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Purpose: Carbon dioxide emission is one of the key causes of global warming and climate change. This study investigates the effects of domestic credit and manufacturing indicators on the emission of carbon dioxide in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: The paper relied on time series data from 1975 to 2014 and employed regression and variance decomposition methods to analyze the data. Findings: In the long run, manufacturing output increases total carbon emissions and emissions from solid fuel; manufactures trade reduces carbon emissions and domestic credit reduces emissions from the manufacturing industries and construction. The long-run effect of the changing technical characteristics of the manufacturing sector is sensitive to the estimation technique used. In the short run, however, changing technical characteristics of the manufacturing sector affect the level of carbon emissions. Income increases emissions from manufacturing industries and construction and urbanization increases total carbon emissions. Research limitations/implications: Policymakers have to initiate effective policies to promote energy-efficient technologies among manufacturing firms. Originality/value: The paper examines the effect of manufacturing on carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa. It also examines the possible effect of manufactures trade on carbon emissions. Moreover, the possible effect of the changing characteristics of the manufacturing sector on carbon emissions is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Carbon dioxide (CO2) has attracted special scientific interest over the last years mainly because of its relation to climate change and indoor air quality. Except for this, CO2 can be used as an indicator of food freshness, patients' clinical state and fire detection. Therefore, the accurate monitoring and controlling of CO2 levels are imperative. The development of highly sensitive, selective and reliable sensors that can efficiently distinguish CO2 in various conditions of temperature, humidity and other gases' interference is the subject of intensive research with chemi-resistive zinc oxide (ZnO)-based sensors holding a privileged position. Several ZnO nanostructures have been used in sensing applications because of their versatile features. However, the deficient selectivity and long-term stability remain major concerns, especially when operating at room temperature. This study aims to encompass an extensive study of CO2 chemi-resistive sensors based on ZnO, introducing the most significant advances of recent years and the best strategies for enhancing ZnO sensing properties. Design/methodology/approach: An overview of the different ZnO nanostructures used for CO2 sensing and their synthesis methods is presented, focusing on the parameters that highly affect the sensing mechanism and, thus, the performance of CO2 sensors. Findings: The selectivity and sensitivity of ZnO sensors can be enhanced by adjusting various parameters during their synthesis and by doping or treating ZnO with suitable materials. Originality/value: This paper summarises the advances in the rapidly evolving field of CO2 sensing by ZnO sensors and provides research directions for optimised sensors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to reduce the post-harvest loss occurring through respiration and CO2 emission produce by the selected produces, during logistics. This paper proposes a supply chain (SC) structure for the Indian traditional agriculture SC planning model to reduce post-harvest loss and mixed closed transportation to reduce CO2 emission. Design/methodology/approach - The Indian agriculture SC structure is modeled and solved by genetic algorithm using a MATLAB Optimization toolbox. The respiration rate is measured by a static method. These values are applied in an SC planning model and the post-harvest loss and its corresponding CO2 emission are estimated. Findings - This paper proposes a supply structure for the Indian traditional agriculture SC to reduce the post-harvest loss; the experiments measured the respiration rate to estimate the CO2 emission. The mixed closed transportation method is found to be suitable for short-purpose domestic transportation. Research limitations/implications - The optimized supply structure leads to unemployment through eliminating the intermediaries. Therefore, further research encourages the conversion of intermediaries into hub instead of eliminating them. Practical implications - This paper includes implications for the development of Indian traditional agriculture SC by an optimized supply structure and novel transportation method for the selected agriculture produces based on compatibility. Originality/value - This paper identified that the agriculture produces respiration can also emit the CO2. The closed transportation method can reduce the CO2 emission of produces respiration than traditional open transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the authors investigate that the increasing level of fossil fuel combustion in the industrial sector has been considered the prime cause for the emissions of greenhouse gas. Meanwhile, the research focusing on the impact of fossil fuel consumption on the emission of CO2 is limited for the developing countries containing Vietnam. This study applied the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach with structural breaks presence, and the Bayer–Hanck combined cointegration method to observe the rationality of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in the dynamic relationship between the industrialization and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in Vietnam, capturing the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and the fossil fuel consumption over the period of 1975–2019. The outcomes revealed the confirmation of cointegration among the variables and both short and long-run regression parameters indicated the evidence for the presence of a U-shaped association between the level of industrial growth and CO2 emission that is further confirmed by employing the Lind and Mehlum U-test for robustness purpose. The results of Granger causality discovered a unidirectional causality from FDI and fossil fuel consumption to CO2 emission in the short run. For the policy points, this study suggests the use of efficient and low carbon-emitting technologies. Design/methodology/approach: In order to test for consistency and robustness of the cointegration analysis, this study also applied the ARDL bound testing method to find out long-run association among variables with the existence of the structural break in the dataset. The ARDL method was preferred to other traditional cointegration models; because of the smaller dataset, the results obtained from the ARDL method are efficient and consistent and equally appropriate for I(1) and I(0) variables. Findings: The short-run and long-run causal associations among variables have been observed by employing the error correction term (ECT) augmented Granger-causality test that revealed the presence of the long-run causality among variables only when the CO2 emission is employed as a dependent variable. The outcomes for short-run causality indicated the presence of unidirectional causality between consumption of fossil fuel and CO2 emission, where the fossil fuel consumptions Granger-cause CO2 emission. Industrial growth has also