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Environmental Aspects (environmental + aspect)
Selected AbstractsMaterials Selection for Optimal Design of a Porous Radiant Burner for Environmentally Driven Requirements,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009Jaona Randrianalisoa Combustion supports which optimize a porous radiant burner are identified using a material selection approach. The optimization requirements account for the environmental aspect such as lower pollution. It was shown that high porosity metallic materials such as FeCrAlY foam, is always preferable in terms of pollution. From the viewpoint of thermal efficiency, metallic foams are better at high in-flux while Mullite foam takes over at low in-flux. [source] Networks as a means of supporting the adoption of organizational innovations in SMEs: the case of Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) based on ISO 14001CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2007Fawzi Halila Abstract In spite of their large numbers, most SMEs have little knowledge of or interest in environmental questions and generally have difficulties when it comes to integrating environmental aspects into their activities. One way for SMEs to shift from a reactive to a proactive environmental behavior is to adopt environmental innovations. Environmental innovations consist of new or modified processes, techniques, practices, systems and products to avoid or reduce environmental harms. In this study, I focus on a particular type of innovation: organizational environmental innovations, such as an EMS in accordance with ISO 14001. ,,One objective of this study was to understand and describe how SMEs can use a network as a basis for initiating environmental work. Another objective was to develop a model that can be used as a guideline for the adoption of an ISO 14001 EMS by SMEs collaborating in a network. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] EMAS and its local diffusion in ItalyCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2003Rita Jirillo Due to the growing awareness among enterprises of the relevance of ,sustainable development', applications of the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) in Italy are expanding. With the second era of EMAS (EMAS II), this scheme will become a global instrument, enabling Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to master environmental challenges while improving their competitive position. This report intends to demonstrate that area and local agreements between local government units and research centres, such as universities or energy and environmental boards, can simplify and improve the diffusion of EMAS in the country. Reported examples of some small Italian municipalities that have applied EMAS are demonstrations of how government units can increase all citizens' quality of life while taking care of environmental aspects. Since 1993, the year of the first applications of Regulation 1836/93, local government units have understood the important role they can play in this subject. This work illustrates that the development of ISO and EMAS local applications must be based on government's local promotion aimed at encouraging enterprises to voluntarily adopt these instruments for environmental safeguard. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment. [source] Hydrophobic pervaporation for environmental applications: Process optimization and integrationENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 4 2002Frank Lipnizki The focus of this paper is on the design of pervaporation units for wastewater treatment taking into account technical, economic, and environmental aspects. Two different sized industrial wastewater streams of water-chloroform, and of water-methyl-isobutylketone (MIBK) are considered. Based on a wastewater stream of 1,500 kg/d, a semi-batch process combining pervaporation with a decanter recycle loop is developed. Using this process, it is possible to recover over 99% of the organic components at concentrations of more than 98 wt. %. The treatment costs are between 0.11 to 0.16 $/kg wastewater. For the treatment of a wastewater stream of 1,000 kg/h, pervaporation combined with a decanter and recycling loop, as well as integrated in a hybrid process with adsorption, is considered. For MIBK, pervaporation with a decanter is the most attractive option taking economic and environmental aspects into account, while, for chloroform, the hybrid process is the better option. Treatment costs in all cases are about 0.03 $/kg wastewater. The recovery rate of the organic compounds is over 99% at concentrations over 98 wt. %. The authors concluded that pervaporation as a stand-alone unit, or integrated into hybrid processes, offers significant advantages over conventional alternatives. [source] Thermal energy storage systems as a key technology in energy conservationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2002Ibrahim DincerArticle first published online: 27 MAY 200 Abstract In this study we deal with the methods and applications of describing, assessing and using thermal energy storage systems, as well as economical, energy conservation and environmental aspects of such systems. The energetic and environmental impacts of thermal energy storage (TES) systems are discussed and highlighted with a number of illustrative examples. The main emphasis is laid on sensible TES, since it is internationally accepted as the most economical and practical energy storage technique. An energy and exergy modelling is presented for TES systems as a key component in the above-mentioned aspects. Illustrative examples are also given to practically demonstrate how exergy analysis provides a more realistic and meaningful assessment than the conventional energy analysis of the efficiency and performance of a sensible heat storage system. It is believed that the results will