The negative environmental impacts of energy use, particularly soil and water pollution, continue to present serious policy dilemmas. The release of emissions and effluents and the build-up of solid waste throughout the fuel cycle have disruptive effects on natural habitats and human health. Further, fuel combustion can result in the emission of carbon dioxide, ozone, methane and nitrogen dioxide ? the 'greenhouse gases' which have been linked to climate change. The safe and sustainable use of energy has become an important issue in the wider environmental debate. In this report, researchers from the Stockholm Environment Institute explore the issues raised by the use of low-grade fuels such as peat, wood, biomass, lignite, oil shale and municipal and industrial wastes. The present strategies and policy options for all stages of the process, from mining and transport to processing and combustion. With those who would like to learn more about these fuels in mind, the material is presented clearly, and discussions of environmental protection measures are given in table form throughout the ease of reference. A directory of environmental guidelines, regulations and standards is given in an appendix. While a high calorific value fuels remain the most significant source of energy in many countries, economic and other constraints on the use of these fuels may result in more nations turning to low-grade sources of energy to operate their industrial or transportation sectors. The greater potential for environmental degradation that accompanies the use of low-grade fuels means that it is crucial that environmentally sound methods for their management, such as those presented here, be more widely available. The Environmental Management of Low-Grade Fuels will be valuable for industry specialists, policy makers, students and all who are concerned with the life cycle of these materials. Mary MacDonald is an affiliated scientist, and Michael Chadwick is a former director, at the Stockholm Environment Institute. Garegin Aslanian is a senior associate with the Institute for High Temperature Research in Moscow. Originally published in 1996

Proceedings of the 3rd International Seminar, held in Lyon, May 25-27, 1983

The way in which energy is governed in China is driving its rising level of carbon dioxide emissions. This book analyses the nature of energy governance in China by combining ideas relating to transition management with institutionalist theories, which helps to identify factors which assist or constrain the country's path to a low-carbon economy.

Despite scientific evidence that business-as-usual is unsustainable, there is a huge and widespread inertia to 'greening' the planet. Warming to Ecocide considers climate change from a thermodynamic perspective and asks whether market-driven organisations have carried us to the point of no return through the flawed economics of endless growth. Warming to Ecocide begins by exploring the thermodynamic origins of climate change. It demonstrates that equilibrium thermodynamics can provide full explanations for the basic processes of life such as photosynthesis and metabolism, and that non-equilibrium thermodynamics is close to providing an explanation for how life started. Armed with a solid appreciation of the power of thermodynamics, the second half of Warming to Ecocide discusses whether multinational corporations have convinced the public that climate change is insignificant and thereby neutered any all attempts by governments to espouse environmentally-friendly policies. It then goes on to offer strategies whereby mankind may avoid propelling the global average temperature above the pre-industrial level by more than 2 DegreesC, which scientists view as a threshold presaging catastrophic run-away processes.

As mankind searches for energy alternatives with minimal environmental consequences and acceptable cost, it is necessary to identify valid areas of endeavor that can activate favorable energy sources and technological developments. Toward that end, The Dynamics of Energy: Supply, Conversion, and Utilization develops competence in energy matters on three levels: basic concepts, essential computations, and dynamic modeling. The book reviews the laws of thermodynamics and rate relationships between flows and gradients as a foundation for subsequent topics. Using dynamic analysis, it examines the potential of current energy sources to serve the needs of a growing world economy. The text also describes key fossil conversion, renewable conversion, and utilization technologies. It presents a technique to assess efficiencies from ground (or harvest) to end use, explores the effects of energy use on the environment, and offers an introduction to dynamic modeling. The book concludes with a description of energy technologies that, if suitably employed, could configure a sustainable energy future. Studying the dynamics of thermal systems is conducive to ascertaining what technologies could indeed make a difference for a desirable energy future. Suitable response time to demand and acceptable fuel lifetimes are necessary conditions for energy systems to compete in the marketplace. The planning effort that should lead the energy endeavor requires projection of the time span of pollution effects. Harnessing the flexibility and speed of VisSim (TM) for dynamic modeling, this book provides the tools to model most thermal systems with moderate complexity. It also evaluates energy supplies, conversion, and end use.

"Temperature and Humidity Independent Control (THIC) of Air-conditioning System" focuses on temperature and humidity independent control (THIC) systems, which represents a new concept and new approach for indoor environmental control. This book presents the main components of the THIC systems, including dehumidification devices, high-temperature cooling devices and indoor terminal devices. Other relevant issues, such as operation and control strategy and case studies, are also included.

This book is intended for air-conditioning system designers and engineers as well as researchers working with indoor environments.

Xiaohua Liu is an associate professor at the Building Energy Research Center, Tsinghua University, China. Yi Jiang is a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the director of the Building Energy Research Center, Tsinghua University, China and the director of the China-USA Joint Research Center on Clean Energy. Tao Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate at the Building Energy Research Center, Tsinghua University, China.

