As a pet owner, you want the best for your furry friends. That includes ensuring they get nutritious and safe meals. Reading pet food labels is crucial in making this happen.
While it may seem daunting at first, understanding these labels will help you make informed decisions about what goes into your pet’s diet. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about extracting info from often confusing labeling.
Key Elements You Should Look For on a Pet Food Label
When you’re scanning pet food labels, there are certain elements that need your attention. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for:
The product name: This often provides clues about the food’s content.
Guaranteed analysis: Lists percentages of key nutrients like protein and fiber.
Ingredient list: Ingredients are listed by weight, so those in larger amounts appear first.
Nutritional adequacy statement or AAFCO statement: Confirms whether the food meets nutritional standards set by the leading industry body.
Lastly, don’t forget to check the expiration date. Fresher is always better when it comes to pet foods, as it is for humans too! Even if avoiding food waste is your aim, you can still be discerning if you’re in the middle of the purchasing process.
Decoding Ingredient Lists: Knowing What’s Healthy for Your Pets
Want to know exactly what your pet is eating? Then deciphering the ingredient list is vital. Here’s a breakdown of components that suggest nutritional value:
Whole proteins: Look out for real meat sources such as chicken, beef, or fish.
Grains and vegetables: These contribute valuable fiber and nutrients.
Fats from identifiable sources: Such as chicken fat or flaxseed oil.
Checking the order of ingredients is essential too. In pet food labels, items are listed by volume before cooking. The first few indicate what most of the food comprises.
Also keep in mind that just because an ingredient sounds like something you wouldn’t eat doesn’t mean it’s bad for your pet! It all comes down to balance in their overall diet.
Pet age is also a factor to consider, as this will impact product formulation and ingredients. For instance, CBD treats for older dogs will have different proportions of component parts than those aimed at younger animals.
Incidents to Avoid in Your Pet’s Diet: A Comprehensive Guide
It’s equally important to know which ingredients are harmful for your pet. Watch out for these red flags when selecting pet food:
Generic meats and fats: Without specifics like ‘animal fat’, the exact origin stays unclear, raising safety concerns.
Artificial colors, preservatives or flavors: These additives offer no health benefits and might harm your pet over time.
Corn syrup or sugar: Pets don’t need added sugars in their diet. It can lead to weight gain and other adverse effects.
Also beware of claims like ‘premium’ or ‘gourmet’. They’re often marketing tactics with no official definition behind them.
‘Meat Meal’ vs ‘Real Meat’: Breaking Down Confusing Terminology
The pet food industry sometimes uses ambiguous terms causing confusion for consumers. Two of such examples are:
Real meat: As the name suggests, it comes directly from animals.
Meat meal: This refers to meat cooked down to a concentrated protein source.
Though ‘real meat’ might sound superior, ‘meat meal’ isn’t necessarily bad if sourced responsibly. It can provide your pets with essential proteins too. The key is understanding the quality and origin of these ingredients in pet food.
Putting it All Together: Making Informed Choices for Your Pet’s Nutrition
Having decoded pet food labels, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions about your pets’ nutrition. Understanding the significance of ingredients and recognizing what to avoid lets you confidently choose foods that will keep them healthy, vibrant and happy. And ultimately, a balanced diet is paramount to your pet’s wellness.
To make diamond jewelry, the gems we covet need to be mined. This practice is not without its problems, especially from an environmental perspective.
So with that in mind, let’s look at what consumers need to know about the mark that mining leaves on our planet, and the alternatives that are out there for anyone who wants to minimize their own carbon footprint.
Unveiling the Glitter: The Diamond Mining Process
Diamond mining is a process shrouded in mystery for many. It starts with prospecting, where geologists search for kimberlite pipes, which are ancient pathways of volcanic activity that have carried diamonds to Earth’s surface from deep within its mantle over millions of years.
Once identified, an open pit or underground mine is established depending on factors like the pipe’s depth and economic viability. Excavated ore then goes through crushing and milling procedures to reduce it down to a manageable size.
Following this, diamond-rich concentrate is isolated using techniques such as gravity separation, magnetic separation or X-ray sorting methods.
Ever complex and intriguing, these processes present challenges stretching beyond just obtaining the gems locked up underground. That’s why eye clean man-made diamonds that are lab-grown rather than mined are increasing in popularity, as we’ll discover later.
Diamonds and the Environment: A Complicated Relationship
Diamond mining, like many extractive industries, can have a significant impact on our environment when not managed responsibly. This is due to several reasons including:
The noticeable landscape alteration resulting from the creation of colossal open pits or tunnels.
Depletion of soil nutrient content and imbalances in local flora and fauna caused by large-scale earth movements. Soil is vital for the environment, so this is a major sticking point.
Disrupting ecosystems through noise pollution generated by heavy machinery.
These are surface-level impacts. We’ll discuss more about the other costs that come with mining diamonds, and appreciate that this is an industry which creates ripples that are felt elsewhere.
A Fluid Problem: Water Pollution Concerns in Diamond Industry
The diamond mining industry’s harsh environmental footprint becomes even more stark when considering water pollution. The reason behind this lies within the very process of extracting these gems.
Mining involves large volumes of earth and gravel, which are thoroughly washed during ore processing. This high-intensity washing generates run-off water rich in sediment that can devastate surrounding aquatic habitats if left untreated. Abandoned mines pose additional risks as accumulated rainwater leeches harmful substances from exposed rocks.
Water is an inherent part of all forms of life on our planet, sustaining humans, animals, and vegetation. Hence these points highlight the urgency in safeguarding it against such detrimental effects while discussing potential solutions later down the line.
Air Quality Issues Associated with Excavation Activities
On top of water pollution, diamond mining operations often lead to significant degradation of air quality too. Here’s how:
Dust generated from excavation can create localized ‘dust clouds’ affecting the respiratory health of local communities and workers.
Combustion engines used in machinery release emissions contributing to greenhouse gasses and climate change.
Air pollution is not a local problem. Once released, pollutants travel across borders causing widespread effects on human health and the global climate.
Of course this is not a concern that’s solely associated with diamond mining. Every heavy industry is guilty of compromising air quality to some degree. It’s just a case of ensuring that consumers are aware of what’s taking place, and the businesses involved have an incentive to make improvements.
Exploring Worker Conditions in Diamond Mines
It’s not just the natural environment affected by diamond mining; people working on these mines also face potential physical and health risks. Key amongst them are:
Exposure to dust from excavation can lead to serious respiratory ailments. It’s an example of the wider public health implications of activities leading to climate change.
The risk of physical injury due to handling heavy machinery is significant.
Prolonged exposure to high noise levels could result in hearing impairment.
Improving worker conditions is an essential aspect of responsible operations within this industry and deserves as much attention as attempts to mitigate the environmental fallout.
Private Companies’ Role in Environmental Degradation
The question regarding corporate accountability for environmental degradation from diamond mining is tough to ignore. Here are a few factors pointing towards their influence:
Many mines operate under the jurisdiction of private companies with profit-making as one of their main objectives.
Such corporations can dictate the extent and manner of extractive activities, ultimately controlling the resultant ecological impact.
While regulations exist, enforcement varies greatly across different regions.
It’s reasonable to question if enough is being done by these organizations to protect our planet while pursuing profits. Ramping up the scrutiny is the only way to bring about positive change.
