An environmental and economic assessment of the development of a plasma-chemical reactor equipped with plasma torches for the environmentally friendly treatment of waste streams by plasma is outlined with a view to th...An environmental and economic assessment of the development of a plasma-chemical reactor equipped with plasma torches for the environmentally friendly treatment of waste streams by plasma is outlined with a view to the chemical and energetic valorization of the sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA). This is especially applicable in the pilgrimage season in the city of Makkah, which is a major challenge since the amount of waste was estimated at about 750 thousand tons through Arabic Year 1435 H(2015), and is growing at a rate of 3%–5% annually. According to statistics, the value of waste in Saudi Arabia ranges between 8 and 9 billion EUR. The Plasma-Treatment Project(PTP) encompasses the direct plasma treatment of all types of waste(from source and landfill), as well as an environmental vision and economic evaluation of the use of the gas produced for fuel and electricity production in KSA, especially in the pilgrimage season in the holy city Makkah. The electrical power required for the plasmatreatment process is estimated at 5000 kW(2000 kW used for the operation of the system and 3000 kW sold), taking into account the fact that:(1) the processing capacity of solid waste is 100 tons per day(2) and the sale of electricity amounts to 23.8 MW at 0.18 EUR per kWh.(3) The profit from the sale of electricity per year is estimated at 3.27 million EUR and the estimated profit of solid-waste treatment amounts to 6 million EUR per year and(4) the gross profit per ton of solid waste totals 8 million EUR per year. The present article introduces the first stage of the PTP, in Makkah in the pilgrimage season, which consists of five stages:(1) study and treatment of waste streams,(2) slaughterhouse waste treatment,(3) treatment of refuse-derived fuel,(4)treatment of car tires and(5) treatment of slag(the fifth stage associated with each stage from the four previous stages).展开更多
The international efforts to limit climate change are increasing, that during the COP26 convention, reaching Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions became part of the global goals for many countries and entities. One of th...The international efforts to limit climate change are increasing, that during the COP26 convention, reaching Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions became part of the global goals for many countries and entities. One of the sectors that holds the responsibility of addressing the impacts of climate change is the healthcare sector, and accordingly, it is also encouraged to take a leading role in maintaining its sustainability and be a role model for the other sectors. Additionally, the buildings sector, through the World Green Building council, has taken the initiative to launch the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment for the sector. Based on these practices, the work presented aims to introduce and formulate an Approaching Net Zero assessment methodology to be integrated as part of the sustainability criteria and rating system for healthcare facilities in developing countries. The methodology planned is based on four different aspects which are: 1) Approaching Net Zero Energy, 2) Approaching Net Zero Wastewater, 3) Approaching Net Zero Solid Waste, and 4) Approaching Net Zero GHG emissions. The facility should have achieved a Green Building certification through any certification body, and then apply for the aspect on which it requires to be assessed. The assessment methodology follows a systematic approach, where a baseline year of normal operation is determined for existing facilities to act as a base of assessment, and normal design practices for new facilities Based on the assessment and proof of performance enhancement, the facility will either be awarded a basic certificate for achieving continuous savings, or additionally be awarded a best performance certificate compared to other facilities in the same category.展开更多
Herein we study the economic performance of hydrochar and synthetic natural gas coproduction from olive tree pruning.The process entails a combination of hydrothermal carbonization and methanation.In a previous work,w...Herein we study the economic performance of hydrochar and synthetic natural gas coproduction from olive tree pruning.The process entails a combination of hydrothermal carbonization and methanation.In a previous work,we evidenced that standalone hydrochar production via HTC results unprofitable.Hence,we propose a step forward on the process design by implementing a methanation,adding value to the gas effluent in an attempt to boost the overall process techno-economic aspects.Three different plant capacities were analyzed(312.5,625 and 1250 kg/hr).The baseline scenarios showed that,under the current circumstances,our circular economy strategy in unprofitable.An analysis of the revenues shows that hydrochar selling price have a high impact on NPV and subsidies for renewable coal production could help to boost the profitability of the process.On the contrary,the analysis for natural gas prices reveals that prices 8 times higher than the current ones in Spain must be achieved to reach profitability.This seems unlikely even under the presence of a strong subsidy scheme.The costs analysis suggests that a remarkable electricity cost reduction or electricity consumption of the HTC stage could be a potential strategy to reach profitability scenarios.Furthermore,significant reduction of green hydrogen production costs is deemed instrumental to improve the economic performance of the process.These results show the formidable techno-economic challenge that our society faces in the path towards circular economy societies.展开更多
