The invention defines a remediation system for water remediation that is connected to the outlet pipe of a small biological treatment plant, and consequently via a feedback loop to the secondary water supply to consumers. The system contains a nanoremediation unit, oxidation units, an ion exchange, and filtration units. The process of water remediation is also envisaged, which leads to the purification of water to the quality level of drinking water. The cleaning process involves subsequent steps of nanoremediation with nanoparticles of zero-valent iron nZVI, purification with oxidizing agents, ion exchange purification and the final filtration. The patented technical innovation represents significant contribution to environmental protection, especially to preservation of the crucial natural resource – drinking water.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 2386791In order to preserve natural resources and prevent waste generation, effective utilization of industrial wastes and/or by-products for beneficial engineering applications becomes inevitable. Red mud (RM, also known as bauxite residue) is one of the wastes generated by the aluminium industry and its disposal and utilization have been traditionally hindered due to the extreme alkalinity (pH about 10.5–13.5). To date, no comprehensive review on various properties of RM of different origin and associated challenges in using it as a beneficial engineering material has been performed. We have analysed physical, chemical, mineralogical and geotechnical properties of RMs of different origin and production processes. The assessment is majorly based on the characteristics of Indian RMs; hence the adaptation of the findings to other RMs should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, field studies demonstrating the performance of RM in various engineering applications are warranted. Indian Association for Technology Development (VDGOOD) awarded co-author of this research Vesna Zalar Serjun with the Women Researcher Award. The award ceremony was organized at the '11th International Scientist Awards on Engineering, Science and Medicine KISA 2020' in Kolkata (India) on the 17th - 18th of October 2020. The selection of the winners was based upon prescribed criteria of scientific research performance and impacts.
E.02 International awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 15673603The Slovenian Building and Civil Engineering Institute, in cooperation with the Civil Engineering Institute ZRMK, and the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, is developing a system of Slovenian indicators of sustainable construction in the LIFE IP CARE4CLIMATE project. The basis for the development of the system is the European Level (s) framework, which takes into account the entire life cycle of the building. The development and implementation of the system is crucial for the assessment of buildings according to sustainability criteria and for the establishment of general sustainability principles in the built environment, both in the process of construction of new buildings and renovation of existing ones. Namely, a sustainable building is distinguished by materials with low values of emissions and grey energy, clean construction processes, the possibility of recycling waste, efficient decommissioning or reuse of individual parts, energy and economic efficiency. A sustainable building must also be user-friendly, contribute to human well-being and not be harmful to health, in addition to being functional and contributing to the preservation of social and cultural values. All these are values that can be achieved in Slovenia through the use of a system of Slovenian sustainability indicators, which will have a significant impact on improving the design and construction of buildings and contribute to the transformation of the built environment into a more sustainable and humane environment. With the development of sustainable indicators, Slovenia will be one of the first EU members to transpose the European framework for the evaluation of sustainable buildings, Level (s), to the national level. In this way, Slovenia will prepare the conditions for addressing the great potential of buildings for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, efficient management of resources and the circular economy, as well as the health and well-being of users. This is a precondition for Slovenia to be able to effectively contribute to the set goals of the EC in the field of sustainable construction, circular economy, decarbonisation of buildings and green public procurement.
F.24 Improvements to existing system-wide, normative and programme solutions, and methods
COBISS.SI-ID: 40360451The consequences of major earthquakes are devastating, especially where seismic risk is not received adequate treatment. A permanent attention to the necessity of earthquake-resistant reconstructions as the only effective measure is needed also in Slovenia, despite the fact that the memory of two devastating earthquakes in the Posočje at the turn of the millennium is still alive. In the interview we have expressed these permanent needs and presented specific scientific and technical novelties. We have described a new a seismic risk model that was developed in cooperation with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR), the City of Ljubljana (MOL), the Office of Seismology (ARSO) and the Water Science Institute. The model is based on the research of the building stock in Ljubljana, financed by the City of Ljubljana. Since 2011 the model has been upgraded for the whole of Slovenia within the research projects POTROG, financed by the URSZR. The POTROG model is the result of the interdisciplinary cooperation of seismic engineers, seismologists and natural disaster management experts. Using the publicly accessible real estate database and the Central Population Register, POTROG applications are publicly available. The evaluation of the impact of an earthquake with a given epicenter and intensity is possible. The POTROG model enables civil protection units at the state and at local levels a comprehensive planning and management of post-earthquake activities and eliminate the consequences of a major earthquake. It has also been recognized as an innovative tool for the public sector by the OECD (https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/earthquake-preparedness-and-response-modelling-toolbox-acronym-potrog/).
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 2571623Bridge owners in most countries routinely assess bridge damage and deterioration to ensure safety and structural performance for the travelling public. While in service, bridges experience a variety of incidents involving damage or deterioration. Owners discover this damage or deterioration usually under two main circumstances. Firstly, damage or deterioration emerges over extended periods of time, and secondly, damage or deterioration appear instantaneously. Triggers for the first types are caused by environmental impacts, repetitive or increased live loads, such as traffic, de-icing applications, poor detailing in the design phase, inappropriate construction materials and specifications, or insufficient maintenance. Instantaneous events are caused by severe loading events, natural disasters, vehicle impacts, construction defects, or human error. The objective of this report was two-fold: 1) Provide an updated perspective on best practice damage assessment techniques used by bridge owners around the world and 2) Produce a decision-making process for bridge owners to use as a guide during any damage assessment. This decision-making process elaborates on influencing factors guiding countries to consider these factors based on their unique situation, organizational structures and available resources. In this sense the monography financed by PIARC (World Road Association) represent valuable guidelines for the efficient bridge management.
F.26 Improvements to existing organisational structure and managerial solutions
COBISS.SI-ID: 2507111