Increasing the Efficiency and Level of Environmental Safety of Pro-Environmental City Heat Supply Technologies by Low Power Nuclear Plants

In connection with the current prospect of decarbonization of coal energy through the use of small nuclear power plants (SNPPs) at existing TPPs as heat sources for heat supply to municipal heating networks, there is a technological need to improve heat supply schemes to increase their environmental friendliness and efficiency. The paper proves the feasibility of using the heat-feeding mode of ASHPs for urban heat supply by heating the network water with steam taken from the turbine. The ratio of electric and thermal power of a “nuclear” combined heat and power plant is given. The advantage of using a heat pump, which provides twice as much electrical power with the same heat output, is established. Taking into account that heat in these modes is supplied with different potential, the energy efficiency was used to compare these options. To increase the heat supply capacity, a scheme with the use of a high-pressure heater in the backpressure mode and with the heating of network water with hot steam was proposed. Heat supply from ASHPs is efficient and environmentally friendly even in the case of significant remoteness of heat consumers.

Prospects of Technological Improvement of Nuclear and Environmental Safety of World Energy

Today, the most urgent problem of the existing and future nuclear power industry is to ensure the nuclear and environmental safety of the operation of nuclear power reactor units (NPPs) and nuclear power plants (NPPs). It is solved thanks to the application of deeply echeloned protection and an anti-accident complex of methods and means for effective control of the operation of active reactor zones (AZR). However, the danger of existing NPPs in the world from time to time manifests itself in the form of severe post-project accidents and catastrophes with the release into the environment of a significant amount of radioactive materials dangerous for all living things. The results of the analysis show that the unconditional fulfillment of the main requirements of nuclear environmental safety and biocompatibility is possible only in the so-called wave nuclear reactor of the G-V generation, which, unlike reactors of the previous generations III, II+ and IV, does not require supercritical loading of the core with nuclear fuel. In the active zone of this reactor, nuclear-physical processes governed by physical law are implemented, which exclude the operator’s participation in regulating the reactivity of the reactor’s active zone, which makes it the reactor with the highest level of nuclear and environmental safety today, which is based on the principles of so-called internal safety, free from the human factor. The possibility of burning nuclear fuel based on U238 and Th232 in it expands the reserves of energetic nuclear fuel almost to inexhaustibility. The technology of nuclear reactors of the G5 generation through the secondary use of spent irradiated nuclear fuel (SNF) for the production of energy and energy raw materials with simultaneous burning of it to an environmentally safe state is able to quickly reduce the available stocks and further production of dangerous SNF, guarantee the nuclear and environmental safety of NPPs with reactors G5 and to technologically make nuclear post-project accidents and disasters impossible at the level of physical law with the complete elimination of the human factor.

Engineering and Physical Bases of Development and Creation of Plasmochemical Reactors for Mobile Facilities for Medical Waste Disposal

This paper presents the results of the development and creation of plasma-chemical reactors for mobile and stationary installations for the destruction and disposal of solid, liquid, gaseous and mixed medical waste based on the domestic plasma generator PUN-1, with air as the plasma-forming gas. The design and principle of operation of plasma-chemical reactors installed on mobile experimental and industrial plants “Plazmon-1,2,3”, as well as the main features of the plasma waste disposal process are described.

Simulation of the Traweling Wave Burning Regime on Epithermal Neutrons

New results of two computer experiments on modeling of superthermal neutron-nuclear combustion of natural uranium for two different flux densities of external neutron source and duration of half a year each are presented. The simulation results demonstrate the dependence of the autowave combustion modes on the parameters of the external source.

Heavy metals leaching in bottom ash and fly ash fractions from industrial-scale BFB-boiler for environmental risks assessment

The bottom ash and fly ash from the co-combustion of wood residues and peat at a bubbling fluidised bed boiler（296 MW） contained only quartz（SiO_2）, microcline（KAl Si_3O_8） and albite（NaAlSi_3O_8）. Thus, X-ray powder diffraction（XRD） was not useful for clarifying the difference in the release of associated heavy metals from ash matrices. In order to assess the release of heavy metals from ashes under changing environmental conditions, they were sequentially extracted and fractionated by the BCR-procedure into acid soluble/exchangeable（CH_3COOH）, reducible（NH_2OH-HCl） and oxidizable（H_2O_2/CH_3COONH_4） phases. The CH_3 COOH extractable fraction in conjunction with the total heavy metals concentrations were used to calculate the risk assessment code values for heavy metals leaching from the ash matrix. The leaching studies indicate that the heavy metals in the bottom ash and fly ash are bound to different fractions with different strengths. From the environmental and utilization perspectives, heavy metals in ashes posed different levels of environmental contamination risk. Only As in the bottom ash posed a very high risk. High risk metals were Cd in the bottom ash as well as As, Cd and Se in the fly ash.

