Sustainability Commons^™

Assessing Sustainability Within The Brewing Industry: A Literature Review And Benchmarking Analysis., Elijah Thomas Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goals of this study were twofold: to further examine sustainability within the brewing industry through a literature analysis across four academic journals, and a benchmarking analysis of a Louisville, Kentucky brewery’s resource consumption and emissions production. Publications related to the brewing industry were examined for the presence of sustainability keywords: “efficiency, sustainability, carbon footprint, climate change and greenhouse gas”. Benchmarking examined the local brewery’s primary production facility to determine their performance compared to other surveyed breweries pursuing sustainability across the country. Literature examination found noticeable discrepancies between the appearance of sustainability topics within article abstracts and their discussion within …

Bidding Strategy For A Wind Power Producer In Us Energy And Reserve Markets, Anne Stratman

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Wind power is one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy resources and has expanded quickly within the US electric grid. Currently, wind power producers (WPPs) may sell energy products in US markets but are not allowed to sell reserve products, due to the uncertain and intermittent nature of wind power. However, as wind’s share of the power supply grows, it may eventually be necessary for WPPs to contribute to system-wide reserves. This paper proposes a stochastic optimization model to determine the optimal offer strategy for a WPP that participates in the day-ahead and real-time energy and spinning reserve markets. The …

Agricultural Groundcover Update March 2024, Justin Laycock

Natural resources published reports

• In March, over 10% (1,577,000 ha) of the arable farmland in the south-west of Western Australia had less than 50% vegetative groundcover, which is inadequate to prevent wind erosion.

• The northern grainbelt had the highest risk of wind erosion and over 20% of this farmland had inadequate groundcover.

• About 1.3% (191,000 ha) of arable land had a high to very high risk of wind erosion because groundcover was less than 30%.

Boron Isotopes In Plants And The Environment Of Growth, Troy Rasbury

Sustainability Seminar Series

Work to be presented is a synthesis of a number of studies examining boron in waters, soils and plants. Our work demonstrates a preference for borate in aquatic plants and a high enrichment factor particularly in plants from fresh lakes. Additionally we will look at boron uptake in common garden plants such as tomatoes, spinach and carrots using natural fertilizers such as seaweed compared to more traditional fertilizers such as Miracle Grow. Boron is an essential nutrient and plants have been shown to have boron transport genes. Bioimaging data from Brookhaven National Laboratory shows that the amount of boron in …

Designed For Life: Unearthing Just And Sustainable Urban Design Through The Daylighting Of Phalen Creek, Corgan R. Archuleta

Geography Honors Projects

This thesis conceptualizes a relational approach to urban design. Often separated from justice, I argue urban design can shape spaces to enable respectful and reciprocal human and more-than- human relationships. Focusing on Phalen Creek in Saint Paul, Minnesota, I illuminate just and sustainable possibilities between ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive design. Phalen Creek was a natural waterway buried in a pipe during 20th century urbanization to be partially reconstructed through daylighting. The Indigenous and Immigrant stories driving restoration expand urban design’s liberatory potential. Combining just sustainabilities with infrastructure theory and Indigenous Knowledges, I contend urban design offers a relational approach …

Linking Reactive Nitrogen Species Within The Vadose Zone With Surface Irrigation, Kaitlyn Richards

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This study investigated the relationship between irrigation methods and the mobilization of nitrogen in the vadose zone, focusing on soil properties, water dynamics, and nitrogen species distribution. Data collected from dryland and pivot-irrigated soil cores reveal distinct patterns in water content, bulk density, soil texture, pH, conductivity, and nitrogen concentrations. Results indicated that water content has a major influence in nitrogen availability and microbial activity. Nitrate-N and ammonium-N concentrations varied between dryland and pivot soils, with notable disparities observed. In dryland soils, nitrate-N concentrations varied widely across depth intervals, with notable accumulation in deeper layers, while ammonium-N concentrations exhibited a …

Preliminarily Exploring The Theories And Technologies For Coalbed Methane Production Using Horizontal Wells: Comparison Of Conditions For Coalbed Methane And Shale Gas Exploitation, Wang Hongyan, Duan Yaoyao, Liu Honglin, Zhao Qun, Chen Shangbin, Lu Haibing, Shi Zhensheng, Sun Qinping, Chen Zhenhong, Zhou Shangwen, Yang Mingwei, Wang Cong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Through 30 years of unremitting explorations, coalbed methane (CBM) wells in China have gradually transitioned from vertical to horizontal wells. However, the lack of basic theories on CBM production using horizontal wells is the main challenge to current CBM development. Compared to shales, coal seams exhibit heterogeneity and a minor presence of foliations and brittle minerals, hindering the formation of volumetric fracture networks. Nevertheless, the roofs and floors of coal seams have high sealing capacities and mechanical strength, creating excellent conditions for hydraulic fracturing. Some fractures in coals are filled with calcite, rendering acidification conducive to the improvement of reservoir …

