Search

Combustion optimization of hot blast stoves is a promising approach for cost savings and energy conservation of ironmaking. Existing artificial intelligence methods for this optimization rely on air and gas flow meters, which can malfunction under harsh working conditions. To meet this challenge, we propose an intelligent combustion control system based on reinforcement learning (RL). Considering the difficulty of learning state feature representation, five RL models using different deep embedding networks were implemented and evaluated. The Attention-MLP-based RL model is distinguished through experimental testing, achieving an accuracy of 85.91% and an average inference time of 4.85 ms. Finally, the intelligent combustion control system with the Attention-MLP-based RL model runs in the hot blast stove of the blast furnace (1750 m3 in volume) at Tranvic Steel Co., Ltd. in China (Chengdu, China). The results show that our system can achieve good control performance by autonomously learning the implicit relationship between the state of the hot blast stove and the valve control action in the absence of flow meters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: A thorough study about the optimization of a real biomass stove through the use of different fuels was carried out to determine the quality of exhaust gases. The global energy scenario is becoming a vital aspect of the sustainable economic development of regions and countries. Current changes in energy production, mainly due to scarcity and geopolitical factors, have proven the need for changes in energy distribution towards a lower energy dependence. Moreover, a considerable amount of biomass waste is generated in many regions, because of agro-industrial activities, whose management could contribute to energy production. The aim of this work was to study the optimization of the combustion process in a biomass stove by using different raw materials as fuels, such as pine, poplar, and plum tree pellets. For that purpose, power, excess air, and biomass content were optimized, among other parameters, and exhaust gases were analyzed with a Testo 335 analyzer, while temperatures were recorded with temperature probes. In conclusion, high yields were found for the optimized parameters of the studied biomass products (ranging from 91.1% for poplar pellets to 92.34% for pine pellets), making these three biomass fuels suitable for combustion in the abovementioned stove. Also, increasing biomass flow by 25% in the stove contributed to a higher efficiency of the process, especially in the case of plum tree pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agricultural Archaeology is the property of Agricultural Archaeology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Residential biomass combustion significantly contributes to light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols in the atmosphere, impacting the Earth's radiative balance at regional and global levels. This study investigates the contribution of brown carbon to the total particulate light absorption in the wavelength range of 370 to 950 nm (BrC370-950)and the particulate absorption Ångström exponents (AAE470/950) in 15 different European residential combustion appliances using a variety of wood-based fuels. BrC370-950 was estimated to be from 1 % to 21 % for wood log stoves and was primarily influenced by fuel moisture content and minimally affected by combustion appliance type. The BrC370-950 contribution was 10 % for a fully automatized residential pellet boiler. Correlations between the ratio of organic to elemental carbon (OC/EC) and BrC indicated that a one unit increase in OC/EC corresponded to approximately a 14 % increase in BrC370-950. Additionally, BrC370-950 increased with decreasing combustion efficiency. AAE470/950 of wood log combustion aerosols ranged from 1.06 to 1.61. By examining the correlation between AAE470/950 and OC/EC, an AAE470/950 close to unity was found for pure black carbon (BC) particles originating from residential wood combustion. This supports the common assumption used to differentiate light absorption caused by BC and BrC. Moreover, diesel aerosols exhibited an AAE470/950 of 1.02, with BrC370-950 contributing only 0.66 % to the total absorption, aligning with the assumption employed in source apportionment. These findings provide important data to assess the BrC370-950 of RWC emissions with different emission characteristics and confirm that BrC can be a major contributor to particulate UV and near-UV light absorption for Northern European wood stove emissions with relatively high OC/EC ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the presence and significance of Chinese pig ovens in Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria. Historians have conducted research to better understand the construction, use, and distribution of these ovens, which were primarily used for roasting pork during special occasions and rituals. The article challenges the assumption that pig ovens were rare and only associated with Chinese migration in the 1870s, providing evidence of their wider use across Australia. However, many pig ovens have been lost due to mining, neglect, and lack of conservation efforts, highlighting the need for further research and preservation of these heritage sites. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The single-switch quasi-resonant inverter topology is typically favored for low-cost and low-output-power applications among the resonant inverters used in induction heating systems. Despite the low-cost advantage of the quasi-resonant inverter, the soft-switching range is quite narrow, and it is not stable depending on the electrical parameters of the load that is desired to be heated. In addition, to ensure safe operation in induction cookers, it is important to know the properties of the material from which the pan is made, the diameter of the pan, and the coverage ratio between the pan and the coil. Especially in the single-switch quasi-resonant topology, it is complicated to determine pan size and pan position compared to other topologies. On the other hand, closed-loop power control algorithms are essential for single-switch inverter applications. A big relationship exists between pan detection algorithms and closed-loop power control methods used. This study proposes six alternative methods of determining the pan–coil coverage ratio for the single-switch quasi-resonant topology used in domestic induction heating cooktops. Unlike state-of-the-art methods, the proposed methods do not increase the system's cost since they use the processor for power control, are not complicated, and provide ease of application. Each method is examined in a simulation environment and experimentally for different coverage rates and compared. As a result of the comparison, the diode