AbstractMalaysia is a country that has recorded a phenomenal economic development success story. One of the most important problems is solid waste due to inadequate management practices. This resulted in an increase in the amount of waste generated. The national average in at 0.5-0.8 kg/person/day, but in the cities the figures have escalated to 1.7 kg/person/day. This paper addresses the current practice of solid waste management and its disposal in Malaysia. Currently, the waste management app...
Autori: Abdelnaser Omran, Abdullah Mahmood,
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25140

The article presents the principles on which the upgrading of the ground and surface water treatment plants, respectively the implementation of new technologies are based. The outcome obtained in Timisoara consequently to applying the aforesaid principles and the strategies for the improvement in drinking water quality are also provided....
Autori: Ilie Vlaicu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25151

AbstractOne of the basic principles in the European policy to cope with the growing challenge of water scarcity is that water demand management should be considered before opting for additional water infrastructure. The implication of this is that water must be treated as an economic good, which means that the "user's pays' principle"has to be implemented. At the same time there is much political consensus that the water price has to be "equitable". Water can be subsidized without violating the ...
Autori: Lars Hansson
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25155

AbstractThis work presents the state of the art of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methodologies in a variety of fields. Because risk exists in all ranges of human activity, both private and professional, risk assessment is an attempt to analyze precipitating causes of risk in order to more efficiently reduce its probability and effects. Numerous methodological guidelines within the field of environmental science exist to provide guidance for a risk assessment program, although the ...
Autori: , , Florentina Anca Căliman, Maria Gavrilescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25226

AbstractThe zero waste is a policy, a way, an aim and represents a new approach planned for the 21st century, which includes the resource preservation principles, pollution reducing, increasing of the opportunities to create new jobs and providing the highest degree of economic stability.The strategy of developing the Romanian textile industry sub-sectors envisages the achieving of certain superior production indices, from a physical and value point of view, in 2010, a quantitative increase of t...
Autori: Eftalea Carpus, Emilia Visileanu, Razvan Scarlat
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25236

AbstractThe paper discusses some aspects concerning environmental issues considered from an economic perspective, since economic globalization as well as ecological globalization follows new ways of conditioning each other. In the past the most important thing was the impact of the environmental protection pressure - soil deterioration, water system, the atmosphere and the forests - uponeconomical perspectives. In the recent past years the society had to face the quick growth of the economical i...
Autori: Ionel Bostan, Petru Condrea
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25316

Abstract This paper aims to analyze theoretically events in the economy - ecology - environment (natural resources) mega - system. This analysis includes methodologies making use of the first and second thermodynamic principles (for approaching the waste role in technological processes contour toward environment and the entropy variation importance in the main environmental segments), the application of systems theory and theories relating to emergy. The obtained results allow us to propose, ba...
Autori: Avram Nicolae, Cristian Predescu, Maria Nicolae, Mirela Gabriela Sohaciu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25428

Abstract The paper briefly presents the principle, methodology basics and the research opportunities offered by a modified L-joint test for a complex in-field evaluation of wood behaviour in outdoor above ground exposure, corresponding to the biological use class 3. A comprehensive and detailed examination of the tested samples, looking not only to the biological degradation of wood but also to wood cracking and coating performance (cracking, flaking, exfoliation, adherence), was performed an...
Autori: Maria Cristina Timar, Emanuela Beldean, Mihaela Porojan, Lidia Gurau
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25494

Abstract There are different parameters, which may affect packaging and its sustainability. Up to date, several methodologies and tools have been developed not only to quantify but also to assess the environmental impacts from packaging. Different criteria and indicators have been used depending on the objectives, scope and nature of the evaluation. One of the software tools developed is that one that assesses the packaging sustainability according to the Sustainable Packaging Alliance (SPA) ...
Autori: Jose Jorge Espi Gallart, Jose Luis Vivancos Bono, Mercedes Hortal Ramos, Susana Aucejo Romero
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25515

Abstract The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concept evolved over time, the focus on river basin management, consultation and coordination with all water users, and the use of the â€?polluter pays?? principle being all included in the EU Water Framework Directive (EC Directive, 2000), which forms the basis of water management undertaken in Europe. The role and significance of water resources for sustainable development, as well as the water crisis experienced nowadays are ...
Autori: , Claudia Cojocariu, Corina - Petronela Musteret, Ioana Gabriela Dascalescu, Ionut Caraene
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25559

