Life cycle assessment of power generation systems in Spain: Exploring a broader view from a consequential perspective

Developing new clean power generation systems is a research priority for the energy sector, and selection should be based on environmental performance over the entire lifetime. Consequential Life Cycle Assessment evaluates the consequences of this selection and provides environmental data to support decision-making. This research uses a consequential approach to assess the environmental impacts of two medium power generation systems. The selected environmental impact assessment methods are IPCC 2013 GWP 100y and ReCiPe 2016. Moreover, the work describes a methodology for finding the marginal mix technologies for electricity and cooling energy production depending on the time horizon. The positive environmental consequences associated with short-term marginal energy mixes (electricity and cooling) progressively disappear when the marginal energy mix varies throughout time. The environmental results strongly depend on the marginal mix of technologies and evidence the necessity to develop methodologies and standards to improve the robustness of environmental assessments. A new line of discussion is opened concerning the temporal variation of environmental impacts of an energy production system, which could also be considered in Attributional Life Cycle Assessments

Assessing the effectiveness of goal-oriented modeling languages: A family of experiments

[EN] Context Several goal-oriented languages focus on modeling stakeholders' objectives, interests or wishes. However, these languages can be used for various purposes (e.g., exploring system solutions or evaluating alternatives), and there are few guidelines on how to use these models downstream to the software requirements and design artifacts. Moreover, little attention has been paid to the empirical evaluation of this kind of languages. In a previous work, we proposed value@GRL as a specialization of the Goal Requirements Language (GRL) to specify stakeholders' goals when dealing with early requirements in the context of incremental software development. Objective: This paper compares the value@GRL language with the i* language, with respect to the quality of goal models, the participants' modeling time and productivity when creating the models, and their perceptions regarding ease of use and usefulness. Method: A family of experiments was carried out with 184 students and practitioners in which the participants were asked to specify a goal model using each of the languages. The participants also filled in a questionnaire that allowed us to assess their perceptions. Results: The results of the individual experiments and the meta-analysis indicate that the quality of goal models obtained with value@GRL is higher than that of i*, but that the participants required less time to create the goal models when using i*. The results also show that the participants perceived value@GRL to be easier to use and more useful than i* in at least two experiments of the family. Conclusions: value@GRL makes it possible to obtain goal models with good quality when compared to i*, which is one of the most frequently used goal-oriented modeling languages. It can, therefore, be considered as a promising emerging approach in this area. Several insights emerged from the study and opportunities for improving both languages are outlined.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Adapt@Cloud project, grant number TIN2017-84550-R) and the Programa de Ayudas de Investigación y Desarrollo (PAID-01-17) from the Universitat Politècnica de València.Abrahao Gonzales, SM.; Insfran, E.; González-Ladrón-De-Guevara, F.; Fernández-Diego, M.; Cano-Genoves, C.; Pereira De Oliveira, R. (2019). Assessing the effectiveness of goal-oriented modeling languages: A family of experiments. Information and Software Technology. 116:1-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2019.08.003S12411

Efeito do biossólido de indústria têxtil para o solo e para a produção do capim-elefante / Effect of textile industry biosolids for soil fertility and elephantgrass production

O biossólido é um lodo semissólido proveniente de estações de tratamento de efluentes, que apresenta em sua composição quantidades elevadas de nutrientes e matéria orgânica, os quais são frequentemente aproveitados como fertilizante agrícola. Com isto, vem apresentando papel importante na restauração da fertilidade do solo, principalmente em solos com baixa fertilidade. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito do biossólido produzido pela Estação de Tratamento de Efluentes (ETE) de uma indústria têxtil para a fertilidade do solo e produção do capim-elefante. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, compostos por 6 (seis) tratamentos: sem adubação, adubação convencional, 1x, 2x, 4x e 8x a dose de biossólido recomendada pela Resolução CONAMA 375/06, com três repetições cada, totalizando 18 (dezoito) parcelas experimentais para a cultura do capim-elefante. Além das análises realizadas diretamente no capim-elefante, buscou-se entender também os efeitos que o biossólido pode agregar ao solo, investigando as possíveis perdas ou ganhos físico-químicos e a possível contaminação por metais pesados. O principal resultado esperado foi entender se o uso do biossólido como fertilizante pode substituir os fertilizantes comerciais, dando mais benefícios ambientais, assim como bons níveis de produtividade para o capim-elefante.Foi possível constatar que o biossólido conseguiu atender as demandas nutricionais das plantas, incrementando a biomassa vegetal, tornando-se apta a ser utilizada na alimentação animal, auxiliando a planta a desenvolver plenamente antes, principalmente nos lotes com maiores dosagens de biossólido