be useful to engineers and designers seeking to improve and optimize TES systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Agricultural Economics and Rural Development: Marriage or Divorce?JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2001Presidential Address Rural development is a growing field of interest, both in policy and conceptual terms. However, it is sometimes loosely defined, and statistical information is therefore often confusing. This paper attempts to clarify some of the concepts involved, and then to explore the relationship between the study of rural development and that of agricultural economics. It is argued that much would be gained by a clearer separation between the economics of land, covering its environmental aspects as well as food production, and that of the rural population and economy. Links between the two certainly exist, but are better recognised individually, by analysts and policymakers alike. [source] The Water Poverty Index: Development and application at the community scaleNATURAL RESOURCES FORUM, Issue 3 2003C.A. Sullivan The article details the development and uses of the water poverty index (WPI). The index was developed as a holistic tool to measure water stress at the household and community levels, designed to aid national decision makers, at community and central government level, as well as donor agencies, to determine priority needs for interventions in the water sector. The index combines into a single number a cluster of data directly and indirectly relevant to water stress. Subcomponents of the index include measures of: access to water; water quantity, quality and variability; water uses (domestic, food, productive purposes); capacity for water management; and environmental aspects. The WPI methodology was developed through pilot projects in South Africa, Tanzania and Sri Lanka and involved intensive participation and consultation with all stakeholders, including water users, politicians, water sector professionals, aid agency personnel and others. The article discusses approaches for the further implementation of the water poverty index, including the possibilities of acquiring the necessary data through existing national surveys or by establishing interdisciplinary water modules in school curricula. The article argues that the WPI fills the need for a simple, open and transparent tool, one that will appeal to politicians and decision makers, and at the same time can empower poor people to participate in the better targeting of water sector interventions and development budgets in general. [source] Model of the home food environment pertaining to childhood obesityNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 3 2008Richard R Rosenkranz The home food environment can be conceptualized as overlapping interactive domains composed of built and natural, sociocultural, political and economic, micro-level and macro-level environments. Each type and level of environment uniquely contributes influence through a mosaic of determinants depicting the home food environment as a major setting for shaping child dietary behavior and the development of obesity. Obesity is a multifactorial problem, and the home food environmental aspects described here represent a substantial part of the full environmental context in which a child grows, develops, eats, and behaves. The present review includes selected literature relevant to the home food environment's influence on obesity with the aim of presenting an ecologically informed model for future research and intervention in the home food environment. [source] Environment and Food Safety in Agriculture: Are Labels Efficient?AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC PAPERS, Issue 4 2000Lisette Ibanez In this article, we try to elicit whether an information on food safety is consistent with a more environmental-friendly agriculture. As the policy makers generally intervene to limit negative externalities in agriculture on the supply side, is a labelling policy an efficient way to reduce pollution levels in this sector? The intuitive reason of a food safety label rests on the fact that consumers seem to be more concerned with information on food safety aspects than on environmental ones. In a vertical differentiation model, we analyse the impacts of labels mentioning food safety and environmental aspects, on firms' profits, consumers' surplus and pollution levels. Given our main assumption that food safety and environmental consequences are directly linked, our principal results show that a labelling policy on food safety can be efficient from an environmental point of view, depending on the initial healthy products proportion in the market. Another result is based on the fact that a label policy can reduce consumer's surplus. [source] Sustainable supply chain management in tourismBUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 4 2008Xavier Font Abstract Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) encapsulates the trend to use purchasing policies and practices to facilitate sustainable development at the tourist destination. Most research has focused on environmental aspects of manufacturing, while other aspects of sustainability or the challenges for the service sector are largely ignored. Yet SSCM is particularly important for tour operators, as the product depends on the activities of suppliers, such as accommodation, transport and activities. Therefore, tour operators' contribution to sustainable tourism will be more effective through the definition and implementation of policies that acknowledge responsibility for the impacts of suppliers. Exploratory research of SSCM practices amongst tour operators generated a wide range of examples of good practice across the whole supply chain, and recommendations are made for more widespread engagement. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] | ||||||||||||||||