The Experts below are selected from a list of 11382 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Duccio Tempesti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Improving the environmental sustainability of flash geothermal power plants-A case study
Sustainability (Switzerland), 2015Co-Authors: Lorenzo Bruscoli, Daniele Fiaschi, Giampaolo Manfrida, Duccio TempestiAbstract:The sustainability of geothermal energy production is analyzed with reference to a production plant located in a specific area (Monte Amiata, Italy). Four solutions combining a flash power plant with an Organic Rankine Cycle in a hybrid configuration are analyzed in terms of production of electricity, exergy balance and Emissions level (CO2, H2S, Hg). The different solutions correspond to increasing environmental performance, and for the most advanced case achieve near-Zero Emissions (complete reinjection of the natural resource, including incondensable gases). The results show that this can be achieved at the price of a progressive reduction of electrical productivity.
Gunter A Pauli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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upsizing the road to Zero Emissions more jobs more income and no pollution
1998Co-Authors: Gunter A PauliAbstract:"Zero Emissions" has become a definitive term in the debate on sustainable development. While considered a utopian target by some, the concept describes what business and industry of the future must aim to achieve: no pollution and no waste. This volume presents findings from the research work of over 2000 scientists undertaken under the banner of ZERI (Zero Emissions Research Initiative), a business foundation working jointly with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in a number of developing countries. Gunter Pauli feels that if we are serious about creating jobs, generating more income and eliminating pollution, we have to build on the assets we have instead of continuing to analyze the problems we face. The volume examines how the adoption of Zero Emissions concepts not only reduces pollution and waste but can contribute significantly to the generation of income and jobs - specifically for those who need them most - the rural poor in less developed countries.
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Zero Emissions the ultimate goal of cleaner production
Journal of Cleaner Production, 1997Co-Authors: Gunter A PauliAbstract:Abstract Industry needs to respond to the needs and the preferences of the market. This implies that industry cannot generate pollution and cause health hazards—no consumer wants that. Zero is the only feasible target. Industry aims to produce more with the same or less inputs. Ideally, all material, liquid, gaseous and energy inputs should be found in the final product. However, if an industry tries to find this solution within its own processes, it can never succeed in reaching Zero. Clusters of industries, where the waste of one is input for the other, will emerge as the solution. The ultimate goal of cleaner production is thus Zero waste. This moves industry from pollution prevention and control into the new paradigm that is to become the industry standard.
Hans Schnitzer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Zero Emissions systems in the food processing industry
2008Co-Authors: Uyen Nguyen Ngoc, Hans SchnitzerAbstract:The food processing industry is part of an interlinked group of sectors. It plays an important role in the economic development of every country. However, a strongly growing food processing industry greatly magnifies the problems of waste management, pushing the management of waste (solid, gas and liquid) as well as pollution to the forefront of environmental challenges. While concepts to minimize, reuse and recycle wastes proposed have not solved thoroughly the negative effects on environment and human population, Zero Emissions concepts have arisen. It implies the optimization through an integrated system of processes and requires the industries to redesign manufacturing processes to efficiently use both raw material within the process and waste towards the aim of sustainability. It means that utilization of waste can be brought back to at sustainable levels in closed loop processes, bearing the phenomenon of industrial metabolism. This paper starts with an outline of the concepts of Zero Emissions and continues with an overview of the possibilities to apply these concepts. Following this, a Zero Emissions agricultural industrial system (AIZES) model for the food processing industry will be displayed, emphasizing on the utilization of all food wastes as inputs in an anaerobic digestion process. The model permits an identification of opportunities for reducing environmental impact at process level and driving the system toward sustainability and Zero Emissions concepts. A case study, focusing on the Pineapple processing industry, will be used to illustrate the application of the aggregated material input-output model. The case study will also represent energy and material balances, inputs and outputs as well as calculations on the economic feasibility of AIZES model. The research can lay out a promising path to adapt to environmentally friendly issues through alternative use of fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers, Zero Emissions and reducing Greenhouse effect gas.