Abstract Transferability process identifies the transportation projects which could be implemented successfully in different cities in order to encourage the good practices. This paper proposes a method to evaluate the environmental efficiency of a project by using a hybrid approach based on utility theory and data mining techniques. Transferability principle is applied to show the environmental efficiency of an access controlled area in the hyper centre of two different cities. COPERT III te...
Autori: Catalin Popescu, Luminita Ion, Tatiana Cucu, Jean-Marie Boussier, Augustin Mitu, Daniela Uta
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25560

Abstract This paper offers a hybrid approach, for the effective estimation of the maximum water supply and the special water flow in the watersheds of Thasos Island. This modeling effort was carried out by employing both artificial neural networks (ANNs) and kernel algorithms. Moreover support vector machines (SVMs) were used for the optimization of the ANNs. Support vector machines were applied to determine the loss of the developed ANN and to enhance its ability to generalize. As a matter o...
Autori: Lazaros S. Iliadis, Stavros Tachos, Stefanos I. Spartalis
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25615

Abstract Regardless of the production branch, advanced closing of water circuits in an industrial unit is a today?s requirement. To fulfill this, an advanced treatment of residual water is needed. Use of both specialized devices and specific chemicals leads to clear water that can be further reused. In this paper, the obtained performances with a unit, which uses dissolving air flotation principles for treating the residual water from a recovered paper de-inking plant, are presented....
Autori: Emanuel Poppel, Nela Dumea
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25629

Mass and energy balance calculation is the premise and key of the SCR (Selective Catalyst Reduction) DeNOx system design. However, the traditional calculation method is too complicated. In this paper, the author designed E-R data model for DeNOx system, simulated mass and energy transfer process, and developed visual calculation software based on VCL (visual component library) after studying the principle of SCR and data structure of DeNOx system. Comparing the ammonia demand and flue gas volume...
Autori: Yungui Du, Qirong Wu, Xiu Yang, Yu Yuhttp://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25688

For a better evaluation of the impact of road traffic about air quality, this paper considers the development of a new evaluation index system and methods. They address the assessment of the air quality around the areas with an intense road traffic, according to Chinese standards considering sulfur dioxide index (SO2), total suspended particles index (TSP), floating dust index (PM10), nitrogen oxides index (NOX) and carbon monoxide index (CO). A systematic air quality evaluation model was establ...
Autori: Zhao-hui Liu, Zhi-bin Qinhttp://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25714

Abstract:The demand for new and high performance products in the automotive industry is increasing exponentially and this trend imposesinnovative concepts for cars. The future solutions for the automotive industry may find their answer in the fabricationtechnologies and also in alternative propulsion and energy production.The car design field cannot ignore the global economic crisis, imposing new approaches in terms of materials and cost effectivetechnologies and by the means of environmental pr...
Autori: Mihai Comşiţ
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25733

Abstract:The national legal framework harmonization, including in areas concerning environmental protection, with the Europeanstandards in the field, is a goal of paramount importance with regard to Romania's accession to the EU structures. From thisperspective, all the organizations, agencies and individuals operating in this field must be acquainted with the European Union'sprograms of environmental action.In this context, the paper aims to provide an overview of the relevant trends and develo...
Autori: Constanţa Enea, Constantin Enea
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25742

Abstract:Based on the fuzzy logic principle, a modified Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) is proposed to assess water quality status ofWeihe River (Baoji, China). The potential application of the FSE has been tested in a case study. Twelve sampling locations ofWeihe River and its tributaries in Baoji area were selected and seven water quality parameters of BOD5, COD, fluoride, ammonia,total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and permanganate index, were monitored from 2008 to 2009. The findings...
Autori: Chundi Xu, Jun Zhang, Qi Zhou, Yani Geng, Yaqian Zhao
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25780

Abstract:The concept of sustainable development has become an important objective for policy makers, since the key principle ofsustainable development understands the interdependence between economy, environment and society concerns.The objective of this study is to analyze the supports for sustainable environmental remediation, considering sustainabilityindicators and sustainable remediation practices, based on both methods that are known for a long time as well as emergentprocesses and technol...
Autori: Isabela Maria Simion, Maria Emiliana Fortuna, Maria Gavrilescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25837

The most important argument of this experiment was to demonstrate an increased content of active principles under the influence of some substances (considered in the literature as mutagene), when used in low concentration, do not affect the environment. The purpose of this study was the selection of some treatment variants, which, during the experimentations show the same biosynthetic potential, stabilized or increased. The substances used in the experiment were ethidium bromide at the concentra...
Autori: Constantin Leonte, Marius Zaharia, Roxana Vatavu, Teodor Robu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25867

