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Author Jones, P.T.; Geysen, D.; Tielemans, Y.; Van Passel, S.; Pontikes, Y.; Blanpain, B.; Quaghebeur, M.; Hoekstra, N. doi  openurl
  Title Enhanced landfill mining in view of multiple resource recovery : a critical review Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume 55 Issue Pages 45-55  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In a circular economy material loops are closed by recycling of pre-consumer manufacturing scrap/residues, urban mining of End-of-Life products and landfill mining of historic (and future) urban waste streams. However, in the past landfill mining was not performed with a focus on resource recovery. This paper addresses this gap by introducing the concept of Enhanced Landfill Mining, defined as the safe conditioning, excavation and integrated valorization of landfilled waste streams as both materials and energy, using innovative transformation technologies and respecting the most stringent social and ecological criteria. The feasibility of ELFM is studied by synthesizing the research on the Closing the Circle project, the first ELFM project targeting the 18 million metric ton landfill in Houthalen-Helchteren in the East of Belgium. It is argued that Environmental Impact Assessments of ELFM projects should be wide in scope and time. Embedded in a broad resource management perspective, the worldwide potential of ELFM is highlighted, in terms of climate gains, materials and energy utilization, job creation and land reclamation. The potential is quantified for the EU-27 with its 150,000-500,000 landfills. However, for ELFM to reach its full potential, strategic policy decisions and tailored support systems, including combined incentives for material recycling, energy utilization and nature restoration, are required. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000322802300005 Publication Date 2012-05-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.715 Times cited 144 Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge the European and Flemish authorities for the funding of, respectively, the EFRO project 'Closing the Circle, a demonstration of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM)' and the IWT O&O Project 100517. The authors acknowledge the ELFM Consortium Members, including Karel Van Acker, Tom Van Gerven, Marc Craps, Alain De Vocht, Johan Eyckmans, Maarten Dubois, Koen Sips, Luk Umans, Maurice Ballard, Lieve Helsen and Anouk Bosmans. The authors acknowledge the members of the EU ELMIRE Consortium, in particular Hans Groot, Raffaello Cossu, William Hogland and Rainer Stegmann. Finally, the authors thank the reviewers for their critical comments and suggested improvements. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.715; 2013 IF: 3.590  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127549 Serial 6195  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Reijniers, J.; Partoens, B.; Steckel, J.; Peremans, H. doi  openurl
  Title HRTF measurement by means of unsupervised head movements with respect to a single fixed speaker Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Ieee Access Abbreviated Journal Ieee Access  
  Volume 8 Issue Pages 92287-92300  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Mass communications; Engineering Management (ENM); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Co-Design of Cyber-Physical Systems (Cosys-Lab)  
  Abstract (up) In a standard state-of-the-art measurement the head-related transfer function (HRTF) is obtained in an anechoic room with an elaborate setup involving multiple calibrated loudspeakers. In search for a simplified method that would open up the possibility for an HRTF measurement in a home environment, it has been suggested that this setup could be replaced with one with a single, fixed loudspeaker. In such a setup, the subject samples different directions by moving the head with respect to this loudspeaker, while the head movements are tracked in some way. In this paper, the feasibility of such an approach is studied. To this end, the HRTF is measured in an unmodified (non-anechoic) room by means of a single external speaker and a high resolution head tracking system. The differences between the dynamically obtained HRTF and the standard static HRTF are investigated, and are shown to be mostly due to variable torso reflections.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000539041600001 Publication Date 2020-05-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2169-3536 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited 4 Open Access  
  Notes ; This work was supported in part by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) under Grant G023619N, and in part by the Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2020 IF: 3.244  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:170318 Serial 6539  
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Author Dubois, M.; Hoogmartens, R.; Van Passel, S.; Van Acker, K.; Vanderreydt, I. doi  openurl
  Title Innovative market-based policy instruments for waste management : a case study on shredder residues in Belgium Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication Waste Management & Research Abbreviated Journal Waste Manage Res  
  Volume 33 Issue 10 Pages 886-893  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In an increasingly complex waste market, market-based policy instruments, such as disposal taxes, can give incentives for sustainable progress while leaving flexibility for innovation. However, implementation of disposal taxes is often criticised by domestic waste handlers that fear to be outcompeted by competitors in other countries. The article discusses three innovative market-based instruments that limit the impact on international competitiveness: Tradable recycling credits, refunded disposal taxes and differentiated disposal taxes. All three instruments have already been implemented for distinct environmental policies in Europe. In order to illustrate how these instruments can be used for waste policy, the literature review is complemented with a case study on shredder residues from metal-containing waste streams in Belgium. The analysis shows that a conventional disposal tax remains the most efficient, simple and transparent instrument. However, if international competition is a significant issue or if political support is weak, refunded and differentiated disposal taxes can have an added value as second-best instruments. Tradable recycling credits are not an appropriate instrument for use in small waste markets with market power. In addition, refunded taxes create similar incentives, but induce lower transactions costs.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000361818000004 Publication Date 2015-09-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0734-242x; 1096-3669 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 1.803 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The research has been funded by the Flemish Government through the policy research centres programme. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.803; 2015 IF: 1.297  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:129876 Serial 6217  
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Author Admasu, W.F.; Van Passel, S.; Minale, A.S.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Azadi, H.; Nyssen, J. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Take out the farmer: An economic assessment of land expropriation for urban expansion in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Land Use Policy Abbreviated Journal Land Use Policy  