Innovating Sparkle: Lab-Grown Diamonds as a Greener Alternative
As concerns grow over the environmental impact of diamond mining, lab-grown diamonds have emerged as an intriguing alternative. This revolutionary process offers several potential advantages:
It significantly reduces ecological disruption caused by extensive excavation.
Water and air pollution worries associated with traditional mining are nearly eliminated.
The creation conditions can be controlled, reducing risks to human health.
While it’s important to note that lab-grown diamonds require energy for production, this can be offset more easily, with zero net emission foundries forging a more planet-positive future for this industry niche. So overall they offer a promising pathway toward meeting demand in a more environment-friendly manner.
As consumers become increasingly conscious of their buying choices’ worldwide impact, these dazzling creations could usher in an era where beautiful jewelry doesn’t necessitate ecological harm. And of course diamonds are not the only lab-grown gems available, giving consumers choice without compromising on quality.
Wrapping Up
As we’ve seen, the diamond industry has its share of environmental challenges. Yet change is on the horizon, with potential solutions like lab-grown diamonds coming to light.
It’s an invitation for everyone involved, from corporations to consumers, to drive this crucial shift towards preserving our planet without dimming the luster of our beloved gems.
إن الدول و الحكومات و أصحاب السلطة جد مقصرون في تشجيع مواطنيهم على تبني ممارسات الحفاظ على البيئة و الطاقة و الماء, و لا يمكن أن يقتصر التشجيع على التحسيس و التشجيع فقط بل يجب أن يتعداه إلى إجراءات ملموسة إما ماديا أو تشريعيا. رسميا و إعلاميا تتخذ الدول توجهات صداحة و براقة على المستوى الدولي لكن يبقى هذا ضعيفا و محدودا على مستوى التعامل اليومي و المجتمعي الداخلي أو ما يسمى باللامركزية و كأن الأمر يهم الدول و هي في معزل عن الأفراد و الأشخاص الذين يكونوهم. أو أن هؤلاء الأشخاص غير معنيون بالتلوث و التغير المناخي. و هنا أريد أن أتوجه باقتراحات لحث المسلمين على وجه التحديد و كل من له مرجعية دينية على وجه التعميم فيما يمكن أن يفعلوه للمساهمة في الحد من التغير المناخي.
يؤمن أهل الديانات السماوية بمفهوم يوم القيامة. لكن ألم يلاحظ هؤلاء ماذا سيقع في يوم القيامة. أليست هي في أغلبها عبارة عن كوارث طبيعية ستقع على مستوى السماء و الأرض و الماء. أليس هذا بالضبط ما يتم التحذير منه من خلال الخلل في النظم البيئية و المناخية التي بدأ بعض أعراضها بما يسمى بالتغير المناخي. ألا يجدر بالإنسانية أن تتناسى الآن كل ما يفرقها وتنكب على العمل سويا من أجل حل مشاكل البيئة و الكوكبالذييؤوينا.
على المستوى الفردي هناك إجراءات بسيطة يمكن القيام بها فعليا و ليس نظريا. و التي يجب على الدعاة و رجال الدين التشديد و التركيز عليها أكثر من العبادات الروحية الأخرى. أولا لأن هذه الإجراءات ستعمل على حمايتنا و إنقاذنا , و ثانيا لأنها تجسيد لروح هذه العبادات الروحية. و هذا مثلا ما يمكن فعله :
غرس الأشجار و الاهتمام بها و بالأشجار المغروسة سلفا. إن غرس شجرة ليس له علاقة بالمفهوم الآني أو بمفهوم المواطنة الحقة فقط بل يتعداه إلى بعده الديني و الأخروي الصرف اعتمادا على حديث قاله الرسول الكريم محمد مضمونه انه إذا قامت القيامة و في يد أحد فسيلة فليغرسها إن استطاع. هذا الكلام عجيب و خارق للعادة. لأنه يوضح و منذ زمن الرسول محمد صلى الله عليه و سلم.
أولا أن التغير المناخي آت أو كما يسمى في المفهوم الديني بالقيامة
ثانيا أن احد حلول هذا المشكل هو غرس الأشجار بصفة خاصة و تبني سياسة محافظة على البيئة و الاستدامة بصفة عامة.
ثالثا إذا كانت العبادات الروحية مهمة جدا كما يركز عليها الدعاة لجاء في الحديث انه إذا قامت القيامة فسارع للصلاة أو للصدقة أو أي شيء آخر.
تشجيع الناس على عدم تضييع الماء خاصة في المساجد و دور العبادة و إعادة تدوير ما استعمل منها لسقي الأشجار مثلا.
تشجيع الناس على عدم تضييع الماء خاصة في المساجد و دور العبادة
استعمال الطاقات البديلة في دور العبادة و خارجها مثلا في الأسواق الشعبية و في أي مكان يتجمهر فيه عدد كبير من الأشخاص. مثلا في الأماكن ضعيفة التهيئة كالتي توجد في المناطق شبه الحضرية و القروية يمكن تشجيع باعة اللحوم و الأسماك على استعمال الطاقة البديلة خاصة في فصل الصيف عن طريق مشاريع يتم تمويلها بطريقة تشاركية و تسهيلات في الأداء.
يمكن كذلك تشجيع عموم الناس باستعمال الطاقة الشمسية من خلال وكالات الماء و الكهرباء نفسها حيث تقوم هذه الوكالات بتجهيز المساكن التي يرغب أهلها بالمشروع مجانا على أن يتم اقتطاع جزء من التكلفة كل شهر مع فاتورة الكهرباء أو الماء حتى انتهاء التكلفة الاجمالية.
تعميم الطاقة البديلة خاصة على الرحالة البدويين بالمجان كليا كي يستفيدوا من خدمات الهاتف و الإنارة و التدفئة و عدم الإحساس بالعزلة لأن بقاء مثل هؤلاء الناس و استمرارهم شيء جد مهم و ضروري في رسم الأمل و تخليق الحياة على هذا الكون.
إن ما تم التطرق إليه هنا لا يمكن اعتباره شيئا نظريا مجردا بل هي إجراءات يمكن و يجب العمل على تبنيها و تطبيقها و هذا يعني أن المشكل ليس في الإجراءات التي يجب القيام بها و إنما المشكل هو في الإرادة الحقة الدافعة للإصلاح ضد الفساد الذي ظهر في البر و البحر و السماء.
Energy management is the best solution for direct and immediate reduction of energy consumption for businesses and households. For the last few decades we have been exploring various alternatives to conventional sources of energy like solar, wind and biomass energy.
However, due attention must also be given to best utilization of energy, improvement in energy efficiencies and optimum management of energy resources. Infact, energy management deals with already existing sources and actual consumption. It includes planning and operation of energy-related production and consumption units.
Energy efficiency is still not a priority in the industrial sector in Arab world
The main objectives of energy management are resource conservation, environment protection and cost savings. The central task of energy management is to reduce costs for the provision of energy in buildings and facilities without compromising work processes.
The simplest way to introduce energy management is the effective use of energy to maximize profit by minimizing costs. Energy management could save up to 70% of the energy consumption in a typical building or plant.
Get Green Energy is an excellent platform for consumers to take action immediately and move the nation toward a net zero CO2 future without requiring government intervention, new technology or additional infrastructure.