been found to have an impact on fossil fuel consumptions, however not the opposite. This advocates that the policies aimed at reducing the fossil fuel consumptions would not be harmful to industrial growth as other energy efficient and cleaner technology could be implemented by the firms to substitute the fossil fuel usage. Originality/value: The study explored the dynamic relationship among FDI, consumption of fossil fuel, industrial growth and the CO2 emission in Vietnam for the time period 1975–2019. The newly established Bayer–Hanck joint cointegration method and the ARDL bound testing were employed by taking into account the structural breaks in the dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to establish the downhole CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method and then to make an economical oil country tubular goods (OCTG) anti-corrosion design. CO2 partial pressure is the most important parameter to the oil and gas corrosion research for these wells which contain sweet gas of CO2. However, till now, there has not been a recognized method for calculating this important value. Especially in oil well, CO2 partial pressure calculation seems more complicated. Based on Dolton partial pressure law and oil gas separation process, CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method in oil well is proposed. A case study was presented according to the new method, and two kinds of corrosion environment were determined. An experimental research was conducted on N80, 3Cr-L80 and 13Cr-L80 material. Based on the test results, 3Cr-L80 was recommended for downhole tubing. Combined with the field application practice, 3Cr-L80 was proved as a safety and economy anti-corrosion tubing material in this oil field. A proper corrosion parameter (mainly refers to CO2 partial pressure and temperature) can ensure a safety and economy downhole tubing anti-corrosion design.Design/methodology/approach Based on Dolton partial pressure law and oil gas separation process, CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method in oil well is proposed. An experimental research was conducted on N80, 3Cr-L80 and 13Cr-L80 material. A field application practice was used.Findings It is necessary to calculate the CO2 partial pressure properly to ensure a safety and economy downhole tubing (or casing) anti-corrosion design.Originality/value The gas and oil separation theory and corrosion theory are combined together to give a useful method in downhole tubing anti-corrosion design method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate shadow prices of agricultural carbon emissions produced by agricultural inputs, rice paddy and burning crop residue, and to explore the impact of cropping pattern on marginal abatement cost (MAC).Design/methodology/approach The shadow price of agricultural carbon emissions is estimated by applying directional distance function and non-parametric methods.Findings The estimated shadow price of agricultural carbon emissions ranges from 6.78 to 557.83 yuan/ton, and the average value is 62.50 yuan/ton (or $10.18/ton). The MAC value varies in different provinces and years. The regional difference of MAC shows a decreasing trend during the investigation period. Cropping pattern shows a significant negative impact on agricultural MAC. A 1 percent decrease of rice proportion leads to a 0.31 percent increase in MAC value. This implies that the higher the proportion of rice is, the lower the economic cost to reduce agricultural carbon emissions would be.Practical implications It is feasible to draw up appropriate mechanisms for the allocation of emission reduction responsibilities according to conditions in various regions, with emphasis on the local cropping patterns. There is a trade-off between reducing carbon emission and increasing crop yields.Originality/value This study calculates agricultural MAC by using the shadow price approach, taking agricultural carbon emissions as undesired environmental output. The study also provides a reference emission right price and provides guidance to make use of cropping structure adjustment and optimization for exploring the emission reduction strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the environmental impact of various pollutant emissions including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) from aircraft exhaust gases during the landing and take-off (LTO) cycles at Eskisehir Hasan Polatkan Airport, Turkey, between 2017 and 2018. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology approach used to calculate the emissions from aircrafts is based on the ICAO databank and the actual data records taken from Presidency of The Republic of Turkey Directorate of Communications (DoC). Findings: The maximum amount of total fuel burnt during the two years is 80.898 and 70.168 tons in 2017 and 2018, respectively, while the average fuel burnt per year from 2017 to 2018 is approximately 369.773 tons. The highest CO, CO2, NOx and HC emissions are found to be 248.3 kg in 2017, 261.380 tons, 1.708 tons and 22.15 kg, during the 2018 year, respectively. Average CO, HC, NOx and CO2 emissions amount per year are observed to be 1.392 tons, 135 kg, 6.909 tons and 1,143 tons, respectively. Considering the average of total emission amount as an environmental factor, as expected, CO2 emissions contributed the most to the total emissions while HC emissions contributed the least to the total emissions from the airport. Practical implications: The study presents the approach in determining the amounts of emissions released into the interannual atmosphere and it explicitly provides researchers and policymakers how to follow emissions from commercial aircraft activities at different airports. Originality/value: The value of the study lies in the transparent computation of the amounts of pollutants by providing the data directly from the first hand-DoC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose CO2 corrosion rate prediction is regarded as the backbone of materials selection in upstream hydrocarbon industry. This study aims to identify common types of errors in CO2 rate calculation and to give guidelines on how to avoid them.Design/methodology/approach For the purpose of this study, 15 different “corrosion study and materials selection reports” carried out previously in upstream hydrocarbon industry were selected, and their predicted CO2 corrosion rates were evaluated using various corrosion models. Errors captured in the original materials selection reports were categorized based on their type and nature.Findings The errors identified in the present study are classified into the following four main types: using inadequate or false data as the input to the model, failing to address factors which may have significant influence on corrosion rate, utilizing corrosion models beyond their validity range and utilizing a corrosion model for a specific set of input, where the model is considered to be inaccurate even though the input lies within the software’s range of validity.Research limitations/implications This study is mainly based on the use of various corrosion models, and except few cases for which some actual field corrosion monitoring data were available, no laboratory tests were performed to verify the predicted data.Practical implications The paper provides a checklist of common types of errors in CO2 corrosion rate prediction and the guidelines on how to avoid them.Originality/value CO2 