems (GIS) and geostatistical
tools, as a solid base for decision making in soil conservation planning. The
objectives of the study were to develop and validate a soil erosion-predicting
model based on the revised RUSLE in a geographic information systems (GIS)
environment. The maps resulting from the interpolation techniques were
introduced in a GIS and their values reclassified. After that, spatial
modeling was used do develop the final overlay map from all the information of
the analyzed soil properties and RUSLE parameters simulating a “potential soil
erosion map”. The study showed that the serious eroded area (when sediment is
higher than 50 t/ha) was 20%, but contributed for 60% sediments of the
watershed. This system will be used to provide site specific land use and
management methods that could decrease risk of erosion in the higher risk
locations of the study watershed.
Keywords: Desertification,
RUSLE, Geostatistics, Vegetation management, Decision support system, Erosion
risk Portugal
Title of the Paper: Achieving Energy
Savings in Urban Planning by Using Direct Solar and Diffuse Daylight in Early
Stage Design
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Authors: Hendrik Voll
Abstract: Starting from December 10th in 2008 became into force the standard
number 894 („Daylight in Apartment Buildings“) of The Republic of Estonia. The
standard states, that every new apartment building has to correspond to the
daylight requirement regarding direct solar radiation and diffuse daylight. In
case the building does not fulfill the requirements stated in the standard,
the building has to be redesigned in order to obtain the construction
permission. To educate Estonian architects and engineers and explain the
key-factors – the design of the single building facade and complete urban
district –direct solar radiation table named heliodon and diffuse daylight
test chamber the mirror-box overcast sky were established to Tallinn
University of Technology. The present paper focuses onto the concept of
heliodon table and mirror-box. Besides the paper presents a method how to
design a building that fulfills the daylight standard requirements as well as
the requirements for energy efficiency stated in regulation nr 258. In the end
planned urban district is analyzed and tested for direct solar access.
Keywords: Heliodon table,
Diffuse daylight test chamber, Solar radiation, Urban planning, cooling load
Title of the Paper: Preliminary Study
for Implementations of Long Lasting Flexible Road Pavements in Romania
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Authors: Andrei Radu,
Ioan Tanasele, Elena Puslau
Abstract: The actual flexible pavements designed according the existing norms
are leading usually to overdesigned structures because of the lower values for
the elastic modulus of the asphalt materials, specified in the existing norms.
After a short introduction, presenting the general principles of flexible
pavements design, the concepts of long lasting flexible pavements is
considered in detail. Then a new research program, involving Accelerating
Loading Test-ALT undertaken in parallel with the experiments development on
the existing road network, is proposed to the attention of the road policy
decisions factors in this country. This research project, supported by
specific design assumptions and calculations is taking into considerations the
specific soil, climatic and traffic conditions of the road network in Romania.
Finally a discussion of the results obtained with this new study is made.
Keywords: Long lasting
flexible pavements, accelerating loading test - ALT, structural design, design
methods, design traffic
Title of the Paper: Post-Socialist
Transition and Empirical Evaluation of the Future Spatial Development of
Serbia
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Authors: Miodrag
Vujosevic, Slavka Zekovic, Tamara Maricic
Abstract: Due to different political and economic factors during its
post-socialist transition Serbia has been isolated from the mainstream trends
of European integration and convergence. The country’s comparative advantages
and competitiveness have worsened in two key aspects - in its structural
qualities and in its territorial capital. The economic recovery after the
changes in 2000 onwards has the form of “growth without development”, while
the spatial development patterns have appeared to be rather unsustainable.
Today, Serbia has found itself in the position of an economic, ecological and
financial semi-colony of few powerful international political, economic and
financial actors. In the last part, we will present results of an empiric
evaluation of the three scenarios for spatial development of Serbia until 2020
based on comparative analysis of 29 indicators by applying the Spider method.
Keywords: Post-socialist
transition, Serbia, territorial capital, unsustainable spatial development,
institutional arrangements, spatial development scenarios, Spider method
Issue 10, Volume 6,
October 2010
Title of the Paper: Social
Responsibility in Tourism and Sustainable Development
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Authors: Cornel Nicolae
Jucan, Mihaela Sabina Jucan
Abstract: An increasing number of agents involved in tourism activities are
aware of the effects of tourism development and of the impact of these
activities on the population and the environment. In recent years, there has
been a focus on a well-observed development of tourism according to standards
that guarantee the preservation of ecological balance and avoid the overuse of
resources, pollution and other negative environmental effects. A sustainable
community must adopt a three-direction approach that has in view economic,
environmental and cultural resources. Communities must take into account not
only short-term, but also long-term needs. Sustainable tourism development
requires the reconciliation of opposing interests and objectives, favoring
partnership and cooperation between decision-makers, processors and consumers
promoting long-term public interest. In order to achieve these goals, codes of
good practice in tourism must be respected and implemented. These codes must
be socially responsible at all levels (national, regional, and local) and
based on already recognized international standards. This paper aims to assess
the involvement of the principles of sustainable development in the sector of
tourism through the implementation of the methodologies of the Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR).