Optimization of reed-specific degrading bacteria by response surfaces for remediation of crude oil-polluted soil in Xinjiang,China

This paper discussed the optimization of conditions for remediation of crude oil-polluted soil based on pot experiment by applying reed-specific degrading bacteria, and using response surfaces methodology. We took the initial crude oil concentration, the amount of inoculation, the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus, and the use of surfactant （Tween-80） as independent variables （factors）, and the degrading ratio of crude oil as the dependent variable （response） after a 90-day experiment. The experiment explored the impacts of each independent variable and their interactions on the bioremediation of crude oil-polluted soil using the Box-Behnken design. Working with a simulated forecasting model the study obtained optimization va reed＋specific degrading bacteria, a nitrogen to phosphorus ues for the treatment parameters of 200 g/kg of the ratio of about 6.0. and 0.2% surfactant. Under experimental conditions, for crude oil concentrations of 10, 30 and 50 g/kg, the optimal effects of the treatments achieved 71.87%, 66.61% and 54.52% degradation of the crude oil, respectively. The results can provide a basis for the technical development of plant-microorganism combined bioremediation of crude oil-polluted soil.

A Brief Review of 3S Technology Application on Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment

Remote sensing,geographic information system and GPS(3S)technology have been well recognized as comprehensive,accurate and up-to-date information collection methods,which are increasingly adopted in biodiversity conservation.This review summarizes the application of object-oriented classification methods on biodiversity monitoring projects based on high-resolution remote sensing imagines in China.Biodiversity conservation research based on GIS technology in China is also discussed,with emphasis on the advantages of GIS analysis and modeling function.

Sustainable Development of the City’s Transport Infrastructure--A Project of a New Tram Line with a Linear Park along the Exhibition Channel in Warsaw

A new double-circuit tram route planned in Warsaw(Vmax=70.0 km/h),running through the Praga Po?udnie district from Waszyngton Avenue(Washington Avenue)to Goc?aw loop(total length of about 3.5 km),is designed to reduce the existing road load in this area of the access routes from outside Warsaw to the center of the capital,as well as to improve the conditions of transport service in the areas of Saska K?pa,Mi?dzynarodowa housing estate,Kepa Goclawska and Goclaw,thereby increasing the use of public transport in Warsaw.This paper concerns the first part of the planned investment—a new tram route on the section between Waszyngton Av.(Washington Avenue)and Stanów Zjednoczonych Av.(United States of America Avenue)in Warsaw,along the historical Exhibition Channel in its immediate vicinity(Saska Kepa).Specialists-constructors(Tramwaje Warszawskie Llc.)cooperated with landscape architects(Landscape Architecture Department,Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW),in accordance with contemporary canons of sustainable urban development.They aimed at restoring proper proportions in the use of the area,taking into account functional aspects(optimal communication and various forms of recreation),natural aspects(preserving valuable vegetation and enriching resources),landscape aspects(“recovering”water as the main element of space)and reconstructing connections with adjacent areas(residential areas and allotments).

Application of UAV Image in Quantitative Analysis of Landscape Pattern of Railway

Taking Beijing–Shanghai High-speed Railway(the section of Zhenjiangnan Station) for example,this paper applied UAV remote sensing data and GIS spatial analysis to analyze current land use types in this section,on this basis used landscape pattern indices that showed high correlation with land use changes for the quantitative analysis and evaluation of ecosystem structure in the study area and also landscape pattern after the construction of high-speed railway.The results showed that UAV images performed well in the evaluation of railway landscape ecological environment,landscape structure and features represented by the selected landscape pattern indices in this paper were applicable,and capable of ensuring scientific evaluation of ecological environmental impact;the overall landscape pattern of the Zhenjiangnan Station section(Beijing–Shanghai High-speed Railway) after completion was moderate,and local ecosystem was damaged,thus scientific and reasonable ecological planning was required to design and change landscape structure.