AbstractThis paper focused on estimating climate change impact on the future water availability in the Yellow River Basin,China. However, climate change and its impact on water availability are subject to large uncertainties. In order todeal with uncertainties, scenarios were used to explore possible future states of climate variables under uncertainty,and probabilities were attached to represent uncertainty explicitly according to the Principle of Maximum Entropy.Probabilistic scenarios of futu...
Autori: Congli Dong, Gerrit Schoups, Nick van de Giesen
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25957

AbstractA comprehensive evaluation methodology for water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) has been proposed. It is based ona new definition of WECC and reasonable evaluation models compared with vector norm method for water resources supply,environmental assimilative capacity, and society supporting capacity. Evaluation index of WECC is determined for Xi’an city,depending on characteristics of the water environment in Xi’an and selection principles of WECC evaluation index. Three-layerstru...
Autori: Jun Zhang, Qi Zhou, Ya-qian Zhao, Yani Geng
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25960

“The Exploratory Workshop „Progress inEnvironmental Engineering, Biotechnology andManagement in The Frame of Knowledge-BasedSustainable Economy” took place in the contextwhen worldwide research shows that the currentindustrial system supports a population that useresources and generates waste, consuming the Earth'ssupply, but who’s biocapacity is far outweighed bythe increased demand of products for a developmentsystem that often works on unsustainable bases.Today’s challenge is the integration ...
Autori:
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=25969

AbstractThe paper presents the research made on the FP7 project „Magnetic Sorting and Ultrasound Sensor Technologies for Productionof High Purity Secondary Polyolefins from Waste” in order to develop a magnetic fluid equipment for sorting of polypropylene(PP) and polyethylene (PE) from polymers mixed waste streams. Because both PP and PE float in water, it is difficult to separateone from the other. The paper presents the principles of inverse magnetic density separation process and the results ...
Autori: Bin Hu, Francesco Di Maio, Guillaume Houzeaux, Liana Baltes, Mircea Tierean, Peter Rem
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26028

AbstractThe expression „environmental decision” cannot be explained or summarized by a simple formula containing all the ideasfocused on it.This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework for environmental decision (at organizations level) using fractal paradigmphilosophy in its construction, with the purpose to bring order and simplicity for this type of decision. The study is based on theanalysis of several environmental documentations (existing at the level of large organizations located in...
Autori: Abdessamad Kobi, Christian Robledo, Ionuţ Viorel Herghiligiu, Mihaela Luminiţa Lupu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26043

AbstractBasic principles for assessing phytotoxicity are the same whether the test compound is a heavy metal, herbicide, fungicide,insecticide or other toxic compounds. The difference lies not in the method of evaluation, but in the experimental program andworking methodology.In this paper the phytotoxic effects of heavy metals, Cr (VI) and Cd (II) on plants germination and growth were studied. Stocksolutions of the two heavy metals were prepared at a concentration of 1000 mg/L, in distilled wat...
Autori: Dana Luminiţa Sobariu, , Maria Gavrilescu, Mariana Diaconu, Vasile Lucian Pavel
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26062

AbstractThis paper presents the results of the research analyses and laboratory studies, aiming to develop design guidelines and suitabletechnologies for the construction of durable and environmental friendly rigid pavements by using recycled cement concrete,resulted from various demolition works. Various recycling principles and technologies, specific laboratory methods of improvedtechnical solutions to enhance wear coefficients, density homogeneity, mixture contamination and water absorption o...
Autori: Marius Muscalu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707Abstract This paper presents the results of the research analyses and laboratory studies, aiming to develop design guidelines and suitable technologies for the construction of durable and environmental friendly rigid pavements by using recycled
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26098

The book edited by Haibo Xie and NicholasGathergood focuses on one of the most importantscientific issues of the 21 century which is thereplacing fossil fuel with sustainable alternatives suchas biomass. Fossil fuels are conventional rawmaterials for many industrial sectors includingchemical and energy production. Usage of fossil fuelis limited by their availability, price and carbonfootprint. Biomass is a renewable resource globallyavailable, cheaper and carbon sequestering. Step bystep shiftin...
Autori: Adrian Catalin Puitel
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26101

Abstract Nowadays, all over the world, the car transport sector is one of the main factors responsible for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The current systems of emission taxation do not take into consideration the distance travelled by cars; therefore, they are not fully compliant with the “polluter pays” principle. In addition to the produced inequality, these systems do not encourage the reduction of the distances travelled annually (with possible favorable effects on pollution an...
Autori: Cristian-Mihai Dragos
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26120