conduction time method in single-switch quasi-resonant systems is the most appropriate regarding reliability and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global market developments of wooden pellets have led to an increased attention towards pellet quality. ISO 17829 defines the procedure to assess pellets' geometrical parameters, which play a key role in pellet overall quality. For instance, pellet length influences the spatial arrangement within the stove brazier, affecting the interaction between combustion air and solid biofuel, thus affecting CO emissions. The ISO 17829 method is time-consuming and affected by the operator's accuracy. Recent studies have investigated the application of new methods, such as image processing, for monitoring the aforementioned parameter. While also assessing the representativeness of ISO 17829's method, this paper proposes an alternative measuring tool based on image processing named Pellet Length Detector (PLD). Samples were obtained from Italian pellet suppliers and subjected to a multiple dimensional analysis via PLD and caliper. The PLD's overall performance led to satisfactory results, with only 10% of the samples having a bias between replicates of >2 mm. Compared to caliper, PLD led to an average bias of 0.5 mm. Moreover, a one-way ANOVA highlighted that increasing the sample size between caliper and PLD leads to a greater statistical similarity of the data obtained for different replicates. Given the prototype status of the device, a further performance upgrade is possible, especially through error modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas injection structures were designed for a vertical oven to improve the gas–solid flow countercurrent structure. This work measured the wall temperature distribution of the vertical oven to reflect gas velocity distribution, and simulated the basic gas–solid flow field. The effects of the number of gas orifice layers and the injection angle on the gas velocity distribution were examined. The results showed that number of gas injection layers had a significant effect on the gas velocity distribution in the lower zone. Compared with the distributions with one or three injection layers, two injection layers produce more uniform gas flow. A small particle size of 6–15 mm increased the bed resistance and solid fraction standard deviation. A nozzle angle of 45° was conducive to increase the gas velocity in the upper zone and forming a more uniform gas distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and development of a solar baking oven with sensible heat storage material which is essentially for baking dough and other confectionaries. Bread is one of the staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa after rice. The increase in the prices of loaves of bread sparked the Arab Spring in Tunisia in 2010. Bread is normally baked in a fossil-fuel-fired oven in most cases. Sometimes, electric ovens are used as well but most of the electricity used to power these ovens is from non-renewable energy sources that pollute the environment. Renewable energy sources are abundant in Sub-Saharan Africa, they are clean and they do not pollute the environment. The baking oven was developed to produce a heating effect without the burning of charcoal, firewood, or other fossil fuels thus reducing the carbon footprint of this activity. Baking using non-renewable fossil fuels has its side effects such as high cost of energy, emission of greenhouse gases, and the possibility of choking by the operator resulting from inhaling of smoke. The system is made up of a solar box oven, solar reflector, heat storage, and insulating materials. Design and sizing of the baking oven and solar reflector are provided. Solar energy incidents on the solar reflector and reflected into the oven cavity through the glass which provides the greenhouse effect in preventing convective heat loss, this then leads to the accumulation of heat in the oven chamber which is used in the baking process. A dough of bread of mass 150 g was baked in 3 hours with the highest temperature of 96.75°C achieved in the oven. The oven was able to retain heat over a long period of time due to granite stones incorporated as sensible heat retention materials. Keywords: Solar box oven. Reflector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research systematically evaluates a biomass combustion furnace, focusing on the influence of varying combustion chamber casing materials. The study employs controlled laboratory experiments to investigate the impact of different casing materials on combustion performance, thermal efficiency, and practical applications such as water boiling capacity. The research uses distinct materials, including clay, steel, and aluminum, for combustion chamber casings while maintaining consistent dimensions. The central experimental apparatus, an aluminum stove, was meticulously crafted, adhering to precise measurements. Coconut shell briquettes served as the primary fuel source for this investigation. The results reveal intriguing dynamics in combustion behavior. Notably, the choice of combustion chamber casing material significantly affects fire temperature, sleeve wall temperature, thermal efficiency, and the ability to boil water. Clay emerges as a standout performer, achieving high thermal efficiency (56.8 %), substantial water boiling capacity (25 liters), and efficient fuel consumption (1.28 kg of burnt briquettes). However, steel casing materials excel in generating the highest fire temperatures (up to 557 °C), underscoring their exceptional heat-conducting properties. Aluminum has fast temperature responses but may not retain heat like clay. The findings help optimize biomass combustion furnaces and associated applications. Material selection is crucial to attaining combustion goals like efficiency, temperature generation, or practical heat. These discoveries could lead to more efficient and ecologically friendly biomass combustion systems for sustainable energy and resource use [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wooden shipwreck of the first half of the nineteenth century in the Gulf of Mexico was documented and studied in 2022. The site is largely devoid of artifacts, which may suggest the vessel was partially salvaged prior to sinking. Its most dominant feature is an iron ship's stove or camboose that is uniquely configured when compared to other known archaeological examples. The camboose may be evidence of a whaling context for the wreck, which for now leads to a working but not proven hypothesis that this may be the wreck of the whaling brig Industry, lost close to this location in 1836 after nearly capsizing in a storm and subsequently being stripped of much of its gear for abandonment in a sinking condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the three-dimensional (3D) steady-state CFD numerical simulations conducted previously on an industrial Kalugin top combustion hot blast stove, a two-dimensional (2D) transient CFD numerical model for a single channel (hole) of a column of checker bricks in the regenerator of the same hot stove was established in the present work. The average mass flowrate and temperature of the flue gas flowing into the checker brick holes during the combustion period predicted by the 3D model were used as the inlet boundary conditions of the 2D model. Inside the hole of the checker bricks, processes of fluid flow and heat transfer of the flue gas during the combustion period and those of cold air during the hot-air-supply period were simulated using the 2D model for multiple operation cycles (combustion and hot-air-supply periods) of the hot stove, enabling rapid predictions of hot-air temperature under different operating conditions. The simulation results show that when the fuel gas flowrate and air consumption coefficient during the combustion period are controlled within the range of 80,000–100,000 Nm3/h and 1.02–1.28, respectively, a hot-air temperature in the range from 1273 °C to 1295 °C can be obtained during the hot-air-supply period. Applying this optimized operating condition to the industrial hot stove investigated in this study can achieve significant effects of reducing fuel gas flowrate by 8.6% and increasing hot-air temperature by 32 °C. In addition, a regression analysis on the numerical simulation results and the data measured from the industrial hot stove yields a roughly linear relationship between the dome temperature during the combustion period and the hot-air temperature during the hot-air-supply period, that is, the hot-air temperature would be increased by about 16 °C for every increment of 10 °C in the dome temperature, for instance. Therefore, the influences of the operating parameters on heat transfer characteristics in the regenerator and on hot-air temperature obtained in the present work provide a useful reference for guiding the hot stove operation optimization to achieve significant energy saving and emission reduction through facilitating more efficient combustion to minimize fuel gas consumption in steel plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood smoke pollution has emerged as a major public health issue in southern Chile. This paper endeavors to find evidence of environmental inequity by looking into the spatial associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposures, and risk perception to air pollution. We integrate primary georeferenced survey data with estimates of excess outdoor exposure to wood smoke in Coyhaique, one of the most polluted cities in Latin America. Our findings reveal that certain social groups are disproportionately exposed to PM2.5. People of low-socioeconomic status, living in households with older adults and users of wood-burning stoves tend to spend more days per year with unhealthy air pollution levels. The results yield a modest but statistically significant relationship between PM2.5 levels and risk perception. Sociodemographic factors are also important predictors of air pollution risk perception. We discuss the implications in terms of environmental injustice patterns and public awareness campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Untreated banana peels biomass of 15 x 10, 30 x 20 and 60 x 40 mm sizes were dried at 60 oC while untreated and pretreated (hot water and sulphite treated) biomass of 10 x 10 mm size were dried at 80 - 140 oC, to find out the influence of surface area, pretreatment and temperature on convective hot air oven drying of the biomass. The rate of drying of banana peels increased with increasing surface area and temperature while hot water and sulphite pretreatments reduced the time needed for drying. The drying operation occurred primarily in the falling-rate phase. Effective moisture diffusivities for the drying operations were in the range 5.19 x 10-10 - 1.55 x 10-8 m² s-1. The activation energies for drying untreated, sulphite treated and hot water treated peels were 24.7, 21.4 and 21.3 kJ mol-1, respectively. The biomass drying kinetics was well described by the Weibull model. Specific energies needed for drying the 15 x 10, 30 x 20 and 60 x 40 mm banana peels biomass at 60 oC were 157.9 - 335.6 kWh/kg while those required for drying both untreated and pretreated 10 x 10 mm sized banana peels biomass at 80 - 140 oC were 33.5 - 93.9 kWh/kg. The rate of drying banana peels in hot air oven can be considerably improved and the energy needed for drying appreciably reduced by increasing the peel surface area, drying at higher temperatures and pretreating the biomass with hot water or sulphite solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heidi Morefield's book "Developing to Scale: Technology and the Making of Global Health" challenges the conventional narrative surrounding appropriate technology in global health initiatives. The book delves into the history of appropriate technology, highlighting the diverse actors and interests that have shaped its implementation. Morefield's work traces the evolution of appropriate technology from a cost-cutting measure to a tool for self-sufficiency and resistance against colonial powers, shedding light on its impact on global health outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a poem titled "Trailer Park Psalm" by Ryler Dustin. The poem reflects on the experiences and lives of individuals living in a trailer park. It explores themes of resilience, community, and the challenges faced by the residents. The poem acknowledges the diverse perspectives and experiences of the individuals, highlighting their struggles and moments of strength. [Extracted from the article]

From 2016 to 2019, the Indian Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) distributed over 80 million liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves, making it the largest clean cooking program ever. Yet, evidence shows widespread continued use of the traditional chulha, negating the potential health benefits of LPG. Here we use semi-structured interviews with female and male adults to understand the drivers of LPG usage in Mulbagal, Karnataka, the site of a proto-PMUY program. We find that respondents perceive the main value of LPG to be saving time, rather than better health. We also find that norms of low female power in the household, in addition to costs, delay saving for and ordering LPG cylinder refills. Namely, female cooks controlled neither the money nor the mobile phone required to order a timely refill. These factors together contribute to the ‘refill gap’: the period of non-use between refilling cylinders, which may range from days to even months. Our work reveals how gender norms can amplify affordability challenges in low-income households.

