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Abstract New techniques for emissions reduction and energy efficiency are important challenges of the steel industry. Although great advantages have been reached in these fields, there are still new opportunities. One of them is the possible development of systems to recover energy from slags. The recent policies that encourage the use of renewable and alternative energies determine a favorable scenario for the development of new techniques of heat recovering. In this context, this article presents a new heat recuperation system for the slags produced in the factories of Arcelor–Mittal in Asturias (Spain) and study in detail the design of an innovative slags heat exchanger. To adjust its performance and to determine the influence of the geometric and flow design parameters, the heat exchanger has been simulated using numerical analysis software (CFD).

[ES]Se ha elaborado una nueva base de datos de precipitaciones medias mensuales y temperaturas máximas y mínimas medias mensuales, con la que se han analizado los datos de 142 estaciones meteorológicas obtenidos de la Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) para el periodo (1989-2018). En este estudio se presentan los resultados de diferentes pruebas de homogeneización y relleno de 134, 172 y 176 series de temperaturas y precipitaciones provenientes de las estaciones ubicadas en la región de Extremadura. Para ello, se realizó un primer control de calidad de los datos cumpliendo con los requisitos de la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM) y las recomendaciones indicadas por el Real Instituto Meteorológico de los Países Bajos (KNMI). Posteriormente se llevó a cabo la homogeneización de las series utilizando el software Climatol, en el que se han implementado diferentes funciones que permiten depurar los datos a través de un análisis de los valores atípicos y de la homogeneidad, así como la completación de las lagunas de las series. Los análisis confirman la obtención de unos niveles de depuración de los datos muy altos, confiables y de buena calidad; obteniendo así una nueva base de datos para posteriores estudios climáticos. [EN]A new database of monthly average rainfall and monthly average maximum and minimum temperatures has been developed, with which data from 142 weather stations obtained from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) for the period (1989-2018) have been analysed. This study presents the results of different homogenisation and backfilling tests of 134, 172 and 176 temperature and precipitation series from stations located in the region of Extremadura. For this purpose, a first quality control of the data was carried out in compliance with the requirements of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the recommendations indicated by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). Subsequently, the series were homogenised using Climatol software, in which different functions have been implemented to clean the data through an analysis of outliers and homogeneity, as well as filling in the gaps in the series. The analyses confirm the achievement of very high, reliable and good quality data cleaning levels, thus obtaining a new database for further climate studies. Esta investigación fue financiada por la Junta de Extremadura y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) a través de la ayuda al grupo de investigación Alcántara (TIC008), GR21006, y el Proyecto IB18001 “Análisis y modelización del impacto del cambio climático sobre la distribución de zonas vitícolas en Extremadura”. Ponencia presentada en: XII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Santiago de Compostela entre el 19 y el 21 de octubre de 2022.

Flare stacks are a key element in the safety of petrochemical and refinery industries; the correct operating conditions thereof must be ensured through a schedule for the periodic reviewing of all parts thereof. Advances in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) in recent years and the application thereof to this field allow reliable, objective information to be obtained. This article describes and groups together the main applicable NDT techniques, analysing their advantages and disadvantages, updated with the new possibilities offered by unmanned aircraft or drones.

This work evaluates, for the first time, the possibility of producing multifunctional alkali-activated composites combining ultra-low density, low thermal conductivity, high acoustic absorption, and good moisture buffering capacity. The composites were prepared using cork as a lightweight aggregate. This novel material might promote energy savings and tackle the CO2 emissions of the building sector, while simultaneously improve the comfort for inhabitants (e.g. humidity levels regulation and sound pollution reduction). The composites apparent density (as low as 168 kg/m3) and thermal conductivity (as low as 68 mW/m K) are amongst the lowest ever reported for alkali-activated materials (AAM) composites and foams, while their sound absorption ability is comparable to the best performing AAM foams reported to date, but in addition these eco-friendly composites also show good ability to passively adjust the humidity levels inside buildings. The multifunctional properties shown by the cork – AAM composites set them apart from other conventional building materials and might contribute to the global sustainability of the construction sector. Peer Reviewed

AbstractLightning is the main precursor of natural wildfires and Long-Continuing-Current (LCC) lightning flashes are proposed to be the main igniters of lightning-ignited wildfires (LIW). Previous studies predict a change of the global occurrence rate and spatial pattern of total lightning. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of lightning-ignited wildfire occurrence to climate change is uncertain. Here, we investigate space-based measurements of LCC lightning associated with lightning ignitions and present LCC lightning projections under the Representative Concentration Pathway RCP6.0 for the 2090s by applying a recent LCC lightning parameterization based on the updraft strength in thunderstorms. We find a 41% global increase of the LCC lightning flash rate. Increases are largest in South America, the western coast of North America, Central America, Australia, Southern and Eastern Asia, and Europe, while only regional variations are found in northern polar forests, where fire risk can affect permafrost soil carbon release. These results show that lightning schemes including LCC lightning are needed to project the occurrence of lightning-ignited wildfires under climate change.

Abstract The impact of CO 2 leakage from underground storage formations on shallow water resources is a concerning aspect in CO 2 capture and storage (CCS) risk assessment. In Campo de Calatrava region (Spain), natural CO 2 fluxes from the Earth’s mantle interact with shallow aquifers, resulting in significant changes in their physical and chemical properties. The resultant water is slightly acidic (pH 5.9-6.4), oxidizing, and enriched in iron (up to 6.1×10 -4 mol·L -1 ) and other metals usually found at trace concentrations. Thermodynamic calculations reveal that aqueous Fe(III) carbonate complexes play an important role in the persistence of this high concentration of iron and trace metals in solution.

The lack of real integration between the different dimensions of sustainability is highlighted in the literature as one of the main hindrances to lessening the environmental risks and impacts of large-scale development projects. This paper discusses a hypothesis concerning the problems of integration between the different dimensions of sustainability in socio-environmental research into such projects. Differences in modes of knowledge production and the relationships of these with prevailing social positions constitute the crux of the argument. Endeavours to improve translational knowledge and mixed research methodologies (seeking the semi-standardization of research processes) are put forward as approaches to overcoming the above-mentioned obstacles.