Research

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17 pages, 5725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Use of Polyols, Corn, and Beet Juice for Decreasing the Freezing Point of Brine Solution for Deicing of Pavements

by Tauqeer Abbas, Dayakar Naik Lavadiya and Ravi Kiran

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 5765; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115765 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3439

Abstract

Deicing of pavements is essential to ensure safe and timely movement of traffic in geographical locations where snow and ice events are anticipated. State and local municipalities employ brine solution with 23.3 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) available in the form of rock salt [...] Read more.

Deicing of pavements is essential to ensure safe and timely movement of traffic in geographical locations where snow and ice events are anticipated. State and local municipalities employ brine solution with 23.3 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) available in the form of rock salt to deice the pavements. Unlike water, the brine solution does not freeze until the temperature falls below −21.0 °C, i.e., the freezing point of water is depressed by −21.0 °C with the addition of 23.3 wt% NaCl. The depressed freezing point of the brine solution plays a key role in deicing pavements. Unfortunately, a further increase in rock salt content does not lower the freezing point of the brine solution. In this study, different combinations of agricultural products such as polyols including sorbitol, maltitol, and mannitol in brine (23.3 wt% of NaCl in water), and NaCl-juice (corn and beet juice) were investigated to achieve freezing point depressions below −21.0 °C for potential deicing applications in extremely cold areas. Different weight fractions of polyols-brine solutions ranging from 7.14% to 27.77% were considered, and corresponding freezing points were determined. While the sorbitol-brine solution exhibited the lowest freezing point of −38.1 °C at a higher concentration, the maltitol-brine solution exhibited a freezing point of −35.6 °C at the same concentration. Based on the °Brix value, beet juice had almost three times more soluble solids and a lower freezing point compared to corn juice. Adding 23.3 wt% of NaCl in 70% corn juice lowered the freezing point up to −23.5 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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12 pages, 2652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards the Anchovy Biorefinery: Biogas Production from Anchovy Processing Waste after Fish Oil Extraction with Biobased Limonene

by Emilia Paone, Filippo Fazzino, Daniela Maria Pizzone, Antonino Scurria, Mario Pagliaro, Rosaria Ciriminna and Paolo Salvatore Calabrò

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2428; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052428 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3713

Abstract

Anchovies are among the largest fish catch worldwide. The anchovy fillet industry generates a huge amount of biowaste (e.g., fish heads, bones, tails) that can be used for the extraction of several potentially valuable bioproducts including omega-3 lipids. Following the extraction of valued [...] Read more.

Anchovies are among the largest fish catch worldwide. The anchovy fillet industry generates a huge amount of biowaste (e.g., fish heads, bones, tails) that can be used for the extraction of several potentially valuable bioproducts including omega-3 lipids. Following the extraction of valued fish oil rich in omega-3, vitamin D₃ and zeaxanthin from anchovy fillet leftovers using biobased limonene in a fully circular process, the solid residue (anchovy sludge) was used as starting substrate for the production of biogas by anaerobic digestion. In spite of the unbalanced carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, typical of marine biowaste, the anchovy sludge showed a good methane yield (about 280 mL_CH4·g_VS⁻¹), proving to be an ideal substrate for co-digestion along with other carbon rich wastes and residues. Furthermore, the presence of residual limonene, used as a renewable, not-toxic and edible extraction solvent, does not affect the microbial methanogenesis. The results reported in this study demonstrate that anchovy leftovers after the fish oil extraction process can be efficiently used as a starting co-substrate for the production of biogas in a modern biorefinery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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31 pages, 2714 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cities under Pressure: Strategies and Tools to Face Climate Change and Pandemic

by Francesca Moraci, Maurizio Francesco Errigo, Celestina Fazia, Tiziana Campisi and Francesco Castelli

Sustainability 2020, 12(18), 7743; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187743 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 8033