This book describes a series of research topics investigated during the 6 years from 2010 through 2015 in the project "Advanced Materials Development and Integration of Novel Structured Metallic and Inorganic Materials". Every section of the book is aimed at understanding the most advanced research by describing details starting with the fundamentals as often as possible. Because both fundamental and cutting-edge topics are contained in this book, it provides a great deal of useful information for chemists as well as for materials scientists and engineers who wish to consider future prospects and innovations. The contents of Novel Structured Metallic and Inorganic Materials are unique in materials science and technology. The project was carried out through the cooperation of research groups in the following six institutes in Japan: the Institute for Materials Research (IMR), Tohoku University; the Materials and Structures Laboratory (MSL), Tokyo Institute of Technology; the Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI), Osaka University; the Eco-Topia Science Institute (EST), Nagoya University; the Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University; and the Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN), Waseda University. Major objectives of the project included creation of advanced metallic and inorganic materials with a novel structure, as well as development of materials-joining technologies for development of cutting-edge applications as environmental and energy materials, biomedical materials, and electronic materials for contributing to the creation of a safer and more secure society.

Crandall's Power Supply Testing Handbook comes into the marketplace at an optimum time. Now, more than ever, there is an urgency for a comprehensive handbook on power supply testing that will fulfill the reference needs of the wide variety of professionals testing power supplies, including designers, manufacturers, purchasers, and field service organizations.

What seems routine today was not always so. The field of Si-based heterostructures rests solidly on the shoulders of materials scientists and crystal growers, those purveyors of the semiconductor "black arts" associated with the deposition of pristine films of nanoscale dimensionality onto enormous Si wafers with near infinite precision. We can now grow near-defect free, nanoscale films of Si and SiGe strained-layer epitaxy compatible with conventional high-volume silicon integrated circuit manufacturing. SiGe and Si Strained-Layer Epitaxy for Silicon Heterostructure Devices tells the materials side of the story and details the many advances in the Si-SiGe strained-layer epitaxy for device applications.

Drawn from the comprehensive and well-reviewed "Silicon Heterostructure Handbook," this volume defines and details the many advances in the Si/SiGe strained-layer epitaxy for device applications. Mining the talents of an international panel of experts, the book covers modern SiGe epitaxial growth techniques, epi defects and dopant diffusion in thin films, stability constraints, and electronic properties of SiGe, strained Si, and Si-C alloys. It includes appendices on topics such as the properties of Si and Ge, the generalized Moll-Ross relations, integral charge-control relations, and sample SiGe HBT compact model parameters.

Sport technology has to be seen from the holistic, as well as inter- and transdisciplinary point of view. Product development requires close collaboration between engineers, athletes, sports scientists, and business managers. It requires an in-depth understanding of engineering disciplines, life and sport sciences, as well as economics. The Impact of Technology on Sport II has in its core precisely this philosophy and approach. It aims to provide a deeper insight into the current status of sports technology and to present recent developments in this area from the perspective of different disciplines, industrial practice, academia and athletes. This book brings together work from researchers around the world and, in particular from the Asia-Pacific region. Most sport technologies are covered, including equipment and materials in various ball sports (golf, cricket, baseball, soccer, tennis, etc.), water sports, athletics, winter sports, mountaineering, motor sports and martial arts. The different technological areas extend to design; dynamics, vibrations and control; aerodynamics; instrumentation and measurements; modelling, simulation and optimisation; biomechanics and human performance; sports medicine; coaching and sports education.

Study of nature and the world around us has been a primary motivation for scientists and researchers for centuries. Advanced methods in the study of elementary particles have led to even greater discoveries in recent years. Innovative Applications and Developments of Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors focuses on the analysis and use of various gas detection systems, providing a detailed description of some of the most commonly used gas detectors and the science behind them. From early detectors to modern tools and techniques, this book will be of particular use to practitioners and researchers in chemical engineering and materials science, in addition to students and academicians concentrating in the field.

For the first time in power electronics, this comprehensive treatment of switch-mode DC/DC converter designs addresses many analytical closed form equations such as duty cycle prediction, output regulation, output ripple, control loop-gain, and steady state time-domain waveform. Each of these equations are given various topologists and configurations, including forward, flyback, and boost converters. Pulse Width Modulated DC/DC Converters begins with a detailed approach to the quiescent operating locus of a power plant under open-loop. The reader is then led through other supporting circuits once again in the quiescent condition. These exercises result in the close-loop formulations of the subject system, providing designers with the ability to study the sensitivities of a system against disturbances. With the quiescent conditions well established, the book then guides the reader further into the territories of system stability where small signal behaviors are explored. Finally, some important large signal time-domain studies cap the treatment. Some distinctive features of this book include: *detailed coverage of dynamic close-loop converter simulations using only personal computer and modern mathematical software *Steady-state, time-domain analysis based on the concept of continuity of states Voltage-mode and current-mode control techniques and their differences of merits A detailed description on setting up different equations for DC/DC converters'simulation using only PC

Understanding the relationship between landslides and climate change is crucially important in planning a proactive approach to hazard and risk management. Advances in geohazard modelling and prediction enable us to be better prepared for the impacts of climate change, but there is still a need for effective risk management and informed planning policy to improve the safety and sustainability of communities at risk. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has highlighted our vulnerability to the impact of climate change, and has resulted in enormous human and economic loss. This book presents the Proceedings of the International Conference on 'Landslides and Climate Change - Challenges and Solutions', which was held in Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK in May 2007. The volume considers the practical experiences of hazard management, risk governance and response to climate change, and will be of interest to engineers, planners, practitioners, regional and local authorities, academics and politicians.