Promoting Public Understanding in the Science of Geology

Geology is perhaps the most fascinating of the natural sciences, due to its all-encompassing nature. Virtually all human activities that occur on planet Earth--including agriculture, energy and mineral resource exploration and extraction; environmental and public policy on natural resources management and protection; land use planning; infrastructure development; and ecological tourism--all depend on various aspects of geology and its sub-disciplines. Due to the importance of geology in the daily lives of human beings, it is imperative that all persons develop at least a basic understanding of the science. In this paper, the current efforts for promoting public understanding in geology will be examined, with offerings of alternatives and supplements to these efforts. Information from the science education sub-disciplines of HPS （history, philosophy and sociology） of science, and informal/free-choice learning will be woven into the framework of the geology-public understanding idea.

Landscape Evaluation of Municipalities in Ciezkowice-Roznow Regional Park in Poland

The aim of the study was landscape evaluation of municipalities located in Ciezkowice-Roznow regional park in the southern part of Poland. The methodology includes field and indoor studies. Plant communities, natural 2,000 habitats, protected areas, and cultural elements have been identified. The study area has been divided into study units/plots. The next stage of research was the evaluation of landscape elements on every study unit. It distinguished areas with very high, high and moderate landscape values： Directions for shaping the landscape were formulated in the final part of the study.

Heavy Metals in Dust Deposition in the Vicinity of Coal Ash Disposal Site Divkovici Ⅱ

DD （Dust deposition） was monitored over a 6-month period （April to September, 2011） at four sites located in villages near CADDⅡ（coal ash disposal site Divkovici Ⅱ）, one inside recultivated CADDⅠ （coal ash disposal site Divkovici Ⅰ） and at one in the middle of forest barrier as control site. The main aim of this paper is to perform monitoring of air dust pollution in the area by measuring of dust deposition, different metals associated with it, and probable adverse effects on human health. Concentrations of metals were measured by using Perkin-Elmer model Inductively Coupled Plasma and statistically evaluated with SPSS 17.0 statistical program. There was a correlation between some metals （Mn, Mo and Pb） and DD distribution. The daily limit values for concentration of DD proposed by national ＂Regulations on air quality＂ （200 mg/m^2d average annual value and 350 mg/m^2d high value） exceed at three measuring sites. The average maximum content of DD was 684.8 mg/m^2d downwind of CADDII, and the average minimum was 46.8 mg/m^2d at measuring site F. Concentrations of pollutants hazardous to the environment as Ni, Cr, Cu, Mo, Mn and Pb vary from one site to another.

Perceptions of Beach Stewards and Information Needs for Shorebird Stopover Sites Vary as a Function of Visitor Interests: Improving Stewardship Programs in Coastal Landscapes

Many studies have demonstrated that some of the activities of people can disturb nesting and foraging birds, particularly along coasts and estuaries. Some managers respond to human disturbance of sensitive species by closing beaches, but most have stewards monitor and restrict access to beaches or portions of beaches. Yet little is known about the type of visitor or their perceptions of beach stewards. This paper explores the general acceptance of beach stewards and their role in conservation of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa), other shorebirds, and horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) along the Delaware Bay (New Jersey) beaches by interviewing 279 visitors during the stopover period. While most people came to see the shorebird and horseshoe crab spectacle (60%), many came for the scenery, tranquility, and recreation. Just over half of the people interviewed said that the stewards were helpful (58%), although most of those that answered this question later said that they provided conservation value (86%), but only 40% said they relied on the stewards for information. On a Likert rating scale of 1 to 5 (the highest value), the mean rating for whether it was important for stewards to be present was 3.87 ± 0.09, and the rating for the presence of stewards who can provide information was 3.71 ± 0.11. In contrast, protection of shorebirds was rated a mean of 4.79 ± 0.04. There were significant visitor type differences in how important stewards were, but not in the importance of stewards who can provide information. Fishermen, recreationists, and people coming for scenery and tranquility rated the presence of stewards higher than those visitors who were interested in either shorebirds or crabs (or both). Ratings also differed significantly as a function of age and gender;older adults and females rated characteristics higher than did people under 30 years and males. Information needs identified by stewards are also discussed. These data can be used by the managers developing a strategy for conservation of shorebirds and other species sensitive to disturbance, and for the implementation of an effective stewardship program.