Abstract

This paper investigates the problems and stresses of the contemporary city, mainly due to natural and health factors, related to climate change and the pandemic COVID19. Besides highlighting the characteristics of climate change and the ongoing pandemic, this study focuses on the analysis [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the problems and stresses of the contemporary city, mainly due to natural and health factors, related to climate change and the pandemic COVID19. Besides highlighting the characteristics of climate change and the ongoing pandemic, this study focuses on the analysis of the main effects and consequences that these phenomena have produced on the city and the vulnerabilities of the urban system. To understand how these events have impacted the urban environment, directly and indirectly, this research undertakes to define some specific indicators capable of comparing the phenomena and assessing their repercussions. The Methodology is based on the following focal points: on the analysis of the urban shocks that have affected the cities in the last decade, on the comparison between contemporary survey data and those relating to historical trends, on the definition of the main urban sectors particularly affected by the onset of urban shocks, and on the definition of strategies, actions, and tools deemed to be effective in the implementation of a post-pandemic and climate-proof city. These results were achieved through complementary urban design and tools capable of creating a post-pandemic and climate-proof adaptive city, within a cross-disciplinary approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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17 pages, 3071 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Generalized Framework for the Design of Eco-Industrial Parks: Case Study of End-of-Life Vehicles

by Shimaa Al-Quradaghi, Qipeng P. Zheng and Ali Elkamel

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6612; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166612 - 15 Aug 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4560

Abstract

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are promoting a shift from the traditional linear model to the circular model, where industrial symbiosis plays an important role in encouraging the exchange of materials, energy, and waste. This paper proposes a generalized framework to design eco-industrial parks, and [...] Read more.

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) are promoting a shift from the traditional linear model to the circular model, where industrial symbiosis plays an important role in encouraging the exchange of materials, energy, and waste. This paper proposes a generalized framework to design eco-industrial parks, and illustrates it with regard to the end-of-life vehicle problem (ELV). An eco-industrial park for end-of-life vehicles (EIP-4-ELVs) creates synergy in the network that leverages waste reduction and efficiently uses resources. The performance of the proposed framework is investigated along with the interactions between nodes. The proposed framework consists of five steps: (1) finding motivation for EIP, (2) identifying all entities with industrial symbiosis, (3) pinpointing the anchor entity, (4) determining industrial symbiosis between at least three entities and two exchange flows, and (5) defining exchange-flow types. The two last steps are connected by a feedback loop to allow future exchange flows. The proposed framework serves as a guideline for decision makers during the first stages of developing EIPs. Furthermore, the framework can be linked to car-design software to predict the recyclability of vehicle components and aid in manufacturing vehicles optimized for recycling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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16 pages, 4727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recovery of Biomass Fly Ash and HDPE in Innovative Synthetic Lightweight Aggregates for Sustainable Geotechnical Applications

by Daniela D. Porcino, Francesco Mauriello, Lucio Bonaccorsi, Giuseppe Tomasello, Emilia Paone and Angela Malara

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6552; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166552 - 13 Aug 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1975

Abstract

Sustainable development principles aim to re-utilize wastes to reduce their impact on the environment. In this context, the present contribution shows preliminary results on the preparation of innovative synthetic lightweight aggregates, starting from biomass-derived fly ash and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), to be used [...] Read more.

Sustainable development principles aim to re-utilize wastes to reduce their impact on the environment. In this context, the present contribution shows preliminary results on the preparation of innovative synthetic lightweight aggregates, starting from biomass-derived fly ash and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), to be used in geotechnical applications. The present work focuses on the manufacturing process of aggregate blends (including the selection of the right proportions of the two components) as well as on the relative determination of (i) physical–chemical properties (i.e., chemical composition, morphological analysis, mineral leachability, water absorption, specific gravity, grain size distribution); (ii) permeability features and (iii) mechanical properties (one-dimensional compression and shear strength behavior). The results, gathered from the new synthetic lightweight aggregates and compared with the corresponding ones obtained in a previous study conducted on natural and synthetic lightweight aggregates, appear promising for a potential utilization in geotechnical engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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18 pages, 1455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Performances of Water User Associations to Increase the Irrigation Sustainability: An Application of Multivariate Statistics to a Case Study in Italy

by Demetrio Antonio Zema, Pasquale Filianoti, Daniela D’Agostino, Antonino Labate, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja, Angelo Nicotra and Santo Marcello Zimbone

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6327; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166327 - 06 Aug 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2949

Abstract

Benchmarking techniques are useful and simple tools to analyze the performance of the collective irrigation in the Water User Associations (WUAs) towards an increase in service sustainability. Several benchmarking techniques have been proposed to process and predict performance indicators. Instead, some meaningful statistical [...] Read more.