The typical energy saving for any plant or building, using basic energy management principles, could be 10-15% of the total consumption. This percentage may rose to 25-35% by a medium scale energy management program (1 – 3 year). For achieving higher degree of savings, a long-term energy management program, spread over a period of three years or more, is required which will involve a certain capital investment.
Components of Energy Management Program
The major elements of an energy management program are:
Set your goal: how much energy reduction do you want to achieve
Know your numbers: how much do you consume
Define major consumption units and try to reduce consumption
Continuous review and management
Energy Savings Tips for Industries
Avoid extra-load in peak time. It is way more costly. Consider propane as a more efficient energy source; make sure to get a reliable propane quote before deciding.
Turn off machines during shut downs, inspections, maintenance and when not in use.
Regular and efficient maintenance of machines and motors prevents extra loads and saves 15 % of extra consumption and prevents break downs as well.
Attend air and steam leakages. These leakages are extra load on boilers, compressors etc.
Replacement of incandescent lamps with LEDs can save significant amount of energy.
Use of new and emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT and blockchain
Our case study for energy management program was developed and implemented in textile industry which is second highest industrial energy consumer in Egypt. The program, involving minimum investment, was implemented over a period of one year and proved to be a major success. Direct energy savings were approximately one-fourth of the total consumption. More than one million Egyptian pounds were saved from direct costs, in addition to considerable indirect savings.
Conclusions
Energy management is the process of monitoring, controlling, and conserving energy in a building or an industry. Energy management is the key to saving energy in your organization. Energy management is an important energy resource that can help meet future energy needs while the nation concurrently develops new and low-carbon energy sources.
In a country that imports 90% of its food, discarded food accounts for about half of Qatar’s municipal garbage. These statistics point to the loss of millions of riyals each year, in the form of food wastage. The food in landfills rots to release greenhouse gases like methane which are responsible for the rise in temperatures which contributes to global warming.
According to Project Drawdown, the global leader in quantifying climate change strategies, reducing food waste is the single greatest solution to reverse climate change, which could draw 87 gigatons of CO2 out of the atmosphere, way ahead of a global plant-based diet, electric cars, regenerative agriculture or even utility-scale solar panels.
What is Wa’hab?
Wa’hab is fighting food waste in Qatar by implementing the 3 Rs of sustainable food waste management – Reduce by creating awareness on food waste impacts, Reuse surplus by redistribution and Recycle food waste to nutrient rich soil enhancer.
Wa’hab was the product of an inner calling, founded on a dream to utilize food to bring about greater public good. We have been able bring the community together under the umbrella of ‘Wahab Food Heroes’, a group with more than 150 volunteers from various backgrounds, religions and cultures.
Creating Mass Awareness
Schools and universities have a major role in educating children about the importance of reducing food waste. Children are our future: if we can influence them to make better choices to reduce, reuse and compost food waste, we can assure ourselves of a better planet.
Sharing Surplus Food with the Community
Redistribution of surplus food to people in need provides them with good food and helps save cost, which would otherwise be spent on buying more food. Optimal use of available food also saves Qatar’s need to import more food to meet growing demands. There is a growing interest to donate surplus food in Qatar, with more public events and food festivals reaching out to local food rescue groups than ever before.
Over the last three years, Wa’hab has been able to divert more than 200 tonnes of food from being thrown away into landfills. With clearer guidance on surplus food distribution laws, more businesses would be willing to share their excess food with the community.
Composting on Unusable Food
Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic waste by converting them into valuable soil amendment. By composting unusable food like vegetable peels, coffee grinds and plate scrapings, we add essential nutrients back into the soil, thereby replenishing the soil. It is also known to help sandy soils retain water and nutrients which is key to grow the next generation of crops, and ties in directly with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to achieve self sufficiency in food production.
Wa’hab aims to make composting easy and accessible to all by providing an array of composting solutions: ranging from machines intended for large scale commercial institutions to small compost bins for urban homes.
Bottom Line
Sustainability is not just about the bigger changes in society, it’s just as much about the small choices we make in our everyday lives- choosing to buy that misshaped carrot the next time you go grocery shopping goes a long way to reduce food waste and improve the livelihood of those who grow our food.
Disposing of old tires is a real challenge, especially considering its link to broader issues such as waste management and environmental care. With growing global concern, finding efficient ways to handle used tires is more crucial than ever. One approach gaining popularity is tire-shredding, a practical method to deal with tire waste that also minimizes environmental impact.
Fortunately, the tire-shredding techniques of today have undergone numerous transformations, mainly owing to technological advancements. These improvements aim to make the tire shredding process more efficient, sustainable, and less damaging to the environment.
This article explores these technological advancements in-depth, highlighting how they are revolutionizing the future of tire disposal.
The General Process Of Tire Shredding Today
In simple terms, tire shredding is the process of breaking down tires into smaller pieces, often called tire chips or rubber mulch. This begins with the collection of used and discarded tires. These can be sourced from various locations, such as landfills, garbage dumps, and even old warehouses.
Once collected, the tires are placed on a tire cutting machine. Here, the tires are cut and ground down into smaller pieces. The shredding process may go through multiple stages, depending on the intended use of the tire chips. This ensures that the resulting material is of the appropriate size and consistency.
The shredded material is then sorted and processed further to remove foreign elements, including metal wires and fibers, commonly found in tire construction. The product—clean, shredded tires—can be used in various applications, from road construction to playground surfaces.
Traditional Equipment And Techniques Used
The machinery used in the tire shredding process is robust and designed to withstand the wear and tear of heavy-duty operations. Traditional equipment typically involves using tire shredders, grinders, and granulators. Each machine serves a different purpose, breaking the tires into smaller pieces.
Tire shredders are the first stage in the process. These machines have potent blades that cut the tires into smaller chunks. Grinders and granulators then come into play, breaking down the chunks into smaller pieces or granules. These machines are often custom-built and designed to handle the rigors of shredding rubber, a tough and resilient material.
In terms of techniques, most traditional tire shredding processes involve using a conveyor belt system to feed the tires into the shredders. The shredding happens at room temperature, a process known as ambient shredding. While effective, these traditional methods are now being complemented or replaced by more advanced techniques.
Implications For Waste Management
Tire shredding has significant implications for waste management and environmental sustainability. For starters, shredded tires take up significantly less space than whole tires. This means that more shredded tires can be accommodated in each space, reducing the strain on landfills.
Furthermore, tire chips derived from shredding are highly versatile. They can be repurposed in various industries, including civil engineering, construction, and even energy generation, where they are used as fuel. This repurposing extends the lifecycle of the tires, reducing the overall need for raw materials.
Lastly, the process of shredding tires is much less damaging to the environment than other methods of tire disposal, such as incineration or illegal dumping. Both methods can lead to severe environmental pollution, including the release of toxic gases or harmful substances into water bodies. Therefore, tire shredding is an environmentally friendly alternative, crucial in an era where environmental sustainability is paramount.
Advancements in Tire Shredding
Advancements in tire shredding technology are not only simplifying the process of tire recycling but also paving the way for the creation of new products from this waste. Here’s how:
1. Improved Efficiency Of Modern Shredding Machines
Improved tire shredding technology is making it easier to recycle tires and helping industry repurpose this potent material. For example, significant improvements have been observed in the design and capabilities of these machines, including:
Automatic Tire Feeding Systems
Automatic tire feeding systems have transformed tire shredding operations. They utilize advanced sensors and mechanical components to automate the feeding of tires into the shredding machines. This automated process minimizes human intervention, reducing errors, minimizing downtime, and increasing safety.
