Robert Kowalik

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Kielce University of Technology

This study presents a detailed analysis of the combustion dynamics of hydrogen and methane air mixtures at temperatures ranging from 298 K up to 423 K and at stoichiometric ratio, integrating experimental data of the pressure‐time histories obtained in a 20-liter closed vessel and detailed kinetic simulations by using three independent mechanisms:...

The increasing demand for clean energy solutions has accelerated research on hydrogen as a sustainable fuel. One of the essential parameters for hydrogen combustion and safety is the burning velocity, which directly affects the flame propagation dynamics. In this study, we propose a deep learning-based AI framework for estimating the burning veloci...

Photovoltaic (PV) modules undergo comprehensive testing to validate their electrical and thermal properties prior to market entry. These evaluations consist of durability and efficiency tests performed under realistic outdoor conditions with natural climatic influences, as well as in controlled laboratory settings. The overall performance of PV cel...

Single-axis trackers can improve the thermal performance of solar collectors by up to 40% during clear-sky days. However, these advantages can be significantly reduced during the cloudy-sky days. This paper experimentally and numerically investigated and compared the thermal performances of two solar collector types (with the same inclined position...

This paper continues the mathematical research of the novel glass tube collectors for water heating. The subject of this research is a vacuum solar collector composed of a glass tube and a selective (using the SnAl2O3 coating) flat absorber plate. Water heating is performed using gravitational driving force and single-stage direct flow. The thermal...

This study examins usability of large language model-based (LLM) chat bots, specifically GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, as assisting tools in the energy manageemnt of educational buildings in Serbia and Poland. The assessment is based on the comparison of three key usability aspects: 1) the accuracy of expert opinion replication in classifying building constru...

This study assessed the phytoremediation potential of Mentha crispa L. grown in Oxisol contaminated with varying zinc concentrations. Mentha crispa was cultivated in soil with Zn levels from 0 to 1920 mg kg−1. Growth parameters, Zn concentrations in plant parts, bioaccumulation, and translocation factors were measured. The results revealed that Men...

One of the barriers to the rapid transition of societies toward a more sustainable future is a scarcity of field experts. Members of scientific and professional communities believe that this obstacle could be overcome by supplementing the decisions of non-experts with artificial intelligence. To examine this opportunity, this study examines the via...

Although the European residential sector has promoted various heating and cooling passive solar systems in many ways, ongoing climate changes affect these construction elements at an annual level. Using the weather files for three years in the recent past (2018, 2021 and 2023), this paper numerically investigates the energy, environmental and econo...

This paper presents an analytical method for the dimensioning and selection of the four glass tube collector types: single-glazed with an air layer, single-glazed with a vacuum layer, double-glazed with an air layer, and double-glazed with a vacuum layer. In the first part of the paper (dimensioning phase), the iterative thermal resistance calculat...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mobility of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and their impact on the properties of bentonites and unfrozen water content. Limited research in this area necessitates further analysis to prevent the negative effects of metal interactions on bentonite effectiveness. Tests involved American (SWy-3, Stx-1b) and Slovak...

In this paper, we explore the deflagration combustion of methane–air mixtures through both experimental and numerical analyses. The key parameters defining deflagration combustion dynamics include maximum explosion pressure (Pmax), maximum rate of explosion pressure rise (dP/dt)max, deflagration index (KG), and laminar burning velocity (SU). Unders...

Photovoltaic modules should pass series of tests and examinations, verifying the electrical and thermal characteristics of the module, before being released to the market, examining the properties of the modules should undergo appropriate durability and efficiency tests under real outdoor conditions with exposure to climatic conditions and under la...

Within recent years, hormones have become emergent contaminants in the water environment. They easily accumulate in living organisms which in effect leads to numerous health problems (endocrine-disrupting mechanism is one of the most known toxic effects). Microbial resistance to antibiotics also became one of the emergent issues related to hormone...

The global scientific community is intensively promoting energy-plus buildings. Following the leading world trends, this paper presents a new energy-plus building concept—elevational earth-sheltered buildings with three different types of horizontal overhang photovoltaic-integrated panels: wooden support columns covered with clay tiles, steel pipes...

In this paper, a thermodynamic and reactivity study of light alcohol fuels was performed, based on experimental and numerical results. We also tested the influence of water addition on fundamental properties of the combustion reactivity dynamics in closed vessels, like the maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and the explosion...

In this paper the thermodynamic and reactivity study of light alcohol fuels was prepared, based on experimental and numerical results. We also tested the influence of water addition on fundamental properties of the combustion reactivity dynamics in closed vessels, like the maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and the explosion...

Sewage sludge, a by-product of wastewater treatment, is garnering increasing attention in the pursuit of closed-loop economy practices due to its highly beneficial fertilizing properties. However, like any technique, using sewage sludge as fertilizer has potential and limitations. Heavy metals within sewage sludge are a primary limitation curtailin...

To provide a warm place for the most vulnerable citizens during the 2022/2023 energy crisis, some municipalities have set up public halls as warming shelters. Thus, the present study analyzes the energy performance of a gymnasium in Southeastern Europe that is repurposed to be used as public warming hall. The study conducted 15 EnergyPlus simulatio...

