Investing in efficient industrial boiler systems in China and Vietnam

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421511008147
Abstract: Energy efficiency in industrial boiler steam systems can be very low due to old technologies, improper design and non-optimal operation of the steam systems. Solutions include efficiency assessments and investments in steam system optimizations, education and training for operators of the systems. This paper presents case studies on assessing and investing in boiler steam systems in China and Vietnam. Methodologies and approaches for data collection and analyses were designed specifically for each of the two countries. This paper concludes: (1) investing in energy efficiency in industrial boiler steam system in China and Vietnam are cost effective; (2) government should not sent national energy efficiency standards lower than that of energy companies or energy equipment manufactures.

Highlights:
► GEF successfully catalyzed investment in industrial energy efficiency boilers in China in 1990s.
► With about $100 million of investment by the GEF/World Bank/Chinese government, the project will mitigate 40 million tons of CO2 by 2019.
► This generated lowest unit cost of carbon reduction in the world: about $2.5 per ton of CO2 mitigation.
► Investing in energy efficiency in industrial boiler steam system today in Vietnam will be the same cost effective as in China: $2.1 per ton of CO2 mitigation.

by Ming Yang 1 and Robert K. Dixon 2
1. 3E&T International, Suite 1506, No. 10 Building, Luo Ma Shi Street, Xuan Wu District, Beijing, 100052, China
2. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA
Energy Policy via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 40; January, 2012; Pages 432-437
Special Issue: Strategic Choices for Renewable Energy Investment

Metalliferous sediments in the Atlantis II Deep—Assessing the geological and economic resource potential and legal constraints

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420711000559
Abstract: Projected increases in demand and thus increasing metal prices have brought the exploration and exploitation of marine mineral resources back into focus. The Atlantis II Deep, located in the central Red Sea between Saudi Arabia and Sudan, is one of the largest marine sulfide deposits known, with high concentrations of metals such as zinc, copper, silver and gold. However, little is known about the economic potential of marine minerals as well as the legal constraints. Our geological assessment shows that the deep is similar in grades and scale to large land-based deposits. Its economic potential is far from negligible. The total present value of possible gross revenues for the four metals zinc, copper, silver and gold ranges from 3.03 to 5.29 billion US$, depending on the assumptions made concerning future price development, mass calculation and discount rate. From a legal perspective, a general duty to cooperate in the exploration and exploitation of non-living resources located in disputed maritime areas is identified in both customary international law and in UNCLOS. It is submitted that a joint development agreement is one means of ensuring compliance with this duty in general and in the case of the Atlantis II Deep in particular.

Highlights:
► We calculate the masses of Zn, Cu, Mn and Ag in A2D in depth slices down to 14 m.
► Mass calculations are based on 480 cores from the Saudi-Sudanese Red Sea Commission.
► The PV of possible gross revenues of A2D resources ranges from 3.03 to 5.29 bn US$.
► JDA as a useful way to ensure the legal duty to cooperate in resource use is upheld.

by Christine Bertram 1, Anna Krätschell 2, Killian O’Brien 3, Warner Brückmann 2, Alexander Proelss 4, Katrin Rehdanz 1 and, 5
Resources Policy via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com Volume 36, Issue 4; December, 2011; Pages 315-329
1. Kiel Institute for the World Economy, (IfW) Hindenburgufer 66, D-24105 Kiel, Germany; Tel.: +49 431 8814 261.
2. IFM-GEOMAR, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences, Kiel, Germany
3. Academy of European Law (ERA), Trier, Germany
4. Department of Law, University of Trier, Trier, Germany
5. Department of Economics, Christian-Albrechts-University at Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Keywords: Atlantis II Deep; Deep-sea mining; Joint development scheme; Metalliferous sediments; Resource potential; Saudi-Sudanese Red Sea Commission

A study on the optimum insulation thicknesses of various types of external walls with respect to different materials, fuels and climate zones in Turkey

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261911006593
Abstract: In Turkey the insulation of buildings was not a common occurrence until it became obligatory after the publication of the TS 825 Turkish Thermal Insulation Standard. However, most of the buildings still have little or no insulation. The aim of this study is to show the optimum insulation thicknesses for the different wall types; stone, brick and concrete, which are usually used in building construction in Turkey. Four cities from different climate zones, determined by the Turkish Thermal Insulation Standard (TS 825); Antalya (1st zone), İstanbul (2nd zone), Elazığ (3rd zone) and Kayseri (4th zone) were selected for analysis, and the optimum insulation thicknesses, energy savings and payback periods were calculated for each. Fiberglass, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene and foamed polyurethane were the chosen insulation materials. The calculations were carried out with five different energy types; coal, LPG, electricity, fuel oil, and natural gas. As a consequence the results show that the optimum insulation thickness varies between 0.2 cm and 18.6 cm, energy savings vary between 0.038 $/m2 and 250.415 $/m2, and payback periods vary between 0.714 and 9.104 years depending on the city, the type of wall, the insulation material and the cost of fuel.