Moreover, these systems have proven effective in managing a consistent inflow of tires. Steadily feeding the shredder helps maintain an optimum shredding rate, boosting overall productivity. As a result, automatic tire feeding systems have streamlined the shredding process and significantly improved its efficiency.
You can watch this video on how tires are prepared for shredding:
High-Speed Shredding Capabilities
High-Speed Shredding Capabilities have brought about a revolution in the tire shredding industry. While traditional shredders did their job, they often fall short when it came to handling large volumes of tires. High-speed shredding technology effectively addresses this limitation.
Modern shredders, equipped with this high-speed technology, can process higher volumes of tires at a faster rate. This reduces the time spent on the shredding process, thus expediting the entire tire disposal cycle.
Furthermore, the ability to handle a larger tire volume means that more waste can be managed per unit of time, thereby enhancing overall productivity. High-Speed Shredding Capabilities signify a crucial advancement in the quest for efficient and sustainable tire disposal.
2. Innovative Shredding Techniques
The wave of technological advancements has spurred the development of innovative shredding techniques. These innovative techniques, surpassing their traditional counterparts, offer substantial efficiency, cleanliness, and safety benefits. They include the following:
Cryogenic Shredding
Cryogenic Shredding takes an entirely different approach to tire shredding by harnessing the power of extreme cold. In this process, tires are exposed to liquid nitrogen, rapidly changing their temperature. This sudden cold exposure makes the tires brittle, contrasting their natural resilience.
Once brittle, the tires become far easier to shred. The previously rigid and elastic rubber breaks down into small chips more readily, significantly improving the shredding efficiency.
Furthermore, cryogenic shredding minimizes the wear and tear on the shredding equipment, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance requirements. This innovative technique, therefore, provides an efficient and cost-effective solution to tire shredding.
Ultrasonics
Ultrasonics represents another leap forward in tire shredding technology. Rather than relying on mechanical force, this technique uses high-frequency sound waves to disintegrate the tires. These sound waves create rapid pressure changes within the rubber, causing it to break apart.
As a non-contact method, ultrasonic shredding eliminates many challenges associated with traditional shredding methods. It reduces the mechanical stress on the equipment, lowers energy consumption, and provides eco-friendly solutions to break down tires. Moreover, it allows precise control over the shredded material’s size, enhancing the end product’s versatility.
Robotics
Integrating robotics into tire shredding brings the promise of automation and precision to the forefront. Robotic systems can handle various tasks in the shredding process, from feeding the tires to sorting the shredded material. This speeds up the process, reduces the chance of human error, and enhances safety.
Robotics also introduces scalability into the process. Unlike manual operations, robotic systems can easily be scaled up to handle increased volumes or down in quieter periods without significant changes to the infrastructure.
This flexibility makes the tire shredding process more responsive to market demands and helps keep operational costs in check. Robotics, therefore, stands as a beacon of progress in the tire shredding industry.
3. Advanced Control And Monitoring Systems
In tandem with shredding techniques and equipment modernization, tire shredding’s control and monitoring systems have also undergone significant advancements. The impetus for these changes has primarily been the rise of digital technology, with Automation, Machine Learning, and Real-Time Data Tracking forming the cornerstone of these upgrades.
Automation And Machine Learning
Integrating Automation and Machine Learning into control systems is one of the most noteworthy advancements in tire shredding technology. With automation, many manual, time-consuming tasks are eliminated. This improves operational efficiency, reduces chances of human error, and allows for more precise control of the shredding process.
Additionally, machine learning algorithms can analyze and learn from the vast amounts of operational data generated during the shredding process. This capability allows the control systems to continuously optimize shredding parameters, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste over time.
The amalgamation of automation and machine learning, thus, provides a robust platform for driving precision and productivity in tire shredding operations.
Real-Time Data Tracking
Another significant advancement in control and monitoring systems is the capability for Real-Time Data Tracking. Modern control systems can now monitor and analyze the shredding process.
This functionality is transformative, providing operators with instantaneous insights into various aspects of the operation, such as equipment performance, shred size distribution, and output rate.
With these real-time insights, operators can swiftly make necessary adjustments to the process, ensuring optimal performance at all times.
Moreover, identifying potential issues early aids in preventive maintenance, thereby improving the longevity of the equipment. Real-time data tracking, therefore, plays a crucial role in enhancing both the efficiency and quality of the tire-shredding process.
New Applications For Recycled Tire Rubber
Recycled tire rubber can be used to make various new products, thereby reducing landfill size and waste. They include:
1. Footwear
In the footwear industry, recycled tire rubber is carving out a niche. It’s used to produce shoe soles, providing a durable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials. The strength and resilience of the rubber make for long-lasting footwear, while its recycling aligns with consumers’ growing preference for sustainable products.
2. Sports Equipment
Recycled tire rubber is also finding its way into sports equipment. Its high elasticity and durability make it an excellent material for sports mats, gym flooring, and even components of outdoor playground equipment. This repurposing not only reduces waste but also enhances the durability and safety of the sports gear.
3. Building Materials
Another significant application of recycled tire rubber is in the construction industry. It manufactures various building materials, such as rubberized asphalt, insulation, and roofing. Using this recycled material not only improves the performance of these products but also significantly reduces the environmental impact of construction.
4. Noise Barriers
In an exciting application, recycled tire rubber is now used to create noise barriers along busy roadways. These barriers effectively absorb sound, reducing noise pollution in surrounding areas. This innovative use of recycled tire rubber underscores its versatility and the vast array of potential applications for this material.
Challenges and Limitations
While advancements in tire shredding technology have transformed the industry, bringing about enhanced efficiency and sustainability, they have come with challenges and limitations. They include:
Technical And Logistical Challenges
With new technology comes a host of technical and logistical challenges. Many of these advanced shredding systems require technical expertise to operate and maintain. Companies can struggle to integrate these technologies into their operations without a skilled workforce. Further training, which can be time-consuming and costly, may be required.
Logistical challenges also pose a significant hurdle. The implementation of new technology often requires an overhaul of existing systems. This could include changes to the production layout, purchasing new equipment, and adjusting supply chains. Such extensive changes can disrupt normal operations and require considerable time and resources.
Economic Considerations
Economic considerations are a significant factor when it comes to the adoption of new technology. Advanced tire shredding systems often come with high upfront costs, which can be a barrier for smaller businesses or those with tight budgets. Another thing you must consider are the ongoing costs of maintenance and repair, as well as the cost of training staff to operate these new systems.
However, weighing these costs against the potential return on investment is crucial. While the initial outlay may be high, these systems’ improved efficiency and output can lead to significant long-term cost savings.
Businesses must carefully evaluate these economic considerations to ensure that the investment in advanced tire shredding technology will be financially beneficial.
Policy And Regulatory Constraints
Policy and regulatory constraints can also challenge adopting advanced tire shredding technology. As new technologies emerge, regulations often struggle to keep pace. This can create a need for clarity about the legal requirements for operating new equipment, which can deter businesses from investing.
Furthermore, regulation differences between regions can create additional hurdles. A technology approved and encouraged in one country may face strict regulations or even bans in another. These policy and regulatory constraints must be carefully navigated to ensure that the benefits of advanced tire shredding technology can be fully realized.