  Volume 87 Issue 87 Pages 104038  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In Ethiopia, the demand for land for urbanisation is primarily met by converting rural land through expropriation. However, land expropriations are adversely affecting the previous land users by reducing the amount of production and their sources of income. In Bahir Dar, one of the fastest-growing cities in Ethiopia, approximately 300 landholdings are expropriated each year, on average, for urban expansion. This paper assesses the land expropriations to examine whether they offer economically appropriate compensation for the previous land users. Land expropriations for urbanisation between 2007/2008 and 2016/2017 were analysed based on data on land expropriation and its compensation payment obtained from the Bahir Dar City Land Administration and Management Office. Data were analysed using an exponential growth model and a stochastic budgeting technique in which Monte Carlo simulations are performed. Between 2007/2008 and 2016/2017, more than 1500 ha of land were included in the city's boundary through expropriation from 2900 landholders. The affected farmers received compensation that represents only 37 per cent of the value of current crop yields and its growth. The current compensation scheme ignores the impact of inflation on the prices of crops and assumes constant yields. It also excludes the value of crop residuals. We propose a workable discounted compensation framework that considers crop price and yield growths. This will make the compensation scheme more appropriate and make the affected farmers better off.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000483419100026 Publication Date 2019-06-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0264-8377 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 3.089 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge the Bahir Dar City Administration for sharing its compensation data, Bahir Dar Zuria Wereda Agriculture Office for sharing yield data, and the Industry and Trade Development Office for sharing crop price data. The Institutional University Cooperation with Bahir Dar University (BDU-IUC), funded by the Belgian authorities, through the Flemish Interuniversity Council University Development Cooperation, funded the research activities. We also thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor of Land Use Policy for all constructive comments and suggestions. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.089  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:162837 Serial 6261  
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Author Admasu, W.F.; Van Passel, S.; Minale, A.S.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Nyssen, J. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Nexus between land development and the value of ecosystem services in Ethiopia : a contingent valuation study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-21  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In Ethiopia, the state owns all lands within the territory of the country. Cities are incorporating large parcels of land from their surrounding rural agricultural areas through land expropriation. However, these land developments do not consider the nonmarket value of ecosystem services (ES), which is causing a deterioration of the existing ES and reduction on the potential supply of ES from agricultural land. The aim of this study was to estimate the monetary value of nonmarketable ES from the agricultural land using a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method. A survey of 524 smallholder farmers was conducted. In the survey, respondents were asked to state their willingness to pay for the improvement of some of the nonmarketable ES: erosion control, air and climate regulation, water regulation, and soil fertility. The estimation was carried out using a bivariate probit model. The results revealed that farmers are willing to pay on average 276 ETB (7.9 USD) per hectare per year for a period of 10 years. We found that individual characteristics such as age, family size, and a recent land expropriation experience adversely affect the willingness to pay by the farmers. On the other hand, individuals with higher income and larger land size are willing to pay more. In general, the study indicated that the nonmarket ES, which are affected by the land expropriation for urban expansion, are valuable for the farmers. Therefore, we recommend that the government consider the value of nonmarketable ES in its land use decisions and hence achieve sustainable land development.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000907898700002 Publication Date 2023-01-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-585x; 1573-2975 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 4.9 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 05.01.2024  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.9; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193432 Serial 7363  
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Author Gezahegn, T.W.; Van Passel, S.; Berhanu, T.; D'Haese, M.; Maertens, M. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Big is efficient : evidence from agricultural cooperatives in Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Agricultural Economics Abbreviated Journal Agr Econ-Blackwell  
  Volume 50 Issue 50 Pages 555-566  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In Ethiopia, there is a renewed interest in agricultural cooperatives as an institutional tool to improve the welfare of smallholder farmers. One of the pathways through which cooperatives benefit their members is scale economies. However, the establishment of cooperatives in Ethiopia seems to pay little attention to the size of the organizations. This article aims at investigating the effect of size on cost efficiency of agricultural cooperatives. More specifically, the purpose is to examine whether a single cooperative can serve a given number of farmers at a lower cost than two or more smaller cooperatives could. We employ the concept of cost subadditivity to compare the cost efficiency of large versus small cooperatives, and by extension unilateral actions. We estimate a flexible production technology using cross-sectional cooperative-level data. Findings show that costs would drop by 78% to 181% if farmers join hands in relatively large rather than small cooperatives.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000480797700001 Publication Date 2019-08-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0169-5150 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 1.758 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; VLIR-UOS-ZEIN2015PR406 (13V95615T) PROGRAMME(TEAM), Belgium ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.758  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:161812 Serial 6161  
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Author Admasu, W.F.; Boerema, A.; Nyssen, J.; Minale, A.S.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Uncovering ecosystem services of expropriated land : the case of urban expansion in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Land Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 9 Issue 10 Pages 395-20  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM); Ecosystem Management  
  Abstract (up) In Ethiopia, urban expansion happens at high rates and results in land expropriations often at the cost of agriculture and forests. The process of urban expansion does not include assessment of ecosystem services (ES). This has been causing unintended environmental problems. This study aims to uncover ES of three most important land use types (cropland, agroforestry, and grassland) that are threatened by land expropriation for urban expansion in Bahir Dar City. The study applied a participatory approach using community perception and expert judgments (N = 108). Respondents were asked to locate their perceptions on the use of 35 different ES, and then to evaluate the potential of the land use. Respondents were shown to have the ability to differentiate between ES and land use in terms of their potential to deliver ES. The results show that agroforestry is expected to have a high relevant potential to deliver 31% of all ES, but cropland 20% and grassland 14%. Food, fodder, timber, firewood, fresh water, energy, compost, climate regulation, erosion prevention, and water purification and treatment were identified as the ten most important services. It is not only the provisioning services that are being supplied by the land use types which are expropriated for urbanization, but also regulating, supporting and cultural services. To ensure sustainable urban land development, we suggest the consideration of the use of ES and the potential of the land use to supply ES when making land use decisions, including land expropriation for urban expansion.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000586875900001 Publication Date 2020-10-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173628 Serial 6948  