Abstract The article presents the development of a mathematical model concerning thermal desorption in a tubular electric furnace, using the linear regression analysis principle. With a range of experimental data obtained from some laboratory tests on water evaporation plus pollutant (Hexaclorocyclohexane - HCH), evaporation resulting from the application of thermal desorption on some soil samples; a mathematical model was developed to calculate the mass of substance evaporated fro...
Autori: Calin Vasile Prodan
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26125

Abstract Environmental degradation is today one of the great problems of mankind. Not only the need to exploit, but also the necessity to protect and preserve the natural environment have led to the adoption of specific rules for the prevention and remediation of environmental damages, according to EU standards. Taking into account that any human intervention on the natural and anthropogenic environment can lead to ecological risk diversification, occurrence of accidental pollut...
Autori: Aurica Grec
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26130

AbstractAny hydraulic engineering construction project is a complex open system with large investment, long construction period,complex internal structure and numerous participants, subject to restrictions of time, resource, environment and other conditions.In this paper, the analytic hierarchy process principle and method were used to establish three-layer structure system ofagricultural hydraulic engineering construction, while risks of some agricultural hydraulic engineering construction were...
Autori: Shi-Bao Lu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26159

AbstractWith the rapid development of the city, people feel increasingly great pressure. Community Parks are playing more significantroles in people’s daily life. Community Parks with the theme of leisure and recreation provide communication platforms forresidents and have enriched their outdoor activities. The parks not only ease people’s life and work pressure, but also improvecommunication among neighbours. An excellent Community Park not only needs to satisfy residents’ utility requirements,...
Autori: Wenting Wu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26176

AbstractBased on principles of feeding solid waste into vertical boreholes in fully mechanized coal mining and backfilling technology,the literature established a trajectory model of particles in gas-solid two-phase flow for the sake of reducing the damage tostorage silo underground done by enormous impulsive force generated by falling solid waste. In addition, dynamical analysismethod in gas-solid two-phase flow field was adopted herein to study the solid particles’ force characteristics and th...
Autori: Nan Zhou
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26271

AbstractThe importance of energy sustainability has been constantly growing in scientific, political and economic circles. The reason forthis lies in numerous energy and environmental issues that the entire world is facing on an everyday basis. There are severaltheories about the basic elements of energy sustainability. Nevertheless, the dominant current in scientific circles sees energysustainability as a concept relying on two basic elements: energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Thi...
Autori: Aleksandar M. Vuckovic, Dejan C. Petrovic, Marko M. Mihic
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26349

AbstractFor efficient, economical and environmentally disposing the waste rock underground, based on principles of waste directbackfilling in fully mechanized coal mining, this paper carries out a field test in 6304-1 working face of Jining No.3 Coal Mine.We first design a waste rock direct underground processing system, including screening-crushing system, transportation system,transfer system, stope backfilling system and coal mining system. Then optimize the waste backfilling and coal miningt...
Autori: Jixiong Zhang, Qiang Zhang, Xu Zhao, Yanli Huang, Zhan Liu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26383

AbstractThe supply of building materials in the city of Kinshasa is one of the major challenges for sustainable development andespecially at this time when the authorities are committed to rebuild the country and to rehabilitate the basic infrastructure,mobilization and knowledge of these materials appears to be of paramount importance. In this context, the Kinshasa morphologywill change day by day because of the operations of construction materials extraction, to meet the needs of the populatio...
Autori: Holenu Holy Mangenda
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26428

AbstractIntegration in the European Union has faced Romania with new challenges and objectives out of which sustainable developmentin rural areas is a priority. A diverse and efficient rural economy is needed, capable of generating resources that will increase thequality of life and observe environmental protection. The analysis presented in the paper brings into evidence economic, socialand environmental characteristics from the Romanian rural areas, compared to EU-27 and a series of developed ...
Autori: Camelia Burja
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26457

AbstractThe Hungarian Parliament’s Decision 25/2009 (IV.2.) gave the approval to start preparatory activities for establishing newreactors on-site at Paks Nuclear Power Plant. Furthermore, Hungary ratified a treaty with the Russian Federation, signed inMoscow on January 14, 2014, for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Through these activities, Hungary has madeits commitment to nuclear energy clear. In this article, we attempt to prove that neither the law of the European Union, n...
Autori: László Fodor
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26533

AbstractThe sustainable refurbishment of the existing building stock is a key issue in achieving the ambitious long-term energy andenvironmental goals of the European Union. Europe has a vast building stock built with prefabricated reinforced concrete largepanelconstruction technology after World War II to decrease the general housing shortage, mostly in the Eastern-Europeancountries and East Germany.This study focuses on the environmental evaluation of the retrofitting of the existing precast l...
Autori: Sára Hrabovszky-Horváth
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26538