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less bad is not good enough approaching Zero Emissions techniques and systems
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007Co-Authors: Hans Schnitzer, Sergio UlgiatiAbstract:Abstract Radical changes towards sustainable products and a clean and safe system of production have yet to be developed and implemented in all sectors of industry. Technology holds the key to addressing many environmental problems and achieving sustainable patterns of economic growth. In many cases, companies already have the appropriate technological solution. However, the technology may not be in widespread use because of market and systemic failures and cultural barriers. Examples of market failures are the lack of information about cleaner technologies. Examples of systemic failures are weaknesses in linkages among firms, universities, research and development (R&D) institutions, and others involved in developing, supplying and applying technology. Cultural barriers are caused by the differences in the way companies communicate and do business. This makes “Zero Emissions” a much needed approach. The Journal of Cleaner Production has devoted this special issue to “Zero Emissions Techniques and Systems – ZETS” in the production and the urgent issues surrounding, “How to make sustainable companies become reality”. To document the state of the art in this field and to report progress are main goals of this issue. The objective of the planners of this special issue is to present perspectives, case studies and pedagogic initiatives from, academic, governmental, business, technical and financial sectors, as well as from NGOs from around the world. It is, however, evident that the term “Zero Emissions” still has different meanings and refers to different strategies and technologies. “Zero Emissions Techniques and Systems” are really a “SYSTEMS” aspect and not a sectoral approach. It develops more and more like a discussion about a mosaic. Some speak of the image they expect to be seen at the end, others speak of the tesserae they have to shape or the cement that fills the gaps between.
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practical experiences with the implementation of the concept of Zero Emissions in the surface treatment industry in austria
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007Co-Authors: Johannes Fresner, Hans Schnitzer, Gernot Gwehenberger, Mikko Planasch, Christoph Brunner, Karin Taferner, Josef MairAbstract:Abstract The authors have developed the approach of the “Zero emission retrofitting method for existing galvanizing plants” (ZERMEG). The goal of this approach is to take existing galvanizing plants as far as possible towards Zero Emissions. The development was supported by the Austrian ministry for science and technology within the programme “Factory of the Future”. The method consists first of an analytical step to describe the existing performance of the plant in terms of production, water input and input of chemicals, a second step is designed to characterize the theoretically possible minimum consumption using the present equipment and the third step is the comparison of the present to the ideal situation to identify optimisation options (improved draining, dosage of chemicals, control of rinsing water, mixing in the tanks, etc.). To facilitate the calculations, a Microsoft-Excel-programme was developed ( Z ero E mission Pr ogram A nalysis, ZEPRA), which allows to calculate the ideal water consumption of different configurations of rin ses, drag out for different shapes and surface conditions of parts, and changes in concentrations of active baths. A technology data bank was developed that includes information on different technologies to enlarge the useful time of galvanizing baths or to recycle spent solutions and rinsing water. This paper describes case studies in five galvanizing plants. The measures which were implemented include changing the rinsing cascades in three plants at the wire producer Pengg (reduction of the water consumption in the batch pickling plant by 50%), the use of spent caustics to preneutralise spent process baths and the implementation of an electrolysis plant to recover copper at the printed circuit board manufacturer AT&S (recovery of 20 kg/day of copper), optimising the pickling baths of the hot dip galvanizer Mosdorfer (50% reduction of consumption of acids) and the optimisation of the spray rinses in the automatic copper plating plants of the producer of printing cyclinders Rotoform (reduction of water consumption by 50%, reduction of acid consumption by 40%). The work showed, that in three of the five plants it was possible to fully avoid the discharge of spent process baths. One plant now operates at Zero Emissions. In one plant it would be technically feasible to do so, however, it is not economically feasible, at this time.
Sergio Ulgiati - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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less bad is not good enough approaching Zero Emissions techniques and systems
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007Co-Authors: Hans Schnitzer, Sergio UlgiatiAbstract:Abstract Radical changes towards sustainable products and a clean and safe system of production have yet to be developed and implemented in all sectors of industry. Technology holds the key to addressing many environmental problems and achieving sustainable patterns of economic growth. In many cases, companies already have the appropriate technological solution. However, the technology may not be in widespread use because of market and systemic failures and cultural barriers. Examples of market failures are the lack of information about cleaner technologies. Examples of systemic failures are weaknesses in linkages among firms, universities, research and development (R&D) institutions, and others involved in developing, supplying and applying technology. Cultural barriers are caused by the differences in the way companies communicate and do business. This makes “Zero Emissions” a much needed approach. The Journal of Cleaner Production has devoted this special issue to “Zero Emissions Techniques and Systems – ZETS” in the production and the urgent issues surrounding, “How to make sustainable companies become reality”. To document the state of the art in this field and to report progress are main goals of this issue. The objective of the planners of this special issue is to present perspectives, case studies and pedagogic initiatives from, academic, governmental, business, technical and financial sectors, as well as from NGOs from around the world. It is, however, evident that the term “Zero Emissions” still has different meanings and refers to different strategies and technologies. “Zero Emissions Techniques and Systems” are really a “SYSTEMS” aspect and not a sectoral approach. It develops more and more like a discussion about a mosaic. Some speak of the image they expect to be seen at the end, others speak of the tesserae they have to shape or the cement that fills the gaps between.