Keywords: Business,
Corporate social responsibility (CSR), Environment, Globalization, Management,
Sustainable development, Tourism, Sustainability
Title of the Paper: Hierarchical
IF-Inference Systems for Local Sustainable Development Management
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Authors: Petr Hajek,
Vladimir Olej
Abstract: The paper presents basic notions of IF-sets introduced by K.T.
Atanassov and the design of new hierarchical IF-inference systems of Mamdani
type for the modelling of decision processes. We propose a tree hierarchical
IF-inference system which can serve as a decision support system in the
management of local sustainable development. The possibility to model both the
uncertainty and the relationships in the complex system of local sustainable
development represent the main advantages of this system. It provides stronger
possibility to accommodate imprecise information compared to fuzzy inference
systems and, at the same time, the number of if-then rules is reduced by using
a tree hierarchical structure. The relationships among sustainable development
indicators and their weights are incorporated through the expert opinions.
Keywords: Intuitionistic
sets, IF-sets, hierarchical IF-inference systems, sustainable development,
indicators
Title of the Paper: Investigation upon
Construction Technology, Operation and Maintenance Procedures for
Slabs-on-Ground
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Authors: Andreea-Terezia
Mircea
Abstract: Even if concrete is able to provide a highly durable, functional and
attractive surface, the concrete quality of slabs-on-ground is often affected
by conditions over which the designer and contractor have little control. Some
curling and cracking can be expected on every project due to the inherent
characteristics of the Portland cement concrete, such as shrinkage.
Nevertheless, poor design, inadequate mixture proportions and improper service
conditions are key elements responsible for imperfections. By taking these
causes into consideration, it is possible to reduce the inadequate results.
The paper presents the main causes of imperfections established by an
investigation performed at the request of the contractor of a concrete
pavement made at the platform of an industrial company, located in the
Transylvania Region, Romania.
Keywords: Industrial
slab-on-ground, concrete quality, structural and functional performance,
maintenance
Title of the Paper: SF-36 Health Survey,
Indoor Environment and Housing Renovation
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Authors: G. Karani, M.
Bradburn, M. Evans
Abstract: The focus of the study was the effect of the renovation of the
housing within the study area . The study population were all privately owned
households within the Riverside Renewal Area in Cardiff, Wales, that had been
planned for renovation within the period of the study. Subjects were all
occupants of households recruited to the study, with detailed SF-36 data being
collected on household members. The objective was to recruit and monitor a
cohort of households every winter approximately a year before renovation was
due as the control group, and then monitor them again prior to renovation as
the pre-renovation group, and finally a minimum of six months following
renovation as the post-renovation group. The SF-36 enables people to describe
their health status from their own perspective. The SF-36 was used to compare
the health status of the different residents pre-renovation and
post-renovation. The SF-36 questionnaire was divided into a series of health
and wellbeing categories and the answers were plotted on a 100-point scale.
High scores were associated with good health, and low scores with poor health.
The indoor environment analysis was centred on the change in 7 parameters.
Paired data was available for 37 households for pre-renovation and
post-renovation environmental monitoring. The analysis of the paired t-test
data determined that there was a significant change in 5 of the 8 SF-36
parameters post renovation. Correlations were drawn between environmental data
variables including temperature and humidity with measures of indoor air
pollutants and dampness. Paired sample t-tests were conducted for
pre-renovation and post- renovation variables, and a significant improvement
in both the indoor environment and householder health was determined. The
benefits derived from setting up a multi-disciplinary project team drawn upon
from different backgrounds, was from the outset a significant value to the
implementation and outcome of such a health gain study. Evaluation of the data
that was collected has lead to the conclusion that enrolment of a larger group
of paired pre- and post renovation households would have been highly
beneficial. The lack of published data within this field means that the small
number of houses on which data is available from the Riverside study
represents one of the principal datasets of this kind currently available.
