1,720,970 research outputs found
A methodological proposal for the identification of energy-environmental performance indicators aimed at recovering the air quality
No full textThe paper deals with the introduction of a complex index capable of evaluating environmental air quality in industrial areas. In Italy regional plans of recovery and protection of air quality have been put in practice in order to identify areas where the increase of the emissions into atmosphere, owing to urban and/or industrial development, should be limited or prevented. The methodology is founded on an evaluation system of energy efficiency of cogeneration plants, based on some meaningful energy-environmental performance indicators, containing weighting factors taking into account the Best Available Techniques (BATs), even considering the contribution of secondary particulate matter. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
LCA of strippable coatings and of steam vacuum technology used for nuclear plants decontamination
No full textThe application of strippable coatings is an innovative technology for decontamination of nuclear plants and for any decontamination project aiming at removing surface contamination. An adhesive plastic coating is applied on the contaminated surface. The strippable coating is allowed to cure for up to 24 h, after which it can be easily peeled. The coating traps the contaminants in the polymer matrix. Strippable coatings are non-toxic and do not contain volatile compounds or heavy metals. Since the coating constitutes a solid waste, disposal is easier than treating contaminated liquid wastes, produced by the baseline technology: steam vacuum cleaning, based upon superheated pressurized water in order to remove contaminants from floors and walls. A life cycle assessment (LCA) has been carried out with the purpose of comparing the strippable coating with the steam vacuum technology. The functional unit of the study is represented by a surface of 1 m(2) to be decontaminated. The results of LCA achieved using Sima Pro 5.0(A (R)) software confirm the good environmental performances of strippable coatings. Taking into account both LCA and environmental costs for liquid wastes, the advantages of strippable coatings will be more and more evident
Application of AHP Method in selection of best available techniques for oil spill containment and clean-up
No full textLCA of strippable coatings and of principal competing technology used in nuclear decommissioning
No full text
Best available techniques for oil spill containment and clean-up in the Mediterranean Sea
No full textAn oil spill is the accidental or intentional release of petroleum products into the environment as a result of human activity (drilling, manufacturing, storing, transporting, waste management). Oil spills are unfortunately common events in many parts of the world. A survey has been undertaken on Best Available Techniques (BATs) used both for oil spill prevention and oil spill response. Preventing oil spill is definitely the best strategy for avoiding potential damage to human health and the environment. Nevertheless, when a spill occurs, the best approach for containing and controlling the spill is to take action quickly and in a well-organized and efficient way. The aim of the paper is the proposal of evaluation criteria aiming at an optimal BAT determination when an oil spill occurs. The criteria are referred to BATs for oil spill containment and to BATs for clean up of marine habitat, with particular regard to the item of the preservation of biodiversity
Influence of environmental, economic and social factors on a site selection index methodology for a technological centre for radioactive waste management
No full textThe design of a near-surface disposal facilities for low and intermediate level radioactive waste involves an important previous work for a suitable site selection. This paper falls within a huge study for the estimate of suitability indices, useful for the comparison of some areas which have passed a preliminary screening step. Since in a previous study geological and morphological factors had been mainly assessed, the focal aim of this paper concerns the evaluation of other important parameters relevant to the overall impact owing to the siting of a near-surface disposal facilities. The proposed methodology takes into account three impact index categories: the environmental, the economic and the social ones. The comparison between those impact index typologies has been developed throughout the use of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) elaborated by T. L. Saaty. As a matter of fact, this method allows the comparison between decision elements which are difficult to quantify, and it is used to prioritize alternatives. The weighting of each impact index typology derives from the analysis of the relative constituent parts. Finally, this new approach represents a useful, prompt and easy to use instrument for the evaluation of the suitability degree of areas under investigation. Copyright © 2009, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l
- …
