Emerging Indoor Air Quality Issues In Developing Countries

indoor air quality
In terms of aggregate health effects, household solid fuel use is currently the most important source of indoor air pollution in developing countries. Although relatively equitable economic and rural development has contributed to reducing the use of solid fuels in some settings (e.g., in some newly industrialized Asian countries), indoor air pollution is likely to remain an important health risk in poorer developing countries in the absence of successful intervention programs. More broadly, indoor air quality issues in developing countries are dynamic phenomena that require dynamic research and policy responses. (more…)

Chemical Pulp Paper Production

More than 48% of the raw material fiber used for paper production (chemical pulp or mechanical pulp) in the United States in 2002 was recovered or reclaimed, with recovered paper contributing 37.7% and wood residues 10.6%. The total has been more or less constant, with the percentage of recovered paper increasing and that of wood residues declining recently due to their increased use in oriented strand board and composite panels. Primary fibers are a renewable, domestic resource, much of which is currently supplied by tree plantations. Short-rotation forestry can be used to further increase the productivity of these plantations. (more…)

Biomass Gasification: Electricty Conversion from Feedstock

Biomass Gasification
Gasification is a thermo chemical process that has been exploited for more than a century for converting solid feedstocks to gaseous energy carriers. The first gasifier patent was issued in England at the end of the 18th century and producer gas from coal gasification was mainly used as lighting fuel throughout the 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, the main use of producer gas, obtained essentially from coal, switched to electricity generation and automotive applications via internal combustion engines. The use of producer gas was gradually supplanted by the use of higher energy density liquid fuels and as a result confined to areas with expensive or unreliable supplies of petroleum fuels. (more…)

Bioenergy from Dependent Resources (Forestry, Vegetable Oils, Waste)

Agricultural and forestry residues provide the largest proportion of biomass used for the production of biomas bioenergy. Some estimates suggest that globally available biomass role in the form of recoverable residues represents about 40 Ejyr -1, enough to meet 10% of the total present energy use of 406 Ejyr -1 . However, realizing this potential is limited by factors such as ease and cost of recovery and environmental concerns relating to sustainable land use practices. (more…)

Climate Change Renewable Energy Demand & Consumption

Establishing the impact of climate change on energy demand requires a measure of heating and cooling requirements. In the United States, this measure is a degree day, which is defined in terms of an absolute difference between average daily temperature and 651F, which is an arbitrary benchmark for household comfort. Commercial heating degree days are incurred when outside temperatures are below 651F, generally during the winter heating season from October through March. (more…)

The US Climate Action Partnership

Ten industry giants – with business operations spanning the utilities, manufacturing, chemicals and financial-services sector – joined forces with four environmental groups to pressure for setting mandatory limits on CO2 emissions. The group calls for a market based emission trading program. Under a ‘cap and trade’ system, the Government gives or sells permits to business, allowing them certain levels of green house gases emissions. (more…)

Modernizing Bioenergy – Biomass as Energy Source

modernizing bioenergy biomass
Estimation of the future technical potential of biomass as an energy source is dependent on assumptions with respect to land availability and productivity as well as conversion technologies. With the emergence of energy crops as the major source of biomass fuel, land use conflicts, especially in relation to food production, may arise. However, with efficient agricultural practices, plantations and crops could supply a large proportion of energy needs, with residues playing a smaller role without compromising food production or further intensifying agricultural practices. (more…)

Alternative Fuels and Vehicles Cost-Competitive

alternative fuels vehicles
The increase in the prices of major fuels, like gasoline and diesel fuel products is a major global problems recently. Those prices are increase associated with the global economic crisis. Now, it is the ideal time to move all the focus and effort to alternative fuels for vehicles. There are different types of alternative energy sources for fuel to choose from. But the hard fact is that the areas of alternative fuels have not passed many real qualitative and quantitative surveys and breakthrough research. (more…)

The Role of Governments in Energy Research and Development

Not surprisingly, most Energy Research and Development takes place in industrialized countries where both the public and private sectors are involved in the development of energy technologies. Given that most energy technologies are deployed through the marketplace, the predominant focus of Energy Research and Development is within firms. Still, governments have historically played an important role in the Research and Development of new energy technologies through direct financial support (e.g., gas turbines) as well as through policies that promote Energy Research and Development within firms. (more…)

Energy Use, Emissions, and Environmental Impact

energy emissions environmental
The growth in air transportation volume has important global energy sustainable development
associated with the potential for greenhouse gases sources. On local to regional scales, noise, decreased air quality related primarily to ozone production and particulate levels, and other issues, such as roadway congestion related to airport services and local water quality, are all recognized as important impacts. (more…)

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