RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden
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HCT- City: Systemkoncept i produktionsmiljö
No full textThere is a growing need and interest to improve sustainability and productivity in the construction sector. Energy consumption from machines and transport operations in construction projects account for the largest part of the emissions in the sector. Considering the transport alone transports within construction and civil engineering account for 25-30% of the number of road transports in Sweden and between 2011 and 2019 accounted for the largest increase of emissions (CO2 equivalents) in absolute terms. According to the Swedish Road Administration, more than 42% of all heavy trucks in Sweden 2021 were overloaded, which is an increase of nearly 20% since 2014. To address these negative trends, new transport concepts and solutions are needed. The earth-moving process within construction is often iterative. A fleet of vehicles shares the mission to transport earth mass from A to B. This report addresses the system-level perspective on introducing heavier vehicle combinations, High-Capacity Transport (HCT) vehicles, and how this influences the overall productivity and related fuel consumption from the entire process. Challenges with introducing HCT in the construction process include the change in process pace, and related dimensioning for using heterogeneous fleets. Additionally, the introduction of HCT vehicles even further emphasizes the importance of load weight control to avoid overweight, ensure compliance, and maximize vehicle utilization by minimizing underweight. This report presents a case study of an earthmoving operation in a tunnel construction project where real-world data from a mass load-out process in tunnel construction have been studied. The study has simultaneously collected detailed data from real-world sensors mounted on a loading machine, a heterogenous truck fleet, and an infrastructure-based bridge weight-in-motion (B-WIM) system. The methodology includes data collection of detailed positions, load weight, time, speed, and fuel consumption from different vehicles and vehicle combinations. Results include a statistical model for fuel consumption as a function of gross weight, assessments of impact from HCT-vehicles, and key knowledge regarding transport weighing scales
No one left behind : A universal design analysis of ship evacuation
No full textAn accident on a passenger ferry may lead to evacuation using lifeboats or liferafts, a process that can be both complex and hazardous. This paper investigates the level of safety for passengers during evacuation based on field study and interview data. In the analysis, the eight goals of Universal Design (UD) were tailored and used to explore what ship and interior characteristics influence evacuation performance and the demands placed on the crew and passengers, and whether all passengers have equal chances of completing evacuation safely. Results suggest that while a ship may fulfil regulation, completing an evacuation may pose challenges for passengers with varying abilities, for example, when attempting to perceive emergency information or move through the ship. In addition, it was found that an evacuation may present the crew with challenges and difficult trade-offs that are not always accounted for in the ship’s design, equipment and safety organization. It is concluded that the use of a UD approach in ship design, based on a truthful representation of passenger demographics, could enhance passenger safety and provide for evacuation on equal terms.Thanks to the Swedish Transport Administration for funding the project.</p
The dairy production system in the north of Sweden under possible future food scenarios
No full textContext: The dairy production system fills an important role by providing nutrient-dense foods in Swedish diets, however, future efforts to improve its sustainability necessitate structural changes. Objective: We present an innovative study which assesses the effects of these future changes in the dairy system in northern Sweden, the Norrland region, which has a subarctic climate. Methods: Four scenarios were developed: 1) Food as Industry: Food is a commodity, and its production is an industry that can be invested in to benefit society. 2) Food as Technology: New technologies, such as nutrient density trackers and microbiome mapping, are used for personalized dietary plans. Additionally, novel foods from microbial cultures are produced. 3) Food as Culture: More locally produced food and diverse food products are consumed. 4) Food Forgotten: Land previously used for food and feed is converted to bioenergy production, climate mitigation, and adaptation infrastructure. These scenarios were compared to the baseline i.e. present dairy system for dairy production capacity, carbon flow and carbon footprint. Results and conclusions: Food as industry resulted in increased dairy production capacity with decreased carbon footprint but increased carbon imports. Food as technology provided decreased dairy production capacity and increased carbon footprint but with decreased carbon imports. Food as culture, maintained dairy production capacity with a decreased carbon footprint and carbon imports. Food forgotten resulted in decreased dairy production capacity and increased carbon imports but with decreased carbon footprint. Food as culture benefits all - specifically dairy production capacity, carbon footprint and carbon imports. However, further research is required to explore implications on soil organic carbon stocks over time in Norrland. Significance: Our study sheds light on the potential impacts of future dairy production in a subarctic climate and aims to help in decision making.The research leading to these results has received funding from the Swedish Research Council FORMAS (grant no: 2020\u201302977) as part of the SustAinimal project (www.sustainimal.se).</p