corrosion rate calculation is regarded as the backbone of materials selection in hydrocarbon industry. In this work, the source of errors in terms of corrosion modeling tool and human factors were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to adopt both the fragments of imidazole and thiosemicarbazide as reaction centers, to synthesize a water-soluble corrosion inhibitor named as thiosemicarbazide-imidazole derivative (TH-IM).Design/methodology/approach This paper presents potentiodynamic polarization tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests and morphology study of metal surface by scanning electron microscope and thermodynamic study.Findings In the aggressive condition of CO2 saturated Wt. NaCl solution at 333 K for 72 h with 400 ppm inhibitor dosage, the efficiency of inhibition increases approximately 98 per cent through the method of weight loss.Originality/value This paper finds a new corrosion inhibitor about TH-IM which has a good solubility in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Dwellings constructed before 1920 often had solid brick walls with poor thermal performance. Today there is a drive to reduce both energy demand and carbon dioxide production. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that mixtures of chopped hemp straw with lime based binders added to the external surface of brick walls can substantially reduce the air to air thermal transmittance, or U-value W/m2 K, and that these mixtures provide a sustainable remedial treatment for solid brick walls. The aim is to achieve wall U-values as good as, or better than, the current UK Building Regulations design value of 0.30 W/m2 K. Design/methodology/approach – Several Microsoft Excel spread sheets have been constructed to determine the steady state and transient thermal properties of various brick walls. These spread sheets are validated by comparing their output with the published thermal data to be found in the CIBSE Design Guide. The sustainable aspects of a number of different externally hemp-lime insulated Victorian brick walls are described and discussed. Findings – The U-values and the transient thermal properties of solid brick walls with thickness 110 mm, 220 mm and 340 mm are presented. The transient properties include the admittance, decrement factor and lag time. These walls are then considered with various added external layers of hemp-lime ranging in thickness from 50 mm to 300 mm. Some solid brick walls have an added air cavity, created with studding and plywood sheathing, before the layer of hemp-lime. Walls with external tile hanging for sites with high exposure to driving rain are also discussed. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates the advantages of the energy saving and carbon dioxide sequestration achieved by adding 200 mm of a hemp-lime binder insulation to the exterior of Victorian brick walls of terraced dwellings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to forecast the performance and adoption of residential energy management technology (REMT).Design/methodology/approach – The paper integrates scenarios, analogy and Bass diffusion model.Findings – Four different scenarios were identified. Bass curve parameters were extracted through many different existing devices, and then fit into each scenario subjectively to produce four different kinds of diffusion curves.Originality/value – The approach and the model provide decision and policy makers to evaluate how they should position new energy management innovations based on the desired type of diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of economic growth, international trade and energy consumption on the global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in the case of top CO2 emitters, namely, USA, Japan, Canada, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UK, Australia, Italy, France and Spain using the annual data from 1971 to 2013. Design/methodology/approach: For this purpose, the time series, data technique is applied. Unit root test with structural break and the bounds testing approach for cointegration in the presence of structural break is tested. Finally, a vector error correction model for the Granger causality test is applied to detect the direction of causality. The authors have used the techniques that will help in examining the structural break in the time series data. Findings: The results reveal that their exists a long-run relationship between CO2 emissions and its determinants in the USA, Canada, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Australia, Italy, France and Spain, energy consumption is the main determinant of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the long run and for direction of causality, the authors found bidirectional causality in the long run between energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the USA, Canada, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UK, and Granger causality running in opposite direction in the case of Australia from CO2 emissions to energy consumption was analyzed. In terms of growth-trade-pollution nexus (USA, Canada, Iran and France) hold one-way causality running from economic growth and trade openness to CO2 emissions (IV) the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is validated only for the USA. Robust policy implications can be derived from this study. First, without harming the economy, these countries can reduce the use of energy consumption for lower pollution. Second, the amount of trade should be decreased to lower the emissions because the authors find that an increase in trade does Granger cause to CO2 emissions in the long run. Originality/value: There has been no study that investigated the relationship between CO2 emissions, real income, consumption of energy and international trade in the environmental Kuznets relation for the top CO2 emitter's countries over the period of 1971–2013. The authors did a comparative study of the empirical finding among these nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of (non-renewable and renewable) energy consumption and trade on environmental pollution in an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) setting in Turkey for the 1965–2016 period.Design/methodology/approach Besides conventionally used unit root tests, Zivot–Andrews unit-root test is also employed to account for a possible structural break. To investigate the interrelationships among the variables, the autoregressive distributed lag and the vector error correction methodologies are employed.Findings The results verify the EKC hypothesis. Moreover, increases in trade and non-renewable energy consumption rise carbon emissions in long run, while renewable energy consumption reduces it in both short- and long-run. The causality analysis reveals that there are bi-directional long-run causalities between non-renewable energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, and between trade and carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the neutrality hypothesis is valid for the renewable energy consumption-income nexus in both short- and long-run. For the non-renewable energy consumption-income nexus, the neutrality hypothesis holds only in short-run and the conservation hypothesis holds only in long-run.Originality/value This is the first study which incorporates both renewable energy consumption and trade into its environmental pollution model for Turkey. Moreover, by investigating