Benchmarking techniques are useful and simple tools to analyze the performance of the collective irrigation in the Water User Associations (WUAs) towards an increase in service sustainability. Several benchmarking techniques have been proposed to process and predict performance indicators. Instead, some meaningful statistical techniques based on the distance of data samples, which overcome the limitations of the traditional benchmarking techniques, have never been applied to the collective irrigation sector. This study applies Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA), Multidimensional Scale Models (MDS), and Distance-Based Linear Models (DISTLM) as benchmarking techniques to evaluate the technical and financial performances of 10 WUAs in Calabria (Southern Italy). These benchmarking techniques revealed that the significant differences in the irrigated areas and financial self-sufficiency of the WUAs, shown by PERMANOVA, depend on the large variability of the remaining performance indicators. Both the MDS and DISTLM demonstrated that a higher number of associated users and larger irrigation service coverage allows an increase in the irrigated areas; this enlargement is facilitated if the water price and the size of the personnel staff decrease. The WUAs’ self-sufficiency is mainly influenced by the number of workers and the maintenance, organization, and management costs, while the impacts of the due service fees and water price are more limited; it is also convenient to increase the number of the associated farmers since this increases the economy of scale and the gross revenues of the irrigation service. Overall, from the analysis carried out for the regional case study, these benchmarking techniques seem to be powerful and easy tools to identify the problems of the irrigation service and help in planning the most suitable policies to improve the sustainability of the collective irrigation at the regional scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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16 pages, 2256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reinventing Mobility Paradigms: Flying Car Scenarios and Challenges for Urban Mobility

by Maria Nadia Postorino and Giuseppe M. L. Sarné

Sustainability 2020, 12(9), 3581; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093581 - 28 Apr 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5655

Abstract

Flying vehicles are receiving more and more attention and are becoming an opportunity to start a new urban mobility paradigm. The most interesting feature of flying cars is the expected opportunity they could offer to reduce congestion, traffic jams and the loss of [...] Read more.

Flying vehicles are receiving more and more attention and are becoming an opportunity to start a new urban mobility paradigm. The most interesting feature of flying cars is the expected opportunity they could offer to reduce congestion, traffic jams and the loss of time to move between origin/destination pairs in urban contexts. In this perspective, urban air mobility might meet the concept of “sustainable mobility”, intended as the ideal model of a transport system that minimizes the environmental impacts by maximizing efficiency and travel speed. For transport engineering planning issues, further knowledge is required in this field to understand the effects that a possible urban air mobility system, including the ground traffic component, could have in terms of sustainable mobility in the above meaning. This paper contributes to this topic by providing an analysis of different urban flying car scenarios by using an agent-based approach with different traffic conditions. The preliminary results obtained on some test networks and focusing on travel cost effects suggest that the expected advantages the flying car will depend on trip origin/destination points, average distances travelled in the urban contexts and the location of transition nodes, which are introduced as interchange nodes between aerial and ground mode. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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11 pages, 6716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Finite Element Analysis of Geogrid-Stabilized Unpaved Roads

by Giovanni Leonardi, Dario Lo Bosco, Rocco Palamara and Federica Suraci

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051929 - 03 Mar 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3765

Abstract

The need to increase the durability of unpaved roads and the need to improve driver comfort have led to this research: to focus more attention on the use of reinforcements for this type of road. Unpaved roads are created by using an unbound [...] Read more.

