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The concept of Best Available Techniques (BAT) encompasses a set of technological, technical, and organizational solutions for preventing and controlling negative environmental impacts while improving resource efficiency. Within key technological processes, built-in solutions play a crucial role in pollution prevention, while end-of-pipe measures are applied to control emissions that cannot be prevented by primary solutions. In most countries, BAT applies to key resource-intensive sectors, including hydrocarbon ex...

The article considers challenges and opportunities of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in the food industry, analysing cases of intensive poultry rearing and milk production. Authors emphasise that the food industry is one of the primary sectors of the world economy. According to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, by 2050, a 70% increase in world production will be required to meet the needs of the planets expected 10 billion population. The authors discuss the potential for further develo...

We are living in an information dense world, where the sustainability is key. Even though civil engineering projects are highly technical, they require precise planning and clear communication channels to be successful and achieve this purpose. For this, in recent years, all around the world, various entities and decision boards worked to put together a set of rules to define and standardize the interaction between all the involved stakeholders (e.g. investors, designers, builders, and operators). Using the BIM (B...

The research aims to identify changes in the biometric measurements and demographic structure of game ducks living on Lake Engure. Game management in Latvia as well as the entire Northern Europe is an important segment of the economy, which has rich and ancient traditions. Although a small segment of society perceives game management as the killing of animals, which is not the case, it should be understood that it represents an economic activity resulting in limiting the animal population, which can increase rapid...

In urban environments, human health is increasingly affected by air quality, particularly air pollution with particulate matter (PM), which contains various toxic chemical elements. Car traffic is one of the main sources of air pollution in urban areas, which not only raises dust from roadways but also emits micro particles from diesel engines and tire wear containing heavy metals. The aim of the study is to evaluate the ability of the lichen species Xanthoria parietina, commonly found in Latvia, to biomonitor and...

The paper describes the practical solutions and safety conditions of realizing the demolition of an industrial chimney and a cooling tower located in a former thermal power plant, having in the very close vicinity several civil constructions. The chimney has a height of 208 m and consists of the outer tubular structure of reinforced concrete and as well as of the inner chimney made of refractory brick masonry. The cooling tower height was 108.0 m and the base diameter of 82.00 m. For chimney, the chosen solution o...

An attack with a "improvised" explosive device (IED) is when someone uses a bomb and/or destructive device to cause damage, render someone helpless, harass, or divert attention. Terrorists, criminals, vandals, suicide bombers, and rebels all utilize IEDs. IEDs can take many different shapes because they are improvised; they can be as simple as a pipe bomb or as complex as a sophisticated weapon that can inflict significant damage and casualties. IEDs can be transported or carried in a car; they can also be deliver...

The blue-green infrastructure is a network of interconnected natural areas. Its development is particularly important for heavily urbanized areas, which are prevalent in metropolitan regions. Metropolises are densely populated urban areas. In the article focusing on the Gornoslasko-Zaglebiowska Metropolis (GZM), utilizing the Urban Atlas database, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing tools (Based on Sentinel 2 satellite imagery), an analysis of changes in blue-green infrastructure objects was c...

Biorefineries offer an advantageous and sustainable solution for managing by-products from the agro-industry while enabling the recovery of valuable molecules and biogas production from residual biomass. This study applied this approach to the beer industry's main by-products: Brewery-s Spent Grain (BSG). BSG is typically used as animal feed but shows potential for biorefinery applications due to its high protein content and favorable C/N ratio. By treating this biomass with an ionic liquid consisting of triethyla...

An ecological approach to construction and the Green Building concept force construction processes participants to meet specific requirements. In relation to designers and making designs of buildings, the requirements to be taken into account have also been defined. Above all, social, financial, and environmental benefits throughout the entire lifecycle of a building must be taken into consideration. It is significant to choose materials that ensure the safety and durability of the structure, as well as its therma...

Hydrogen combustion is presented as a potential solution to cover the heat demand with renewable energies. However, current technologies do not allow the combustion of pure hydrogen and it must often be mixed with fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has proven to be useful for stabilizing hydrogen combustion, as has methane (CH4). Therefore, this research proposes the use of biogas as a stabilizer of pure hydrogen combustion. For this purpose, experimental tests were carried out, burning a lean biogas (BG 50% CH4) ...

Reducing the risk of occurrence of phenomena such as poisoning, as a result of the untimely penetration of a certain amount of toxic gases, inside a ventilation installation, is a priority, regarding the health and safety of workers, material assets and the negative influence on the environment, due to the possible problems caused by the occurrence of toxic atmospheres, formed by mixing air with toxic gases and vapors. In closed or semi-closed industrial and non-industrial buildings, effective ventilation is the p...