Determining Environmental Impacts for Sensitive Species: Using Iconic Species as Bioindicators for Management and Policy

Environmental assessment of impacts, management, and policy are important aspects of protection of human health and the environment. Assessing the impacts of human activities requires selection of bioindicator species that can be used to assess, manage, and develop public policies that ensure ecosystem integrity, and therefore sustainability of social, cultural, and economic systems. With the use of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Pacific Cod (Gadusmacrocephalus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), we explore assessment and measurement endpoints, and their relationship to management and development of public policy. This combination of fish and birds provides a diversity of life histories, ecosystem roles, human values, and resource use to explore their use as bioindicators and endpoints. It also allows examination of 1) conservation and protection of species and biodiversity, 2) protection of ecosystems, 3) provision of goods and services, and 4) societal well-being.

Assessment of the implementation status of best available techniques for cleaner production in the textile industry

The draft Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control(IPPC)regulation mandates compliance with best available techniques(BATs)for textile manufacturers.A study in Turkish textile facilities,covering 56 units across four sub-sectors,assessed the status of 488 BATs through on-site visits and surveys.The aim was to gauge the sector’s adherence to BATs.The findings revealed that 37% of surveyed BATs were fully implemented,rising to 88% when considering potential future implementations.This suggests a strong industry inclination toward adopting BATs for cleaner production and competitiveness.The study highlighted significant BAT-related investments in the textile sector,driven by environmental concerns,regulations,customer demands,resource efficiency,competition,and cost-benefit considerations.However,the study results also indicated that there is still much work to do for the implementation of some BATs.It was found that 60 BATs had lower implementation ratios(IR:0%-43%).Lower IR values for these BATs are mainly due to factors like specificity,high costs,long payback periods,operational difficulties,limited expertise,space constraints,customer requirements,quality concerns,operational issues,and sector-specific challenges.The study recommends similar assessments in other European industrial sectors to evaluate compliance with mandatory BATs outlined in the Industrial Emissions Directive.The insights from this study on the Turkish textile sector can serve as a valuable guide for future evaluations.

Iron Reduction and Adsorption on Shewanella Putrefaciens nearby Landfills in Northwest Florida

In Northwest Florida, the soil is mainly covered by poorly drained sandy soil of Myakka, which is characterized by a subsurface accumulation of humus and AI and Fe oxides. When organic rich landfill leachate is leaked to the iron rich soils, ferrous iron is released with the oxidation of organic compounds in the leachate. In this research, we investigated the activities of S. putrefaciens in reducing iron oxide in the iron rich soil of Northwest Florida with landfill leachate serving as the carbon source. S. putrefaciens had similar maximum specific growth rate and half saturation coefficients for all the leachate and soil samples. The average maximum specific growth rate was 0.008 hr^-1 and the average half saturation coefficient was 243.8 mg/L. Averagely, 2.2 mg ferrous iron was generated per mg COD consumed. In addition, adsorption of reduced ferrous iron on S. putrefaciens was further characterized. Ferrous iron adsorption on S. putrefaciens was a kinetic process, which increased with the increase of the reaction time. Equilibrium ferrous iron adsorption on S. putrefaciens can be reached after three hours. Ferrous iron had linear adsorption isotherms on S. putrefaciens for the pH range of 5 to 9.

Quantifying In-Stream Processes on Phosphorus Export Using an Empirical Approach

In-stream nutrient release and retention control the timing and quantity of export at the watershed outlet by mobilization and transport of phosphorus (P) sources from land to the channel, and remobilization of transient stores of P from stream beds. We investigated the significance of stream processes in regulating P loading to the Cannonsville watershed, NY, USA. A mass balance of estimated P inputs to the stream with observed P export at the watershed outlet was used to quantify P delivery and explore the behavior of P. Stream channel transport of both dissolved and particulate P is found to be non-conservative, with dissolved P being retained during low flows and particulate P released during high flows. The results suggest that differences in the magnitude and relative importance of in-stream biogeochemical processes under different flow regimes regulate P delivery in ways that may influence ecological impacts to downstream river reaches and reservoirs.