by Betul Bektas Ekici, Ayca Aytac Gulten, U. Teoman Aksoy; all of the Department of Construction Education, Firat University, Elazıg 23119, Turkey; Tel.: +90 424 2370000x4316.
Applied Energy via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 92; April, 2012; Pages 211-217
Keywords: Insulation; Optimum insulation thickness; Energy saving; Life cycle cost; Payback period

Adobe-style builds ensure greater efficiencies in Afghanistan

http://www.army.mil/article/69907/Adobe_style_builds_ensure_greater_efficiencies_in_Afghanistan/
Adobe-style building structures are becoming more commonplace as coalition strategists see them as being better suited for the Afghan National Security Forces.

Such builds, for example, are being incorporated with the 4th Zone Afghan Border Police, Injil District of Herat Province in western Afghanistan. But that is not the only place, as they are becoming more popular across the country spurred by the deadline to transition responsibilities for security in Afghanistan to Afghan forces by 2014.

At the 4thZone AFB compound, the adobe-style construction using mud/clay/straw is prevalent. This offers reduced costs and provides the Afghan National Security Forces with sustainable, locally repairable construction. The easier maintenance generates lower lifecycle costs.

The builds have many advantages and do not incorporate western-style construction, which does not offer Afghans the ability to easily repair, maintain, and save money in the long term.

"Our Afghan contractors came to us and said they didn't understand containerized builds and that they could have built a more permanent concrete masonry unit structure cheaper and in less time," explained Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Overtree, senior engineer for Regional Support Command-West. "We further looked around and asked why are we making [western builds in] a country where only 13 percent of the population has electrical power or air-conditioning?"

Afghan-style facilities and customs are not familiar to western engineers, so U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Air Force Center for Engineering Excellence and our Coalition partners initially built what they knew, Overtree said.

However, as long-term concerns are taken into consideration, this Regional Support Command initiative of adobe-style builds make the most sense for several reasons.

"First and foremost it is what the Afghans and their contractors know," Overtree said. "Prime example, we were constructing a project and were approached by the garrison commander, an infantry colonel, who told us about a problem with the Afghan mud on one of the buildings. Not only did he know there was a problem, he knew what was causing the problem and where to find the proper materials to fix the problem."

Many times the Afghans don't know there is a problem with western builds until they completely fail, and then they don't how to fix the problem, Overtree explained.

And, the Afghan-style builds are easy to maintain, using local materials and labor, even troop labor, he said.

With the Afghan-style builds, the two-foot thick masonry walls used provide a high "R-Value" which results a very low transfer of heat, Overtree said.

The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. Under uniform conditions it is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator and heat transfer per unit area, internet sources stated.

"In layman's terms without any form of air-conditioning, there is a 20 to 25 degree fahrenheit difference between the inside and outside of the building at the hottest and coldest parts of the day," Overtree said of the adobe builds. "This means only fans and pot-belly wood stoves are needed for heating and cooling. This is the same way the Afghans heat and cool their homes."

The buildings take advantage and match the local environment, something the West forgot 70 years ago when we discovered air-conditioning, he said.

"Prior to the 1940s, we built houses and buildings to match the environment, Cape Cods, Plantation houses, haciendas, etc.," Overtree said.

The builds are also natural bunkers with the two-foot thick walls, Overtree said. They can take multiple rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire and can easily be repaired afterward.

Additionally, from an economic view, the builds offer incredible savings.

"On average, based on comparable projects built by the US Corps of Engineers and Air Force Center for Engineering Excellence, these RSC adobe builds save 75 percent of the life cycle costs," Overtree said. "This means for the projects we have done this year using this concept, we will save over $1 billion over the life of the facilities."

Any disadvantages?

Apparently not. "That's why they have been building this way for millennia," he said.

The dividends are evident at the 4th Zone Afghan Border Police compound.

The 1,900-man compound is low energy and efficient, currently powered only by a 33 kilowatt generator, Overtree said.

By Jon Connor, DCOM-Regional Support, NTM-A/CSTC-A Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Army www.army.mil
November 25, 2011