Pakistan is not merely confronting the energy crisis but also dealing with the scarcity of economical technologies for the utilization of energy resources. From the basic resources, renewable energy is one of the considerable resources. Due to environmental issues related to greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollution in Pakistan, the other energy resources are constricted. In rural areas, biomass resources are a fundamental need for domestic purposes. The prominent reason for environmental degradation and deforestation is due to ineffective use of such resources. Biomass resources for heating and cooking purposes are abundantly available in rural areas of Pakistan. In this context, this study helps us select the applicable cookstove technologies for the Sindh province for the proper utilization of biomass resources. The AHP (analytical hierarchy process) was used as the central methodology for the cookstove ranking. Concerning its improvement, four main criteria corresponding to 12 sub-criteria were considered for the selection of three cookstove technologies, i.e., traditional cookstoves (TCS), efficient cookstoves (ECS), and biogas cookstoves (BCS). The final decision of the AHP framework exposed the ECS technology as the advantageous technology, followed by the BCS and TCS, respectively. To analyze the results, a sensitivity analysis of the major results has also been carried out, and under the final ranking matrix, the ECS alternative got the highest weightage, nearly 36.56%, based on the developed model.
Any construction must be designed and built after the subsurface soil has been determined. The subsurface qualities of the soil are rendered by expensive, time-consuming, and risky operations, which on the other hand, raise the project's capital expenditure while also getting the engineering properties of distinct soil materials. Standard sampling techniques for boreholes are used for the assessment of the engineering properties of soil. But it is pretty costly, intrusive, and takes too much time. Therefore, a different method of determining the subsurface soil parameters is required. An alternate strategy for borehole sampling is to use geo-electrical techniques, such as electrical resistivity (ER). This research aims to ascertain the relationship between the electrical resistivity of various soils and their engineering characteristics. Without using the borehole sample method, appropriate correlations will aid in determining the subsurface soil parameters. Good correlations are obtained for the relationship of electrical resistivity against friction angle, cohesion and moisture content with an R2 value of 0.79, 0.41 and 0.66, respectively. The correlation of resistivity with unit weight showed a weak relationship due to typical soil behavior.
Mining is often associated with the risk of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). Despite being a coal-rich country, Pakistan’s mining sector stays behind in terms of occupational health and safety. Only a few research studies have been conducted on ergonomics in the mining industry. The current study aimed at evaluating workstations for WRMSDs and ergonomic factors among coal mine workers. Survey data were gathered from a total of 103 workers using a structured questionnaire. Information on the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders was obtained using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The questions about ergonomics awareness, workstation, environment, demands, and risks were based on the available literature studies. The association between the incidence of WRMSDs and age was explored using chi-square analysis. The results showed a high rate of uneducated workers with a lack of ergonomics awareness. Back, shoulders, and legs were the most vulnerable body areas to WRMSDs. A significant association between workers’ age and WRMSDs was found. The workers’ opinion towards workstation was at a very low level. The current work conditions were found to have risks of potential hazards and economic losses. Ergonomic interventions are suggested to be developed and implemented to improve workplace conditions.
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