scholarly journals Potential energy of plant biomass: banana, coconut, cacao and corn

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Genial Belvine Epeni Tombo ◽  
Edison Cedeño Zambrano ◽  
Jair Loor Barreiro ◽  
Jordi Medranda Posligua
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Energy Potential

In this document, a study was carried out on the energy potential of plant biomass in the Portoviejo canton, since climate change is not a utopia, but the reality. Throughout this study, an overview of the capacity in biomass at the national, provincial and cantonal level (Portoviejo) was presented, a study on the culture of banana, cocoa, coconut, and corn was made since it is important to know if the canton can respond to the biomass demand of the selected plants. Then the socio-economic and environmental impacts were analyzed in a general way.

scholarly journals Assessing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of Alternative Renewable Portfolio Standards: Winners and Losers

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3319
Author(s):  
Jamal Mamkhezri ◽  
Leonard A. Malczynski ◽  
Janie M. Chermak
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
The State ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Renewable Portfolio Standard ◽  
County Level ◽  
Renewable Portfolio Standards ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Output Analysis ◽  
The Impact

State-mandated renewable portfolio standards affect substantial portions of the total U.S. electricity supply. Renewable portfolio standards are environmentally motivated policies, yet they have the potential to greatly impact economy. There is not an agreement in the literature on the impact of renewable portfolio standards policies on regional economies, especially on job creation. By integrating various methodologies including econometrics, geographic information system, and input–output analysis into a unique system dynamics model, this paper estimates the economic and environmental impacts of various renewable portfolio standards scenarios in the state of New Mexico, located in Southwestern U.S. The state is endowed with traditional fossil fuel resources and substantial renewable energy potential. In this work we estimated and compared the economic and environmental tradeoffs at the county level under three renewable portfolio standards: New Mexico’s original standard of 20% renewables, the recently adopted 100% renewables standard, and a reduced renewable standard of 10%. The final one would be a return to a more traditional generation profile. We found that while the 20% standard has the highest market-based economic impact on the state as a whole, it is not significantly different from other scenarios. However, when environmental impacts are included, the 100% standard yields the highest value. In addition, while the state level economic impacts across the three scenarios are not significantly different, the county-level impacts are substantial. This is especially important for a state like New Mexico, which has a high reliance on energy for economic development. A higher renewable portfolio standard appears to be an economic tool to stimulate targeted areas’ economic growth. These results have policy implications.

scholarly journals Gasification of Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) Biomass–Energy Recovery and Environmental Impacts

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4960
Author(s):  
Adam Koniuszy ◽  
Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw ◽  
Cezary Podsiadło ◽  
Paweł Sędłak ◽  
Ewa Możdżer
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Root Elongation ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Liquid Waste ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Gas Generator ◽  
Phytotoxic Effect

Biomass from cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) is considered a renewable energy source that can be converted into alternative fuel. Calorific syngas, a promising type of advanced fuel, can be produced through thermochemical biomass gasification. In this study, the suitability of cup plant biomass for gasification was assessed, including the process energy balance and environmental impacts of waste from syngas purification. Silphium perfoliatum L. was cultivated as a gasification feedstock in different conditions (irrigation, fertilization). The experiments were performed in a membrane gasifier. All obtained energy parameters were compared to the biomass yield per hectare. The toxic effects of liquid waste were assessed using tests analyzing germination/seed root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Leachates collected from condensation tanks of a gas generator were introduced to soil at the following doses: 100, 1000 and 10,000 mg kg−1 DM of soil. The usefulness of Silphium perfoliatum L. for gasification was confirmed. The factors of plant cultivation affected the biomass yield, the volume and calorific value of syngas and the amount of biochar. It was determined that the components found in condensates demonstrate a phytotoxic effect, restricting or inhibiting germination and root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Due to this potential hazard, the possibility of its release to the environment should be limited. Most of the biomass is only used for heating purposes, but the syngas obtained from the cup plant can be used to power cogeneration systems, which, apart from heat, also generate electricity.

