Fly ash from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI) is classified as hazardous in the European Waste Catalogue. Proper stabilization processes should be required before any management option is put into practice. Due to the inorganic nature of MSWI fly ash, cementitious stabilization processes are worthy of consideration. However, the effectiveness of such processes can be severely compromised by the high content of soluble chlorides and sulphates. In this paper, a preliminary washing treatment has been optimized to remove as much as possible soluble salts by employing as little as possible water. Two different operating conditions (single-step and two-step) have been developed to this scope. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that stabilized systems containing 20% of binder are suitable for safer disposal as well as for material recovery in the field of road basement (cement bound granular material layer). Three commercially available cements (pozzolanic, limestone and slag) have been employed as binders.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.12.013

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1. Material and energy recovery in integrated waste management systems. An evaluation based on life cycle assessment
2. Use of Incinerator Bottom Ash for Frit Production

If drivers switch from gasoline to biofuels, will it lessen the air pollution that shrouds cities around the world? Studies of auto emissions have indicated it might. But the first citywide air quality study of its kind, reported at the meeting, suggests that unless more than 26% of cars make the switch, it will have negligible effect.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.336.6079.292-c

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http://www.climatewell.com/index.html#/applications

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In Washington, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the first applications for registration of e
hanol for use in making gasoline that contains up to 15 percent ethanol – known as E15.To enable widespread use of E15, the Obama Administration has set a goal to help fueling station owners install 10,000 blender pumps over the next 5 years. In addition
both through the Recovery Act and the 2008 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture have provided grants, loans and loan guarantees to spur American ingenuity on the next generation of biofuels.

Today’s action follows an extensive technical review required by law. Registration is a prerequisite to introducing E15 into the marketplace. Before it can be sold, manufactures must first take additional measures to help ensure retail stations and other
gasoline distributors understand and implement labeling rules and other E15-related requirements.EPA is not requiring the use or sale of E15.

After extensive vehicle testing by DOE and other organizations, EPA issued two partial waivers raising the allowable ethanol volume to 15 percent for use in model year 2001 and newer cars and light trucks.

E15 is not permitted for use in motor vehicles built prior to 2001 model year and in off-road vehicles and equipment such as boats and lawn and garden equipment. Gas pumps dispensing E15 will be clearly labeled so consumers can make the right choice.

EPA approves E15 ethanol blend registrations : Biofuels Digest

Related posts:

1. EPA approves E15 for model years 2001 and later
2. ‘Blending wall’ stands in way of ethanol growth

The study explores the relationship between transportation and development in the East Africa and Indian Ocean (EAIO) region. A positive link between development, defined in terms of gross national income per capita (GNI/cap), and transportation, operationalized in terms of the different major forms of transport infrastructure in the study region, is hypothesized. Multiple regression involving natural logarithms and concomitant statistics is employed to test the hypothesis. The resultant model is positive and statistically significant at the 95% level. Thus, the hypothesized relationship is confirmed. Two seemingly counterintuitive results, namely the not-statistically-significant negative association between railways and development, and the statistically significant link between dirt roads and development, are noted. Two plausible explanations are proffered for this unexpected finding. One is that dirt roads constitute a hindrance, rather than a facilitator, to development during the rainy season when they are impassable. The other is that railways in the area suffer from neglect and are not harmonized enough to maximize their utility. On account of the revelation that transportation, as a whole, is positively linked to development, and the fact that the functioning of other sectors depends largely on transportation, it is recommended that transport infrastructure and facilities be prioritized as an investment target in the EAIO region.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000091

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Scaling up for alternative energy such as solar, wind, and biofuel raises a number of environmental issues, notably changes in land use and adverse effects on wildlife. Airports offer one of the few land uses where reductions in wildlife abundance and habitat quality are necessary and socially acceptable, due to risk of wildlife collisions with aircraft. There are several uncertainties and limitations to establishing alternative energy production at airports, such as ensuring these facilities do not create wildlife attractants or other hazards. However, with careful planning, locating alternative energy projects at airports could help mitigate many of the challenges currently facing policy makers, developers, and conservationists.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9803-4

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