Conclusion
The advancements in tire shredding technology present a transformative opportunity for waste management and environmental sustainability. While these innovative systems do bring along technical, economic, and regulatory challenges, their potential benefits must be considered.
Continued research and development in this field will further enhance these technologies and their capabilities. As such, the future of tire shredding technology promises to be an integral part of a more sustainable and efficient waste management industry.
Egypt has been suffering from severe water scarcity in recent years. Uneven water distribution, misuse of water resources and inefficient irrigation techniques are some of the major factors playing havoc with water security in the country. Egypt has only 20 cubic meters per person of internal renewable freshwater resources, and as a result the country relies heavily on the Nile River for its main source of water. The River Nile is the backbone of Egypt’s industrial and agricultural sector and is the primary source of drinking water for the population.
Rising populations and rapid economic development in the countries of the Nile Basin, pollution and environmental degradation are decreasing water availability in the country. Egypt is facing an annual water deficit of around 7 billion cubic metres. Infact, United Nations is already warning that Egypt could run out of water by the year 2025. According to My Custom Essay experts you can see the information provided below that could be essential for students who write academic papers.
Let us have a close look at major factors affecting Egypt’s water security:
Population Explosion
Egypt’s population is mushrooming at an alarming rate and has increased by 41 percent since the early 1990s. Recent reports by the government suggest that around 4,700 newborns are added to the population every week, and future projections say that the population will grow from its current total of 92 million to 110 million by the year 2025.
The rapid population increase multiplies the stress on Egypt’s water supply due to more water requirements for domestic consumption and increased use of irrigation water to meet higher food demands.
Inefficient Irrigation
Egypt receives less than 80 mm of rainfall a year, and only 6 percent of the country is arable and agricultural land, with the rest being desert. This leads to excessive watering and the use of wasteful irrigation techniques such as flood irrigation [an outdated method of irrigation where gallons of water are pumped over the crops].
Nowadays, Egypt’s irrigation network draws almost entirely from the Aswan High Dam, which regulates more than 18,000 miles of canals and sub-canals that push out into the country’s farmlands adjacent to the river. This system is highly inefficient, losing as much as 3 billion cubic meters of Nile water per year through evaporation and could be detrimental by not only intensifying water and water stress but also creating unemployment.
A further decrease in water supply would lead to a decline in arable land available for agriculture, and with agriculture being the biggest employer of youth in Egypt, water scarcity could lead to increased unemployment levels.
Pollution
The pollution of river Nile is an issue that has been regularly underestimated. With so many people relying on the Nile for drinking, agricultural, and municipal use, the quality of that water should be of pivotal importance. The reality is that water of Nile is being polluted by municipal waste and industrial waste, with many recorded incidents of leakage of wastewater, the dumping of dead animal carcasses, and the release of chemical and hazardous industrial waste into the river.
River Nile is commonly used for dumping of household trash
Industrial waste has led to the presence of metals in the water which pose a significant risk not only on human health, but also on animal health and agricultural production. Fish die in large numbers from poisoning because of the high levels of ammonia and lead. Agricultural production quality and quantity has been affected by using untreated water for irrigation as the bacteria and the metals in the water affect the growth of the plant produce, especially in the Nile Delta where pollution is highest.
Sewage water from slums and many other areas in Cairo is discharged into the river untreated due to lack of water treatment plants. Agricultural runoffs frequently contain pollutants from pesticides and herbicides, which have negative effects on the river and the people using it. All of these factors combine together to make Nile a polluted river which may spell doom for the generations to come.
Regional Upheavals
Egypt controls majority of the water resource extracted from the Nile River due to colonial-era treaty, which guaranteed Egypt 90 percent share of the Nile, and prevented their neighbors from extracting even a single drop from the Nile without permission. However, in recent years countries along the Nile such as Ethiopia are taking advantage are gaining more control over the rights for the Nile.
A big challenge is tackling the issue of Ethiopia building a dam and hydroelectric plant upstream that may cut into Egypt’s share of the Nile. For some time a major concern for Egypt was Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the Blue Nile watershed, which is a main source of water for the Nile River. Construction of the Renaissance Dam started in December 2010, and has the capacity to store 74 to 79 billion cubic meters of water and generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity for Ethiopia a year.
This creates major concern for Egypt, who is worried that this damn would decrease the amount of water it receives (55.5 billion cubic meters) from the Nile River. Egypt is concerned that during dry months, not enough water will be released from the GERD thus decreasing the water received downstream. This will greatly hinder Egypt’s attempts to alleviate the water shortages during those months.
Conclusions
Water availability issues in Egypt are rapidly assuming alarming proportions. By the year 2020, Egypt will be consuming 20 percent more water than it has. With its loosening grip on the Nile, water scarcity could endanger the country’s stability and regional dominance. It is imperative on the Egyptian government and the entire population of to act swiftly and decisively to mitigate water scarcity, implement water conservation techniques and control water pollution develop plans that would install more efficient irrigation techniques.
With climate conditions expected to get drier and heat waves expected to become more frequent in the MENA region, Egypt cannot afford to neglect the importance of water conservation anymore and must act immediately to augment its natural water reserves. It will be a good idea to use eco friendly cotton bags next time you go shopping.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of around 33 islands, the largest being the Bahrain Island. The population of Bahrain is around 1.2 million marked by population density of 900 persons per km2, which is the highest in the entire GCC region. The country has the distinction of being one of the highest per capita waste generators worldwide which is estimated at 1.67 – 1.80 kg per person per day. Infact, Bahrain produces largest amount of waste per person among GCC countries despite being the smallest nation in the region. Rising population, high waste generation growth rate, limited land availability and scarcity of waste disposal sites has made solid waste management a highly challenging task for Bahrain’s policy-makers, urban planners and municipalities.
Solid Wastes in Bahrain
Bahrain generates more than 1.2 million tons of solid wastes every year. Daily garbage production across the tiny Gulf nation exceeds 4,500 tons. Municipal solid waste is characterized by high percentage of organic material (around 60 percent) which is mainly composed of food wastes. Presence of high percent of recyclables in the form of paper (13 percent), plastics (7 percent) and glass (4 percent) makes Bahraini MSW a good recycling feedstock, though Informal sectors are currently responsible for collection of collection of recyclables and recycling activities
The Kingdom of Bahrain is divided into five governorates namely Manama, Muharraq, Middle, Southern and Northern. Waste collection and disposal operation in Bahrain is managed by a couple of private contractors. Gulf City Cleaning Company is active in Muharraq and Manama while Sphinx Services is responsible for Southern, Middle, and Northern Areas. The prevalent solid waste management scenario is to collect solid waste and dump it at the municipal landfill site at Askar.
Askar Landfill
Askar, the only existing landfill/dumpsite in Bahrain, caters to municipal wastes, agricultural wastes and non-hazardous industrial wastes. Spread over an area of more than 700 acres, the landfill is expected to reach its capacity within the next few years. The proximity of Askar landfill to urban habitats has been a cause of major environmental concern. Waste accumulation is increasing at a rapid pace which is bound to have serious impacts on air, soil and groundwater quality in the surrounding areas.
The Askar Waste to Energy Project is a pioneering Public-Private Partnership venture and will be based on Build-Operate-Transfer model. The USD480 million waste incineration facility will treat 390,000 tons of solid wastes per year thereby generating 25MW of power which will be fed into the national grid. The project is expected to increase the life span of Askar landfill which is filling up rapidly and would reach its capacity by 2016. The project, expected to commence operations in 2013, will also ease solid waste management situation in the capital city Manama and provide an alternative means for power production in the country.
