Abstract

Monthly temperature and precipitation time-series for the Zhujiang River Basin are analyzed in order to identify changes in climate extremes. Daily temperature and precipitation data from 1961 to 2007 of 192 meteorological stations are used. Two temperature indicators (monthly mean and monthly maximum mean) and three precipitation indicators (monthly total, monthly maximum consecutive 5-day precipitation, and monthly dry days) are analyzed. Tendencies in all five indicators can be observed. Many stations show significant positive trends (above the 90% confidence level) for monthly mean temperatures and monthly maximum mean temperatures. For all months, a significant increase in temperature from 1961 to 2007 can be observed in the entire basin with the coastal area in particular. Positive trends of precipitation extremes can be observed from January to March. Negative trends are detected from September to November. The number of dry days in October increased significantly at 40% of all meteorological stations. Stations with changes of monthly precipitation extremes are scattered over the Zhujiang River Basin. An aggregation of heat waves and droughts can be detected which is accompanied by significant increases of temperature extremes and the negative tendencies in precipitation extremes. The detection of tendencies in climate extremes essentially relies on a good data quality and high station density. Fischer, T., M. Gemmer, L. Liu, et al., 2010: Trends in monthly temperature and precipitation extremes in the Zhujiang River Basin, South China (1961–2007). Adv. Clim. Change Res., 1, doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2010.00063.

Abstract

The spatial and temporal variations of some important near-surface climate parameters and extreme climate events in North China during 1961–2010 are analyzed by using 94 meteorological stations’ data in the study area. Results show that the annual mean surface air temperature in North China increased at the rate of 0.36°C per decade, higher than the national average in the same period. Increasing was particularly significant since the mid-1980s, with maximum increase in the middle and northeastern parts of Inner Mongolia. Increasing rate of the annual mean minimum temperature is much higher than that of the maximum temperature, which results in the decrease of the annual mean diurnal temperature range. Noticeable decrease is also observed in the frequency of cold wave. Annual precipitation shows a slight decreasing trend, with more pronounced decrease in southern Shanxi and eastern Hebei provinces, which is mainly represented as decreasing in contribution rates of rainstorm and heavy storm in flood-season (May to September). During 1961–2010, North China is characterized by a noticeable reduction in annual extreme precipitation, and an increase in high-temperature days over most parts, as well as more frequent droughts. There are remarkable reductions in annual sunshine duration and mean wind speed, associated with the most significant reduction of mean wind speed in midwestern and eastern parts of Inner Mongolia. Meanwhile, North China has experienced a noticeable decrease/increase in annual mean sanddust/haze days during the study period. However, there is no significant trend in fog days, except a pronounced decrease since the 1990s. Guo, W.-L., H.-B. Shi, J.-J. Ma, et al., 2013: Basic features of climate change in North China during 1961–2010. Adv. Clim. Change Res., 4 (2), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2013.073.

Abstract

Based on the observations from 239 meteorological stations located in Central China (Henan, Hubei and Hunan provinces), this paper focuses on the climate change facts during 1961–2010. There was a significant increasing trend in annual mean temperature for Central China during 1961–2010. The increasing rate was 0.15°C per decade, which was lower than the national trend. Since the mid-1980s, temperature increasing was obvious. Large increasing rate was observed in the mid-eastern part of Central China. For the four seasons, the increasing rate in winter was the largest (0.27°C per decade). The increasing rate in the annual mean minimum temperature was larger than that in the annual mean maximum temperature from 1961 to 2010. As a result, the diurnal range of temperature decreased at the rate of –0.10°C per decade. The extreme high temperature events were increasing while the extreme low temperature events were significantly decreasing. There was no obvious trend in annual precipitation for Central China during 1961–2010. Precipitation in summer and winter significantly increased, change of precipitation in spring was not obvious, precipitation in autumn was decreasing. The decreasing rate of annual rainy days was –3.4 d per decade. The precipitation intensity increased at the rate of 0.25 mm d–1 per decade. Heavy-rain days significantly increased. Spring and summer started earlier while autumn and winter started later. As a result, spring and summer duration was expanding whereas autumn and winter duration shortened. Wan, S.-Q., Y. Gao, B. Zhou, et al., 2013: Climate change facts in Central China during 1961–2010.Adv. Clim. Change Res., 4 (2), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2013.103.

Abstract

By using data of daily electricity consumption and temperature for the period 2003–2007 in Shanghai, the variation of energy consumption and the correlations between energy consumption and temperature are analyzed. The results indicate that winter and summer are the two peak seasons of energy consumption due to the urban residential heating and cooling demand. The base temperature of electricity and daily temperature is 10°C in winter and 22°C in summer respectively. When the outdoor temperature is below 10°C, the heating demand becomes obvious, and with over 22°C the cooling demand. The spatial distribution of cooling degree-days (CDD) and heating degree-days (HDD) clearly shows urbanization effects. By the influence of urbanization the central city experiences greater CDD in summer and lower HDD in winter. The projected temperature for 2011–2050 implies a significant increase in CDD and a decrease in HDD. This may have implications on the future energy demand if the current energy consumption pattern does not change. Hou, Y.-L., Mu, H.-Z., Dong, G.-T., et al., 2014. Influences of urban temperature on the electricity consumption of Shanghai. Adv. Clim. Change Res. 5(2), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2014.074.

