11. Evaluation of fly ash-based alkali activated foams at room and elevated temperaturesKatja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Srečo D. Škapin, Vilma Ducman, 2020, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali activated materials (AAM) are, in their broadest classification, any binder systems derived by the reaction of an alkali metal source (silicates, alkali hydroxides, carbonates , sulphates) with a solid, amorphous alumosilicate powder (found in precursors such as slag, fly ash and bottom ash). A wide variety of products can be obtained by the alkali activation process and could replace traditional construction products. Among the se, alkali activated foams (AAF) represent one of the most promising materials, owing to their economically accessible alumosilicate rich source materials, including industrial waste materials, clean processing, higher added value and most importantly, pro ducts with competitive properties. In the present study, the properties of alkali activated fly ash - based foam materials were studied at room temperature as well as at elevated temperatures (up to 1200 °C ) in order to develop a durable material in terms o f mechanical properties and suitability for high temperature applications.
Keywords: lightweight porous insulating material, alkali activated materials, microstructural analysis
Published in DiRROS: 05.03.2024; Views: 106; Downloads: 45
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12. The deformation of alkali-activated materials at different curing temperaturesMark Češnovar, Katja Traven, Vilma Ducman, 2020, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali activation is a chemical process whereby materials rich in aluminosilicate, which dissolves in basic media at room temperature, form binding phases by polycondensation. The alkali- activated materials (AAM) are a promising alternative to binding materials such as cement or other products in civil engineering (van Deventer et al., 2012). This study investigates the early age shrinkage behavior of Slovenian ladle and electric arc furnace slag - based alkali activated materials at different curing temperatures. The dimensions of specimens cured at room temperature and elevated temperatures up to 90 °C were measured over the first 7 hours (every 10 min). The results show that the most shrinkage occurred at the highest temperature, owing to the highest rate of evaporation of liquid content. Loss of mass follows from the drying shrinkage.
Keywords: alkali activated materials, shrinkage, compressive strength
Published in DiRROS: 01.03.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 79
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13. Quantifying the environmental implication of cotton-fiber-based nanocrystalline cellulose : a life-cycle assessmentKatja Malovrh Rebec, Janez Turk, Matjaž Kunaver, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Considering the increasing demand for nanocrystalline-cellulose in the industry, due to its exceptional physical and biological properties, cheaper and more efficient production processes are sought. Addressing environmental concerns, especially within the framework of EU policies, this study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a novel nanocrystalline-cellulose production procedure, encompassing biomass depolymerization, rinsing, and bleaching. The LCA aims to identify environmental hotspots, explore mitigation measures, and enables comparisons with other LCA studies on nanocrystalline-cellulose. The results are calculated and reported for 19 environmental impact categories, using the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method. The production of 1 kg of dry nanocrystalline-cellulose using the novel process emits 63.7 kg CO2 equivalent, which is lower than the literature average (68 kg CO2 equivalent). The solvent (e.g. diethylene glycol) is the major contributor to the global warming potential and fossil-fuel depletion potential in the product stage of the nanocellulose, while the electricity requirements and glycerin represent environmental hotspots regarding 15 of the 19 impact categories assessed. In terms of the water-consumption potential, the environmental hotspot is production of raw materials (e.g. cotton fibers). Electricity contributes more than 50 % of the burden to the impact categories associated with ionizing radiation, the pollution of aquatic ecosystems and human toxicity related to cancer. It also holds a significant share of the burdens for terrestrial acidification (48 % of the impact), the formation of fine particulate matter (46 % of the impact), and human toxicity related to non-cancer diseases (37 % of the impact). This underscores the importance of optimizing the production process, possibly through upscaling. Additionally, incorporating on-site renewable energy sources and utilizing biomass-derived diethylene glycol can enhance the environmental performance of nanocrystalline-cellulose.
