DSpace Collection:https://hdl.handle.net/10316/922652024-03-28T22:12:10Z2024-03-28T22:12:10ZLife cycle assessment of grape cultivation in Piedmont, ItalyMarques, PedroGarcia, RitaJesus, JoãoEberle, DanieleFreire, Faustohttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/957802022-05-25T03:29:17Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Life cycle assessment of grape cultivation in Piedmont, Italy
Authors: Marques, Pedro; Garcia, Rita; Jesus, João; Eberle, Daniele; Freire, Fausto
Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of grape cultivation for wine, in Piedmont, Italy. A cradle to gate approach was followed for grape cultivation (functional unit: 1 kg of grapes), based on data collected for the Barbera and Moscato varieties. Life cycle environmental impacts were analysed for the following categories: fossil depletion (FD), global warming (GW), terrestrial acidification (TA), freshwater eutrophication (FEUT) and freshwater ecotoxicity (FWecot). The calculation of impacts included fertilization (nitrogen and urea field emissions), application of plant protection products (PPPs), diesel combustion in agricultural operations, and production of agricultural inputs. FWecot impacts of pesticide application were assessed by combining a framework developed for the inventory of pesticide emissions to different compartments (off field natural soil, agricultural soil, and air) with characterization factors from USETox.
Results show that energy use in agricultural activities (diesel) was the largest contributor to GW and FD (more than 70 %). For TA, the largest contributors were PPP and diesel (44 % and 40 %, respectively). Fertilizers and PPPs represented 57 % and 34 % of FEUT impacts, respectively. PPP field emissions alone represented 93 % of FWecot impacts. The equipment used in agriculture activities represented less than 8 % of the total impacts. Overall, impacts due to pesticide application (including diesel use) represented 27 to 56 % of impacts, except FWET where it represented nearly 100 % of impacts. This paper shows the importance of LCA to identify improvement opportunities to reduce environmental burdens related with grape cultivation, namely adopting strategies to decrease the amount of fertilizer and pesticide applied (and associated energy use). Furthermore, it highlights the importance of assessing the application of PPP in current agriculture practices in a comprehensive way, especially when assessing toxicity categories (where PPPs dominate impacts).2020-01-01T00:00:00ZA simulation study to assess the impact of natural ventilation on the hygrothermal behaviour of a historic library using EnergyPlus and its Airflow NetworkSaraiva, Nuno Francisco Baía da Silva GarciaGaspar, AdélioCosta, José Joaquim dahttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/931632022-05-25T06:24:12Z2021-02-15T00:00:00ZTitle: A simulation study to assess the impact of natural ventilation on the hygrothermal behaviour of a historic library using EnergyPlus and its Airflow Network
Authors: Saraiva, Nuno Francisco Baía da Silva Garcia; Gaspar, Adélio; Costa, José Joaquim da
Abstract: Taking a historic library of the University of Coimbra as a study case, this work is focused on assessing the impact and conservation risks of using the main door of its noblest room. From a previous monitoring campaign, it was possible to correlate important fluctuations of the indoor environment conditions with the natural ventilation induced by opening the main door. Consequently, a comprehensive study is required to assess the impact of such ventilation events on the hygrothermal conditions and to study mitigating solutions.
The present work is based on the simulation of the hygrothermal behaviour of this heritage building using EnergyPlus and its airflow network (AFN) model that accounts for the effects of natural ventilation. The thermal model of the building is validated by comparing the results with the data available from continuous monitoring campaigns. Several operating configurations with alternative entrances for visitors are simulated.
The analysis of the simulation data allows (i) to estimate the heat balance between adjacent spaces of the building; and (ii) to assess the impact of the indoor conditions relatively to the conservation requirements. This assessment is based on the short period fluctuations (SPF) of the indoor air temperature and humidity and on the concept of a performance index (PI), which represents the percentage of measured/predicted data that lie within a range defined by thresholds recommended in the most used guidelines for conservation, namely ASHRAE (2015) and UNI 10829 (1999).
The results suggest that the door should remain closed as much as possible. Finally, the need to improve the hygrothermal conditions leaves an open field for further research regarding climate control systems.2021-02-15T00:00:00ZDaylight Modelling of a Portuguese Baroque LibrarySaraiva, Nuno GarciaRodrigues, EugénioGaspar, Adélio R.Gomes, Álvarohttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/872292021-09-01T11:52:55Z2019-07-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Daylight Modelling of a Portuguese Baroque Library
Authors: Saraiva, Nuno Garcia; Rodrigues, Eugénio; Gaspar, Adélio R.; Gomes, Álvaro
Abstract: The XVIII century baroque King John’s Library is one of the most important buildings of the University of Coimbra, which was declared World Heritage patrimony by UNESCO in 2013. As one of the main touristic attractions, it has been object of study on the assessment of the books and furniture conservation. One of the aspects that affect their preservation is the exposure to daylight, which degrades the shelves finishing and the books covers and paper. To prevent the continuous degradation of the patrimony, this work presents a study of the indoor daylight conditions. The software Radiance is used in order to generate accurate annual illuminance maps and detailed daylight indoors images. The results show that natural lighting is a threat to most of the patrimony and must be reduced. This analysis is a contribution to determine an appropriate and comprehensive preservation strategy leaving space to further investigation within this field.2019-07-01T00:00:00Z