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Author Van Nijen, K.; Van Passel, S.; Brown, C.G.; Lodge, M.W.; Segerson, K.; Squires, D. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The development of a payment regime for deep sea mining activities in the area through stakeholder participation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication International Journal Of Marine And Coastal Law Abbreviated Journal Int J Mar Coast Law  
  Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 571-601  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Law; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In July 2015, the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) adopted seven priority deliverables for the development of the exploitation code. The first priority was the development of a zero draft of the exploitation regulations. This article focusses on the second priority deliverable, namely the development of a payment mechanism for exploitation activities, following detailed financial and economic models based on proposed business plans. Between 2015 and 2017, five workshops have been organised with 196 active participants from 34 countries. The results so far are synthesised, drawing upon the outcome of these workshops, ISA technical papers, and the scholarly literature.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000496420700002 Publication Date 2019-08-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0927-3522 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 0.362 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 0.362  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164294 Serial 6181  
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Author Larrain, M.; Van Passel, S.; Thomassen, G.; Kresovic, U.; Alderweireldt, N.; Moerman, E.; Billen, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Economic performance of pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste: Open-loop versus closed-loop recycling Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume Issue Pages 122442  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract (up) In recent decades new recycling technologies for mixed plastic waste have emerged. In pyrolysis, the polymer chains are thermally broken (pyrolyzed) to obtain hydrocarbon materials of different molecular weights such as naphtha, oil or waxes, whose yields can be controlled by varying the reaction parameters. Naphtha represents a closed-loop recycling process as it is a feedstock for (poly)olefins; while the co-production of waxes, having several applications in e.g. the construction industry, exemplifies an open-loop recycling process. This paper compares the economic performance of the pyrolysis of mixed polyolefin waste in a closed-loop and open-loop scheme, including a probabilistic approach to the most important variables. From an economic perspective, open-loop pyrolysis as presented outperforms closed-loop recycling, due to the high prices of wax. However, the results present a high dispersion caused by the volatility of the prices of crude oil and its derivates. Considering the current oil price projections, our case study analysis showed that for open-loop recycling there is a future probability of almost a 98 % of observing positive results and around 57 % of probability in the case of closed-loop recycling, under the assumptions made. Yet, in a future scenario where decarbonized electricity would decrease oil prices, the probability of a positive outcome reduces to 57 % for the open-loop case and to less than 8 % in the case of closed-loop recycling. To make these pathways attractive to investors, the nameplate capacity should be at least 70 kt/year for open-loop recycling and 115 kt/year for closed-loop recycling. A 120 kt/year plant should operate minimally at 80 % of its capacity for open-loop recycling, while closed-loop recycling would demand running close to maximum capacity. Security of feedstock supply therefore is required.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579071300078 Publication Date 2020-05-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes This work was supported by the VLAIO Catalisti-ICON project MATTER (Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling of mixed plastic waste; project HBC.2018.0262). Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170005 Serial 6385  
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Author Larrain, M.; Van Passel, S.; Thomassen, G.; Kresovic, U.; Alderweireldt, N.; Moerman, E.; Billen, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Economic performance of pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste: Open-loop versus closed-loop recycling Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume Issue Pages 122442  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;  
  Abstract (up) In recent decades new recycling technologies for mixed plastic waste have emerged. In pyrolysis, the polymer chains are thermally broken (pyrolyzed) to obtain hydrocarbon materials of different molecular weights such as naphtha, oil or waxes, whose yields can be controlled by varying the reaction parameters. Naphtha represents a closed-loop recycling process as it is a feedstock for (poly)olefins; while the co-production of waxes, having several applications in e.g. the construction industry, exemplifies an open-loop recycling process. This paper compares the economic performance of the pyrolysis of mixed polyolefin waste in a closed-loop and open-loop scheme, including a probabilistic approach to the most important variables. From an economic perspective, open-loop pyrolysis as presented outperforms closed-loop recycling, due to the high prices of wax. However, the results present a high dispersion caused by the volatility of the prices of crude oil and its derivates. Considering the current oil price projections, our case study analysis showed that for open-loop recycling there is a future probability of almost a 98 % of observing positive results and around 57 % of probability in the case of closed-loop recycling, under the assumptions made. Yet, in a future scenario where decarbonized electricity would decrease oil prices, the probability of a positive outcome reduces to 57 % for the open-loop case and to less than 8 % in the case of closed-loop recycling. To make these pathways attractive to investors, the nameplate capacity should be at least 70 kt/year for open-loop recycling and 115 kt/year for closed-loop recycling. A 120 kt/year plant should operate minimally at 80 % of its capacity for open-loop recycling, while closed-loop recycling would demand running close to maximum capacity. Security of feedstock supply therefore is required.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579071300078 Publication Date 2020-05-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes This work was supported by the VLAIO Catalisti-ICON project MATTER (Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling of mixed plastic waste; project HBC.2018.0262). Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 5.715  
  Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170005 Serial 6386  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Chekol Zewdie, M. isbn  openurl
  Title How irrigation water impacts Ethiopian agriculture : an applied economics study Type Doctoral thesis
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages xiv, 152 p.  
