• Energy Research
• 7. Clean energy close
• 11. Sustainability close
• 12. Responsible consumption close
• 3. Good health close
• RU close

Closed-loop supply chain networks are gaining research popularity due to environmental, economic and social concerns. Such networks are primarily designed to overcome carbon footprints and to retrieve end of life products from customers. This study considers a multi echelon closed-loop supply chain in the presence of machine disruption. A multi-objective model is presented to optimize the total cost, the total time and emissions in a closed-loop supply chain network. The aim is to analyze the trade-off between the objectives of cost, time, and emissions and how these decisions are impacted by the selection of different available machines. A number of solution approaches are tested on a case study from the tire industry. The results suggest the improved performance of the hybrid heuristic and the importance of controlling disruption in a closed-loop supply chain network. Furthermore, there is a trade-off between the different objective functions which can help the decision maker to choose a particular solution according to the preference of an organization. Finally, conclusion and future research avenues are provided.

In 16 patients with unifocal thyroid autonomy suffering from hyperthyroidism and in 2 patients and euthyrosis 2-4 ml 96% alcohol was instilled to destroy the autonomous thyroid tissue while permanently monitoring the procedure by means of sonography. 17 of the patients were suffering from struma nodosa. Localization of the focally autonomous adenoma was possible, together with differentiation against concomitant thyroid nodes with normal or reduced function, by coinciding the findings obtained via colour Doppler sonography and scintiscanning. In one female patient local pain occurred during instillation that had to be alleviated by means of analgetics; there were no other noticeable side effects. 12 of 16 patients suffering from hyperthyroidism were euthyrotic 5 weeks after the first alcohol instillation; the thyrostatic dose had to be reduced in 4 patients. B-image sonography showed a reduction in size of the instilled adenomas and echo-poor and partly cystic transformation. Colour Doppler sonography revealed a marked reduction of internal vascularisation with preserved marginal vessels. Scintiscan control no longer visualised the autonomic foci (n = 10) or only with reduced activity (n = 7). Sonographically monitored on-target instillation of alcohol into autonomic thyroid adenoma is an effective, low-risk and low-cost procedure that can also be applied to outpatients by physicians well-versed in colour Doppler sonography and sonographic puncture technique. Colour Doppler sonographic localization of autonomic foci is methodically mandatory in patients suffering from struma multinodosa.

Is it true that a nuclear technology approach to generate electric energy offers a clean, safe, reliable and affordable, i.e., sustainable option? In principle yes, however a technology impact on the environment strongly depends on the actual implementation bearing residual risks due to technical failures, human factors, or natural catastrophes. A full response is thus difficult and can be given first when the wicked multi-disciplinary issues get well formulated and “resolved”. These problems are lying at the interface between: the necessary R&D effort, the industrial deployment and the technology impact in view of the environmental sustainability including the management of produced hazardous waste. As such, this problem is clearly of multi-dimensional nature. This enormous complexity indicates that just a description of the problem might cause a dilemma. The paper proposes a novel holistic approach applying Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to assess the potential of nuclear energy systems with respect to a sustainable performance. It shows how to establish a multi-level criteria structure tree and examines the trading-off techniques for scoring and ranking of options. The presented framework allows multi-criteria and multi-group treatment. The methodology can be applied to support any pre-decisional process launched in a country to find the best nuclear and/or non-nuclear option according to national preferences and priorities. The approach addresses major aspects of the environmental footprint of nuclear energy systems. As a case study, advanced nuclear fuel cycles are analyzed, which were previously investigated by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA/OECD) expert group WASTEMAN. Sustainability facets of waste management, resource utilization and economics are in focus.

At metallurgical enterprises, slab transfer devices are widely used, the principle of operation of which is to lift slabs in the steel casting area and transport them to the storage area. The article considers the existing control system of the slab transfer device. At the moment, the mechanism has a DC motor controlled by a thyristor Converter. This system is difficult to maintain and has a large size. As an upgrade, the installation of an asynchronous motor with a frequency Converter is proposed. In the Matlab environment, mathematical models of single-circuit and double-circuit DC motor control systems and a model of asynchronous motor with a short-circuited rotor have been developed. A vector control system is used as an AC motor control system. As a result of simulation performed analysis of the characteristics. As an optimization of the system with vector control, in order to reduce dynamic loads on the turntable, it is proposed to introduce an intensity setter into the system, the use of which provides the necessary restriction of accelerations and jerks, reduces shock loads on the mechanical components of the electric drive, including a reduction in the load on the turntable when lowering the slab.

