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Article
Publication date: 19 May 2020

Sara Wilkinson, Nimish Biloria and Peter Ralph

As the impacts of climate change become more evident, the need to adopt new ways of constructing buildings becomes more urgent. The Earth has experienced hotter climates globally…

Abstract

Purpose

As the impacts of climate change become more evident, the need to adopt new ways of constructing buildings becomes more urgent. The Earth has experienced hotter climates globally for the last 70 years (NASA, 2019), and this has resulted in unprecedented levels of bushfire in Australia, flooding in the UK and drought in Africa in early 2020 (World Resources Institute, 2019). The predictions are for increased temperatures globally and increasing carbon emissions from fossil fuel consumption. There is a critical need to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels as a building energy source (WCED, 1987). Existing renewables focus on solar, wind and wave power, where technological improvements have increased efficiencies (Hinnells, 2008). Uptake of the technologies is variable depending on location and willingness to adopt renewables. As well as further uptake of existing renewable energy sources, we need to look wider and across traditional discipline groups, at new technologies such as biotechnologies. One potential energy source is biofuels. Biofuels are produced from biomass, which is algae. In 2016, the BIQ, a four-storey apartment building, was constructed in Hamburg, Germany. The BIQ features glazed façade panels filled with algae to produce biomass and solar thermal energy. Could algae building technology (ABT), in the form of façade panels, offer a new renewable energy source?

Design/methodology/approach

What are the technical issues associated with Algae building technology? This qualitative research sought to identify what technical issues likely to arise in terms of algae building construction, operation and maintenance. Semi-structured interviews with 24 experienced built environment professionals in Australia were undertaken in 2016 to assess the most likely issues that could arise with this new innovative technology.

Findings

As a result, a greater understanding of the range of technical issues related to design, construction, maintenance and operation were identified, as well as the perceived importance of those issues. It was possible to identify the top ten technical issues built environment professionals are concerned about with regard to ABT. The results can inform future designers of ABT.

Research limitations/implications

This research was restricted to the views of 24 experienced built environment practitioners in Sydney, Australia. None of whom had direct experience of Algae Building Technology. Though knowledgeable, a greater number of interviews may have identified other technical issues.

Practical implications

No guidelines exist for Algae Building Technology, and this research identifies a comprehensive range of technical issues that need to be considered for the technology to function at optimum levels. As such, this is a starting point for built environment professionals who may be asked to provide professional advice and guidance.

Originality/value

To date, no evaluation of Australian based built environment professionals has been conducted into the technical issues associated with Algae Building Technology.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 38 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

A.B. Tadros

Trials to develop environmentally friendly marine paints based on natural materials as replacement for copper and tin compounds for fouling and marine corrosion control.

Abstract

Purpose

Trials to develop environmentally friendly marine paints based on natural materials as replacement for copper and tin compounds for fouling and marine corrosion control.

Design/methodology/approach

Green algae, tubeworms in dead powder form and garlic were used as natural anti‐fouling components in the paints developed. Electrochemical technique was employed for testing the potential of both tubeworms and garlic in terms of inhibition of steel corrosion in seawater. Marine paint formulations containing each of the three selected natural materials were applied onto PVC and un‐primed steel surface, which were immersed in natural seawater for the assessment of their anti‐fouling and anti‐corrosion properties. The results of visual assessment and seawater analysis were also used for such an evaluation.

Findings

Tubeworms act as mixed type inhibitor while garlic affects the potential cathodic process of steel in seawater. Tubeworms‐based paint, with 25 per cent in the dry paint film, could protect steel surface from marine corrosion up to 7 months. The paints containing algae and garlic, and the corresponding algae/garlic free paints, resisted slime film formation. Steel and PVC coated surfaces with paint containing algae showed the best anti‐fouling potential within the prepared series.

Research limitations\implications

The investigation only involved the application of the dead form of green algae and tubeworms as effective pigments in the developed paints. It is recommended that further research should focus on extracting and identifying the active components in each organism against fouling and marine corrosion.

Practical implications

The paint formulations developed (containing 25 per cent by weight tubeworms in the paint film) could be used to protect un‐primed steel surface against fouling and marine corrosion for a reasonably long duration.

Originality/value

The application of one paint formulation on un‐primed steel surface for its protection from both fouling and marine corrosion is novel. The electrochemical studies of steel in natural seawater in presence of tubeworms and garlic are original.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Ganesh Babu Katam, Veeresh Babu A., Madhu Murthy K. and Ganesh S. Warkhade

This study aims to find a new alternate source for biodiesel conversion. The alternate source must be easily available, and it should give more oil yield than available edible…

2198

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to find a new alternate source for biodiesel conversion. The alternate source must be easily available, and it should give more oil yield than available edible, inedible sources. To meet the fuel demand in the transportation sector with edible oil-based biodiesel causes food versus fuel crisis. In addition to this, it increases NOx and CO2 in the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper reviews the comparison of algae oil yield, fatty acid composition and its biodiesel properties’ effect on diesel engine characteristics.

Findings

Algae were the only source to fulfil fuel demand because its oil and biodiesel yield is higher than other sources. Algae can grow by capturing carbon dioxide from the environment, and its fatty acid composition is more suitable to run diesel engines.