Keywords: SF36, Indoor
parameters, Health, Renewal area
Issue 11, Volume 6,
November 2010
Title of the Paper: The Sludge and
Manure Effects on the Growth of Citrus Trees
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Authors: Manuel Costa,
Jose Beltrao, Joao Carrasco De Brito, Maria Alcinda Neves, Carlos Guerrero
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the agricultural use of
organic solid wastes. Hence two types of wastes were selected to be applied in
a citrus orchard: the sewage sludge (the most common on the urban world) and
the manure (the most common on the agricultural fields). The sewage sludge is
a residue originated from the wastewater treatment – the solid phase. Its
application as an organic fertilizer may represent an alternative to the
pollution consequences in nature. The effect of sludge and manure application
on the growth of orange trees (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb.), established on a
Fluvisol, was evaluated in relation to the biometric parameters – number of
leaves per tree, diameter of the trunk, leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf
chlorophyll (estimated by using SPAD values). In general, the citrus plants
response to the application of sewage sludge and of manure was positive,
compared to the control trees. The application of the manure and especially
the sewage sludge (once this fertilizer/soil amendment is available in larger
amounts) may be a profitable alternative application to the use of mineral
fertilizers and to other organic soil amendments. Moreover, as the other
possible destinations of sewage sludge (landfill or incineration) are
associated to potential environmental problems, its agricultural use when
correctly applied, represents a better alternative. The application of this
solid wastes, as a clean and safe technique to preserve the environment
contamination, can also be successfully used as an organic amendment of citrus
orchards.
Keywords: Citrus leaves,
manure, plant development, sewage sludge, soil organic amendments
Title of the Paper: Effects of Simulated
Tropospheric Ozone on Foliar Nutrients Levels (Ca2+, Mn2+, Mg2+ and K+) of
Three Woody Species of High Commercial Value Typical from Campeche, Mexico
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Authors: J. G.
Ceron-Breton, R. M. Ceron-Breton, M. Rangel-Marron, C. Vargas-Caliz, L. G.
Aguilar-Bencomo, M. Muriel-Garcia
Abstract: Three months old seedlings of three woody species of high commercial
value typical from Campeche, Mexico [Haematoxylum Campechianum L (Wood blood
tree), Tabebuia Rosea (Pink flower tree) and Swietenia Macrophylla (Mahogany)]
were fumigated during 6 weeks at three different concentrations of simulated
tropospheric ozone (at 50, 110 and 250 ppb) using charcoal filtered air within
an open-top chamber from june to july in 2009. Visible damages and changes on
phtosynthetic pigments levels were identified and nutrients concentrations
(Ca2+, Mn2+, Mg2+ and K+) were determined. All studied species ( Wood blood
tree, Pink flower tree and Mahogany) showed sensitiveness to ozone exposure
levels, showing decreases in photosynthetic pigments levels as well as changes
in nutrients contents. Mahogany and Wood blood tree were the most sensitive
species to tropospheric ozone showing greater visible damages.
Keywords: Woody species.,
Foliar damage., Open Top Chambers., Tropospheric ozone., Atmospheric
pollution., Campeche, Mexico, Nutrients
Title of the Paper: DTC and Non Linear
Vector Control Strategies Applied to the DFIG Operated at Variable Speed
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Authors: Jihene Ben
Alaya, Adel Khedher, Mohamed Faouzi Mimouni
Abstract: We present in this paper the modeling and control designs for a
variable-speed constant-frequency wind energy conversion system using double
fed induction generator. The aim of this paper is to design and compare two
distinct control strategies to control the rotor side power converter.
Firstly, a nonlinear vector control strategy using the second Lyapunov
approach is developed. Secondly, a direct torque control strategy, constructed
around two hysteresis controllers that allow flux and torque regulation, is
presented. Simulation results have shown good performances of the system under
these proposed control strategies. Compared to nonlinear vector control
strategy, the direct torque control approach presents best performances.
Keywords: Wind drive -
Double fed induction generator - Direct torque control - Nonlinear vector
control - Lyapunov approach
Title of the Paper: The Link between
Urbanization and Climatic Factors: A Concept on Formation of Urban Heat Island
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Authors: P.
Shahmohamadi, A. I. Che-Ani, N. A. G. Abdullah, M. M. Tahir, K. N. A. Maulud,
M. F. I. Mohd-Nor
Abstract: Increasing the number of population, pollutions, urban expansion and
many other kinds of urbanization factors in metropolitan areas are affected
climatic factors and vice versa. In fact, there is a correlation between these
two factors in general. This paper put forward the conceptual model and two
hypotheses. In order to test the model, UHI mapping has been carried out in
Tehran as a case study. The investigation has been done at macro-level to get
surface temperature. The methodology employed is to use satellite image with a
thermal band (obtained on 18 July 2000). To map out the UHI, mapping of LST
and NDVI were necessary and then overlaid them and extracted maximum
temperature value for both urban and rural areas. The results show that the
maximum urban and rural temperature values are 39°C and 27°C respectively.