short- and long-run causalities among the employed variables, more robust policy implications are put forward. Lastly, this study employs a longer sample period and considers a structural break in its models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to solve the tubing corrosion problem of B Block on the Right Bank of Amu Darya river sour gas field.Design/methodology/approach By using four-point-bending method, the tubing's ability to resist sulfide-stress cracking was tested. Simulating the wellbore corrosive environment, the corrosion inhibitor which was suitable for gas filed had been screened. According to the characteristic of Amu Darya river gas field, the corrosion monitor system had been designed.Findings From the feedback of wellbore corrosion monitor result, the corrosion rate was lower than 0.076 mm/a.Originality/value This anti-corrosion technique provides security for the development of gas field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Reciprocating compressors offer an efficient method of compressing almost any gas composition in a wide range of pressures and have numerous applications. Condition monitoring of critical rotating machinery is widely accepted by operators of centrifugal compressors. However, condition monitoring of reciprocating machinery has not received the same degree of acceptance. An earlier study (Townsend et al., 2016) was conducted on temperature monitoring. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of continuous pressure monitoring on electric-driven compressors.Design/methodology/approach This research analyzes the impact of continuous pressure monitoring on a fleet of 14 compressors transporting CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. The reliability and efficiency data on 14 reciprocating compressors over a three-year period were analyzed for failures detectable by the condition monitoring technology. The engineering economic analysis is presented to determine the impact this technology will have on the productivity of the compressors.Findings The study considers utilizing condition monitoring technology to analyze the pressure of the swept volume of the compressor cylinders. The results of the study indicate that continuous pressure monitoring technology has a strong impact on the productivity of the compressor fleet. The internal rate of return not only exceeds the operators hurdle rate, but the payback period is also dramatic. Pressure monitoring was found to be economically better than temperature monitoring.Originality/value The study reveals the economic benefits of implementing condition monitoring in the form of continuous pressure monitoring on reciprocating compressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to investigate interface characterization of CO2 laser welded AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel and AISI 1010 low carbon steel couple. Laser welding experiments were carried under argon and helium atmospheres at 2000, 2250 and 2500|!|#8201;W heat inputs and 200-300|!|#8201;cm/min welding speeds. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The microstructures of the welded joints and the heat affected zones (HAZ) were examined by optical microscopy, SEM, EDS and X-Ray analysis. The tensile strength of the welded joints was measured. Findings |!|#8211; The result of this study indicated that the width of welding zone and HAZ became much thinner depending on the increased welding speed. On the other hand, this width widened depending on the increased heat input. Tensile strength values also confirmed this result. The best properties were observed at the specimens welded under helium atmosphere, at 2500|!|#8201;W heat input and at 200|!|#8201;cm/min welding speed. Originality/value |!|#8211; There are many reports which deal with the shape and solidification structure of the fusion zone of laser beam welds in relation to different laser parameters. However, the effect of all influencing factors of laser welding has up to now not been extensively researched. Much work is required for understanding the combined effect of laser parameters on the shape and microstructure of the fusion zone. This paper, therefore, is concerned with laser power, welding speed, defocusing distance and type of shielding gas and their effects on the fusion zone shape and final solidification structure of some stainless steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to model the tradeoffs among fatalities, CO2 emissions and value generated by the truck transportation portion of supply chains with the goal of determining if efforts to reduce CO2 emissions increase transportation-related fatalities. Design/methodology/approach – The joint production of CO2, fatalities, and truck transport value in the 50 US states during 2002-2007 is modeled using data envelopment analysis. The directional output distance function is estimated under two assumptions: strong and weak disposability of CO2 emissions. This provides the means of calculating shadow prices that estimate the cost of reducing CO2 emissions. Findings – The authors' findings indicate that the transfer of resources to the reduction of CO2 emissions will result in a statistically significant increase in fatalities and a statistically significant decrease in value of transport from truck transport. Research limitations/implications – The model presented is based on secondary data from the Federal Highway Statistics Series, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Social implications – The model developed demonstrates tradeoffs among sustainability-related variables. Originality/value – The model presented in the paper uses shadow prices to assess sustainability-related tradeoffs in supply chains. While this method has been used in other fields, this is its first use in supply chain studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants. Design/methodology/approach - Using two offices in the same building, one with plants and one as a control, daily tests were undertaken for relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results were analysed to identify any differences between the office with plants and the one without. Findings - Relative humidity increased following the introduction of plants and more significantly following additional hydroculture plants being installed, taking it to within the recommended range. Carbon dioxide was slightly higher in the planted office for the majority of the trial, although there was an overall reduction in both offices. Carbon monoxide levels reduced with the introduction of plants and again with the additional plants. VOC levels were consistently lower in the non-planted office. Research limitations/implications - It would be useful to extend this research in a greater range of buildings and with more flexible VOC-monitoring equipment. Practical implications - This paper suggests that plants may provide an effective method of regulating the indoor environmental conditions within buildings. This can potentially lead to performance gains for the organisation and a reduction in instances of ill health among the workforce. Originality/value - The majority of previous studies have relied on laboratory work and experimental chambers. This research aims to apply previous findings to a real working environment to determine whether the air-purifying abilities of plants have practical relevance in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a