Thermo-economic investigation on the hydrogen production through the stored solar energy in a salinity gradient solar pond: A comparative study by employing APC and ORC with zeotropic mixture

In this paper, a salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP) is used to harness the solar energy for hydrogen production through two cycles. The first cycle includes an absorption power cycle (APC), a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) unit; in the second one, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) with the zeotropic mixture is used instead of APC. The cycles are analyzed through the thermoeconomic vantage point to discover the effect of key decision variables on the cycles’ performance. Finally, NSGA-II is used to optimize both cycles. The results indicate that employing ORC with zeotropic mixture leads to a better performance in comparison to utilizing APC. For the base mode, unit cost product (UCP), exergy, and energy efficiency when APC is employed are 59.9 $/GJ, 23.73%, and 3.84%, respectively. These amounts are 47.27 $/GJ, 29.48%, and 5.86% if ORC with the zeotropic mixture is utilized. The APC and ORC generators have the highest exergy destruction rate which is equal to 6.18 and 10.91 kW. In both cycles, the highest investment cost is related to the turbine and is 0.8275 $/h and 0.976 $/h for the first and second cycles, respectively. In the optimum state the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, UCP, and H₂ production rate of the system enhances 42.44%, 27.54%,15.95%, and 38.24% when ORC with the zeotropic mixture is used. The maximum H₂ production is 0.47 kg/h, and is obtained when the mass fraction of R142b, LCZ temperature, pumps pressure ratio, generator bubble point temperature are 0.603, 364.35 K, 2.12, 337.67 K, respectively.     

Western Canadian dairy farmers' perspectives on the provision of outdoor access for dairy cows and on the perceptions of other stakeholders

The provision of pasture and outdoor access for dairy cattle differs around the globe. For example, in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, dairy farms are largely pasture based, whereas dairy farms in the United States and Canada are largely confinement based. There is a high level of public support for pasture and outdoor access for dairy cows, and the available evidence shows that dairy cattle are highly motivated to access pasture, especially at night. The decision as to whether to provide outdoor access is typically made by farmers, but little is known about dairy farmers' perspectives on this topic. We investigated perspectives of Western Canadian dairy farmers on outdoor access, as well as how they believe different stakeholders (i.e., the dairy industry, the dairy cows, and the general public) regard outdoor access for dairy cows. Data were collected via (1) 11 focus group discussions with a total of 50 Western Canadian dairy farmers, and (2) semi-structured individual interviews with an additional 6 dairy farmers of Hutterite colonies. Data were analyzed using template analysis. Although most participants in this study did not provide outdoor access on their farms, or only provided outdoor access to certain cow groups, participants generally mentioned that they enjoyed seeing cows on pasture or outdoors. However, participants shared that the Canadian supply management system (including processors) required a consistent flow of production, which was thought to be easier and more economically realized with indoor housing of lactating cows. Participants believed that pasture or outdoor access for dairy cows was desired by the public. Some participants believed that dairy cows prefer to spend time outside under favorable weather conditions, but others felt that cows preferred to stay indoors in modern, ventilated freestall barns. The results of this study describe the perspectives of dairy farmers regarding the views of dairy industry stakeholders as they relate to outdoor access, helping to inform conversations around the provision of outdoor access for dairy cattle.     

尾矿库堆积坝排渗设施在某尾矿库的应用

近些年受尾矿库选址及环境保护等政策的限制，新建尾矿库的工程投资明显增加，因此在原有堆坝高度上继续加高的工程增多，接近100～200 m级的高坝尾矿库大量涌现。为增加尾矿库的稳定性，以某尾矿库工程为例，坝体浸润线埋深较高，稳定计算不能满足相关规范要求。为有效降低浸润线，在堆积坝内采用大口辐射井和飘管相结合的排渗设施。经现场实际运行，排渗设施的应用对保证坝体稳定具有十分重要的作用。     

某尾矿库调洪计算

调洪计算在尾矿库设计和运行管理中都是非常重要的，水量平衡是常用计算方法，涉及较多的插值计算与试算。为了提高计算效率和计算质量，在利用Excel强大数据处理功能的同时，采用VBA编程方法实现计算过程自动化。降低了人工插值和试算对计算结果的影响，提高了工作效率。计算过程清晰，通用性强。     