Keywords: LCA, cascade use, cellulose nanocrystals, pilot production, environmental performance
Published in DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Views: 158; Downloads: 80
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14. Influence of precipitation hardening on the mechanical properties of Co-Cr-Mo and Co-Cr-W-Mo dental alloysMarko Sedlaček, Katja Zupančič, Barbara Šetina, Borut Kosec, Matija Zorc, Aleš Nagode, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: Co-Cr alloys, microstructure analysis, hardness, wear resistance
Published in DiRROS: 01.02.2024; Views: 191; Downloads: 118
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15. The influence of different fibres quantity on mechanical and microstructural properties of alkali-activated foamsKatja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali activated foams (AAFs) were produced using electric arc furnace steel slag (EAF) and ladle furnace basic slag (LS), obtained from two metallurgical companies in Slovenia. They were activated with a mixture of sodium water glass (Na2SiO3) and solid NaOH and foamed with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pores were stabilized with the addition of Triton as a surfactant. Four types of fibres were added to the studied mixture (polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA), basalt (B), and glass wool (GW)) in five different quantities: 0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5 and 2.0 vol % in order to additionally stabilize the structure and thus improve its mechanical properties. The results of mechanical properties showed, that compressive strength was increased in all 20 specimens, partially due to the increased density as well as to the fibre addition. Flexural strength on the other hand was the most improved in the samples where PP and PVA fibres were added. The samples with the addition of B and GW fibres on the other hand showed only small or no improvement in flexural strength in comparison to the referenced sample. Additionally, the microstructure of used fibres and selected foams was also investigated by the means of SEM analysis.
Keywords: fibers, alkali activated foams, properties
Published in DiRROS: 31.01.2024; Views: 148; Downloads: 61
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16. Kartiranje in vrednotenje ekosistemskih storitev na Jelovici : projekt JeloviZaAnže Japelj, Andreja Ferreira, Andrej Kobler, Anže Martin Pintar, Katja Kavčič Sonnenschein, 2023, final research report Keywords: ekosistemske storitve, vrednotenje, kartiranje, Jelovica, kaskadni model
Published in DiRROS: 26.01.2024; Views: 224; Downloads: 0 |
17. Kartiranje in vrednotenje ekosistemskih storitev na Jelovici : projekt JeloviZaAnže Japelj, Andreja Ferreira, Andrej Kobler, Anže Martin Pintar, Katja Kavčič Sonnenschein, 2023, treatise, preliminary study, study Keywords: ekosistemske storitve, vrednotenje, kartiranje, Jelovica, kaskadni model
Published in DiRROS: 26.01.2024; Views: 214; Downloads: 0 |
18. Alternative alkali activators based on waste bottle glass and waste cathode-ray tube glassKatja Koenig, Katja Traven, Vilma Ducman, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Alkali-activated binders are an environmentally friendly alternative to Portland cement, particularly when locally-available raw materials are used. It is well known that alkali activation with a sodium silicate activator generates a hardened binder with higher compressive strength than a binder hardened with sodium hydroxide. As the alkali-silicate activators are produced through energy extensive processes, and their use can significantly increase the carbon footprint of the final products, it is of great significance to develop alternative alkaline activators based on locally-available waste materials. This article assesses the potential to apply waste bottle glass and waste cathode-ray tube (CRT) glass to synthesise alternative alkali activators by the hydrothermal method. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine silicon and aluminium content in the alternative activators. The influence of dissolution process parameters (time, temperature, particle size) on the concentrations of silicon and aluminium in the alternative activators was investigated. The alternative activators with silicon concentration up to 19 g/L and aluminium concentration up to 0.9 g/L were prepared at T = 120 °C and boiling time 24 h. The alternative alkali activators and, for comparison, also commercial sodium silicate were used in the alkali activation of fly ash powder. The formed pastes were cured at 70 °C for 72 h. Mechanical strength measurements indicated that alkali activation of fly ash with the optimal alternative activator yielded hardened paste with compressive strength of 33 MPa. However, the compressive strength of hardened paste prepared from fly ash and commercial sodium silicate reached 70 MPa. Part of this difference can be ascribed to the lower density of hardened pastes prepared with alternative activators.