The need to increase the durability of unpaved roads and the need to improve driver comfort have led to this research: to focus more attention on the use of reinforcements for this type of road. Unpaved roads are created by using an unbound granular base layer placed on compacted cohesive soils. When the subgrade is weak, due to its poor consistency and high compressibility, generally, a geosynthetic reinforcement (geogrid and/or geotextile) is placed over the subgrade, followed by a compacted granular fill layer. The use of geosynthetics can produce several benefits, such as draining, reinforcement, filtering, separation, and proofing. This paper aims to present a numerical investigation using 3-D Finite Element Modeling (FEM) to analyze the improvement, in terms of the rutting reduction of an unpaved road system, reinforced by a geogrid, under repeated traffic loads. 3-D FEM analysis was carried out on two unpaved road sections, one reinforced and the other unreinforced, with both subjected to an impulsive wheel loading. It can be concluded that a significant improvement in pavement behavior is obtained by placing a geogrid layer at the base–subgrade interface. In fact, the obtained results show that geogrid reinforcement can provide a relevant contribution to the reduction of permanent deformations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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14 pages, 4585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geomatics and Soft Computing Techniques for Infrastructural Monitoring

by Vincenzo Barrile, Antonino Fotia, Giovanni Leonardi and Raffaele Pucinotti

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1606; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041606 - 21 Feb 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2892

Abstract

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) allows us to have information about the structure under investigation and thus to create analytical models for the assessment of its state or structural behavior. Exceeded a predetermined danger threshold, the possibility of an early warning would allow us, [...] Read more.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) allows us to have information about the structure under investigation and thus to create analytical models for the assessment of its state or structural behavior. Exceeded a predetermined danger threshold, the possibility of an early warning would allow us, on the one hand, to suspend risky activities and, on the other, to reduce maintenance costs. The system proposed in this paper represents an integration of multiple traditional systems that integrate data of a different nature (used in the preventive phase to define the various behavior scenarios on the structural model), and then reworking them through machine learning techniques, in order to obtain values to compare with limit thresholds. The risk level depends on several variables, specifically, the paper wants to evaluate the possibility of predicting the structure behavior monitoring only displacement data, transmitted through an experimental transmission control unit. In order to monitor and to make our cities more “sustainable”, the paper describes some tests on road infrastructure, in this contest through the combination of geomatics techniques and soft computing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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14 pages, 2758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Planning and Simulation of Intermodal Freight Transport on International Networks. Hub and Spoke System in Euro-Mediterranean Area

by Domenico Gattuso, Margherita Malara and Gian Carla Cassone

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12030776 - 21 Jan 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3380

Abstract

The remarkable demographic growth and economic development of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions stimulate an ever increasing need for trade between the shores, especially from regions of North Africa and the Middle East towards Western European countries. Today, these exchanges take place [...] Read more.

The remarkable demographic growth and economic development of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions stimulate an ever increasing need for trade between the shores, especially from regions of North Africa and the Middle East towards Western European countries. Today, these exchanges take place mainly by sea and by roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ships; but the connections by container ships and by road transport are important too. Ro-Ro services are particularly crammed in some North-South directions, with relationships among few ports and with rather limited frequencies. Road transport, especially between the Middle East and Europe, has different limits in terms of cost, safety, and reliability. The paper proposes a hypothesis of a logistic organization on a Euro-Mediterranean scale, through the transition from a network of direct links to a hub and spoke (H&S) network, according to the scheme envisaged for air transport. The research aims to explore, within a framework of the socio-economic system and the mobility demand system, the feasibility of a H&S network for Ro-Ro freight in the Mediterranean basin, based on a hub with high logistical performances, limiting the planning to supply and process consequent impact assessments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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15 pages, 651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Pavement Materials and Technologies for Urban Roads

by Filippo G. Praticò, Marinella Giunta, Marina Mistretta and Teresa Maria Gulotta

Sustainability 2020, 12(2), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020704 - 18 Jan 2020

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 6673

Abstract

Recycled and low-temperature materials are promising solutions to reduce the environmental burden deriving from hot mix asphalts. Despite this, there is lack of studies focusing on the assessment of the life-cycle impacts of these promising technologies. Consequently, this study deals with the life [...] Read more.

