26734 research outputs found
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Study Of The Relationship Of Ems And Cg To Reduction Of Co2 Emissions In Petroleum Companies
No full textThis project provides a brief description of the impacts of the petroleum industry in climate change and the impacts of climate change in society. Besides, it provides an analysis of the influence of Corporate Governance (CG) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in reducing CO2 emissions in the petroleum industry. A group of eighteen of the biggest private petroleum companies in the world was used. The results of this study come from a correlation analysis of the variables (CG, EMS, Plans, and tools to address emission reduction) that are considered to influence and reduce carbon emissions in this industry. In addition, variables as revenues and geographic location of the companies were considered. Finally, this project provides information of how new environmental practices are influencing the industry and of how future research can be developed
In Situ Coal Gasification As An Alternative For Natural Gas In The Bitumen Extraction And Upgrading Processes In Alberta
No full textAlberta has significant coal resources, which represent a major potential for syngas and hydrogen production using underground coal gasification (UCG). Natural gas production in the province is decreasing while demand continues to rise, driven by high demand of this product in the oil sands. This project analyzes the convenience of using syngas from UCG as a substitute for natural gas in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage and hydrogen production in the hydrocracking process during bitumen upgrading. A major finding of this research project is that ground water risks, fresh water usage and greenhouse gases from the UCG process can be reduced when coal is gasified in deep formations. Syngas as fuel is not economically feasibility under current natural gas price but hydrogen production could be a good alternative for steam-methane reforming under current natural gas price. Strategy analysis shows that oil and gas companies have a strong competitive advantage to develop UCG projects over conventional coal companies
Water- Energy Nexus: The Next Global Sustainability Challenge
No full textThe Water-Energy Nexus is a subject of rising significance in a changing world looking to find solutions for its growing appetite for energy, water and other commodities. The project entitled The Water-Energy Nexus: The Next Global Sustainability Challenge examines the intricacies of how Energy, the Environment and Society are all linked together through the concept of the Water-Energy Nexus. The project is directed towards answering the question of how the nexus can assist in the transitions towards a sustainable energy future, allowing for different disciplines to finally unite in order to achieve a common goal. The first section of the project explains how water works in the natural environment and how a resource, although renewable can be at risk because of our consumption patterns. The section looks at ways in which water is stored in the environment, whether frozen in ice, buried in deep ground aquifers, on the surface or in the atmosphere. The project examines the intricacies of how a changing climate will affect water resources and thus affect the way we plan in ahead with regards to our energy future. The second section focuses on how water is used in energy systems. Breaking down the various processes at which water is used across Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Power and Alternative Energies. The chapter illustrates how much water is used per unit of energy and how water may actually change the concept of whether or not an energy system is sustainable
Applying The All-hazard Approach To Managing Sour Gas Emergencies In Alberta And British Columbia
No full textThe concerns about sour natural gas exploration and production include significant environmental and health effects associated with the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) contained in the gas. Methane has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) that is 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2) (IPCC, 2007). A person who is exposed to as little as 100 ppm (0.01%) of H2S can experience respiratory irritation, sore throat, and wheezing whereas exposure to concentrations of 1000 ppm (0.1%) of H2S can result in death (Alberta Health Services, 2007). This prompts the question; are the emergency management regulations in Alberta and British Columbia adequate to mitigate the impacts to the environment and human health? A comparative methodology was used to compare the emergency management regulations in Alberta and British Columbia against a known model for managing emergencies, known as the Four Pillars of Emergency Management. This research project suggests that British Columbia has adopted superior emergency management regulations that satisfied the outlined criteria 94% of the time whereas Alberta’s regulations satisfy the criteria only 69% of the time
Effectively Communicating Triple Bottom Line: Gauging Employee And Investor Appetite For Corporate Social Responsibility At Transcanada
No full textThrough online surveys, this study aimed to gauge the perceptions of and appetite for corporate social responsibility of two stakeholder groups at TransCanada energy infrastructure firm: investors and internal stakeholders within the firm. This study further aimed to determine the best methods for engaging each stakeholder group on CSR and related topics, through an extensive literature review of best practices and case studies. Our results suggest that investors and internal stakeholders perceive there to be significant value in CSR at TransCanada and identified a strong relationship between good performances on ESG indicators and overall firm financial performance. Additionally, opportunities exist to improve communication on ESG performance with investors and more effectively engage internal stakeholders at TransCanada in CSR. Creating cultural change by integrating CSR more effectively across the organization and increased reporting of ESG performance indicators were identified as best practices to improve engagement with both stakeholder groups
Evaluation Of Potential Applications Of Biochar For Improved Sustainability Of Agriculture, Water Treatment And Energy Generation Systems
No full textBiochar has begun to attract attention from several distinct areas. Some see biochar as a simple by-product of a biofuels industry; some see a future in coal reductions, while others want to mass-produce char as a solution to the agricultural strains currently seen with the planet’s fast growing population. Still others believe that biochar could prevent further climate change and even reverse the effects that we have seen so far with its potential for GHG sequestration. Beyond these, biochar can be turned into an added value product such as activated carbon, and can be useful for water and soil remediation. The agricultural potential for biochar is promising overall. Studies, though mixed, show a trend of increasing soil productivity, nutrient availability, water holding capacity, and suppression of some GHGs. There is still work to be done to firmly establish links between the starting feedstock – the pyrolysis process – the soils application – the soil interaction and then final impact to plant life. As for added value of biochar products, there is a strong possibility that biochar can be a successful adsorption tool, and can be converted into an activated carbon. Co-firing of biomass and/or biochar with existing coal-fired power plants is another area of potential value for biomass. Until government policy catches up with the science, and science is able to firmly link cause/effect of biochar on various plant, animal, soil, water, and carbon cycle systems, the future of biochar is stagnant. However, which the continuation of promising studies regarding soil management, wastewater treatment, co-firing, and the threat of expensive carbon taxes in the industrialized world, biochar is an area worth continued study and investigation
Solid Waste Management Plan (swmp) For Shushufindi Industrial Complex, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador
No full textEvaluation Of The Potential For Technology Transfer Of A Produced Water Management System
No full textInvestigation Of The Energy, Environment And Social Impacts Of The Informal Electronic And Electronic Waste Recycling Industry In The Guangdong Province Of China
No full textHigh consumer demand and obsolescence of technology has led to the growth of a major global issue: electrical and electronic waste, otherwise known as e-waste. The global production of e-waste is expected to grow an average of four percent per annum, creating a mounting problem for developing countries, such as China, as the developed world ships its unwanted e-waste under the guise of recycling. A major culprit is the United States, which exports 27% of its e-waste to China, where it is processed using crude methods. Such techniques have resulted in heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants contamination of the air, land and water. The quality of life for e-waste recycling communities in the Guangdong Province has been drastically reduced due to the degraded environmental conditions and the resulting health issues
