Recycling polymeric waste from electronic and automotive sectors into value added products

The environmentally sustainable disposal and recycling of ever increasing volumes of electronic waste has become a global waste management issue. The addition of up to 25% polymeric waste PCBs (printed circuit boards) as fillers in polypropylene (PP) composites was partially successful: while the tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of composites were enhanced, the tensile and impact strengths were found to decrease. As a lowering of impact strength can significantly limit the application of PP based composites, it is necessary to incorporate impact modifying polymers such as rubbery particles in the mix. We report on a novel investigation on the simultaneous utilization of electronic and automotive rubber waste as fillers in PP composites. These composites were prepared by using 25 wt.% polymeric PCB powder, up to 9% of ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), and PP: balance. The influence of EPR on the structural, thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of PP/PCB/ EPR composites was investigated. While the addition of EPR caused the nucleation of the β crystalline phase of PP, the onset temperature for thermal degradation was found to decrease by 8%. The tensile modulus and strength decreased by 16% and 19%, respectively; and the elongation at break increased by ~71%. The impact strength showed a maximum increase of ~18% at 7 wt.%–9 wt.% EPR content. Various rheological properties were found to be well within the range of processing limits. This novel eco-friendly approach could help utilize significant amounts of polymeric electronic and automotive waste for fabricating valuable polymer composites.

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Conversion of waste plastics into value-added carbon materials

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide, calling for advanced methods to recycle waste plastics in the context of the circular economy. Here we review methods and strategies to convert waste plastics into value-added carbon materials, with focus on sources, properties, pretreatment of waste plastics, and on preparation of carbon materials. Pretreatment techniques include mechanical crushing, plastic stabilization and electrospinning. Carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanosheets, carbon spheres and porous carbon are prepared by oxygen-limited carbonization, catalytic carbonization, the template-based method, and pressure carbonization. We emphasize the conversion of polyethene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, halogenated plastics, polyurethane and mixed plastics.

     

Metal levels in computer monitor components discarded in the vicinities of electronic workshops

Levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd in the glass screens (GS) and printed wiring boards (PWBs) of obsolete computer monitors (OCMs) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) following standard digestion. Metal concentrations (mg kg^?1) in GS were in the following ranges (medians in brackets): Pb ND – 3100 (46), Cd 0.5–2.6 (0.8), Cr ND – 18.7 (3.1), and Zn 8.1–600 (37) and in PWBs (mg kg^?1): Pb 34,600 ± 17,000, Cd 11 ± 9, Cr 59 ± 45, Zn 15,900 ± 7800, Cu79,000 ± 22,600, and Ni 3200 ± 2500. In GS, the levels of the six metals were lower than their total threshold limit concentrations (TTLC), except for Pb with a TTLC of 1000 mg kg^?1 in 10% of the samples. In the PWBs, the TTLC of Pb and Cu (2500 mg kg^?1) was exceeded many fold. For Zn (5000 mg kg^?1) and Ni (2000 mg kg^?1); they were exceeded by 90% and 65%, respectively. For OCMs manufactured in 2001 and later, Pb and Zn levels in GS and Cr, Zn, and Ni in PWBs were significantly reduced.     

A steam dried municipal solid waste gasification and melting process

Considering high-moisture municipal solid waste (MSW) of China, a steam dried MSW gasification and melting process was proposed, the feasibility was tested, and the mass and energy balance was analyzed. Preliminary experiments were conducted using a fixed-bed drying apparatus, a 200 kg per day fluidized-bed gasifier, and a swirl melting furnace. Moisture percentage was reduced from 50% to 20% roughly when MSW was dried by slightly superheated steam of 150°C?C350°C within 40 min. When the temperature was less than 250°C, no incondensable gas was produced during the drying process. The gasifier ran at 550°C?C700°Cwith an air equivalence ratio (ER) of 0.2?C0.4. The temperature of the swirl melting furnace reached about 1240°C when the gasification ER was 0.3 and the total ER was 1.1. At these conditions, the fly ash concentration in the flue gas was 1.7 g·(Nm³)^?1, which meant over 95% fly ash was trapped in the furnace and discharged as slag. 85% of Ni and Cr were bound in the slag, as well as 60% of Cu. The mass and energy balance analysis indicates that the boiler heat efficiency of an industrial MSW incineration plant reaches 86.97% when MSW is dried by steam of 200°C. The boiler heat efficiency is sensitive to three important parameters, including the temperature of preheated MSW, the moisture percentage of dried MS Wand the fly ash percentage in the total ash.     