[Objectives] To compare the effects of traditional processing and fresh processing on the quality of Polygonatum odoratum decoction piece. [Methods] The effects of fresh processing and traditional processing on the quality of P. odoratum decoction piece were compared and analyzed with appearance characteristics, total ash content, extract content, total polysaccharides content, and total flavonoids content as the evaluation indexes. [Results] Fresh processing method in different production areas has different effects on P. odoratum decoction piece. P. odoratum was dried in oven of 50 °C. When moisture content was 41.44%-59.67%, it was cut. After complete drying at 50 °C, the moisture content of dried P. odoratum was 8.94%-9.60%, and ethanol-soluble extract content was 77.29%-78.20%, and water-soluble extract was 77.7%-78.14%. At this time, the appearance characteristics of section of P. odoratum decoction piece were better than that of traditional processing, which was yellowish white. The total polysaccharide content was higher than that of traditional processing, and the content of total flavonoids was statistically significant different from that of traditional processing. [Conclusions] The quality of P. odoratum decoction piece by fresh processing is better than that of the traditional processing, and it is feasible to use fresh processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the renewed discussion surrounding the association between gas cooking stoves and adverse respiratory health effects, particularly childhood asthma, following a recent publication attributing 12.7 present of current childhood asthma cases in the U.S. to gas stoves. It discussion has sparked debates among concerned citizens, fossil fuel proponents, industry defenders, and politicians.

The global increase in population coupled with poor access to clean energy has set pressure on solid fuel use. Through this, about one-third of the world's population currently relies on solid fuels (fuelwood, charcoal, coal, agro-residues, dung, etc.) in meeting their primary energy needs. However, only 11% of this population used improved biomass cookstoves (cookstoves with potential reductions in fuel use and toxic emissions). This is more peculiar to developing countries where cooking accounts for about 90% of domestic energy consumption. With this, research on cookstoves technology has increased in recent years as about 1905 articles have been reportedly published in less than a decade (2014–2022). This paper aims at bringing together literature spanning over a decade with a focus on the technical aspects of biomass cookstoves to establish the recent advances and current state of knowledge. Literature on different biomass cookstoves designs, operational features, and testing protocols have been reviewed. An overview of various cookstove performances was critically discussed with emphasis on thermal and emission performance. Having looked at the literature, pathways for future studies were recommended. This includes the incorporation of social factors such as end users’ perceptions in the design and development phase. This will not just enhance the design process but may influence the cookstove adoption. Others are developing similitudes of the traditional models but in improved forms using locally available materials, as well as models that operate with solid and liquid biofuels.

Objective: Household air pollution (HAP) is a widespread environmental exposure worldwide. While several cleaner fuel interventions have been implemented to reduce personal exposures to HAP, it is unclear if cooking with cleaner fuels also affects the choice of meals and dietary intake. Design: Individually randomised, open-label controlled trial of a HAP intervention. We aimed to determine the effect of a HAP intervention on dietary and Na intake. Intervention participants received a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove, continuous fuel delivery and behavioural messaging during 1 year whereas control participants continued with usual cooking practices that involved the use of biomass-burning stoves. Dietary outcomes included energy, energy-adjusted macronutrients and Na intake at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post-randomisation using 24-h dietary recalls and 24-h urine. We used t -tests to estimate differences between arms in the post-randomisation period. Setting: Rural settings in Puno, Peru. Participants: One hundred women aged 25–64 years. Results: At baseline, control and intervention participants were similar in age (47·4 v. 49·5 years) and had similar daily energy (8894·3 kJ v. 8295·5 kJ), carbohydrate (370·8 g v. 373·3 g) and Na intake (4·9 g v. 4·8 g). One year after randomisation, we did not find differences in average energy intake (9292·4 kJ v. 8788·3 kJ; P = 0·22) or Na intake (4·5 g v. 4·6 g; P = 0·79) between control and intervention participants. Conclusions: Our HAP intervention consisting of an LPG stove, continuous fuel distribution and behavioural messaging did not affect dietary and Na intake in rural Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the temperature distribution in a multi-functional oven and optimize the structural parameters of the oven, the internal temperature uniformity was improved. The test was conducted and the numerical simulation was conducted in two ways. The distribution of temperature field in each layer of ovens was measured in real time using a 13-point distributed thermocouple, and the oven temperature uniformity index was measured and analyzed. The temperature field inside the oven was numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics. Investigated the heat conduction, convection and radiation effects respectively, and found out the main heat transfer mode of the oven. Further through the test of temperature measurement, verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation method. According to the results of the experiment and simulation, the reason of the uneven temperature field in the original structure of the oven was revealed and analyzed. By changing the structure of the oven tailgate, adjusting the air volume distribution, changing the distribution of the air outlet and other measures, greatly improving the uniformity of the