ESTGV - DEM - Capítulo em obra internacional, como autor
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- Risk Assessment for Water Reuse in Irrigating Green Areas on a University CampusPublication . Leite dos Santos, Lenise Maria; Ferreira, José; Ferreira Silva, Maria Elisabete; Lopes Brás, Isabel Paula; Berardi, U.; António, J.; SimõesThe increasing scarcity of water resources, exacerbated by climate change, calls for more sustainable and innovative approaches to water management. This study examines the feasibility and benefits of using Water for Reuse (WfR) for irrigation at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu campus in Portugal. By using WfR, the university aims to reduce its reliance on potable water, promote sustainability, and enhance the resilience of its landscape management practices. However, assessing potential risks is crucial. Risks associated with the WfR from the Viseu Sul Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for green space irrigation on campus were evaluated, focusing on public health and water resource impacts. A semi-quantitative risk assessment methodology was applied, analysing microbiological, chemical, and physical parameters to ensure the treated water meets safety standards for its intended use. Three receptor groups were considered: maintenance workers, students/faculty, and visitors. Results showed the feasibility of producing and using WfR for irrigation, with the overall risk being below 3, considered negligible. The global public health risk was 0.72, with maintenance workers having the highest individual risk (0.75). The global risk for water resources was 2.30 for nitrogen and phosphorus, and 0.8 for microbiological risks. All risks were considered insignificant, making the use of WfR a viable and safe solution for sustainable water management.
- Particleboard Production from Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud. Grown in Portugal.Publication . Esteves, Bruno; Aires, Pedro; Sen, U; Gomes, Maria da Glória; Guiné, Raquel; Domingos, Idalina; Ferreira, José; Viana, Helder Filipe dos Santos; Lopes, Luísa P. Cruz
- Life cycle assessment of bio-based polyuretane foamPublication . Ferreira, José; Esteves, Bruno; Cruz-Lopes, Luísa; Domingos, IdalinaThe goal of this study was to understand the potential burdens associated with a new bio-based polyurethane foam using eucalyptus globules residues liquefied instead of an oil derivative. An LCA study was elaborated based on ISO 14040/44 series standard. Ecoinvent, was used within SimaPro to model utility process operations, transportation, and other material inputs. CML-IA (baseline) was the method chosen for Life Cycle Impact Assessment. The study considered the impact categories of abiotic depletion; abiotic depletion (fossil fuels); global warming; ozone layer depletion; human toxicity; fresh water aquatic ecotoxicity; marine aquatic ecotoxicity; terrestrial ecotoxicity; photochemical oxidation; acidification; and eutrophication. The results show that electricity and MDI Voranate (isocyanate) consumption during the foam production are the dominant sources of all potential environmental impacts. These two processes (together) play a major role in all impact categories (84–97%).
- Production of Polyurethane Foams from Bétula PendulaPublication . Cruz-Lopes, Luísa; Domingos, Idalina; Ferreira, José; Teixeira, Lemos; Esteves, BrunoThe production of flexible foams from liquefied bio-wastes is a theme that has been recently approached by various groups of investigators. In this work we have used polyols from liquefied Bétula Pendula bio-wastes for the production of flexible foams. During that process we have made combinations, varying the isocyanate, the expansion agent (water), the catalyst and surfactant, in order to optimize the process. The production, physical and mechanical properties were determined to evaluate their quality ca. density, compression module and resistance to compression. Those parameters were determined based on the mass percentage of each reagent in the foam, evaluating the impact that they had in their proprieties