农药含钾废渣的热解动力学

通过XRF和XRD两种测试方法对农药含钾废渣的成分进行测定,结果显示,该废渣中含有大量的氯化钾,具有很大的资源化价值.采用热重分析法,在5、10、15、20 K.min-1线性升温速率下,研究了农药含钾废渣在空气气氛下的热解特性及热解动力学.以期为农药含钾废渣的资源化处理提供理论依据.结果表明,该废渣热解过程分为3个阶段,失重率分别为4.62%、7.69%和2.55%;且3个阶段的活化能E分别为83.53、128.48和138.17 kJ.mol-1,指前因子A分别为4.79×107、2.34×1010和6.46×107s-1.     

Determination of metals in printed wiring boards of waste mobile phones

Metal contents of waste mobile phones represent a major environmental risk, especially considering the adoption of inappropriate management options in developing countries including open burning and disposal into surface water bodies. In this study the metal contents of mobile phone printed wiring board (PWB) samples were assessed. Sixty-two waste mobile phones of 15 brands were collected, dismantled, and their PWB samples were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Ag and Cd. The metal concentrations in the samples varied widely between and within brands. Among these metals, Cu and Pb were found to be at very high concentrations. The range (mean?±?SD) of Cu and Pb concentrations were 94.1–532?g?kg^?1 (250?±?92.3?g?kg^?1) and 7.0–46.2?g?kg^?1 (20.1?±?8.4?g?kg^?1), respectively. All Cu and Pb concentrations exceeded toxicity threshold limit concentration (TTLC) regulatory limits used in characterizing wastes as hazardous in the state of California, USA. The mean Cu and Pb concentrations exceeded the corresponding TTLC limits by factors of 100 and 20, respectively. The Ag and Cd concentrations were in the range 59.4–759?mg?kg^?1 (mean 227?±?104?mg?kg^?1) and ND – 15.6?mg?kg^?1 (2.1?±?3.3?mg?kg^?1), respectively.     

聚乙烯及其废料油化技术中催化剂的研制与性能研究

本文研究了几种自制催化剂对聚乙烯热解产物的催化改质作用,催化反应温度与催化剂性质对催化改质所得气体收率及组成、汽油收率及辛烷值、柴油收率以及催化剂积碳的影响,探讨了适合聚乙烯及其废料热解产物催化改质的催化剂应具备的特性及热解产物在催化剂上反应的类型,同时探讨了本研究对废塑料油化技术的指导作用。应用此催化剂液体收率可达８０％以上,汽油辛烷值为８２（ＲＯＮ）。     

气相色谱法测定工业废水中联苯与菲

文章研究了一种新的测定废水中联苯及菲含量的方法，该方法采用气相色谱薄涂柱，对联苯与菲进行了有效的分离与测定。该方法具有固定液用量少，柱温低，分离效果好，分析速度快等特点，利用该对废水样进行了测定，取得了满意的结果。     

Hydrothermal treatment of MSWI fly ash for simultaneous dioxins decomposition and heavy metal stabilization

Researches on the hydrothermal treatment of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash were conducted to eliminate dioxins and stabilize heavy metals. In order to enhance decomposing polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs) during hydrothermal process, a strong reductant carbohydrazide (CHZ) is introduced. A hydrothermal reactor was set up by mixing raw MSWI fly ash or the pre-treated fly ash with water and then heated to a pre-set temperature; CHZ was spiked into solution according to specially defined dosage. Experimental results showed that under the temperatures of 518 K and 533 K, the decomposition rates of PCDDs/PCDFs were over 80% and 90%, respectively, by total concentration. However, their toxic equivalent (TEQ) decreased only slightly or even increased due to the rising in concentration of congeners 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD/TCDF, which might be resulted from the highly chlorinated congeners losing their chlorine atoms and being degraded during the hydrothermal process. Better results of TEQ reduction were also obtained under the higher tested temperature of 533 K and reactor with addition of 0.1%wt CHZ was corresponded to the best results. Good stabilization of heavy metals was also obtained in the same hydrothermal process especially when ferrous sulphate was added as auxiliary agent.     

Air pollution protection by waste amorphous SiO2 utilization in Portland cement production

This papers deals with waste amorphous silica obtained from AlF₃ production. This is a waste material that could be used as additive in cement production. Results are encouraging although there are no large quantities of this material available (about 4000 t/yr). Experiments were performed with the addition of 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0% mass of amorphous silica obtained from AlF₃ production. Flexural and compressive strengths of the prepared mortar samples with w/c = 0.50 and with the constant flow were determined. Experiments show that optimal quantity for the amorphous silica addition is 5% of the cement mass.     