temperature field inside the oven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cookstove emissions are a significant source of indoor air pollution in developing countries and rural communities world-wide. Considering that many research sites for evaluating cookstove emissions and interventions are remote and require potentially lengthy periods of particulate matter (PM) filter sample storage in sub-optimal conditions (e.g., lack of cold storage), an important question is whether samples collected in the field are stable over time. To investigate this, red oak was burned in a natural-draft stove, and fine PM (PM2.5) was collected on polytetrafluoroethylene filters. Filters were stored at either ambient temperature or more optimal conditions (-20 °C or -80 °C) for up to 3months and extracted. The effects of storage temperature and length on stability were evaluated for measurements of extractable organic matter (EOM), PM2.5, and polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) levels in the filter extracts. A parallel, controlled laboratory condition was also evaluated to further explore sources of variability. In general, PM2.5 and EOM in both simulated field and laboratory samples were similar regardless of the storage condition or duration. The extracts were also analyzed by gas chromatography to quantify 22 PACs and determine similarities and/or differences between the conditions. PAC levels were a more sensitive stability measure in differentiating between storage conditions. The findings suggest that measurements are relatively consistent across storage duration/temperatures for filter samples with relatively low EOM levels. This study aims to inform protocols and filter storage procedures for exposure and intervention research conducted in low- and middle-income countries where studies may be budget- and infrastructure-limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this essay, I propose the use of itinerant encounter spaces as educative agents for teaching time studies experientially. My work is informed by an arts-based methodology, conducted as part of a PhD, which used a mobile shepherd's hut as host for instances of temporal reflexivity. This specific wooden caravan, a venue for shared and introspective stillness, invites participants to embrace non-linearity within formal educational environments that are generally structured by calendars, clocks and bells. By offering unaudited room and time for reflective activities such as storytelling and subjective mapping, I encouraged my research participants, student teachers in Scotland, to nurture the temporalities of self-care that may or may not be part of their personal journeys into 'meaningful teaching' during an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme. My role was to open up an extracurricular atmosphere which disrupted the temporal standardisations required by many curricular designs for modular fit in university degrees. Curating a vehicle for methodological acts of temporal dissensus offered me insights into teaching time beyond a focus on input and outcomes. The prevailing instrumental logic in formal education rarely acknowledges itinerancy as a dynamic sphere for the pedagogical encounter. My session plans were loosely structured by the provision of a 'shelter in public' as a gesture of hospitality and not by a fixed schedule of activities or content to be delivered. This gave research participants the chance to narrate their own intrinsically perceived student teacher trajectories. The improvisation through public pedagogy and the 'vagueness' of indirect pedagogy cultivated playful detours. I suggest taking steps aside from dominant curricular formats and explore further how time studies can be taught through the coexistence of movement and stillness, as temporal reflexivity on wheels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a cost-effective Fast-Response Optical Spectroscopy Time-synchronized instrument (FROST). FROST can measure 18 light spectra in 18 wavebands ranging from 400 to 950 nm with a 20 nm full-width half-maximum bandwidth. The FROST 10 Hz measurement frequency is time-synchronized by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) timing pulse, and therefore multiple instruments can be deployed to measure spatial variation in solar radiation in perfect synchronization. We show that FROST is capable of measuring global horizontal irradiance (GHI) despite its limited spectral range. It is very capable of measuring photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) because 11 of its 18 wavebands are situated within the 400-to-700 nm range. A digital filter can be applied to these 11 wavebands to derive the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and retain information on the spectral composition of PAR. The 940 nm waveband can be used to derive information about atmospheric moisture. We showed that the silicon sensor has undetectable zero offsets for solar irradiance settings and that the temperature dependency as tested in an oven between 15 and 46 ∘ C appears very low (- 250 ppm K -1). For solar irradiance applications, the main uncertainty is caused by our polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) diffuser (Teflon), a common type of diffuser material for cosine-corrected spectral measurements. The oven experiments showed a significant jump in PTFE transmission of 2 % when increasing its temperature beyond 21 ∘ C. The FROST total cost (< EUR 200) is much lower than that of current field spectroradiometers, PAR sensors, or pyranometers, and includes a mounting tripod, solar power supply, data logger and GNSS, and waterproof housing. FROST is a fully standalone measurement solution. It can be deployed anywhere with its own power supply and can be installed in vertical in-canopy profiles as well. This low cost makes it feasible to study spatial variation in solar irradiance using large-grid high-density sensor setups or to use FROST to replace existing PAR sensors for detailed spectral information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analyzes the emission mitigation ability of a porous media combustion (PMC) technology-based cookstove compared to a free flame combustion (FFC) technology-based cookstove. Emission of