Conclusions
The Kingdom of Bahrain is grappling with waste management problems arising out of high population growth rate, rapid industrialization, high per capita waste generation, unorganized SWM sector, limited land resources and poor public awareness. The government is trying hard to improve waste management scenario by launching recycling initiatives, waste-to-energy project and public awareness campaign. However more efforts, in the form of effective legislations, large-scale investments, modern SWM technology deployment and environmental awareness, are required from all stake holders to implement a sustainable waste management system in Bahrain.
هي الوقت البديلة النظيفة المنجة محليا والتى تعد من الموارد المتجددة وهذه الوقود عبارة عن خليط من استرات ألكيل الدهنية حمض مصنوعة من الزيوت النباتية،و الدهون الحيوانية أو الشحوم المعاد تدويرهاحيثما كان ذلك متاحا، وقود الديزل الحيوي يمكن استخدامها في ضغط الاشتعال (الديزل) محركات في شكله النقي مع تعديلات ضئيلة أو معدومة. وقود الديزل الحيوي هو سهلة الاستخدام، والقابلة للتحلل غير سام، وخالية أساسا من الكبريت والعطريات. عادة ما يتم استخدامه كمادة مضافة الديزل النفطية للحد من مستويات الجسيمات وأول أكسيد الكربون والهيدروكربونات والمواد السامة من السيارات العاملة على المازوت. عندما تستخدم كمادة مضافة، وقود الديزل الناتجة يمكن أن يسمى ب5، ب10 أو ب20،وهو ما يمثل نسبة وقود الديزل الحيوي الذي يتم مزجه مع الديزل النفطي.
ويتم إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي من خلال عملية تجمع بين الزيوت المشتقة عضويا مع الكحول (الإيثانول أو الميثانول) في وجود عامل حفاز لتشكيل إيثيل استر الميثيل أو. يمكن مزجه إيثيل الميثيل أو استرات الكتلة الحيوية المشتقة مع وقود الديزل التقليدية أو استخدامها كوقود أنيق (100٪ وقود الديزل الحيوي). وقود الديزل الحيوي يمكن أن تكون مصنوعة من أي زيت نباتي، والدهون الحيوانية والزيوت النباتية النفايات، أو زيوت الطحالب. هناك ثلاث طرق أساسية لإنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي من الزيوت والدهون:
قاعدة المحفزة عبر الأسترة للنفط
حمض المباشر المحفزة عبر الأسترة للنفط
تحويل النفط إلى الأحماض الدهنية وبعد ذلك إلى وقود الديزل الحيوي.
وهناك مجموعة متنوعة من الزيوت التي تستخدم لانتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي، وأكثرها شيوعا هي فول الصويا وبذور اللفت، وزيت النخيل والتي تشكل الغالبية العظمى من إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي في جميع أنحاء العالم. المواد الأولية الأخرى يمكن أن تأتي من النفط النفايات النباتية، والجاتروفا، والخردل، والكتان وعباد الشمس، وزيت النخيل أو القنب. الدهون الحيوانية بما في ذلك الشحم، شحم الخنزير، والشحوم الصفراء والدهون والدجاج وزيت السمك من المنتجات يمكن أن تسهم نسبة صغيرة لإنتاج الديزل الحيوي في المستقبل، لكنها محدودة في العرض وغير فعالة لتربية الحيوانات من أجل الدهون. الجاتروفا هو صغير من الآفات ومقاومة للجفاف شجيرة التي هي قادرة على أن تزرع في الهامشية / الأراضي المتدهورة وتنتج البذور التي تدر عدة مرات المزيد من النفط للدونم الواحد من فول الصويا.
وهناك مجموعة متنوعة من الزيوت التي تستخدم لانتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي، وأكثرها شيوعا هي فول الصويا وبذور اللفت، وزيت النخيل والتي تشكل الغالبية العظمى من إنتاج وقود الديزل الحيوي في جميع أنحاء العالم. المواد الأولية الأخرى يمكن أن تأتي من النفط النفايات النباتية، والجاتروفا، والخردل، والكتان وعباد الشمس، وزيت النخيل أو القنب. الدهون الحيوانية بما في ذلك الشحمر، والشحوم الصفراء والدهون والدجاج وزيت السمك من المنتجات يمكن أن تسهم نسبة صغيرة لإنتاج الديزل الحيوي في المستقبل، لكنها محدودة في العرض وغير فعالة لتربية الحيوانات من أجل الدهون. الجاتروفا هو صغير من الآفات ومقاومة للجفاف شجيرة التي هي قادرة على أن تزرع في الهامشية / الأراضي المتدهورة وتنتج البذور التي تدر عدة مرات المزيد من النفط للدونم الواحد من فول الصويا.
بين المواد الأولية البديلة، يحمل الطحالب إمكانات هائلة لتوفير المواد غير الغذائية، وارتفاع العائد المرتفع وغير الصالحة للزراعة المصدر استخدام الأراضي وقود الديزل الحيوي والإيثانول والهيدروجين وقود. الطحالب قد تشد الانتباه لأن الوقود الحيوي على أساس فدان بواسطة فدان، الطحالب يمكن أن تنتج 100-300 مرة من العائد النفطي من فول الصويا على الأراضي الهامشية ومع المياه المالحة. الطحالب هو الكائن الحي photosynthesizing الأسرع نموا، وقادر على استكمال دورة النمو بأكمله كل بضعة أيام.
The composting process is a complex interaction between the waste and the microorganisms within the waste. The microorganisms that carry out this process fall into three groups: bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are a form of fungi-like bacteria that break down organic matter.
The first stage of the biological activity is the consumption of easily available sugars by bacteria, which causes a fast rise in temperature. The second stage involves bacteria and actinomycetes that cause cellulose breakdown. The last stage is concerned with the breakdown of the tougher lignins by fungi.
The composting process occurs when biodegradable waste is piled together with a structure allowing for oxygen diffusion and with a dry matter content suiting microbial growth. The temperature of the biomass increases due to the microbial activity and the insulation properties of the piled material. The temperature often reaches 650C to 750C within a few days and then declines slowly. This high temperature in composting hastens the elimination of pathogens and weed seeds.
Insights into a Composting Facility
A typical composting plant consist of some or all of the following technical units: bag openers, magnetic and/or ballistic separators, sieves, shredders, mixing and homogenization equipment, turning equipment, aeration systems, bio-filters, scrubbers, control systems etc.
Composting costs include site acquisition and development, regulatory compliance, facility operations, and marketing of the finished product. Additional requirements may include land for buffers around the compost facility, site preparation, and handling equipment such as shredders, screens, conveyors, and turners. Facilities and practice to control odors, leachate, and runoff are a critical part of any compost operation.
Composting Facility in Vancouver
The cost of constructing and operating a windrow composting facility will vary from one location to another. The operating costs depend on the volume of material processed. The use of additional feed materials, such as paper and mixed municipal solid waste, will require additional capital investment and materials processing labor.
The capital costs of windrow or aerated piles are lower than in-vessel composting configuration. However, costs increase markedly when cover is required to control odors. In general, costs of windrow systems are the lowest compared to the other two techniques. The in-vessel system is more costly than other methods, mainly with respect to capital expenditures. In addition, it is more mechanized and more equipment maintenance is necessary; however, it tends to be less labor-intensive.
