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This paper provides an overview of the various processes used in the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent catalysts. PGM recovery is interesting due to their vast industrial applications and high market prices. From the use of renewable resources and environmental protection viewpoints, recycling of PGMs receives wide concerns as the amounts of spent catalyst increases dramatically. PGM recovery from spent catalysts is a challenge due to the fact that spent catalysts are diverse and complex in terms of material and component makeup as well as the original catalyst's manufacturing processes. The state of the art recovery of PGMs from spent catalysts by pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy techniques is highlighted and existing advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are analyzed in this paper. This review also pointed out that the promising processes of PGM recovery are economical, environmentally friendly and large-scale means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Site suitability assessments are at the heart of renewable energy planning. • A collaborative approach enables developing a fit for purpose decision-support tool. • Stakeholder-driven site suitability criteria supports transparent decisions. • The tool supports informed discussions and fosters consensus on deployment areas. • Data and technological limitations signal action areas for advancing practice. Competing land-use demands associated with planning for renewables is resulting in growing social and political challenges. Spatial decision-support tools are being developed and applied to tackle some of these challenges by facilitating systematic identification of suitable development sites based on technical, environmental and socio-economic criteria. Nevertheless, decision-support tools are often developed with limited input from stakeholders affecting participative and accountable planning and decision-making. This paper aims to address this shortcoming and foster greater transparency in the development of support tools for renewable energy planning, and thus in siting decisions. It present and discusses a stakeholder-driven approach to the co-creation of an online decision-support tool that attends to planning policy, technical considerations, environmental protection and social concerns influencing renewable energy planning decisions in Ireland. This bottom-up approach, easily transferable to other jurisdictions, fosters proactive expert input, awareness raising and greater comprehensibility and acceptance of siting decisions. It also enables developing an interface that responds to users' needs. The paper contributes to advancing renewable energy planning practice through effective and meaningful stakeholder engagement that supports transparent and accountable decisions from the outset. It also highlights ongoing data and technological shortcomings affecting the integration and operationalisation of stakeholders demands and needs, which signal priority areas of action to further advance the development of renewable energy decision-support tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biofuel is recognised as an important renewable and sustainable energy source to substitute fossil fuel. To date, biofuel has been evolved from first to fourth generation and they are mainly differed in feedstock and production technologies. Along with the evolution, various studies on different sustainability criteria have been conducted. In this review paper, the state of the art of technologies and assessment methods on economic performance, safety, health and environment (SHE) as well as social impact for biofuel production are reviewed. In addition, this review paper also evaluates the typical methodological framework used for systematic assessment during early process design phase. As conclusion, to establish the highest sustainability in biofuel production, continuous research and development on all sustainability-related aspects are very much needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Given the self-declared energy and environmental protection objectives of many car manufacturers responsible companies must use energy-efficient production technologies. The running costs of production sites are a decisive factor in the overhead of automotive production. Therefore, it is important for many operators to reduce those costs in a sustainable way. For this purpose, they attempt to reduce both the energy consumption costs and CO 2 emissions of production systems. However, most components of the energy costs are determined during the very early phases of the product creation process. To achieve an estimation of the energy consumption in this early planning stage, a new suitable forecasting method is required. Therefore, this paper presents an approach for determining the prospective energy consumption by using Methods-Energy Measurement combined with defined energy reference cycles for manufacturing technologies. With this approach, key performance indicators are defined, and the production technologies are divided into basic energy consumers. The average energy values will be determined empirically by using the defined energy reference cycles. With these data, the energy demands for different scenarios are calculated. Thereby, it is possible to estimate the potential energy consumption of complex manufacturing cells. The designed method is validated within a case study of a modern automotive body shop. In summary, the approach contributes to identify and realize sustainable solutions in advance and thus increase the profitability of a factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust explosions have accounted for numerous deaths, disappearance of companies, and large financial losses, and yet they are one of the least recognized of industrial fire hazards. They can occur within any process where a combustible dust is handled, produced or stored, and can be triggered by any energy source, including static sparks, friction and incandescent material. The management of dust explosion risk includes the implementation of both preventive and protective measures. Whereas preventive measures may reduce explosion risks efficiently, they rarely are sufficient to eliminate explosions completely. Therefore, explosion protection measures often need to be considered as well. This paper presents dust explosion protection methods, including venting, flameless venting, suppression, and isolation, and describes their application limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In an effort to diversify economies and reduce high oil dependency, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries plan to increase the use of renewable energy sources to meet the challenges of a post-oil future. The Accession to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, which