  Keywords Doctoral thesis; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In recent decades, as crop production has increased in many areas where irrigation projects have been implemented, the global agricultural development community has promoted irrigation investments. However, due to the disappointing performance of irrigation farming in developing countries, irrigation intervention in Africa South of the Sahara including Ethiopia is an issue of debate. Moreover, several gaps exist in the Ethiopian irrigation farming literature. For instance, evidence about the direct and indirect effects of irrigation water on agriculture is not well documented. The irrigation farming literature has not disentangled the indirect effects of having access to irrigation water from the direct effect and the indirect effects have been underrepresented. Furthermore, most previous studies have applied either a quantitative or qualitative approach and have relied only on revealed data as main type of methodology, making studies that combine qualitative and quantitative research and that use both stated and revealed data underrepresented. In this study, different approaches have been applied to investigate how irrigation water impacts Ethiopia agriculture with special attention being given to disentangling the direct and indirect effects of irrigation water on Ethiopian agriculture. Using a structural equation model, a stochastic production frontier approach, and a discrete choice experiment, I drew evidence regarding the direct and indirect effects of irrigation water on crop revenue of smallholder farmers, the technical efficiency of irrigation user farmers, and the farmers’ willingness to pay to improve poor irrigation schemes from field observations, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with farmers, and key informant interviews with the local agricultural agents from the Koga and Fogera Districts of Amhara Region Ethiopia. The results indicate that irrigation water in general has both direct and indirect positive effects on agriculture, and the indirect effect is mediated by both improved farm inputs and the type of crops produced. The results also show that – due to poor extension services and backward agronomic practices, the mean technical efficiency of farmers in Ethiopia is very low, and that large-scale irrigation users are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation users. Moreover, the results show that improving irrigation schemes shifts the frontier up, and smallholder farmers are strongly willing to contribute financially to the maintenance costs of irrigation schemes. The results offer relevant lessons for policymakers that providing irrigation water supply must be embedded in a comprehensive support package including access to extension services, improved input supply, and access to stable markets.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN 978-90-5728-700-8 Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180816 Serial 6928  
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Author Daniels, S.; Witters, N.; Beliën, T.; Vrancken, K.; Vangronsveld, J.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Monetary valuation of natural predators for biological pest control in pear production Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Ecological Economics Abbreviated Journal Ecol Econ  
  Volume 134 Issue Pages 160-173  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In spite of global actions, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Despite the need for objectively comparable monetary standards to include biodiversity arguments in policymaking, research on the relationship between species diversity and its valuation from a societal perspective is still scarce. In this paper, a methodological framework for the valuation of natural predators based on their ecological role in the agroecosystem is introduced. The framework integrates a dynamic ecological model simulating interactions between species with an economic model, thereby quantifying the effect of reduced numbers of natural predators on the net farm income. The model attributes an objective monetary value to increased species diversity through the changes in the provisioning of a marketable good. Results indicate that the loss of three predators could decrease net farm income with 88.86 ha− 1 to 2186.5 ha− 1. For the pear production sector in Flanders in 2011, this constitutes to an indirect use value of 0,68 million for one predator and 16.63 million for the presence of three predators. The aim is to provide a justification for the argument for biodiversity conservation, based on the ecological function of species, through the delivery of comparable monetary standards.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000395219300018 Publication Date 2017-01-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0921-8009; 1873-6106 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.965 Times cited 4 Open Access  
  Notes ; The research was made possible with the financial aid from a BOF grant of the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK, Hasselt University). Nele Witters is funded by Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO). The authors would like to thank Ellen Elias from Symbio for providing relevant data and insights into the complex interplay between pest insects, natural predators and human impacts from fertilizers and pesticide use. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.965  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:140685 Serial 6228  
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Author Martinez-Villarreal, S.; Breitenstein, A.; Nimmegeers, P.; Perez Saura, P.; Hai, B.; Asomaning, J.; Eslami, A.A.; Billen, P.; Van Passel, S.; Bressler, D.C.; Debecker, D.P.; Remacle, C.; Richel, A. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Drop-in biofuels production from microalgae to hydrocarbons : microalgal cultivation and harvesting, conversion pathways, economics and prospects for aviation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication Biomass & Bioenergy Abbreviated Journal Biomass Bioenerg  
  Volume 165 Issue Pages 106555-22  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)  
  Abstract (up) In the last few years, governments all around the world have agreed upon migrating towards carbon-neutral economies as a strategy for restraining the effects of climate change. A major obstacle limiting this achievement is greenhouse gases emissions, for which the aviation sector is a key contributor because of its dependence on fossil fuels. As an alternative, biofuels with similar characteristics to current fossil-fuels and fully compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure (i.e., drop-in biofuels) are being developed. In this regard, microalgae are a promising feedstock thanks to, among other aspects, their potential for lipid accumulation. This review outlines the development status, opportunities, and challenges of different technologies that are capable of or applicable to transform microalgae into aviation fuels. To this effect, a baseline of the existing jet fuels and the requirements for potential aviation biofuels is initially presented. Then, microalgae production and valorization techniques are discussed with an emphasis on the thermochemical pathways. Finally, an assessment of the present techno-economic feasibility of microalgae-derived aviation fuels is discussed, along with the authors’ point of view on the suitability of these techniques. Further developments are needed to reduce the costs of cultivation and harvesting of microalgae, and a biorefinery approach might improve the economics of the overall process. In addition, while each of the conversion routes described has its advantages and drawbacks, they converge upon the need of optimizing the deoxygenation techniques and the proportion of the suitable type of hydrocarbons that match fuel requirements.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000861095400001 Publication Date 2022-08-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0961-9534 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189953 Serial 7354  
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Author De Schepper, E.; Van Passel, S.; Manca, J.; Thewys, T. doi  openurl
  Title Combining photovoltaics and sound barriers : a feasibility study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2012 Publication Renewable Energy Abbreviated Journal Renew Energ  