Originality/value

There is an improvement in engine performance–emission tradeoff with algal biodiesel.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2015

Lauro Andre Ribeiro and Patricia Pereira da Silva

Currently, experimental and theoretical work is being performed to ensure that biofuels from microalgae become a reality. However, there is a considerable number of discussions…

Abstract

Purpose

Currently, experimental and theoretical work is being performed to ensure that biofuels from microalgae become a reality. However, there is a considerable number of discussions concerning in which processes should be focussed efforts of research and development. The purpose of this paper is to provide decision support not only to help build guidelines of research to be undertaken, but also to contribute to the design of more adequate policy and funding instruments. The key objective of this study is to determine the prospects of employing microalgae into the production of biofuels within a time scale extending to 2030.

Design/methodology/approach

The Delphi method is a qualitative research aiming to support strategic future-oriented action, such as policy making in the areas of science and technology. It is especially appropriate in judgment and long-range forecasting (20-30 years) situations, when expert opinions are often the only source of information available, due to a lack of appropriate historical, economic or technical data.

Findings

The Delphi method proved to be a successful research method when expert opinions are the main source of information available, due to a lack of appropriate historical, economic or technical data and the outcomes provided a clear outline of the main issues of microalgae biofuels’ market at present and in the future.

Research limitations/implications

The outcomes might not represent the majority of the microalgae experts’ opinion due to the sample size.

Originality/value

The work presented in this paper is especially original. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first qualitative Delphi study related to algae biofuels.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Architects, Sustainability and the Climate Emergency
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-292-1

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2023

Jackie Opfer, Miki Hondzo and V.R. Voller

The purpose of this study is to investigate the errors arising from the numerical treatment of model processes, paying particular attention to the impact of key system features…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the errors arising from the numerical treatment of model processes, paying particular attention to the impact of key system features including widely variable dispersion coefficients, spatiotemporal velocities of algal cells, and the aggregation of algae from single cells to large colonies. An advection–dispersion model has been presented to describe the vertical transport of colonial and motile harmful algae in a lake environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Model performance is examined for two different numerical treatments of the advective term: first-order upwind and quadratic upwind with a stability-preserving flux limiter (SMART). To determine how these schemes impact predictions, comparisons are made across a sequence of models with increasing complexity.

Findings

Using first-order upwinding for advection–dispersion calculations with a time oscillating velocity field leads to oscillatory numerical dispersion. Subjecting an initially uniform distribution of large-sized algal colonies to a spatiotemporal velocity creates a concentration pulse, which reaches a steady-state width at high-grid Peclet numbers when using the SMART scheme; the pulse exhibits contraction–expansion behavior throughout a velocity cycle at all Peclet numbers when using first-order upwinding. When aggregation dynamics are included with advection-dominated spatiotemporal transport, results indicate the SMART scheme predicts larger peak concentration values than those predicted by first-order upwind, but peak location and the time to large colony appearance remain largely unchanged between the two advective schemes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first numerical investigation of a novel advection–dispersion model of vertical algal transport. In addition, a generalized expression for the effective dispersion coefficient of temporally variable flow fields is presented.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2019

Ya-hui Wang, Cai Zhang, Yong-qiang Su, Li-yang Shang and Tao Zhang

As a key part of the algae removal equipment in the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the static analysis and dynamic analysis are carried out for the…

Abstract

Purpose

As a key part of the algae removal equipment in the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the static analysis and dynamic analysis are carried out for the structural characteristics of the frame. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the model is constructed for analysis. Second, finite element analysis are carried out. And finally, test designed is used for the construction.

Findings

The optimization scheme that minimizes the quality under the condition of satisfying the allowable stress is found, and the quality is reduced by 6.88 percent.

Originality/value

The paper is based on the occurrence of seasonal algae in the main channel of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, an automatic algae-removing equipment was designed.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1994

Erland Johansson, Torbjörn Willén, Roland Mattsson and Torsten Liljefors

By using Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS)multi‐element analysis was performed on six toxic and one non‐toxiccyanobacteria and waste water. A method was…

823

Abstract

By using Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS) multi‐element analysis was performed on six toxic and one non‐toxic cyanobacteria and waste water. A method was developed using a single standard together with one SRM allowing multi‐element screening. This technique simplifies the calibration procedure and allows exploration of unforeseen elements in the mass spectrum in a couple of minutes. In this investigation, reports the concentration of Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Cd, Ba, La, Pb and U in the cyanobacteria. High concentration of Mn was observed in Microcystis viridis. In the mass spectrum of the waste water from the cleaning plant in Starogard, Poland, it was observed that the concentration of Pb in water was higher after seven days than 120 days.

Details

Environmental Management and Health, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0956-6163

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1982

Dilys Wells

Does the good old fashioned milk bottle have a serious rival in the disposable, one way carton? Dilys Wells examines the points in favour and some of the drawbacks of each type of…

Abstract

Does the good old fashioned milk bottle have a serious rival in the disposable, one way carton? Dilys Wells examines the points in favour and some of the drawbacks of each type of milk container Throughout England and Wales 92 homes out of every 100 have milk delivered to their doorsteps. In all over three million pints of milk are set down on fifteen million doorsteps by over forty thousand milkmen daily. Countries including Holland, Belgium, Denmark, America and Canada also used to have a doorstep delivery of milk but this was stopped when home delivery became unprofitable. Milk consumption decreased in every one of these countries when deliveries stopped

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 82 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1984

Dorothy S. Gleisner

In case any of you are expecting a tale of mystery and intrigue on the high seas—complete with ships in hidden coves—I'm afraid I must disappoint you. My Drugs from the Sea story…

Abstract

In case any of you are expecting a tale of mystery and intrigue on the high seas—complete with ships in hidden coves—I'm afraid I must disappoint you. My Drugs from the Sea story is not so dramatic, although it has its excitement (since the potential is always there for discovering a miracle drug from life in the sea).

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

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