Despite other sectors, agriculture faces the direct influences of the environment and climate. Today climate change represents a challenge for farmers around the world, not only for Romanian ones. The paper deals with this problem and agriculture resilience. It brings to attention the important issue of resilience and the challenges for agriculture and for farmers, especially for small farmers. The research is based on questionnaires applied to farmers focusing on their perception of risks, adaptation options and ...

The aim of the paper is to highlight the potential of old mining regions for the development of geotourism. The region of Central Spis was known for its long-standing mining and industrial activity. In the 1990s, a decline regime began, mining activities gradually ceased and the mines were closed. The region subsequently experienced an economic and social decline. The mining areas, mining buildings and facilities have been preserved in the individual villages. Mining landforms are also preserved, both on the surfa...

The circular economy is targeted to increase the efficiency of resource use through prevention of waste and pollution; preservation of products and materials in circulation as long as possible and maintenance of natural capital. Therefore, the research authors aim to study the management of household waste and resources in Latvia in the context of other EU Member States in order to achieve circular economy targets. The study employs the monographic method, statistical data analysis and the correlation analysis to ...

Climate change significantly affects agriculture in Slovakia by altering precipitation patterns, temperatures, and the length of the growing season. Common effects include drought, more intense rainfall, higher summer temperatures, and increased pest populations, all of which influence crop production and livestock breeding. Human activities have already impacted atmospheric properties such as temperature, precipitation, CO2 levels, and ground-level ozone, and this trend is expected to continue. While warmer clima...

In this research, we studied wines from eleven wine regions of Romania (Stefanesti, Dragasani, Dealul Mare, Minis, Blaj, Babadag, Focsani, Tarnave, Silagiu, Iasi, Cotnari), but also for two years of different production (2019 and 2021), to observe their chemometric profile according to the geographical origin. The chemical composition was determined for 40 white wines and 34 red wines. The studied chemical parameters were alcohol concentration, wine density, total acidity, free and total sulfur dioxide, non-reduci...

Construction is a branch of the economy that occupies a leading place in waste production. The problem is both the demolition of buildings ending their activity and the construction process itself. During the demolition process, waste is segregated, and most often concrete and brick rubble is recycled. In addition, wooden and wood-based elements, metal and glass are most often recycled. However, there is still a large amount of mixed waste, which often contains hazardous waste. It is necessary to store them safely...

Nanomechanical systems necessitate components with unparalleled precision and minimal frictional resistance to achieve optimal performance. Nanobearings represent a critical class of components that facilitate rotational or linear motion at the nanoscale. This paper presents a comprehensive classification of nanobearings, encompassing their structural attributes, materials employed, and operational mechanisms. Additionally, it provides a detailed mathematical formulation that describes the static and dynamic behav...

The Danube has been a traditional trade route in Europe since ancient times. Transport on the Danube has many economic and environmental advantages. By using the river as a transport route, logistics costs can be reduced, and delivery times optimized. Another feature of the Danube is its connection to the North Sea and maritime transport via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. In addition, waterborne transport produces less carbon dioxide than road or rail transport, helping to reduce environmental impact and promote sus...

Climate change requires significant measures to adapt existing cities to new requirements; extensive urban renewal actions are therefore necessary. In order to be financially sustainable, such investments are mainly based on real estate and market operations, also at long term. The current valuation practice would require to resort to appraisal methods based on actual, historical market data, also known as Revealed Preference Methods (RPMs), which allow to derive the preferences expressed by the actions of market....

The negative results of irrational human activity have been visible throughout the last decades in the environment. Air, water, and land pollution are significant variables of this equation and have a major share in climate change. To obtain control of the situation, Europe tried to take action by presenting new environmentally friendly plans, such as -The Green Deal Industrial Plan- or -Recovery Plan for Europe-. One of the greatest aims of our century is the transition to a Circular Economy and the abandonment o...

Nanotechnology is increasingly becoming a part of everyday life. Despite this growing integration, public awareness of nanotechnology's functionality, benefits, and potential risks remains limited. This is particularly true for Generation Z, the first digitally native generation, which is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology and its applications. Given their position as future leaders and consumers, it is important to understand how Generation Z, specifically university students, per...

The present research explores the integration of a photovoltaic system for an educational building through a comparative analysis using the PVsyst and Simulink platforms. The building, intended for university education, is located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Considering the building-s location and specific climate, the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic system was analyzed with the aim of reducing electricity consumption from the electrical grid. The study began with a PVsyst simulation, which indicated that a ...