require a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has started a process of environmental awakening in the GCC countries. This paper reviews the publications on renewable energy with reference to the GCC countries since 2005. The objective was to investigate the benefits of funding and investing in renewable energy projects in the GCC countries. The article shows that the GCC countries have begun to adopt a more pro-active approach toward renewable energy that will help progress the GCC countries towards sustainability. The reorientation of strategies and policies toward renewable energy is evolving in the GCC countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Alongside with biofuel development, social acceptance issues have been underestimated. While social acceptance can emerge as powerful barrier for biofuel development, this article provides discussion on social acceptance in biofuel context. An acceptance framework based on life cycle biofuel production had been referred for a better understanding on social acceptance issues. Malaysia has been referred for the discussion as the country has faced with acceptance issue in their biofuel program. The discussion point out different societal groups will demand specific consideration for either support or oppose biofuel. This paper concludes that biofuel development will be constraint if social acceptance issues remain neglect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For the isolated island micro grid, a safe and reliable energy supply system is indispensable. Generally speaking, the power generation modules of an small and medium-sized isolated island energy system with off-grid power supply mode mainly include diesel generator(DIG) and distributed power supply. In order to smooth the power output fluctuation of wind and solar, coordinate the output of multiple energy generation technologies, and increase the penetration rate of distributed energy, it is necessary to develop a flexible and reliable energy system, and an efficient and smart scheduling strategy. In this paper, the power-to-gas (P2G) technology is introduced to construct a multi-energy complementary integrated energy system with deep coupling of power-gas network. Four possible game planning models are proposed by using game theory analysis method, and the energy scheduling strategies under each game mode are obtained by particle swarm optimization(PSO). By comparing the scheduling strategies under the four game modes, it can be found that the synergistic response of hydrogen and methane in the alliance cooperative game mode has absolute advantages in reducing the curtailment rate of wind and solar energy, balancing the income of each participant, improving the total income of the system, and saving energy and environmental protection. • A multi-energy complementary electric-gas coupled model containing five kinds of generators is established. • Four possible game modes are proposed. • Optimization of electrical load and gas load scheduling strategies for an isolated island microgrid. • Uninterrupted electricity and gas supply assured from the analysis. • The penetration rate of distributed renewable energy are improved and the share of diesel generator power is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Talking about the concept of “environment” means treating a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary theme which revives a simultaneous consideration of multiple data social, economic, natural. To date, the protection of the environment as a whole becomes a challenge for many countries, policies for the preservation, education and scientific research strategies are aimed at the environment and sustainable development. It remains an idea of its young problem, still current. It is development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the field of architecture and urban planning, environmental protection is an important place. With the growth experienced by this area, several environmental procedures have been invented to improve the quality of construction and use of buildings, a view mainly environmental but without neglecting the economic and social aspects. The environmental protection has long existed, it is found in the experiences of ancient cities such as Ksours. This legacy is an inspiration and an asset for the sustainable development of our cities today. According to Hassan Fathy only in the tradition, we respect and we continue the work of previous generation that new generation can really move and solve the problem. The materials used the distribution of space, protection of natural resources such as water and palm trees, recycling, are the strategies of the company of Ksours to live in a healthy and comfortable space. The objectives of this paper are: To highlight the history of environmental policy in architecture and urbanism in the world, in this case Ksours. Renewable energy and strategies of the preservation of the environment in the Ksours Sustainable development in Ksours: a notion that has long existed. Establish strategies to protect the environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rapid growth of Chinese economy has tremend-ously stimulated the expansion of energy consumption. The structure of energy consumption in China is featured with the coal domination. Air pollution is becoming increasingly severe and causes enormous economic losses. As a result, we are confronted with the extremely arduous task to balance energy consumption and environmental protection. In order to avoid the situation that its rampant environmental pollution problem will worsen before it gets better, Chinese government has put high emphasis on the problem. The efforts made by Chinese government, including energy consumption structure improve-ment and control measures to air pollution, have been introduced and discussed in this paper. China possesses very abundant renewable energies such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal. Applications of renewable energies, especially solar energy, can coordinate and improve the relationship between energy consumption and environmental protection. Therefore, Chinese government should make more efforts to set up priority of development for renewable energies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Renewable energy resources have a positive effect on energy supply security as well as environmental protection. By analyzing the situation of the world and China''s solar industry, the paper indicates there is of great potential in China''s solar industry. However, there are capital, technology, market and policy obstacles in the development of solar industry. So we need not only the regulation of the market, but also the support of government policy, particularly economic incentives to promote solar industry in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]