The object of the study is the water supply and sanitation system of an industrial enterprise. Currently, many enterprises do not use the treated industrial waste water in the water supply cycle. Therefore, the use of treated wastewater is of practical importance. The scheme of thermal treatment of waste water for obtaining pure condensate by evaporation is proposed. The main results of the study are the technical solution for the development of the enterprise's wastewater treatment complex. Pure condensate is obtained in an instant boiling evaporator. The research method is based on the calculation of energy costs in wastewater treatment for different types of waste water. The results of the study allow us to determine the optimal set of energy equipment for obtaining pure condensate and its further use. The specific practical significance lies in the development of a technical solution that helps the treatment of wastewater and the reduction of emissions into the water basin.

The oil production and refining processes are directly dependent on historical and political processes. The world wars of the 20th century were catalysts for the transformation of oil as the main energy resource. The capacity of enterprises in the oil refining industry is important for the development of politics and economies of states because oil products are one of the most sought after goods. Addressing the problem of capacity development for oil resource processing at Russian refineries is a relevant topic to build an effective policy for the distribution of global oil resources. The purpose of this paper is to identify the distribution trends in oil resource refining capacities in Russia. The developed method allows us to determine the dynamics of refining capacities in all regions of the country, establish the contributions of refinery groups to regional and countrywide capacities, and identify trends in the capacity concentrations of refineries and regions. The timeline that was used for the research period is 2009–2019. The results of the study showed increases in processing capacity in all federal districts. By 2019, the Volga Federal District provided the largest annual contribution to the countrywide capacity. The Southern Federal District moved up from the fourth to second position. It was followed by the Siberian, Central, Northwestern, Far Eastern, and Ural Federal Districts. The trends in the distribution capacities across the country indicate the prospect for building additional refineries in the Asian part of Russia. Rosneft was the leader, while Gazprom retained the second position. Independent refiners took the third position in terms of total refinery capacity, with Lukoil in the fourth position. Furthermore, Surgut-NG, Tatneft, Mini refineries, and NOVATEK followed the top four positions. The changes in concentration ratios indicated the increased monopolization of the refinery market. A decisive contribution to this process was due to by Rosneft’s takeover of TNK-BP and Bashneft’s capacities. The changes in regional concentrations were influenced by the changes in processing capacities of the Volga Federal District.

The aim of the study - identification of factors that ensure the vital activity of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North in the Arctic, as well as the analysis of their impact on the preservation and development of the ethnic group. Identifying problems and assessing the prospects for the development of indigenous people consists of 3 stages: analysis of foreign and domestic sources, the results of scientific research teams; systematization of statistical data, including information on the dynamics of the development of indigenous people (number, employment in traditional activities); the impact assessing of legal, economic and social factors on the preservation and development of indigenous people. A comprehensive analysis of a wide range of legal, economic and social problems of ensuring the traditional life of indigenous people within the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF) has shown the need to improve legislative, financial and managerial actions to preserve them as a specific community, adapted to the extremely severe conditions of permanent residence beyond the Arctic Circle and as a unique phenogenotype, whose activity is closely conjugated with the environmental state of the macroregion and in fact is entirely dependent on it. The exclusive role of indigenous peoples in preserving the natural complexes of the Arctic in the 21st century for future generations was emphasized. Under the conditions of proliferation of technogenic and anthropogenic burden on the natural complexes of the macroregion, associated with the intensive development of fuel and power resources, deposits of rare and precious metals, development of coastal transport infrastructure and a multiple increase in the population in the Russian Arctic with a creation of "stronghold areas" the threat of the indigenous peoples' disappearance appeared (Enets - about 200 people remain and less than 100 people - the Votes). Under the conditions of a large-scale, integral impact of man-made, anthropogenic and climatic factors on indigenous communities in the Arctic, their life environment and traditional management the need for urgent adoption of a complex of specific and targeted legal, economic and social measures aimed at ensuring and preserving their livelihoods is obvious.

A numerical method of calculating the neutron yield of accelerator neutron generators using the nuclear reactions D(d, n)3He and T(d, n)4He and results are presented. For a generator with a titanium target, the neutron yield is presented for different accelerating voltages and ratios of the ion-flux components and approximate relations suitable for real-time evaluation of the neutron yield are obtained.