1. Environmental priorities in the circular economy : examples from iron-based technologiesAndreea Oarga-Mulec, Uroš Luin, Keith R. Skene, Matjaž Valant, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The circular economy (CE) framework is crucial for promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste, but it cannot achieve its sustainability goals alone. To achieve a truly sustainable future, broader social, environmental and economic aspects need to be taken into account. Rather than separating biological and technological cycles, as the CE principles are depicted in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s butterfly diagram (EMF, 2017), we propose an integrated approach that prioritises environmental aspects and includes a conceptual framework, socio-economic changes and implementation processes. It is crucial to re-evaluate the environmental aspects and strengthen their importance within the CE framework. Within this concept we present the case of iron, the most widely used metal, widely available compared to others and has been an essential part of societal development for more than 5,000 years. With its abundance, safety and electrochemical properties, iron is an ideal material for low-carbon energy technologies. We discuss how advanced iron-based technologies have a high potential to be successfully integrated into the CE, we evaluate different electrochemical energy storage systems and present advances in thermochemical Fe-Cl cycles for hydrogen production. An innovative thermal system for hydrogen production based on the thermochemical Fe-Cl cycle was evaluated in a life cycle assessment (LCA) study and shows the importance of choosing sustainable energy sources to minimise environmental impact. Sustainable production methods for iron are also analysed to demonstrate their potential to reduce the carbon footprint of the iron and steel industry. Finally, efforts should focus on minimising environmental impact and optimising resource recovery.
Keywords: circular economy, resource efficiency, sustainability, iron, hydrogen
Published in RUNG: 25.11.2024; Views: 215; Downloads: 0
This document has many files! More... |
2. The ǂcircular economy : the ǂbutterfly diagram, systems theory and the economic pluriverseKeith R. Skene, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: earth system, non-linearity, emergence, regeneration, resilience, restoration, supply chain network
Published in RUNG: 12.08.2024; Views: 819; Downloads: 5
 Full text (758,34 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Molecular screening for cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxin potential in diverse habitatsMaša Jablonska, Tina Eleršek, Polona Kogovšek, Sara Skok, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Janez Mulec, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: extreme environments, cylindrospermopsin, sulphidic springs, caves, qPCR, PC-IGS
Published in RUNG: 05.08.2024; Views: 890; Downloads: 7
Full text (1,10 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. Back to the future with emerging iron technologiesAndreea Oarga-Mulec, Uroš Luin, Matjaž Valant, 2024, review article Abstract: Here is a comprehensive overview of iron's potential in low-carbon energy technologies, exploring applications like metal fuel combustion, iron-based batteries, and energy-carrier cycles, as well as sustainable approaches for production and recycling with a focus on reducing environmental impact. Iron, with its abundance, safety, and electrochemical characteristics, is a promising material to contribute to a decarbonized future. This paper discusses the advancements and challenges in iron-based energy storage technologies and sustainable iron production methods. Various innovative approaches are explored as energy storage solutions based on iron, like advancements in thermochemical Fe–Cl cycles highlight the potential of iron chloride electrochemical cycles for long-term high-capacity energy storage technology. Additionally, the utilization of iron as a circular fuel in industrial processes demonstrates its potential in large-scale thermal energy generation. Sustainable iron production methods, such as electrolysis of iron chloride or oxide and deep eutectic solvent extraction, are investigated to reduce the carbon footprint in the iron and steel industry. These findings also show the importance of policy and technology improvements that are vital for the widespread use and recycling of iron-based tech, stressing the need for collaboration toward a sustainable future.
Keywords: iron's potential, low-carbon energy technologies
Published in RUNG: 02.07.2024; Views: 1264; Downloads: 7
Full text (457,19 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
5. Time-series analysis of oxygen as an important environmental parameter for monitoring diversity hotspot ecosystems : an example of a river sinking into the karst undergroundSaptashwa Bhattacharyya, Janez Mulec, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Predicting variations in dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) is important for management and environmental monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Regression analyses and univariate and multivariate time-series analyses based on autoregressive methods were performed to investigate oxygen conditions in the Pivka River, Slovenia. The monitoring site was established upstream where the river sinks into the karst cave Postojnska jama, which hosts one of the richest subterranean faunas yet studied worldwide. It was found that abnormal variations of DO started to be noticeable at values of DO < 3 mg/L and became more pronounced until the ecosystem reached fully anoxic conditions. The abnormal fluctuations during the critical summer period were due to environmental conditions, organic load and resident biota. Predictions for future detection of anomalies in DO values were made from stable residuals of the measured data, and it was demonstrated that the model could be used to obtain a reliable estimate for a short period, such as one day. The example presented an analysis pipeline based on specific and established threshold DO values, and it is particularly important for ecosystems with diversity hotspots where prolonged low DO values can pose a threat to their biota.
Keywords: karst (geology), aquatic ecosystems, dissolved oxygen, modelling, prediction
Published in RUNG: 05.09.2023; Views: 1638; Downloads: 7
Full text (15,17 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
6. |
7. |
8. |
9. Life cycle assessment of black and greywater treatment solutions for remote and sensitive areasAndreea Oarga-Mulec, Janez Turk, Petra Gerbec, Petter D. Jenssen, Katja Malovrh Rebec, Matjaž Valant, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: life cycle assessment, sanitation systems, sustainability, remote areas, circular economy
Published in RUNG: 20.02.2023; Views: 2584; Downloads: 9
Full text (2,06 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
10. |