Impactos do lançamento de efluentes na qualidade da água do riacho Mussuré

The main purpose of this study was the investigation of impacts of the disposal of industrial and domestic effluents on the quality of the water of a hydric body, considering the probable repercussions on the environment and on the health of the user population. The delimited study area was the Mussuré stream basin, which is located in the Gramame river basin, in the state of Paraíba. Along its course, the Mussuré stream receives discharges of domestic sewers, solid residues and the most diverse industrial pollutant loads, since it flows through the Industrial District of João Pessoa. The work methodology consisted of analyzing water quality data, as well as observing in loco the area s problems and collecting information from the agencies responsible for environmental causes. The data, regarding physical, chemical, bacteriological and heavy metals concentration parameters, was analyzed spatially, along five sampling stations, and temporally. Multivariate analysis and two water quality indexes (IQAOBJ and IQABA) were also used to study the data. Several alterations were verified in the water quality of the Mussuré stream, along its entire course. The DO contents were considerably below the limit established by CONAMA Resolution 357/05 for the class 3 (4,0 mg/L), in all monitored stations. The station situated approximately at the halfway mark of the stream course presented the highest BOD, color and turbidity values, and the lowest water quality referenced to the two mentioned indexes, fact due to the discharge of industrial effluents upstream from this station. In general, the concentrations of analyzed metals were above the limits established by CONAMA Resolution 357/05. After analyzing the results, it was concluded that the Mussuré stream presents a high degradation degree and its water represents a substantial risk for the health of the user populationCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESEste estudo teve como objetivo central a investigação dos impactos do lançamento de efluentes industriais e domésticos sobre a qualidade da água de um corpo hídrico, considerando as prováveis repercussões no ambiente e na saúde da população usuária desta água. Para tanto, delimitou-se como área de estudo a bacia do riacho Mussuré, que está inserida na bacia do rio Gramame, no estado da Paraíba. Ao longo de seu percurso, o riacho Mussuré recebe lançamentos de esgotos domésticos, resíduos sólidos e as mais diversas cargas poluidoras industriais, já que atravessa o Distrito Industrial de João Pessoa. A metodologia de trabalho consistiu na análise de dados de qualidade da água, além de observação in loco dos problemas da área e levantamento de informações junto aos órgãos responsáveis pelas causas ambientais. Os dados referentes a parâmetros físicos, químicos, bacteriológicos e de concentração de metais pesados foram analisados tanto espacialmente, ao longo de cinco estações de coleta, como temporalmente. Também foi utilizada análise multivariada dos dados e dois índices de qualidade da água (IQAOBJ e IQABA). Foram constatadas diversas alterações na qualidade da água do riacho Mussuré, ao longo de todo seu curso. Os teores de OD estavam muito abaixo do limite estabelecido pela Resolução CONAMA 357/05 para a classe 3 (4,0 mg/L), nas cinco estações monitoradas. A estação situada aproximadamente na metade do curso do riacho apresentou os maiores valores de DBO, cor e turbidez, e a pior qualidade da água através do uso dos dois índices citados, fato que se deve ao lançamento de efluentes industriais a montante desta estação. As concentrações dos metais analisados apresentaram-se, em geral, acima dos limites da Resolução CONAMA 357/05. Pelos resultados encontrados conclui-se que o riacho Mussuré apresenta alto grau de degradação e suas águas representam um risco para a saúde da população usuári

Analysis of five times ionized xenon, Xe VI

Orientador: Cesar José Bonjuani PaganDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de ComputaçãoResumo: Neste trabalho analisamos o espectro do xenônio cinco vezes ionizado obtido a partir de um tubo de descarga capilar, resultando na classificação de 146 novas linhas e 32 novos níveis. Calculamos a força de oscilador ponderada (gf), probabilidades de transição ponderadas (gA) e tempos de vida para todas as transições de dipolo experimentalmente conhecidas e níveis de energia do Xe VI. Os valores foram determinados pelo método Hartree-Fock, incluindo correções relativísticas e efeitos de polarização de caroço, com parâmetros de energia otimizados por um procedimento de mínimos quadrados a fim de obtermos níveis de energia ajustados aos valores experimentais correspondentesAbstract: In the present work we analyze the spectrum of five time ionized xenon obtained in a discharge tube, resulting in the classification of 146 new lines and 32 energy levels. We calculated the weighted oscillator strengths (gf), weighted transition probabilities (gA) and lifetimes for all experimentally known dipole transitions and energy levels of Xe VI. These values were obtained using the Hartree-Fock method, including relativistic corrections and core polarization effects, and energy parameters optimized by a least-squares procedure in order to obtain energy levels adjusted to the corresponding experimental valuesMestradoEletrônica, Microeletrônica e OptoeletrônicaMestre em Engenharia Elétric