scholarly journals Biodegradation of Hemicellulose-Cellulose-Starch-Based Bioplastics and Microbial Polyesters

Recycling ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Mateus Manabu Abe ◽  
Marcia Cristina Branciforti ◽  
Michel Brienzo
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Solid Wastes ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Final Disposition

The volume of discarded solid wastes, especially plastic, which accumulates in large quantities in different environments, has substantially increased. Population growth and the consumption pattern of societies associated with unsustainable production routes have caused the pollution level to increase. Therefore, the development of materials that help mitigate the impacts of plastics is fundamental. However, bioplastics can result in a misunderstanding about their properties and environmental impacts, as well as incorrect management of their final disposition, from misidentifications and classifications. This chapter addresses the aspects and factors surrounding the biodegradation of bioplastics from natural (plant biomass (starch, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and starch) and bacterial polyester polymers. Therefore, the biodegradation of bioplastics is a factor that must be studied, because due to the increase in the production of different bioplastics, they may present differences in the decomposition rates.

The Benefit of Focusing on Air Pollution Instead of Climate Change: How Discussing Power Plant Emissions in the Context of Air Pollution, Rather than Climate Change, Influences Perceived Benefits, Costs, and Political Action for Policies to Limit Emissions

2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098044
Author(s):  
P. Sol Hart ◽  
Lauren Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Political Action ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Power Plant Emissions ◽  
Plant Emissions ◽  
Benefits And Costs

This experiment examines how framing power plant emissions in terms of air pollution or climate change, and in terms of health or environmental impacts, influences perceived benefits and costs of policies to reduce emissions and intentions to take political action that supports such policies. A moderated-mediation model reveals that focusing on air pollution, instead of climate change, has a positive significant indirect influence on intended political action through the serial mediators of perceived benefits and costs. Political ideology moderates the association between perceived benefits and political action. No framing effects are observed in the comparison between health and environmental impacts.

Potential contribution of the wastewater sector to energy supply

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1765-1771 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Heubeck ◽  
R. M. de Vos ◽  
R. Craggs
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Technology Selection ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Future Potential

The biological treatment of wastewater could yield high energy fuels such as methane and alcohols, however most conventional treatment systems do not recover this energy potential. With a simple model of the energy yields of various wastewater treatment technologies it is possible to demonstrate how minor shifts in technology selection can lead the industry from being identified as predominantly energy intensive, to being recognised as a source of energy resources. The future potential energy yield is estimated by applying energy yield factors to alternative use scenarios of the same wastewater loads. The method for identifying the energy potential of wastewater was demonstrated for the New Zealand wastewater sector, but can equally be applied to other countries or regions. The model suggests that by using technologies that maximise the recovery of energy from wastewater, the potential energy yield from this sector would be substantially increased (six fold for New Zealand).

scholarly journals Lifecycle assessment of a stapling machine

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Dunmade
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
Product Distribution ◽  
Mechanical Device ◽  
Lifecycle Assessment ◽  
Life Management ◽  
Resource Recycling ◽  
Eutrophication Potential

A stapler is a mechanical device used to join two or more sheets of paper together by driving a thin metal staple through the sheets. They are widely used in schools, offices, business, government and homes. The anticipated large quantity of waste that is disposed of annually present great risk of environmental pollution and opportunities for economically viable resource recycling. This study evaluates potential environmental impacts of a Stapling machine and its end-of-life management opportunities. Environmental lifecycle assessment (LCA) process was used for the evaluation. The assessment was implemented with the aid of SimaPro software version 7.3.3.Results of the analyses revealed that climate change and eutrophication are the significant potential environmental impacts. Each Stapler has 1.265130 kg CO2-eq in Global Warming Potential and 0.113067 max kg O2-eq as its Eutrophication Potential. Further examination also showed that most of the impacts are from material selection, product distribution, and end-of-life management of the stapling machine. This study provides insights on potential environmental impacts of stapling machines and potential opportunities for improvements in their end-of-life management.

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