LCA application to case studies and the use of dynamic models to improve food production modelling

LCA application to case studies and the use of dynamic models to improve food production modelling ..

Sensitivity of the process-based model DNDC on microbiological parameters

International audienceProcess-based model such as DNDC rely on a large numbers of parameters which were defined by the model developer on the basis of existing references. Subsequently, some values have been changed to improve model performance for specific applications, often without adequate documentation. Many of these parameters are thus estimates of the real values appropriate for local conditions introducing approximation errors for applications at larger scales. Spatially explicit datasets might be required for some parameters for which model output is highly sensitive. We will present a sensitivity analysis of 38 mainly micro-biological internal parameter of DNDC-EUROPE

Quench tests at the Large Hadron Collider with collimation losses at 3.5 Z TeV

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has been operating since 2010 at 3.5 TeV and 4.0 TeV without experiencing quenches induced by losses from circulating beams. This situation might change at 7 TeV where the quench margins in the super-conducting magnets are reduced. The critical locations are the dispersion suppressors (DSs) at either side of the cleaning and experimental insertions, where dispersive losses are maximum. It is therefore crucial to understand the quench limits with beam loss distributions alike those occurring in standard operation. In order to address this aspect, quench tests were performed by inducing large beam losses on the primary collimators of the betatron cleaning insertion, for proton and lead ion beams of 3.5 Z TeV, to probe the quench limits of the DS magnets. Losses up to 500 kW were achieved without quenches. The measurement technique and the results obtained are presented, with observations of heat loads in the cryogenics system.peer-reviewe

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Developing Spatially Stratified N(2)O Emission Factors for Europe.

We investigate the possibility to replace the - so-called - Tier 1 IPCC approach to estimate soil N(2)O emissions with stratified emissions factors that take into account both N-input and the spatial variability of the environmental conditions within the countries of the European Union, using the DNDC-Europe model. Spatial variability in model simulations is high and corresponds to the variability reported in literature for field data. Our results indicate that (a) much of the observed variability in N(2)O fluxes reflects the response of soils to external conditions, (b) it is likely that national inventories tend to overestimate the uncertainties in their estimated direct N(2)O emissions from arable soils; (c) on average over Europe, the fertilizer-induced emissions (FIE) coincide with the IPCC factors, but they display large spatial variations. Therefore, at scales of individual countries or smaller, a stratified approach considering fertilizer type, soil characteristics and climatic parameters is preferable.JRC.H.2-Air and Climat

Eco-efficient waste glass recycling: integrated waste management and green product development through LCA

As part of the EU Life + NOVEDI project, a new eco-efficient recycling route has been implemented to maximise resources and energy recovery from post-consumer waste glass, through integrated waste management and industrial production. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to identify engineering solutions to sustainability during the development of green building products. The new process and the related LCA are framed within a meaningful case of industrial symbiosis, where multiple waste streams are utilised in a multi-output industrial process. The input is a mix of rejected waste glass from conven- tional container glass recycling and waste special glass such as monitor glass, bulbs and glass fibres. The green building product is a recycled foam glass (RFG) to be used in high efficiency thermally insulating and lightweight concrete. The environmental gains have been contrasted against induced impacts and improvements have been proposed. Recovered co-products, such as glass fragments/powders, plastics and metals, correspond to environmental gains that are higher than those related to landfill avoidance, whereas the latter is cancelled due to increased transportation distances. In accordance to an eco-effi- ciency principle, it has been highlighted that recourse to highly energy intensive recycling should be lim- ited to waste that cannot be closed-loop recycle

Participatory approach, acceptability and transparency of waste management LCAs: case studies of Torino and Cuneo

The paper summarises the main results obtained from two extensive applications of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the integrated municipal solid waste management systems of Torino and Cuneo Districts in northern Italy. Scenarios with substantial differences in terms of amount of waste, percentage of separate collection and options for the disposal of residual waste are used to discuss the credibility and acceptability of the LCA results, which are adversely affected by the large influence of methodological assumptions and the local socio-economic constraints. The use of site-specific data on full scale waste treatment facilities and the adoption of a participatory approach for the definition of the most sensible LCA assumptions are used to assist local public administrators and stakeholders showing them that LCA can be operational to waste management at local scal

Estimation of N2O Fluxes at the Regional Scale: Data, Models, Challenges

Empirical and process-based models simulating N2O fluxes from agricultural soils have the advantage that they can be applied at the scale at which mitigation measures can be designed and implemented. We compared bottom-up results from studies providing N2O fluxes at a regional/country or continental scale with estimates from the process-based model DNDC-EUROPE and from the TM5-4DVAR inverse modeling system. While the agreement between different bottom-up models is generally satisfying, only in a few cases a thorough validation of the result was done. Complex empirical or process-based models do not appear to have a better agreement with inverse model results in estimating N2O emissions from agricultural soils for countries or countrygroups than simple ones. Both bottom-up and inverse models are limited by the density and quality of observations. Research needs to focus on developing tools that inherit the advantages of both methods.JRC.H.4-Monitoring Agricultural Resource