• Energy Research

The control of major hazards involving dangerous substances in the chemical and process industry requires verifying equipment ageing according to the current legislation. This means to monitor its real conditions regarding degradation mechanisms and forecast their evolution over time. A system, named Virtual Sensor, supports this activity that is usually conducted during on-field inspections (safety walks). It is designed to collect ageing-related information, process data through some models, and produce prognostic estimates regarding the corrosion rate, the probability of the critical pit, the corrosion evolution on the equipment surface, and the residual lifetime, visualising the results in Augmented Reality (AR). An atmospheric storage tank of diesel oil was chosen as the case study; its 3D model was realised, and a miniature model was reproduced in the laboratory. Through the Virtual Sensor, data of past inspections were acquired. The application successfully managed and elaborated these data, showing the outputs in AR during a safety walk.

Abstract The sustainability goals for soy biodiesel are to contribute to energy security by providing a domestically sourced fuel, to maintain and enhance the natzural resource base and environmental quality, to produce an economically viable fuel, and to improve the quality of life. Sustainability is more than just greenhouse gas savings. The main aspects of sustainability of soy biodiesel are environmental, economic and social effects of production and use. The intent of this paper is to identify the major sustainability concerns associated with specific resource use and the potential environmental and social consequences of widely deployed and expanded commercial production and use of soy biodiesel and to explore the opportunities for mitigating these concerns. The ecological and socio-economic consequences of large-scale renewable energy action plans for soy biodiesel are critically considered. This paper is based on the performance and prospects of soy biodiesel production on a global basis as emerging from some 30 life-cycle analyses relative to the main production areas (USA, Brazil, Argentina and PR China).

This paper reviews the performance and prospects of soy biodiesel production on a global basis as emerging from some 30 life-cycle assessments relative to the main soybean production areas (USA, Brazil, Argentina and P.R. China). Opportunities have been identified to improve the biodiesel life-cycle energy efficiency and environmental impact. The consequences of large-scale renewable action plans in the European Union and biodiesel mandates elsewhere are critically considered in terms of sustainability. Proceedings of the 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 3-7 June 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 2007-2014

Abstract The use of oil fly ash after the recovery of heavy valuable metals was investigated. More specifically, its use, as an adsorbent of dyes from industrial wastewater, was evaluated. Methylene blue was used as a model compound to study the adsorption capacity of the proposed carbonaceous residue from metal recovery treatments. The effects of contact time, initial dye concentration, and absorbent dose were investigated. The maximum amount of dye was adsorbed after one hour. Moreover, 1-3 g of residues were necessary for the removal of 200-1000 mg dm–3 from 0.050 dm3 of contacted solution. The Langmuir isotherm model was in good agreement with the adsorption equilibrium data, indicating a maximum monolayer saturation capacity of approximately 40 mg/g at 25 °C. High abatement efficiencies (up to 99 %) were obtained, and the adsorbed dye was released almost immediately by re-contacting with water. The adsorption capacity was at least four times lower than that of commercially available active carbon. The double treatment of oil fly ash with deionised water and hydrochloric acid allows for the extraction of over 85 % of the vanadium, iron, and nickel content in the ash. However, the negligible or zero cost of solid residues, otherwise disposed in landfills, indicates their potential as a valid alternative. The use of oil fly ash for both recovery of heavy valuable metals and the subsequent removal of dyes from wastewater suggest a zero-waste process.

Abstract This survey paper critically reviews the performance and prospects of soy biodiesel production on a global basis as assessed by some 30 life-cycle analyses (LCAs). The paper compares agricultural and industrial practices. Soy biodiesel is not a most sustainable product in all global circumstances. Life-cycle energy depends on specific climatic conditions, and on the agro- and processing technologies used. Alternative oilcrop cultivation practices and technologies were evaluated. Opportunities have been identified to improve the biodiesel life-cycle energy efficiency and environmental impact in relevant production areas (mainly USA, Brazil, Argentina and P.R. China) by implementing new technologies in agriculture as well as in industrial processing. The consequences of large-scale renewable energy action plans in the European Union and of biodiesel mandates in numerous countries worldwide are critically considered. The paper concludes with perspectives and recommendations.

Abstract Essential sustainability requirements for biodiesel are that the product should be truly renewable and have a lower negative environmental impact than fossil fuels based on the latest insights. Biodiesel is not a most sustainable product in all geographical circumstances. This survey paper reviews the performance and prospects of rape biodiesel production on a global basis using some 40 life cycle assessments (LCAs). The paper identifies best (agricultural) practice and laggards. Life cycle energy balance depends on specific climatic conditions, and the agro- and processing technologies used. Alternative oilcrop cultivation practices and technologies were assessed. Opportunities to improve rape biodiesel life cycle energy efficiency and environmental impact by implementing new technologies in agriculture as well as in industrial processing have been identified for various Brassica oilcrop cultivars in relevant production areas. The consequences of large-scale renewable energy action plans have been considered. Improvements are needed for rape biodiesel to stay in business. The paper concludes with perspectives and recommendations.

Current accident theories show that the solution to avoid human error cannot be based on focusing only on the correction of operators’ behavior, but needs certain innovation that will help to keep an error away. Since, as evidenced by several incident surveys, cranes are the most dangerous equipment in industrial and construction sites and human error is the most frequent cause of accidents, in this frame the crane navigation system is an important and challenging component, with a great potential for safety improvement. However, as the emerging and rapid development of new technologies aims improving the working conditions and environment through solutions regarding existing well-known problems in occupational safety, their implementation also could lead to emerging hazards and risks that must be taken into account and managed. Based on these facts, SPRINCE (Smart PRocess INdustry CranEs) project aims implementing a real-time object detection solution, which deals with cranes’ tracking systems and incorporates visual feedback, developing and implementing an innovative tool for evaluation of organizational and human (operator-specific) factors. These factors will be included in the risk indicators of the implemented real-time object detection solution using case studies approach.

The European Directive on Safety and Health at Work and the following normatives have the scope to provide high levels of health and safety at work, based on some general principles managing activities and including the risk assessment to continuously improve processes and workplaces. However, the working area changes and brings new risks and challenges for workers. Several of them are associated with new technologies, which determine complex human–machine interactions, leading to an increased mental and emotional strain. To reduce these emerging risks, their understanding and assessment are important. Although great efforts have already been made, there is still a lack of conceptual frameworks for analytically assessing human–machine interaction. This paper proposes a systematic approach that, beyond including the classification in domains to explain the complexity of the human–machine interaction, accounts for the information processing of the human brain. Its validation is shown in a major accident hazard industry where a smart safety device supporting crane related operations is used. The investigation is based on the construction of a questionnaire for the collection of answers about the feeling of crane operators when using the device and the evaluation of the Cronbach’s alpha to measure of the reliability of the assessment.