pollutants, i.e., PM2.5, PM10, and CO, caused due to burning of fuels, namely, methanol, ethanol, kerosene, and LPG in the kitchen environment are measured. The study incorporated exhaustive real-time indoor air quality (IAQ) measurements and presented the temporal variation of measured pollutant concentrations for 2 h (morning meal duration). In addition, 24 h average concentration of the measured pollutants is also compared with the limits prescribed in WHO guidelines for domestic settings. The results emphasized that the utilization of cookstove based on PMC would help in improving the IAQ of the kitchen area by decreasing the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and CO. For 2 h duration measurements, the methanol cookstove based on PMC reduced the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and CO by 7.7%, 8.1%, and 17.2%, respectively, compared to FFC cookstove. Similarly, in the case of PMC-based LPG cookstove and kerosene cookstove, the respective values were 11.7%, 20.4%, and 41.6% and 55.3%, 62.6%, and 66.6%. Among all the tested cookstoves, PMC-based LPG cookstove achieved the lowest emission values (PM2.5: 20.6 μg/m3, PM10: 31.3 μg/m3, and CO: 1 ppm) which are lower than the prescribed WHO values (PM2.5: 25 μg/m3, PM10: 50 μg/m3, and CO: 6 ppm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acotaciones: Investigación y Creación Teatral is the property of Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramatico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wood burning stove design is improving as regulation become stricter for particulate matter emissions. This study describes results of black carbon (BC) emissions from three modern automated wood stoves when tested in common failure modes using a test protocol that included cold‐starts, high and low fuel loading densities, and use of overly large pieces of fuel. Emission sampling was performed using a dilution sampling system in tandem with an aethalometer to measure BC with high time resolution. Results show that the time‐weighted average BC emission rates were 0.91, 4.30, and 1.74 g/h for the three stoves tested (A, B, and C respectively), the values, both higher and lower than the United States 2020 certification test emission limit of 2.5 g/h. The results demonstrate good performance overall, given the rigorous nature of the testing protocol used. The aethalometer data showed that the performance was relatively poor during cold‐start, when the fuel was ignited and combusted without a coalbed, and when stoves failed to optimize air delivery due to specific loading and output conditions. During the cold‐start test section, the average BC emission rate was seven times higher than the overall average for Stove A, 10 times above the average for Stove B, and two times above the average emission rate for Stove C. Calculations of the Average Angstrom Absorption Exponent (AAE) of the exhaust aerosol showed little correlation with BC concentration. The results show that automation results in a quantifiable reduction in particular BC emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane (CH 4) is a potent greenhouse gas, and anthropogenic CH 4 emissions contribute significantly to global warming. In this study, the CH 4 emissions of the second most populated city in Germany, Hamburg, were quantified with measurements from four solar-viewing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, mobile in situ measurements, and an inversion framework. For source type attribution, an isotope ratio mass spectrometer was deployed in the city. The urban district hosts an extensive industrial and port area in the south as well as a large conglomerate of residential areas north of the Elbe River. For emission modeling, the TNO GHGco (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research greenhouse gas and co-emitted species emission database) inventory was used as a prior for the inversion. In order to improve the inventory, two approaches were followed: (1) the addition of a large natural CH 4 source, the Elbe River, which was previously not included in the inventory, and (2) mobile measurements were carried out to update the spatial distribution of emissions in the TNO GHGco gridded inventory and derive two updated versions of the inventory. The addition of the river emissions improved model performance, whereas the correction of the spatial distribution with mobile measurements did not have a significant effect on the total emission estimates for the campaign period. A comparison of the updated inventories with emission estimates from a Gaussian plume model (GPM) showed that the updated versions of the inventory match the GPM emissions estimates well in several cases, revealing the potential of mobile measurements to update the spatial distribution of emission inventories. The mobile measurement survey also revealed a large and, at the time of the study, unknown point source of thermogenic origin with a magnitude of 7.9 ± 5.3 kg h -1 located in a refinery. The isotopic measurements show strong indications that there is a large biogenic CH 4 source in Hamburg that produced repeated enhancements of over 1 ppm which correlated with the rising tide of the river estuary. The CH 4 emissions (anthropogenic and natural) of the city of Hamburg were quantified as 1600 ± 920 kg h -1 , 900 ± 510 kg h -1 of which is of anthropogenic origin. This study reveals that mobile street-level measurements may miss the majority of total methane emissions, potentially due to sources located within buildings, including stoves and boilers operating on natural gas. Similarly, the CH 4 enhancements recorded during the mobile survey from large-area sources, such as the Alster lakes, were too small to generate GPM emission estimates with confidence, but they could nevertheless influence the emission estimates based on total column measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to estimate the benchmark dose (BMD) of coke oven emissions (COEs) exposure based on mitochondrial damage with the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) as a biomarker. A total of 782 subjects were recruited, including 238 controls and 544 exposed workers. The mtDNAcn of peripheral leukocytes was detected through the