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with four types of fertilization for corn crops in a Mediterranean basin

8 p.The environmental impacts associated with the intensification of agricultural practices have become an emerging issue, and new techniques are being developed to satisfy public demands. The application of fertilizers is a crucial step for agriculture practices. Building upon previous studies at a Mediterranean basin, the objective of the research presented herein was to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with four different types of fertilization in the production of corn: traditional (NPK 8–15-15 and urea), controlled-release (NPK 8–15-15, and a combination of urea and encapsulated urea), and two types of fertilization with pig slurry (NPK 8–15-15, pig slurry and different amounts of urea). The Life Cycle Assessment methodology was employed, with the Ecoinvent database and the IPCC 2013 GWP 100y impact assessment method. The results revealed that traditional fertilization emitted 3251 kg CO2-eq/ha·year, against 2191 kg CO2-eq/ha·year for controlled-release fertilization. Pig slurry fertilization emitted 2160 kg CO2-eq/ha·year, and its alternative with less urea, only 1030 kg CO2-eq/ha·year. The utilization of pig slurry solves the issue of its disposal and entails lower costs (commercial fertilizer prices follow the prices of oil and gas). The results demonstrated the potential of controlled-release fertilization and pig slurry to contribute to climate change mitigation.Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, BrasilUnidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ

Carbon and water footprints of irrigated corn and non-irrigated wheat in Northeast Spain

Irrigation increases yields and allows several crops to be produced in regions where it would be naturally impossible due to limited rainfall. However, irrigation can cause several negative environmental impacts, and it is important to understand these in depth for the correct application of mitigation measures. The life cycle assessment methodology was applied herein to compare the main irrigated and non-irrigated crops in Northeast Spain (corn and wheat, respectively), identifying those processes with greater contribution to environmental impacts (carbon and water footprint categories) and providing scientifically-sound information to facilitate government decisions. Due to concerns about climate change and water availability, the methods selected for evaluation of environmental impacts were IPCC 2013 GWP (carbon footprint) and water scarcity indicator (water footprint). The area studied, a 7.38-km2 basin, was monitored for 12 years, including the period before, during, and after the implementation of irrigation. The functional unit, to which all material and energy flows were associated with, was the cultivation of 1 ha, throughout 1 year. The overall carbon footprint for irrigated corn was higher, but when considering the higher productivity achieved with irrigation, the emissions per kilogram of corn decrease and finally favor this irrigated crop. When considering the water footprint, the volumes of irrigation water applied were so high that productivity could not compensate for the negative impacts associated with water use in the case of corn. Nevertheless, consideration of productivities and gross incomes brings the results closer. Fertilizer use (carbon footprint) and irrigation water (water footprint) were the main contributors to the negative impacts detected.Federal University of Paraíba, BrasilUnidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ

Nitrate contamination and its relationship with flood irrigation management

Nitrate contamination is a significant unresolved environmental issue for agriculture in the 21st century, with longstanding challenges in its control and allocation to a specified territory. In order to address these challenges, real-world meticulous irrigation area studies are required. The objective of this investigation is to analyze the evolution of nitrate contamination in relation to agronomic and management changes within a traditionally irrigated land. Specifically, the impact of changes in irrigation allowance assignment, changes in irrigation method from rotation to on-demand flood irrigation, and creation of water consumption accounts were analyzed. To this end, nitrogen monitoring and annual balances were carried out in a small irrigated hydrological basin (95 ha) located in Northeastern Spain throughout the years of 2001 and 2005–2008. The evolution of the nitrate contamination index was also analyzed, which relates the mass of nitrates exported to the fertilization necessities of a specific irrigated area. The results demonstrated that although changes in crop pattern caused a 33% reduction in the nitrogen required through fertilization, the fertilization rates applied are still double the necessities. Changes in irrigation management decreased the mass of nitrates exported by half and the nitrate contamination index by 24%, but the nitrate levels present are still approximately double of those registered in modern irrigation areas. The changes implemented by the Irrigation District in the irrigation management were effective. However, this study confirms that a greater effort is still required to achieve adequate nitrogen fertilization matching the crop necessities.Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, EspañaUnidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Españ