Accumulation Characteristics And Exploration Prospects Of Deep Coalbed Methane In The Longtan Formation Of The Nanchuan Block On The Southeastern Margin Of The Sichuan Basin, Guo Tao, Jin Xiaobo, Wu Didi, Xie Fei, Liu Jinxian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Vertical well Y2 in the Nanchuan bloc on the southeastern margin of the Sichuan Basin has yielded daily production of natural flowing gas of 13000 m³, signifying a strategic breakthrough in deep coalbed methane (CBM) exploration on the margin. This study aims to systematically reveal the enrichment and high-yield patterns of CBM in the Nanchuan block. Using data on the regional geology, tests, assays, and production, this study investigated the accumulation characteristic and conducted exploration potential evaluation for deep CBM in the Nanchuan block from the perspective of the quality, pore and fissure characteristics, gas content, and fracability …

Experimental Study Of The Thermal Cracking Mechanism Of Limestones During Burning, Zhang Weiqiang, Cao Zhicheng, Zhou Qizhong, Wang Zuoquan, Wu Yun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Spontaneous combustion of coal seams will cause different degrees of structural damage to surrounding rocks at different high temperatures, significantly altering their physical and mechanical properties and engineering geological effects. To delve into the structural evolution patterns of rocks during burning, this study investigated the limestones from the floor of a coal mine in Xuzhou. It conducted thermal cracking experiments under different temperatures, exploring the thermal cracking patterns of rocks on multiple scales. Furthermore, this study revealed the genetic mechanism of thermal cracking by combining numerical simulations and microstructure tests. Key findings are as follows: (1) The thermal cracking temperature …

Prediction Of Mine Water Inflow Along Mining Faces Using The Ssa-Cg-Attention Multifactor Model, Ding Yingying, Yin Shangxian, Lian Huiqing, Liu Wei, Li Qixing, Qi Rongrong, Bu Changsen, Xia Xiangxue, Li Shuqian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Predicting mine water inflow plays an important role in ensuring mine safety, optimizing resource allocation, and improving work efficiency. This study aims to improve the accuracy and stability of the predicted mine water inflow. Given their strong correlations with water inflow, borehole water level and microseismic energy were chosen as multifactor characteristic variables. Using these variables, this study developed the SSA-CG-Attention multifactor prediction model for mine water inflow along mining faces. The new model extracted effective nonlinear local features of data utilizing a new network structure, which was formed by integrating a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the time …

Mechanism And Application Of Cross-Interface Fracturing For Permeability Enhancement Through The Roof Blasting Of Tectonic Coal Seams, Gao Kui, Wang Youwei, Qiao Guodong, Tian Yu, Fu Shigui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Deep coal mining is challenging due to deteriorating geological conditions. After undergoing multiphase tectonic movements, primary coals have evolved into soft tectonic coal seams with low permeability and high gas content, complicating drilling in coal seams. In this case, the blasting-induced fractures are not well-developed and are prone to be re-compacted. So far, no fundamental breakthrough has been achieved in the key technology of fracturing for permeability enhancement technology through the roof blasting of tectonic coal seams. Given this, this study established test models for similar simulation tests and numerical analysis on the roof blasting of coal seams. By monitoring …

Research On Tar-Rich Coals: Progress And Prospects, Wang Shuangming, Bao Yuan, Hao Yonghui, Wang Shengquan, Shi Qingmin, Li Dan, Hu Yiliang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Tar-rich coals are a coal-based oil and gas resource that integrates the properties of coal, oil, and gas. Given China's energy endowment of abundant coal resources but limited oil and gas reserves, exploiting tar-rich coals plays a significant role in alleviating China's tight supply of oil and gas resources and achieving green development and low-carbon utilization of coals. Using tar-rich coals as the keyword, we searched the CNKI and Web of Science databases for academic articles and patents published from 1985 to the end of 2023. Based on the search results, we statistically analyzed the process and main aspects of …

Exploring The Pore Structure Of Reconstructed Soils And Its Effects On Water And Salt Transport Based On Ct Scanning, Li Huakun, Zheng Liugen, Chen Yongchun, Li Bing, Tao Pengfei, Li Hao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Coal gangue serves as a critical material for landfilling and reclamation in the subsidence areas of coal mines. However, due to its rough textures and poor water-holding capacity, soils reconstructed using coal gangue exhibit somewhat different pore structures and water-salt transport from undisturbed soils. To explore the changes in the pore structure of the reconstructed soils and their effects on water and salt transport, this study analyzed the differences in the pore structures between four samples from undisturbed soils, the overburden, mud-gangue mixtures, and gangue using CT scanning and image analysis. Furthermore, an indoor experimental device was designed to simulate …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Response Mechanism Characteristics Of Mining-Induced Fault Activation, Sun Wenbin, Hao Jianbang, Dai Xianzheng, Kong Lingjun

