GASEOUS EMISSIONS FROM FOSSIL FUELS AND BIOMASS COMBUSTION IN SMALL HEATING APPLIANCES

The importance of emission control has increased sharply due to the increased need of energy from combustion. However, biomass utilization in energy production is not free from problems because of physical and chemical characteristics which are substantially different from conventional energy sources. In this situation, the quantity and quality of emissions as well as used renewable sources as wood or corn grain are often unknown. To assess this problem the paper addresses the objectives to quantify the amount of greenhouse gases during the combustion of corn as compared to the emissions in fossil combustion (natural gas, LPG and diesel boiler). The test was carried out in Friuli Venezia Giulia in 2006-2008 to determine the air pollution (CO, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2 and CO2) from fuel combustion in family boilers with a power between 20-30 kWt. The flue gas emission was measured with a professional semi-continuous multi-gas analyzer, (Vario plus industrial, MRU air Neckarsulm-Obereisesheim). Data showed a lower emission of fossil fuel compared to corn in family boilers in reference to pollutants in the flue gas (NOx, SO2 and CO). In a particular way the biomass combustion makes a higher concentration of carbon monoxide (for an incomplete combustion because there is not a good mixing between fuel and air) and nitrogen oxides (in relation at a higher content of nitrogen in herbaceous biomass in comparison to another fuel)

New personal protective equipment for cutting and shearing: Finger-safe

The personal protective equipment used in agriculture does not include specific devices and due to this fact they are not able to provide a suitable degree of protection of the operator. In particular, the hand is the part of the body that is more prone to serious injury (e.g. amputation). The aim of this study was to test new safety principals for reducing the risk of cutting. We performed 10 types of different tests that led us to the identification of gloves resistant to mechanical action as well as to cutting. The prototype has demonstrated a high protective efficiency against tools such as pneumatic or manual scissors. In conclusion, the study recommends the use of gloves with elements which absorb and dissipate energy and not just simple cut resistant gloves. \ua9 2015 Sirio R. S. Cividino et al

Neck injury patterns resulting from the use of petrol and electric chainsaws in suicides. Report on two cases.

Suicides due to neck injuries caused by chainsaws are uncommon events. The cutting elements of petrol and electric chainsaws produce different features in lethal neck injuries. The accurate evaluation of the death scene, of the power and mechanical characteristics of the chainsaw and of wound morphology are all essential in distinguishing a case of suicide. \ua9 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Risk analysis of agricultural, forestry and green maintenance working sites

This work is focused on serious and fatal accidents which occur at forestry, agricultural and green maintenance working sites. In these sites are performed operations related to tree cutting or felling with continuous use of chainsaws. During this study we investigated 123 professional as well as non-professional working sites. We considered all characteristics necessary to determine the operating conditions and to identify possible steps for an effective protection. The work highlights a very serious situation in both investigated working environments where all measures of job safety are systematically ignored. In conclusion, we recommend that for a significant reduction of serious and fatal accidents, a mandatory training should be extended to all chainsaws users. Passive and active safety systems which interrupt the operation of the saw when it does not comply with all obligatory safety rules (i.e. human vicinity to cutting chain, falling down of the operator and others) should be define

An Assessment of the Potential and Sustainability of Renewable Energy Sources in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Abstract In reference to the current energy strategy of the EU, that favours a "neutral" approach to energy source, the aim of the work was to understand which renewable energy sources (RES) and related technologies may best contribute to address the "energy problem", with particular reference to biomass (biofuels, biogas and biomass for combustion), in the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. The results indicated that Hydropower, Wind power, Solar PV (all roofs), Solar PV (parks), and Biogas could replace 30.6% of current gross energy consumption, with Wood heating contributing to an additional 7.1%. Assuming that Energy saving might still reduce total consumption by 26%, the sum of all RES (transport biofuels excluded) would amount to 50.9% of future gross energy inputs

Fatalities resulting from falls from height in agricultural contexts

Agricultural work encompasses a variety of activities which carry with them different risks. One such activity is working at height, a frequent cause of fatal accidents. The aim of this work is to describe and discuss a typical case of a fall from height in order to understand the traumatic consequences of such accidents, to analyze the dynamics and lesions, and highlight the dangers of working at height. These falls, which may involve farm workers who are officially or unofficially employed, can produce injuries whose seriousness is not always strictly correlated to the height of the fal