Keywords: alkali -activated materials, alternative alkali activators, waste bottle glass, waste cathode -ray tube glass, fly ash, hydrothermal method
Published in DiRROS: 25.01.2024; Views: 170; Downloads: 113
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19. Manual for use of Al-containing residues in low-carbon mineral bindersSabina Dolenec, Katja Malovrh Rebec, Anja Lešek, Katarina Šter, Lea Žibret, Gorazd Žibret, Klemen Teran, Emil Pučko, Ildikó Merta, Bojan Poletanovic, Elena Yaneva, Peter Kesserű, Ildikó Kovács, Bence Kószó, Alexandra Németh, Richard Laucournet, Mustafa Hadžalić, Emilija Fidanchevski, Biljana Angjusheva, Vojo Jovanov, Miloš Nenadović, Snežana B. Nenadović, Ivana Vukanac, Liljana Kraljević, Mojca Loncnar, Andrej Ipavec, 2020, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Abstract: Današnje družbe si ni več mogoče predstavljati brez sodobne infrastrukture, ki temelji na uporabi različnih materialov ter zahteva veliko porabo energije. Vzporedno s proizvodnjo materialov, nastajajo ogromne količine različnih industrijskih in rudarskih ostankov (odpadki/stranski proizvodi), ki jih trenutno ne izkoriščamo, sama odlagališča pa so premalo raziskana. Cilj Evropske unije (EU) je povečati učinkovito rabo virov in ponudbo sekundarnih surovin z recikliranjem, popisom odpadkov iz rudarskih in drugih industrijskih dejavnosti ter njihova ponovna uporaba. Veliko industrijskih in rudarskih odpadkov je obogatenih z aluminijem (Al), zato lahko nadomeščajo naravne vire Al v mineralnih veznih, vendar njihova uporaba zahteva obsežno poznavanje njihovih kemijskih, mineraloških, radioloških in fizikalnih lastnosti. Priročnik, ki so ga pripravili partnerji projekta RIS-ALiCE obravnava zakonodajne vidike, ki urejajo uporabo sekundarnih surovin v gradbenih proizvodih, opis najpogostejših industrijskih in rudarskih ostankov, ki vsebujejo Al (nahajališča boksitov, rdeče blato, jeklarske žlindre, pepeli iz različnih industrij, itd.), potencial njihove ponovne uporabe in njihov ekonomski vidik, potencialne zahteve/ovire za uporabo sekundarnih surovin v cementni industriji in opis belitno-sulfoaluminatnih cementov, ki so obetavna rešitev za izvajanje krožnega gospodarstva z uporabo velikih količin odloženih industrijskih in rudarskih odpadkov, bogatih z Al.
Keywords: gradbeni proizvodi, ponovna uporaba, ekonomski vidik, industrija cementa, krožno gospodarstvo, industrijski odpadki, zakonodaja, elektronske knjige
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2024; Views: 211; Downloads: 87
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20. Monitoring of species’ genetic diversity in Europe varies greatly and overlooks potential climate change impactsPeter Pearman, Olivier Broennimann, Tsipe Aavik, Tamer Albayrak, Paulo Célio Alves, Filipos Aravanopoulos, Laura Bertola, Aleksandra Biedrzycka, Elena Bužan, Vlatka Čubrić Čurik, Katja Kavčič Sonnenschein, Marjana Westergren, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Genetic monitoring of populations currently attracts interest in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity but needs long-term planning and investments. However, genetic diversity has been largely neglected in biodiversity monitoring, and when addressed, it is treated separately, detached from other conservation issues, such as habitat alteration due to climate change. We report an accounting of efforts to monitor population genetic diversity in Europe (genetic monitoring effort, GME), the evaluation of which can help guide future capacity building and collaboration towards areas most in need of expanded monitoring. Overlaying GME with areas where the ranges of selected species of conservation interest approach current and future climate niche limits helps identify whether GME coincides with anticipated climate change effects on biodiversity. Our analysis suggests that country area, financial resources and conservation policy influence GME, high values of which only partially match species’ joint patterns of limits to suitable climatic conditions. Populations at trailing climatic niche margins probably hold genetic diversity that is important for adaptation to changing climate. Our results illuminate the need in Europe for expanded investment in genetic monitoring across climate gradients occupied by focal species, a need arguably greatest in southeastern European countries. This need could be met in part by expanding the European Union’s Birds and Habitats Directives to fully address the conservation and monitoring of genetic diversity.
Keywords: genetics, monitoring, population genetic diversity, Europe
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2024; Views: 214; Downloads: 92
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