study of corrosion properties of the highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel Prokron 11Nb, which is suitable for use in high-temperature and high-pressure systems. Design/methodology/approach - Prokron 11Nb was immersed in 0.1?M H2SO4 that had been previously sparged with CO2 and was exposed to high pressures within the range of 1-300 bar at a constant temperature of 25°C. Treated surfaces were scanned with an electronic microscope (scanning electron microscope) equipped with energy spectrum distribution (energy dispersive spectroscopy) to analyze the morphologies and compositions of surface deposits. Corrosion properties were measured using the potentiodynamic method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Findings - The corrosion rate decreased with increasing CO2 pressure, which accelerated surface passivity, but only up to a pressure of 200 bar. Higher pressures (300 bar) increased the corrosion rate. The trends in corrosion rate with CO2 pressure agree with the stability of a protective layer where iron carbonate is present. Originality/value - A high-pressure CO2 treatment at low temperature is found to be a useful method for improving the passivity of stainless steel. Iron carbonate, which is the result of CO2 corrosion, forms a stable protective layer on the steel surface and this lowers the corrosion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The use of CO2 as a replacement for conventional air in combustion gas streams of gas turbine power-generation equipment is a novel idea and a potential method of providing an almost pure CO2 stream for subsequent disposal/sequestration. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of this novel gas environment on conventional gas turbine component part materials over the same range of temperatures found in service. Design/methodology/approach - Test samples of candidate materials were tested in simulated environments using controlled gas and steam supplies to sealed horizontal laboratory furnaces. Conventional weight change tests, metal loss tests and electron microscope examination were used to assess the performance of the materials and compare the oxidation morphology. Spectra of the oxidation products were also used to determine the nature of the oxides formed on selected materials. Findings - It is found that changes in the percentage of steam in the novel gas environment made little difference to the performance of the selected alloys. However, when the results of the program are compared with typical data from previous works, where the same alloys are exposed in air, there is a distinct trend. Comparison between the data from air exposed samples and data from those in this paper show the high CO2 environment, envisaged for the GAS-ZEP concept, to be more aggressive to all of the alloys tested. Originality/value - This paper describes the first investigation into the performance of candidate materials for the various components around a GAS-ZEP system in the novel operating environments anticipated. The work has shown that current power plant materials can be considered for use in first generation GAS-ZEP systems, but that care is required in their selection at the higher operating temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The Swedish government is likely to implement longer and heavier road freight vehicles, so-called high-capacity vehicles (HCVs), in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to analysis the expected effects on the whole transport system regarding tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres on road, CO2 and socio-economics with three possible implementation strategies (HCVs on all roads, a designated road network and a designated road network with a kilometre-based truck charge) and two vehicle types (74 t/25.25 m and 74 t/34 m).Design/methodology/approach Calculations are based on two well-established scenarios for transport development in Sweden. Changes per tonne-kilometre are modelled for ten product groups with considerations taken to their transport networks. Socio-economic effects are analysed using the net present value rating method over a 40-year period.Findings The study shows the increase in demand for transport and the modal shift, from rail and sea to road, in terms of tonne-kilometres, vehicle-kilometres and CO2 emissions for three implementation strategies of HCVs in two scenarios. All implementation strategies show a positive social net-benefit with the introduction of HCVs.Research limitations/implications The results reveal potential benefits to the implementation of HCVs. The results are limited by possible over/under-estimations of effects considered in the calculations, due to uncertainties and assumptions.Practical implications The results highlight expected levels of modal shift and induced transport for different HCV implementation strategies and how they depend on transport and climate policies and the expected growth of tonne-kilometres.Originality/value The calculations consider socio-economic effects, particularly from increased CO2 emissions due to modal shift and induced traffic, which is lacking in previous studies. To balance conflicting economic and environmental goals, the findings indicate that the implementation of HCVs could be accompanied by other policy measures. The findings are based on the Swedish context, but the model can be adapted to other countries or regions and to study other freight transport reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG)-related disclosure trends, content and strategies of the eight most high GHG-emitting Chinese power companies, over a period when government pressure to manage GHG emissions increased. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from the 2000-2009 annual reports, corporate social and environmental responsibility reports and websites of eight Chinese power companies. Content analysis results were supplemented with excerpts from documents written in English or Chinese. Legitimacy theory informed the interpretation of the findings. Findings: GHG-related disclosures increased from 2002 when the Chinese Government ratified the Kyoto Protocol and promulgated stringent environmental regulations. However, some expected types of GHG-related disclosure were absent or rare. Disclosure practices were found to be underpinned by reputation management objectives and reflected a symbolic rather than substantive legitimation strategy. Research limitations/implications: This study extends the literature on GHG-related disclosures by carbon-intensive firms and points to the need for future research to examine such disclosures in different countries to appreciate the variety in practice. Practical implications: While the Chinese Government appears to have driven the emergence of GHG-related disclosure practices, companies can effect improvement by expanding the scope and content of what they disclose. Also, the growing emphasis on website disclosures may present challenges in ensuring the reliability and assurance of GHG disclosures. Originality/value: This is the first study to examine GHG-related disclosure practices by Chinese power-generating companies, a sector crucial to managing the GHG effects of China's significant economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the moderating role institutional quality plays in shadow economy–environmental pollution nexus in Nigeria between 1984 and 2018. Further, the study also determines the threshold level of institutional quality that lessens shadow economy and abates environmental pollution. Design/methodology/approach: Shadow economy is measured as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) using the currency demand approach while environmental pollution is proxy by carbon dioxide (CO2) per capita. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) is used as the estimation technique. Findings: Results from the study show that shadow economy has a positive and significant effect on environmental pollution both in the short and long run, while institutional quality has a negative effect on environmental pollution. This reveals that shadow economy worsens environmental quality while institutional quality abates environmental pollution. The interactive term of shadow economy with institutional quality has a negative but insignificant effect on environmental pollution in the long run. It implies that institutional quality is weak to bring about significant reduction in shadow economy and environmental pollution. Further, the threshold level of institutional quality required to lessen the effect of shadow economy and abate environmental pollution is found to be 5.69 on an ordinal scale of 0–10. Practical implications: Institutional quality in Nigeria is weak and needs to be strengthened up to the threshold level in order to effectively moderate the impact of shadow economy on environmental pollution. Originality/value: The study addresses the perceived gap in the empirical literature on the emerging role of strong institution in abating environmental pollution in Nigeria. It also develops a threshold level of institutional quality capable of mediating the negative impact of shadow economy on environmental pollution. This empirical contribution is largely missing in the context of Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent innovations in sensor technology for better quality in packaging. Checking for container seals, damaged product, contaminates as well as tracking product to meet government requirements. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth interviews with both the exhibitors and integrators of sensors at the recent PackExpo show. Findings – Sensor technology continues to address an ever increasing number of packaging applications including quality, safety, product tracking, correct labeling as well as counting, weighing and other more traditional applications. Practical implications – Sensor technology advances with greater use of X-ray, magnetic detection and remote chemical monitoring that are addressing an ever increasing number of packaging applications including quality, safety as well as counting, weighing and other more traditional applications. Originality/value – Customers will learn about the latest in X-ray, magnetic sensing and the application of vision, weighing and counting technologies for improved products as they pass through the packaging phase of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationship between hybrid classes (where a per cent of the class meetings are online) and transportation-related CO2 emissions at a commuter campus similar to San José State University (SJSU). Design/methodology/approach – A computer model was developed to calculate the number of trips to campus for a student body similar to SJSU. Different scenarios considered the theoretical effectiveness of implementing a hybrid course system to reduce CO2 emissions. Findings – Increases in hybrid courses resulted in decreased student trips to campus and associated CO2 emissions. The utility of such a relationship is demonstrated through a case study where the required increase in online class meetings needed to eliminate the need for an overflow parking lot is studied. Finally, preferential scheduling of online meetings can further reduce trips to campus. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of the model is that student schedules are random. Future research could use actual student schedules to better model how online course delivery will affect trips to campus. Practical implications – As today’s universities struggle with financial pressure, online course delivery is being offered as a way to cope. This analysis provides an additional metric to evaluate online courses and includes other potential financial savings. Social implications – Transportation contributes to local air pollution and emissions of heat-trapping gases. As universities move toward more sustainable behaviors, reducing automobile trips to campus can be seen as a priority. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to model the relationship between hybrid courses and CO2 emissions at an urban university. This information will be valuable to the SJSU community, as well as many other institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between level of environmental disclosure and establishment of a legitimacy image of operation among Japanese firms after implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a sample consisting of 208 firms listed in the Japan Nikkei Stock Index 500 and adopts three-stage least-squares (3SLS) to explore the relationship between environmental news exposure, environmental disclosure in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, and environmental legitimacy. Findings – Results indicate that firms from environmentally-sensitive industries can significantly improve their perceived legitimacy by releasing CSR reports; firms with better prior environmental legitimacy will be more active in environmental disclosure and establish better environmental legitimacy in the next period; firms with better carbon reduction performance tend to have higher levels of environmental disclosure. In terms of carbon reduction performance, Japanese firms in the sample may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 49.636 tons by allocating one million yens (approximately 9,670.3 euros or 12,328 US dollars) to environmental expenditure. Practical implications – The top three items of environmental disclosure in most Japanese firms' CSR reports are environmental management, development of alternative energies, and ecological information. These results reveal environmental behavior of sample firms in Japan to mitigate global warming. The managers should understand that the impact of substantive actions for environmental management on legitimacy is greater. Originality/value – Environmental management has become an important component of business management beliefs for most firms, and Japanese firms that belong to environmentally-sensitive industries are even more active in using CSR reports as an effective tool to establish their legitimacy image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present green information technology (GIT) initiatives of leading countries and to suggest strategies for environmental sustainability for the follower countries. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive review of greening of IT and greening by IT programs for sustainable growth in leading countries, the growing GIT market, and possible GIT strategies for the follower countries is provided. Findings – Green IT initiatives and practices in leading countries mirror each country's IT infrastructure and governmental efforts for green growth society. Some of the best practices of these countries should be benchmarked by the follower countries that have recently experienced dramatic increases in energy consumption and CO2 emission. Research limitations/implications – Each country has its own unique political, social, and economic conditions. Thus, a universal set of GIT initiatives is not suggested in this study. Practical implications – GIT should be a critical national strategy for any country. The findings of this study provide guidance to government and corporate leaders, especially for the developing countries, on how to develop effective GIT programs for sustainable green society. Originality/value – This study presents a comprehensive discussion of GIT initiatives and practices of leading countries and the exploding GIT market around the world. It also provides new insights for GIT for the follower countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to further investigate the behavior and mechanism in simulated oilfield solution on CO2 corrosion of P110 steel at various temperatures by potentiodynamic sweep and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, especially discussing the influence of the coverage fraction of corrosion film. Design/methodology/approach - Potentiodynamic sweep and EIS measurements were applied to investigate the behavior and mechanism with the effect of temperature on CO2 corrosion of P110 steel in simulated oilfield solution at 30°C, 60°C and 90°C. Findings - The corrosion parameters of polarization curves, such as corrosion potential (Ecorr), corrosion current density (icorr), anodic and cathodic branches slopes (ßa and ßc), were analyzed and discussed in detail. In addition, the equivalent circuit models and ZsimpWin software were utilized to fit and analyze the Nyquist plots. The plots showed that corrosion potential shifted more negatively as temperature increased. The corrosion current density (icorr) initially increased and then decreased with the increase of temperature. The impedance spectra measured at various temperatures had different time constants. Originality/value - The paper highlights that the coverage fraction of corrosion film is one most important and key variable influencing CO2 corrosion mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate public transportation efficiency in larger cities. Global agreements to decrease environmental emissions in the future (CO2), world-wide decreasing reserves of oil, and growing population in larger cities is the main motivation to develop efficiency benchmarking measurement models for public transportation systems, and gives reason for this research work. Also, from the point of view of the city, data envelopment analysis (DEA) based efficiency measurement has not been researched earlier, which is another motivation for this study from the method development perspective. Design/methodology/approach - Four different DEA-based efficiency benchmarking models are used to evaluate public transportation efficiency in larger cities. Data are from year 2001, and amount of analyzed cities in smaller DEA model is 52 and in larger 43. This gives statistical significance and efficiency measurement confidence over the results. Findings - Medium-sized, old and central European cities such as Bern, Munich, Prague and Zürich show frontier performance in all four models. Mega-cities fail to reach frontier and/or good performance in small "services used" DEA model. However, some other medium-sized cities show contrarian behaviour for "space used" DEA model. Lowest performance is more divergent in the analyses, but is found from Spanish cities, Athens, Middle East and North America. The author also found support from regression analysis that higher DEA efficiency results in lower share of private car use in large cities. Research limitations/implications - This research work uses only year 2001 data, and should be repeated in the future as public transportation data18base is being updated. The research is also limited on the use of DEA method, and other efficiency measurement methods should be used to verify the results further. Originality/value - According to the author''s knowledge, this research work is seminal from the city-level DEA efficiency benchmarking studies concerning public passenger transportation systems. Earlier research works have concerned actors (e.g. bus companies or rail operators), but the overall picture from the city level has not been researched before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to analyse 3D growing concrete structures taking into account the phenomenon of body accretion, necessary for the simulation of the construction sequence, and carbon dioxide attack. Design/methodology/approach - A typical 3D segmental bridge made of precast concrete is studied through a fully coupled thermo-hygro-mechanical F.E. model. The durability of the bridge is evaluated and carbonation effects are considered. Creep, relaxation and shrinkage effects are included according to the theory developed in the 1970s by Bažant for concretes and geomaterials; the fluid phases are considered as a unique mixture which interacts with a solid phase. The porous material is modelled using n Maxwell elements in parallel (Maxwell-chain model). Findings - First, calibration analyses are developed to check the VISCO3D model capabilities for predicting carbonation phenomena within concrete and the full 3D structure is modelled to further assess the durability of the bridge under severe conditions of CO2 attack. Originality/value - The adopted numerical model accounts for the strong coupling mechanisms of CO2 diffusion in the gas phase, moisture and heat transfer, CaCO3 formation and the availability of Ca(OH)2 in the pore solution due to its transport by water movement. Additionally, the phenomenon of a sequential construction is studied and numerically reproduced by a sequence of "births" for the 3D finite elements discretizing the bridge. The fully coupled model is here extended to 3D problems for accreting bodies (as segmental bridges) in order to gather the effects of multi-dimensional attacks of carbon dioxide for such structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emission in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community from 1990 to 2019. The literature reveals that the relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions is still debatable and the existing findings are inconclusive. Design/methodology/approach: Carbon dioxide is the regressand; while, urbanization, gross domestic product (GDP) and financial development (FD), rule of law (ROL) and government effectiveness (GEF) are the regressors. Johansen Fisher and Kao residual co-integration tests alongside the fully modified and dynamic ordinary least squares. Findings: The results show a significant positive relationship between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions. The causality tests results show that carbon dioxide granger causes urbanization, GDP and FD unit directionally. Research limitations/implications: The countries' governments should effectively improve their legal systems to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. Urbanization laws should be implemented to limit urbanization environmental deteriorating effects on carbon dioxide emissions. This occurs as the countries practiced unregulated urbanization which increases population's environmental impacts. The study recommends sustainable green urbanization policies for environmental conservation through tree planting and horticulture. Balance development in urban and rural