In our study, we used the measurement of water potential using a pressure chamber, and we compared the collected data with the data from the Nove Zamky meteorological station for the period 21.6.2023 - 22.8.2023. The aim of the work was to compare the data collected using water potential measurements from two locations in the Nove Zamky area with the corresponding meteorological data collected from the meteorological station also located in Nove Zamky. After data collection, we then determined whether the technolo...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of several extraction methods on the content of bioactive compounds of polyphenolic structure and antioxidant properties of petals from marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis). Ethanolic extracts prepared using maceration, turbo-extraction and bead-beating techniques were investigated for total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins, and antioxidant activities as measured by FRAP and DPPH assays, as well. The results showed that the highest phenolic content (1316.367...

Between September 13th and 16th, 2024, heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding across the municipalities in the Senica district, as well as significant soil erosion on intensively farmed arable land. According to data from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU), the Senica district received a total of 230 millimeters of precipitation during this period. In the village of Smolinske, located in the lowlands of Zahorie in western Slovakia, experienced substantial flooding of agricultural areas, leading to ...

This study presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of three distinct surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor configurations, evaluating their sensitivity and practical applications. The first configuration utilizes a commercially available SPR sensor, employing a coupling prism integrated with a thin gold layer in the well-established Kretschmann-Raether configuration for SPR excitation. The second configuration features an advanced design, incorporating a coupling prism combined with an optical multi...

In climate change, drought, and water scarcity, the natural functioning of river systems largely depends on the proper distribution of water resources. Accurate determination of hydrological characteristics is essential for the sustainable management of water resources and provides information on the status and potential of water systems. Water management must be implemented in such a way as to meet the needs of man and the economy. At the same time, measures are taken to protect the quantitative characteristics o...

In the face of an ever-evolving environment, a crucial challenge emerges concerning the dynamic interplay between the sea and the land. Amidst these complexities, a fundamental question arises: should human intervention seek to reshape the natural processes, or should it primarily focus on comprehensive understanding, aiming to maintain a semblance of equilibrium? These intricacies, along with several important technical considerations, underscore the imperative to safeguard coastal regions against the escalating ...

Safety protection against detonation due to accidental initiation of stored fireworks is of particular interest for safety because such detonations endanger the life and health of workers as a result of the uncontrollable effects of deflagration and pressure, the presence of toxic reaction products and the consumption of oxygen in ambient air which workers must breathe. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that material losses caused by explosions can be particularly high. The existence of the danger of ac...

The article investigates the influence of Kazakhstan-s law enforcement agencies on local communities in the 1920s and 1930s within the context of state-driven confiscation policies and sustainable resource management, demonstrating how these agencies emerged as powerful instruments for implementing governmental directives. This era is marked by extensive political repression and profound social transformations, which enforced the forced expropriation of lands, resources, and means of production. Such interventions...

The River Chorokhi delta is located in the southeastern part of the Black Sea, including Batumi city with its coastal part, which today is heavily washed away. Until the 90s of the 20th century, its litho- and morphodynamic peculiarities were mainly conditioned by the solid runoff of the Chorokhi River. Before the construction of dams in Turkey, its volume was 2.5 million m?/per year. In the last 25 years, due to the dams built in Turkey, solid runoff has been catastrophically reduced by 60 times. Also important w...

The modern monitoring and control systems that are currently used in most fields are based on intelligent algorithms, distributed management systems, and a new generation of communication buses. For the monitoring and control of the processes inside a greenhouse, the use of sophisticated algorithms or complex devices is not required. However, to make the activity more efficient and increase the production of a greenhouse, a proposed solution is to use data management and control system such as PLC and HMI devices,...

The control institutions of each country are the leading organizations that deal directly with citizens and businesses. These institutions are strongly affected by the digitization of processes and the introduction of new technologies. All these innovations are aimed at improving the quality of implementation of control activities on the one hand, and on the other hand at supporting the interaction of control institutions and citizens, respectively legal entities. The article examines the problems regarding the ap...

The deep-sea metalliferous sediments and Fe-Mn polymetallic nodules formed in modern environment at the deep-sea ocean floor (> 4000 m depth) were evaluated as promising new raw materials, especially for critical elements as Li, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and rare earth elements (REE). We use - selective sequential leaching procedure to study the distribution of main and trace elements in sequential leached phases from deep-sea polymetallic nodules and sediments from the eastern part of the Clarion-Clipperton fractures zone,...

As a result of increasing water consumption by pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, and the population, large volumes of liquids discharges containing pharmaceutical compounds have been generated worldwide. Even though there is a consistent contribution on the sustainable management of these contaminants, the efforts to reduce this pollution are progressing on a rather small scale. Such pollutants can be introduced into water-receiving bodies either directly, through animal and human excretions, or through unregu...