Abstract The objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model which would confidently predict the rate of substrate degradation of an oil-water emulsion in a laboratory-scale completely-mixed continuous flow reactor using the photo-Fenton treatment process. Two models are developed from first principles and the predicted substrate removal rates for both models are compared with experimental data. The principal conclusions of the study are that both models produce good correlations ...
Autori: Maha A. Tony
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26613

Abstract Product eco-innovation based on ecodesign principles is based on the idea of including the environmental aspects of a product over its entire life-cycle, thus providing the opportunity for manufacturing companies to intervene earlier during product development processes. The aim of this study was to gather information and evaluate the situation regarding ecodesign within the ISO 14001 certified medium and large manufacturing companies in the Republic of Slovenia by means of a questi...
Autori: Gregor Radonjič
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26630

Abstract The development strategy of the European Union until the year 2020, Europe 2020, militates for an intelligent economy, sustainable and favorable to inclusion. Following these principles, each Member State establishes its targets and action plans at a national level. On the other hand, the rural zones benefit from diverse forms of renewable energy which can assure their development and energetic autonomy, bringing important advantages to the rural community: the diminishing of energy...
Autori: Liliana Topliceanu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26644

Abstract Along with nowadays growth of urban areas and population, it is more and more important to have better water resources management, especially regarding drinking water supply. Maintaining a good state of a water distribution network poses challenges that are addressed by research community. Two of the main challenges in management of water distribution systems are the reduction of energy consumption due to the high pumping requirements in some systems and/or reduction of water losses...
Autori: Mario Castro Gama
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26747

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyse Romanian situation regarding packaging waste generated and to find out how the targets imposed after integration were accomplished, based on data collected and published by Eurostat, as well by other publications. The municipal solid waste collection practice in Romania is based on mixed collection (approximately 96% of waste generated), without or with minor sorting at source. Waste recovery is applied to small percentages and only for certain ca...
Autori: Carmen Luiza Costuleanu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26764

Abstract Issues concerning the treatment and the recovery/disposal of sludge derived from the municipal WWTPs (Wastewater Treatment Plants) are gaining importance both in Italy and abroad. In Lombardy Region this aspect is particularly relevant due to both the amount of sludge produced and its remarkable reuse in agricultural soils. This paper discusses different strategies for land application of sludge in order to provide technical and regulatory guidance at regional level. The work is bas...
Autori: Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26769

Abstract This paper investigates the role of collective organizations created by producers to comply with the WEEE Directive. There are limited case studies on these producer responsibility organizations (PROs) despite the crucial role that they play in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. An important aspect in order to evaluate the efficiency of these compliance schemes is the analysis of their internal costs including transaction costs. First of all, this research provides an u...
Autori: Marinella Favot
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26781

Abstract In this paper, the structure and working principles of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) are analysed, and a mathematical simulation model of MFCs is established based on the electrochemical equation, kinetic equation and material balance equation of a MFC. A simulation analysis and discussions are conducted in a MATLAB environment to investigate the effect of acetate concentration, influent flow and external resistance on the performance of a MFC system. The simulation model is demonstra...
Autori: Aimin An
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26803

Abstract In rural areas of Romania and other developing countries wounds and dermal affections represent one of the five most common reasons for people seeking medical care. The use of traditional medicines to treat many of these conditions has received little research or policy attention. The present work addresses the discovery of non-toxic treatments for dermal affections, and aims to prepare – based an environmentally friendly technology, and characterize hydrogels based on gelatin...
Autori: Călin Vasile Andriţoiu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26842

Abstract A large number of energy inefficient buildings were constructed without taking into account the principles of green building, which requires efficient utilization of local resources. In this work hemp and peat fibres were used in order to produce effective ecological thermal insulating material. Tests were carried out using short dishevelled hemp and chopped peat fibres. Effective composites from local renewable resources were produced. Macro- and microstructures of composites as we...
Autori: Rūta Stapulionienė
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26844

Abstract In Palestine, environmental problems associated with industrial solid waste (ISW) have increased significantly in recent years. This paper presents survey results on current industrial solid waste management (ISWM) practices in the governorates of Nablus and Ramallah & Al-Bireh, Palestine. Solid waste generated from industries was quantified, characterized and discussed in terms of generation rate, storage, reuse/recycling, transportation, and final disposal. An attempt was made...
Autori: Issam A. Al-Khatib
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=26903

