Title: Application of cumulative exergy consumption approach to assess the sustainability of rapeseed production in two different farming systems

Authors: Mahdi Esmaeilpour-Troujeni; Abbas Rohani; Mehdi Khojastehpour

Addresses: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran ' Department of Biosystems Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran ' Department of Biosystems Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

Abstract: The study aimed to assess the sustainability of mechanised production system (MPS) and semi-mechanised production system (SMPS) in the rapeseed agroecosystem in northern Iran. The study was conducted through the cumulative exergy consumption (CExC) approach, including the two sustainability indices of cumulative degree of perfection (CDP) and renewability index (RI). The CDP was higher in the MPS (4.36) than SMPS (4.29). The RI was determined to be 0.712 for MPS and 0.731 for SMPS. The results highlighted that CDP and RI could significantly be improved through the consumption of renewable-based energy resources, including biofuel and solar energy.

Keywords: cumulative exergy consumption; mechanisation; rapeseed; renewable energy; sustainable agriculture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2020.111686

International Journal of Exergy, 2020 Vol.33 No.4, pp.345 - 357

Received: 20 Dec 2019
Accepted: 30 Apr 2020
Published online: 09 Dec 2020 *

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