  Volume 46 Issue Pages 297-303  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In the light of global warming, renewables such as solar photovoltaics (PV) are important to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. An important issue regarding implementation of solar panels on large scale, is the limited available area. Therefore, it can be interesting to combine PV with alternative applications, as a ways of not requiring “additional” space. One example is a photovoltaic noise barrier (PVNB), where a noise barrier located along a highway or railway is used as substructure for PV modules. Even though a PVNB is not a novel concept, the absence of economic assessments in literature can be a barrier to their wider implementation. In this paper, a feasibility study of a PVNB in Belgium is conducted, using a cost benefit analysis including a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. Besides purely economic aspects, also ecological benefits are monetized. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the ecological benefit of noise reduction, which is valuated using a noise sensitivity depreciation index applied to real estate prices, is of major importance in determining the net present value of the case study. On the contrary, the impact of reducing CO2 emissions seems to be negligible when expressed in monetary terms. The results suggest that the PVNB as a whole and also its separate components -.e. the PV array and the noise barrier can be profitable projects, when ecological benefits are included. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000305169400036 Publication Date 2012-04-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-1481 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.357 Times cited 12 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.357; 2012 IF: 2.989  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127555 Serial 6170  
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Author De Schepper, E.; Van Passel, S.; Lizin, S.; Achten, W.M.J.; Van Acker, K. doi  openurl
  Title Cost-efficient emission abatement of energy and transportation technologies : mitigation costs and policy impacts for Belgium Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication Clean Technologies And Environmental Policy Abbreviated Journal Clean Technol Envir  
  Volume 16 Issue 6 Pages 1107-1118  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In the light of global warming, this paper develops a framework to compare energy and transportation technologies in terms of cost-efficient GHG emission reduction. We conduct a simultaneous assessment of economic and environmental performances through life cycle costing and life cycle assessment. To calculate the GHG mitigation cost, we create reference systems within the base scenario. Further, we extend the concept of the mitigation cost, allowing (i) comparision of technologies given a limited investment resource, and (ii) evaluation of the direct impact of policy measures by means of the subsidized mitigation cost. The framework is illustrated with a case of solar photovoltaics (PV), grid powered battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and solar powered BEVs for a Belgian small and medium sized enterprise. The study's conclusions are that the mitigation cost of solar PV is high, even though this is a mature technology. The emerging mass produced BEVs on the other hand are found to have a large potential for cost-efficient GHG mitigation as indicated by their low cost of mitigation. Finally, based on the subsidized mitigation cost, we conclude that the current financial stimuli for all three investigated technologies are excessive when compared to the CO2 market value under the EU Emission Trading Scheme.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000339874900010 Publication Date 2014-02-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1618-954x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.331 Times cited 14 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.331; 2014 IF: 1.934  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127543 Serial 6175  
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Author Chekol Zewdie, M.; Moretti, M.; Tenessa, D.B.; Ayele, Z.A.; Nyssen, J.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Minale, A.S.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Agricultural technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia : a stochastic frontier approach Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Land Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 246  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In the past decade, to improve crop production and productivity, Ethiopia has embarked on an ambitious irrigation farming expansion program and has introduced new large- and small-scale irrigation initiatives. However, in Ethiopia, poverty remains a challenge, and crop productivity per unit area of land is very low. Literature on the technical efficiency (TE) of large-scale and small-scale irrigation user farmers as compared to the non-user farmers in Ethiopia is also limited. Investigating smallholder farmers' TE level and its principal determinants is very important to increase crop production and productivity and to improve smallholder farmers' livelihood and food security. Using 1026 household-level cross-section data, this study adopts a technology flexible stochastic frontier approach to examine agricultural TE of large-scale irrigation users, small-scale irrigation users and non-user farmers in Ethiopia. The results indicate that, due to poor extension services and old-style agronomic practices, the mean TE of farmers is very low (44.33%), implying that there is a wider room for increasing crop production in the study areas through increasing the TE of smallholder farmers without additional investment in novel agricultural technologies. Results also show that large-scale irrigation user farmers (21.05%) are less technically efficient than small-scale irrigation user farmers (60.29%). However, improving irrigation infrastructure shifts the frontier up and has a positive impact on smallholder farmers' output.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000633846200001 Publication Date 2021-03-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2073-445x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177647 Serial 6913  
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Author Van Dael, M.; Marquez, N.; Reumerman, P.; Pelkmans, L.; Kuppens, T.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Development and techno-economic evaluation of a biorefinery based on biomass (waste) streams : case study in the Netherlands Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefining-Biofpr Abbreviated Journal Biofuel Bioprod Bior  
  Volume 8 Issue 5 Pages 635-644  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In this paper, the technical and economic advantages of combining conversion technologies into a multi-dimensional plant primarily using regional biomass residues are investigated. The main objective is to show how locally available biomass can be used more efficiently as a source for renewable energy and bio-based products. Therefore, not only is the theoretical perspective considered, but also a reality check for the local situation is taken into account. Although industrial attitude toward biorefineries is positive, the efficient production of a portfolio of bio-based products has not yet been implemented. A biorefinery concept for Moerdijk (the Netherlands) was developed, focusing on grass refining, production of pyrolysis oil, biodiesel production, and bio-LNG production. Grass refining is the most experimental technique of all proposed conversion techniques. In terms of development, pyrolysis oil and bio-LNG production are in the demonstration phase. Anaerobic digestion and biodiesel production are proven techniques. It is shown that this concept allows for synergies with regard to the utilization of residue flows from internal processes. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that by integrating different conversion technologies, an economically feasible concept can be developed in which technologies, currently residing in a demonstration phase, can also be brought to the market. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000342662200015 Publication Date 2013-11-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1932-104x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.694 Times cited 18 Open Access  
  Notes ; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. The Energy Conversion Parks (ECP) project is funded by the Interreg IVa – Flanders-Netherlands program from the European Fund for Regional Development that stimulates cross-border projects. Also the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Flemish Government, the Provinces of Noord-Brabant (NL), Zeeland (NL), Limburg (BE) and the partners (VITO, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Hasselt University, and Zeeland University of Applied Sciences) themselves are co-financing the project. We also would like to express our gratitude toward the organization of the 2nd Iberoamerican Congress on Biorefineries in Jaen (Spain) for giving us the opportunity to present and thereby fine-tune our work. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.694; 2014 IF: 4.214  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127541 Serial 6180  
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Author Meul, M.; Van Middelaar, C.E.; de Boer, I.J.M.; Van Passel, S.; Fremaut, D.; Haesaert, G. doi  openurl
  Title Potential of life cycle assessment to support environmental decision making at commercial dairy farms Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst  