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an emergy evaluation of complexity information and technology towards maximum power and Zero Emissions
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007Co-Authors: Sergio Ulgiati, Silvia Bargigli, Marco RaugeiAbstract:Abstract This paper mostly deals with the role of energy, matter and information flows within both environmental and human-dominated systems. Sustainable growth and development of both kinds of systems require optimum use of available resources for maximum power output, as suggested by Lotka's Maximum Power Principle [Lotka AJ. Contribution to the energetics of evolution. In: Proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the United States of America, vol. 8. 1922, p. 147–50; Lotka AJ. Natural selection as a physical principle. In: Proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the United States of America, vol. 8. 1922, p. 151–5.], recently restated by Odum [Odum HT. Maximum power and efficiency: a rebuttal. Ecol Model 1983;20:71–82; Odum HT. Environmental accounting. Emergy and environmental decision making. N.Y.: John Wiley & Sons; 1996.] as Maximum Em-Power Principle within the framework of his Emergy Synthesis approach. In times of declining resources, this principle translates into increased efficiency and optimum use of any kind of waste and co-products. Ecosystems and any self-organizing systems always apply this strategy and their selection–evolution mechanisms are based on their ability of growing on any untapped resource available. In order to do so, they increase the number of components and patterns for resource degradation in order to optimize the resource throughput and power output. Such a strategy also applies to human-dominated, economic systems, where the ability of dealing with co-products and wastes by means of appropriate designs as well as reuse and recycling processes may lead to “Zero-emission” patterns (increased complexity, optimal resource throughput, minimization of Emissions, resource exchange among system's components) and be the key for successful and sustainable development. In this paper Life Cycle Assessment and Emergy Synthesis approaches are suggested as joint tools for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of progresses towards industrial symbiosis and more sustainable production and consumption patterns within a Zero emission framework.
J Firebrace - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Zero Emissions of oil in water from offshore oil and gas installations economic and environmental implications
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2007Co-Authors: Paul Ekins, Robin Vanner, J FirebraceAbstract:Abstract ‘Produced water’ is seawater mixed with hydrocarbons and derives from the extraction of oil and gas from under the seabed. Its discharge into the marine environment of the North Sea is strictly regulated. This paper discusses the environmental concerns associated with produced water, and the regulatory approach that is currently being taken to reduce produced water discharges into the sea. It is found that there is currently no evidence of harm to the marine environment from produced water, but a number of areas of uncertainty remain. A novel methodology, involving the analysis of material and energy flows, and their associated financial and environmental implications, is used to compare a number of different techniques of reducing these discharges. It is found that these techniques have significant environmental and financial implications. In the absence of evidence of actual environmental harm being caused by produced water, there are three possible precautionary approaches to its management and regulation. The approach that involves Zero Emissions of produced water implies a relatively high social valuation of the reduction in environmental risk that this achieves.
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Zero Emissions of oil in water from offshore oil and gas installations: economic and environmental implications
J CLEAN PROD, 2007Co-Authors: J FirebraceAbstract:'Produced water' is seawater mixed with hydrocarbons and derives from the extraction of oil and gas from under the seabed. Its discharge into the marine environment of the North Sea is strictly regulated. This paper discusses the environmental concerns associated with produced water, and the regulatory approach that is currently being taken to reduce produced water discharges into the sea. It is found that there is currently no evidence of harm to the marine environment from produced water, but a number of areas of uncertainty remain. A novel methodology, involving the analysis of material and energy flows, and their associated financial and environmental implications, is used to compare a number of different techniques of reducing these discharges. It is found that these techniques have significant environmental and financial implications. In the absence of evidence of actual environmental harm being caused by produced water, there are three possible precautionary approaches to its management and regulation. The approach that involves Zero Emissions of produced water implies a relatively high social valuation of the reduction in environmental risk that this achieves. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