Therefore, daytime Tehran surface UHI shows 12?C of difference between urban
and rural areas which is quite strong. Analyzing the data specified that the
urbanization factors have direct impact on increasing the UHI intensity in
Tehran metropolitan area.
Keywords: Climatic
Factors, Environmental Challenge, Tehran, Urban, Urban Heat Island,
Urbanization
Title of the Paper: Applying an
Interpretive Model to assess Cultural Landscape Dynamics in a Highway of
Portugal
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Authors: Elena Berte,
Thomas Panagopoulos
Abstract: The relationships between the development of the A22 Via do Infante
de Sagres highway in the Portuguese region of the Algarve, and the development
of a contemporary landscape by using the Cultural Landscape Dynamics
Interpretative Model are studied. The model evaluates the kind of development
followed by contemporary landscapes based on transportation infrastructures in
relation to contemporary cultural landscapes, which according to the
theoretical approach of the work are based on the sustainable development
principles. The presented model provides guidelines for future transportation
infrastructure projects towards the development of contemporary cultural
landscapes. In the Portuguese case study, the model is used to analyze the
strengths and weaknesses of the contemporary landscape formed after the
construction of the A22 highway.
Keywords: Linear
infrastructure, Contemporary Cultural Landscapes, Dynamics, Interpretative
Model, Portugal
Issue 12, Volume 6,
November 2010
Title of the Paper: Conceptual
Precedent: Seven Landscape Architectural Historic Sites Revisited
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Authors: Jon Burley,
Luis Loures
Abstract: Designers are interested in the generation of form to guide the
development of a particular design. With the advent of the modern design era
in the 20th Century, the design "concept" became a driving force for most
architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design schools, teaching
students how to employ the design concept to guide the generation of form and
details. Although, the design concept was employed in some designs before the
20th century, discussions concerning the design concept for historic
landscapes has been limited. To illustrate examples of historic landscapes
with design concepts, we chose seven projects to be revisited: Bom Jesus do
Monte (Portugal), Xiaoling Tomb (China), Vaux le Vicomte (France), Villa Lante
(Italy), Stourhead (United Kingdom), Stowe (United Kingdom), and Tapada das
Necessidades (Portugal).
Keywords: Design process;
design theory, design pedagogy, normative theory
Title of the Paper: The Research on
Eco-campus Evaluation Index System and Weight
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Authors: Xinpei Jiang,
Bao Zheng, Haifeng Wang
Abstract: At present so many universities in China are working hard on
eco-campus construction. This paper reviewed the research on eco-campus in
china and established the eco-campus evaluation index system on the basis of
summarizing ecological building, green building, sustainable building and
energy-saving building and consulting data of a conference. Then Analytical
Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to design questionnaires, check the
questionnaire consistency and calculate the weight of eco-campus evaluation
index system. This research used AHP expert decision-making software Expert
Choice 11.5 to make the consistency check and calculate the weight, which
avoids complex calculations and saves a lot of time. The main goal of this
thesis is to list the priorities that affect planning and construction of
eco-campus to provide basis and reference for eco-campus construction and
eco-campus sustainable development.
Keywords: Sustainable
development, Eco-campus, index system, weight, AHP
Title of the Paper: Energy Efficiency
and Indoor Climate of Apartment and Educational Buildings in Estonia
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Authors: Teet-Andrus
Koiv, Kalle Kuusk, Mikk Maivel, Alo Mikola
Abstract: The years 1960-1990 saw an extensive construction of apartment
buildings in Estonia. In 1970s the specific heat consumption of apartment
buildings made up about 350 kWh/m2 per year. The 1990s saw the beginning of
the renovation of heat substations, heating and ventilation systems and
building envelopes. The renovation of windows in old apartment buildings was
accompanied by problems in the indoor climate. The problem of indoor climate
seriously concerns educational buildings without mechanical ventilation and
partly renovated old apartment buildings. With the help of simulation programs
energy conservation achievable with renovation has been analysed in apartment
buildings as well as in educational buildings. Characterised is the influence
of the new domestic hot water (DHW) calculation method on the determination on
the equipment of heat substations and district heating network. The increase
of energy efficiency of buildings by heat recovery of heat of exhaust air by
heat pump is analyzed. In old apartment buildings one of the possible
solutions is the air change arrangement by room heat recovery units and
programmable exhaust ventilators in toilets, bathrooms and kitchens.
Keywords: Indoor climate,
CO2 concentration, Apartment buildings, Educational buildings, DHW flow rates,
Energy efficiency, Ventilation systems, Renovation
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