In this paper, the analysis of carbon footprint values for children’s footwear was conducted. This group of products is characterized by similar small mass and diversity in the used materials. The carbon footprint is an environmental indicator, which is used to measure the total sets of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere caused by a product throughout its entire lifecycle. The complexity of carbon footprint calculation methodology is caused by multistage production process. The probability of emission greenhouse gases exists at each of these stages. Moreover, a large variety of footwear materials – both synthetic and natural, give the possibility of the emission of a lot of waste, sewage and gases, which can be dangerous to the environment. The diversity of materials could be the source of problems with the description of their origins, which make carbon footprint calculations difficult, especially in cases of complex supply chains. In this paper, with use of life cycle assessment, the carbon footprint was calculated for 4 children’s footwear types (one with an open upper and three with full uppers). The life cycles of the product were divided into 8 stages: raw materials extraction (stage 1), production of input materials (stage 2), footwear components manufacture (stage 3), footwear manufacture (stage 4), primary packaging manufacture (stage 5), footwear distribution to customers (stage 6), use phase (stage 7) and product’s end of life (stage 8). On these grounds, it was possible to point out the life cycle stages, where the optimization activities can be implemented in order to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. The obtained results showed that the most intensive corrective actions should be focused on the following stages: 3 (the higher emissivity), 4 and 8.

The article presents the results of surveys to assess the attractiveness of centralized heat supply systems in comparison with other heat sources. The heat source is an important element of the heat supply system which determines heating costs, comfort and environmental impact. The decision on the choice of the type of heat supply system is usually made by the investor or designer. Sometimes the equipment supplier or contractor has a part in this decision. The choice can be influenced by many different factors, also resulting from the specific location of the building. This is only partly determined by local law in the form of a local spatial development plan. the technical conditions (i.e. availability of heating or gas network), economic and financial, as well as much more subjective factors, such as the designer’s or contractor’s preference are also important. Aversion to district heating is growing, even when there are favorable conditions and the possibility of connecting the building to the heating network. Instead, a gas boiler or electrically powered heat pump is selected. This raises the question of whether such decisions are right and how they can be justified. As a research method, surveys were used, which were conducted among people who already have or will have an impact on design and investment decisions in the near future. The obtained results confirmed a large interest in district heating, appreciating their advantages in comparison with other methods of heat generation. The respondents also had the disadvantages that may lead to the use of an alternative methods of heat supplying in mind.

The coupling of the propagating stress wave with the eddy current model is presented. The applied stress produces magnetization in the sample that can be measured outside the sample by measuring the resulting magnetic flux density. The stress and flux density measurements are made on a mechanically excited steel bar. The problem is modelled with the finite element method for both the propagating wave and the eddy current. Three aspects are considered: eddy current model using magnetization from the measurements, coupled wave and eddy current models, and coupled different dimensions in the wave model. The measured stress can be reproduced from the measured flux density by modelling. The coupled models work both for stress and flux couplings as well as for the different dimensionality couplings.

The aim of the paper is a comparative study of co-firing high shares of wooden and agro-biomass with hard coal under oxy-fuel and air conditions in the laboratory scale reactor for pulverised fuels. The investigations of co-combustion behaviour NOx and SO2 emission and burnout were carried out for selected blends. Detailed investigations were concentrated on determining the effect of dosing oxygen method into the burner on NOx emission. The paper presents the results of co-firing blends with 20 and 50% share of biomass by mass in air and oxy-combustion condition. Biomass oxy-cofiring integrated with CCS (CO2 capture) technology could be a carbon negative technology. The reduction of NOx emissions in the conditions of oxy-co-firing is dependent on the concentration of oxygen in the primary stream of oxidiser. A significant reduction of NOx was achieved in the case of low oxygen concentration in the primary stream for each investigated blends. Co-firing of biomass with coal in an oxygen enriched atmosphere enhances combustion behaviour, lowers fuel burnout and as a result increases of the boiler efficiency.

More than thirty years of the reign of the last king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was marked by many official events linked to lavish occasional presentations. Among the most important were the so-called Gala Days. The anniversaries of the ‘miraculous’ rescue of the king from the hands of the Bar Confederates, the Victory of Vienna, or the adoption of the Constitution of the 3rd of May were also celebrated. The ruler also made several dozen journeys of national, economic and political or sociable nature, during which he had the opportunity to visit various places connected with the history and development of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and to meet his subjects. His triumphal entries to the visited cities and his stays were organized in a ceremonial manner and were usually carried out according to a predetermined plan. Providing attractions for the king, the court and the guests generated costs and engaged a large group of people specialized in various fields. In addition to the artists and their projects, it was necessary to build machinelike structures, mount the appropriate lighting, install pyrotechnic materials, and provide accommodation and food for several hundred people. Most often, to mark the ceremony, triumphal gates (arches), obelisks (colossi and pyramids), fountains, pavilions and various buildings were erected, complemented by spectacular illuminations and fireworks. Gatherings were also enriched with occasional theatre and music performances, occasional poetry, songs and speeches. Usually, the artistic means were combined with a rich symbolic and ideological programme.

The present article includes descriptions of a few such celebrations. Among other things, the drawings by Wincenty Lesseur are mentioned, showing a tent (exhibited in Zapol) and its plan, the images of the personification of rivers as well as the hunting gazebo in Bialowieza, etc. The author describes some of the schemes of those ceremonies, the most popular gifts offered and the most frequently used symbols in the decorations, which served as a glorification of the royal power and added splendour to the ceremony.