real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Three BMD approaches were used to calculate the BMD of COEs exposure based on the mitochondrial damage and its 95% confidence lower limit (BMDL). The mtDNAcn of the exposure group was lower than that of the control group (0.60 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.31; P < 0.001). A dose–response relationship was shown between the mtDNAcn damage and COEs. Using the Benchmark Dose Software, the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for COEs exposure in males was 0.00190 mg/m3. The OELs for COEs exposure using the BBMD were 0.00170 mg/m3 for the total population, 0.00158 mg/m3 for males, and 0.00174 mg/m3 for females. In possible risk obtained from animal studies (PROAST), the OELs of the total population, males, and females were 0.00184, 0.00178, and 0.00192 mg/m3 respectively. Based on our conservative estimate, the BMDL of mitochondrial damage caused by COEs is 0.002 mg/m3. This value will provide a benchmark for determining possible OELs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of government subsidies for LPG and electricity have facilitated near-universal clean cooking access and use in Ecuador, placing the nation ahead of most other peer low- and middle-income countries. The widespread socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the resilience of clean cooking systems globally, including by altering households' ability to purchase clean fuels and policymakers' considerations about continuing subsidy programs. As such, assessing the resilience of clean cooking in Ecuador during the pandemic can offer important lessons for the international community, especially other countries looking to ensure resilient transitions to clean cooking. We study household energy use patterns using interviews, newspaper reports, government data on household electricity and LPG consumption, and household surveys [ N = 200 across two rounds]. The LPG and electricity distribution systems experienced occasional disruptions to cylinder refill delivery and meter reading processes, respectively, which were associated with pandemic-related mobility restrictions. However, for the most part, supply and distribution activities by private and public companies continued without fundamental change. Survey participants reported increases in unemployment and reductions in household income as well as increased use of polluting biomass as a secondary fuel. Ecuador's LPG and electricity distribution systems were resilient throughout the pandemic, with only minimal interruption of the widespread provision of low-cost clean cooking fuels. Our findings inform the global audience concerned about the resilience of clean household energy use on the potential for clean fuel subsidies to facilitate continued clean cooking even during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Robust distribution systems for LPG and electricity ensured continued access to clean cooking fuels during lockdowns. • Households maintained primary cooking with clean fuels despite pandemic-induced reduced earnings. • Most households maintained their usual cooking fuel stack (LPG + biomass), but increased firewood use frequency. • Government policies offered additional subsidies for electricity consumption during lockdown. • Induction use was rare in study areas; but increased nationwide according to billing records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is considered as one of the most convenient and clean fuels for domestic cookstoves and is a popular choice, particularly in urban areas. Considering the limited fossil fuel resources, increasing emissions with ever increasing LPG demands, it is important to improve thermal efficiency and reduce emissions of the existing LPG cooking stoves by incorporating design modifications. This study reports design modification in the form of loading height optimization and consequent evaluation of thermal performance and emissions of two of the most widely used LPG fueled medium-scale cooking stoves, Sa and Sb, in Pakistan. Using two standard pots Pa and Pb, Water Boiling Test (WBT) 4.2.3 is adopted to evaluate the thermal efficiencies, and an emission collection hood is used for the assessment of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. In the first part of the study, variation in the performance of stoves is evaluated with varying loading heights at fixed thermal power input. Once the loading height was optimized, in the second part, the efficiencies of the stoves were evaluated with varying thermal inputs at fixed/optimum loading height. Averaging for both pots, the thermal efficiency of stove Sa was increased by around 20% and that of stove Sb by 13% during the high power phase (HPP) of WBT after loading height optimization. The results were comparable for the low power phase (LPP). Both stoves showed a decline in thermal efficiencies with increase in thermal power input. At optimum loading heights, the lowest CO emissions were observed. The results also indicate that the optimal loading height would reduce the LPG consumption and cost for both cookstoves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forensic Science & Technology is the property of Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Today, acknowledging the significance of consumer behavior across diverse domains is unavoidable. The imperative to satisfy customers lies in meeting their needs and expectations comprehensively when making purchasing decisions. This research adopts a blended quantitative and qualitative approach within the realm of applied research, employing the analytical descriptive method. The initial phase involves identifying and categorizing existing gas stove brands in the Hamadan market through field research and interviews. Subsequently, the pivotal criteria for determining product positioning, guided by the Marketing mix 4Ps, were identified. To fulfill the research objectives, a questionnaire was developed using a 5-point Likert scale, separately assessing domestic and foreign brands. The study encompassed 224 women aged 30-50 from Hamadan city, selected through a non-probability sampling method. SPSS software facilitated the analysis of research results in two segments: descriptive statistics (frequency