  Volume 131 Issue Pages 105-115  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) In this paper, we evaluate the potential of life cycle assessment (LCA) to support environmental decision making at commercial dairy farms. To achieve this, we follow a four-step method that allows converting environmental assessment results using LCA into case-specific advice for farmers. This is illustrated in a case-study involving 20 specialized Flemish dairy farms. Calculated LCA indicators are normalized into scores between 0 and 100, whereby a score of 100 is assumed optimal, to allow for a mutual comparison of indicators for different environmental impact categories. Next, major farm and management characteristics affecting environmental performance are identified using multiple regression and correlation analyses. Finally, comparing specific farm and management characteristics with those of best performing farms identifies farm-specific optimization strategies. We conclude that this approach complies with most of the identified critical success factors for the successful implementation of LCA as a decision support system for farmers. Key aspects herein are (i) the flexibility and accessibility of the model, (ii) the use of readily available farm data, (iii) farm advisors being intended model users, (iv) the identification of key farm and management characteristics affecting environmental performance and (v) the organization of discussion sessions involving farmers and farm advisors. However, attention should be paid (i) to provide sufficient training and guidance for farm advisors on the use of the applied LCA model and the interpretation of results, (ii) to evaluate the correctness of the used data and (iii) to keep the model up-to-date according to new scientific insights and knowledge concerning LCA methodology. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000343955300011 Publication Date 2014-09-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.571 Times cited 25 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.571; 2014 IF: 2.906  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127540 Serial 6238  
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Author Wang, A.; Van Aert, S.; Goos, P.; van Dyck, D. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Precision of three-dimensional atomic scale measurements from HRTEM images : what are the limits? Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2012 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 114 Issue Pages 20-30  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract (up) In this paper, we investigate to what extent high resolution transmission electron microscopy images can be used to measure the mass, in terms of thickness, and surface profile, corresponding to the defocus offset, of an object at the atomic scale. Therefore, we derive an expression for the statistical precision with which these object parameters can be estimated in a quantitative analysis. Evaluating this expression as a function of the microscope settings allows us to derive the optimal microscope design. Acquiring three-dimensional structure information in terms of thickness turns out to be much more difficult than obtaining two-dimensional information on the projected atom column positions. The attainable precision is found to be more strongly affected by processes influencing the image contrast, such as phonon scattering, than by the specific choice of microscope settings. For a realistic incident electron dose, it is expected that atom columns can be distinguished with single atom sensitivity up to a thickness of the order of the extinction distance. A comparable thickness limit is determined to measure surface steps of one atom. An increase of the electron dose shifts the limiting thickness upward due to an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000301954300003 Publication Date 2012-01-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 5 Open Access  
  Notes Fwo Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2012 IF: 2.470  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:94116 Serial 2692  
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Author van den Broek, W.; Van Aert, S.; Goos, P.; van Dyck, D. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Throughput maximization of particle radius measurements by balancing size and current of the electron probe Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2011 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 111 Issue 7 Pages 940-947  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract (up) In thispaperweinvestigatewhichprobesizemaximizesthethroughputwhenmeasuringtheradiusof nanoparticlesinhighangleannulardarkfieldscanningtransmissionelectronmicroscopy(HAADFSTEM). The sizeandthecorrespondingcurrentoftheelectronprobedeterminetheprecisionoftheestimateofa particlesradius.Maximizingthroughputmeansthatamaximumnumberofparticlesshouldbeimaged withinagiventimeframe,sothataprespecifiedprecisionisattained.WeshowthatBayesianstatistical experimentaldesignisaveryusefulapproachtodeterminetheoptimalprobesizeusingacertainamount of priorknowledgeaboutthesample.Thedependenceoftheoptimalprobesizeonthedetectorgeometry and thediameter,variabilityandatomicnumberoftheparticlesisinvestigated.Anexpressionforthe optimalprobesizeintheabsenceofanykindofpriorknowledgeaboutthespecimenisderivedaswell.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000300461000026 Publication Date 2010-11-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 7 Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2011 IF: 2.471  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:89657 Serial 3659  
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Author Hoogmartens, R.; Van Passel, S.; Van Acker, K.; Dubois, M. doi  openurl
  Title Bridging the gap between LCA, LCC and CBA as sustainability assessment tools Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication Environmental Impact Assessment Review Abbreviated Journal Environ Impact Asses  
  Volume 48 Issue Pages 27-33  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) Increasing interest in sustainability has led to the development of sustainability assessment tools such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). Due to methodological disparity of these three tools, conflicting assessment results generate confusion for many policy and business decisions. In order to interpret and integrate assessment results, the paper provides a framework that clarifies the connections and coherence between the included assessment methodologies. Building on this framework, the paper further focuses on key aspects to adapt any of the methodologies to full sustainability assessments. Aspects dealt with in the review are for example the reported metrics, the scope, data requirements, discounting, product- or project-related and approaches with respect to scarcity and labor requirements. In addition to these key aspects, the review shows that important connections exist: (i) the three tools can cope with social inequality, (ii) processes such as valuation techniques for LCC and CBA are common, (iii) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is used as input in both LCA and CBA and (iv) LCA can be used in parallel with LCC. Furthermore, the most integrated sustainability approach combines elements of LCA and LCC to achieve the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). The key aspects and the connections referred to in the review are illustrated with a case study on the treatment of end-of-life automotive glass. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000340141900004 Publication Date 2014-05-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0195-9255 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.094 Times cited 93 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.094; 2014 IF: 2.400  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127542 Serial 6163  
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Author Larraín, M.; Van Passel, S.; Thomassen, G.; Van Gorp, B.; Nhu, T.T.; Huysveld, S.; Van Geem, K.M.; De Meester, S.; Billen, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Techno-economic assessment of mechanical recycling of challenging post-consumer plastic packaging waste Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Resources Conservation And Recycling Abbreviated Journal Resour Conserv Recy  
  Volume 170 Issue Pages 105607  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)  