Sustainable development of rural areas involving rural communities is a complex and timeless research theme, as it is based on two fundamental parties, which are in close interdependence: the headspring of sustainable resources generating development, and the rural residents representing both the consumer and the active factors of the development. In this context, this paper proposes an approach addressing the strategic options for the development and diversification of the rural economy, bas...
Autori: Romulus Iagăru
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27059

The aim of the present study was to prepare environmentally friendly silver-based materials using Cornus mas L. fruits extract. For this purpose, silver nanoparticles (Cornus mas-AgNPs) were green synthesized using this plant extract. The bioreduction of silver ions was analyzed by UV–VIS and ATR-FTIR spectroscopic studies. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of spherical phyto-nanosilver particles with size ranging between 12 and 40 nm. Different amounts ...
Autori: Ioana-Raluca Suica-Bunghez
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27139

Following the current trend in fossil energy saving, emphasized both by sustainable economy principles and by environmental protection constraints, the electrical equipment producers are in competition for delivering high efficiency products on the global market. The fabrication of electrical motors is already regulated through efficiency product standards; complying with them represents a continuous tough challenge for manufacturers. The paper outlines the normative frame for developing energy ...
Autori: Cristina Mihaela Gheorghe
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27197

This paper presents an advanced numerical algorithm for the optimization of the current density distribution in electrochemical applications. The optimization principle consists in the distortion of the electric field by an insulating shield properly positioned between the electrodes. Such a distortion influences the distribution of current density at the electrodes under consideration. The electrochemical problem is approached by a Laplace equation which is numerically solved using a mesh-free ...
Autori: Alexandru Avram
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27199

Any modern enterprise, with focus on marketing and management success have to be based on market principles, pursuing the main objectives, of increasing production and services in terms of sustainable development. In this context, rural tourism and agritourism, with a high rate in rural areas, is a major factor, with direct consequences on local development and meeting the consumption needs of tourists. There are several advantages of the agritourism which had been described previously such as: ...
Autori: Elena Leonte
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27206

A large number of indisputable facts prove that the interaction between the environment and human beings cannot result in a “win-win” scenario because of the non-symmetric principle, a new concept dealing with the limits of human knowledge and one-sided approach. The history of environmental research, human egoism and irresponsible development all result in non-symmetry. Non-symmetry can be reduced through a system of environmental management characterized by neutral axiology and a r...
Autori: Yuping Jiang
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27268

Ecological restoration and reuse of degraded lands must contribute to the region's sustainable development. Therefore, in order to determine the post degradation land destination, a number of opportunities and restrictions should be taken into account. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a methodology for establishing the optimal reuse alternative, which should be based on scientific principles, without neglecting economic issues and those related to population requirements. For thi...
Autori: Maria Lazăr
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27357

Waste production and management is a strategic issue for all countries, because it relates to environmental, social, and economic conditions. The European Commission pushes EU member states to implement the “hierarchical principle”, which aims to prevent negative environmental impacts caused by waste. Within this context, the article deals with Italian municipal companies operating in the field of waste management. The objective is to verify if and how separate waste collection ra...
Autori: Francesca Bartolacci
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27416

Sharing economy business experiences are rapidly rising worldwide and deeply changing structures and models of customers purchasing attitudes and needs. Inspired by principles of sustainable consumption, its starting point is the idea that every underutilized resource is a wasted resource. Beyond the digital services implemented by sharing platform, there are also social and physical places where communities are experimenting the potential of collaborative and innovative solutions: purchasing...
Autori: Paola Sposato
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27417

Acid-base accounting was applied to evaluate the acid generating potential of waste rock dumps of different ages at a nickel mine in Zimbabwe. Metal concentrations in soils surrounding the dumps were also assessed. The net neutralising potential (NNP) of waste rock samples was derived from the maximum potential acidity (MPA) and the neutralising potential (NP). MPA and NP were determined based on total sulphur and acid consumption respectively. Waste rock dumps (WRDs) had more (p<0.05) su...
Autori: Artwell Kanda
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27437

Eutrophication is water pollution initiated by high amounts of plant nutrients. With the excess influx of nutrients from human activities, the eutrophication process begins and causes a breeding ground for algae. The amount of nutrients present in any given cycle will be higher than the levels present in previous cycles. Therefore, it is very important to manage water quality in lakes and dams to prevent and to slow or to reverse the eutrophication process. This can be ensured by using effect...
Autori: Saeed Bashiri
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27442

Increase in tourism demand in the coastal areas of Mazandaran Province, Iran, as one of the major tourist attractions near Tehran, has led to tourism development and consequently adverse environmental impacts. However, given the tourism potential within the region, tourism managers and planners seek to follow sustainable development principles. In this regard, determining sites capable of tourism development and finding an optimal site among the alternatives are two main challenges that they ...
Autori: Jafar Nouri
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27503

