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This paper aims to analyze the economic feasibility of generating a novel, innovative biofuel—bioenergy—obtained from deposit bio-components by means of a pilot installation of sewage sludge bio-conversion. Fuel produced from sewage sludge biomass bears the potential of being considered a renewable energy source. In the present study, 23 bioconversion cycles were conducted taking into consideration the different contents, types of high carbohydrate additives, moisture content of the mixture as well as the shape of the bed elements. The biofuel was produced using post fermentation sewage sludge for industrial energy and heat generation. Based on the presented research it was concluded that the composite biofuel can be co-combusted with hard coal with the optimal percentage share within the range of 20–30% w/w. Sewage sludge stabilized by means of anaerobic digestion carried out in closed fermentation chambers is the final product. The average values of the CO2, CO, NO, NOx and SO2 concentrations in flue gas from co-combustion of a bioconversion product (20% w/w) and coal were 5.43%, 1903 ppm, 300 ppm, 303 ppm and 179 ppm, respectively. In total, within a period of 4.5 years of the plant operation, 1853 Mg of fuel was produced and successfully co-combusted with coal in a power plant. The research demonstrated that in the waste water treatment sector there exists energy potential in terms of calorific value which translates into tangible benefits both in the context of energy generation as well as environmental protection. Over 700,000 Mg of bio-sewage sludge is generated annually in Poland. According to findings of the study presented in the paper, the proposed solution could give 970,000 Mg of dry mass of biomass qualified as energy biomass replacing fossil fuels.

This paper presents the possibilities of adapting active mines to generate green energy after their closure using their resources and/or infrastructure. For this purpose, firstly, the temporal horizon of selected mines in Poland was determined, its basic assumption being the analysis of the current state. In the research, 18 mining plants operating within 12 mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) were analyzed. The analyzed mines belong to three of the five largest hard coal producers in Poland, and the main object of exploitation is hard coal of energy types. Severe restrictions or even abandonment of further investments in the development of the coal mining industry were taken into consideration (regarding the construction of new shafts or the development of new exploitation levels). When determining the temporal horizon, the challenges that hamper the exploitation based at the levels of natural hazards and depth of exploitation in each mine were considered. Secondly, the criteria for the adaptation of active mines to generate energy are presented. The possibility of using the resources and infrastructural potential of active mines to produce geothermal energy from water, extracting coalbed methane (CBM), and processes of underground coal gasification (UCG) are analyzed. Finally, for a selected example—generating energy from underground coal gasification in Polish mine conditions—a structural analysis of the criteria was performed using the MICMAC method, as the Central Mining Institute has an extensive experience in the development of underground coal gasification trials in coal mines. Based on expert analysis and using structural analysis, the criteria important for UCG were selected. As demonstrated in the article, the MICMAC method can be applied in other scenarios with different criteria to implement new technologies in coal mines.

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Protecting and improving the environment is an important part of achieving sustainable development and is vital in the long-term period. One of the most important documents in the field of water resources management and by means of water protection is the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) [1]. This directive is a milestone in a history of water policy in Europe. The WFD establishes a common framework for a sustainable and integrated management in relation to a different types of water. The main purpose of the directive was to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters and groundwater. It will ensure that all inland and coastal waters, including Pol. AbstractCommercial surface water classification is preliminarily based on physicochemical analyses. The ecotoxicological analyses performed during the research confirm that bioassays can support traditional monitoring as a useful tool for preliminary assess and predicting environmental damage. The problem of contaminant migration into the aquatic environment is particularly important in highly industrialized and urbanized areas, wherein rivers are constantly exposed to pollution due to anthropogenic action and for which, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) recommendations, it is necessary to achieve good status and potential of the waters. Taking into account the above provisions, the ecotoxicological potential of surface water samples from the Kłodnica River has been assessed. During the research we used a biotest battery composed of organisms which represent three trophic levels of aquatic ecosystems: Vibri fischeri, Daphnia magna, and Lemna minor. Also, we performed physicochemical on-site analyses. Estimated values of selected physical and chemical indicators confirm the poor state of the Kłodnica. However, high toxic effect was obtained only in a few analysed samples. Moreover, is worth noting that within the study we found a relationship between the high salinity of river water samples and the response of exposed bioindicators.