Investigation of influence of coal properties on dense-phase pneumatic conveying at high pressure

Experiments of dense-phase pneumatic conveying of pulverized coal using nitrogen were carried out in a test facility at pressures of up to 3.7 MPa to study the effects of coal type, particle size and moisture content on flow characteristics. The Jenike shear test and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） were employed to provide a better understanding of effects of the material properties on flow characteristics. Two kinds of pulverized coals, Yanzhou and Datong, with similar particle size, moisture content and density, were used in the test. Pressure drop increases with increasing the particle size at similar solid-gas ratio, superficial velocity and pressure in the receiving hopper, and pressure drops through different test sections decrease firstly and then rise with increasing the conveying velocity for the same particle size, mass flow rate and pressure in the receiving hopper. The flowability of pulverized coal decreases with increasing the moisture content in the range from 3.24% to 8.18%. Unconfined yield strength （UYS） increases and flow function （FF） decreases with increasing the moisture content. Results of the shearing tests are consistent with the results of the conveying study. Pressure drops through different test sections are discussed and analyzed.

Predicting the effectiveness of protected areas of Natura 2000 under climate change

Background:Protected areas(PAs)are aimed to hold the environmental conditions that facilitate species and ecosystems to persist.PAs can become climatically unsuitable and unable to sustain their current number of species under climate change.The Natura 2000(N2K)is the largest coordinated conservation tool assigned to maintain the long-term survival of Europe’s most significant species and habitats.In attempting to understand the effectiveness of PAs in the face of climate change scenarios,we tested two hypotheses:(1)PAs in the Alpine and the Boreal biogeographical regions will experience more newly emerged climate conditions(hotter and drier)compared to the climate representation of other biogeographical regions under future climate in Europe and(2)PAs in the Mediterranean and the Continental biogeographical regions will face more consistency in climate conditions due to less area of disappearing and novel climate in future.Methods:Current climate data(1960–1990)and projections for 2050 and 2070 of PAs of N2K were extracted from WorldClim global climate data.Principal components analysis(PCA)was performed to construct climate space for the PAs across the biogeographical regions based on 19 climatic variables assessed at 5-km resolution.ArcMap 10.1 was used to map the location of the novel and disappearing climates.Results:PAs in the Alpine region will experience more novel climate conditions in the future compared to other biogeographical regions.The future projections showed that 17.70%of the PAs in the Alpine region will experience novel climate by 2070.Considerable climate consistency was observed in the PAs in the Continental region compared to the other biogeographical regions.Our results showed that about 176 km2 of the selected PAs in the Continental region will face new emerging climate,while about 110 km2 will disappear under RCP 8.5 scenario.The prediction also revealed that in the Mediterranean region 08 PAs will experience novel climate and 786 km2 areas in these PAs will face disappearing climate by 2070.We found that fewer areas of PAs in the Boreal regions will experience disappearing climate in both the scenarios.Conclusions:The portion of novel climate conditions can be seen as a future opportunity to assign new reserves for the species.Our study highlights the importance of conservation planning to increase the connectivity between PAs,identifying novel conservation zones to maximize representation of habitats during the emerging climatic changes as well as designing strategies,management,and monitoring of the individual PAs.

Characterization of primary and secondary wastewater treatment sludge from a pulp and board mill complex to evaluate the feasibility of utilization as a soil amendment agent and a fertilizer product

In this study,we have determined the main important physical and chemical properties as well as the heavy metal concentrations of the primary and secondary wastewater treatment sludge from a pulp and board mill complex located in Finland in order to evaluate the utilization of these by-products as a soil amendment agent or a fertilizer product.Easily soluble Ca,Mg,K,Na,P and S concentrations in the sludges were extracted by ammonium acetate(CH3COONH4)and easily soluble Cu,Mn and Zn concentrations by CH3COONH4+Na2EDTA.For the determination of total nutrient and total heavy metal concentrations in sludges,they were digested using aqua regia(3 mL HCl+9 mL HNO3).The total heavy concentrations in the primary sludge were lower than the Finnish heavy metal limit values for fertilizer products.In the secondary sludge,all other total heavy metals than the total Cd concentration(4.8 mg/kg;d.w.)were lower than the heavy metal limit values for fertilizer products.Due to the low total heavy metal concentrations,which were lower than the Finnish limit values for fertilizer products,the primary sludge is a potential fertilizer.Although the total Cd concentration(4.8 mg/kg;d.w.)in the secondary sludge exceed the limit value of 1.5 mg/kg(d.w.)for fertilizer products,this residue may be used as a soil improver,a growing media or as a fertilizer product in landfill sites or in other closed industrial areas,because the Finnish limit values for fertilizer products are not applied at these sites.