Coal Geology & Exploration

In the process of coal mining, mining-induced stress perturbation is a key factor leading to fault activation, which is a primary challenge faced by safe coal mining. Fault activation is prone to induce geological disasters such as rock bursts and floor water inrushes of coal mines. Furthermore, it poses a serious threat to mining safety. Using the Flac^3D software for numerical simulations and similar material simulation experiments, this study established a model for faults’ stress-displacement responses under coal mining to analyze the mechanisms behind the evolution of fault structure zones in the process of coal mining. Key findings are …

Laws Of Changes In The Energy Of Gas Hydrate-Bearing Coals Under Different Confining Pressures And Saturations, Zhu Wei, Gao Xia, Zhang Baoyong, Wu Qiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Gas hydration for the solidification of coal seams susceptible to outbursts is a novel technology used to prevent coal and gas outbursts by reducing gas pressure and enhancing coal strength. However, an unclear understanding of the failure characteristics and the energy dissipation law of gas hydrate-bearing coals under different confining pressures and saturations leads to the lack of a theoretical basis for the prevention of dynamic disasters such as field coal and gas outbursts in deep mines. Based on the deviatoric stress-strain curves obtained using triaxial compression tests, this study calculated and analyzed the laws of changes in energy of …

Fracture Propagation Mechanism In Directional Perforation And Hydraulic Fracturing Of Coal Seam Horizontal Wells, Pang Tao, Jiang Zaibing, Hui Jiangtao, Jia Bingyi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Horizontal well perforation and fracturing in complex coal-bearing strata are key to increasing coal seam permeability and enhancing gas extraction efficiency, with the formation structure and perforation location determining fracture propagation. Considering the characteristics of formation structure and perforation locations, a fracturing geological model is established. Based on the finite element method, a numerical model is constructed to study the effects of perforation location, formation conditions, and the difference between vertical stress and horizontal stress on fracture perforation. Engineering verification is conducted, and construction suggestions are proposed. Key findings are as follows: There are three scenarios for the perforation locations: …

An Intelligent Water Source Discrimination Method For Water Inrushes From Coal Seam Roofs In The Inner Mongolia-Shaanxi Border Region, Wang Hao, Sun Junqing, Zeng Yifan, Shang Hongbo, Wang Tiantian, Qiao Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Water hazard on the coal seam proof induced by high-intensity coal mining are increasingly prominent in the Inner Mongolia-Shaanxi border region. The effective, accurate water-source discrimination of the water inrushes is the key to water hazard prevention. This study investigated three typical mines in the Inner Mongolia-Shaanxi border region. To this end, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract principal components from 80 groups of groundwater samples. Then, with inorganic indicators K⁺+Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, HCO₃ ⁻ and TDS and organic indicators UV_{254 …}

Sulphate Contamination In An Abandoned Coal Mine In Light Of Mining Effects, Qi Yueming, Zhou Pei, Zhou Lai, Jiang Dan, Yang Yuqing, Liu Yanzhuo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Abandoned high-sulfur coal mines will become deeply buried acid-producing contamination sites, posing hazards to adjacent aquifers and surrounding environments. Furthermore, mining effects and the complex spatial distribution of abandoned mines complicate the assessment of the contamination processes and degrees in adjacent aquifers. Focusing on a certain abandoned coal mine, this study examined the migration characteristics of SO₄ ²⁻ pollution in acid mine drainage using numerical simulations by taking sulfate (SO₄ ²⁻) as the characteristic contaminant and considering the effects of the fractures formed by the mining of multiple coal seams on the aquifer structure. Furthermore, it analyzed …

Three-Dimensional Forward Modeling Using The Transient Electromagnetic Method Under Complex Terrains And The Analysis Of Terrain Effects, Qu Shaobo, Zhu Jiao, Jiang Zhihai, Li Maofei, He Zhilong

Coal Geology & Exploration

The ground-based transient electromagnetic method (TEM), with unique advantages, has been extensively applied for hydrogeological exploration in coal mines. However, in field exploration, complex terrains tend to cause variations in geometric shapes of transmitting sources and deviations in signals received, reducing exploration accuracy. Hence, by integrating theoretical analysis and numerical simulations with the analysis of actual terrain data, this study systematically investigated the response characteristics of electrical- and magnetic-source TEM fields under complex terrains. Using the vector finite-element electromagnetic forward modeling technique based on second-order backward Euler discretization, this study delved into the laws of influence of peak and valley …