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the potential utilization of sewage sludge in agriculture, focusing on the assessment of heavy metal contaminants and their mobility in sewage sludge-soil mixtures. The innovative approach of investigating heavy metal fractions in these mixtures sheds light on their environmental implications. In this...

The production of hot water for bathing in Poland accounts for around 15% of the total energy consumption of a typical household. According to EU data, final energy consumption for lighting and appliances is similar to final energy consumption for hot water preparation. This makes it a significant contributor to housing and utility costs, exceeded...

This study investigates the potential of contemporary Earth-Sheltered Buildings to contribute to sustainable societies by achieving Plus Energy Building status during the heating season. The buildings analyzed are intended to house a four-member family (102.5 m 2). The house is equipped with a Ground Source Heat Pump, Geothermal Vertical Probes, Fl...

One of the most important parameters describing a combustible mixture is the laminar burning velocity. The determination of this value forms the basis for the calculation of backflow parameters, the flame cone angle in burners and the turbulent burning velocity. It is also an indispensable parameter in flame stabilization and quenching studies. In...

The PN-EN 197-1:2012 standard allows the use of additives as the main component above 5.0% by mass, as well as as a secondary component in an amount less than 5.0% by mass of cement. Proper selection of additives positively affects the rheological characteristics and hardened concrete parameters during longer maturity periods. Additives have alread...

Imposed measures for the protection of public health and prevention of the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 disease affected before established community traveling patterns. One of the questions scientific community consequently wonders consider the potentials of the occurred circumstances to leave permanent change to community traveling behavior. W...

Electrical cables are a potential source of ignition and fire hazards in various types of buildings and industrial installations, as well as in all modes of transportation, including aircraft. Fires in buildings pose the greatest threat to human life and health. The composition of thermal degradation products depends mainly on the type of combustib...

More and more attention in sewage sludge management is being devoted to its environmental utilization. This approach is justified both from economic and environmental points of view. However, as with any method, there are certain possibilities and limitations. The goal of the natural utilization of sewage sludge is to recover the valuable agronomic...

Air pollution has a significant impact on citizens’ well-being and overall life quality. In this regard, regular air quality monitoring aims to keep pollution levels within prescribed limits and to identify the factors (winds, traffic, seasons, ambient temperature, air humidity, and so on) that influence pollution levels. To carry out a preliminary...

Currently, sources from which renewable energy could be generated are being sought worldwide. One of these sources could be wastewater. This article shows how heat can be recovered from wastewater, using a small wastewater treatment plant in Świętokrzyskie voivodeship as an example. It analyses the temperature of wastewater in the reactor, in the s...

Sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants has soil-forming and fertilising properties. However, sewage sludge cannot always be used in nature, including agriculture. One of the main reasons is the concentration of heavy metals. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants operating in MBR (membrane biological reactor) and SBR (sequential batch reactor)...

Sewage sludge is a very complex system, with solids and water. It is generated as waste from wastewater treatment. Sewage sludge is used to fertilize agricultural and forest areas and to rehabilitate devastated areas. It is a good organic fertilizer because it contains significant amounts of nutrients beneficial for plant development and humus-form...

The aim of the study was to determine the content of selected fractions of bioavailable trace elements (Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn), the content of non-polar aliphatic hydrocarbons (NPA) in agricultural soils and the quality of drinking water from the Strawczyn intake. The tested soils had a neutral pH, the organic carbon content ranged from 0.92% to 1...

Social and economic changes make it necessary to put in a great deal of conscious effort to shift towards a closed-loop economy, where waste provides a source of raw materials. The low level of selective collection of municipal waste poses a challenge in many countries, including Poland. One of the major causes of the problems in Poland lies in the...

Sewage sludge (SS) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has important soil-forming and fertilizing properties. However, it may not always be used for this purpose. One of the main reasons why SS cannot be used for natural purposes is its heavy metal (HM) content. SS from the wastewater treatment plant in Poland was subjected to an analysis of t...

Featured Application The work can be used to establish new guidelines for the natural use of municipal sewage sludge. Abstract Sewage sludge (SS) is a by-product of processes conducted during the treatment of wastewater. It can be used in many different ways. One of them is the use of SS in agriculture as an organic fertiliser, but the main criter...

Currently, a significant problem of water and sewage management is the presence of human hormones, especially estrogens and progestagens, consumed by women in contraceptives and then excreted from the body. While other drugs are used by a small part of the population and rather sporadically, hormonal contraception is used by a large number of women...

The paper presents concentrations of pharmaceuticals in surface water and sewage. Special attention was paid to the content of estrogens in municipal sewage and the method of their disposal. Concentrations of various pharmaceuticals in raw and treated wastewater were compared and the pharmaceuticals in different countries and waters were presented...

Sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment processes. However, it has high fertilising and soil-forming properties, but it cannot always be used for this purpose. The two main criteria limiting their natural use are heavy metals and parasite eggs. Sewage sludge taken from the Daleszyce wastewater treatment plant has been analysed for hea...

The research was conducted on samples of water in Kielce from two intakes: Białogon and Zagnańsk. The results of selected indicators for these waters were presented, among others, the most important ones influencing its chemical stability i.e. calcium or magnesium. Then, using the PHREEQC program, stability indices were calculated for water in Kiel...