The regional smart specializations include the innovative activities within a common science-economy-technology sector, which open the opportunities to gain a competitive advantage. The original procedure of science-economy-technology concordance matrix development on an example of smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship was presented in the paper. The procedure developed includes recognition of the research and economic components of the regional smart specialization and the connection between the economic components of the regional specialization and the technological innovation through the international patent classification. It also comprises recognition of key enabling technologies (KETs) and high technologies (of high R&D intensity) other than KET in the economic and technological dimensions of innovation as well as the high R&D intensity services in the economic dimension of innovation. The in-depth expert analyses with the application of the Delphi method were also taken into account. The methodological approach developed and the visualization method applied are both of cognitive and practical importance since they contribute significantly to the creation of efficient development policies, to the enhancement and facilitation of cross-sectoral cooperation, and to the focusing on the fields of key importance in terms of the competitive advantage of a region.

Sewage sludge is a high-volume and low-cost waste commonly generated worldwide, so its utilization is a vital issue. The application of this waste in the manufacturing of lightweight aggregates was investigated. The process was performed using intensive mixers with volumes of 5 and 30 L, as well as the industrial 500 L mixer. Then, granulates were sintered in a tube furnace. The influence of composition and mixer size on the particle size, microstructure, mechanical performance, and stability of lightweight aggregates in different environments was analyzed. The best results were obtained for a 500 L mixer, enhancing the industrial potential of the presented process. Increasing the share of sewage sludge in the composition of aggregates enhanced their porosity and reduced the specific weight, which caused a drop in compressive strength. Nevertheless, for all analyzed materials, the mechanical performance was superior compared to many commercial products. Therefore, sewage sludge can be efficiently applied as a raw material for the manufacturing of lightweight aggregates. The presented results confirm that a proper adjustment of composition allows easy the tailoring of aggregates’ performance and cost.

W celu oszacowania wpływu zanieczyszczeń antropogenicznych na ekosystemy wodne, dla rzeczywistych próbek środowiskowych przeprowadzono analizę ekotoksykologiczną. Badania bioindykacyjne wykonano dla próbek wód powierzchniowych pobranych w 10 wyznaczonych miejscach pomiarowych rz. Kłodnicy na odcinku od źródła-do ujścia Potoku Bielszowickiego. W ramach analizy ekotoksykologicznej zastosowano baterię biotestów, obejmującą testy na skorupiakach (Daphnia magna), bakteriach (Vibrio fiascherii) oraz roślinach hydrofitowych (Lemna minor). Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że za wyjątkiem miejsc zlokalizowanych bezpośrednio za punktami zrzutu, próbki wód rzecznych nie wpływają negatywnie na organizmy testowe. Żadna z przeanalizowanych próbek wody nie wpłynęła na przeżywalność skorupiaków z gatunku Daphnia magna. Podobne wyniki uzyskano w teście MICROTOX ® z wykorzystaniem bakterii bioluminescencyjnych Vibrio fischerii, w którym, w skutek stymulacji procesów metabolicznych u organizmów testowych odnotowano wystąpienie zjawiska hormezy. Osiem z dziesięciu przeanalizowanych próbek wody sklasyfikowano jako próbki nietoksyczne (Klasa I-brak ostrego zagrożenia). Z uwagi na wynik testu fitotoksyczności (inhibicja na poziomie 25% i 50%) dwie z dziesięciu przeanalizowanych próbek wód powierzchniowych sklasyfikowano jako próbki charakteryzujące się niewielkim ostrym zagrożeniem (Klasa II).