  Abstract (up) Increasing plastic recycling rates is crucial to tackle plastic pollution and reduce consumption of fossil resources. Recycling routes for post-consumer plastic fractions that are technologically and economically feasible remain a challenge. Profitable value chains for recycling mixed film and tray-like plastics have hardly been implemented today, in sharp contrast to recycling of relatively pure fractions such as polyethylene terephthalate and high-density polyethylene bottles. This study examines the economic feasibility of implementing mechanical recycling for plastic waste such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene films and mixed polyolefins. In most European countries these plastic fractions are usually incinerated or landfilled whilst in fact technologies exist to mechanically recycle them into regranulates or regrinds. Results show that the economic incentives for the recycling of plastic packaging depend predominantly on the product price and product yield. At current price levels, the most profitable plastic fraction to be recycled is PS rigids, with an internal rate of return of 14%, whereas the least profitable feed is a mixed polyolefin fraction with a negative internal rate of return in a scenario with steadily rising oil prices. Moreover, these values would be substantially reduced if oil prices, and therefore plastic product prices decrease. Considering a discount rate of 15% for a 15-year period, mechanical recycling is not profitable if no policy changes would be imposed by governments. Clearly low oil prices may jeopardize the mechanical recycling industry, inducing the need for policies that would increase the demand of recycled products such as imposing minimal recycled content targets.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000667309200042 Publication Date 2021-04-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0921-3449 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.313 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.313  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177325 Serial 6946  
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Author Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Advantages and limitations of exergy indicators to assess sustainability of bioenergy and biobased materials Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication Environmental Impact Assessment Review Abbreviated Journal Environ Impact Asses  
  Volume 45 Issue Pages 19-29  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) Innovative bioenergy projects show a growing diversity in biomass pathways, transformation technologies and end-products, leading to complex new processes. Existing energy-based indicators are not designed to include multiple impacts and are too constrained to assess the sustainability of these processes. Alternatively, indicators based on exergy, a measure of “qualitative energy”, could allow a more holistic view. Exergy is increasingly applied in analyses of both technical and biological processes. But sustainability assessments including exergy calculations, are not very common and are not generally applicable to all types of impact. Hence it is important to frame the use of exergy for inclusion in a sustainability assessment. This paper reviews the potentials and the limitations of exergy calculations, and presents solutions for coherent aggregation with other metrics. The resulting approach is illustrated in a case study. Within the context of sustainability assessment of bioenergy, exergy is a suitable metric for the impacts that require an ecocentric interpretation, and it allows aggregation on a physical basis. The use of exergy is limited to a measurement of material and energy exchanges with the sun, biosphere and lithosphere. Exchanges involving services or human choices are to be measured in different metrics. This combination provides a more inclusive and objective sustainability assessment, especially compared to standard energy- or carbon-based indicators. Future applications of this approach in different situations are required to clarify the potential of exergy-based indicators in a sustainability context. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000331924600003 Publication Date 2013-12-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0195-9255 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.094 Times cited 18 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.094; 2014 IF: 2.400  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127545 Serial 6147  
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Author Boerema, A.; Van Passel, S.; Meire, P. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Cost-effectiveness analysis of ecosystem management with ecosystem services : from theory to practice Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Ecological Economics Abbreviated Journal Ecol Econ  
  Volume 152 Issue 152 Pages 207-218  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM); Ecosystem Management  
  Abstract (up) Integrated ecosystem management is challenging due to many, often conflicting, targets and limited resources to allocate. A valuable and straightforward approach is to integrate an ecosystem services assessment in a cost-effectiveness analysis as method to evaluate and compare the cost-effectiveness of several management scenarios to reach one or more objectives and take into account the potential effects on other ecosystem functions and services. Nevertheless, this method is not commonly used in ecosystem management evaluation but can provide an alternative for the frequently used but often contested cost-benefit analysis (which requires the step of assigning a monetary value to each benefit). The aim of this study is to apply the cost-effectiveness analysis in combination with an ecosystem services assessment on a real case-study (comparing alternative management strategies for estuaries) to derive lessons learned to go from theory to practice. The application of this method for the case-study reveals many remaining challenges such as data availability and knowledge to assess ecosystem effects of management measures. Nevertheless, the analysis demonstrates that this method can be used for making a more integrated evaluation and supporting better-informed management decisions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000440118700021 Publication Date 2018-06-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0921-8009; 1873-6106 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 2.965 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.965  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:151754 Serial 6173  
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Author de Barros, A.G.; Hasheminejad, N.; Kampen, J.K.; Vanlanduit, S.; Vuye, C. file  openurl
  Title Noise barriers as a road traffic noise intervention in an urban environment Type P1 Proceeding
  Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 1-10  
  Keywords P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings (EMIB); Social Epidemiology & Health Policy (SEHPO)  
  Abstract (up) Intending to tackle road traffic noise in urban environments, noise barriers have been proven to effectively reduce environmental noise levels, leading to positive effects on noise perception by the exposed population. This work assesses the impacts of replacing an obsolete noise barrier in a site near a highway. The effects of this change were monitored via a combination of field surveys, acoustic measurements and noise maps. The results have shown that even though the barrier replacement led to a 4.1 dB reduction in the LA,eq,(15 min.), the annoyance levels of the respondents increased. Possibly, the expectations regarding the improvement of the noise barrier were not met, after a history of complaints. Additionally, existing exposure-response relationships were not successful in predicting the annoyance levels in this particular case. In this dataset, noise annoyance presented a weak link with reported health problems, while a strong correlation was found with the comfort level to perform activities outdoors. Questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic showed that even though the respondents were spending more time at home, they were less annoyed due to road traffic noise in the period when circulation restrictions were in place.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-989-53387-0-2 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180105 Serial 7004  
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Author Afsharzade, N.; Papzan, A.; Ashjaee, M.; Delangizan, S.; Van Passel, S.; Azadi, H. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Renewable energy development in rural areas of Iran Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews Abbreviated Journal Renew Sust Energ Rev  
  Volume 65 Issue Pages 743-755  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) Iran's energy system is extremely dependent on fossil fuels which, in turn, have led to problems such as fossil fuels depletion, social, economic and environmental damage and territorial imbalance. The country should therefore design a sustainable energy system based on clean energy as well as renewable energy. Accordingly, and given that Iran's rural areas suffer from the unsustainable energy system, it is necessary to integrate renewable energy into comprehensive development programs in general, and into rural development programs, specifically. This review paper answers the following questions: Why is renewable energy important for Iran at national and rural levels? How is renewable energy related to sustainable rural development? and What are the challenges in the promotion of renewable energy technologies in Iran? The paper concludes that although renewable energy has potential for development in Iran's rural areas due to environmental, social and economic advantages, it could face some infrastructural, managerial, socio-cultural and economic challenges. Accordingly, aggressive and innovative policy making is required to meet these challenges. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000383293800053 Publication Date 2016-07-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1364-0321; 1879-0690 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.05 Times cited 41 Open Access  
  Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.05  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:137105 Serial 6243  
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Author Biely, K.; Mathijs, E.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Causal loop diagrams to systematically analyze market power in the Belgian sugar value chain Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication AIMS Agriculture and Food Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 711-730  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) It has been acknowledged that power is a fundamental aspect that needs to be considered when performing a value chain analysis. The structure of the value chain is indicative of the power distribution along the chain. By employing systems thinking the structure of the value chain can be further investigated and inferences on market power issues can be made. This novel approach connects value chain research with insights from Industrial Organization (IO) literature. Depending on the case, market power may not be measurable by traditional economic tools. Systems thinking offers an alternative tool, allowing the employment of qualitative and quantitative data, overcoming drawbacks of IO methods and providing more depth to value chain analysis. In this paper the valuable contribution of systems thinking to market power analysis is exemplified by the Belgian sugar beet case. The analysis showed that transportability and perishability of sugar beet are key causes of market failure in the Belgian sugar value chain. Systems thinking can support understanding potential future behavior of the market based on the thorough understanding of the current market structure. We illustrate how to integrate factors determining the market structure into causal loop diagrams. This novel approach allows a comprehensive evaluation and thus opens up market power analysis to interdisciplinary research.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000488251600014 Publication Date 2019-08-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2471-2086 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes ; This research was performed within the frame of the EU's HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. The authors want to thank colleagues from the SUFISA project for stimulating and inspiring discussions on this topic. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163833 Serial 6165  
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Author Reijniers, J.; Partoens, B.; Peremans, H. openurl 
  Title Noise-resistant correlation-based alignment of head-related transfer functions for high-fidelity spherical harmonics representation Type P3 Proceeding
  Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages  
  Keywords P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract (up) It is standard practice in virtual reality applications to synthesize binaural audio based on a discrete set of directionally-dependent head-related impulse responses (HRIRs). This set of HRIRs is often time-aligned in a pre-processing step, to allow for high-fidelity interpolation between HRIRs corresponding with neighbouring directions. The fidelity of this operation depends on the similarity of neighbouring aligned HRIRs. The pairwise quality of similarity makes it a difficult criterion to optimize globally and consequently one often resorts to alignment methods based on a specific feature that can be extracted for each HRIR separately, e.g., the first-onset of the peak or the group delay. However, such proxies for similarity are very sensitive to noise and therefore require a high signal-to-noise ratio, which makes them less suitable for processing HRIRs acquired outside an anechoic room. In this paper, we advance a novel alignment method, which maximizes the similarity – defined as the correlation between the full-length HRIRs – between neighbouring aligned HRIRs for all directions at once. We show that this correlation-based alignment procedure outperforms the first-onset alignment with regards to the fidelity of the spherical harmonics representation of both the spectral and interaural time difference (ITD) information, when tested on the KEMAR HRIR and six human HRIRs. Finally, we show that the correlation-based alignment is more robust to noise.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199714 Serial 9062  
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Author Van Oijstaeijen, W.; Van Passel, S.; Cools, J.; Janssens de Bisthoven, L.; Huge, J.; Berihun, D.; Ejigu, N.; Nyssen, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Farmers' preferences towards water hyacinth control : a contingent valuation study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal Of Great Lakes Research Abbreviated Journal J Great Lakes Res  
  Volume 46 Issue 5 Pages 1459-1468  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) Lake Tana is the most important freshwater lake in Ethiopia. Besides pressures on water quality resulting from urbanization and deforestation, the invasion of the exotic water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) poses new threats to the ecosystem. Water hyacinth, endemic to South America, is widely considered as the world's worst aquatic invasive weed. In 2011, the weed appeared on the northern shores of Lake Tana, expanding in south-eastern direction. The lake area affected by water hyacinth was last estimated in 2015 at 34,500 ha, which equals 16% of the total lake surface. In this research, the benefits of water hyacinth control and eradication for the rural population inhabiting the northern and northeastern villages bordering Lake Tana, are investigated. In the area, the population largely depends on farming and fishing. An assessment of the total economic benefit of eradication was conducted. The stakeholder-centered approach led to measuring the willingness to contribute in labor and cash terms. Results showed smallholders in the study are willing to contribute over half-a-million euros annually. Costs of management actions can be weighed to the benefits, where further research is needed on the impact on other stakeholder groups. Moreover, wetland management should advance to explore multiple pathways in an integrated approach: water hyacinth control, water hyacinth utilization and sustainable waste water management. (C) 2020 International Association for Great Lakes Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000579717900036 Publication Date 2020-06-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0380-1330 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2020 IF: 1.958  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173644 Serial 6925  
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Author Girma, H.; Huge, J.; Gebrehiwot, M.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Farmers' willingness to contribute to the restoration of an Ethiopian Rift Valley lake : a contingent valuation study Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication Environment, development and sustainability Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 23 Issue 7 Pages 10646-10665  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract (up) Lakes provide considerable social, economic, and ecological benefits. However, lakes are shrinking and the water quality is declining, due to human pressures such as water withdrawal and land use change, particularly in the developing world. Despite this, information regarding the economic impact of lake level reduction and local willingness to support restoration programs is lacking. This study employed a contingent valuation method to estimate willingness to pay and to contribute labor to Lake Ziway restoration program, Ethiopia. Face-to-face interviews were administered to 259 randomly selected respondents. Our findings revealed that about one-third of the respondents are willing to pay and about two-third are willing to contribute labor to restore the lake. From the interval regression models, the annual mean willingness to pay was estimated about 21.0 USD for the status quo scenario (the program works to keep water levels constant at current levels) and 31.1 USD for the improvement scenario (the program works to increase the water levels permanently). The annual mean willingness to contribute labor was estimated about 27.7 man-days for the status quo and 39.3 man-days for the improvement scenarios. 'Farm income' positively influenced the willingness to pay together with 'farm plot area.' Similarly, labor contribution was positively influenced by 'farm plot area' and 'education' and negatively by 'farm plot distance.' The economic values derived from this study reflect societal preferences and can form a significant input for policymakers, in support of informed and evidence-based decision-making regarding lake management and restoration in developing countries like Ethiopia.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000590038300001 Publication Date 2020-11-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-585x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174271 Serial 6926  
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