Recycled and low-temperature materials are promising solutions to reduce the environmental burden deriving from hot mix asphalts. Despite this, there is lack of studies focusing on the assessment of the life-cycle impacts of these promising technologies. Consequently, this study deals with the life cycle assessment (LCA) of different classes of pavement technologies, based on the use of bituminous mixes (hot mix asphalt and warm mix asphalt) with recycled materials (reclaimed asphalt pavements, crumb rubber, and waste plastics), in the pursuit of assessing energy and environmental impacts. Analysis is developed based on the ISO 14040 series. Different scenarios of pavement production, construction, and maintenance are assessed and compared to a reference case involving the use of common paving materials. For all the considered scenarios, the influence of each life-cycle phase on the overall impacts is assessed to the purpose of identifying the phases and processes which produce the greatest impacts. Results show that material production involves the highest contribution (about 60–70%) in all the examined impact categories. Further, the combined use of warm mix asphalts and recycled materials in bituminous mixtures entails lower energy consumption and environmental impacts due to a reduction of virgin bitumen and aggregate consumption, which involves a decrease in the consumption of primary energy and raw materials, and reduced impacts for disposal. LCA results demonstrate that this methodology is able to help set up strategies for eco-design in the pavement sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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14 pages, 1292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Gas and Dust Emissions in Construction Sites of a Motorway Project

by Marinella Giunta, Dario Lo Bosco, Giovanni Leonardi and Francesco Scopelliti

Sustainability 2019, 11(24), 7218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247218 - 16 Dec 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3885

Abstract

Minimizing the environmental impacts is a challenging task to achieve sustainability in road constructions. Although they are only temporary, the environmental burdens of building activities can have a great impact on the environment and communities, and must be properly assessed and mitigated. A [...] Read more.

Minimizing the environmental impacts is a challenging task to achieve sustainability in road constructions. Although they are only temporary, the environmental burdens of building activities can have a great impact on the environment and communities, and must be properly assessed and mitigated. A comprehensive evaluation of the impacts requires the consideration of all construction activities, construction sites and the type and operation time of off-road machines and plants that will be used in each site. In this paper, a case study relating to the project of a motorway was carried out with the following objectives: (i) to estimate the dust and gases arising from the whole construction process and identify the most critical pollutants in terms of emitted quantity; (ii) to investigate the worksites, activities and processes with the greatest impact from an emissive standpoint, and (iii) to propose a rational approach for designing and putting in place effective mitigation measures. Carbon oxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and fine particulate matter (PM₁₀) emissions have been estimated by applying different models, methodologies and databases, depending on the construction process under analysis, and an emissive balance sheet has been produced. Results showed that CO is the pollutant released in the greatest quantity, followed by NO_x. The emission of PM₁₀, mainly due to the movement of trucks on unpaved roads, is one order of magnitude less with respect to CO and NO_x, but produces the most perceived and undesired effects of the construction process in the interested communities. Tunnels and bridge are the components of a road with the greatest impact in terms of air emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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15 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Planning: From City to Territorial System

by Paola Panuccio

Sustainability 2019, 11(24), 7184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247184 - 15 Dec 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2960

Abstract

Actual cities have become smart cities divided by zones. In the past, various innovative actions have been carried out to facilitate smart cities. The projects that were carried out, in response to the needs expressed by inhabitants and driven by individualistic growth, have [...] Read more.

Actual cities have become smart cities divided by zones. In the past, various innovative actions have been carried out to facilitate smart cities. The projects that were carried out, in response to the needs expressed by inhabitants and driven by individualistic growth, have gone beyond the regulations defined by the urban plan. In fact, territorial contexts reflect the needs of inhabitants, which always shift faster and are more reactive than traditional urban planning tools. The territory is a complex system and it works well if the design choices for its sustainable development are structured and coordinated by a strategic planning tool. The objective of this research is to propose a smart planning process in order to pursue the sustainable development of complex territorial systems. The paper has a particular interest in observing the integrated coastal-marine system as a possible example of real smart development. Smart planning applied to this type of landscape has a positive influence on the development of the environment, landscapes, infrastructure, mobility, services, energy, research, and innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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15 pages, 2511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electric Load Influence on Performances of a Composite Plant for Hydrogen Production from RES and its Conversion in Electricity

by Rosario Carbone, Concettina Marino, Antonino Nucara, Maria Francesca Panzera and Matilde Pietrafesa

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6362; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226362 - 13 Nov 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

The analysis here presented investigates the influence of electrical load on the operational performances of a plant for hydrogen production from solar energy and its conversion in electricity via a fuel cell. The plant is an actual one, currently under construction, in Reggio [...] Read more.

