Thermal treatment of waste photovoltaic module for recovery and recycling: Experimental assessment of the presence of metals in the gas emissions and in the ashes

The rapid expansion of the photovoltaic (PV) module market in the last years will determine in the near future a remarkable growth of corresponding waste. Then, the hazardous materials contained in the modules, such as Cd, Pb and Cr, could be released in the environment if the waste panels will not be handled adequately. Recycling processes of silicon crystalline panels, finalized to separate PV cells from the glass, involve the removal of the EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) layer through different methods, as the thermal treatment. During this treatment, some hazardous components can be released due to thermal degradation process. In this paper the metals released in the gas emissions and in the ashes due to the thermal treatment of modules were evaluated. For this purpose, three samples of crystalline panels were heated in furnace up to 600 °C and the complete degradation of the EVA was obtained. A mass balance between the sample and its components, before and after treatment, was performed in order to assess the weight loss percentage. Finally, after thermal treatment a qualitative analysis on the separated PV cell surface was performed by SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer).     

CO2 emissions in Greece for 1990–2002: A decomposition analysis and comparison of results using the Arithmetic Mean Divisia Index and Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index techniques

This paper deals with the decomposition analysis of energy-related CO₂ emissions in Greece from 1990 to 2002. The Arithmetic Mean Divisia Index (AMDI) and the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) techniques are applied and changes in CO₂ emissions are decomposed into four factors: income effect, energy intensity effect, fuel share effect and population effect. The period-wise and time series analyses show that the biggest contributor to the rise in CO₂ emissions in Greece is the income effect; on the contrary, the energy intensity effect is mainly responsible for the decrease in CO₂ emissions. A comparison of the results of the two techniques gave an insight in the intricacies of energy decomposition. Finally, conclusions and future areas of research are presented.     

The greenhouse effect; Impact upon and the role to be played by construction

The authors highlight several possible ways in which the construction industry could lower present emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. It is an excellent discussion document and is recommended reading.     

CO2 emissions,energy consumption,and output in France

This paper examines the dynamic causal relationships between pollutant emissions, energy consumption, and output for France using cointegration and vector error-correction modelling techniques. We argue that these variables are strongly inter-related and therefore their relationship must be examined using an integrated framework. The results provide evidence for the existence of a fairly robust long-run relationship between these variables for the period 1960–2000. The causality results support the argument that economic growth exerts a causal influence on growth of energy use and growth of pollution in the long run. The results also point to a uni-directional causality running from growth of energy use to output growth in the short run.     

Policies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in the UK

The UK differs from may other industrialized nations in that its carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from energy use have declined in recent years despite relatively rapid economic growth. In all sectors but transport, substantial reductions have already occurred in the level of carbon emissions per unit of GDP output. At the same time, a number of official and unofficial studies have pointed out that the UK has one of the largest remaining potentials amongst comparable industrialized countries for achieving further CO₂ reductions through the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency and fuel switching measures. This paper discusses past and present patterns of energy use and carbons emissions in the UK. The analysis then examines historical trends in UK energy policy and presents policy options for further reducing the UK's energy-use and carbon emissions in the future.     

Predictive modeling of mercury speciation in combustion flue gases using GMDH-based abductive networks

Modeling mercury speciation is an important requirement for estimating harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants and developing strategies to reduce them. First-principle models based on chemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic aspects exist, but these are complex and difficult to develop. The use of modern data-based machine learning techniques has been recently introduced, including neural networks. Here we propose an alternative approach using abductive networks based on the group method of data handling (GMDH) algorithm, with the advantages of simplified and more automated model synthesis, automatic selection of significant inputs, and more transparent input–output model relationships. Models were developed for predicting three types of mercury speciation (elemental, oxidized, and particulate) using a small dataset containing six inputs parameters on the composition of the coal used and boiler operating conditions. Prediction performance compares favourably with neural network models developed using the same dataset, with correlation coefficients as high as 0.97 for training data. Network committees (ensembles) are proposed as a means of improving prediction accuracy, and suggestions are made for future work to further improve performance.     

Speciation of the semivolatile hydrocarbon engine emissions from sunflower biodiesel

Biodiesel fuel is a very attractive alternative to conventional fuel and its effects in the engine performance and regulated emissions have been widely studied. However, the impact on unregulated individual compounds or chemical characteristics of exhaust emissions is not fully characterized. In this paper, the semivolatile fractions of the exhaust emissions of biodiesel blends and conventional fuel have been speciated. The results show great differences between the compounds emitted, especially regarding oxygenated and aromatic species. Likewise, there is a clear relationship between speciated hydrocarbons and other important emissions such as total hydrocarbons (HC), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic fraction (VOF) and mean particle diameter (Dm) of PM.     

Depollution of atmospheric emissions of wood pyrolysis furnaces

The wood carbonization in Tunisia consists essentially of traditional activity using charcoaling stacks and pits characterized by high atmospheric pollution and poor energy conversion. Indeed, 70% of the initial mass of anhydrous wood are found in the vapor as aerosols, polluting and toxic gases and complex condensable organic compounds that can cause a substantial pollution of air, ground and water. Several processes of treatment and energy valorization of such effluents were proposed, but the incineration remains at present the most promising technique of depollution. The results show that the incineration, at about 1000°C, of wood carbonization smokes allows the destruction of 99% of the mass of pollutants except CO₂ and the reduction of polluting gas emission. The possible valorization of the smoke’s energy in the exit of the incinerator enhances the thermal efficiency of the process.     

The impact of CHP generation on CO2 emissions

The combined generation of heat and power (cogeneration) is praised by many as a technique for reducing the emissions of CO₂ in industrialized nations. This is generally true but not always. In this article we discuss the impact of some major variables on the CO₂ emission reduction capacity of cogeneration. Two sets of variables are predominant: the characteristics of the CHP process and the composition of the electricity generation sector. We highlight the interaction between the two sets of variables with the help of diagrams.     

An evaluation of possible EU air transport emissions trading scheme allocation methods

The European Commission has been requested by member states to study the incorporation of air transport into their existing emissions trading scheme (ETS). Only CO₂ is to be included, at least initially.