A series of column experiments were conducted to study volatile contaminant (benzene) removal and process principles using soil vapor extraction (SVE) under different thermal conditions. Compared with the normal SVE method, two thermal methodssteam injection and electrical resistance heating effectively increased the benzene vapor diffusion and removal rates. The removal efficiency of benzene with the electrical resistance heating method was 96.5%, which was significantly higher than that with t...
Autori: Peng Li
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27534

Neural networks are a series of simple mathematical models, created on the architecture of human brain which gives a superior capacity of learning based on numerous connections established among neurons. The artificial neural networks have strong units of processing which are characterized by an extreme simplicity, but because of their whole interaction, the results are complex. The paper presents the comparison of two methods: mathematical regression and artificial neural network, used for pred...
Autori: Daniel Lepadatu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27608

Dam construction in Cuba and their use for freshwater aquaculture development are explained. Some of the environmental impacts of Cuban freshwater reservoirs, particularly in fisheries, the salinization of coastal lands, and effects on marine fisheries, are reviewed and analyzed. Some argumentation and explanations given are in response to remarks on the impact of Cuban dams on species composition of reservoir fishery landings and on coastal marine fisheries. The main impacts of dams are on estu...
Autori: Luis Alvarez-Lajonchčre
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27653

Novel systems based on modified azo-polysiloxanes and gelatin with potential biological applications were prepared and characterized. Simultaneous rheological and UV irradiation studies allowed evidencing structural modification inside the gelatin matrix. For all analyzed samples a shift in the temperature corresponding to the physical network destructuration, from 30˚C (corresponding to gelatin) to 40˚C (for the composite) was noticed. The experimental results proved the existence of ...
Autori: Elena- Luiza Epure
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27699

Until now, humanity has strived to makes efforts for warranting the economic development on a sustainable way for well-being improvement, simultaneously with resource preservation and environmental protection. The industrial production processes, which generate added value and ensure people welfare are in connection with the environment regarding resource consumption and waste generation. In order to work on a sustainable basis, industry should attain a balance between economy, ecology and comm...
Autori: Elena - Diana Comăniță
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27759

As it is widely known, according with European directives, the correct approach for waste management is based on a strict hierarchy of prevention, reuse and recycling, energy recovery and final disposal. In that way, all the countries have to strongly move in urban waste reduction and recycling promotion. The principles of the Circular Economy have become part of the European and other extra Europe Countries regulations. The European pack on Circular Economy suggests ambitious objectives by 203...
Autori: Alfonso Andretta
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27785

The Water Safety Plan (WSP) model provides a completely new, cross-cutting and multidisciplinary approach for the risk assessment of drinking water pollution. The concept of “control” of the drinking water supply system (DWSS) is replaced by the concept of “under control”, in order to protect human health. The key factor of the WSP approach is the identification and mitigation or, if possible, the elimination of all factors that may cause a chemical, physical, microbial a...
Autori: Maria Cristina Collivignarelli
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27790

Recently, more and more companies are implementing good environmental practices. Environmental certifications, besides being valuable management tools for companies, given the opportunity to strengthen their role on the market. An example of such virtuous behavior is the case of Valcucine, an enterprise of the Livenza furniture district in Northern Italy. Valcucine focuses its care in the production of furniture, in particular of kitchen units, characterized by sustainable production, eco-compat...
Autori: Veronica Novelli
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27797

According to “polluter pays” principle, there is huge burden on the industries to remediate contaminated sites. Mergers and acquisitions of industrial sites is a preferred mode of growth for corporations. The management of the acquiring company should be mindful of potential environmental risks which they may inherit as part of the acquisition and take appropriate risk management actions. If not, they may face financial, reputation and other liabilities due to the “polluter ...
Autori: Shweta Gaur
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27854

A system dynamics (SD) process-based simulation model was developed using an object-oriented environment to simulate phosphorus (P) transformations in a two-stage pilot scale Dewatered Alum Sludge Cake (DASC) based Constructed Wetlands (CW), which is operated from February 2009 to January 2010 to treat relatively high concentration animal farm wastewater. Structural Thinking Experiential Learning Laboratory and Animation (STELLA v9.1.4) conceived on the principles of SD was used for the deve...
Autori: Lordwin Jeyakumar
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27907

In recent years companies have become more interested in the implementation of sustainability principles in their business activities. However, despite the improvements in their practices, an increase in the amount of general consumption often exceeds the achieved progress. Thus, it is essential to consider that the relation between consumption and production should be evaluated systematically and technological approaches are not enough to realize the goal of sustainable consumption and produ...
Autori: Gintė Jonkutė
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27931