酸阻滞技术的研究与应用

本文提出酸阻滞法从废液中分离，回收重金属和酸的新技术工艺，从十多种国产树脂中成功地筛选出两种可作为酸阻滞剂，有较好的分离效果。但洗脱时酸脱尾严重，当选择穿透比在０．６左右时，可以解决酸脱尾现象，使脱尾酸损失由３０％降到７％，而酸的回收率由６０％提高到９０％，采用该工艺对几种废液进行处理，重金属回收液中酸去除率大于９５％，而回用酸中金属去除率大于７０％，该工艺既可回收重金属，同时也可回收酸。     

医疗废物非焚烧处理技术述评

文章从提出医疗废物的危害性入手,介绍了我国当前的医疗废物管理和处理处置现状。通过分析和比较蒸汽灭菌法、热裂解法、微波处理法、等离子体法等几种处理方法,寻求适宜我国国情的医疗废物处理方法。     

Waste control by waste: efficient removal of bisphenol A with steel slag,a novel activator of peroxydisulfate

Activated persulfates are efficient reagents for oxidation of organic contaminants and water treatment. Various compounds are currently used to activate persulfates, but there is a need for cheap and efficient activators. Here, we report the first use of steel slag, an industrial solid waste, as a solid activator for peroxydisulfate activation. We tested this system for bisphenol A degradation. Results indicate that about 70% of bisphenol A can be removed within 1 h. Conditions were 50 μg/L of bisphenol A, 2 g/L of peroxydisulfate, 3 g/L of steel slag and temperature of 298 K. The components and surface morphology of unused and recycled steel slag were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, whereas the main reactive oxygen species were elucidated by using radical scavengers. Findings show that both base oxides and iron oxides are responsible for peroxydisulfate activation. A redox mechanism involving liquid and solid phases is proposed. Overall, this study reveals the successful recycling of steel slag to activate persulfates for water treatment, following the principle of ‘waste control by waste.’     

Toward separation at source: Evolution of Municipal Solid Waste management in China

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management in China has been transitioning from a mixed collection and treatment system to a separated collection and treatment system. The continuous rise of MSW treatment capacity and the optimization of technology structure provided basic facility support for China to promote MSW separation at source. China preferred a four-type separation system. Regulated recycling should be enhanced to improve the efficiency and sustainability of recycling industry. As food waste is the main composition of MSW in China, 20%–30% of the food waste diversion and land application could maximize the comprehensive environmental performance. Incineration is to be the pillar technology in MSW separated treatment system in China.     

Combination of steam-enhanced extraction and electrical resistance heating for efficient remediation of perchloroethylene-contaminated soil: Coupling merits and energy consumption

● Coupling merits of SEE and ERH were explored by a laboratory-scale device. ● SEE promotes the soil electrical conductivity and ERH process. ● Preheating soil by ERH improves the soil permeability and SEE. ● Combined method is more energy-efficient for perchloroethylene extraction. In situ thermal desorption (ISTD) technology effectively remediates soil contaminated by dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). However, more efforts are required to minimize the energy consumption of ISTD technology. This study developed a laboratory-scale experimental device to explore the coupling merits of two traditional desorption technologies: steam-enhanced extraction (SEE) and electrical resistance heating (ERH). The results showed that injecting high-density steam (> 1 g/min) into loam or clay with relatively high moisture content (> 13.3%) could fracture the soil matrix and lead to the occurrence of the preferential flow of steam. For ERH alone, the electrical resistance and soil moisture loss were critical factors influencing heating power. When ERH and SEE were combined, preheating soil by ERH could increase soil permeability, effectively alleviating the problem of preferential flow of SEE. Meanwhile, steam injection heated the soil and provided moisture for maintaining soil electrical conductivity, thereby ensuring power stability in the ERH process. Compared with ERH alone (8 V/cm) and SEE alone (1 g/min steam), the energy consumption of combined method in remediating perchloroethylene-contaminated soil was reduced by 39.3% and 52.9%, respectively. These findings indicate that the combined method is more favorable than ERH or SEE alone for remediating DNAPL-contaminated subsurfaces when considering ISTD technology.     