and data description) and inferential statistics (hypothesis validation through Friedman's test and dependent two-sample t-test). The test outcomes and perceptual maps revealed that domestic gas stoves outperformed foreign products in the price and distribution factors, lagged in the product factor, and stood equal in the promotional activity factor. Moreover, it was evident that women in Hamadan, aged 30-50, prioritize brand reputation when purchasing gas stoves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved electric baking oven was designed and fabricated using locally available materials for baking cakes and biscuits. Provisions of necessary adjustments were employed for ensuring uniform distribution of heat in all trays of the baking chamber. Its baking characteristics in terms of baking time, specific volume, and product quality in terms of sensory attributes were evaluated. The oven was found to be quite satisfactory in functioning for baking cakes and biscuits. Total time was only 15–28 min for baking the cake samples in the oven. On the other hand, comparatively, a bit longer time 18–35 min required for baking the biscuit samples. Baking cost was lesser in baking small‐sized cakes and biscuits than those of large sized. The quality of baked products was better in terms of taste, color, flavor, texture, and appearance than ordinary market products. Loaf volume of each cake (with 4 × 5 × 8 cm3) was 100%, which gave specific volume of 652.8 cm3/kg. Similarly, the specific volume of biscuits was 810 cm3/kg. The electric baking oven is quite efficient in baking quality cakes and biscuits uniformly, which can be provided to rural small entrepreneurs for commercial manufacturing of biscuits and cakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critics trolled Abrams by circulating an old political ad showing her cooking on a gas stove (Kliegman, [13]), and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) began pressing Rewiring America and other anti-gas environmental and consumer advocacy groups about funding and their participation in research linking gas stoves to childhood asthma that may impact federal rulemaking (Kaminksy, 2023). Perhaps induction technology advocates should redefine the culture war and tackle the real cultural problem: dethroning the gas stove as the all-too-banal kitchen trophy and replacing it with induction as the under-the-radar cooktop of choice among chefs who know. Alice Waters, Jon Kung, Stacey Abrams, and other induction stove advocates must play the cool, happy warriors facing down antagonists and rally around induction's gains for sustainability, indoor air quality, more temperate cooking conditions, child safety, precision heat, easy clean up, and the sheer joy and convenience of cooking. [Extracted from the article]

What makes visions of new possibilities powerful is creating tension between the present state and a potential future. Storytelling is an integral part of bringing ideas to life. Here, a business tool is modified to help designers communicate their visions more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heating oven is a basic and easy-to-build model for exchanging and heating various types of engine equipment that require the use of thermal energy. In addition, this is also a model used in research in laboratories using basic algorithms such as PID. However, in the past, to control the heating oven, we needed to use expensive PLCs and microprocessors, and it was difficult to write programs. Recently, there are many studies that have succeeded in getting the program into the Arduino using C. Programming and this method requires the operator to have a lot of programming knowledge. To solve this problem, we have implemented and succeeded in using Matlab/Simulink with embedded Arduino and real model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHousehold air pollution from solid fuels is a leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pregnant women's exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), two components of solid-fuel smoke, is associated with adverse birth outcomes. Even with improved solid-fuel stoves, exposure to PAHs and VOCs remains high. Therefore, cleaner cooking fuels need to be prioritized.ObjectiveWe aimed to quantify exposure reduction to PAHs and VOCs among pregnant women in rural Guatemala with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove intervention.Materials and methodsUrine from pregnant women (N = 50) was collected twice: at

Background: Exposure to household air pollution generated as a result of cooking and heating is a leading contributor to global disease. The effects of cookstove-generated air pollution on adult lung function, however, remain uncertain.Objectives: We investigated acute responses in lung function following controlled exposures to cookstove-generated air pollution.Methods: We recruited 48 healthy adult volunteers to undergo six two-hour treatments: a filtered-air control and emissions from five different stoves with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) targets from 10 to 500 µg/m3. Spirometry was conducted prior to exposure and immediately, and three and 24 h post-exposure. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate differences in post-exposure lung function for stove treatments versus control.Results: Immediately post-exposure, lung function was lower compared to the control for the three highest PM2.5-level stoves. The largest differences were for the fan rocket stove (target 250 µg/m3; forced vital capacity (FVC): -60 mL, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -135, 15; forced expiratory volume (FEV1): -51 mL, 95% CI -117, 16; mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75): -116 mL/s, 95% CI -239, 8). At 3 h post-exposure, lung function was lower compared to the control for all stove treatments; effects were of similar magnitude for all stoves. At 24 h post-exposure, results were consistent with a null association for FVC and FEV1; FEF25-75 was lower relative to the control for the gasifier, fan rocket, and three stone fire.Conclusions: Patterns suggesting short-term decreases in lung function follow from exposure to cookstove air pollution even for stove exposures with low PM2.5 levels.