For assessing the intrinsic safety to mechanical sparks, two dedicated methods are implemented in testing laboratories and further used for the conformity assessment of products with regard to explosive atmospheres ignition, namely: impact test and friction test. The purpose of the article is to present the results obtained by using the first method mentioned, results which shall be applied in further research for comparison with the ones resulting from the friction test. The article presents...
Autori: Adrian Marius Jurca
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27957

The current paper is an overview on previous and ongoing research carried out by the authors concerning the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics for the accurate classification of hazardous Ex areas generated by flammable gases, for the optimization of computational simulation of air-methane mixture explosions by using ANSYS CFX and FLUENT and for calibrating computational simulations of gas explosions using the Schlieren effect. These research works containing analytic studies have led to the...
Autori: Vlad Mihai Păsculescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27962

River development is, most often, based on evaluations referring solely to technical and economic performance of the proposed solutions. To promote a certain investment, the well-known Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) is still widely used. This became an international practice, since there are so many publications that develop principles for the application of the aforementioned analysis. This paper proposes a new method to replace the BCA with a rational process of multi-criteria assessment, whic...
Autori: Altan Abdulamit
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=27988

This paper analyzes the fundamental principles of the substitution of strip coal pillars with coal refuse through the combination of theoretical analysis, physical simulation and numerical calculation with engineering practice. We propose to lay out roadways through strip coal pillars in a reasonable manner so as to produce a “coal-rock bearing mass” consisting of stowboards (i.e., roadways backfilled with coal refuse) and coal pillars that substitute the original strip coal pilla...
Autori: Qiang-ling Yao
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28014

The shift from a linear economy to the circular economy emerges as a solution to save natural resources and to decrease the effects of the climate change on the environment. Understanding the role of the waste as secondary resource and recovering it can reduce the consumption of non-renewable primary resources, the consumption of energy in the production processes and can also lower the CO2 emissions. The study aims at evaluating the environmental impact when applying the principles of the ci...
Autori: Mihaela Berechet
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28017

The concept of the sustainable development which is defined in terms of the triple bottom line (economic, environmental and social) is becoming increasingly important. Until now, however, the social aspects have been under-investigated in comparison to environmental and economic aspects. From the product design point of view there is an emergency for development tools and methodologies that are directly linked with the social pillar of sustainability. The research has as main target to discover ...
Autori: Nikolaos Efkolidis
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28052

The embedment of circular economy principles in cities is an opportunity to reduce the urban waste production and resource consumption towards closed-loop systems. In particular, the adoption of circular economy strategies as regeneration, optimization, sharing and loops can overcome waste and inefficiencies of linear economy. This paper presents some circular economy practices bringing an integration of circular strategies at urban scale. This work was funded by the Research into Electrical Sys...
Autori: Francesca Cappellaro
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28076

This work considers a general common-weights network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model which is applicable to most network systems, except those with feedbacks and cycles. The principle of compromise, of the technique for order preference by similarity ideal solution (TOPSIS), is employed to find the common set of weights in the general network DEA model. The proposed method is applied to assess the environmental sustainability performance of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and De...
Autori: Wei-Chang Yeh
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28206

This paper develops investigations in the field of analytic hierarchy techniques that could be applied in public transportation systems. The study focuses particularly on the public transport bus services in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The research aims to investigate the methodological feasibility of the analytic hierarchy process to analyze and measure the perceptions and needs of the Romanian public transportation users. Towards this objective, the study presents the current state of t...
Autori: Ruxandra Dinulescu
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28220

It is of great significance to quantitatively analyze the effectiveness of energy conservation and emissions reduction policies and to clarify the benefits and formulation principle soft policies. We collect information on these policies between 2012 and 2016 from the public information platform of the Hubei provincial government. By building a quantitative evaluation model of policy effectiveness and policy synergy, we empirically analyze the trends of their synergistic evolution. The results s...
Autori: Yanhua Zhang
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28277

Biomethane is incentivized in Italy and in many other European countries as a substitute fuel for transport, in order to reduce fossil fuel and cut CO2 emissions. In Italy, Certificato di Immissione in Consumo (CIC) is actually sustaining biomethane production, charging petrochemical companies who need to cover their obligation quotes. Actually, biomethane production has to fulfil sustainability requirements in order to be entitled to get CIC. Sustainability principles are, among others, the typ...
Autori: Ivana Moscato
ISSN: 1843 - 3707
http://www.ecozone.ro/reviste.php?RID=28305