In-Vitro Determination of Arsenic Bioavailability in Contaminated Soil and Mineral Beneficiation Waste from Ron Phibun, Southern Thailand: A Basis for Improved Human Risk Assessment

The post-ingestion bioavailability of arsenic (As) in alluvial soil and mineral beneficiation waste from Ron Phibun, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand has been investigated using a physiologically-based extraction test (PBET). The method utilises synthetic leaching fluids closely analogous to those of the human stomach and small intestine, upon which the leaching duration and ambient temperature of the experimental procedure are also directly based. Replicate analyses of Ron Phibun alluvium samples holding 1406 and 2123 g As g-1 respectively indicated an average stomach absorption of 11.2% (of total soil As). Gross absorption increased to 18.9% following translocation through a simulated small-intenstine regime. Higher gross absorption (35.7%) was recorded during PBET analysis of a flotation waste sample holding c. 2% total As. Within- and between-site variations of As bioavailability can principally be ascribed to mineralogical factors, notably the relative abundances of sulphide, arsenide, arsenate and oxide hosts within the soil/flotation waste matrix. The PBET provides a potentially valuable mechanism for refining risk assessments of sites subject to natural or anthropogenic As contamination. Through the substitution of total soil As values with input data which relate specifically to bioavailable As, risk calculations derived using established models such as the US-EPA package Risk Assistant may prove more realistic, thus facilitating improved cost-benefit analysis of site remediation options. Assessment of the relative human risks associated with potable water consumption and contaminated soil ingestion at Ron Phibun has signified that the latter could constitute a more significant As exposure pathway than recognised previously. Further evaluation of the precise soil ingestion levels of inhabitants residing on the As-rich alluvium which covers much of the district is, therefore, warranted.     

浙江省废水排放增长的EKC曲线特征分析

选取浙江省1985~2004年经济和废水排放数据,通过分析经济因子与废水排放之间的相互关系,建立浙江省废水排放的库兹涅茨曲线模型。结果表明:浙江省废水排放与人均GDP的演替轨迹呈现显著的环境库兹涅茨曲线特征,1985~2004期间处于曲线的上升阶段。浙江省废水排放总量的EKC曲线理论转折点为人均GDP约34 305元,相应的废水排放总量峰值为35亿t,预测转折点出现的时间为2007年左右。工业废水排放量正处于EKC曲线的转折点附近,而生活废水排放量目前正处于EKC曲线加速上升的阶段,转折点出现的时间为2007年左右,对应的生活废水排放量的峰值为15亿t,是2004年生活废水排放量(11.6亿t)的1.3倍,形势非常严峻,应该引起重视。因此,十一五期间,浙江省尤其要注重对生活废水排放的控制和治理,并且保持较高的治理投入。     

矿质营养对荔枝裂果率的影响

通过对糯米糍荔枝叶片、果皮、土壤中矿质元素含量的研究,探讨矿质营养对荔枝裂果率的影响。初步探明糯米糍荔枝叶片中的钙、镁、硼含量,果皮中的氮钾比,以及土壤中的N/K比、有机质、交换性钙含量影响其裂果率。     

油脂去除对餐厨垃圾压滤液厌氧消化的影响

采用常温（25℃）厌氧消化工艺,通过设计两种不同的进料浓度和4个处理方式,研究了油脂的去除对餐厨垃圾压滤液厌氧消化产沼气的影响,并考察了消化过程中典型工艺参数pH值、挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）、CODCr、总磷等的变化规律.试验结果表明油脂对餐厨垃圾压滤液厌氧消化的产气前期有一定的抑制作用,但是整体抑制不明显.处理T1（未隔油餐厨垃圾滤液800 mL）、T2（隔油餐厨垃圾滤液800 mL）、T3（未隔油餐厨垃圾滤液500 mL）、T4（隔油餐厨垃圾滤液500 mL）的产气总量分别为：84357、55539、45031和31033 mL,其中T1的产气总量是T2的1.52倍;T3的产气总量是T4的1.45倍,结果表明餐厨垃圾滤液不需要经过隔油处理而直接可以用于厌氧消化产沼气.同时,当压滤液低浓度（T3、T4）时,产气差异小;高浓度（T1、T2）时,产气差异大.此外,在整个厌氧消化过程中,处理T1、T2、T3和T4的CODCr总去除率分别为80.44%、78.53%、79.67%和80.7%.     

超滤技术在环境工程中的应用现状

本文对国内外超滤技术在环境工程中的应用，主要是废水处理中的应用现状进行了综述。涉及的废水包括纺织工业，机械制造工业，石油化工工业，食品加工工业及其它工业污水，也包括部分生活污水，在这些污水治理过程中，不仅可消除或减轻污水对环境的污染，同时也可以回收有价值的物质，使水部分或全部回用。