توالت الاقتراحات و الحلول لمشاكل توفير الطاقة عبر السنين العشر الماضية في الأردن , و كان العديد من المهتمين بهذا الموضوع في وضعية بحث غير منقطعة عن حلول جدية و احيانا جذرية , لكن كما يعلم الجميع ما زال موضوع ” البدائل البيئية ” و كيفية الحفاظ على البيئة و توفير الطاقة موضوعا يصنف تحت قائمة ” الرفاهيات ” و أن هناك ما هو أهم لتسليط الضوء عليه رغم وجود حوال 70 جمعية لحماية البيئة في الأردن .
لكن ليس من الضروري أحيانا أن تصل التوعية لأعداد ضخمة أو مجتمعات كبيرة , ربما وصولها لأفراد سينعشها و يضخ الحياة فيها من جديد , و من أحد هؤلاء الأفراد الأردنيين الشباب طالب في كلية الهندسة ” هشام البلاونة ” , قرر أن يكون مشروع تخرجه بصمة جديدة في سجل توفير الطاقة و حماية البيئة في الأردن , مشروعه كان تحت عنوان ” البرك الشمسية في البحر الميت ” بمساعدة أستاذه القديردكتور خلدون الوحوش الذي يطمح دائماً لنقل مفهوم الطاقة النظيفة إلى مستويات أعلى , و هذا ما ساناقشه في مقالي هذا .
ما هي البرك الشمسية
البرك الشمسية , هي عبارة عن حفرة ثلاثية الأبعاد موضوعة في الهواء الطلق مملوءة بمياه ذات خصائص معينة . تستقبل الطاقة الحرارية عن طريق العزل , ثم يتم استخراج الحرارة الكامنة فيها من المياه الواقعة في قاع البركة .
البرك الشمسية في البحر الميت
لغرض استخراج الحرارة من مياه البحر الميت , تم تصميم بركة شمسية تجريبية مربعة صغيرة الحجم 1.25 عمقها و عرضها 2.0 . بنيت هذه البركة في منطقة البحر الميت بإحداثيات 30 20 0 شمالا و 35 30 0 شرقا , انتقال الحرارة الموجودة في البركة بالحمل سيمنع عن طريق الملوحة الخاصة بمياه البحر الميت بجانب إضافة مجموعة من الأملاح ” كلوريد الصوديوم , كلوريد المغنيسيوم و بيكربونات الصوديوم ” NaCl , MgCl2و NaHCO3“, و التي استخلصت من نفس البحر ” البحر الميت ” .
ألية عملها
البركة الشمسية هي عبارة عن مساحة كبيرة تقوم بجمع الطاقة الشمسية و تخزينها في نفس الوقت . حين تسقط الطاقة الشمسية على البركة سوف تقوم بتسخينها و تقسيمها إلى ثلاث أقسام القسم الأول هو الطبقة العلوية ” Surface Zone” ذات المياه العذبة و الملوحة القليلة تبعاً لحقيقة أن الأملاح تتركز في الأسفل , و القسم الثاني هو الطبقة المتوسطة و ما يسمى بطبقة العزل” Insulation Zone” حيث تكون درجة ملوحتها أكبر من طبقة السطح , أما الطبقة الأهم هي طبقة القعر أي الطبقة السفلى و التي تعرف بطبقة التخزين”Storage Zone” و هي التي تحتفظ بالحرارة الشمسية وفيها تكمن عملية استخراج الطاقة . و تكون سماكة الطبقة المشبعة من متر إلى مترين تقريبا , أما البركة بشكل عام من مترين إلى أكثر من ذلك .
حين تكتسب مياه أي بركة الحرارة , سوف تتمدد و تقل كثافتها و ترتفع , حالما تصل سطح البركة ستفقد حراراتها للهواء عن طريق البخار أو تيارات الحمل . أما المياه الأكثر برودة و التي تعتبر الأثقل و الأكثر كثافة سوف تحل محل المياه الدافئة التي صعدت للأعلى , ليخلق بذلك حركة حمل طبيعية تمزج الماء و تبدد الحرارة ” الطاقة ” .
لكن للبرك الشمسية في البحر الميت خاصية تجعلها تحتفظ بالحرارة ” الطاقة ” , وهي ازدياد درجة الملوحة مع ازدياد العمق , و بالتالي يزيد الكثافة مع العمق ايضا مما يجبر الماء الساخن أن يبقى في الأسفل بفعل الأملاح .
و بالتالي فإن الحرارة التي احتفظ بها في الطبقة الأخيرة المشبعة بالأملاح و التي قد تصل إالى 85-90 درجة سيليسية ستقوم بتحريك توربينات مولدةً بذلك طاقة كهربائية متجددة نظيفة و صديقة للبيئة , يوضح ذلك بالشكل التالي .
أهمية البرك الشمسية
البرك الشمسية توفر أبسط تقنية لتحويل الطاقة الشمسية إلى طاقة حرارية والتي يمكن استخدامها للعديد من الأغراض. فهي تتميز بقدرتها على جمع و تخزين الطاقة في ان معا . علماً بأن تكلفة البركة الشمسية لوحدة المساحة الواحدة أقل من تكلفة أي جامع حرارة ” طاقة ” متوفر حالياً . بالإضافة إلى أن التذبذب المستمر لأسعار النفط في هذه الأيام دفع العديد من الأفراد و المؤسسات إلى البحث عن مصادر أخرى متجددة و أقل تكلفة .
كما أن الماء الدافئ الذي حصلنا عليه بعد استخلاص حرارة البركة يمكن استخدامه في العديد من الأغراض الصناعية وأغراض تسخين البيوت الزجاجية خلال حدوث الإنجماد في الشتاء للمناطق المتواجدة أو القريبة من منطقة البحر الميت .
و يمكن استخدام البرك الشمسية في جميع المناخات طالما أن هناك أشعة شمسية متوافرة , و حتى لو تجمدت البركة تبقى البركة الشمسية المشبعة بالاملاح قادرة على انتاج الطاقة .
المتطلبات
حتى يتم انشاء بركة شمسية فاعلة منتجة للطاقة الكهربائية , نحتاج إالى التالي :
تتطلب مساحة واسعة نسبياً من الأراضي ذات تكلفة منخفضة .
تتطلب مياه ذات محتوى ملحي عالي .
أن يكون الموقع ذو طاقة شمسية عالية .
وكل هذه المتطلبات أو المعطيات كانت متوافرة في منطقة البحر الميت , فهي أخفض مسطح مائي في العالم و أغناها أملاحاً .
لماذا علينا تطبيق نظام البرك الشمسية في منطقة البحر الميت ؟
– تخزين الحرارة هائل .
– الطاقة يمكن استخراجها ليلاً و نهاراً .
– ممكن توفير بركة شمسية ذات مساحة كبيرة جداً و بتكلفة منخفضة .
– يمكن بناء البركة بسهولة سواءاً في نطاق صغير أو مساحات واسعة .
– توفير الطاقة الحرارية دون حرق الوقود و بالتالي هي مصدر نظيف قليل التلوث .
– ممكن لهذه التكنولوجيا أن تكون مصدراً حرارياً قوياً للصناعات حيث أن المياه المالحة و الأملاح متوافرة جنباً إلى جنب مع مساحة كافية من الأرض و نظام عزل جيد .
