The phenomenon of above-average air pollution, i.e., smog, in urban areas is known. Two types of smog have been described in the literature: London and Los Angeles smog. They differ in the conditions of formation and areas of occurrence. In recent years, the phenomenon of smog has also been observed in Poland, where the main reason for poor air quality is exceeding the permissible PM10 concentrations. The main source of particulate matter emissions in Poland is the so-called “low emission”, i.e., released by emitters up to 40 m high, mainly from domestic boilers and traffic. Based on the data from the environmental protection inspection, an analysis was carried out of the impact of atmospheric factors, such as atmospheric pressure and air temperature, on air pollution caused by particulate matter in Poland. Next, data concerning the chemical composition of PM10 particulate matter in Poland was analyzed. In the next stage, tests were carried out on ammonia emissions from biomass and coal combustion processes to determine the source of ammonium ions as a component of particulate matter. The results of analyzes and research allowed us to formulate the thesis about the existence of a specific type of smog called “Polish smog” and determine the conditions for its formation.

Miscanthus is resistant to dry, frosty winters in Poland and most European Union countries. Miscanthus gives higher yields compared to native species. Farmers can produce Miscanthus pellets after drying it for their own heating purposes. From the third year, the most efficient plant development begins, resulting in a yield of 25–30 tons of dry matter from an area of 1 hectare. Laboratory scale tests were carried out on the processes of drying, compacting, and torrefaction of this biomass type. The analysis of the drying process was conducted at three temperature levels of the drying agent (60, 100, and 140 °C). Compaction on a hydraulic press was carried out in the pressure range characteristic of a pressure agglomeration (130.8–457.8 MPa) at different moisture contents of the raw material (0.5% and 10%). The main interest in this part was to assess the influence of drying temperature, moisture content, and compaction pressure on the specific densities (DE) and the mechanical durability of the pellets (DU). In the next step, laboratory analyses of the torrefaction process were carried out, initially using the Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA and Differential Scaning Calorimeter DSC techniques (to assess activation energy (EA)), followed by a flow reactor operating at five temperature levels (225, 250, 275, 300, and 525 °C). A SEM analysis of Miscanthus after torrefaction processes at three different temperatures was performed. Both the parameters of biochar (proximate and ultimate analysis) and the quality of the torgas (volatile organic content (VOC)) were analyzed. The results show that both drying temperature and moisture level will affect the quality of the pellets. Analysis of the torrefaction process shows clearly that the optimum process temperature would be around 300–340 °C from a mass loss ratio and economical perspective.

This publication presents research work which contains the optimum parameters of the agri-biomass: maize and oat straws torrefaction process. Parameters which are the most important for the torrefaction process and its products are temperature and residence time. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed as well as the torrefaction process using an electrical furnace on a laboratory scale at a temperature between 250-525 • C. These biomass torrefaction process parameters-residence time and temperature-were necessary to perform the design and construction of semi-pilot scale biomass torrefaction installations with a regimental dryer and a woody and agri-biomass regimental torrefaction reactor to perform a continuous torrefaction process using superheated steam. In the design installation the authors also focused on biochar, a bi-product of biofuel which will be used as an additive for natural bio-fertilizers. Kinetic analysis of torrefaction process using maize and oat straws was performed using NETZSCH Neo Kinetics software. It was found that kinetic analysis methods conducted with multiple heating rate experiments were much more efficient than the use of a single heating rate. The best representations of the experimental data for the straw from maize straw were found for the n-order reaction model. A thermogravimetric analysis, TG-MS analysis and VOC analysis combined with electrical furnace installation were performed on the maize and oat straw torrefaction process. The new approach in the work presented is different from that of current scientific achievements due to the fact that until now researchers have worked on performing processes on oat and maize straws by means of the torrefaction process for the production of a biochar as an additive for natural bio-fertilizers. None of them looked for economically reasonable mass loss ratios. In this work the authors made the assumption that a mass loss in the area of 45-50% is the most reasonable loss for the two mentioned agri-biomass processes. On this basis, a semi-pilot installation could be produced in a further BIOCARBON project step. The kinetic parameters which were calculated will be used to estimate the size of the apparatuses, the biomass dryer, and biomass torrefaction reactor.

Municipal waste management system modeling based on the mass balance of individual waste streams allows us to answer the question of how the system will react to organizational changes, e.g., to the expected reduction in the amount of plastics or the introduction of a deposit for glass and/or plastic packaging. Based on the data on Polish municipal solid waste and the forecast of changes in its quantity and composition, as well as demographic data, a balance model was prepared to assess the impact of introducing higher and higher levels of recycling, in accordance with the circular economy assumptions on the waste management system. It has been shown that, for the Polish composition of municipal waste, even if the assumed recycling levels of individual streams are achieved, achieving the general target level of 65% recycling in 2025/30 may not be feasible. The possibility of achieving a higher level of recycling will be possible due the introduction of selective ash collection from individual home furnaces, while the impact of reducing the amount of plastics or introducing a deposit on packaging is minimal. The calculations also showed that, to complete the waste management system in Poland, we need at least 3.5 million Mg/year of incineration processing capacity and the present state (approx. 1.3 million Mg/year) is insufficient.

Abstract. In recent years, in the winter season we are alarmed about the poor air quality in Poland and significantly exceeded permissible concentrations of certain pollutants, especially PM10 and PM2.

This paper presents an analysis of methods to increase the efficiency of heat transfer in heat exchangers. The scope of the research included analysis of efficiency optimization using the example of two tubular heat exchanger structures most often used in industry. The obtained efficiency of heat recovery from the ground of the examined exchangers was over 90%, enabling the reduction of emissions of the heating systems of buildings. The paper presents the results of tests of two types of heat pipes using R134A, R404A, and R407C working agents. The paper also presents the results of experimental tests using the R410A working medium. The results included in the study will also enable the effective use of land as a heat store.

Nitrogen oxides, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polychlorinated dibenzofurans are pollutants formed during thermal processes, in particular during the combustion of various fuels, including waste. They are classified as dangerous and highly toxic environmental pollutants whose emissions are strictly regulated. Many methods for reducing their emissions are known, but all involve additional production costs. For this reason, effective and cheap methods for removing these pollutants from exhaust gases are still sought. Selective non-catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides is one of the more effective and cheaper methods for reducing these emissions. However, an alternative to expensive methods for dioxin and furan removal (catalysis, adsorption, etc.) may include using dioxin synthesis inhibitors. The authors propose a method for the simultaneous removal of both pollutants from flue gases using selective non-catalytic reduction technologies with dioxin synthesis inhibitors used as reducing agents.

The phenomenon of smog, i.e. excessive air pollution in urban areas is well-known and has been widely described in the literature. Typically, two types of smog are distinguished: the acid smog that is called "London smog" and the photochemical smog called "Los Angeles-type smog". The first one is formed in the winter months. In contrast, the photochemical smog arises in the summer months. In recent years in Poland, especially in winter, alarms associated with poor air quality have become very common. Under Polish climatic conditions, the main reason for low air quality corresponds to the exceeded permissible concentrations of suspended particulate matter. The paper analyzes the process of "Polish smog" formation by comparing the recorded concentrations of PM10 suspended particulate matter at four monitoring stations of the Inspectorate of Environmental Protection with weather conditions prevailing at that time. The data from the monitoring stations located in four Polish cities: Krakow, Zabrze, Lodz and Gdansk were analyzed. The analysis covered the years 2014-2017. The results of this analysis showed that "Polish smog" arises under different meteorological conditions than other types of smog known from the literature.