areas is vital to decongest the urban cities' pressure in the states. The governments should motivate the private sector with rural investments captivating policies to limit rural urban migration. Originality/value: The findings contribute value by supporting a positive link between urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in the CEMAC zone. The causality tests findings confirm the view that carbon dioxide granger causes urbanization, GDP and FD unit directionally. This value addition is essential to the governments and policy makers to mitigate urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in the CEMAC region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this investigation was to compare the performance of three typical oil field carbon dioxide corrosion inhibitors in controlling preferential weld corrosion (PWC) of X65 pipeline steel in artificial seawater (3.5 weight per cent) saturated with carbon dioxide at one bar pressure. Design/methodology/approach – A novel rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) apparatus was used to evaluate the effect of flow on the inhibition for the weld metal (WM), heat-affected zone (HAZ) and parent material. To fulfill this objective, the galvanic currents flowing between the weld regions were recorded using parallel zero-resistance ammeters, and the self-corrosion rates of the couples were obtained by linear polarization resistance measurements. Findings – The results showed that when 30 ppm of green oil field inhibitors were present in the service environment, a current reversal took place, resulting in accelerated weld corrosion. At high shear stress, the currents increased and further reversals occurred. The inhibitors were more effective in controlling the self-corrosion rates of the parent material than of the WM and HAZ material. It was concluded that PWC was caused by unstable conditions in which the inhibitor film was selectively disrupted from the WM and HAZ, but remained effective on the parent material. Originality/value – Electrochemical corrosion rate measurements were carried out using an RCE produced from the different regions of the weld. An advantage of using the RCE is that the hydrodynamic conditions are very well defined, and it is feasible to translate the conditions that are known to exist in a production pipeline to those used in laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the socio-ecological policy trade-off caused by technological innovations in the post-COVID-19 era. The study outcomes are utilized to design a comprehensive policy framework for attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach: Study is done for 100 countries over 1991–2019. Second-generation estimation method is used. Innovation is measured by total factor productivity, environmental quality is measured by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and social dimension is captured by unemployment. Findings: Innovation–CO2 emissions association is found to be inverted U-shaped and innovation–unemployment association is found to be U-shaped. Research limitations/implications: The study outcomes show the conflicting impact of technological innovation leading to policy trade-off. This dual impact of innovation is considered during policy recommendation. Practical implications: The policy framework recommended in the study shows a way to address the objectives of SDG 8, 9 and 13 during post-COVID-19 period. Social implications: Policy recommendations in the study show a way to internalize the negative social externality exerted by innovation. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature by considering the policy trade-off caused by innovation and recommending an SDG-oriented policy framework for the post-COVID-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that demonstrates the importance of high-frequency variations as much as low-frequency variations, which are use to analyze electrochemical signals. The study is undertaken through exposing two identical carbon steel working electrodes to simulated concrete solutions simultaneously sparged with carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide. The results of the study show that high-frequency variations can be considered in analyzing electrochemical activities.

The article presents a study on biodegradation characterization of straw-based biomass-oil under aqueous culture conditions. It states that the biomass-oil biodegradation process was described by measuring carbon dioxide (CO2) volume from Aspergillus versicolor microbe. Result shows that the biodegradation ability could be improved under acidic and neutral conditions and biomass-oil biodegradation optimal temperature is 40 degrees Celsius.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of acetic acid and acetate on the anodic and cathodic reactions of carbon steel present in CO2 corrosion. Design/methodology/approach - The corrosion behaviour of carbon steel (N80) in CO2-saturated 1% NaCl solution at 50°C and 0.1?MPa was investigated by using weight-loss tests, electrochemical methods (polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and surface analysis (scanning electron microscopy). Findings - The results indicated that: both HAc and Ac- significantly increased the corrosion rate of carbon steel, and the surface chemical reactions of cathodic reduction were enhanced in the presence of HAc and Ac-. Because adsorbed HAc could be reduced directly in the presence of Ac-, the corrosion rate increased, even though the pH of the solution increased. Ac- played an important role in the anodic dissolution processes, which mainly affects the formation/adsorption of intermediates, and acts to form more soluble corrosion products. Originality/value - The results of this work clarify the role of acetic acid or acetate in the anodic and cathodic reactions of CO2 corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is use to density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the molecular adsorption by PEDOT:PSS for different doping levels. DFT calculations are performed using the SIESTA code. In addition, the non-equilibrium Green's function method is used within the TranSIESTA code to determine the quantum transport properties of molecular nanodevices. Design/methodology/approach: Density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the molecular adsorption by PEDOT:PSS for different doping levels. DFT calculations are performed using the SIESTA code. In addition, the non-equilibrium Green's function method is used within the TranSIESTA code to determine the quantum transport properties of molecular nanodevices. Findings: Simulation results show very good sensitivity of Pd-doped PEDOT:PSS to ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane, so this structure cannot be used for simultaneous exposure to these gases. Silver-doped PEDOT:PSS structure provides a favorable sensitivity to ammonia in addition to exhibiting a better selectivity. If the experiment is repeated, the sensitivity is increased for a larger concentration of the applied gas. However, the sensitivity will decrease at a higher ratio than smaller concentrations of gas. Originality/value: The advantages of the proposed sensor are its low-cost implementation and simple fabrication process compared to other sensors. Moreover, the proposed sensor exhibits appropriate sensitivity and repeatability at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]