HANS - Återvinning av aluminiumspånor
No full textHANS – Recycling of aluminium chips The purpose of the project was to test and evaluate methods to increase the internal use of chips in order to minimize transport and avoid additional remelting. The goal is to achieve equivalent mechanical properties to the cast component currently. The methods to achieve this goal were initially a literature study followed by briquetting trials and casting trials. Centrifugation of chips before briquetting has not affected the final moisture content in the briquettes. Pre-drying at elevated temperature has also no effect on the final result. The pressing of briquettes drives out so much cutting fluid that no difference in the moisture content of the briquettes has been measured regardless of whether the chips have been centrifuged or not. In experiments with the addition of briquettes to a small melt (10 kg), the amount of inclusions increased significantly as the relative amount of briquettes increased from 10% to 20%. Even in full-scale experiments with a larger melt (850 kg), a clear difference was seen in terms of inclusions between a reference melt and after the addition of about 8% briquettes. After degassing the melt with added briquettes, however, there is a considerable reduction in the amount of inclusions, both in terms of number and size. The addition of briquettes produces a noticeable difference in density of the cast material. Degassing and proper slagging significantly reduced the amount of porous inclusions and gases, even in comparison with the reference melt without briquette addition. This is also confirmed in studies of fracture surfaces where the deviations that occur are at a microscopic level. In the full-scale melt, no direct differences in mechanical properties between the reference melt and the melt with added briquettes have been detected, neither before nor after degassing. Based on this work, it seems that the addition of chips in the form of briquettes can be a good and manageable solution from a sustainability perspective, not negatively affecting the resulting cast material. However, further tests should be conducted to verify this, especially for material applications with higher requirements.Projektet har finansierats av det strategiska innovationsprogrammet Metalliska material som syftar till att förverkliga den strategiska forsknings- och innovationsagendan Nationell samling kring metalliska material. Programmet är en del av Vinnovas, Energimyndighetens och Formas satsning på strategiska innovationsprogram och samlar Sveriges metallindustrier: Stål, aluminium, hårdmetall, gjutstål, gjutjärn och gjutna icke-järnmetaller.</p
Is renewing Icelandic demersal trawling vessels resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions?
No full textUnderstanding and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of bottom trawl fisheries is of importance, as it directly impacts efforts to mitigate climate change and promotes sustainable fishing practices. As a considerable part of global landings is fished using demersal trawls and vessel renewal is often mentioned as an important mitigation measure. This study compares the greenhouse gas emissions of older and newer trawlers in the Icelandic fleet, using Life Cycle Assessment methodology with the functional unit “1 kg of demersally trawled fish at landing”. The global warming potential (kg CO2-eq) from older Icelandic bottom trawlers was assessed and compared to the newer ones, where older vessels were in some cases being decommissioned. A total of 11 trawlers were assessed, providing a cross section of the Icelandic bottom trawler fleet, with respect to age, size, catch composition and onboard operations. The results show that freezer trawling was more energy-intensive compared to trawlers landing their catches chilled/superchilled. Fleet renewal alone does not explain the reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in the Icelandic bottom trawl fleet between 2012 and 2022, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach considering multiple factors such as catch composition, fishing ground, and vessel characteristics, which explained 87% of the emissions. Catching indicated increased fuel consumption compared to steaming. The greenhouse gas emissions allocated to each demersal fish species ranged on average from 0.5 to 1.0 kg CO2-eq/kg of the weight of demersal fish landed, and from 1.4 to 2.7 kg CO2-eq/kg of the edible part of demersal fish landed (mass allocation), where redfish stood out as having the highest emissions. This article was a collaboration between the University of Iceland, department of Food science, and Mat\u00EDs ohf. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from The Icelandic Food Innovation Fund (grant no. 202200163), and the Research fund of the University of Iceland (grant no. 92349), for funding the study.</p
PFAS-Free Energy Storage : Investigating Alternatives for Lithium-Ion Batteries