This thesis presents pioneering experimental and numerical studies on three aspects of the combustion characteristics of lean premixed syngas/air flames, namely the laminar flame speed, extinction limit and flammability limit. It illustrates a new extinction exponent concept, which enriches the combustion theory. Above all, the book provides the following: a) a series of carefully measured data and theoretical analyses to reveal the intrinsic mechanisms of the fuel composition effect on the propagation and extinction of lean syngas/air flames; b) a mixing model and correlation to predict the laminar flame speed of multi-component syngas fuels, intended for engineering computations; c) a new "extinction exponent" concept to describe the critical effects of chemical kinetics on the extinction of lean premixed syngas/air flames; and d) the effects and mechanism of the dilution of incombustible components on lean premixed syngas/air flames and the preferential importance among the thermal, chemical and diffusion effects.

This NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Disposal of Weapons Plutonium is a follow-up event to two preceding workshops, each dealing with a special subject within the overall disarmament issue: "Disposition of Weapon Plutonium," sponsored by the NATO Science Committee. The first workshop of this series was held at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London on 24-25 January 1994, entitled "Managing the Plutonium Surplus, Applications, and Options." Its over all goal was to clarify the current situation with respect to pluto nium characteristics and availability, the technical options for use or disposal, and their main technical, environmental, and economic constraints. In the immediate term, plutonium recovered from dismantled nuclear warheads will have to be stored securely, and under international safeguards if possible. In the intermediate term, the principal alter natives for disposition of this plutonium are: irradiation in mixed oxide (MOX) fuel assemblies in existing commercial light-water reac tors or in specially adapted light-water reactors capable of operation with full cores of MOX fuel .and irradiation in future fast reactors. Another option is to blend plutonium with high-level waste as it is vitrified for final disposal in a geologic repository. In both cases, the high radioactivity of the resulting products provides "self shielding" and prevents separation of plutonium without already developed and available sophisticated technology. The so-called "spent fuel standard" as an effective protection barrier is - quired in either case."

This book provides a comprehensive discussion and analysis of global energy resources, international energy markets, international energy forecasts for the first quarter of the 21st century, conventional and alternative energy technologies and pertinent historical developments of world energy. It is organized into four parts with 27 chapters that cover advance energy technologies, primary and alternative energy resources and country profiles. Part I introduces conventional energy resources; Part II covers alternative energy sources and conservation; Part III covers energy modelling and forecast methods for anlaysing energy development in the United States of America and the world; Part IV provides a country-by-country analysis of energy issues, law, resources and programs. It is indeed an assessment of the outlook for international energy that relates to major fuels, transportation, electricity and the environment.

This book provides a methodological framework to set properly the thermal enhancement and energy efficiency in historical buildings during a renovation process. It describes the unique thermal features of historical properties, closely examining how the building materials, structural elements, and state of conservation can impact energy efficiency, including sample calculations and results. It also describes means and aims of several fundamental steps to improve energy efficiency in historical buildings with an experimentation on a case study. This timely text also introduces leading-edge technologies for enhancing the energy performance of historical buildings, including the potential for integration of co- ad tri-generation though micro-turbines, photovoltaics and solar collectors and their compatibility with architectural preservation.

Students embarking on their studies in chemical, mechanical, aerospace, energy, and environmental engineering will face continually changing combustion problems, such as pollution control and energy efficiency, throughout their careers. Approaching these challenges requires a deep familiarity with the fundamental theory, mathematics, and physical concepts of combustion. Based on more than two decades of teaching experience, Combustion Science and Engineering lays the necessary groundwork while using an illustrative, hands-on approach.

Taking a down-to-earth perspective, the book avoids heavy mathematics in the first seven chapters and in Chapter 17 (pollutants formation and destruction), but considers molecular concepts and delves into engineering details. It begins with an outline of thermodynamics; basics of thermochemistry and chemical equilibrium; descriptions of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels; chemical kinetics and mass transfer; and applications of theory to practical systems. Beginning in chapter 8, the authors provide a detailed treatment of differential forms of conservation equations; analyses of fuel combustion including jet combustion and boundary layer problems; ignition; flame propagation; interactive and group combustion; pollutant formation and control; and turbulent combustion.

In addition, this textbook includes abundant examples, illustrations, and exercises, as well as spreadsheet software in combustion available for download. This software allows students to work out the examples found in the text. Combustion Science and Engineering imparts the skills and foundational knowledge necessary for students to successfully approach and solve new problems.

Voltage Stability is a relatively recent and challenging problem in Power Systems Engineering. It is gaining in importance as the trend of operating power systems closer to their limits continues to increase.

Voltage Stability of Electric Power Systems presents a clear description of voltage instability and collapse phenomena. It proposes a uniform and coherent theoretical framework for analysis and covers state-of-the-art methods. The book describes practical methods that can be used for voltage security assessment and offers a variety of examples.