Greenhouse Gases Projects
Alternate Energy Sources for the Futute, 2005
This project examines the renewable alternatives of fossil fuels in view of their projected depletion. We concentrated on nuclear energy and examined its potential dangers and ways to improve its safety. Special attention was paid to protection from terrorist attacks, storage and disposal of byproduct. We conclude that nuclear energy is a viable energy source to replace fossil fuels in the near future. More Information...
Alternative Energy Bio-hydrogen and Bio-diesel, 2004
Two alternative energy sources, bio-diesel derived from algae and bio-hydrogen produced by a dark fermentation process, were found to be possibly viable for widespread use in the near future. With more research, they could be integrated into our energy infrastructure to lessen reliance on foreign oil as well as other fossil fuels. Current technologies and feasibilities are summarized and some recommendations are presented. More Information...
An Evaluation of the Recycling Practices on the Island of Puerto Rico
The focus of this report, prepared for FirstBank of Puerto Rico, is on the current waste management issues of Puerto Rico and the impact of recycling. The goal of this project was to analyze current recycling programs through interviews and recommend changes that will help create a more successful recycling program. From the interviews we concluded that recycling programs in Puerto Rico need to be better developed in the way they are coordinated, managed, and implemented. This paper discusses recommendations for improvement of the recycling system for municipalities, state government and Puerto Rican citizens. This project could greatly impact the majority of the population of Puerto Rico; if these recommendations were put into effect the recycling rates in Puerto Rico could be improved. More Information...
Automotive Waste, 2002
This project addresses the environmental and economic impact of automotive waste, namely coolant, oil, tires, and refrigerant. It also outlines the recycling possibilities and legal ramifications of the disposal of such pollutants. This report served as the basis for a web page that covered the above topic. Finally a survey was conducted to evaluate the effect of the web page on high school students. More Information...
Better Waste Management Practices for ESPH
Empresa de Servicios Publicos de Heredia (ESPH) is a utilities company located in Heredia, Costa Rica that supplies potable water, electricity, and public lighting to the citizens of Heredia. As a byproduct of the services ESPH provides, hazardous wastes stored in ESPH´s three warehouse facilities have built up to the point where they adversely effect the environment. Once onsite in Costa Rica, we selected two of these hazardous wastes, Polychlorinated Biphenyl containing electrical transformers and mercury-containing HID lamps. Our goal in this project was to offer solutions for better handling and storage for these wastes as well as to compile feasible options for disposal.
Bio-Diesel and the Public Transportation System of San Jos
This report, prepared for the National Cleaner Production Centers (CNP+L) of San Jose, Costa Rica assessed the feasibility of using bio-diesel or bio-diesel blends in public transportation buses. There were three primary questions that this report addressed. First, what is the fuel efficiency of bio-diesel compared to diesel in public transit buses? Second, what is the cost difference for the use of bio-diesel versus diesel in the public transit sector of San Jose? Finally, what impact will bio-diesel have on the economy, environment, and society and how are these impacts interrelated? Our findings were used to assist CNP+L in making policy decisions regarding bio-diesel use in the public transportation system of San Jose. More Information...
Biodiesel and Alternative Fueling, 2002
A summary of alternative fueling is discussed. Most emphasis is put upon marine diesel engines and biodiesel. Biodiesel is the best alternative available for diesel fuel replacement. With no engine modification for biodiesel use, changing to alternative fuel is easy enough to become widespread throughout society. Biodiesel is the least expensive and harmful of any of the alternatives, and can help to create a cleaner environment. More Information...
Composting for Sustainable Waste Management
This report, prepared for McNeil Consumer Healthcare of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, explored options to reduce their landfill waste volume and raise community awareness of waste-related environmental concerns through composting. The following document addresses the necessary background, research methods, findings, and recommendations. Through classroom presentations, physical composting, and investigation of composting systems, we initiated community interaction and established the best future options for McNeil. Through education and setting a positive example, this project aims to promote sustainable waste management. More Information...
Cost Modeling of Fuel Cells, 2003
This IQP verified that a Process Based Cost Model could be effectively utilized to predict the cost of manufacturing fuel cells using available production data. The report shows that a one kilowatt fuel cell stack can be manufactured at a cost between $80 and $120. The report also shows that the cost model is sensitive to changes in material cost, production volume, and material thickness. Reduction in Fuel cell manufacturing costs will be dependent on reducing material costs. More Information...
Green Production, Eco-Marketing and Sustainable P, 2005
This document focuses on the interplay between ecological production, ˜green˜ consumption and the policies that shape and promote these practices. Our two-part primary data collection entailed a survey of known ˜green consumers˜ and a following media design experiment that offered insight to framing and representation of organic food. These data contribute to an understanding of the market behaviors that currently pose a challenge to ˜sustainable˜ ideals that aim to minimize stress on the biosphere and facilitate proper long-term resource management. More Information...
Hybrid Cars Fuel Economy, 2002
With the increase in vehicle population in the United States over past decades, there has become a growing concern on the impact to our environment. Through the use of hybrid cars it is possible to greatly reduce the gasoline consumption in Massachusetts and the nation. This technology can have such an impact that by replacing 73.1 percent of the current vehicle population in the United States, with the Toyota Prius, the importation of oil from non-OPEC nations is unnecessary. More Information...
Hybrid Vehicles and Gasoline Savings, 2005
The United States consumes approximately one fourth of the world´s oil, with a large portion used as gasoline in passenger vehicles. Burning gasoline is costly and creates serious environmental problems. When we estimate 25% of total vehicles in use will be hybrid vehicles by the year 2015, we can reduce the amount of gasoline burned by 12% and an educated estimate of saving just under 30,000 tons per year of nitrous-oxide emissions in California alone. More Information...
IMPROVED WASTE MANAGEMENT IN COSTA RICAS URUCA RIVER BASIN
This project, prepared for the Ministerio del Ambiente y Energia (MINAE) in San Jose, Costa Rica, examined methods to monitor industrial waste management practices while raising community knowledge about cleaner production. The following report describes our development of an online questionnaire, a waste estimation model and a brochure encouraging proper waste management within commercial centers. Through the use of technology, our project aims to enhance MINAE´s ability to monitor the waste generation and disposal techniques of Costa Rican businesses. More Information...
Recycling and Composting at WPI (WPI Related)
Contemporary interest in potential benefits of extensive recycling programs has sparked interest in WPI community members. The investigation of attitudes, financial information, and social benefits of an expanded recycling program provides a starting point for future efforts. This required speaking to members of WPFs community, resource handlers, and other connected individuals. Information was also obtained from additional resources to provide background and supporting information. This information was combined and evaluated to produce potential implementation plans for expanding WPI´s recycling program. More Information...
Recycling and Solid Waste Management in Montes de Oca, San Jose, Costa Rica
While working with Dr. Arrieta from the School of Chemistry, at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose, we researched previous recycling programs in Costa Rica, surveyed residents of the area, conducted interviews with community officials in Montes de Oca, and began a pilot recycling program in this community. This project established possible reasons for previous programs´ successes and failures, provided a socioeconomic breakdown of community opinion towards solid waste disposal and recycling, and provided suggestions for best practices in recycling. More Information...
Waste Management on Dairy Farms in Costa Rica
This report, prepared for the Empresa de Servicios Publicos de Heredia (ESPH), investigates methods to prevent pollution of water caused by wastewater discharge of dairy farms in Costa Rica. The report describes how to determine the farming qualities necessary to implement clean technologies, including polyethylene anaerobic digesters and best management practices. More Information...
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