Search results
1 – 10 of 950Sara 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
Keywords
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
Keywords
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…
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.
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
Keywords
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
Keywords
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
Keywords
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…
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
Keywords
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
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).