Brown Coal Research Institute j. v. c. (VUHU) from July 2023, together with scientific teams from several European countries, participates as part of the EU research program in the solution of the REECOL project, which deals with the reclamation of areas affected by mining in European coal basins. This paper includes the results achieved in the preparation of the first sub-research report of the project, which deals with degraded soils. On the basis of archival data and own research, the concept of "soil degradati...

Consequences of climate change have social, economic and environmental effects. Changes in weather patterns directly impact to transport infrastructures, which play a strategic role in emergency management. Calamitous events as consequence of weather and climatic processes raise the need to foresee adaptation measures to climate change, which is already in place. Although there is a large literature on the effects of climate change, individual and collective responses and behaviours are unclear to such changes. In...

Maritime transport plays a crucial role in the global economy, ensuring the transport of around 80% of world trade. However, shipping is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 2.5% of total global emissions. In this context, the efficiency of fuel consumption in ships using the renewable energy sources can bring significant benefits for the environment and contributes to the achievement of the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The opportunity ...

The challenges raised by climate changes are diverse and unpredictable to the extent that makes them hard to manage after the onset. Under such conditions the trends assessment is a valuable approach, which enables efficient preparation to the expected effects and impacts. The process of adaptation provides possibility to reduce possible losses and create background for some benefits from changing climate. A variety of solutions and strategies for adapting urban areas to climate changes is already available for an...

The main focus of the research is to investigate the application and effectiveness of gravimetry in cave detection, as well as in the determination the depth parameters of already localized subsurface voids. For this purpose, combined gravimetric and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) measurements were used. Establishing the location of missing anomalous masses in the earth layers has always been of great interest to geologists, geomorphologists and speleologists. Over the years, geophysical methods, espec...

Accidental explosions and fires caused by combustible dust are some of the most significant threats in many industries where layers of combustible dust and clouds are formed as a result of technological processes. Combustible powders react with air oxygen in a process known as oxidation, which produces carbon dioxide, carbon oxide, water, and other gases whose contents depend on the temperature at which the oxidation occurs. The dust cloud is the main form of existence of combustible dust in the production area an...

The explosive atmosphere may be caused by flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust. In the event that the material is combined with air in an adequate proportion, an ignition source is required to produce an explosion. Fuels and other liquids, as well as solvents from industrial items, release volatile vapors that can catch fire or explode when they come into contact with the air. At normal temperatures, flammable liquids can emit enough vapor to form combustible mixtures with air, heat, and often thick, black...

Globally, natural hazards (e.g., forest fires, floods, earthquakes) are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change, unplanned urbanization, and population growth in areas prone to extreme events. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the most suitable locations for flood shelters using multi-criteria spatial analysis using GIS tools. GIS tools facilitate the effective preparation, processing, and visualization of spatial data. By using GIS, it is possible to integrate various data sources, ...

In the present study a set of two deterministic earthquake scenarios (expressed in peak ground acceleration and macroseismic intensity MSK) are generated for the city of Sofia - the capital of Bulgaria. The study is guided by the perception that usable and realistic, based on both local seismic history and tectonic setting, ground motion maps to be produced for urban area. The city is situated in the center of the Sofia area that is the most populated (the population is of more than 1.2 mil. inhabitants), industri...

In the case of dangerous incidents produced in industrial technological processes, where hydrogen is used, their mastery requires, in addition to a personnel servicing the facilities properly trained for such situations, the participation of professional staff for interventions in dangerous environments. The activity of intervention and rescue in special conditions, in potentially explosive areas due to the appearance of hydrogen can be carried out exclusively by specialized personnel trained and authorized in thi...

The development of efficient drilling tools tailored to the unique geological conditions of Kazakhstan's drilling sites is paramount for optimizing well construction operations. This study focuses on the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a combined spud bit specifically engineered for drilling technological wells in Kazakhstan. The combined spud bit integrates both polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) and carbide cutters within a single robust structure to enhance drilling performance across a diverse range ...

Within the current framework of approaching different directions of carbon emissions reduction policy, wood fits as an environmentally friendly building material with low production in terms of energy consumption. In this manner, timber combines its qualities such as high strength/weight ratio and rigidity/weight, low specific gravity, recovery/recycling that make it competitive with classic building materials with the demands of climate change green deal. One specific attention has to be given to the design and e...

A comparative assessment of the chemical composition of amaranth green mass cultivated in 2022 and 2023 was carried out. It was revealed that the content of nitrates, tannins and phytates in the 2023 harvest exceeded these indicators compared to the 2022 harvest by 3.3, 1.4 and 4 times, respectively. The amount of oxalic acid was 16 times lower, and that of tannins did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration of 0.5%. At the same time, the content of proteins and fats decreased by 12.6 and 31.6%, respectiv...