基于模糊多元联系度模型的尾矿库综合安全评价

为准确评价尾矿库的安全等级，以黄金洞尾矿库为例，分析影响尾矿库安全的各因素之间的关系，综合运用模糊多元联系度理论与层次分析法（AHP），建立了包含5个影响因素和26个影响因子的尾矿库综合安全评价模型。由AHP得出各项主、客观指标的权重系数，引入模糊多元联系度理论，综合考虑确定性与不确定性因素，处理综合集成问题，构造隶属函数量化指标的实测值。结果表明：黄金洞尾矿库安全等级为Ⅱ级，尾矿库处于较稳定状态。经比较不确定性因素大小，得出尾矿排放（B₃）>尾矿坝（B₂）>安全管理（B₁）>尾矿输送与回水（B₅）>排洪系统（B₄），说明尾矿排放指标的不确定性因素最大，需对尾矿排放加强管理。该模型得到的评价结果与实际结果相吻合，为尾矿库安全性评价提供了一种可行的方法。     

尾矿库排水管封堵技术及相关事故处理

当尾矿库库底排水管强度不能满足坝体加高的承载要求，且无法进行加固或在使用过程中出现损坏迹象时，均应对其进行封堵。排水管的封堵位置与封堵长度关系到尾矿库的安全运行，必须高度重视，防止留下安全隐患。该文结合某矿山工程事故案例，提出了排水管封堵技术要求以及因排水管承载能力不足导致的事故处理方法，为类似尾矿库工程提供参考。     

Dairy farmers with larger herd sizes adopt more precision dairy technologies

An increase in the average herd size on Australian dairy farms has also increased the labor and animal management pressure on farmers, thus potentially encouraging the adoption of precision technologies for enhanced management control. A survey was undertaken in 2015 in Australia to identify the relationship between herd size, current precision technology adoption, and perception of the future of precision technologies. Additionally, differences between farmers and service providers in relation to perception of future precision technology adoption were also investigated. Responses from 199 dairy farmers, and 102 service providers, were collected between May and August 2015 via an anonymous Internet-based questionnaire. Of the 199 dairy farmer responses, 10.4% corresponded to farms that had fewer than 150 cows, 37.7% had 151 to 300 cows, 35.5% had 301 to 500 cows; 6.0% had 501 to 700 cows, and 10.4% had more than 701 cows. The results showed that farmers with more than 500 cows adopted between 2 and 5 times more specific precision technologies, such as automatic cup removers, automatic milk plant wash systems, electronic cow identification systems and herd management software, when compared with smaller farms. Only minor differences were detected in perception of the future of precision technologies between either herd size or farmers and service providers. In particular, service providers expected a higher adoption of automatic milking and walk over weighing systems than farmers. Currently, the adoption of precision technology has mostly been of the type that reduces labor needs; however, respondents indicated that by 2025 adoption of data capturing technology for monitoring farm system parameters would be increased.     

Assessment of tracing element characteristics of F-type fly and bottom ash mixture

Presently, fly ash–water slurry is transported to ash disposal site at very low solid concentration of approximately 15–20% (by weight), resulting in huge water and energy wastage which leads to several environmental and health problem. The production of a large amount of the toxic metal elements in the ash disposal system of the thermal power plants can pose negative environmental effects on human health and on plants. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the leaching characteristics of fly ash at higher concentrations. The bottom ash was taken as an additive in the proportion of 10, 20, and 30% (by weight) to enhance the leaching characteristics of fly ash. The solid concentration of fly ash suspension was taken in the range of 40 to 60% (by weight). The addition of additive helps to reduce the tracing metal concentration of fly ash. Leaching experiment data show that leachate concentration of all tracing elements present in fly ash reduced maximum with 20% addition of bottom ash (by weight). The present study helps to improve the ash disposal system of the thermal power plant and to minimize the environmental impact.     

浅谈稳定塘在废水处理中的应用

稳定塘(stabilization pond),又称氧化塘(oxidation pond)是一种天然的或经一定人工构筑的污水净化系统。稳定塘单塘分为兼性塘、厌氧塘、好氧塘等结构,其结构是根据废水的不同性质、特征采用不同的塘型或塘型组合对废水(工业废水、生活污水等)进行处理。本文对稳定塘的结构及实际应用进行了介绍,并进行了效果分析。     

某金矿尾矿库土壤污染现状调查及发展趋势分析

对某金属矿尾矿库流域内的土壤、植物等进行调查取样,确定尾矿库对周边环境的污染范围和污染趋势,对尾矿库所在流域的污染程度、污染特征等进行评价与分析,探明尾矿库是否对周边及下游植物造成严重污染。研究结果表明,该尾矿库的土壤砷元素含量超标严重,总氰化物、锑、镉、汞、锌元素含量也略有超标,尾矿库流域的污染区以尾矿库为中心,向周边由近及远污染程度递减;尾矿库的周边植物样品中各检测元素含量均未超标,可以推测尾矿库尚未对周边及下游植物造成严重污染。这些分析可以为其它尾矿库污染方面的研究提供依据。