Abstract

By using the observation data from 89 weather stations in Xinjiang during 1961–2010, this paper analyzed the basic climatic elements including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, sunshine duration, water vapor pressure, and dust storm in the entire Xinjiang and the subareas: North Xinjiang, Tianshan Mountains, and South Xinjiang. The results indicate that from 1961 to 2010 the annual and seasonal mean temperatures in the entire Xinjiang show an increasing trend with the increasing rate rising from south to north. The increasing rate of annual mean minimum temperature is over twice more than that of the annual mean maximum temperature, contributing much to the increase in the annual averages. The magnitude of the decrease rate of low-temperature days is larger than the increase rate of high-temperature days. The increase of warm days and warm nights and the decrease of cold days and cold nights further reveal that the temperature increasing in Xinjiang is higher. In addition, annual and seasonal rainfalls have been increasing. South Xinjiang experiences higher increase in rainfall amounts than North Xinjiang and Tianshan Mountains. Annual rainy days, longest consecutive rainy days, the daily maximum precipitation and extreme precipitation events, annual torrential rain days and amount, annual blizzard days and amount, all show an increasing trend, corresponding to the increasing in annual mean water vapor pressure. This result shows that the humidity has increased with temperature increasing in the past 50 years. The decrease in annual mean wind speed and gale days lessen the impact of dust storm, sandstorm, and floating dust events. The increase in annual rainy days is the cause of the decrease in annual sunshine duration, while the increase in spring sunshine duration corresponds with the decrease in dust weather. Therefore, the increase in precipitation indicators, the decrease in gales and dust weather, and the increasing in sunshine duration in spring will be beneficial to crops growth. Jiang, Y.-A., Y. Chen, Y.-Z. Zhao, et al., 2013: Analysis on changes of basic climatic elements and extreme events in Xinjiang, China during 1961–2010. Adv. Clim. Change Res., 4 (1), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2013.020.

Abstract

Due to numerous hazardous chemicals to handle, the process plant industry has a higher risk of fire, explosion, and toxic release than other industries. Reviewing the accidents at process plants in the past, it is clear that fire accidents occur with the highest frequency, leading this study to consider accidental fire scenarios at process plants. For the scenario of an incident, a jet fire involving a massive amount of hydrogen gas to be processed or delivered at the process plant has been selected. The analysis of incident outcome resulting from the hydrogen jet fire has been implemented through the computational fluid dynamics simulation methodology Kameleon FireEx. Based on the outcome of this simulation, the consequences of a jet fire with high temperature and heat radiation are analyzed and evaluated. In addition, the results from Phast ver. 7.11 simulation for the same scenario are presented for comparison and further validation.

Abstract

At present food production depends almost exclusively on direct use of stored energy sources, may perhaps they be nuclear-, petroleum-, or biobased. Arable land, artificial fertilizers, and fresh water resources are the base for our present food systems, but are limited. At the same time, energy resources in the form of waste heat are available in ample quantities. The European Spallation Source (ESS) will require approximately 270 GWh of power per year to operate, power that ultimately is converted to heat. This multidisciplinary case study details an alternative food production cooling chain, using low-grade surplus heat, and involving fermentation, aquaculture, nutrient recapture, and greenhouse horticulture including both use of low-grade surplus heat and recycling of societys organic waste that is converted to animal feed and fertilizer. The study indicates that by combining the use of surplus energy with harvest of societys organic side flows, for example, food waste and aquatic-based cash crops, sustainable food systems are possible at a level of significance also for global food security. The effects of the proposed heat reuse model are discussed in a system perspective and in the context of the UNSCD indicator framework. The potential sustainability benefits of such an effort are shown to be substantial and multifaceted.

Abstract

Developments in smart and automated driving raise questions about the future requirements of infrastructure. It"br" is highly likely that advances in transport will require close to real-time information on the condition of roads."br" The recent, speedy development of sensors may lead to the development of Smart Roads and in so doing,"br" provide the necessary real-time data. It is within this context that passive RFID sensors were tested in a series of"br" experiments to ascertain their suitability to measure asphalt concrete mix temperature during construction and"br" afterwards during the life of the pavement."br" Laboratory tests focused on the proper placement of the sensor in the asphalt concrete layer and"br" studying the latter’s influence on the sensor. Field experiments focused on the suitability to measure temperature,"br" traceability, robustness, and accuracy of the technology. The results show that reliable temperature measuring"br" with passive RFID tags is possible. The sensors are robust, portable, accurate and can be integrated into existing"br" measuring regimes such as determining asphalt concrete cooling rates during construction. While the cost of"br" passive RFID sensors is relatively low, the major disadvantage is that they cannot be read automatically, which"br" is crucial if the information is to be used to follow temperature developments over time or even provide asphalt"br" concrete temperature information to vehicles in order to warn for extreme road conditions. Ongoing experiments"br" with fiber optic sensors indicate that there may be other ways to measure temperature and possibly combine this"br" with performance indicators such as strain.

Abstract

utomobile industry is one of the most developed industries in Ukraine and in the world today. The ever-increasing demand for transportation leads to an increase in demand for fuel, which in turn increases its deficit and value. Therefore, the high cost of traditional hydrocarbon fuels and the constant reduction of their world reserves compels scientists to find renewable biofuels. The objective of this paper is to present results of a study aimed at investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels derived from the alcohol industry waste, in pure form and as additives to hydrocarbon fuels. According to the results, the main technical and operational properties of alternative fuels received on the basis of A-92 petrol and fusel oils, experimental values of density, viscosity, distillation temperature on the ENGLER machine, temperature of formation steam congestion, their optimal percentages in the mix for different types were obtained in internal combustion engines. The findings of the research also indicate that an addition of fusel oils to A-92 gasoline leads to improvement of the viscosity-temperature characteristics of formed mixtures and increase in the temperature of formation steam cork, which ultimately reduces the consumption of fuels by 10-12% and also contributes to solving the problem of recycling fusel oils.