The analysis here presented investigates the influence of electrical load on the operational performances of a plant for hydrogen production from solar energy and its conversion in electricity via a fuel cell. The plant is an actual one, currently under construction, in Reggio Calabria (Italy), at the site of the Mediterranean university campus; it is composed of a Renewable Energy Source (RES) section (photovoltaic panels), a hydrogen production section, and a fuel cell power section feeding the electrical energy demand of the load. Two different load configurations have been analysed and simulations have been carried out through Homer^TM simulation code. Results allow interesting conclusions regarding the plant operation to be drawn. The study could have a remarkable role in supporting further research activities aimed at the assessment of the optimal configuration of this type of pioneering plants, designed for feeding electrical loads, possibly, in a self-sufficient way. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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Review

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22 pages, 1363 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fugitive Dust Suppression in Unpaved Roads: State of the Art Research Review

by Subbir Parvej, Dayakar L. Naik, Hizb Ullah Sajid, Ravi Kiran, Ying Huang and Nidhi Thanki

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2399; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042399 - 23 Feb 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 8113

Abstract

Fugitive dust is a serious threat to unpaved road users from a safety and health point of view. Dust suppressing materials or dust suppressants are often employed to lower the fugitive dust. Currently, many dust suppressants are commercially available and are being developed [...] Read more.

Fugitive dust is a serious threat to unpaved road users from a safety and health point of view. Dust suppressing materials or dust suppressants are often employed to lower the fugitive dust. Currently, many dust suppressants are commercially available and are being developed for various applications. The performance of these dust suppressants depends on their physical and chemical properties, application frequency and rates, soil type, wind speed, atmospheric conditions, etc. This article presents a comprehensive review of various available and in-development dust suppression materials and their dust suppression mechanisms. Specifically, the dust suppressants that lower the fugitive dust either through hygroscopicity (ability to absorb atmospheric moisture) and/or agglomeration (ability to cement the dust particles) are reviewed. The literature findings, recommendations, and limitations pertaining to dust suppression on unpaved roads are discussed at the end of the review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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28 pages, 2378 KiB

Open AccessReview

Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Swine Wastewater Treatments Using Ammonia Stripping and Anaerobic Digestion: A Short Review

by Adele Folino, Demetrio Antonio Zema and Paolo S. Calabrò

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 4971; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124971 - 18 Jun 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4298

Abstract

One of the most promising systems to treat swine wastewater is air stripping. This system simultaneously recovers nitrogen salts, to be used as fertiliser, and reduces the organic pollutant load in the effluents of swine breeding farms. Several reviews have discussed the air [...] Read more.

One of the most promising systems to treat swine wastewater is air stripping. This system simultaneously recovers nitrogen salts, to be used as fertiliser, and reduces the organic pollutant load in the effluents of swine breeding farms. Several reviews have discussed the air stripping as a treatment for many types of industrial wastewater or nitrogen-rich digestate (the liquid effluent derived from the anaerobic digestion plants) for the stripping/recovery of nutrients. However, reviews about the use of air stripping as treatment for raw or anaerobically digested swine wastewater are not available in literature. To fill this gap, this study: (i) Summarises the experiences of air stripping for recovery of ammonium salts from both raw and digested swine wastewater; and (ii) compares air stripping efficiency under different operational conditions. Moreover, combined systems including air stripping (such as struvite crystallisation, chemical precipitation, microwave radiation) have been compared. These comparisons have shown that air stripping of raw and digested swine wastewater fits well the concept of bio-refinery, because this system allows the sustainable management of the piggery effluent by extracting value-added compounds, by-products, and/or energy from wastewater. On the other hand, air stripping of raw and digested swine wastewater has not been extensively studied and more investigations should be carried out. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Sustainable Engineering: New Technologies and Methodologies)

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