– و أهم سبب من الأسباب أنها مصدر فعال لإنتاج طاقة حرارية متجددة و مستدامة بيئياً .
إذن نظام جديد تمت دراسته و تطبيقه من قبل كادر تعليمي مهتم و واع لقضايا البيئة و أهمية إيجاد البدائل , تعتبر هذه خطوة سباقة في مجال إنتاج الطاقة و تطويرها في الأردن .
لكن السؤال الذي يطرح نفسه : هل سيصل مفهوم ” الطاقة النظيفة ” للأردنيين – أو سكان الشرق الأوسط على حد سواء – ليدفعهم للدراسة و البحث و التنقيب بشكل جدي يحوّل الأمر إلى محور بدلاً من دراسة ورقية على مكتب ؟
Urban green roofs have long been promoted as an easy and effective strategy for beautifying the built environment and increasing investment opportunity. The building roof is very important because it has a direct impact on thermal comfort and energy conservation in and around buildings. Urban green roofs can help to address the lack of green space in many urban areas.
Urban green roofs provides the city with open spaces that helps reduce urban heat island effect and provides the human population on the site with a connection to the outdoors. However, we must differentiate between two types of urban green roofs and assess their adaptability to Arab cities. This article provides an insight on green roofs and roof farming in Arab cities.
What are Green Roofs
Green roofs are essentially sustainable and passive design features of vegetation surfaces applied to a waterproofing layer of a suitable conventional roof build-up in rainy climates. In rainy countries such as Austria, Germany and Belgium green roofs are recognized as a significant source-control feature, contributing mainly to stormwater management and drainage control.
Green roofs not only store water at roof level, but also reduce the run-off rate from the roof, which in turn reduces the underground drainage network requirements. It is also possible to use or harvest rainfall from a green roof, although the amount of rainwater that can be used may be reduced depending on the type of green roof implemented.
Generally speaking, there are no green roofs in hot arid climates. In in the Middle East, it is hardly to find any examples of successful green roofs. According to European norms the minimum annual precipitation rate for a green roof should be more than 450-650mm. Therefore, it is impossible to grow a green roof in Cairo (26mm), Amman (276mm), Riyadh (20mm) or Dubai (10mm). Even coastal cities like Alexandria (190mm), Tunis (450mm) or Casablanca (425mm) witness extreme summers and drought periods that almost eliminates the sedum plants from recovery during the winter season.
Facing these facts, there are many voices in the Middle East that surprisingly continue pushing the idea of green roofs claiming to sustain it through artificial irrigation. An idea that make us lose the whole point of sustainability in an already water scarce region.
Unfortunately, across the Middle East there are large numbers of students, architects, clients and even researchers who have a wrong perception and a defective understanding of semantic of green roofs, which are essentially associated with the presence of renewable rain water. This is due to the unfamiliarity with word Green Roof in our region and the huge influence of the Northern imaged media.
Moreover, there are many researchers who talk about the positive side effect of green roofs that significantly save energy, enhance the thermal performance and comfort of buildings, particularly in terms of summer cooling, based on readings and studies made in countries with latitude higher than 40o with temperate or cold climates. What is missing here is local evidence based experimentation and practices that address green roof in the warm and hot climate not from a theoretical copy-paste approach.
The Real Problem
Arab cities suffer from serious problems that are similar to most other large cities in the developing countries. Among the most visible manifestations of the challenges posed by rapid urbanization are many environmental problems, such as pollution, dense urbanization, urban heat island effect and inversed greenhouse effect during winters. In fact, the dense concentration of automobiles and polluting buildings created a negative impact on the environment. In fact, the rapid urbanization not only created environmental problems but also economic problems.
For example, air conditioners are running, over the whole summer period, trying to deliver an endless demand for cooling. This leads to increasing prices of electricity bills. This is due to the lack of energy codes, which means that roofs are without or with very poor insulation. Additionally, cities suffer from constant desert sand depositing together with disappearance of green spaces which lead to deprivation of open space.
During the last decade many Arab cities witnessed several times inefficient food production and distribution, inaccessibly high food prices and above all locally grown food, loaded with toxic contaminants. The fast-growing population and the failing government approaches to housing and spatial planning policies contributed to the growth off informal settlements within and around the center.
For example, 8 million Egyptian live in informal settlements in Cairo with problems of unemployment, pollution, transportation, inadequate drainage and sewerage, and lack of usable urban open spaces. In Cairo, the amount of green space per inhabitant is roughly equivalent to 0.33 square meters per person (3.5 square feet), one of the lowest proportions in the world. Among the above listed problems stands out a common denominator. It is the building roof.
Roof Farming as an Alternative
Under the influence of the all those issues emerges the idea of roof farming. Urban roof farming has long been promoted as an easy and effective strategy for beautifying the built environment and increasing investment opportunity. Roof farming can help to address the lack of green space in many urban areas. Urban roof farms provides the city with open spaces that helps reduce urban heat island effect and provides the human population on the site with a connection to the outdoors. Challenged by environmental and pollution, Cities suffer from locally grown food, loaded with toxic contaminants that threat the health.
In the last couple of years, Cairo suffered from an inefficient production and food distribution and inaccessibly high food prices. The population explosion and the tendency to build on agricultural land have acted to limit the resources of city families and their access to healthy edible products. With a little effort and money, roof farming can contribute in improving the families quality of life and provide them with healthy food and raise their income, this is besides the environmental and aesthetical role it plays.
For example, Cairo citizens and some governmental authorities acknowledged the problem of food contamination & distribution and are mapping measures and methods that can guarantee safe food.While it is not new, the notion of planting rooftops in Egypt has only recently been implemented. In the early 1990s at Ain Shams University, a group of agriculture professors developed an initiative of growing organic vegetables to suit densely populated cities of Egypt. The initiative was applied on a small scale; until it was officially adopted in 2001, by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
There are several case studies that represent successful projects implemented by different non-governmental organizations (NGO), public institutions and private civil initiatives. For example Ibn Kassir foundation, in Al-Zawya Al-Hamra, Cairo, created a roof farm from wooden containers (barrels) with plastic sheets filled with peat moss or perlite used as substrates. The drainage is driven through small plastic hoses to buckets. This system is producing leafy crops such as parsley, radish, and carrots. A square meter using this method would cost around 400 Egyptian pounds (LE).
Finally, in many Arab cities, where many environmental social and economic problems exist, a beam of light emerges to contribute in solving many of these interrelated problems. Planting our roof with different kinds of vegetables and fruits or even any kind of green plants will change lots of things. It is certain that roof gardening and farming have measurable qualitative and quantitative benefits. The techniques for implementation are simple and doable and above all cost efficient. However, no roof gardens can be created without the knowledge of the factors affecting the creation and design. The most important factors are the climate, the constructional and economic factors.
Regarding green roofs, we shall only address this issue based on experimental and monitored cases. More importantly, a vision is required to be drawn together with long term strategy, adopting the holistic approach of roof farming and providing support and sustainability. It is this holistic approach that can solve many problems of different background and aspects, and can contribute to improving the quality of life of the dense Arab cities.
By exploitation of such roofs, their development and planting; a reasonable ratio of green areas can be reached in the near future. A ratio of 4 square meters per person can be provided once the suitable green framing roofs have been developed and exploited.
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