No full textThe class-wide restriction proposal on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Union is expected to affect a wide range of commercial sectors, including the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry, where both polymeric and low molecular weight PFAS are used. The PFAS restriction dossiers currently state that there is weak evidence for viable alternatives to the use of PFAS in LIBs. In this Perspective, we summarize both the peer-reviewed literature and expert opinions from academia and industry to verify the legitimacy of the claims surrounding the lack of alternatives. Our assessment is limited to the electrodes and electrolyte, which account for the most critical uses of PFAS in LIB cells. Companies that already offer or are developing PFAS-free electrode and electrolyte materials were identified. There are also indications that PFAS-free electrolytes are in development by at least one other company, but there is no information regarding the alternative chemistries being proposed. Our review suggests that it is technically feasible to make PFAS-free batteries for battery applications, but PFAS-free solutions are not currently well-established on the market. Successful substitution of PFAS will require an appropriate balance among battery performance, the environmental effects associated with hazardous materials and chemicals, and economic considerations.Funding for this work was provided by the Swedish EnergyAgency (SCOPE-LIBs project 48208-1), the Swedish ResearchCouncil FORMAS (grant number 2020-01978), XPRES(Initiative for Excellence in Production Research) and theEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovationprogramme (grant agreement No 101036756; the ZeroPMproject). M.W. acknowledges the financial support by theGerman Research Foundation (DFG) under Project ID390874152 (PoLiS Cluster of Excellence, EXC 2154).</p
Operating MASS Passenger Ferry MF Estelle - Shifting Work from Ship to Shore
No full textMaritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) refer to vessels that can be remotely controlled or operate independently of human interaction to a higher degree. This report is part of the deliverables in the project “Policy Lab Urban Zeas (PLUZ)” exploring the safety case for automated public ferry transport based on pioneering trials with the ferry MF Estelle crossing Riddarfjärden in Stockholm. This report takes a Human Factors perspective on current and envisioned future operations including a shift of the human operator from ship to shore. It highlights incremental development stages towards establishing a Remote Operations Centre (ROC), from which an operator will supervise Estelle. The adaptation of operator tasks, functions, and responsibilities from ship to shore is shortly discussed, and so is the distribution of tasks and teamwork between the ROC operator and the remaining on-board passenger attendant
Agrifood Data Workshop – En dataverkstad för jordbruk & livsmedel
No full textAgrifood Data Workshop - A data workshop for agriculture and food Agrifood Data Workshop (ADW) was a national data workshop aimed at simplifying and securing the use and sharing of data, as well as promoting innovations within the agrifood supply chain. The workshop has provided support, tools, and methods to enhance competence and data-driven innovation among actors wishing to share data in the agrifood supply chain. The focus has been on the secure and efficient sharing of data according to the Data Governance Act, and a prototype tool for automatic data classification and publication, called “The Washing Machine,” has been demonstrated.Rapporten är framtagen med ekonomiskt bidrag dels från Vinnova, dels från Jordbruksverket via Europeiska jordbruksfonden för landsbygdsutveckling.</p
Decision making about increased building automation – barriers, drivers and motivation factors
No full textEnergy efficiency has been identified as a way of addressing the need to reduce climate impact from fossil fuels. Furthermore, the ongoing twin transition may provide better and more energy-efficient control of buildings with systems such as building management systems (BMS). However, there appear to be barriers to investments in functional digital tools, as there are for other energy-efficient technologies for buildings. This paper is based on a questionnaire study with technology providers, decision makers and users of building management systems. The questionnaire included questions regarding barriers, drivers, and motivations for investments in BMS. Improved energy efficiency was found to be an important motivation for investments in BMS for users and decision makers, but the technology providers elevated more easy work as important. The main driver for investments in BMS was related to reduced energy costs, while for the decision makers, financial barriers such as risks and hidden cost were ranked highest. An important knowledge barrier was found as knowledge is needed for decisions about investments, use of BMS and decisions regarding IT security, such as handling of data. A key conclusion is the need for a facilitator, as knowledge is needed for decisions about BMS investments and for its use. On a broader scale, the paper argues for the need to include facilitators as a core part of future policies within the twin transition. The work was carried out under the auspices of the PhD school Reesbe, which is financed by the Swedish Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen, project number 20150133).</p