Search Results (5)

Hybrid building construction, in which the steel frame is filled with modular panels made of wood, is a relatively new technical solution. This type of structure allows the integration of large window surfaces. The aim of this study is to indicate the optimal glazing system, taking into account energy consumption, thermal comfort and economic indicators. A house made using new hybrid technology with an area of 152.4 m², located in Bialystok (Northeastern Poland) and in Kiruna (Northern Sweden), was selected as the reference object. Energy simulations of this building were performed with DesignBuilder v. 6.1.8.021 software. Due to the large format of the glazing, the assessment of the thermal environment was performed using the PMV index. An economic analysis aimed at selecting the optimal type of glazing was carried out. It was based on the most commonly used indicators such as LCC, NPV and IRR. The results of this study indicated that the selection of triple-glazed windows in the reference house reduced energy demand by over 22% for Bialystok and about 24% for Kiruna compared to double-glazed windows. Even greater effects can be achieved by using quadruple-glazed windows, as they provide energy savings of 36% and 39%, respectively, for these locations. The results of the analysis performed for a 2% increase in energy prices showed that triple and quadruple windows had a similar LCC value when the discount rate was lower than 2.5% for the Bialystok site. Quadruple-glazed windows were the best option for the Kiruna site when the discount rate was less than 5%. This research study found that, assuming a stable financial situation and a small increase in energy prices, it is recommended to use triple-glazed windows in the climate of Northeastern Poland. In more severe weather conditions, for example those characteristic of the area of Northern Sweden, quadruple-glazed windows are recommended. Full article

Large stratospheric balloons are the easiest access to near space. Large long duration balloons (LDBs) can float in the stratosphere for weeks collecting measurements (e.g., astrophysical or geophysical data) or samples (e.g., contaminants, volcanic ash, micrometeorites). The recovery of data media and samples is a common problem in this type of experiment because direct radio communication becomes useless when the balloon crosses the horizon, and satellite links are too slow and expensive. For this reason, physical recovery of the payload is mandatory to obtain experimental results, which is a difficult task, especially in polar regions. The goal of HERMES (HEmera Returning MESsenger) is to allow researchers to obtain experimental data prior to payload recovery. HERMES is a system equipped with an autonomous glider capable of physically transporting data and samples from the stratosphere to a recovery point on the ground. The glider is installed on the balloon payload via a remotely controlled release system and is connected to the main computer to store a copy of the scientific data and to receive the geographic coordinates of the recovery point. This allows scientists to obtain experimental results before recovering the payload. The article describes HERMES and the first experimental flight of the entire system, which was conducted at Esrange Space Center (Kiruna, Sweden) in July 2022. Full article

The Kiruna mining district, Sweden, known for the type locality of Kiruna-type iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits, also hosts several Cu-mineralized deposits including iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG), exhalative stratiform Cu-(Fe-Zn), and structurally controlled to stratabound Cu ± Au. However the relationship between the IOA and Cu-systems has not been contextualized within the regional tectonic evolution. A broader mineral systems approach is taken to assess the timing of energy drive(s) within a regional tectonic framework by conducting U-Pb zircon geochronology on intrusions from areas where Cu-mineralization is spatially proximal. Results unanimously yield U-Pb ages from the early Svecokarelian orogeny (ca. 1923–1867 Ma including age uncertainties), except one sample from the Archean basement (2698 ± 3 Ma), indicating that a distinct thermal drive from magmatic activity was prominent for the early orogenic phase. A weighted average ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age of 1877 ± 10 Ma of an iron-oxide-enriched gabbroic pluton overlaps in age with the Kiirunavaara IOA deposit and is suggested as a candidate for contributing mafic signatures to the IOA ore. The results leave the role of a late energy drive (and subsequent late Cu-mineralization and/or remobilization) ambiguous, despite evidence showing a late regional magmatic-style hydrothermal alteration is present in the district. Full article

The Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralizations are not so “rare” in Sweden. They normally occur associated and hosted within granitic crystalline bedrock, and in mineral deposits together with other base and trace metals. Major REE-bearing mineral deposit types are the apatite-iron oxide mineralizations in Norrbotten (e.g., Kiruna) and Bergslagen (e.g., Grängesberg) ore regions, the various skarn deposits in Bergslagen (e.g., Riddarhyttan-Norberg belt), hydrothermal deposits (e.g., Olserum, Bastnäs) and alkaline-carbonatite intrusions such as the Norra Kärr complex and Alnö. In this study, analytical data of samples collected from REE mineralizations during the EURARE project are compared with bedrock and till REE geochemistry, both sourced from databases available at the Geological Survey of Sweden. The positive correlation between REE composition in the three geochemical data groups allows better understanding of REE distribution in Sweden, their regional discrimination, and genetic classification. Data provides complementary information about correlation of LREE and HREE in till with REE content in bedrock and mineralization. Application of principal component analysis enables classification of REE mineralizations in relation to their host. These results are useful in the assessment of REE mineral potential in areas where REE mineralizations are poorly explored or even undiscovered. Full article

The Chadormalu magnetite-apatite deposit in Bafq metallogenic province, Central Iran, is hosted in the late Precambrian-lower Cambrian volcano-sedimentary rocks with sodic, calcic, and potassic alterations characteristic of iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and iron oxide-apatite (IOA) ore systems. Apatite occurs as scattered irregular veinlets and disseminated grains, respectively, within and in the marginal parts of the main ore-body, as well as apatite-magnetite veins in altered wall rocks. Textural evidence (SEM-BSE images) of these apatites shows primary bright, and secondary dark areas with inclusions of monazite/xenotime. The primary, monazite-free fluorapatite contains higher concentrations of Na, Si, S, and light rare earth elements (LREE). The apatite was altered by hydrothermal events that led to leaching of Na, Si, and REE + Y, and development of the dark apatite. The bright apatite yielded two U-Pb age populations, an older dominant age of 490 ± 21 Ma, similar to other iron deposits in the Bafq district and associated intrusions, and a younger age of 246 ± 17 Ma. The dark apatite yielded a U-Pb age of 437 ± 12 Ma. Our data suggest that hydrothermal magmatic fluids contributed to formation of the primary fluorapatite, and sodic and calcic alterations. The primary apatite reequilibrated with basinal brines in at least two regional extensions and basin developments in Silurian and Triassic in Central Iran. Full article