文摘An environmental and economic assessment of the development of a plasma-chemical reactor equipped with plasma torches for the environmentally friendly treatment of waste streams by plasma is outlined with a view to the chemical and energetic valorization of the sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA). This is especially applicable in the pilgrimage season in the city of Makkah, which is a major challenge since the amount of waste was estimated at about 750 thousand tons through Arabic Year 1435 H(2015), and is growing at a rate of 3%–5% annually. According to statistics, the value of waste in Saudi Arabia ranges between 8 and 9 billion EUR. The Plasma-Treatment Project(PTP) encompasses the direct plasma treatment of all types of waste(from source and landfill), as well as an environmental vision and economic evaluation of the use of the gas produced for fuel and electricity production in KSA, especially in the pilgrimage season in the holy city Makkah. The electrical power required for the plasmatreatment process is estimated at 5000 kW(2000 kW used for the operation of the system and 3000 kW sold), taking into account the fact that:(1) the processing capacity of solid waste is 100 tons per day(2) and the sale of electricity amounts to 23.8 MW at 0.18 EUR per kWh.(3) The profit from the sale of electricity per year is estimated at 3.27 million EUR and the estimated profit of solid-waste treatment amounts to 6 million EUR per year and(4) the gross profit per ton of solid waste totals 8 million EUR per year. The present article introduces the first stage of the PTP, in Makkah in the pilgrimage season, which consists of five stages:(1) study and treatment of waste streams,(2) slaughterhouse waste treatment,(3) treatment of refuse-derived fuel,(4)treatment of car tires and(5) treatment of slag(the fifth stage associated with each stage from the four previous stages).
文摘The international efforts to limit climate change are increasing, that during the COP26 convention, reaching Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions became part of the global goals for many countries and entities. One of the sectors that holds the responsibility of addressing the impacts of climate change is the healthcare sector, and accordingly, it is also encouraged to take a leading role in maintaining its sustainability and be a role model for the other sectors. Additionally, the buildings sector, through the World Green Building council, has taken the initiative to launch the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment for the sector. Based on these practices, the work presented aims to introduce and formulate an Approaching Net Zero assessment methodology to be integrated as part of the sustainability criteria and rating system for healthcare facilities in developing countries. The methodology planned is based on four different aspects which are: 1) Approaching Net Zero Energy, 2) Approaching Net Zero Wastewater, 3) Approaching Net Zero Solid Waste, and 4) Approaching Net Zero GHG emissions. The facility should have achieved a Green Building certification through any certification body, and then apply for the aspect on which it requires to be assessed. The assessment methodology follows a systematic approach, where a baseline year of normal operation is determined for existing facilities to act as a base of assessment, and normal design practices for new facilities Based on the assessment and proof of performance enhancement, the facility will either be awarded a basic certificate for achieving continuous savings, or additionally be awarded a best performance certificate compared to other facilities in the same category.
基金supported by the grants FJC2021–047672-I and FJC2021–048089-Ico-financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR funds+1 种基金sponsored by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project PLEC2021–008086 sponsored by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 Next Generation Europe and Junta de Andalucía PAIDI program through the project P20_00667MZAMBRANO-2021–19889 excellence grant sponsored by the European Union Next Generation EU program。
文摘Herein we study the economic performance of hydrochar and synthetic natural gas coproduction from olive tree pruning.The process entails a combination of hydrothermal carbonization and methanation.In a previous work,we evidenced that standalone hydrochar production via HTC results unprofitable.Hence,we propose a step forward on the process design by implementing a methanation,adding value to the gas effluent in an attempt to boost the overall process techno-economic aspects.Three different plant capacities were analyzed(312.5,625 and 1250 kg/hr).The baseline scenarios showed that,under the current circumstances,our circular economy strategy in unprofitable.An analysis of the revenues shows that hydrochar selling price have a high impact on NPV and subsidies for renewable coal production could help to boost the profitability of the process.On the contrary,the analysis for natural gas prices reveals that prices 8 times higher than the current ones in Spain must be achieved to reach profitability.This seems unlikely even under the presence of a strong subsidy scheme.The costs analysis suggests that a remarkable electricity cost reduction or electricity consumption of the HTC stage could be a potential strategy to reach profitability scenarios.Furthermore,significant reduction of green hydrogen production costs is deemed instrumental to improve the economic performance of the process.These results show the formidable techno-economic challenge that our society faces in the path towards circular economy societies.